Our innovation avenues   Our areas of expertise   To reach us   How to get there   Varennes   High voltage   Mechanical and thermomechanical   Power system simulation   Calibration and repairs   Shawinigan   Energy technology laboratory (LTE)		Our expertise in chemistry and materials covers the areas of chemistry, synthesis, characterization and the development of materials and processes used to produce them. A number of our projects aim to improve the performance of power system equipment by detecting and analyzing the chemicals generated when equipment fails. Our projects also involve the development of chemical additives and technologies such as lithium-metal polymer, as well as the assessment of technologies related to distributed generation such as fuel cells and gas microturbines. New avenues of research are also being investigated; for example, using synthesis to develop coatings that protect against corrosion and the characterization of electronic conducting polymers, the integration of superconducting or magnetic materials in electrical apparatus, and the development of structured nanomaterials incorporated into distribution transformers to reduce electrical losses. Prospecting projects have allowed us to develop our expertise in the following areas: processes related to the production of coatings or the synthesis of new materials using plasma, the dielectric withstand of various materials subjected to electrical stress, electrode materials for conducting-oxide fuel cells, and the application of optical methods to solve system problems, among others.