A short overview of period 2008-2013

Introduction

LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201 and TEMPO EA 4542 Carnot ARTS are located on the main campus of the University of Valenciennes and Hainaut-Cambresis.

Following the AERES assessment of October 2008 the CNRS position for next period 2010-2014 was to propose a unit on Human factors and Transportation mainly, whereas the UVHC policy was to hold a solid centre about “sustainable Transportation” with several Laboratories including LAMIH UMR CNRS 8530 (2005-2008) and LME EA 2447 (2005-2008). Due to these positions, a new structure fulfilling these constraints has been carried out: a center named “Sustainable Transports and Mobility” composed of two Labs. The first one LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201 is composed of the research teams of the previous LAMIH UMR CNRS 8530 (2005-2008) centered on Human factors in transportation – Automation (MCSIB, SHM), Mechanics (C2S), Computer Science (RAIHM, SIADE) and Human Science (PERCOTEC). The second one TEMPO EA 4252 includes 2 teams of the previous LAMIH UMR CNRS 8530 (2005-2008) – Mechanics (MSM) and Production Systems (SP) and a Laboratory – LME EA 2447 (2005-2008), Energy and Fluid Dynamics.

This new entity was thought in order to increase the visibility and clarity of the research at the University of Valenciennes. Therefore it ended with a new scientific and administrative structure, Figure 1. The scientific structure is composed of:

 LAMIH/ASHM: Automatic control and Human-Machine Systems (Head Pr Michel Dambrine)  LAMIH/C2S: Crash, Comfort and Safety (Head Pr Thierry Tison)  LAMIH/DIM: Decision, Interaction and Mobility (Head Pr René Mandiau)  LAMIH/DEMoH: Decision, Emotion and Human MOtricity (Head Dr Françoise Anceaux)

 TEMPO/DF2T: Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfert (Head Pr François Monnoyer)  TEMPO/MSM: Materials, Surfaces, Forming (Head Pr André Dubois)  TEMPO/PSI: Production, Services, Information (Head Pr Damien Trentesaux)

The administrative operation of the Centre is based on common services and staff shared by LAMIH and TEMPO, under the authority of the board of the Centre: financial and management activities, human resources, communication and special events, admission and reception. Funding coming from CNRS are dedicated to LAMIH and then specifically managed. Funding coming from Carnot Institute are dedicated to TEMPO and also specifically managed.

Figure 1: organization of the Centre.

Implication of members of LAMIH TEMPO in high level directions at UVHC

The centre represents, well ahead all others research labs the most important – number of researchers – of University of Valenciennes and Hainaut Cambresis. Therefore, it is obvious that members from the centre participate to the high level of decisions of the UVHC and/or of its components. Besides having members at the different councils the most important functions held by members of LAMIH TEMPO are resumed thereinafter:

 University Vice Presidents: in charge of Research (Pr A. Artiba), in charge of education (Pr S. Harmand) and in charge of Human resources (Dr C. Garnier)

 Special advisers (depending on the presidency): in charge of handicap (Pr P. Pudlo) and in charge of Risk Management (Pr P. Millot)

 Director of the Engineering school ENSIAME (Pr D. Coutellier)

 Director of the Faculty of Sciences and Sports (Pr F. Barbier)

Organization and life in the units

International Scientific Committee (ISC) An International Scientific Committee (ISC), Figure 2, has been established with a periodicity of once every 2 years and a half. Its purpose is to assess the scientific relevance of the scientific themes in the Labs, the future research directions, risk-taking on innovative issues. First meeting took place on June 3rd and 4th 2010 (assessed period 2008-2010), second on 21th and 22th February 2013 (assessed period 2009- 2012). Its members are internationally recognized at a high scientific level and their fields of expertise cover the centre scientific fields. Furthermore, the second ISC included two observers from CNRS. Professor Jamal Daafouz, member of Section 07, was representing INS2I Institute on behalf of both Raja Chatila (Assistant to the Scientific Director in charge of the LAMIH) and DR CNRS Michele Basseville (President of Section 07). Professor Sylvain Drapier, member of Section 09, was representing the INSIS Institute on behalf of Claude Verdier (President of Section 09). The members as well as their areas of expertise are listed thereafter.

Figure 2: 2nd International Scientific Committee (ISC) members and evaluation periods Members

Pr Niels Bay Technical University of Denmark Mechanics axis – Tribology, Metal forming Pr Magnus Langseth Norwegian Univ of Science Technology (NTNU) Mechanics axis – Materials and Structures crashworthiness Pr Stavros Tavoularis University of Ottawa Mechanics axis – Fluid mechanics and Heat Transfer Pr Khellil Sefiane School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh Mechanics axis – Heat Transfer Pr Ciaran Knut Simms Trinity College Dublin Mechanics axis – Biomechanics of impact and Human trauma

Pr Robert Babuska Delft University of Technology Automatics axis - Identification and Control Pr Guy André Boy Florida Institute of Technology Automatics axis – Human-Machine Systems Pr Vittal Prabhu Pennsylvania State University Automatics axis - Production Systems Pr Teodor Gabriel Crainic Centre de reche sur les transports (CIRRELT) Computer Science axis – OR, logistics and transports Pr Jean Vanderdonckt UC Louvain - School of Management Computer Science axis – Human-Centered Software Engineering (Not present member of ERC Jury) Pr Christian Bastien Université Paul Verlaine- DEMoH axis – Cognitive psychology and ergonomics Pr Paul Allard Centre de recherche Hôpital Sainte Justine DEMoH axis – Biomechanics of movement

Observers from CNRS Pr Jamal Daafouz University of Lorraine – Automatic Control (Representing Section 07 INS2I) Pr Sylvain Drapier Ecole des Mines de Saint-Etienne – Mechanics (Representing Section 09 INSIS)

Both official reports of the ISC on the activities of the centre “sustainable Transportation and Mobility” are available on line at http://www.univ-valenciennes.fr/LAMIH/information.

Recruitments – permanent staff The major point to be noticed is the transformation of a Professor (+ Category C) positions into 2 research engineers positions (B. Rajaonah, C. Gillet). It has been possible since the University autonomy law of 2009. It was a major point as they allow reinforcing the DEMoH team both fixing an engineer on a crucial platform for biomechanics and adding research resource whereas it would have been difficult through lecturer position – mainly due to the deficit of new positions at the university. Another important point for the administrative staff is that four fixed-terms contracts were transformed into three permanent full time positions (M. Genevieve, M. Lecq, C. Foucart) and one half time permanent position (S. Rubens). This particular effort from the UVHC allowed stabilizing the staff at a good level to handle all the administrative missions devoted to the centre. Table 1 gives the recruitments of permanent staff – Professor and Associate Professor – for LAMIH/TEMPO during these years and the importance of external recruitments (71%) with respectively 60% for Professors and 76% for Assistant Professors.

Professor Assistant Professor

External 1 3 2008 Internal 1 - External 2 6 2009 Internal - - External - 3 2010 Internal - 1 External 3 - 2011 Internal 1 - External - 3 2012 Internal - 4 External - 1 2013 Internal 2 - External 6 (60%) 16 (76%) Global Internal 4 (40%) 5 (24%)

Table 1: Recruitment of permanent staff at LAMIH/TEMPO 2008-2013

Figure 3: Recruitment and leaving according to the years 2008-2013.

Figure 3 gives the numbers of colleagues, which have been recruited according to the years 2008-2013. In the same way, this figure shows also the staff leaving the centre each year (y axis in “-“ direction). This figure highlights clearly the increasing of our staff with a ratio recruitment/staff leaving close to 5.

Table 2 summarize the resources (permanents and non permanents) of the Centre in June 30rd 2013. The reader can notice that no administrative staff is directly connected to a research group; as explained before, this is due to the horizontal structure of the Centre administrative part. Permanent staff is given in “Full Time Equivalent”, taking into account colleagues that leaved or joined the Centre during the period 2008-2013. This explains the decimal appearing in Table 2.

ASHM C2S DIM DEMoH MSM PSI DF2T Centre

Permanent staff (in parenthesis FTE) Professors 11 (10,51) 9 (7,15) 13 (10,82) 1 (1) 6 (4,63) 2 (2) 7 (5,19) 49 (41,3) Associate Prof. 12 (10,18) 9 ( 7,37) 14 (9,39) 6 (5,76) 4 (2,81) 7 (5,81) 8 (5,18) 60 (46,5) Eng. & tech. 7 (7) 7 (6,3) - 2 (2) 3 (3) 2 (2) 3 (2,83) 24 (23,13) Administrative ------9 (9)

Total permanent 30 (27,83) 25 ( 20,82) 27 (20,21) 9 (8,76) 13 (10,44) 11 (9,81) 18 (13,20) 142 (119,93)

Non-permanent staff

PhD students 39 35 55 17 16 14 28 204 Post-doctorants 14 14 8 4 14 5 14 73 Total non-permanent 53 49 63 21 30 19 42 277

Invited professor 27 5 37 2 4 6 6 87 (in Month) 47 10 37 5 26 15 10 150

Table 2: Staff Centre distribution.

Figure 4 below gives the staff distribution at the level of the centre. PhD students represent almost 50 % of the staff. Permanent staff represents 33 % of the global staff.

Figure 4: staff distribution (permanent and non permanent).

Figure 5 & . Figure 6 below show the typology of PhD grants for the period (2008-2013) including defended and current PhD thesis. More than 30% of grants of current PhD thesis are directly coming from industry (CIFRE or direct contracts). The national/regional supports represents around 50% of the granted money, thanks to ANR and FUI projects or coming from the Ministry. CPER/Region grants are 50% funded, other 50% coming from industry or national research institutions (ONERA, IFSTTAR...)

Figure 5: Typology of PhD Grants for defended PhD Thesis (2008 – 2013). Figure 6: Typology of PhD Grants for current.

Budget and Funding Repartition Permanent wages (around 21 M€) are ensured by the ministry, therefore they do not appear in the budget discussion thereinafter. Of course, non permanent staff – including docs, post-docs, engineers, technicians… – is included in the discussion of the Centre budget. The Centre has an annual income from the University of Valenciennes and Hainaut-Cambrésis around 400 k€. Moreover, the LAMIH part of the Centre has another annual income from CNRS around 70 k€. These funding are used for joint operations of the Centre: operating costs and maintenance, especially experimental platforms and joint workshop of mechanical engineering. TEMPO has specific funding coming from Carnot Institute (150 k€ in 2011-2012). These funding are used to develop upstream research projects. Figure 7 below gives the project funding repartition for 2008-2013 period. This additional budget (over 16 Million €) means that it corresponds to winning regional / national / European calls for projects (that may include industrials) + industrial (direct cooperation) and innovation projects. The research policy of the Centre goes on with investments in heavyweights equipments useful for producing some original research topics. Particularly: Simulators for car driving, rail driving and air traffic management;

 Platforms of crash-damage-fracture and biomechanics of impact;

 Hot and high speed tribology platform;

 Engine test bench;

 Biomechanics platform of movement;

 Wind tunnel.

Figure 7: Project funding repartition 2008-2013.

Table 3 gives, in condensed form, key figures for 2011 and 2012.

LAMIH + TEMPO (en k€) 2011 2012 Fonctionnement Etablissement 505 489 Fonctionnement Projet 792 1634 Investissement Etablissement 135 218 Investissement Projets 906 1105 Masse salariale Etablissement 7143 7330 Masse salariale Projets 1612 4017

Table 3: Financial key figures 2011 and 2012.

Figure 8: Consolidated budget of LAMIHand TEMPO (in k€) (2011-2012).

The wage bill coming from projects represents 18,4% in 2011 and 35,4% in 2012 of the total bill. This is a good indicator of the dynamism of the teams and allows to carry out projects linked to experimental platforms. Figure 8 presents the consolidated budget of the two laboratories for 2011 (11 M€) et 2012 (13,2 M€).

Figure 9: Operating LAMIH and TEMPO (2011 and 2012).

Figure 10: investments LAMIH and TEMPO (2011 and 2012).

Figure 9 & Figure 10 give operating and investment costs (2011 and 2012) for LAMIH and TEMPO according to institution and projects (national, international, régional). The share of the institution remains important and the high level of the share of regional investment is due to CISIT, and to the fact that the regional council calls for investment focused on heavy equipments. At last, Figure 11 gives the share of project (all types of projects) compared to the share of institution in the funding of LAMIH and TEMPO. Concerning operating costs, this share is 61% (2011), 77% (2012) and for investment, it is 87% (2011) and 83% (2012).

Figure 11: Funding of LAMIH and TEMPO – repartition institution / Project

As a conclusion, research project activities are very important and dynamic in our laboratories. Nevertheless, effort must be focused in the upcoming years, on European project. Recurrent funding is used for specific actions (scientific ones see IRA hereinafter) and recurrent expenses (workshop, operating costs, phones …). A part representing around 80% is redistributed to the teams for their own funding policy (travels, conferences, pre actions for new projects …), the head of the team is responsible for the management of this funding.

Life in the units The management and scientific operation of the research centre is made up of two levels. The first level is managed by the laboratory councils of LAMIH and TEMPO. These councils are composed of elected and named members – accordingly to the status of the labs - from each category of personal – Professor, Associate Professor, Administrative and Technical staff and Docs. Decisions occur for specific questions linked to the laboratories. There are for each board 3-4 meetings per year and the minutes are available on line (http://www.univ-valenciennes.fr/LAMIH/information). The second level is managed by the board of the Centre composed by the heads of the Centre and laboratories LAMIH and TEMPO and by the team leaders and its actions are depicted in the next section about scientific policy. For the whole centre a general assembly is programmed twice a year. The focus is put on describing the general research actions and future policy as well as giving the last news about the centre (recruitments, promotions, winning projects, new platforms, health and safety …). As previously mentioned, most of the non scientific resources are shared in the centre, figure 1. Mainly events, communication, financial and administrative resources, human resources, databases, workshop and health and safety are common. At last, for specific aspects, CNRS funding, CARNOT project and executive secretariat each laboratory is autonomous.

Scientific policy

The identity “Sustainable Transports and Mobility” of the centre relies on the own identities of LAMIH and TEMPO and on the dynamic setting up to cross-fertilize multidisciplinary actions on the medium-long term that can meet the future mobility, energy and environmental, safe and reliable challenges, Figure 12.

Figure 12: LAMIH and TEMPO identities and cross-fertilization.

This cross-fertilization, in line with the roadmaps of major national and European transport institutions but also in line with our industrial partners, gives rise to many interactions between teams. These interactions aim to impact the three major societal challenges which constitute three main strategic goals allowing developing sustainable transports and mobility: Energy & Environment;Safety, Security & Reliability; Mobility & Logistics. Thus the research Centre follows the requests made by the various supervisory authorities and assessment agency, ensuring an increased consistency and visibility across all its scientific areas. As explained previously, the management and scientific operation of the research centre is made up of two levels. The main strategic policy is decided at the level of the board accordingly with the Lab and Centre directions. Then it is discussed at the level of the councils for each Lab and validated. Thereinafter are the main strategies focused on scientific policy.

Policy for new recruitments Concerning the recruitments policy of the Centre – positions of professor, associate professor, PhD grants, invited professors – the decisions are taken by ad hoc committees. These committees are made up with the directors plus the full professors of the Centre (LAMIH and TEMPO together) belonging to the same section: automation (61), mechanics (60 and 62), computer science (27), psychology and sports (16 and 74). The proposals are defined together ensuring that the positions are following the strategy defined by the directions and the board.

PhD monitoring and Seminars

A specific procedure at the end of the 1st year and of the 3rd year for PhD students is available since 2008 in the Labs. It consists in an audition with the direction (team + lab) and the members of the team(s) involved in the PhD. For 1st year PhD student the goal is in 15 minutes presentation + 10 minutes to show that the research area is well possessed and that all the conditions are met to end with a PhD at the level. For the 3rd year PhD, a 30 minutes + 15 minutes presentation (same jury) is asked for students needing an extra period (duration exceeding 40 months) to explain the reasons and the new schedule to make sure that all the conditions are met to end with a PhD at the level. For the constitution of a PhD jury or an HDR jury, the head of the concerned team sends to the board of the centre LAMIH / TEMPO a proposal that must be approved. The same procedure applies when a member of the Lab wants to pass his/her HDR, approval of the board on an extended CV is required first. Seminars at large are organized whenever an invited professor is reaching the Lab, that often brings some fruitful discussions and allow mainly PhD students to get a more open minded view on different research topics.

Administrative and Technical Permanent staffs Administrative and technical permanent staffs are very important in both Labs, especially considering the crucial position of platforms and experimental designs. Therefore, the direction takes care to their way of living. Formally, there is a meeting with the direction every year for CNRS members and every 2 years for UVHC members. They are encouraged to participate into trainings they are interested in – can be internal UVHC or external. Administrative staff is particularly efficient as it perfectly makes the interface between members of the Labs, direction and general administration both for UVHC and CNRS. The fact that most of them are working for both Labs is one of the key for this success. The information is shared within the different secretaries and financial part is centralized for UVHC (V. Landrain) and for CNRS (M.C. Rossillol), see figure 1. For technical staff (including research engineers, assistant engineers and technicians) more than the fact of being well considered where they are, the direction takes care about the fact they are integrated in the projects from the beginning (call for proposal) to the end (publications). It is also a crucial point for success that their opinions about experimental settings, experiment results and/or manufacturing are taken into account, as they act as experts for that. At last, when a promotion is possible for one of the member, the direction participates very actively in reading and advising the candidate. The direction is also involved in participating in local selection (ranking) for future promotions of the administrative and technical staffs of the UVHC – final decision being national.

Specific policy for non-publishing permanent staff A voluntary policy to help non-publishing and/or weak publishing permanent staff is ongoing. They have a specific interview with the direction and the head of the concerned group. The goal is to have a clear “contract” between both parties for a half period (2 and half years). In order to give them chances to raise the level asked, specific actions are taken. They are integrated in a working group and preferably – when possible – on projects with resources (PhD, Post-doc). On another side, with the help of the University, specific periods called CRCT (6 months or 1 year without lectures) are given with high priority to them,

accordingly with the number of possible CRCT and with the teaching institute. On the last period this procedure was helpful for more than 5 members of the Labs. The direction does think that these efforts must be strengthened in the future in order to bring the highest number of people to research and moreover to research at good quality standards.

Strategy and Scientific directions The board – directors and head of the teams - met on a regularly basis of once every 1 or 2 months. It sets up and monitors the medium and long terms scientific activities (i.e. 2010 and 2013 call for proposal: Innovative Research Actions), as well as international networking development. In order to guarantee effective scientific results and economic impacts at the end, each project is managed through a mixed top down / bottom-up approaches including milestones, an annual report and review project with relevant success indicators for teams and researchers of both Labs. To promote and strengthen scientific results according to the success indicators, a relevant action has been settled so-called “Innovative Research Actions” (IRA). It is a Centre internal call for proposal granted with 20 k€ per year lasting 2 years. Reviewing of the proposals is made by external experts. Two calls have been done. First one in 2010 was focused taking a risk on an innovative research theme with networking and mobility. Said in another words, targeting two or three actions with small teams; actions including fundamental research with already internationally known researchers. Expected results are high level publication as well as networking with high level international researchers. As a result of this first call, 7 propositions were made and 3 actions were granted:

 “Hybrid Dynamic Systems: Estimation, Observation, Diagnostic and Delay” – M. Djemaï, M. Dambrine, M. Defoort, J. Lauber (ASHM), effective collaborations: K. Veluvolu (South Korea), E. Fridman (Israel), K. Busawon (UK)

 “New 1D-Models for the thermo-mechanical coupling in glass during heating and cooling” – D. Lochegnies, F. Bechet (MSM), effective collaborations: N. Siedow (Germany), H. Aben (Estonia).

 “Fundamentals of internal swirling flows” –S. Lalot, L. Labraga, F. Monnoyer, F. Beaubert (DF2T), effective collaborations: O. Andrjesdottir, H. Ingimundardottir (Island), H. Palsson (Sweden).

Second call in 2013 was settled with different objectives. The goal for this call is to target multidisciplinary projects at the border of two disciplines and keeping in mind the international networking and publications. 5 proposals were made and two projects are granted:

 “Robust Optimization for the stability analysis of large uncertain models of rubbing systems” – F. Massa, T. Tison (C2S); T.M. Guerra, J. Lauber (ASHM); S. Hanafi, C. Wilbaut (DIM) + LAMAV (Mathematics Lab UVHC)

 “pi-NUTS: a physical internet cross-docking hub control system” – Y. Sallez, T. Berger, A. Bekrar D. Trentesaux (TEMPO/PSI); E. Adam, R. Mandiau (LAMIH/DIM) + external partners

We want to clearly exhibit that under this structure of the Research Centre; partnerships between the two laboratories (LAMIH and TEMPO) are well established. In order to fix the reader on these important points the two next sections; first give a focus – middle and long term research – in each of the 3 main strategic goals and second; some specific actions at the intersections between disciplines exhibiting the inherent and necessary multidisciplinary of these researches.

Strategy and Scientific directions: focus on main goals – middle and long terms policy 1. Mobility and Logistics: Assistance to mobility of disabled

Globally speaking, lifetime is increasing thanks to medicine progresses and life habits. Independency of the elderly people will be one the major issues of the near future. It implies a huge increase in the needs for mobility for Persons with Disabilities Related to Mobility. However aging also means a significant decrease in cognitive, motor and sensory performances that should be taken into account for safety and security reasons. Concerning elderly people and disabled, some figures are enlightening the future challenges. Among them (sources UNO and WHO http://www.un.org/disabilities/):

 “Nearly 10% of the population representing more than 650 million persons lives with a handicap. They are the largest minority in the world

 According to United Nations estimates, the number of older persons (60+) will double from the current 600 million to 1.2 billion by 2025, and again, to 2 billion by 2050. The vast majority of older people live in their homes and communities, but in environments that have not been designed with their needs and capacities in mind.

 In countries where life expectancy is over 70 years, individuals spend on average eight years or 11.5 percent of his life living with a disability.”

Our challenge is to realize sustainable and secure mobility for Persons with Disabilities Related to Mobility (PDRM). It is a totally possible challenge, where the forces are clearly identified, Figure 13.

Figure 13: Projects granted corresponding to the goal “Assistance to mobility of disabled”.

Why it works ?

First, the place of several members of the Labs: Board Member of Handicap Research Institute (IFRH, CNRS National Federation) co-responsible of one of the 3 axes “Sensorimotor functioning, Technology” http://ifr-handicap.inserm.fr/axec.html, coordination of the Research Regional Institute on Handicap (IRRH), Member of the Board of the French Society of Biomechanics (SB), Member of the European Network ISN (Integrated Safety Network).

Second, the inherent multidisciplinary research of the Centre allows responding to call for proposals in an efficient way. The Centre and Labs directions decided to focus on PMR activities since 2009. From 2 projects where LAMIH/TEMPO was leader (HANDIMAN and SACR-FRM) a direct cooperation with a SME was granted (VELO) and 2 important projects won: SEVAP – crossing roads for elderly people – and VOLHAND in cooperation with the world leader in steering wheels JTEKT. Let us also notice that a specific Ministry Grant for Handicap People has been obtained for a PhD student (Y. Guerrier). Therefore, multidisciplinary projects were highly promoted. An important project on electric assistance for wheelchair was initiated including Automatic Control, Biomechanics, Psychology, Mechanics and Computer Science and a staff of 20 people. Under the name 2AP-MS he was recognized on a scientific point of view by the CNRS through being laureate of the call for project “Ageing”. He also won “Emerging Project in Region” PA-PMR. At last, in the context of emerging projects from CISIT, specific equipment has been obtained (PSCHITT-PMR, 503 k€). Next steps are already programmed: a European project in the call for proposal CHIST-ERA has been proposed, another project for ANR call for proposal TECSAN implying a SME will be proposed in March and the creation of a Start-Up is ongoing.

Key papers

 Marouf A., Djemai M., Sentouh C., Pudlo P. (2013). A New Control Strategy for an Electric Power Assisted Steering System. IEEE-Trans. on Vehicular Technology, to appear.

 Gabrielli F., Pudlo P., Djemai M. (2012). Instrumented Steering Wheel for Biomechanical Measurements. Mechatronics, 22 (5), pp. 639-650.

 Sagawa Junior Y., Turcot K., Armand S., Thévenon A., Vuillerme N., Watelain É. (2011). Biomechanics and physiological parameters during gait in lower limb amputees: a systematic review. Gait & Posture, 33(4), pp. 511-526.

2. Safety, Security and Reliability: Lightweight design

Reliable and protective lightweight structures is a key issue for the next decade of the transportation industry. National and European strategic analysis are convergent to establish that “The automotive system as it is built over the twentieth century is no longer sustainable. The depletion of oil resources, the necessary reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases, congestion of our cities, while the incentive to rethink, especially as the global car fleet continues to expand, fueled by strong growth emerging countries” http://www.strategie.gouv.fr/en/content/report-car-tomorrow-fuel-and-electricity.

Figure 14: Projects granted corresponding to the goal “Lightweight design”.

Concerning automotive industry EU directive limiting CO2 emissions comes into effect gradually in application from 2012 to 2015 with a threshold to 130 g, then 95 g by 2020. It thus obliges manufacturers to reduce emissions from their fleet. A fee of €95 per gram beyond the target will be applied to those who do not meet the threshold. Weight gain, valued in CO2 savings (1 g/km per 10 kg), will be a priority objective of the projects of the new vehicles. Manufacturers announce a research of gain of the order of 250 kg per vehicle and all components will be involved from the engine to the structure of the vehicle. Our challenge is to contribute to a reliable and secure sustainable lightening of vehicles, taking into account representative criteria such as material forming and assembling processes, heat transfer, fluid dynamic, automatic control, material and structural dynamic strength (crashworthiness). Figure 14 shows the scheduling of key coordinated projects developed in the centre, with respect to this policy axis.

Why it works ?

The multidisciplinary research of the Centre allows answering to call for proposals in an efficient way. The Centre and Labs directions decided to focus on lightweight structures since 2007 through their large involvement in the CISIT project. Important national project coordinated by Ministry, where LAMIH/TEMPO was involved, have been granted in 2003 and 2005: SIMULFORGE and High Speed Processes. These projects have been carried out in association with CETIM and the French forging committee. Therefore, multidisciplinary projects were highly promoted, peculiarly the joint program involving C2S and MSM teams focused on the forming of light parts on one hand, and the dynamic strength of assemblies (welded, riveted, bonded) on the other hand. Aluminum has been recently studied in order to master forming defect occurrence, especially sticking phenomena at tool work piece interface. During the postdoctoral period of Cédric Hubert, the lubricant entrapment and escape phenomena in forming has been studied experimentally as well as numerically. Experiments have been carried out in strip reduction of aluminum sheet applying a transparent die to study the fluid flow between mesoscopic cavities (Collaboration with DTU, Denmark). A new and innovative numerical strategy has been validated to model lubrication in forming of light products. The results have been presented to CIRP (International Academy for Production Engineering) in the framework of a membership application. ANR SINUSSURF has been granted in 2012 to increase knowledge of surface in microscopic scale. This project is a basic research project aiming to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cell deformation induced by isotropic topography, and notably the intracellular mechano-transduction mechanisms, thanks to the association of experimental and modeling approaches. More specifically, we will focus our attention on peak-and valleys topographies that are the surface morphologies mostly met by cells in vivo contrary to surfaces with geometrical and anisotropic morphologies that have been studied until now in the field. With this objective we will notably develop sinusoidal surfaces presenting peak-and- valleys at the cellular scale. Moreover, we will finally possess a library of sinusoidal model surfaces suitable for replication. The first “tooled” surfaces are actually used to study effect of lubrication with surface topography. Secondly, the structural bonding is an assembling technique that has recently gained much interest, particularly in automotive industry, where it appears as an inescapable solution for the lightening structures purpose. Experimentally, a new testing device has been developed to analyze the mixed stress effect on the behavior and the failure of bonded joints at high strain rates (up to 500s-1). Cylindrical bonded assemblies have been designed and tested on a set of the split Hopkinson tensile bars device to obtain the glue characterization at high strain rate. On the numerical aspect, a specific cohesive element has been developed, especially by including an equivalent plasticity based on the yield surface coming from the tests. This work done by David Morin during his PhD thesis has been continued through collaboration with NTNU, Norway, during a postdoctoral period. A new failure criterion based on the calculation of the opening (and sliding) displacement of the joint was also identified and developed into the existing cohesive element. ANR ASAP and ADEME FASTLITE (part of the national program “for future investments”) have been granted in 2011 and 2012 to strengthen scientific knowledge in the field of dynamic strength of assemblies. A great part of these works on structural assemblies have been also carried out under the DRSC joint laboratory between LAMIH and ONERA created since 2003. Thirdly, a long term activity on the dynamic behavior of composites, polymers and textiles more recently has resulted in strategic industrial partnerships (Bosch, Toyota) and the invitation in 2012 to join the GIS MTA (Scientific Interest Group on Advanced Textile Materials). Some researchers of the Centre aim to become members of the CIRP to develop the international network of our Centre and become an international reference. A very important event is coming in September

2013 with the organization in of the ICFG (International Cold Forging Group, connected to CIRP) plenary meeting (www.icfg2013.org). ICFG is strongly involved in lightning of structures with specific international subgroup activities. One researcher of the centre is also member of the governing board of DYMAT, the European association for the promotion of research into the dynamic behavior of materials and its applications (http://www.dymat.org/) where the problematic of lightweight protective structures is of great interest. In the prospective of CISIT for the 2014-2020 period (see later), reliable and protective lightweight structures is also a key challenge for future strategic investments (development of platforms).

Key papers

 Morin D., Bourel B., Bennani B., Lauro F., Lesueur D. (2012). A new cohesive element for structural bonding modelling under dynamic loading. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 53, pp. 94- 105, ISSN 0734-743X. [IF=1.701][DOI=10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2012.02.003]

 Dubar L., Hubert C., Christiansen P., Bay N., Dubois A. (2012). Analysis of fluid lubrication mechanisms in metal forming at mesoscopic scale. CIRP Annals - Manufacturing Technology, 61, pp. 271–274, ISSN 0007-8506. [IF=1.708]

 Langrand B., Markiewicz É. (2010). Strain-rate dependence in spot welds: non-linear behaviour and failure in pure and combined modes I/II. International Journal of Impact Engineering, 37(7), pp. 792-805, ISSN 0734-743X. [IF=1.701] 3. Energy and environment: emission and consumption reductions

Transports are responsible for a significant share of the oil consumption and their pollutant emissions have a deep impact on both the environment and human health. The interest in small-scale combined heat and electrical power systems working with renewable energies is rising. Developments are carried out within the framework of the regional project SYLWATT. A micro combined heat and electrical power system (micro-CHP) recently developed in the Centre consists in a solid biomass-fuelled boiler for cogeneration, with a burned gas-air heat exchanger, coupled to a hot air engine, an Ericsson engine working with an open cycle. The expected world automotive fleet growth and the oil rarefaction urge the diffusion of alternative powertrains such as pure electric or hybrid vehicles. Considering these new technologies, better vehicle energetic and environmental efficiency can be reached not only by optimizing the vehicle components but also by improving the overall system behavior.

Figure 15: Projects granted corresponding to the goal “Emission and consumption reduction”.

At the component level, two major aspects have to be studied. IC Engine. On one hand, to cope with new emission norms such as the EURO 6, new actuators have been developed to control Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), e.g. Variable Valves Timing. On the other hand, integrating ICE within a hybrid powertrain requires a precise control of the produced torque. As results, ICE control is becoming more complex and requires even more complex control techniques. For example, new developments have been initiated to control the combustion independently within each cylinder. Batteries. Due to advance in materials, recent technologies allow reaching very high batteries specific power and energy. One of the drawbacks of these performances is the lack of robustness: the battery can be damaged by overheating. As a result, complex vehicle thermal management is required.

At the system level, the optimization concerns the energy flows between the vehicle and its different components, e.g. ICE, battery. In this case, several strategies can be designed to improve the vehicle overall efficiency. Eco-driving strategies can be imagined to integrate the driver behavior within the optimization algorithm of a (possibly hybrid) vehicle that account for all the available information such as vehicle position over a digital map, traffic look ahead, etc. In some situation, it should be possible, for example, to reduce the vehicle dynamical performances to achieve better performance. Of course, one of the major difficulties is to ensure that the result of the optimization remains acceptable for the driver. New research strategies for cooling of electrical systems are also developed using Stereo PIV and Infrared Thermography for flow and thermal measurements (2 ANR projects, collaborations with Renault and PSA). At last, IC engine is a major source of energy losses, its efficiency not greater than 40% and during urban driving condition it can be less than 20%. Therefore, a huge share of the oil energy could be recovered using different technologies, such as Stirling or Rankine engines.

Why it will work?

The Figure 15 shows that many upstream and innovation projects have been carried out in the past decade (3 ANR, 2 FUI, 1 ADEME). Several members of the Labs are Board Member of scientific groups: CNRS research group AMETH and MACS, French Society of Heat Transfer (SFT). This high potential framework in the Centre will lead to more interdisciplinary projects in this axis, gathering the scientific skills of the teams. Indeed the next developments will strengthen the synergy between automatic control and heat transfer. Key papers:

 Kermani S., Delprat S., Guerra T-M., Trigui R., Jeanneret B. (2012). Predictive energy management for hybrid vehicle. Control Engineering Practice, 20, pp. 408-420.

 Younsi K., Floris J., Rajanoah B., Simon P., Loslever P., Popieul J-C. (2011). Study of driver's behavior during overtaking situations. Advances in Transportation Studies an International Journal, 25, pp. 29-38, ISSN 1824-5463.

 Lauber J., Guerra T-M., Dambrine M. (2011). Air-fuel ratio control in a gasoline engine. International Journal of Systems Sciences, 42 (2), pp. 277 - 286.

 Hocine A., Desmet B., Guenoun S. (2010). Numerical study of the influence of diesel post injection and exhaust gas expansion on the thermal cycle of an automobile engine. Applied Thermal Engineering, 30(14-15), pp. 1889-1895, ISSN 1359-4311. [IF: 1.922]

 Gheith R., Aloui F., Ben Nasrallah S. (2012). Optimization of Stirling engine performance based on an experimental design approach. International Journal of Energy Research, doi: 10.1002/er.2964. [IF: 2.122].

Highlights

This section is divided into four parts. Main highlights of the centre are treated first. Second, LAMIH highlights, mainly concerning CNRS are depicted; whereas TEMPO highlights focuses in a third part on the Carnot aspects. At last the scientific national and international collaborations as well as the industrial cooperation are grouped for both labs at the end. Both LAMIH and TEMPO labs are highly involved – as major when not largest contributors, participating in boards, acting directly on the policies – in the strong leadership positions of University of Valenciennes and Hainaut-Cambresis:

 The labeling “Innovative Campus”, as part of the national call for Great Campus Project awarded by the Ministry to the UVHC project on transports following an international expertise.

 The steering of the CISIT project (http://www.cisit.org/) assigned by the Regional Council under the CPER 2007-2013 (State and Region Project Contract, 46 Millions €).

 A strong involvement in the development of the Technology Park TRANSALLEY associated to the Innovative Campus label and to the CISIT, which aims to develop industrial partnerships (academic- industrial joint research teams) and to promote the creation of start-ups.

 A main contribution to the Railenium Institute for Technological Research call for projects integrated in the national program “for future investments”.

 A main contribution to the i-Trans competitive cluster through innovative projects with industrial partnerships.

Resuming the highlights for each team is almost impossible; nevertheless an exhaustive list is included in each of the team report. We have just extracted some main points of attractiveness and visibility thereafter:

 Winner of an International chair Regional Council Nord Pas-de-Calais 2013: Pr Nenad Mladenovic Brunel University, citation report http://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=KCe9frYAAAAJ&hl=fr for LAMIH. Chair title “efficient and robust optimization methods for railway infrastructure logistics and maintenance”, involves the IRT RAILENIUM on a 3 years project including granting 1 post-doc, 1 engineer and two assistants

 Winner of an International chair Regional Council Nord Pas-de-Calais 2011: Prof. Eli Puchi, from the school of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Universidad Central de Venezuela, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Mechanics of UMR CNRS 8107

 Dr HDR S. Boverie from CONTINENTAL is associated member of LAMIH since December 2012. He is Senior expert, R&D and Innovation senior manager and has got important positions: at IFAC – vice- president of Technical Board in charge of relations with industry since 2008 and vice-president for World Congress upcoming in 2014 – and at CNRS GDR MACS – member of the board in charge of contacts with industry upcoming 2014 and he was committee member of research project evaluation at National research Agency (ANR) for research programs in Transport and Automotive

 The Centre received 87 invited professors from abroad for 150 months (Table 2). Amongst the various people received at the Centre – including periods for PhD students from abroad, Post-Docs, short visits of Professors for meetings, seminars – we can extract some visiting professors with very high standards: Pr M. Sugeno (Center Soft Comp, Spain), Pr N. Mladenovic (Brunel University, UK), Pr T. Crainic (CIRRELT, Canada), Pr A.C. Daoud (USA), Pr E. Fridman (Tel Aviv Univ, Israel), Pr N. Gupta (India)

 Winner and leader of “ANR Blanc” SINUSURF (Pr M. Bigerelle, 670 k€) implying ISM UMR CNRS 6233 (Marseille), LBTO INSERM (Strasbourg) and ICI UPR CNRS 9069 (Mulhouse)

 Presentation of project ANR VOLHAND results – 2010-2013 LAMIH (Pr P. Pudlo) pilot with steer wheel world leader company JTEKT – at members of the National Assembly, September 27, 2012

 Several members of the Centre were recruited for permanent positions outside UVHC: 1 Researcher at Paul Sherrer Institut Vilingen (Switzerland), 1 researcher at INRIA Lille, 3 positions of full Professor: University of Artois, INSA of Strasbourg, University of Orleans; 4 Assistant Professors: Ecole Centrale de Lille, Ecole des Mines Douai, ENI Brest, University of Beyrouth

 International Mobility of the PhD students is highly encouraged (min 3 months), amongst the various destinations: Politecnico Torino (Italy), Cranfield University (UK), Univ. de Ljubljana (Slovenia), Univ Valencia (Spain), VTI Linköping (Sweden), TU Eindhoven (Holland), Tsukuba (Japan), TU Cluj-Napoca (Romania), TU Denmark, Univ Basque Country (Bilbao Spain)…

 PhD recruitments 2009-2013: 40% UVHC, 35% (non UVHC) and 25% (foreign countries)

At last, not only direct impact on research aspects are highlights but also the way the Labs do impact on Societal and Economics aspects through innovation and/or training-research development:

 Start-up AUTONOMADE in the area of disabled people, winner of national Contest of Innovative and Technological Companies of the French Ministry of Research and Technology 2013 (Dr S. Mohammad)

 5 Patents + 3 ongoing: 3 in Partnerships with PSA (T-H. Tran, F. Pailhoux, Prof. S. Harmand) DF2T team: Battery thermal Model (2011): Ref 1160912 FR. Experimental device for battery cooling (2011): Ref 1252026 FR. Heat pipe and PCM for cylindrical battery cooling: Ref 1253541 FR. Heat pipe and PCM for battery cooling (2012): Ref 1254751 FR. Air cooling for battery: Ref 1260775 FR. 2 Partnerships EUROCOPTER (DIM team) International Patent, “Obstacle Detection Device Including a System of Sound Restitution for Road Accident Avoidance”, Ref. ALL/HC/I 08- 4011 FR, European Patent, “Procédé d’optimisation dynamique d’une architecture d’outils de tests système" FR11/00.232. 2 PCT patent applications on electric power steering system and 1 on clutch observation variables are going on.

 Initiation and development of INOPME-R: INOPME-R is an innovative structure thought to develop apprenticeship between research lab and regional or national SME. It is a unique structure nowadays in France with no equivalent that was built from experience in apprenticeship of Pr L. Dubar director of TEMPO. Students are hosted in the labs and work on industrial R&D subjects. INOPME-R is granted for five years by the regional council and UIMM (Union for the metallurgical Industry) http://www.univ-valenciennes.fr/INOPME. 8 apprentices have been recruited currently.

Highlights LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201 For this part the main focus is put on the implication of the LAMIH concerning the CNRS. First important information, after 2 years being FRE 3304 (Research Federation in Evolution); since January 2012 LAMIH is again UMR. CNRS has assessed the LAMIH FRE 3304 specifically in 2010 with a half period assessment committee (report of the visit is joint annex 2). Its composition was:

 Jean-Marc CHASSERY, Directeur Adjoint Scientifique INSIS  Philippe CHRETIENNE*, LIP6, UPMC Paris 6  Françoise DARSES*, University Paris 11  Etienne DOMBRE*, LIRMM, Montpellier, member section 07  Dominique LEGUILLON, Chargé de mission Mechanics INSIS  Pierre MONTMITONNET*, CEMEF Sophia-Antipolis  Isabelle QUEINNEC, LAAS, Chargé de mission Automation INSIS (*) Member of the AERES committee of 2008

Factually, from 2009 to 2011 the LAMIH FRE 3304 principal belonging was INSIS (DAS Jean-Marc Chassery) with second belongings INS2I and INSB. Since 2012 and the new perimeter of INS2I, the belongings were modified as well as the DAS. Nowadays the new DAS is Raja Chatila and LAMIH principal belonging is INS2I (teams ASHM and DIM) with second belongings INSIS (C2S) and INSB (DEMoH). National section committees are 06 for DIM, 07 for ASHM, 09 for C2S and 26 for DEMoH. The LAMIH has strengthened its place for research involved in Human in engineering and systems. This enhancement at a key moment for the future of research in France, Europe and in the World is crucial and definitively needs the CNRS as partner, especially because of its recognition as one of the most important research agency in the World. Highlights for the LAMIH UMR CNRS 8201 are:

 For permanent Research position on national concourse (CR2 section 07), a candidate presented by the LAMIH (Dr L. Busoniu, PhD TU Delft) won the contest in 2011: he was ranked 2nd and therefore got a position at CNRS. Even if presented by the LAMIH with a project focused on the LAMIH teams

(procedure asked by the CNRS), CNRS final decision was an affectation at CRAN in Nancy. The candidate and the Lab were disappointed and we just give report of section 07 statement: “[Section 07] hopes that the recruitment of the candidate ranked at CNRS Concourse 2011 will be effective, such recruitment would be highly relevant to strengthen the Laboratory dynamic”

 LAMIH (Pr F. Vanderhaegen) initiated and is heading the European GDR HAMASYT (Human Machine Systems) including TU Delft, TU Berlin, TU Compiègne (HEUDYASIC) and University Reims CA (CReSTIC)

 ERC junior proposal “CO3NECT, (COordination and COntrol of COoperative multi-agent systems under NEtwork and real-time ConsTraints)” ranked B 2012 (Dr M. Defoort), will compete again next year

 CNRS delegations: Dr F. Delmotte - 1 year 2008 ( Pr university Artois 2009); Dr I. Crevits – 1 year 2011 at LAMSADE, Paris ( HDR 2013); Pr P. Millot – 1 year 2012 Florida Institute Technology USA ( winner PUF 2012 with the FIT); Dr. J. Lauber – 1 year 2010 LAGIS, Lille ( HDR 2011); Dr M. Chadli (Univ PJV, Amiens) was in delegation at LAMIH for 6 months in 2011.

 Dr T. Delot – 2 years delegation INRIA (2010-2012), Lille Centre ( PR UVHC 2013); F. Anceaux – Invited Professor 6 months Haute Ecole de Santé de Genève (Switzerland)

 Creation of LAM (Movement Analysis Lab) common Lab LAMIH / Rehabilitation Center La Rougeville (Saint-Saulve close to Valenciennes), Dec 2012 for having access to disabled and elder population in a medical framework

 DRSC (Structure Fast Dynamics and Collision): common lab UVHC-ONERA-CNRS merging together scientific aspects of teams LAMIH/C2S and ONERA/DADS/CRD (team based at Lille)

 International projects granted via CNRS: International Cooperation CNRS-DGRS Tunisie CRASHCELL (C2S F. Chaari 2011), Sciences Acad of Russia (ASHM D. Berdjag 2012), CNRS/ INRIA/ Bresil/ FAP’s (DIM K. Oliveira 2012)

 Winner of the interdisciplinary call for project “Ageing” with the project PA-PMR 2011 ( winner Contest of Regional Council Emerging Projects 2012, 130 k€, 2 Post-docs)

 Organization of Summer school “Risk management in life critical systems” University of Valenciennes July 1-5, 2013 (Scientific Responsible Pr P. Millot)

 Organization of CNRS Summer School “Ambient Intelligence” 2009 and 2011 (Scientific Responsible T. Delot) in Lille (130 participants, 35 k€ GDR ASR and I3); organization JAA (Automotive and Automation Days) from GDR MACS CNRS group, November 2012 (60 participants T.M. Guerra)

As final remark of this part, what can be seen from the delegations and the winning projects is that in most cases the fact of being supported first by the CNRS gives a high scientific label that can be used very profitably for the future of the involved members and/or projects.

Highlights TEMPO The Carnot Institute ARTS, Figure 16, led by the French high education engineering school Arts & Métiers Paristech and its valorisation organization called ARTS, gathers 25 research labs and 1250 researchers and PHd’s, through a strong partnership with 12 research organization partners including University of Valenciennes and CNRS. The Carnot Institute ARTS has been granted for a second five-year period in 2011 in the framework of the PIA national program “Investissements d’Avenir”.

TEMPO Lab joined this Carnot institute since this date. Highly involved in transports, Health and energy domains, the Carnot ARTS institute is organized in 3 major research fields corresponding to TEMPO research teams:

 Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Processes (TEMPO/MSM);  Fluids and energetic systems (TEMPO/DF2T);  Design, industrialization, risk, decision (TEMPO/PSI).

Figure 16: ARTS Carnot institute

A partnership agreement has been signed between the University of Valenciennes and the Carnot Institute, laying down the rules of the Carnot Charter (quality policy, research contract with full cost accounting, promotion of the Carnot Network...). TEMPO Lab became member of the steering committee of the Carnot ARTS institute in 2011, representing the University of Valenciennes et Hainaut Cambresis. Once a year, call for project focused on upstream research is proposed by the Carnot Institute. Two projects submitted by TEMPO have been granted (total amount of 150 k€):

 2011: “Behaviour and damage of cast iron at high temperature” (Dr M. Watremez, MSM team) in collaboration with ENSAM of Chalons en Champagne.

 2012: “Numerical and experimental analysis of turbulent flow” (Dr L. Keirsbulck, DF2T team) in collaboration with ENSAM of and Paris. This project has been ranked n°1 in 2012.

Research activities developed in TEMPO are related partly to industry in the Carnot framework. In this part, we put a highlight on some innovative achievements.

 Development of prototypes: IJAF (Impinging Jet Array Facility); HST (High Speed Tribometer); WHUST (Warm and Hot Upsetting-Sliding Test) (Partnership with CETIM), MeBoOS (Mechanical Behaviour of Oxide Scale) (Partnership with APERAM).

 Software and simulation platform: Development of a complete graphical simulation platform for the self-organization in vehicle routing in urban traffic (FORESEE). This simulator integrates a traffic micro-simulator and a V2V telecommunication simulator. PSI team also developed a prototype software to help designer to evaluate the RAMS parameters of a system (SAFE-SADT)

 Winner ADEME-Pollutec "Prix des Techniques Innovantes pour l'Environnement" (Marie Creyx)

Collaborations

At the level of the Centre the number of members of different committees, scientific councils and boards is too important to describe them in a concise way. Therefore, we thought more pertinent to give them at the level of each research group and the reader is invited to find them at the appropriate place.

National collaborations For scientific cooperation, Figure 17 highlights (red points on the map) the different partners having an effective collaboration during years 2009-2012. Effective means at least a PhD in co direction or published journal or conference papers during the period.

Figure 17: National scientific collaborations – projects, publications, PhD theses co-directions.

International collaborations For scientific cooperation, Figure 18 highlights (red points on the map) the different partners having an effective collaboration during years 2009-2012. Effective means at least a PhD in co direction or published journal or conference papers during the period.

Industrial Collaborations The Centre tries to keep a good balance between fundamentals in research and applied research involving industrials. To achieve this last part, numerous industrial collaborations exist. A part of these collaborations last for more than 10 years and become strategic for the Centre as they contribute to define in part its research goals. These collaborations can take place in several ways: direct cooperation with 100% funding by the industrial but generally they enter in a larger project involving public funds (regional or national) and some national organisms (IFSTTAR, ONERA, INRA, CNRS…). Most of the collaborations include a PhD grant: CIFRE (funded by the industry and the ministry of industry), Regional

Council co-funded (50% by industry or by a national organism) and the shorter term is very often 3 years, in order to be compatible with the classical duration of a PhD in France. Figure 19 illustrates these collaborations during the past years 2009-2012.

Figure 18: International scientific collaborations – projects, publications, PhD thesis co-directions.

Figure 19: Industrial Partnerships.

Some figures about scientific publication of the centre

Figure 20 gives the ratio impacted & indexed paper / researcher / year during the last years. Even with some disparities, this indicator increased from 0,99 to 1,83. It shows also an important increase in number of papers, from 87 to 161. Considering the first semester of 2013, average ratio is 1,03.

Figure 20: Peer review papers distribution and rate of publication.

Another very important point is the PhD duration. The Ministry asks for an average duration of 39 months. Figure 21 shows the evolution of PhD defences by year. The average number of defences by year in the centre is stable around 20.

Figure 21: Evolution of PhD duration and amount of defended thesis per year.