Energy Materials: Inauguration of the Bordeaux–Kyoto–Nantes International Joint Laboratory

  • On 01 February 2026
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The official inauguration of the Bordeaux–Kyoto–Nantes international joint laboratory, focused on inorganic materials for energy applications, took place on 26 and 27 January 2026 at the Institute of Materials Jean Rouxel - Nantes (IMN – Nantes Université – CNRS). The event marked a major milestone in strengthening French–Japanese scientific cooperation in the field of energy materials, building on long-standing research partnerships and international programmes of excellence.

The Institute of Materials Jean Rouxel - Nantes (IMN) welcomed a high-level academic delegation from Kyoto University, from Bordeaux (the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Bordeaux – ICMCB), and from the CNRS, on the occasion of the launch of the on-site laboratory established by Kyoto University in association with the ICMCB and the IMN.

The official ceremony, followed by a scientific symposium, highlighted cutting-edge research in the field of inorganic energy materials carried out jointly in Bordeaux, Nantes, and Kyoto. This research on energy materials aims to develop a circular economy in support of a carbon-neutral society. The event also underlined the breadth of existing academic and educational cooperation between the French and Japanese institutions.

A Strengthened Framework of Existing Scientific Collaborations

The creation of this joint laboratory is rooted in long-standing scientific collaborations between French and Japanese institutions, supported by several key international programmes, including the CNRS International Research Project (IRP) "Mixed Anion", as well as the Japanese programmes JSPS Core-to-Core and JST ASPIRE. In keeping with this momentum, an international cooperation agreement between Kyoto University and Nantes Université (involving the IMN and two teaching departments – the Faculty of Science and Technology and Polytech Nantes), currently being finalised, will provide a formal framework for the development of joint teaching and research programmes. A similar agreement already exists between Kyoto University and the University of Bordeaux.

The project is led, on the Japanese side, by Professor Hiroshi Kageyama (Kyoto University), a leading figure in materials chemistry in Japan, CNRS Chemistry Ambassador in 2025, and co-editor of the international journal Inorganic Chemistry. On the French side, the project is coordinated at the IMN by Olivier Hernandez (Professor at Nantes Université), Shunsuke Sasaki (CNRS Research Fellow), and Laurent Cario (CNRS Research Director), and at the ICMCB by Alain Demourgues (CNRS Research Director) and Cédric Tassel (Professor at Bordeaux INP). Kyoto University, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, has for several years been a valued scientific partner of both the Jean Rouxel Institute of Materials in Nantes and the Institute of Condensed Matter Chemistry of Bordeaux.

This tripartite international laboratory thus contributes to enhancing the national and international profile of the CNRS, Nantes Université, the University of Bordeaux, and Bordeaux INP.

A number of senior academic and institutional figures from both France and Japan were present at the event, reflecting the broad university, scientific, and institutional significance of this French–Japanese collaboration:

  • Yasuyuki KONO, Vice-President of Kyoto University
  • Takehiko YOKOMINE, Vice-Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University
  • Toshiyuki TAKAGI, Director of the JSPS (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science) Office in Strasbourg
  • Hirotaka YAMADA, Director of the JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) Office in Paris
  • Thierry LOISEAU, Scientific Delegate at CNRS Chemistry
  • Sylvie RENAUD, Vice-President for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Bordeaux INP
  • Olivier GRASSET, Vice-President for Research and Open Science, Nantes Université
  • Antoine GOULLET, Deputy Director for Research, Science and Technology Division, Nantes Université
  • Stéphane GACHET, Elected Member of the Regional Council of Pays-de-la-Loire
  • Aziliz GOUEZ, Vice-President for Higher Education and Research, Nantes Métropole
  • Cyril AYMONIER, Director of the ICMCB, CNRS – University of Bordeaux – Bordeaux INP
  • Florent BOUCHER, Director of the IMN, CNRS – Nantes Université
 

The Institute of Materials Jean Rouxel - Nantes (IMN)

The Institute of Materials Jean Rouxel - Nantes (IMN) is one of France's leading public research centres in the field of materials science. It is affiliated with the CNRS and Nantes Université. From fundamental concepts through to practical applications, the IMN's teams conceive, explore, design, and develop innovative materials to address the major challenges of the energy transition, information technologies, and environmental sustainability – both today and in the future. Bringing together over 220 people – researchers, lecturer-researchers, engineers, technicians, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers from thirty different countries – the institute draws on a high level of expertise and a strong collaborative ethos to create the materials that will shape tomorrow's world.

Updated on 05 March 2026.