ANDRE CITROEN HONOURED WITH UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CHAIR
One of the world’s leading and oldest technical and engineering universities, France’s École Polytechnique which dates back to 1794, has honoured one of its most famous students, André Citroen, the founder of the eponymous car company, with the inauguration of the “André Citroën Chair” in mechanical and multiphysics modelling in cooperation with PSA Citroen.
The objectives of the “André Citroën Chair” will be to explore issues related to materialsand mechanical structures, surface physics, digital modelling and multiphysics couplings.Multiphysics treats simulations that involve multiple physical models or multiple simultaneous physical phenomena. For example, combining chemical kinetics and fluid mechanics or combining finite elements with molecular dynamics. Multiphysics typically involves solving coupled systems of partial differential equations.
Born in 1878 Andre Citroen graduated from the École Polytechnique in 1900 and the company he founded is renowned for its technical innovation and its development of new solutions to traditional engineering and automotive problems which included the B10, the first all-steel car body in Europe; the Citroen Traction Avant being the first front wheel drive steel monocoque production car, which paved the way for millions of today’s cars; the Rosealie, the first European diesel car; the hydraulic systems and self levelling suspension in the Citroen DS; the first European car with disc brakes and the fixed hub steering wheel seen on today’s Citroens.
In conducting its research, the Chair will benefit from the École Polytechnique’s cultureof scientific excellence, by capitalising on the school’s top-level faculty and two worldrenowned
research laboratories, the Solid Mechanics Laboratory (LMS) and the Thin Film
Interface Physics Laboratory (LPICM).
The “André Citroën Chair” will support not only research, but also teaching, in particularby encouraging initiatives in the automotive field that will enable students who internwith Citroën to participate in industry-specific technological innovationprocesses.
The research work will be conducted in an international environment. In association with
PSA Citroën University, for example, the “André Citroën Chair” will lead tocooperative programmes with Chinese universities, facilitate the invitation ofinternational professors, encourage student exchange programmes and result ininternational conferences.
“The launch of the “André Citroën Chair” will help to securePSA Citroën’s long-term relationship with École Polytechnique,” said Claude Brunet, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Quality for PSA Citroën. Thisrelationship has taken the form of an outstanding scientific research partnership,reflecting our dynamic schools and universities outreach commitment. Theinternationally orientated curricula and programmes offered as part of this Chair willaddress the challenges of tomorrow’s automotive industry. We are confident that it willhelp to attract the finest talent and that the name of André Citroën will enhance both ourCitroen’s and École Polytechnique’s international reputation andinfluence.”
General Xavier Michel, Director of École Polytechnique, announced that “the creation of this research and teaching chair is part ofan assertive commitment to partnering with business. It’s a fantastic tool forencouraging dialogue and outreach in areas where the École wants to lead the way –interaction between research and teaching, cross-discipline collaboration, dialogue withcompanies, interest in future challenges, international orientation and the integration ofnew, more holistic scientific approaches. École Polytechnique is delighted with thissignature, which has further cemented its long-standing relationship with PSA Citroen.”
About the Solid Mechanics Laboratory (LMS)
Under the auspices of two engineering schools, the Solid Mechanics Laboratory
(Laboratoire de Mécanique des Solides – LMS) operates as a joint research facility of
France’s National Scientific Research Centre (Centre National de Recherche Scientifique
– CNRS) and École Polytechnique. Since its creation in 1961 by Professor Jean Mandel,
the laboratory has been interested in experimental analysis and the development of
analytical or digital models for the mechanical behaviour of materials and structures, in a
commitment to providing basic tools for the resolution of scientific and industrial
problems. Using advanced experimental platforms and powerful computer resources, the
laboratory is particularly focused on couplings between different physical scales and
interactions between mechanical behaviour and physical and chemical changes.
About the Thin Film Interface Physics Laboratory (LPICM)
The Thin Film Interface Physics Laboratory (Laboratoire de Physique des Interfaces et
des Couches Minces – LPICM) is a joint research unit of the Information and
Communication Sciences and Technologies Department (STIC) of the National Scientific
Research Centre (CNRS) and École Polytechnique.Current areas of research include silicon and nanomaterial thin-films, electronics, carbon
nanotubes and polarimetric instrumentation
About École Polytechnique
One of the world’s leading engineering schools, École Polytechnique offers a unique
combination of advanced scientific and technological research, teaching and innovation.
It is a highly international community, with 30% of students and 18% of the faculty and
researchers coming from outside France. Its curricula promote a culture of excellence,
primarily in the sciences, while embracing a strong commitment to the humanities.
Through its three degree programmes – engineer, masters and doctorate – École
Polytechnique educates responsible men and women capable of leading complex,
innovative activities to meet the challenges of 21st century society. The school’s 22
research laboratories, run jointly with France’s National Scientific Research Centre, are
pushing back the frontiers of knowledge in today’s major inter-disciplinary scientific,
technological and social challenges. École Polytechnique is a member of the ParisTech
research and higher education consortium and a driving force behind the Saclay campus
project, which is being supported by 22 other academic and scientific partners.
(ends)
For further information:
Citroen Australia Media Web Site:
Miles Williams
/ Tel: (02) 8577 8020General Manager / Fax: (02) 8577 3555
CitroenAustralia / Mob: 0419 800 520
E-Mail:
Edward Rowe
/ Tel: (02) 8677 8015Public Relations Manager / Fax: (02) 8577 3555
CitroenAustralia / Mob: 0407 913 244
E-Mail:
Citroen Australia
Street Address: 862 – 874 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo, Sydney, NSW 2017Australia.
Postal Address: Ateco Automotive Pty Ltd,Pty Ltd,Locked Bag 5018, Alexandria NSW 2015, Australia
Telephone: 02 8577 8000; Direct Telephone 02 8577 8015 Fax: 02 8577 3555. Mobile +61 0407 913 244
A.B.N. 34 000 486 706
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EJR/ejr/1072
5/13/2011