People

Dr. Antoine le Duigou is Associate-Professor in Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lome at Université de Bretagne Sud (Lorient France).

Antoine obtained his PhD in Materials Science at Université de Bretagne Sud and Ifremer in 2010, under the supervision of Pr C Baley P Davies where he developed natural fibre biocomposites for marine application. In 2014, he introduced the novel concept of Hygromorph biocomposites. Natural fibres’ main drawback, i.e moisture sensitivity, is for the first time turned into an advantage thanks to biomimicry paradigm. A new functionnality for natural fibres was proposed. He won Young’s researcher award from French Composites Association (AMAC) in 2017 and from European Society of Composite Materials (ESCM) in 2018. He defended his Habilitation in 2017 dealing with Composites materials and natural fibres : From reinforcement to hygromorph actuators . He has published more than 65 internationally peer reviewed articles and has given more than 80 conferences.

From a pedagogical and administrative point of view, Antoine is in charge of the Master 1 “Eco-Design of Polymers and Composites”.

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Dr. Mickaël CASTRO is currently a lecturer at the University of Southern Brittany, France, since 2009. He obtained his PhD at the University of Saint-Etienne in 2004, studying the morphology and rheological behavior of co-continuous immiscible polymer blends for lithium battery applications. During his post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Minnesota, he studied the rheology of concentrated surfactant systems, under the supervision of Pr. C.W. Macosko. He joined the Materials Engineering Laboratory of Brittany in the Smart Plastics group in 2006 to develop self-sensing conductive polymer composites as part of a European project under the supervision of Pr. J-F. Feller. In recent years, efforts have mainly focused on the integration of conductive composite sensors in composite structures, for monitoring the health of composites structural parts (SHM). The work on the monitoring of structural parts and the submission of a patent are at the origin of the creation of a startup (Sense in).

Finally, more recently and following internal collaborations, he has collaborated in the development of functional biocomposites for applications of hygromorphic passive actuators, and have participated for example in the addition of conductive formulations in these systems to monitor and/or modify the kinetics of their response. From a pedagogical and administrative point of view, Mickael is in charge of the Master 2 “Eco-Design of Polymers and Composites”, and of a University diploma entitled “3D Printing: Innovative Composite Materials”. He is elected to the operating council of his Sciences faculty, and also to the Research Commission of the University of Southern Brittany.

Quentin is currently…

Description – Mini Bio

Pierre-Louis is currently pursuing his PhD at Université de Bretagne-Sud on bioinspired 3D printed architectured lunar regolith-based composites able to withstand high-velocity impacts. He graduated from EEIGM (École Européenne d’Ingénieurs en Génie des Matériaux – Nancy, France) in the field of materials engineering in 2022. His research project is funded by ESA (European Space Agency) and Carnot ARTS. He is co-supervised by Antoine Le Duigou (IRDL), Laurent Mahéo (IRDL/Saint-Cyr Coëtquidan), Justin Dirrenberger (PIMM) and Ugo Lafont (ESA/ESTEC).

Alaa is currently pursuing her PhD at BIA INRAe laboratory.  She graduated from Grenoble Alpes University (UGA). Her research project is on the functionalization of flax fibers to develop electroresponsive hygromorph biocomposites (ReDesgin4D) funded by ANR, while being supervised by Mickael Castro (IRDL), Ana Villares (INRAe), and Johnny Beaugrand (INRAe)

Monia Grabow is currently working on the project Bioinspired 4D printed composite structures for defense and aerospatial application as post-doc researcher.
She obtained her PhD in materials science at the University of South Brittany in 2021 where she was working on the compressive and out-of-pane strengthes of continuous fibre laminated composites. Previously, she had graduated from the University of South Brittany in mechanics and civil engineering, and from the École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Metz and the Technical University of Kaiserslautern in Germany in the field of mechanical engineering.

Jean-Baptiste is currently pursuing his PhD at Université Bretagne-Sud on adaptable biocomposite materials obtained by Learning machine and 4D printing. He graduated from INSA Strasbourg. His research project is funded by ANR CE10 while being co-supervised by Antoine Le Duigou and Mickael Castro at the IRDL and Gessasma Sofiane at the INRAE BIA Nantes.

Melvin is currently pursuing his PhD at Université de Bretagne-Sud on XXXXXXXX co-supervised by Antoine Le Duigou and Mickaël Castro at the IRDL laboratory.

Thomas is currently pursuing his PhD at Université de Bretagne-Sud on 4D printed adaptive biocomposite structures for marine applications. He graduated from ECPM (Strasbourg). His research project is funded by ISBlue (https://www.isblue.fr/fr/) and Region Bretagne, while being co-supervised by Antoine Le Duigou and Mickaël Castro at the IRDL laboratory, Pierre Sauleau at LBCM and Ryosuke Matsuzaki et Tokyo University of Sciences (JP).

Thomas won mobility funds from ISBLUE in 2020.

Charles is currently pursuing his PhD at Université of Bristol and Université de Bretagne Sud on the design of a biologically inspired autonomous structures made with 4D printed shape-changing architectured biocomposite materials for defense application. He graduated from Arts et Metiers (Cluny). His research project is funded by DSTL (UK/FR application), while being co-supervised by Fabrizio Scarpa (Bristol University), Adam Perriman (Bristol University) and Antoine le Duigou (IRDL).

Malik is currently pursuing his PhD at Université de Bretagne Sud on the design of 3D printed autonomous shape-changing structures for hydrofoil applications. He graduated from UTT (Troyes). His research project is funded by Region Bretagne, while being co-supervised by Vincent Keryvin, Noelie Di Cesare and Antoine le Duigou (IRDL)

Guillaume is currently pursuing his PhD at Université de Bretagne Sud on the development of novel 3D and 4D printed composites for marine and morphing applications. He graduated from Polytech (Montpellier). His research project is funded by Region Bretagne, while being co-supervised Antoine le Duigou (IRDL) and Mickael Castro.

Guillaume won the 2^nd place from the SAMPE Chapter contest in 2019

Qinyu Li graduated from Harbin Institute of Technology, China. I studied mechanical calculation and experimental verification of intelligent aerospace and navigation structures based on shape memory polymer in the Centre for Smart Materials and Structures. The thesis title is Multi-stimuli responsive bioinspired hygromorph biocomposites with shape memory functionality. His supervisors are Fabrizio Scarpa, Hind Saidani-Scott, Giuliano Allegri and Antoine le Duigou.

His research focuses on the smart processing of composite materials using data assimilation and continuous fiber 3D printing, especially developing a 3D printing machine, understanding the printing mechanism, and optimizing fiber path.

Nihon University

Research activities :  micro-mechanics, joining, and 3D printing of polymer matrix composites.

Noëlie DI CESARE is an Assistant Professor at Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1. She’s specialized in the development of smart algorithms to optimize and make the understanding of materials and structures easier. She’s worked on the development of improved versions of metaheutistic optimization algorihms (sur as a PageRank-improved version of the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm) and their application to stuctural mechanics, continuum mechanics and the development of architectured metamaterials. She’s now developing a research theme about the using of machine learning algorithms applied to theoritical mechanics. Previously, she was Assistant Professor at IRDL, UBS Lorient. She was working in the IUT de Lorient-Pontivy, in the QLIO department. Her topics are related to manufacturing engineering, programming, theoritical mechanics, and numerical modelling of structural mechanics.

Ugo Lafont is Space Materials & Technology Specialist at European Space Agency – ESA
Advanced Materials and Processes development for space application, Polymers / Graphene based technology / Energy storage / Self-healing materials and systems / Smart materials / Coatings, Composite development and associated manufacturing process, Adhesive and joining technology for space related component and structure, Additive manufacturing for space application (thermoplastics and composites) , In-space / Out-of-earth manufacturing

Professor Fabrizio Scarpa (Laurea, PhD, FRAeS) is Materials Theme Leader at the Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS) of the University of Bristol. Fabrizio Scarpa’s research interests are in the field of mechanical metamaterials, with particular focus on auxetics – negative Poisson’s ratio and negative stiffness materials. Professor Scarpa’s group designs, models and manufacture auxetic foams, composites and architected cellular structures for structural integrity, vibration damping, vibroacoustiics, shape morphing and multifunctional applications. Professor Scarpa also develops predictive micromechanical and structural models for energy dissipation performance in composite and polymeric structures. Professor Scarpa’s activities also involve the design, modelling, manufacture and characterisation of natural fibre reinforcements for composites (sisal, agave, cactus, juncus), and recycled polymers (originated from rubber tyres). Those activities are also connected with the use of Synthetic Biology tools to develop energy absorbent bio-based materials (collaboration with Perriman Group at the University of Bristol).

Another set of research activities carry out by Professor Scarpa is about nanostructures, design and manufacturing with particular emphasis on graphene, CNTs, BN, ZnO and GaN nanostructures. Special focus of the nanostructures-related activities is about the mechanical characterisation of the nanomaterials for applications ranging between nanocomposites to nanocoatings for multifunctional applications.

Professor Scarpa is national coordinator for the Mechanical Metamaterials Special Interest Group of the new UK EPSRC Metamaterials Network.

Dr. Justin Dirrenberger is Associate Professor in the department of Materials Science & Engineering at Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers.

Justin obtained his PhD in Materials Science & Engineering at the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris in 2012, where he developed computational homogenisation methods for determining the effective properties of architectured materials. After joining CNAM in 2013, he started focusing on the development of metallic architectured materials for structural applications. In 2015, he co-founded XtreeE, a startup company dealing with the integration of advanced digital processes in architectural design and construction. He defended his Habilitation in 2018.

His research activities deal with the mechanics of materials including inorganic glasses (silicate, metallic, chalcogenide), organic glasses (thermosets), flax and carbon fibres. During the past decade, active work has been done on carbon fibre composites with sailing racing teams in Brittany including manufacturing, modelling, characterisation of samples and structural parts such as masts or hydrofoils for round-the-world races.

Formations
Mechanical Engineering

Maxime is currently a student at the University of Southern Brittany in Lorient in the Eco-design of polymers and composites Master’s programme and is doing his internship under the supervision of Antoine Le Duigou. Maxime is participating in a project on double 4D printing with the aim of generating torsion through thermal variations. Originally from the south of France, he completed a DUT in mechanical engineering at the University of Toulon. This enabled him to acquire knowledge in the field of materials and then to specialise in the eco-design of composite materials.

Maxime is currently a student at the University of South Brittany in Lorient in a Master’s in Eco-design of polymers and composites and is doing his internship under the supervision of Antoine Le Duigou. Maxime N participates in a project on the analytical prediction of the shape change capacity of high performance polymers printed in 4D and the evaluation of a composite polymer with continuous fibers for space applications. Originally from the center of France, he completed a DUT in materials science and engineering at the University of Tours then followed by a one year technical university degree in plastics processes and composite materials at the IUT Alençon. This allowed him to acquire knowledge in the field of polymers and composite materials and then to specialize in eco-design.

Vanille is currently completing her second year GMM internship at the University of Southern Brittany in Lorient. Vanille is participating in the project Bioinspired 4D printed composite structures for defense and aerospatial application, supervised by Antoine Le Duigou (IRDL). Originally from Chaudefonds sur Layon in Maine et Loire, she studied in Le Mans for a DUT in Physical Measurements and continued with a degree in Physics and Applications in Angers.

Keliann is currently doing his 2nd year internship in mechanical and materials engineering at the University of South Brittany supervised by Antoine Le Duigou (IRDL) on bioinspired 4D printed composite structures for defense and aerospace. He comes from the small town of Auray not far from Lorient. He did all his post-graduate studies (L1 to M2) at the the University of South Brittany where he acquired skills in structural calculation (metallic or composite) both analytically and numerically as well as in additive manufacturing.

Thomas is  currently pursuing his Engineer Intership at Université de Bretagne Sud on the understanding of bistability effect on 4D printed biocomposites. His research project is funded by CNRS MITI Biomimetisme, while being co-supervised Antoine le Duigou (IRDL) and Mickael Castro.

Quentin is currently pursuing his first year ECPC master internship at the University of Southern Brittany. Quentin is participating in Roxane Toumi’s thesis on the development of an autonomous solar tracker for space applications, co-supervised by Antoine le Duigou (IRDL) and Mickael Castro. Originally from Pont-L’Abbé in Finistère, he studied in Nantes for a DUT in materials science and engineering, and pursued a degree in polymers and composites in UBS Lorient, where he was able to learn about 3D printing.

Juliette is currently pursuing her engineer internship at Université de Bretagne Sud, working with Thomas Fruleux on the Development of bioinspired adaptive structures in biocomposites via 4D printing co-supervised by Antoine le Duigou (IRDL) and Mickael Castro. She is from Brest in Brittany and she studied at the IMT Mines Alès where she specialized in the ecodesign of materials and processes.

Mathias is currently doing his IMECA end-of-study intership at the Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), Lorient. He is participating in Thomas Fruleux’s thesis on hygromorph 4D printed bilayers for the development of biocompatible and intelligent artificial reefs, and supervised by Antoine le Duigou. Mathias made his master’s degree in Materials sciences with a speciality in engineering (CMI curriculum) at Pau University, where he was able to learn about polymers and composites.