Four “Transversal and Differentiating Scientific Axes” (ASTDs) are intended to stimulate scientific work on themes that cut across the 12 research groups and lead to breakthroughs and/or different ways of approaching a problem.

The ASTDs tackle real scientific challenges that go beyond applications (energy, transportation, aeronautics & space, health, environment) but naturally contribute to LAPLACE’s scientific topics: Dielectric and light materials, Cold plasmas, Static and dynamic converters, Energy conversion systems, Thermal & energetics, Electromagnetism.

Whatever the ASTD, the associated scientific challenges address, in one way or another, problems inherent in optimisation and complexity, multi-parametric, multi-scale (spatial and temporal) and multi-physics couplings.

ASTDs and their related challenges are constantly evolving. They adapt to needs, to the research interactions, to the ideas they inspire and to the enthusiasm they arouse. The structure proposed below was stabilised in 2022 and is the result of more than 2 years of analysis.

ASTD understanding & modelling of ageing

• To develop models to understand ageing and degradation phenomena
• To set prediction models for lifespan estimation
• To search adequate methodologies to define and organise testing campaigns
• To determine tool set to process and exploit big data extracted from testing campaigns

ASTD Integration & energy efficiency

• To understand and Comprendre et master the physical constraints (thermal, EMCs, Partial Discharges, mechanical, etc.) at the various design levels of an integrated energy conversion system,
• To develop co-design/co-optimisation and control tools and methods to open up degrees of freedom in design choices.

ASTD Interfaces & Environment

• To correlate characteristics at nano-micro scales with the macroscopic properties of interfaces,
• To understand, control and monitor plasma/solid or liquid surface interactions.

ASTD Mobility, waves & flows

• To characterise the conduction of environment (solid or gaseous) using Ohm’s Laws that reflect the complexity of the phenomena involved,
• To develop new models of radiative flows,
• To characterise plasma-wave interactions,
• To develop high/hyper frequency electrodynamic.