Description du sujet de thèse

Development of microfluidic systems for the analysis of heavy metals in industrial effluents from e-waste recycling.
The aim of this project is to develop a microsystem combining on-line pretreatment and analysis of effluents loaded with metal species under continuous flow conditions. The aim is to combine various original functions in a single system: (i) a dielectrophoretic particle filter, (ii) a pH sensor/modifier and an electrochemical oxygen filter, and (iii) a microchannel for electrophoretic separation and metal detection. System autonomy will be ensured by real-time sample characterization, including pH determination and matrix interference elimination. Cr, Pb, As, Cd and Hg species will be the system's main targets, given their prevalence in the sector of activity under consideration, with an objective quantification limit of 0.1 µg/L for each species. One of the objectives of the project is also to propose a microsystem that meets the quality control criteria required for the target application.
In terms of equipment, the laboratory is equipped with a technological platform dedicated to 3D printing for electrochemical detection using stereolithography for a resolution compatible with microfluidic applications. To carry out the project, the student will have access to tools for electrochemical measurements, microfluidic manipulation (flow controllers, C4D detector) and electrophoretic separation for tracking target metals, as well as for miniaturizing these processes.

Contexte de travail

The Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour les Matériaux et l'Environnement (LCPME, UMR 7564 CNRS-Université de Lorraine) is a multidisciplinary unit focusing on the study of mineral and biological interfaces in aqueous media. The main objective is to better understand the reactivity of solid surfaces (mineral phases, organo-mineral hybrids, nanomaterials or biological objects) in contact with aqueous media, with the aim of taking into account the structural and reactional heterogeneities of the systems studied at different spatial scales, and with potential spin-offs in the environmental and materials fields. The unit combines disciplines from physical chemistry (spectroscopy and electrochemistry) and microbiology (microbial interfaces and adhesion).
The laboratory is located at 405 rue de Vandoeuvre, 54600 Villers-lès-Nancy.