Christophe Goupil

Christophe Goupil is a University Professor 1st Class at the University of Paris, where he teaches in the Faculty of Physics and conducts research at the Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Tomorrow's Energies (LIED), UMR 8236. He serves as Head of the DyCO (Dynamiques Couplées) research team and previously held the position of Deputy Director of LIED from 2015-2020.

With research spanning three distinct periods—Supraconductivity (1991-2004), Thermoélectricity (2004-2012), and Interdisciplinary Energy Research (2012-present)—Goupil's work focuses on energy conversion, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, and the application of thermodynamic principles to biological and economic systems. His approach integrates physics, biology, and economics through the lens of coupled dynamics, with particular interest in bio-inspired energy systems and the thermodynamics of metabolic processes. His research has evolved from fundamental studies of vortex dynamics in superconductors to interdisciplinary applications examining the relationship between energy conversion and living systems.

Goupil's recent publications reveal a growing trend toward interdisciplinary applications of thermodynamics, with approximately 40% focusing on biological systems, 30% on advanced thermoelectric materials and devices, 20% on fundamental thermodynamic theory, and 10% on economic applications. His work consistently applies Onsager's linear response theory to diverse systems, demonstrating the universality of thermodynamic principles across disciplines.

• Best Paper Award 2015 for Thermodynamics of Thermoelectric Phenomena and Applications in Entropy journal
• Co-director of the publication Manuel de la grande transition
• Co-editor of the exhibition catalog for the Biomimétisme exhibition at Cité des Sciences

Professor Goupil has supervised 8 PhD theses and 5 post-doctoral researchers, while mentoring approximately 2 M2-level interns annually. His research has been supported by numerous projects including THETAGEN (FP7 CleanSky), ENERMAT (INTERREG), METABOLOCOT (CNRS), FLEXIGEN (Centre-Val de Loire), and several FUI projects. He has served on 17 thesis committees and 3 HDR committees, demonstrating his active engagement in academic mentorship and evaluation.

As head of the DyCO research team at LIED, Goupil leads investigations into coupled dynamics across multiple domains. The team explores the thermodynamic foundations of energy conversion in both living and non-living systems, with particular focus on the interface between physical principles and biological organization. Their work bridges traditional disciplinary boundaries, examining how thermodynamic constraints shape system behavior across scales—from electronic transport to metabolic processes to economic systems.