3 questions for …

Pr. Alain Combescure, Holder of the Chair
Professor at INSA Lyon – Director of the LaMCoS Laboratory from 2003 to 2011 and President of the "Institut Carnot INGENIERIE@LYON"

What is the subject covered by the Chair sponsored by Areva and Safran?

Through this Chair, we will particularly study the effects of manufacturing processes on the life-cycle of mechanical parts - understanding and mastering the life-cycle of materials is a vital issue for manufacturers, both in terms of safety and economic impact. The major scientific issue involves taking into account the effect of the choice of different manufacturing processes on the life-cycle of components at the earliest stage in their design. The originality of this Chair comes from its association of two major French industrial Groups in the fields of energy (AREVA Group) and transport (SAFRAN Group).

How will you exercise your role as the Holder of the Chair?

In close collaboration with AREVA and SAFRAN, my mission will be to orient the choice of scientific research subjects in order to fully respond to the established research field of the Chair. My role will involve monitoring and promoting all research work undertaken by the team funded by the Chair (to date, a team of 4 people: 1 Professor, 1 Senior Lecturer, 2 doctoral students). In parallel with the research activities, our mission involves contributing to the training of INSA Lyon students (engineering, doctoral and Master's programmes) through specific courses in the field of structural part design for the aeronautical and energy industries.

Can you tell us a little about the inauguration of the Chair that will take place on 2 February?

On Thursday 2 February, we will celebrate the official creation of the Chair in the presence of Massimo Morichi, Senior Vice President Research & Development of the AREVA Group and Eric Bachelet, Deputy Managing Director of the SAFRAN Group, Research and Technology. This event marks the culmination of several years of negotiation and consultation with the final partners, as part of the sponsorship programme managed by the INSA Lyon Foundation. The event will consist of two parts. The official launch and signature of the sponsorship agreement will take place from 10am in the "Rotonde". The afternoon will be devoted to a scientific seminar involving 4 conferences on subjects covered by the Chair (from 2pm in the Emilie du Châtelet Amphitheatre – Marie Curie Library).