Gremaud Ludovic

Ludovic Gremaud is a Full Professor at the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture (HEIA-FR), part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO). His academic work focuses on organic chemistry with emphasis on sustainable methodologies, particularly photochemical and mechanochemical approaches for green synthesis. He maintains active research collaborations both nationally and internationally, with numerous ongoing projects funded by SNF, Horizon Europe, and private industry.

Professor Gremaud's educational background includes a BA HES-SO in Architecture and an MSc HES-SO in Life Sciences from the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture. His teaching portfolio encompasses process engineering, industrial chemistry laboratory work, organic chemistry courses (including Carboxylic Acid & Amine Derivatives), scientific documentation, and laboratory instruction. At the graduate level, he teaches Dynochem, ReactionLab, process development, operational excellence, and manufacturing activities.

Gremaud's research centers on developing environmentally sustainable synthetic methodologies, with particular expertise in photochemical organic synthesis using blue LED technology and mechanochemistry. His work focuses on creating metal-free, solvent-free or reduced-solvent processes for pharmaceutical and chemical production. Key areas include C-H functionalization of heterocycles, cycloaddition reactions, and the synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic compounds with potential anticancer properties.

His recent publications reveal a clear trend toward green chemistry applications, particularly in mechanochemical synthesis and photochemical transformations. Gremaud has pioneered the application of bead-milling technology (Dyno-mill) for sustainable synthesis of pharmaceuticals like paracetamol. His work consistently emphasizes solvent reduction, elimination of metal catalysts, and development of chromatography-free isolation techniques to create more environmentally friendly chemical processes.

Professor Gremaud currently leads or collaborates on multiple significant research projects totaling over 8.5 million CHF in funding. These include the Horizon Europe IMPACTIVE project (8 million CHF) focused on mechanochemical API manufacturing, and several SNF and privately funded projects investigating photochemical and mechanochemical synthesis methods. His research group appears to supervise PhD students, particularly in the mechanochemistry project spanning four years.

Gremaud's laboratory work centers on sustainable chemical synthesis, with specific facilities for mechanochemical transformations using bead-milling technology and photochemical reactions with various LED light sources. His research team collaborates with international partners, particularly in South Asia, to develop novel synthetic methodologies with applications in pharmaceutical production.