π Industry π Science and technology

How new materials are transforming industry

3 episodes

1

4D printing: intelligent materials of the future?
2

New photovoltaic materials: going beyond silicon
3

Composites for aeroplanes: light as a feather?

Épisode 1/3

4D printing: intelligent materials of the future?

Giancarlo Rizza, Researcher at CEA specialised in 4D additive manufacturing

On February 16th, 2022

4 min reading time

Giancarlo Rizza

Researcher at CEA specialised in 4D additive manufacturing

Key takeaways

4D printing is the functional form of 3D printing, capable of creating dynamic objects that respond to external stimuli.
The term "4D printing" to produce programmable objects was proposed by Skylab Tibias during a TedX Talk.
One use is to push the limits of design by allowing “self-assembly” of smart materials.
Other applications of 4D printing include for prosthetics in medicine, or in energy to maximise photovoltaic structures.
It could be said that 4D printing is already contributing to a profound transformation in design and production of industrial objects, initiated by additive manufacturing.

Épisode 2/3

New photovoltaic materials: going beyond silicon

Isabelle Dumé, Science journalist

On February 16th, 2022

4 min reading time

Nathanaëlle Schneider

CNRS Researcher at Institut Photovoltaïque d'Ile-de-France (IPVF)

Key takeaways

The production capacity of photovoltaic (PV) panels is on the rise. In 2008, it was about 10 GW worldwide, while it is now over 600 GW – enough to power a country like Brazil.
This rapid growth in recent years is all the more surprising because it has occurred without any real fundamental change in PV technology.
Advances have been made using silicon. In the 1950s, solar cells converted only 5% of solar radiation into energy. Whereas, today, this is closer to 25%.
But the technology is so powerful and so inexpensive that its room for improvement is now limited.
Researchers are therefore studying new molecules such as perovskites or new production methods such as “atomic layer deposition” to continue to improve PV technology.

Épisode 3/3

Composites for aeroplanes: light as a feather?

Cécile Michaut, Science journalist

On February 2nd, 2021

3 min reading time

Patricia Krawczak

Professor in polymers and composites at Ecole nationale supérieure Mines-Télécom Lille Douai

Key takeaways

The aerospace industry is prepared to pay €100-500 for every kilogram saved.
Most recent aircraft are made of approximately 50% composites.
Development of these materials has reached a plateau, and innovation is needed to reduce weight.
Patricia Krawczak, professor at ENS Mines-Télécom Lille-Douai, explains why researchers are exploring new processes, such as 3D printing.

Contributors

Giancarlo Rizza

Researcher at CEA specialised in 4D additive manufacturing

Giancarlo Rizza is a specialist in 4D additive manufacturing, electron microscopy and nanostructuring. For ten years, he created and directed the interdisciplinary microscopy centre at École Polytechnique (CimeX). In this framework, he coordinated the Nan'eau project (labelled strategic by the Université Paris-Saclay) for the development of a multi-correlative microscopy platform (optical, electronic and X-ray). Giancarlo Rizza has also collaborated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He is a member of the steering committee of the international conference "Radiation Effects in Insulators" (REI), of the Groupement National de Recherche (GdR) NACRE (Nanocrystals in dielectrics for electronics and optics) and of the "Chaire Arts&Sciences" of the Ecole Polytechnique-ENSAD-Fondation Carasso. In this context, he develops the use of intelligent materials in research-creation practices and is interested in their dissemination in scientific conferences as a means of communication with society.

Other contributions

4D printing: intelligent materials of the future?

Isabelle Dumé

Science journalist

Isabelle Dumé holds a PhD in physics. She collaborates with various scientific magazines and media, public and private institutions, and actors in higher education and research in France and worldwide.

Other contributions

Lightning rods and antennas: applications of laser filamentation

Using X-rays to test materials without damaging them

How to achieve deeper treatment of tumours with laser-plasma acceleration

How do we study the climates of other planets?

Can thorium compete with uranium as a nuclear fuel?

Voir toutes ses contributions

Cécile Michaut

Science journalist

Cécile Michaut holds a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Paris-XI Orsay. She was a lecturer for two years before branching off into science journalism in 1999. Her collaborations include Le Monde, La Recherche, Pour la Science, Science et vie, Sciences et Avenir, Environnement Magazine... She also teaches science communication and media training for several research organisations and universities. She founded the company Science et partage (www.scienceetpartage.fr), and published the book "Vulgarisation scientifique, mode d'emploi" (EDP Sciences) in 2014.