Joint Laboratory of Marine Technology: Naval Group, Centrale Nantes and Nantes Université

Formed in 2016, the JLMT (Joint Laboratory of Marine Technology) is a joint industry/research laboratory. Its overall objective is to mobilize the combined academic and industrial expertise of Centrale Nantes and Naval Group to deliver industry-ready innovations for Naval Group's industrial applications in the field of military shipbuilding. This partnership leverages the combined expertise of our teams to address the challenges of the maritime industry and contribute to national goals of competitiveness and energy transition.

Two research institutes at Centrale Nantes are involved: the Research Institute in Civil and Mechanical Engineering (GeM) and the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA)

After being extended for the first time in 2020, this collaboration will now continue beyond 2024, with an increasing focus on hydrodynamics and a new area of research: energy. The aim is to optimise the architecture of energy systems for a fleet that combines performance and energy efficiency.

Pictured above: left, Frédéric Vignal, Director of Innovation at Naval Group; right, Jean-Baptiste Avrillier, Director of Centrale Nantes.

With the exceptional research infrastructure, such as the ocean tanks and the engine test benches at Centrale Nantes, this partnership provides the ideal conditions for innovation.

Combining know-how for cooperative and innovative R&D in 4 areas

Advanced hydrodynamics: solutions to improve ship stability and performance under extreme conditions

Improving knowledge of hydrodynamic loads on stabilizing fins and rudders in operation: The goal is to enhance the sizing and efficiency of components that ensure ship stability (fins, rudder-roll, etc.)
Loading in irregular swell: controlling the forces undergone by the structure in the swell and improving their modelling in numerical simulation tools
Wave prediction: improving methods for wave prediction, (focusing on the robustness of wave propagation predictions).
Mast wake: developing a method to measure the free surface (the deformation of the water surface, known as the free surface) in 3D using stereovision (recognition of terrain based on multiple images of the same scene viewed from different angles). The aim is to design a method for capturing data via sensors embedded in a structure under stress.

Digital simulation: precise monitoring of structures for greater reliability and durability

• Data assimilation methodology to monitor a composite naval structure under dynamic loading (vibratory and extreme)
• Algorithm to optimise a ship's energy architecture, enabling the energy architecture to be optimised according to the ship's topology

Additive manufacturing: optimising production processes for increased productivity

Research into optimising the composition of metal wires and analysing the competitiveness of the WAAM process compared with conventional parts production.
The aim is to use Twin@ to improve productivity, particularly to manufacture hollow blades.

Energy: optimising the design of energy systems to develop a fleet that is both high-performance and energy-efficient

Operating and performance tests on a free piston stirling engine on a test bench.
The aim is to study how this engine behaves virtually (via a digital twin) with a view to integrating it into a vessel.

Some of our most significant achievements to date:

• Additive Manufacturing: in 2019, the JLMT marked a world first with the printing of the first hollow propeller blade using WAAM Additive Manufacturing, an innovative 3D metal printing technology, in high-strength stainless steel, intended for a surface vessel. This project is part of the European H2020 RAMSSES programme.
• A flagship project, MT Robotics: The MT Robotics project, supported by BPI France, brings together several players, including VLM Robotics, Janus Engineering, Centrale Nantes, Cetim and Naval Group. Its aim is to revolutionise industry by offering a customised production model for large metal parts. It includes the creation of a 100% French solution for large-scale metal 3D printing, using an innovative wire deposition technology (FA WAAM).

*The Joint Laboratory of Marine Technology was initially launched as part of the NExT i-site project with Nantes University.