Atomisation vs lyophilisation pour la microencapsulation: compréhension mécanistique des relations formulation-procédé-microstructure à l'échelle moléculaire pour maîtriser stabilité et libération // Spray-drying vs freeze-drying for microencapsulation:

Microencapsulation is widely used to protect sensitive compounds and to tailor their release, yet the choice
between spray-drying and freeze-drying is still largely empirical. These two processes generate markedly
different dried architectures (skin formation and internal gradients vs porous networks shaped by freezing and
sublimation), resulting in distinct stability and release behaviours. This PhD project aims to establish a
mechanistic and quantitative comparison between spray-drying and freeze-drying, linking molecular/colloidal
interactions in the feed formulation to process-driven microstructure, and ultimately to stability and release
kinetics. The work will deliver robust descriptors (e.g., water activity, sorption, glass transition temperature,
plasticization, porosity, internal distribution) and provide predictive guidelines to rationally select and design
drying routes for microencapsulation across applications.
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Microencapsulation is widely used to protect sensitive compounds and to tailor their release, yet the choice
between spray-drying and freeze-drying is still largely empirical. These two processes generate markedly
different dried architectures (skin formation and internal gradients vs porous networks shaped by freezing and
sublimation), resulting in distinct stability and release behaviours. This PhD project aims to establish a
mechanistic and quantitative comparison between spray-drying and freeze-drying, linking molecular/colloidal
interactions in the feed formulation to process-driven microstructure, and ultimately to stability and release
kinetics. The work will deliver robust descriptors (e.g., water activity, sorption, glass transition temperature,
plasticization, porosity, internal distribution) and provide predictive guidelines to rationally select and design
drying routes for microencapsulation across applications.
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Début de la thèse : 01/10/2026

Public funding alone (i.e. government, region, European, international organization research grant)

Concours pour un contrat doctoral

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

206 Chimie de Lyon

Candidate profile Master's degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Physical Chemistry / Soft matter / Formulation science. Strong interest in mechanistic reasoning and quantitative experimentation. Experience (or motivation) in drying processes, thermal analysis (DSC/Tg), water activity/sorption, particle characterisation, microscopy and statistical modelling (DoE) is appreciated.
Candidate profile Master's degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry / Chemical Engineering / Physical Chemistry / Soft matter / Formulation science. Strong interest in mechanistic reasoning and quantitative experimentation. Experience (or motivation) in drying processes, thermal analysis (DSC/Tg), water activity/sorption, particle characterisation, microscopy and statistical modelling (DoE) is appreciated.