2014 CNRS Innovation Medal laureate: Didier Roux

As a laureate of the 2014 Innovation Medal granted by the CNRS, Didier Roux, 59, head of research and innovation at Saint-Gobain, talks about his career path and his main research activities. He first worked as a physicochemist at the CNRS by getting involved in fundamental research while interfacing with the industrial world through the creation of two companies (Capsulis and Rheocontrol). He held scientific management positions at Rhône-Poulenc, then Rhodia, before "switching 100% to industry" in 2005. Landmarked by the filing of about fifteen patents, the years he spent studying complex fluids brought him to highlight a phase transition leading to the spontaneous organization of structures formed by multilayered molecules. These are useful for the micro-encapsulation of active compounds, a process that has applications in the cosmetics and veterinary sectors.