Aeronautical research and training: Polytechnique Montréal and Safran sign a new five-year agreement

Polytechnique Montréal and Safran - one of the largest equipment manufacturers in the propulsion and aeronautical, space and defense equipment industries have announced the signing of a new framework agreement that by 2025, will permit the start of several research projects to which a hundred students and fifteen professors will contribute.

Over the next five years, research teams will work on numerous cutting-edge topics such as: eco-design, environmental impact reduction, innovative and high-performance materials and processes, integration of artificial intelligence and technology, data science, parts robustness and maintenance, increasingly electrical machines, as well as supply chain optimization. This agreement is the third such framework agreement between the two organizations.

In the race for lighter, cleaner, quieter, more reliable and carbon-neutral aircraft, Polytechnique has become one of Safran's leading strategic partners on the international scene. Safran and Polytechnique's R & D teams have been working together for over 15 years on various projects focussed in particular on reducing aircraft weight, improving acoustic elements, and system electrification.

Notably, some projects carried out by Polytechnique researchers during previous framework agreements have resulted in significant progress. For example, innovative 3D composites developed nearly fifteen years ago are now used in the LEAP engine powering the Airbus A320neo, the Boeing 737MAX, and Comac’s C919 aircraft.

“Polytechnique Montréal is an academic partner that has supported Safran for decades with differentiating R&T themes with high added-value, while adapting to new constraints very early on in fundamental research, in particular the environmental and societal impact and the decarbonisation of technologies and products of the future,”explains Stéphane Ceuille, Director of the R&T and Innovation Group at Safran.

“Safran is a first-class, well-established partner in Canada, and we’re delighted that this fruitful collaboration continues despite the current crisis in the aerospace industry. Safran researchers understand university reality and interact closely and concretely with our students and our teams. This synergy not only leads to promising advances for the entire industry, but also permits a new generation to be trained in keeping with the current and future challenges of the aeronautical sector,” underlines François Bertrand, Senior Vice-President of Polytechnique Montréal and Vice-President - Academic and Research.

Learn more

Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOMtUPDtMu0 - “Polytechnique & Safran: 10 years of passion and innovation in aeronautics” (French only)

Story https://www.polymtl.ca/carrefour-actualite/en/news/aerospace-safran-draws-polytechnique-montreal-expertise - “Aerospace: Safran draws on Polytechnique Montréal expertise”
Story https://www.polymtl.ca/carrefour-actualite/magazine-poly/avions-poids-leger-grace-aux-composites-haute-performance-imprimes-en-3d - “Lightweight aircraft - All thanks to 3D printed high performance composites” (French only)

Story https://www.polymtl.ca/carrefour-actualite/magazine-poly/pieges-vibrations - “Vibration traps” (French only)
Story https://www.polymtl.ca/carrefour-actualite/magazine-poly/partenariat-polytechnique-montreal-safran-un-moteur-dinnovation-technologique-pour-laerospatiale - “Polytechnique Montréal-Safran partnership: an engine for aerospace industry technological innovation” (French only)