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Intelligent & Biobased Materials as a Ground for Innovation and Creation in Engineering School

At Devinci Innovation Center, training for a sustainable future is about leveraging sustainable and resilient technologies. Passionate about innovative alternatives and low-tech methodologies, the members of the Resilient Futures group are looking for the best solutions by leveraging new manufacturing processes to explore new frontiers through engineering education.

“We believe technology must evolve to face the challenges of tomorrow and that it can improve environmental, social, and societal life in the 21st century”: is the motto of the Resilient Futures group of Devinci Innovation Center, dubbed the “French MIT”. “We build and develop tangible innovations, often based on a “Do-It-Yourself” manufacturing process, and we invite individuals and communities to take ownership of the technologies,” the group explains on their website.

New manufacturing processes to give a new life to organic materials

As a part of their Creative Technology course within the MSc Innovation & Creative Technology and Creative Technology major, students develop a new research vision based on innovation and experimentation. hese methods allow them to take a refreshing look at today’s social issues through radical learning methods, anti-disciplinarity and collective intelligence.

As part of the innovation training, the students are guided by three Principal Investigators, each heading a research group: Artificial Lives, Resilient Futures and Human Learning.

Marc Teyssier, Principal Investigator of the Resilient Futures group, explains his approach:

Let’s take the example of silkworms. We seek to update existing knowledge, to prevent past errors in the treatment of cocoons and to improve productivity.

Or, thanks to a 3D printer, we create new forms of clay pots that promote the growth of certain plants.

Smart materials: going beyond nature to innovate in healthcare

We are at the crossroads between the new tools at our disposal and the handicraft“, explains Marc Teyssier.

Intelligent materials open up many low-tech possibilities and new development for health and robotics.

“Biomaterials could bring an alternative for soft silicone robotic hand,” explains Marc Teyssier for Usine Nouvelle.

Our current research is exploring the use of biobased durable plastics made from gelatin and agar-agar.

“It’s not just a question of converting them into stable objects, but also of making them conductive. It implies developing the conductive properties of the bio-based plastic.”

Learn more about ESILV Creative Technolgy curriculum

This post was last modified on 4 October 2022 6:16 pm

Categories: Programmes
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