Michael Barrat and Checkhe Abdou Seck (Aix 2018), now recent graduates of the Grande Ecole Program, contributed to research work at the MSMP laboratory as part of their second-year project (PJT). At the end of November 2021, this work resulted in the publication of a scientific article in an international peer-reviewed journal.
When training meets research: a research project based on a concrete industrial issue
Supervised by Mohamed El Mansori, professor, and Hossein Ramezani Dana, senior lecturer at the MSMP laboratory on the Aix-en-Provence campus, Michael and Checkhe Abdou spent two semesters working on an industrial problem responding to new requirements in the automotive market, as part of supervised project sessions (PJT).
The automotive industry needs to produce more and more parts that are both aesthetic and functional, with complex geometries that are very difficult to machine. Traditional manufacturing processes are unable to meet customers' expectations.
To meet this new challenge facing companies, researchers have taken a different approach: rather than removing material, why not add or deposit it only where it is needed?
The students' work consisted of producing carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide test specimens using fused deposition modeling (FDM) in order to evaluate the tensile behavior of the printed parts and identify the influence of printing parameters on the mechanical properties of the parts.
Results validated by the scientific community and published
The test results complemented the work carried out by their two supervisors. They led to the writing of a scientific article and its publication at the end of November 2021 in the journal Polymer-Plastics Technology and Materials under the title "Tensile behavior of additively manufactured carbon fiber reinforced polyamide-6 composites ."
The PJT: mobilizing academic skills and knowledge around a first research experience
The PJT is a multidisciplinary educational project, part of a process of continuous improvement, mobilizing the knowledge and skills necessary for its successful completion:
- develop and use monitoring indicators
- Anticipate and manage risks associated with the project and teamwork
- Apply academic knowledge and a scientific approach appropriate to research
- Report and communicate findings
Usually, students are allocated 40 hours per semester in the form of supervised independent study. To achieve these excellent results, Michael and Checkhe Abdou worked tirelessly, continuing their studies after leaving campus and in their free time.
Testimonials from Hossein Ramezani Dana, lecturer, Michael Barrat, and Checkhe Abdou Seck
The students' work has just received an honorary distinction by being published in an international journal. What contributed to this excellent result? Hossein Ramezani Dana explains that "the subject and theme of the project were very interesting for these two students, who are passionate about composite materials. Their motivation to conduct a high-quality scientific study contributed to this excellent result. Finally, their perseverance during and even after the project was remarkable. Michael and Chechke Abdou continued their work to finalize the study (data processing) after leaving campus, on a voluntary basis and according to their availability."
"This project started out as a simple six-month project," explain Michael Barrat and Checkhe Abdou Seck. "But after a few weeks of work, and following discussions with our professors, we realized the potential and richness of this subject. Motivated by our dedication and determination, our supervisors suggested we extend the project, which culminated in the writing of a scientific article after almost two years of additional work. Without this commitment, rigor, and numerous exchanges with professors, we would never have been able to give our PJT such depth. "
Our motivation was fueled by our curiosity, as well as by the innovative challenge presented by writing an international scientific article.
