Dominique Baillargeat
Scientific Executive Director and Professor
University of Limoges, France
Limoges, France
Education:
- Master Degree in Electronics, University of Limoges
- PhD in High Frequency Electronics, University of Limoges
Work Focus:
Dominique Baillargeat is the CEO of CNRS@CREATE, the first CNRS’ overseas subsidiary, that acts as a program operator to build and conduct large transdisciplinary research programs in the Campus for Research Excellence And Technological Enterprise of the National Research Foundation of Singapore.
Advice to Students:
Explore physics and chemistry…and above all be passionate and curious.
Links:
Interview:
In which technical fields within Nanotechnology does your work apply best?
Baillargeat:
- Nanoelectronics
- Nanosensors
- Nano-Materials
- Modeling and Simulation
- Nanofabrication
- Nanopackaging
- Nanoscale Communications
Q: When did you first find that your career path focused on nanotechnology?
Baillargeat: In 2009 when I moved from my University in Limoges (France) to Nanyang University in Singapore. I used nanoelements for the first time to make RF interconnections. Doing RF nanotechnology is very exciting.
Q: What current nanotechnology applications are you working on?
Baillargeat: My research activities are currently focused on the use of carbon nanotube for new 3D nanopackaging solutions taking into account the constraints of fabrication, integration, high frequency connectivity, thermal management … That work requires large skills and development of technological processes for the fabrication and integration of carbon nanotubes and also of new CNT models that can be implemented in RF circuit design software.
Q: What’s the most rewarding thing about working with nanotechnology?
Baillargeat: Working with nanotechnology requires a cross-disciplinary approach, bringing together skills in manufacturing with new materials and processes aspects, in characterization and modeling to understand the physics that govern the behavior of these nanomaterials, in integration and design to develop new objects to satisfy future societal challenges. This cross-disciplinary approach is exciting because it brings together different scientific communities who learn from each other and move forward together. It is in this spirit that I conduct my research activities.
Q: In which areas do you anticipate future commercialization of nanotechnology having the greatest positive impact on the world?
Baillargeat: Nanotechnologies have multiple impacts in a wide variety of fields such as new materials, nanoelectronics or nanomedicine, to name just a few examples. In the future and in the context of Smart Cities, we can think that nanotechnologies will be essential to develop new ultra-sensitive sensors to ensure the safety and better living of people.
Q: What do you think is the single greatest impact nanotechnology has had on the world thus far?
Baillargeat: Nanotechnology makes it possible to go beyond what conventional technologies can and thus reach new paradigms. For instance, the increase in computing and storage capacities of computers is mainly due to the evolution of nanotechnologies which led to the revolution of artificial intelligence.
Q: Over the past decade, nanotechnology has moved out of the lab and is making a real impact in society. Have you worked on any efforts that helped to commercialize nanotechnology and resulted in new products or processes?
Baillargeat: I am focused on the use of nanotechnologies to contribute to the nanopackaging of electronic components, in particular for space applications. We are working with an industrial group on this topic and currently we are still in the development phase. If successful, we aim to reduce the size of the components while increasing their integration and performances and consequently the ones of future satellites.
Q: Did your university training help you in your nanotechnology work?
Baillargeat: Yes, by giving me the basics of the physics necessary for understanding the phenomena that govern the behavior of nanoelements or nanocomponents.
Q: Do you have a mentor? Did you in your college years?
Baillargeat: I believe that more than a mentor we need colleagues, people who inspire you with their work and their personality. I am very attached to human relationships, whether professional or personal. And I enjoy sharing a passion by collaborating on scientific developments.
Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you still focus on nanotechnology applications?
Baillargeat: Yes absolutely, nanotechnology is a fascinating universe that requires a multidisciplinary approach and allows many collaborations to develop new applications and thus contribute to the evolution of our society.
Q: If a high school or college student was interested in nanotechnology, what advice would you give them to help prepare take on those roles?
Baillargeat: Explore physics and chemistry…and above all be passionate and curious.
