Chairs in Energy

Renewable energies, batteries, photovoltaic, smart building

The "Technological Challenges for Responsible Energy" Chair, created in 2018, aims to improve renewable energy production and storage systems. Supported by Totalenergies and led by Philippe Drobinski, the Chair's research covers a wide range of topics, from alternative battery technologies to AI for smart buildings, and the economic and sociological impacts of energy. The aim is to improve our understanding of energy production and storage issues in order to develop more responsible resource management.

Sponsorship type: chair
Creation date: 15/11/2018
Partners: Fondation de l'X

Low-carbon energies, nuclear, renewable energies, electricity storage

Since 2008 and with the support of EDF, the chair « Sustainable energies » develops formation and research activities in the field of sustainable energies, including nuclear energy. Professors of the chair teach in the Polytechnique engineer cycle and in master. Held by François Willaime, research actions supported by the chair range from battery and photovoltaic cell improvement to the increase in safety and in operating time of nuclear reactors. The chair also researches tomorrow's nuclear systems.

Holder: François Willaime, CEA research director and professor at the Ecole Polytechnique of the Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Sponsorship type: chair
Creation date: 11/11/2008
Partners: Fondation de l'X

Laser physics, plasma physics, accelerator engineering, development of scientific and industrial applications

Created in 2023 with the support of the Institut Pierre Lamoure, the "High Repetition Rate Laser-Plasma Acceleration" Chair is designed to support the LAPLACE-High-Cadence project of the Laboratoire d'Optique Appliquée (LOA*), funded by the Contrat de Plan État-Région (CPER). The LAPLACE project aims to develop a prototype laser-plasma accelerator operating at high cadence (100 Hz, or 100 pulses per second), suitable for new industrial and societal applications. Read more.

Holder: Jérôme Faure, CNRS research director at the Laboratoire d’optique appliquée (LOA*)
Sponsorship type: chair
Creation date: 29/03/2023
Partners: Fondation de l'X

*LOA: a joint research unit CNRS, École Polytechnique, ENSTA Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France

High energy densities, atomic physics in plasmas, laser-matter interaction, and radiative hydrodynamics

The "Physics of High Energy Densities and Inertial Fusion" Chair, headed by Sébastien Le Pape and supported by the CEA's Military Applications Division, aims to meet a high-level strategic and academic challenge for France's defence and energy policy. It was inaugurated in December 2023.

Holder: Sébastien Le Pape, researcher and director of the Laboratoire pour l'Utilisation des Lasers Intenses (Intense Lasers Laboratory LULI*)
Sponsorship type: chair
Creation date: 04/12/2023
Partners: Fondation de l'X
*LULI: a joint research unit CEA, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, École polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, 91120 Palaiseau, France