Professor Alain Dufresne is a world-renowned Polymer Chemist and leading authority in renewable nanomaterials research at Grenoble INP - Université Grenoble Alpes. He currently serves as a Full Professor specializing in polymer physics, bio(nano)composites, and biobased materials within the LGP2 Laboratory of Process Engineering for Biorefining and Bio-sourced Materials. His academic journey began with a doctoral thesis in Electronics from INSA Toulouse in 1991, followed by a Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches from Université Joseph Fourier in 1997, marking his transition from microelectronics to pioneering work in polysaccharide-based materials. This strategic shift positioned him at the forefront of sustainable materials research, establishing his reputation as a visionary in the field of bio-based nanomaterials.
Professor Dufresne's groundbreaking research on nanocellulose has fundamentally transformed the development of sustainable polymer nanocomposites reinforced by nanoparticles extracted from renewable resources such as biomass and agricultural residues. As a global pioneer in nanocellulose research for over three decades, he has authored more than 270 peer-reviewed publications and the seminal reference work Nanocellulose: From Nature to High Performance Tailored Materials published by De Gruyter. His innovative methodologies for implementing and characterizing bio-based nanomaterials have catalyzed significant advancements in sustainable materials science with diverse industrial applications across multiple sectors. The exceptional impact of his work is evidenced by his consistent recognition as one of the world's most influential researchers, with publications ranking in the top 1% by citations in his field.
Professor Dufresne maintains significant influence in the global scientific community through extensive international collaborations and leadership in advancing renewable nanomaterials research. He has been consecutively recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher by Clarivate Analytics for six years, with his 2023 ranking placing him as the 2nd highest cited researcher in Polymers in Europe and 9th worldwide according to Stanford University's methodology. His ongoing contributions include active participation in major scientific conferences such as Chemistry For the Future 2023, where he presented on polysaccharide nanomaterials and their potential applications. Professor Dufresne continues to drive innovation in sustainable materials science, positioning his research at the critical intersection of environmental responsibility and advanced material functionality for future technological challenges.
