Cherbourg-Octeville’s research now boasts an innovative technological hall. The three million Euro building will be welcoming researchers from the CORRODYS (Centre for Marine and Biological Corrosion) and LUSAC (Cherbourg University Laboratory for Applied Sciences) laboratories in the autumn. Introduction

Applied research in bacterial corrosion

Applied research in bacterial corrosion
The CORRODYS laboratory provides expert study of damage and weaknesses in metallography and fractography. The laboratory reunites fifteen specialists from the University of Caen, the CEA and the CRITT BNC in the fields of microbiology, molecular biology, physicochemistry and corrosion. The lab specialises particularly in applied research into bacterial corrosion, into industrial issues in the field of port infrastructures, the naval industry, water treatment, nuclear power stations…
CORRODYS
55 Rue de Beuzeville
50120 Equeurdreville
Tel: 02 33 01 83 40

New developments for Cotentin-based research. Indeed, early this autumn, a technological hall will be welcoming the CORRODYS (read boxed article) research team and its equipment, along with certain members from the LUSAC team ⁽¹⁾. The building comprises a main, ground-floor level arranged in two perpendicular corridors, a first floor comprising office space and a basement under the ground floor to house technical equipment. CORRODYS will be occupying the main ground floor corridor. Construction and development of the site cost 2,792,000 Euros ⁽²⁾. “This technological hall will bring together several units working on common themes, in order to encourage the rapid development of new research,” explains optimistically Isabelle Dupont-Morral, vice president of the Cherbourg-Octeville urban community (CUC) in charge of research and higher education.

The smell of fresh paint still lingers in the air. “The State has officially taken delivery of the building, but finishing touches remain to be added (furniture, lab tables…) before the research teams move in”, adds Jean-Michel Houllegatte, the urban community’s director of economics and higher education, and the project contractor. The building is in keeping with HQE (High Quality Environment) standards. Its designers have paid particular attention to its aeraulic system (mechanical ventilation). “Ceiling height has also been adapted to facilitate research (work on large-scale equipment)”, adds Marie-Pierre Nelle, operational manager at the SHEMA and the construction’s project manager. Furthermore, the heart of the programme relies on the creation of “project rooms” and of a technical platform open to all researchers, hence enabling the site’s future inhabitants to share its resources. These shared facilities have consequently been placed in the centre of the building. Research teams will also share certain auxiliary areas and services (meeting rooms, cafeteria…) and will benefit from a loading/unloading dock for research equipment and material.

Territorial attractiveness

“The building is also intended to enhance our territorial attractiveness,” adds Isabelle Dupont-Morral. “It is an essential tool for bringing the local industrial fabric and research closer together” But the local authority’s vision is even more ambitious. This innovative tool is part of a comprehensive project initiated for the Cherbourg-Octeville Technopole by the CUC and located within the Gamacherie site, which already hosts the University Technical Institute, the La Passerelle university refectory and the Groupe FIM. The technological hall’s future extension, along with the creation of sports facilities and a library will further enhance the site. Ultimately, the CUC hopes that the local skills reunited within this technopole will generate sufficient emulation for the site to progressively become a regional and national showcase. Isabelle Dupont-Morral also sees in the project the opportunity to “exploit the potential of existing know-how within the hall’s controlled laboratory atmospheres to serve other sectors looking for skills available within the Cotentin.”

But to achieve this, synergies need to be created. “Coordination has been entrusted to RESOTEC ⁽³⁾, France’s very first Groupement d’Intérêt Public Innovation et Transfert de Technologie (Innovation and Technology Transfer Public Interest Group)” notes Jean-Michel Houllegatte. As a School-Enterprise tool, it offers students the opportunity to develop genuine industrial projects, initiated with local businesses.” With its technological hall and RESOTEC, the Cotentin peninsula has all the ingredients required to efficiently market its technological skills.

(1) The LUSAC (Cherbourg University Laboratory for Applied Sciences) comprises three departments: Ceramics, Captors components and processes, Fluid mechanics and rheology and, finally, Electronic components and systems.

(3) The RESeau Opérationnel TEchnologique du Cotentin (RESOTEC - or Cotentin Operational and Technological Network) reunites the Lycée Pierre et Marie Curie, the Lycée Professionnel Sauxmarais, Lycée Professionnel Edmond Doucet, Lycée d’Enseignement Général et Technologique and the Lycée Professionnel Alexis de Tocqueville, the Cherbourg-Manche IUT (University Technical Institute), the University of Caen Lower Normandy and the Cherbourg Engineering School.

(2) The Cotentin mixed syndicate contributed 1,016,000 Euros to the project’s total cost (Manche county Council: 50%, the CUC: 25 % and other communities of communes depending on their taxation status). The State provided 762,000 Euros, the Regional Council - 252,000 Euros and the EFDR (European Fund for Regional Development) - 762,000 Euros.

Isabelle Dupont-Morral
Vice president of the Cherbourg-Octeville Urban Community
Tel: 02 33 08 26 00

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