The laboratory of Crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Modelling, CRM2 UMR CNRS 7036) is associated to the University of Lorraine (pole “Chimie et Physique Moléculaire”) and to CNRS (Institute of Physics). The peculiarity of the laboratory consists in the fact that it combines researchers developing three complementary but fundamental methods to study matter: Crystallography, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and quantum chemistry.

Research

Our current focus lies on the following topics:

  • Development and application of crystallographic, DFT, and NMR tools for the study of (nano)materials and enzymes
  • Development of advanced tools for electron density analysis and its application to biomolecules, coordination complexes, and magnetic materials
  • Development of theoretical and modelling tools for crystal structure prediction and crystal engineering
  • Development of theoretical and experimental tools for the study of excited states
  • Development of original NMR methods such as para-hydrogen and NQR

These major objectives will be tackled within and by collaboration between the four research teams

logo_biomod_small_50  Biostructures and Modelling (BIOMOD)
logo_crisp_small_50  Crystallography and Structure-Property relationship (CRISP)
logo_mq_small_50  Quantum modelling (MQ)
logo_rmn_small_50  NMR Methodology (RMN)

The laboratory members develop and operate the two experimental platforms (services communs) of X-ray diffraction and NMR of the Institut Jean Barriol.

logo_scdx_small_50  X-ray diffraction (SCDX)
logo_rmn_small_50  Nuclear and Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

CRM2 has participated in the promotion and is now implicated in the operation of the beamline “Cristal” at the synchrotron SOLEIL (P. Fertey). The laboratory interacts also with the neutron diffraction groups at LLB (F. Porcher).

Teaching

CRM2 is highly involved in teaching at all levels. We organise regularly national (CNRS) and international schools on crystallography and offer training to research engineers and doctoral students of other laboratories.
At the University of Lorraine the members of CRM2 teach at the Faculty of Sciences and Technologies in the bachelor and master courses in physics, chemistry, life sciences, and earth sciences.