After a three-year course preparing for the graduate school entrance exam, Anthony entered ENSTA Bretagne. Here he discovered the world of materials (Advanced Modeling of Materials and Structures course), a universe he is fascinated in and in which he has chosen to pursue a PhD.
Why did you choose the MAMS (Modélisation Avancée des Matériaux et Structures, or Advanced Modeling of Materials and Structures) major?
Materials are central to many fields of application including naval, aeronautics, space and health, and this major opens many doors.
During my engineer training, I enjoyed the scientific approach taken in the MAMS course. To achieve a result, we were first taught to carry out very long theoretical calculations. We were then shown how to use digital tools to achieve the same result in record time (finite element method). It's a fantastic application of theory and practice. I really like the digital simulation aspect and the diversity of materials we can study, which helps us to choose the industrial field we want to work in next.
What was the subject of your end-of-study project and what were the challenges?
I did my end-of-studies project as part of a vocational training contract with Michelin. The challenge of my internship was to create a hybrid model between finite element calculations and AI in order to model the energy dissipation of truck tires, which accounts for almost 1/4 of fuel consumption. I did a lot of simulation work (in all, I had to run more than 2,000 calculations!) and this also allowed me to find out about AI tools, which are becoming increasingly important, even in the world of materials. There were two opposing constraints in this project. Tires are difficult to model, so digital predictions are generally unreliable, whereas AI needs to be constantly updated with reliable data.
Computer simulation of a tire
During the 7 months the project lasted, my work was divided into three main stages: getting to grips with tire digital simulation software (which is complex due to the many different materials going into the tire, friction, fluid interactions, etc.), improving digital modeling and updating AI.
Can you tell us about your experience or a project that stood out for you during your studies at ENSTA Bretagne?
In semester 4, we carried out a project called "Introduction to MAMS". It was a sort of "mini-internship" lasting 3 months, during which 4 or 5 students worked on a project of our choice. My group and I responded to a request from a French automotive manufacturer. We had to characterize one of its polymer materials: a battery frame (antivibration and thermal benefits) for electric vehicles. In practice, we were responsible for carrying out tests, post-processing data, running digital simulations and then correlating experimental/digital data. We were really thrown into the deep end and it was a great experience! I really appreciated the freedom we were given to carry out this work. It gave me a foretaste of research.
What is your favorite memory of your time as a student at ENSTA Bretagne?
I was involved in the students' union, the GALA team and the BEST association too. As part of my studies took place during the health crisis, it wasn't always easy to keep in touch with other students, but we managed it in the end!
How is your work organised on this thesis?
This thesis is being carried out on three sites. At ENSTA Bretagne, I spend most of my time on experimental, digital and data post-processing work. I go to INSA Lyon (joint supervision) on a regular basis, to carry out wide-angle X-ray diffraction tests. I also visit Vibracoustic in Nantes on a regular basis, to gain a better understanding of the expectations of manufacturers. It's great to be able to move regularly between those involved in my thesis!
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