APPLICATION
FIELDS

Laplace’s research activities are based on the scientific fundamentals of plasmas, thermics, electromagnetism, materials and systems to understand phenomena, remove scientific barriers and propose innovative solutions for sustainable, more economical and efficient energy conversion and use.
The symbiosis of fundamental and applied research is leading to breakthrough devices (4 start-ups have been created since 2010 and around 6 patents are filed each year) and is enriching knowledge in 4 major interrelated fields of application: energy and the environment, aeronautics and space, ground transportation, health and living.
To better understand the implications of this research for our day-by-day lives, a few examples are given below. The keywords in orange indicate a research activity related to the issues raised throughout the text.
Enjoy your reading!

Energy and Environment:

Energy transition is based on the diversification of electrical energy sources (hydro, wind, photovoltaic, tidal power, etc.). However, these multi-sources produce intermittent power and must therefore be grid coupled to provide uninterrupted and secure energy to a variety of loads (industrial production facilities, homes, hospitals, public roads, recharging systems, etc.). A smart grid) must therefore interconnect intermittent multi-sources with multi-charges, constantly adapting production to demand. (control and automatic). This complex grid includes: power switches (circuit breakers)to distribute energy along the grid in real time, or to secure it in the event of a fault or power cut,

  • AC/DC or DC/DC current converters (static converters) based on new materials, higher voltage and current tolerant (materials and integration) with a with critical management of temperature (thermics).
  • reliable electricity transmission lines adapted to different energy and voltage levels (High Voltage cables).

Having a positive impact on the environment also involves developing devices that consume less energy and processes for pollutant treatment due to human activity. In this context, research is focusing on the development of more integrated and efficient electric motors (dynamic converters), to design innovative light devices, with higher efficiency and with a high adaptation to demand (light and material) or to design plasmas devices and processes in order to:

  • process effluents, eliminating nitrogen oxides from the combustion of carbonated or hydrogenated gases, reducing phytosanitary products contained in beeswax, separating phases in multiphase polluted environments, vitrifying waste using plasma torches, etc.
  • treating materials such as wood to reduce its putrescible properties, modifying the surface of a material to make it more hydrophobic or improving its membrane or filtration properties.

Aeronautic and Space:

In the aeronautics sector, hybridisation of embedded energy sources constitutes a fast growing research path to reduce carbon impact of aircraft. There is often talk of “more electric aircraft” which integrate, for example fuel cells to convert Hydrogen (H2) in electricity. Depending on whether (short, medium or long range) aircraft is considered, this “zero emission” electric powertrain may propel the plane and/or produce energy for non propulsive network and auxiliary functions (air conditionning, de icing, flight control actuation, etc).  Studying the fuel cell ageing , understanding and mastering electrochemical and physical phenomena to extend its lifespan, and to optimise fuel cells efficiency are among the crucial research activities made in LAPLACE. These investigations are supported by a high level testing center (the “hydrogen plateform”).

Research issues in aeronautics also cover a large part of those relating to the ‘energy and environment’ field (see above), with the constraint of an embedded system of finite dimension. More electricity on board also requires higher voltage and current. The safety problems induced by electric partial discharges  on devices (motors, power electronics, cables) which must become high voltage tolerant, the management of a more an more complex electric network (towards smart grid), the key issue of the thermal management with losses generated by power converters, the efficiency optimisation and control of devices, the weight/power ratio decrease, etc are all the more crucial as solutions have to take into account flight cycle constraints.

Also in aeronautic domain, understanding lightning effects on composite materials on board (arc tracking) is in full expansion. Plasma processes are also studied for surface process of aircraft structure to help the paints stick. New concepts with electroactive morphing of wing surfaces are also studied in order to reduce aircraft drag.

In the “space” domain, devices and concepts for plasma propulsion are also developed in the Lab. This involves correcting the trajectory of an orbiting satellite by ejecting ions from a plasma at high speed. Motion is set by means of the action/reaction principle, similar to the recoil experienced when a bullet is ejected at high speed from a gun. Another research activity concerns optimisation in terms of weight and performance of transmitter and receiver  antennas embedded on satellites. To complete, the hostile space environment where different devices and components need to support various radiations not present on earth because they are blocked by our atmosphere. Research are then carried out to understand the insulating materials or electronic devices behavior exposed to radiation reproduced and controlled in the laboratory.

Ground transportation:

It becomes more and more essential rethinking ground transportation systems to make them more efficient and less polluting. Laplace is focusing both on individual transport, with studies on innovative electric cars with new autonomous systems, and on public transport, developing power devices for more efficient railway systems and working on improving ship performance while reducing marine noise and pollution. These improvements in the various transportation modes are also supported by research in control and diagnostic of systems, to optimise safety for all. Take, for example, the ongoing development of autonomous vehicles. These advances require the research development in close partnership with industry. (LabCOM SEMA) on control, diagnostic and safety of embedded electronic devices. An autonomous vehicle is equipped with sensors to assess the environment in which it is operating. The reliability and robustness of electronic systems must be significantly improved, with redundant management of failures. This essential safety must not, however, be achieved at the expense of increased vehicle weight, and therefore requires the development of research into new power integrated electronic materials (Silicon Carbide and gallium arsenide), also innovating into 3D power integration for power electronics and on the control and design of new electronic devices fulfilling safety requirements.

Health and living:

The healthcare sector presents a number of challenges, with medical treatment issues on the one hand and the need for innovative materials with biocompatible properties on the other. In terms of medical treatments, Laplace is involved both in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and in the search for new non-drug treatments. By way of example, it is possible to apply cold flames (non thermal plasmas) on human tissues to help heal wounds, regenerate cells or treat cancer cells. Laplace also includes research into the production of materials resistant to bacterial biofilms or to facilitate sterilisation of heat-sensitive surgical materials. All these activities are carried out in close collaboration with laboratories specialising in biology and human health, and with the various university hospitals (CHU) in Toulouse.

Other applications are emerging in the agronomy sector. Research is focused on optimising the production of artificial light for the development of algae and plants in urban or industrial environments, and to aid seed germination and plant growth in water-stressed environments. These latter applications use plasma technologies to treat the seeds directly and modify their surface properties, or to treat the water itself to reduce its consumption for irrigation.