GENERAL PRESENTATION
The research activities carried out at Laplace range from cold plasma physics, materials, electromagnetism and thermodynamics to the innovative design and optimisation of complex energy production and conversion systems (static and/or dynamic), taking into account their environment constraints. This diversity of knowledge and skills enables us to address energy conversion challenges comprehensively, with major and long-term industrial and institutional partnerships in various sectors, including aeronautics and space, transport and embedded systems, energy, the environment and health.
Energy conversion is the key topic in Laplace's research activities. The work focuses in part on understanding the energy conversion processes within plasmas through the development of high-performance models and diagnostic tools, which have been tested and validated on prototype or semi-industrial reactors. Studies focus on the use of plasma technologies to modify the surface state of aeronautical structures for high-performance adherence of adhesives and paints, the optimisation of high- and medium-voltage circuit breakers in energy distribution, and the acceleration of ions for energy production in tokamaks, plasma propulsion to maintain satellites in geostationary orbit, treatment of materials for sterilisation or to confer bactericidal or biocompatibility properties, cancer treatment and aid to healing, seed treatment for conservation and aid to seed germination, etc.
Laplace's activities also contribute to the momentum of the energy transition, addressing challenges associated with renewable electricity generation, ensuring coherence in the energy mix for power production, managing real-time balance between consumption and production, and integrating high-power density converters that prioritize both robustness and reliability under constraints. Based on a multi-scale and multi-application vision, Laplace is working on characterising the dielectric strength of materials and charge depositions under constraints, the design of new, more efficient materials and integration technologies. It is also studying the integrated design and real-time control for static and electromechanical energy conversion with high efficiency and low thermal dissipation, energy production using fuel cells, the transmission of electrical energy and its optimised distribution within smart grids, and the lifespan of systems and their components. The range of applications covers electric or hybrid electric vehicles, more electric aircraft, electric propulsion for ships, rail transport and electric grids, etc. In the field of aeronautics, there is also research on flexible wings that replicate the flight of raptors: their shape is electrically driven and controlled to reduce energy consumption and noise pollution. Other work involves the production of light sources (OLEDs), the manufacture of transistors (OLETs) and the development of lighting systems for the aeronautical industry that communicate via LiFi.
Laplace's activities have led to the creation of a joint lab with NXP (Labcom "Systèmes Embarqués pour la Mobilité Autonome"), 4 startups and two multi laboratory platforms initiiated and co-managed by Laplace ("Plateforme Hydrogène" on the study of fuel cells and electrolysers, Plateforme 3DPHI on 3-dimensional power electronics integration).
These activities are split into 12 research groups and 4 transversal and differentiating actions (ASTD). The research groups unite scientists who specialize in the research activities they are conducting. The ASTDs allow researchers to address scientific issues that span across research groups and to undertake differentiating and breakthrough activities. The topics investigated by the ASTDs are of a scientific nature, regardless of their applicative scope. Their aim is to cross-disciplinary approaches, to break out of “comfort zones” in order to address fundamental questions and/or develop new fields of research.
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