At the Sustainable Materials Tribe (STM-Tribe), we study materials chemistry, and materials for civil engineering applications, innovation and the interplay in between. We aim to create high value-added products from industrial by-products, and extracted phosphate rocks an integrated and multidisciplinary approach is implemented, and many disciplines are covered spanning solid state physics and chemistry, synthesis processes; circular economy, clays, cements and alkali-activated materials technologies.

Research activities in STM-tribe are focused in particularly on development, design and manufacturing of new geopolymers and alkali-activated materials for specific applications such as construction and smart building, water treatment, encapsulation of radioactive elements and heavy metals. Another axis of sustainable materials related to urban mining of industrial by-products is developed in the STM-tribe by a rational extraction of the residual resources from by-products to high added value products. Phsphgypsum transformation, clays valorisation as well as. refractory materials conception and development are  currently the main research interests of STM-tribe.

STM-tribe research strategy is Closing a sustainable strategy for the alteration of Moroccan natural sources and industrial by-products into high-quality applicable materials.

• Conduct high quality research for academia and society
• Train new generation of researchers and laureates for industrial and academic careers
• Develop knowledge in the field of characterization, management and valorization of sustainable industrial materials and by-products,
• Contribute to the “Entrepreneurship MSN” movement by encouraging innovation and excellence in research.
• Cultivate an active scientific network in Morocco around the theme of recovering mining waste

The STM platform integrates all activities related to the preparation of solid raw materials for characterization, the valuation of inferior ores and waste rock, the preparation of aggregates for geopolymers, cement powders, ceramics, refractory materials, as well as the carrying out tests measuring the mechanical performance of the materials developed. For this, the platform includes:

• X-ray fluorescence spectrometry Epsilon 4
• Jaw Crusher Model II, PULVERISETTE 1 classic line
• FRITSCH, Drum Mill, TM 300 RETSCH
• Mechanical Testing Machine
• Sieving system

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry Epsilon 4

The Epsilon 4 is a benchtop multifunction X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analyzer designed for any sector of activity requiring elementary analysis of fluorine (F) to americium (Am), in the fields of process control and research and development. Combining the latest excitation and detection technologies with proven software and intelligent design, the analysis performance of the Epsilon 4 is similar to that of the more powerful X-ray fluorescence spectrometers placed on the ground.

Jaw Crusher Model II, PULVERISETTE 1 classic line, FRITSCH

It allows a fast and effective pre crushing of hard materials. The comminution of the sample takes place in the Jaw Crusher under high pressure between one fixed and one movable crushing jaw in an enclosed grinding chamber.

Drum Mill, TM 300 RETSCH

The ball mill machine is mainly used for size reduction purposes of hard, brittle or fibrous materials. This equipment is coupled with a variety of grinding modes, usable volumes and available grinding tool materials.

Mechanical Testing Machine

Mechanical Testing Machine is capable of uniaxial/triaxial testing. This machine is used for the measurement of tensile, compression and bending strengths of different materials (cement mortars, geopolymers, bricks, polymers, composites, etc.

Sieving system

For aggregate grain size distribution. The sieving vibrating machine allows to separate solid raw materials into different size fractions for analysis purposes.

The Sustainable Materials tribe provides technical/analytical services and sustainable solutions in connection with research activities for internal and external academic partners as well as for industrial partners.

STM-tribe contributes to the MSN department education programs. The following courses are given by the tribe:

• Materials analysis 1: Crystallography, UV-vis and Raman spectroscopy
• Phosphate geochemistry
• Industrial ecology
• Life cycle analysis and rational use of resources
• Management of industrial solid waste and recycling of materials

• We are a results-oriented tribe.
• We seek connectivity through a coherent, rigorous and transparent environment
• We are committed and motivated to reach our objectives through work, persistence, and risk taking
• We conduct research with uncompromising integrity and give credit to those who have earned it, in line with the Vancouver authorship rules.
• We endeavour to be identified as a tribe with character, seek strategic collaborations and take calculated risks.