Computer-Aided Sustainable Design: Reusing decommissioned curved objects to create new surfaces
Contract type : Internship agreement
Level of qualifications required : Graduate degree or equivalent
Fonction : Internship Research
About the research centre or Inria department
Inria is the French National Institute for Research in Digital Science, of which the Inria Côte d'Azur University Center is a part. With strong expertise in computer science and applied mathematics, the research projects of the Inria Côte d'Azur University Center cover all aspects of digital science and technology and generate innovation. Based mainly in Sophia Antipolis, but also in Nice and Montpellier, it brings together 47 research teams and nine support services. It is active in the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, IT system security, robotics, network engineering, natural risk prevention, ecological transition, digital biology, computational neuroscience, health data, and more. The Inria Center at Université Côte d'Azur is a major player in terms of scientific excellence, thanks to the results it has achieved and its collaborations at both European and international level.
Context
The internship will take place at Inria Université Côte d’Azur, which is located close to Nice and Antibes. The research group GraphDeco conducts research on diverse topics in computer graphics, including geometric modeling, physical simulation, rendering: https://team.inria.fr/graphdeco/
Assignment
Composite materials allow the creation of large and lightweight curved structures, such as wind turbine blades, ship hulls, aircraft fuselages. But composite materials are difficult to recycle and are anticipated to result in a cumulative waste of tens of million tons in the next few decades. In collaboration with researchers in sustainable industrial design, we aim at developing novel digital design tools to create new objects by reusing parts of decommissioned curved objects, with the goal of reducing composite waste as well as consumption of raw materials.
Main activities
We have recently developed a first proof of concept, where we reused panels of wind turbine blades to create modules for a cycling pump track. Inspired by this demonstrator, we have developed an algorithm that optimizes the cutting of curved panels such that they form modules that users can connect seamlessly to create diverse tracks.
The first goal of this internship is to develop an interactive design tool that lets users define the overall shape of a
track, and that solves for the sequence of modules that best approximates this track. If successful, we will then extend the tool to create larger surfaces, possibly by assembling them as a succession of parallel tracks.
More details and illustrations available here: https://www-sop.inria.fr/members/Adrien.Bousseau/stages/BladeReuse.pdf
Skills
Candidates should have studied computer science. Knowledge in computer graphics, and in particular geometry processing and numerical optimization is a plus.
Benefits package
- Subsidized meals
- Partial reimbursement of public transport costs
- Leave: 7 weeks of annual leave + 10 extra days off due to RTT (statutory reduction in working hours) + possibility of exceptional leave (sick children, moving home, etc.)
- Possibility of teleworking (after 6 months of employment) and flexible organization of working hours
- Professional equipment available (videoconferencing, loan of computer equipment, etc.)
- Social, cultural and sports events and activities
- Access to vocational training
- Contribution to mutual insurance (subject to conditions)
Remuneration
Traineeship grant depending on attendance hours.
General Information
- Theme/Domain :
Interaction and visualization
Software engineering (BAP E) - Town/city : Sophia Antipolis
- Inria Center : Centre Inria d'Université Côte d'Azur
- Starting date : 2026-02-02
- Duration of contract : 6 months
- Deadline to apply : 2025-11-30
Warning : you must enter your e-mail address in order to save your application to Inria. Applications must be submitted online on the Inria website. Processing of applications sent from other channels is not guaranteed.
Instruction to apply
Applications must be submitted online on the Inria website. Collecting applications by other channels is not guaranteed.
Defence Security :
This position is likely to be situated in a restricted area (ZRR), as defined in Decree No. 2011-1425 relating to the protection of national scientific and technical potential (PPST).Authorisation to enter an area is granted by the director of the unit, following a favourable Ministerial decision, as defined in the decree of 3 July 2012 relating to the PPST. An unfavourable Ministerial decision in respect of a position situated in a ZRR would result in the cancellation of the appointment.
Recruitment Policy :
As part of its diversity policy, all Inria positions are accessible to people with disabilities.
Contacts
- Inria Team : GRAPHDECO
-
Recruiter :
Bousseau Adrien / Adrien.Bousseau@inria.fr
The keys to success
An interest in creating innovative digital design tools that can support more sustainable manufacturing processes.
About Inria
Inria is the French national research institute dedicated to digital science and technology. It employs 2,600 people. Its 200 agile project teams, generally run jointly with academic partners, include more than 3,500 scientists and engineers working to meet the challenges of digital technology, often at the interface with other disciplines. The Institute also employs numerous talents in over forty different professions. 900 research support staff contribute to the preparation and development of scientific and entrepreneurial projects that have a worldwide impact.