Romain joined IRT SystemX in October 2013 to begin a thesis on management of interactions in evaluating 3D systems architectures under multi-physical constraints in the pre-design phase. He describes his PhD carried out in the SIM project (Engineering and Multi-disiplinary Simulation), under the tutelage of Supméca.
What was the subject of your thesis?
In a product design cycle, the transport industry sector evaluates architectures via highly accurate physical simulations based on mathematical models. The industry has very little knowledge during the conceptual design phase and has to test a massive number of architectures via calculations that take a lot of time.
During my research, I observed how much the equations in the mathematical models used could be simplified, and thus made faster, while obtaining consistent results enabling the industry to take the right decisions. More precisely, to speed up design, I conducted research into automation of these simulations. As a result, designers will soon be able to generate 3D models automatically, integrating thermic constraints to that the hardware does not heat up too much.
What do you retain from your research?
What struck me most was all the human contacts I made with many academic and industrial partners of IRT SystemX. My research enabled me to improve my relational skills, learning to reconcile the views of various players with different goals. I was also surrounded by many other PhD students. We worked and helped each other throughout our respective thesis research.
What is your best memory of SystemX ?
I don’t have any particular best memory, but I remember the period when I arrived. At the time, there were very few collaborative projects, and then gradually the projects increased so I saw the IRT go from being a startup to what it is today! I am delighted to have been part of that.
What are your future plans?
I have just been recruited by IRT SystemX. I am a research engineer in the AMC (Agility and Design Margins) project, which was launched last February to allow simulation and complex systems architects to allocate optimum design margins in creating high-performance, reliable industrial projects for the future.
More particularly, I am responsible for defining an intention model by trying to analyse how an engineer might carry out a simulation based on an architecture.
More about Romain Barbedienne
Thesis subject: Interactions management in conceptual design for the assessment of 3D system architectures under multi-physical constraints: Application to thermal analysis
R&D project: SIM – Simulation and Multidisciplinary engineering
Qualification: Mecatronics graduate – Supmeca engineering school
