Recherche
In 2025, ESTIA-Recherche continued to develop its work across five key areas: Creativity, Eco-design and Circularity; Integration of Renewable Energy; Manufacturing Processes and Modelling; Technological and Human Systems; Tangible Interactions, Gestural Interaction and Augmented Reality. These areas reflect the laboratory’s commitment to major industrial, energy, digital and societal transitions.
The year was also marked by a change in leadership, with Prof. Ionel Vechiu taking over as head of the laboratory, building on the work carried out by Nadine Couture. This new phase is part of a drive to enhance ESTIA-Recherche’s scientific visibility, to structure its collaborations and to increase the impact of its work.
A year rich in projects, theses and collaborations
In 2025, ESTIA-Recherche comprises 94 staff members, including 32 lecturer-researchers, 25 PhD students, visiting and associate researchers, as well as research and design engineers. The laboratory also has 5 chairs, 7 technology platforms and 1 LabCom partnership with industry.
At doctoral level, 13 new theses were launched and 8 were successfully defended. This work covers topics at the heart of current challenges: additive manufacturing, the circular economy, sustainable textiles, microgrids, digital twins, artificial intelligence, human-machine interaction and the energy transition.
The report also highlights 12 new collaborative projects launched in 2025, linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the continuation of key projects led by ESTIA’s research teams and platforms.
Highlights promoting scientific influence
Several events marked the year 2025. Among the highlights was the EU4Dual 2025 international conference “Greener Visions, Brighter Futures”, organised jointly with the University of Mondragon, which brought together over 300 participants from 15 countries to discuss the ecological transition, the future of work and dual higher education models.
The year was also marked by the inauguration of ESTIA’s hydrogen station, integrated into an experimental microgrid, which strengthens the school’s position on issues related to energy and sustainable mobility.
ESTIA-Recherche also continued to expand its international reach by hosting visiting researchers, participating in scientific networks and co-organising events, notably with the JSS Academy of Technical Education in Noida, India, focusing on innovations in power electronics for the energy transition.
Technology platforms at the heart of innovation
The report highlights the essential role of ESTIA’s technology platforms in its innovation and technology transfer strategy: ADDIMADOUR, COMPOSITADOUR, EneRGEA, PEPSS, TURBOLAB, as well as the initiatives associated with industrial projects and chairs.
These platforms bring together research, training and industry, offering advanced experimental facilities in fields such as additive manufacturing, composite materials, renewable energy, robotics, industrial systems and innovative processes.
Research committed to transitions
Through its work, ESTIA-Recherche actively contributes to environmental, industrial and digital transitions. The Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility approach plays a key role in the projects undertaken, particularly in relation to sustainable production, the circular economy, eco-design and the measurement of the impact of research projects.
The year 2025 has also marked an important milestone for the laboratory: self-assessment work in preparation for the HCERES evaluation. This process will help consolidate ESTIA-Recherche’s scientific strategy and enable it to continue its development as a leading player, rooted in its local area yet open to the world.