Innovative Materials and Energy Systems (E-Mat) - Master's level

the Innovative Materials and Energy Systems (E-Mat) programme is aimed at students with a Bachelor's degree in Physics or Physics-Chemistry who wish to take on the challenges of the major transitions currently underway. It meets the strategic needs for fundamental research and industrial innovation in highly promising sectors of activity:

•     Energy production, conversion, transfer and storage
•     Information and communication technologies (micro/nanoelectronics, telecoms, connected objects, etc.)
•     Automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, etc.

With an interdisciplinary approach, we train you to handle and exploit cutting-edge technologies and innovative concepts applied to the design and development of advanced functional materials. We exploit concepts from physics, particularly quantum physics, and introduce notions of materials engineering and chemistry to design, synthesize and characterize innovative materials for specific applications. Each of these steps involves a range of cutting-edge technologies, including professional software (e.g. COMSOL Multiphysics®, TCAD-Silvaco®...) and artificial intelligence. You will carry out your research projects in two of our laboratories (IMN & LTeN) or in partner academic and industrial laboratories, in France or abroad.

All first-year courses are taught in French.The second-year program is taught in English.
 

Double degree

In Master 2, you can enroll in a double degree program to obtain the Master's degree in Innovation Management for Transitions offered by Nantes University's Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE).

The Master 2 in Innovation Management is designed to train students to manage complex situations at the intersection of management, technology and innovative approaches in public or private organizations.

You will be required to take a condensed Master I Innovation Management course (120 hours) at the same time. A third year of work-study will then enable you to validate this second diploma and broaden your professional horizons.

Why choose the Innovative Materials and Energy Systems pathway ?

Joining the E-Mat Master's program gives you the opportunity to :

•     Benefit from the environment and skills of two internationally renowned laboratories, teacher-researchers and CNRS researchers to :
  •         Implement experimental methodologies on state-of-the-art instruments
  •         Develop autonomy through project-based learning
•     Develop through personalized mentoring
•     Learn to use new tools and technologies applied to materials science, including professional software and artificial intelligence
•     Explore new materials and physical properties in fields at the heart of innovation (quantum materials, nanomaterials, nanotechnologies, etc.), as well as functional systems and energy.
•     Visit sites of major interest (Synchrotron Soleil) and take part in scientific events such as Winter School (theme 2025: “Eco-design and the circular economy”).
•     Acquire the skills needed for a career path dedicated to global and sustainable transitions

The E-Mat research ecosystem

The E-Mat program has been awarded the Graduate programme label by Nantes Université and supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR).  Graduate programmes draw on the research expertise of internationally recognized laboratories, and trains students in both the scientific approach and cutting-edge technologies. The skills acquired enable students to successfully enter the workforce as consulting engineers or project managers in the R&D departments of major corporations or innovative SMEs. If you're interested in pursuing a PhD, this Master's program also offers you optimum preparation, as the teaching team is also in charge of coordinating doctoral programs in this field.

Part of the Faculty of Science and Technology and the École Universitaire de Recherche (EUR) Matière, Molécules, Matériaux et Géosciences (3MG), this program is supported by two internationally renowned laboratories: the Institut des Matériaux de Nantes Jean Rouxel (IMN) and the Laboratoire de Thermique et Energie de Nantes (LTeN).

Targeted activities and skills

This curriculum enables students to develop their skills in :

•     design, develop, characterize and model (nano)materials and (nano)technologies and systems for energy;
•     exploit or develop (nano)technologies for scientific purposes or industrial innovation;
•     exploit these materials and systems to improve the performance of current devices and technologies in a wide variety of application fields;
•     integrate a research or R&D project in an international context;
•     manage innovation projects (double degree);
•     work in multidisciplinary teams;