After Labex

Creation of Club Orion Mat&Met: Metal-based materials for healthcare and biomedical applications

Officially launched in September 2021 with the support of Labex DAMAS, Lorraine Université d’Excellence (LUE) and the Université de Lorraine (UL), the club aims to generate strong interaction between researchers and students from two complementary disciplines (mechanics and materials science as well as biology) by getting them actively involved in research projects.

With the laboratories LEM3 (metallurgy and biomechanics) and IMOPA (biology) as scientific partners, the club operates on two sites (Metz-Nancy), with a dedicated room at École Nationale d’Ingénieurs de Metz (ENIM) and another at École Nationale Supérieure d’Électricité et de Mécanique (ENSEM). One of the club’s objectives is to cover both sites, so that student members can take part in club activities wherever they are.
The club works on the biocompatibility and durability of implants and devices in contact with biological tissues. This work involves multidisciplinary research combining metallurgy, chemistry and biology, notably on surfaces (treatments, roughness, etc.), bulk behavior (microstructure, tiredness, etc.), lightness (lattice structures, light alloys, etc.) and biocompatibility (cell adhesion/proliferation, antibacterial effect, etc.).
To introduce students to the world of research, and more specifically biomechanics, a range of activities are offered, including scientific presentations, internships, lectures and visits to laboratories and companies. For the more motivated, projects such as tool design or protocol implementation can also be proposed. These projects can also lead to internships, and eventually to a PhD.

PhD students managers: Mélaine Tournay (LEM3), Alexandre Marano (IMOPA)
Initiators: Adrien Baldit (MCF LEM3), Hervé Kempf (CR INSERM IMOPA)

Evolution of Club Orion Mat&Met: Metal-based materials for healthcare and biomedical applications

Two years after its launch, supported by Labex DAMAS, LUE and the UL, the club has grown thanks to the strong interaction between researchers and students actively involved in the club’s research projects.

In October 2022, Émilie Wiedemann-Fodé, a Master’s student and member of the Club Mat&Met, obtained her PhD at LEM3 on the subject of “Conditioning stem cells in a controlled mechanical environment: experimental developments and in silico modeling”. She took over from Alexandre Marano, who finished his thesis in 2022. Similarly, Emilien Schall began a thesis entitled “Développement d’un dispositif de caractérisation du degré de brûlure chez l’humain par mesures électromécaniques” between LEM3 and DCAC, taking over from Mélaine Tournay, who also obtained her PhD from the Université de Lorraine.
The Club currently has 18 active student members, from second-year undergraduates to PhDs. Activities remain the same as those initially developed. For example, last December we organized a lecture by Dr Virginjia Gyliene, a Lithuanian researcher from Kaunas University of Technology, on her work in the field of otorhinolaryngology (ENT).
Another event was organized by all ENIM PhD students, proposing a day of experimental and digital practical work. The aim was to show how the experimental and numerical parts are closely linked and important for answering a given scientific problem in the biomedical and health fields.

PhD students managers: Émilie Wiedemann Fodé (LEM3), Emilien Schall (DCAC)
Initiators: Adrien Baldit (MCF LEM3), Hervé Kempf (CR INSERM, IMOPA)

LUE project initiative: MatErial sustainable Development & Innovation to Conquer Industrial and technological Sovereignty (MEDICIS)

MEDICIS Project: Pioneering sustainable solutions for heavy industry

Three pillars driving the future of industry

1. Sustainable heavy industry

  • Development of environmentally friendly production methods for steel and concrete.
  • Advancing materials for nuclear energy, hydrogen storage and transportation.
  • Innovating smart materials processes to meet environmental standards.


2. Materials for Tomorrow’s Mobility

  • Develop lightweight structures and advanced materials for transportation.
  • Strengthen short supply chains for infrastructure and mobility.
  • Focus on the interface between mobility and public health.


3. Tailor-made industrial solutions

  • Enhance industrial applications of additive manufacturing (AM), including repair and reuse.
  • Optimizing AM processes through AI and data-driven innovation.
  • Develop multi-material solutions with proven industrial validation.


Engaging with society for a sustainable future
MEDICIS bridges the gap between science and society through its « Bridging the Gap » committee. This initiative ensures that scientific advances extend beyond the laboratory and focuses on education, outreach and public engagement to disseminate knowledge and promote science-driven societal change.


Coordinators: Benoît Appolaire (IJL), Christophe Czarnota (LEM3)
Core members: A. Delamézière (LEM3), J. Dinet (2LPN), V. Esin (IJL), D. Entemeyer (LEM3) L. Gagnon (IECL), P. Lohmuller (LEM3/IJL), J.-M. Mechling (IJL), T. Richeton (LEM3), A. Specogna (2LPN), L. Weiss (LEM3), M. Zaloznik (IJL)