The only one of its kind in France, the Pyrotechnic Systems program trains students to analyze and design explosive systems and integrate them in mechanical systems, for purposes such as propulsion.
Its applications cover a broad array of sectors: defense, aerospace (rocket propulsion, satellite launch), automotive (airbags), public works as well as industrial risk prevention.
In this field, innovation focuses mainly on developing more environmentally-friendly and safer energetic materials as well as on reducing blast effects for human and environmental protection. These new trends are included in the syllabus and are the focus of research on campus.
Program strengths
A one-of-a-kind program in France
This is France's one and only pyrotechnics program. It covers compressible and reactive fluid mechanics, dynamic behavior of materials, chemistry of energetic materials, solid propulsion, digital processing and simulation methods, and pyrotechnic regulations.
Constant innovation: the example of bubble curtains
Whether accidental or intentional, underwater explosions generate, at the very least, noise which can be a threat to marine fauna. To tackle this environmental challenge, ENSTA Bretagne researchers at the Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme decided to investigate the use of bubble curtains to attenuate underwater noise generated by human activities (construction work, explosions, etc.).
Applied research to boost learning
Our research work is carried out in partnership with numerous French and international organizations and businesses: Belgian Royal Military Academy, Armasuisse, French-Germany Research Institute of Saint Louis, Nobel Sport, Livbag, SNECMA, Ariane Group…
Extensive testing equipment
ENSTA Bretagne has extensive experimental facilities to study dynamic phenomena: shock wave propagation, combustion, blast.
Examples of testing equipment: shock machine (compression, torsion and tension), Taylor gun, laser, etc.
- Learn more about the Pyrotechnic Systems major offered in our "diplôme d'ingénieur" program (equivalent to an MSc in Engineering): a 3-year syllabus for BSc or equivalent graduates, or a 2-year program for 1st-year Master's graduates
- Admission
Cette spécialité est offerte aux élèves Polytechniciens dans le cadre de leur 4e année.
- Découvrir ce parcours en systèmes pyrotechniques
- Learn more about this advanced master: a 1-year program for MSc graduates (or BSc graduates with several years of professional experience)
- Admission
- a 3-year program for MSc degree holders
- Enrollment in ENSTA Bretagne and affiliation with the SPIN doctoral school and IRDL (Joint Research Center 6027 of the CNRS)
This laboratory also hosts researchers from Université de Bretagne Sud (UBS), Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), ENIB (École Nationale d'Ingénieurs de Brest) and CNRS.
Pyrotechnics research at ENSTA Bretagne is focused on defining shock wave properties and on reducing the effects of explosions in diphasic environments.
Every year, numerous pyrotechnics-related theses are pursued at ENSTA Bretagne.
Some thesis examples:
- Studying and modeling low- and high-speed impacts on satellite materials and structures
- Shock wave propagation in aerate d liquid: modeling and implementing air bubble curtains
- Establishing a methodology to predict the effects of explosions on infrastructure