Together, power the future with nature.

Having completed BEng and MEng degrees in electronic and electrical engineering at the University of Bath, UK, Jules HAMMOND continued to complete a PhD on micro- and nano-gap based biosensors. During his PhD he also co-founded a startup specialising on producing hardware and software for dynamic reconfiguration of energy arrays, which was awarded the David Embleton innovation award. He has also worked with the SetSquared business incubator in Bath to facilitate technology transfer.

Since moving to Grenoble, France, his research has first focused on developing the world’s first solubilised enzymatic fuel cell using glyconanoparticles, and later, developing paper-based biofuel cells.

A graduate of CEFAM (centre détude franco-américan) and Temple University (Fox School of Business) in Philidelphia, Rodolphe DURAND-MANICLAS is a specialist in international business development with more than 20 years of experience. He has been heavily involved in the structuring of business units with a strong commercial orientation in technologies with a social and environmental impact.

His career in several fields gives him the technical knowledge and leadership skills to direct international commercial projects. He has contributed to the training and management of up to 200 salespeople in support for BtoB and BtoBtoC solutions. These listening, business management and project structuring skills make Rodolphe a partner of choice for our company.

Jean-Francis BLOCH, is a professor at Grenoble INP/Pagora and a researcher at the 3SR Lab. He holds a doctorate (Grenoble, France) in process engineering, an MSc (Grenoble, France) in Mechanics as well as an MSc (Lille, France) in automation, production and industrial computing, and an Engineering diploma (Lille, France). He has directed 20 doctoral theses. He has experience in co-ordination of technological projects, leadership in surface and 3D structure characterisation, physical properties of fibrous materials industrial process optimisation in particular in the context of paper manufacturing. 

He has published more than 300 international communications and has also acted as a reviewer for 28 international scientific journals. He has acted as a board member for Grenoble Institute of Technology for the board of: (i) Governors, since 2009; (ii) Management, since 2010, (iii) Scientific Council, from 2003-2012; and (iv) Executive, since 2015.

Aleksandrs SERGEJEVS graduated from the University of Bath, UK, with an MEng degree in Electronic & Electrical Engineering, where he then continued his studies towards obtaining a PhD in 2018. During his PhD, Aleksandrs was responsible for the design and build of the electronic & mechanical subsystems for a photoelectrochemical ultra-violet LED-based water purification system, in collaboration with a number of stakeholders from Europe and South East Asia.

After completing his studies, Dr. Sergejevs joined the University of Bath as part of the technical team, providing support to the Faculty of Engineering and Design. Since 2019 Aleksandrs has also been working as a postdoctoral researcher on a commercial research project for Safran Landing Systems, UK.

As an electronic engineer, Aleksandrs is proficient in OrCAD Allegro, with a wealth of experience developing electronics including schematics, PCB layout, production and testing. He also has years of experience working with FPGAs, and enjoys the challenge of optimising the hardware–software interface.

Marie BERTHUEL graduated from the University of Oregon (USA) with a Master of Sciences, as well as from the UCBL (France) with a Master of Formulation and industrial Chemistry. She then engaged on a PhD, from University Grenoble Alpes, for the development of biosensors based on micro-structured electrodes and physically microencapsulated biomolecules.

During her PhD, she has developed a strong knowledge of electrochemistry, enzymatic reactions as well as affinity biosensors by working on a multidisciplinary subject gathering chemistry, material sciences and biology. 

Marie has been involved in many student associations as well as co-supervising the organisation of numerous biotechnology events leading to the development of close partnerships with leading public and private enterprises. Marie managed the media generation and communication of these events. 

Her technical expertise and ability to convey complex ideas in a simple manner makes her an ideal representative for BeFC, which she joined as a Senior Scientist and communication officer.

After initial training in biochemistry and process engineering at the Science University of Nantes, Sébastien SOLAN first worked in the field of explosives processing for airbag applications near Paris. He then joined CEA LITEN in Grenoble where he studied and developed electrochemical components for fuel cells using printing processes for more than 5 years and then explored various processes and material strategies within the CEA battery laboratories for 10 years. Specialist in the formulation and implementation of electrochemical components, his research themes for 15 years have focused on the development of fine and flexible components related to the power supply of printed electronics applications. 

Strongly oriented towards innovation and optimization, he has been able to file more than twenty patents and propose numerous development strategies within the framework of European and industrial projects. 

After a brief incursion in electrochemical analysis software world and especially an experience in technical marketing for BioLogic Company, he is dedicated to work towards eco-friendly solutions

Having started his graduate studies in  ceramic materials science in Limoges, Marius CESBRON completed a MSc degree in nanochemistry and nanotechnology in Grenoble,  specialising in polymer materials for advanced technologies. 

Driven by the ambition to work in R&D, he engaged on a PhD to study electrochemical processes used for functionalisation of electrodes. 

These various studies have enabled him to develop knowledge in energy storage and electrocatalysis. 

Lisa GUILBAUD took a two-year undergraduate intensive course in Mathematics and Physics in Grenoble Institute of Technology. Then, she flew to Toulouse (France) to study Fluid Mechanics. She graduated from the engineering school ENSEEIHT as a Fluid Mechanics Engineer. She also completed a Masters Degree in Fluid Dynamics, Energetics and Transfer in Toulouse University. 

She did one year and a half of research work at the Chemical Engineering Laboratory in Toulouse. She consolidated and built skills in microfluidics, chemical engineering, processes, numerical modeling and various-scale numerical simulations. She had an international experience in the Laboratory of Process Fluid Mechanics in Udine (Italie). 

Lisa came back to the biotechnology-friendly environment of Grenoble to join BeFC as an engineer

Alban THIERRY began his graduate studies with a CPGE (preparatory class at the Grandes Ecoles) PTSI/PSI in Dijon, then he joined Grenoble INP ESISAR (Ecole Nationale Supérieure en Informatique Systèmes Avancés et Réseaux) within the electronic course, computer science and systems of which he has graduated.

As a student, he worked at INRAE to develop a sample selector via solenoid valve. In particular, he developed the communication and power map as well as the human machine interface. Within the company Lancey Energy Storage, he designed and developed two electronic boards to connect the radiator and received an Innovation Award for this project.

As an electronics engineer, Alban has a strong background in electronics and embedded development, making him a good candidate for BeFC.

Pierre-Yves BLOCH, a young engineer from Grenoble who is passionate about sport and mountains, began his education with a Technological University Diploma (DUT) in Mechanical Engineering at the Grenoble Alpes University. During his graduate internship, he developed Mechanical Design and Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing skills.  

He graduated from the National Institute of Applied Sciences of Lyon (INSA) in Mechanical Engineering, Design and Product Innovation, whilst alternating with the company Becton Dickinson. During his alternance, he worked on product and process characterisation as an apprentice process engineer and contributed to the development and validation of measurement methods (friction test bench, measuring bench and cosmetic visual inspections on glass syringes...). 

His four-year experience in a global setting has allowed him to develop his technical expertise as well as his project management skills. He is now engaged on a CIFRE thesis on the mass industrialisation of BeFC products.