Professor René Mayer of Polytechnique Montréal recently visited Arts et Métiers as part of an established, long-standing scientific collaboration. His acquaintance with Fabien Viprey, made during the external review of Viprey's doctoral thesis, marked the beginning of a partnership focused on the measurement and precision of machine tools.
Since 2022, an exchange program has enabled students from Arts et Métiers to undertake projects and further their studies at Polytechnique Montréal. These exchanges are considered a crucial catalyst for developing joint projects and fostering international engagement among young researchers.
During his stay, René Mayer gained a deeper understanding of research practices at Arts et Métiers and engaged in extensive discussions with colleagues. While he noted that access to technical resources and the availability of technicians could be more challenging compared to his usual environment, he found the exchanges to be highly rewarding.
Professor Mayer highlights that international collaborations lead to richer and more ambitious research, as each partner contributes unique skills. This complementarity, along with fresh perspectives from different viewpoints, allows for greater collective achievement. His experience with Arts et Métiers has been very positive, particularly appreciating the opportunities for students to undertake stays in Montreal.
Initially drawn to robotics, René Mayer discovered a passion for metrology, specifically the precision measurement of robots. His work later shifted towards machine tools, a vital field for Montreal's aerospace industry, by developing simple, robust, and cost-effective methods for assessing and improving machine accuracy.
His path to research was not an early decision but rather a series of opportunities. Following engineering studies during a difficult economic period, he pursued a master's and then a doctorate, gradually uncovering his interest in research. He finds the professorial role appealing due to the freedom it offers in developing projects and exploring scientific ideas.
René Mayer advises students interested in research to gain practical experience by participating in projects, preferably individual ones, with a faculty researcher. He also strongly recommends seizing opportunities for international exchanges to experience different scientific cultures and laboratories.
