Chemical engineering and processes

The activities of the "Unité de Chimie et Procédés (UCP)" focus on processes and materials for the energy and environmental transition, particularly in the hydrogen sector and in CO2 capture and utilization.

These activities draw on strong expertise in thermodynamic, thermochemical, and physicochemical modeling, a suite of instruments capable of taking measurements to feed into the models, and experimental work on the synthesis and characterization of materials and molecules.

The Chemistry and Processes Unit is also heavily involved in teaching at ENSTA—where it is responsible for the specialized tracks “Energy Transition” and “Nuclear”—as well as at IP Paris and Paris-Saclay University.

Analyseur ATD/ATG avec couplage GC-MS
Sectors of application
  • Energy
  • Transportation
  • Environment
  • Space
  • Process Safety
  • Pharmaceutical Industry

Research topics

HYDROGEN / COMBUSTION / THERMOCHEMISTRY / BIOFUELS / GAS HYDRATES / MATERIALS / CO2 CAPTURE AND UTILIZATION

Examples of Research Projects

Updated on August 28, 2026

Decarbonization: Toward More Electric Vehicles

A new doctoral thesis aligns with the European goal of carbon neutrality in transportation through vehicle electrification and focuses specifically on the behavior of electric vehicle batteries.

While promising in terms of decarbonization, this solution still faces challenges related to cost, recycling, and, above all, safety. In recent years, numerous accidents involving lithium-ion batteries have been reported in the media, including, for example, fires in electric buses.

In this context, Eva Jadot’s CIFRE dissertation focuses on predicting combustion behavior and modeling the gases emitted during thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries at the cell level.

It is funded by SAFT, a company specializing in battery technologies and a wholly owned subsidiary of TotalEnergies, and is conducted in partnership with IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN).

Reusable Space Launcher

Two doctoral theses are contributing to the European project for a reusable space launcher.

  • Baptiste Romain’s thesis focuses on the combustion of the CH₄/O₂ system that will be used for the launch vehicle project. It is funded by ONERA,
  • CNES, and MAIASPACE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ArianeGroup.
  • Another dissertation focuses on ammonia combustion, a strategic fallback option should the hydrogen alternative ever be abandoned or set aside. It is funded by France 2030 and is part of the SPLEEN strategic program on the reduction of industrial emissions. It is being conducted within a consortium comprising the CNRS, IFPEN, the CEA, and ENSTA.

Our latest news

Institute | Training | Innovation | Research
The education and the research at ENSTA at the core of the development of IP Paris

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris’s back-to-term press conference took place on Tuesday 29 September. In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight ENSTA’s specific contributions and new developments in education that benefit the Institute.

The education and the research at ENSTA at the core of the development of IP Paris

The Institut Polytechnique de Paris’s back-to-term press conference took place on Tuesday 29 September. In particular, it provided an opportunity to highlight ENSTA’s specific contributions and new developments in education that benefit the Institute.

Innovation | Research
SEARENITY, the magnetic hull-cleaning robot designed to decarbonise maritime transport

ENSTA is one of the partners in the SEARENITY project, which was selected under the ‘CORIMER Low-Carbon Ships’ call for proposals (funded by Ademe, France 2030). The project aims to develop an autonomous robot capable of continuously cleaning ship hulls...

SEARENITY, the magnetic hull-cleaning robot designed to decarbonise maritime transport

ENSTA is one of the partners in the SEARENITY project, which was selected under the ‘CORIMER Low-Carbon Ships’ call for proposals (funded by Ademe, France 2030). The project aims to develop an autonomous robot capable of continuously cleaning ship hulls...

Institute | Training
Training a generation of committed engineers

One afternoon in September, in the lecture theatres at ENSTA, groups of around ten students are discussing ideas whilst gathered around large sheets of white paper. Together, with the help of a facilitator, they are placing cards relating to climate...

Training a generation of committed engineers

One afternoon in September, in the lecture theatres at ENSTA, groups of around ten students are discussing ideas whilst gathered around large sheets of white paper. Together, with the help of a facilitator, they are placing cards relating to climate...