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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Top quality research laboratories
In Nord-Pas de Calais, over 1,000 people are working in some twenty research laboratories related to the automotive sector, of which:
INRETS (National Research Institute on Transport and Transport Safety): transport safety, traffic engineering, guided transport, processing of data, images and telecommunications applied to transport
IEMN (Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology): telecommunications, electromagnetic compatibility, electric, electronic, optical and acoustic characterization, detection of obstacles, on-board sensors, …
LAMIH (Laboratory of Human and Industrial Automation and Mechanics): human-machine interfaces, industrial and production engineering, biomechanics, materials and surfaces, crash-tests, vibro-acoustics, …
LML (Lille Laboratory of Mechanics): fluid mechanics, reliability of materials and structures, braking systems, materials fatigue
INRIA (French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and control): virtual reality, 3D interface, complex virtual objects, data parallelism, real time, multi-criteria optimization, …
ISEN (Higher Institute of Electronics and Digital Science): analysis and control systems, digital modulations, multi-sensor systems, resource optimization methods
LAGIS (Laboratory of Automation, IT engineering and Signal): decision-making help, image analysis, modeling, system monitoring and control
ONERA (National Aerospace Research and Study Institute): mechanics of solids and damages, fast dynamics of structures and collisions, fluid mechanics to improve performance and safety of means of transport
LME (Laboratory of Energetic Mechanics): energetics, weak fuel engines, braking thermics, nuisance reduction, aero-acoustics, safety
Ecole des Mines de Douai: Chemistry and Environment, Industrial energetics, IT and Production engineering, Mechanics and Materials behavior, Quality metrology, Compound Polymer Technology
The Laboratory of Physics and Chemistry of Combustion Processes and Atmosphere: energetics and environment, combustion, automotive engines, clean processes
LASL (Laboratoire d’Analyse des Systèmes du Littoral): satellite positioning, transport, real-time complex industrial applications
LIFL (Computer Science Laboratory of Lille): symbolic calculation, specification, test and constraints, computer-generated images, software object and component engineering, portable folder research and development, multi-agent system and cooperation, …
Research groups to meet the companies' needs
Nord-Pas de Calais hosts four scientific and technological Competence Clusters that combine research institutions, industrial companies and transport operators:
G.R.R.T. (Nord-Pas de Calais Regional Group for Research in Transport): economy of organizations, transport and spatial planning, logistics and flow control, 'system' approach for transport safety, braking, materials, crash-tests, biomechanics, tele-communications, location, perception, energetics, environment, comfort, electromagnetic compatibility - www.grrt.fr/
The ST2 Cluster (Sciences and Technologies for Transport Safety): prevention and treatment of accidents and failures, movement and pre-crash, reliability of digital data transmissions, human factor: failures and countermeasures, braking, engineering of safety requirements, operating safety - www.polest2.fr
The 'FREIN' (Brake) Cluster aims at developing a high level know-how in the field of braking
PEPSAT is an European Competence Cluster for satellite positioning applied to land mobility. Its objective is to actively contribute to the optimization and evolution of land transport systems and services using, at least partly, spatial resources for telecommunication, navigation or Earth observation - www.pepsat.net
CISIT is an Interdisciplinary Campus of research, technological innovation and training dedicated to International Scale and based on Safety and Intermodality for Transportation.
Efficient technical centers at the companies' disposal
The region has three technological development centers that may be used by car manufacturers, equipment suppliers and subcontractors:
C3T (Center of Technological Competences in Land Transport): overall comfort of vehicles (safety – collision, braking, assistance for design and manufacturing, fast prototyping, …)
CRITT M2A (Regional Center for Innovation and Technological Transfer for 'Engines and Automotive Acoustics'): test means required for the development of complex functions used in automotive engines (test benches, anechoic chamber, laser holography, modeling, calculations)
CREPIM (Research and Study Center on Fireproofing Processes used for Materials): fireproof formulas, assessment of fire behavior of materials, standardization, regulation,
Private R&D at automotive equipment manufacturers
Allward Rejna: suspension components: stabilizing bars and springs
Schaeffler Chain Drive Systems: use of new materials for products developed by the company (mechanic chains, hydraulic tensioners)
Delfmems: development of capacitive RF MEMS switches for frequency applications in the 20-94GHz range
Française de Mécanique: process development
MECAPLAST Groupe Centre Technique: technical center specializing in the design of intake plenums for engine injection systems
Pennel Automotive: compounds and sheets made of polyurethane, TPO and PVC
PPG Industries France: development of new paints
Valeo: development of alternators
Vallourec: reinforced steel pipes
VISTEON Systèmes Intérieurs: technical center specializing in the design of the dashboards of the future
EU-AGC Automotive: realization of prototype lines for complex windshield manufacturing
New engine for La Française de Mécanique
PSA Peugeot Citroën to invest €175 million to produce new engine
New turbocharger testing facility at CRITT M2A research center (Bruay la Buissière)
CRITT M2A now Europe's largest turbocharger test site
Bridgestone
Japan’s Bridgestone, the world’s leading tire manufacturer, has been an established presence for almost 50 years in the North Pas de Calais, where it continues to operate the company’s only factory in France. Managing Director, BrunoCapron, looks at what the region has to offer foreign manufacturers.
ARIA
Regional Association for the Automotive Industry