“Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Construction”: One day, ten presentations, two communities

On September 24, the “Physics and Chemistry of Innovative Materials” Chair, established jointly by ESPCI Paris – PSL and Saint-Gobain Research, hosted its workshop. Academic and industrial researchers gathered for a day of scientific discussion centered on a shared challenge: envisioning and designing materials for more sustainable construction.

Since its inception, the Chair has been dedicated to forging lasting links between the basic research conducted at ESPCI and the industrial innovation challenges faced by Saint-Gobain. This biennial workshop is the most direct expression of this mission: a day when physicists, chemists, and engineers share their latest findings, compare their approaches, and foster new collaborations.

Ten presentations, a common theme

The program featured ten presentations covering a broad range of topics, from fundamental phenomena at the nanoscale to the challenges of industrialization. Adaptive materials for passive building cooling, heat transport, the circular economy of glass, photonics, electrochemical membranes for water electrolysis, the mechanics of amorphous solids, and the chemistry of concrete admixtures: each presentation was part of a shared commitment to ecological transition, with environmental impact serving as the common thread.

A poster session at the heart of the day

The morning concluded with a poster session, which provided a more informal setting for discussion and allowed many researchers, particularly doctoral and postdoctoral students, to present their work and forge new connections between the two communities.