Microscopy Platform

These microscopes are equipped with fluorescence, phase contrast, and crossed polarizers for the observation and characterization of materials.

A specialty of our microscopy activities involves the analysis of flows at the micrometer scale through the design of milli- and microfluidic chambers (access to the MicroFAB technical platform of LIPhy). These observations are conducted using fluorescence with high-sensitivity cameras (Hamamatsu ORCA Flash cameras) or high-speed cameras (Photron FASTCAM mini AX), and the data is processed with internally developed image analysis algorithms.

Observation of wrinkle instability on a microcapsule in an extensional flow.

Flow of a suspension within a porous medium.

The Rheology and Processes Laboratory also hosts a Nikon confocal microscope equipped with Yokogawa spinning disc technology, enabling rapid imaging of discrete planes in 3D samples or flows.

3D Reconstruction of a Pectin Shell.

We are also equipped with our own optical tweezers setup, allowing us to trap microparticles and exert forces in the range of 1 to 100 pN on them, enabling the manipulation of objects (red blood cells, yeast) and conducting active microrheology experiments.

Active Microrheology in Pulmonary Mucus.

One of our rheometers (MCR 501, Anton Paar) is equipped with an optical setup that allows for the coupling of rheometric measurements and sample observation.

Structuration sous cisaillement d'une suspension de colloïdes. 

We also collaborate with the Materials Characterization Technology Platform and the electron microscopy facility at CERMAV for the morphological and structural study of soft matter: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Tomography.

Observation by Scanning Electron Microscopy of a protein aggregate fiber obtained through co-injection.