Félix Lavanchy, a third-year student at the Arts et Métiers campus in Bordeaux-Talence, is about to embark on a unique experience in his engineering journey. Passionate about scientific research, he has secured an internship at the Franco-Japanese LIMMS laboratory in Tokyo, where he will work on optimizing redox flow batteries—a type of liquid battery in which energy is stored in fluids.
An Engineering Journey Driven by Scientific Curiosity
Félix Lavanchy, a third-year student at the Arts et Métiers campus in Bordeaux-Talence, is preparing to leave for Japan for his final-year internship. Passionate about research since childhood, he has long aspired to contribute to scientific advancements. Today, this ambition takes shape through an internship at LIMMS (Laboratory for Integrated Micro-Mechatronics Systems), a Franco-Japanese laboratory affiliated with CNRS and the University of Tokyo.
This internship focuses on optimizing the performance and lifespan of liquid batteries, an innovative topic in the field of energy. For Félix, it is a unique opportunity to dive into the scientific world and pursue a PhD at the end of his academic journey.
Indeed, with the rise of new technologies, the industry increasingly needs PhD graduates in engineering sciences. Arts et Métiers helps meet this demand by offering students this academic path, illustrating the diversity of opportunities available at the school.
This experience is part of an academic exchange dynamic between France and Japan, aiming to combine complementary expertise in energy, electrochemistry, and instrumentation to advance energy production and storage technologies. By working closely with Japanese experts, Félix will deepen his knowledge of these new liquid batteries, benefiting from a cutting-edge research environment while immersing himself in a rich scientific and technical culture.
A Franco-Japanese Collaboration
This program is part of a collaborative research project led by Stéphane Chevalier, a professor at the Arts et Métiers campus in Bordeaux-Talence and a researcher at the Institute of Mechanics and Engineering of Bordeaux (I2M / Arts et Métiers, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, INRAE, University of Bordeaux).
A specialist in infrared imaging techniques and heat transfer for energy systems, he is working on improving the performance of liquid batteries by combining his expertise with that of Professor Tsuyoshi Minami from the University of Tokyo, an expert in micro-instrumentation for chemical analysis. Their collaboration aims to optimize the lifespan and efficiency of these batteries by anticipating recharging needs and preventing degradation.
Strengthening International Ties
This collaborative project, initiated in 2022 with the University of Tokyo, highlights the importance of strategic international partnerships between Arts et Métiers and Japan. After six years of research activities at I2M, this experience offers Stéphane Chevalier the opportunity to accelerate his collaboration with Professor Tsuyoshi Minami. Working daily in a Japanese research environment will also allow him to deepen his studies and integrate new scientific approaches. This one-year stay represents an enriching life experience for both him and his family.
The medium-term goal of this partnership is to strengthen ties between the two countries by increasing student and researcher exchanges. The University of Tokyo, as a strategic partner, provides an ideal framework for these collaborations. Ultimately, the objective is not only to promote inbound and outbound mobility but also to co-develop innovative research projects on the energy systems of the future. This dynamic enhances Arts et Métiers’ presence on the international stage and creates new opportunities for French and Japanese students and researchers eager to engage in large-scale projects.
