The laboratory "Aggregates, Interfaces and Materials for Energy" (AIME) associates competence in solid state chemistry and physical chemistry of interfaces with synthesis and characterisation of materials in diverse forms: aggregates or particles, divided and porous solids, bulk materials or membranes and thin films. The perspectives of the research are two-fold: conception and elaboration of materials enabling emerging energy technologies (production, conversion, storage), and the study of the interfacial properties and mechanisms governing exchange of energy and matter at interfaces. The AIME laboratory is a team member of the Charles Gerhardt Institute for Molecular Chemistry and Materials in Montpellier, France (ICGM). It is a joint research unit between the French National Scientific Council (CNRS) and University of Montpellier.

The particular positioning of the activities of the AIME laboratory stems from its approach in extending its research from basis to applied, and from the fundamental aspects in the conception and development of new materials to their integration in devices and small demonstrators. As a result of its several collaborations with industrial partners, AIME is also a member of the Carnot Institute CED2. Research for new and active substances includes both experimental and modelling aspects, on materials including polymers and oxides, hybrids and composites, nanometals and intermetallics. Significant effort is devoted to structuring materials whether in particle form or bulk and whether electrolyte or electrode, at all length scales, including development of porosity, control of texture and definition of interfaces. The aim also is by modelling and experiment to understand reaction mechanisms, as well as mechanisms leading to the premature ageing of materials in operation in order to propose mitigation strategies by materials improvement, and so increase lifetime.