Graduate of Materials for Energy and Transport (MET) Masters wins SF2M award

Caroline Traisnel won the regional prize for best Masters degree internship project at the French Society of Mechanics and Materials.

Last year, at the age of 26, Caroline Traisnel completed her Masters in Materials for Energy and Transport (MET). With a suitable choice of final project she won the regional prize of the French Society of Mechanics and Materials (SF2M) for the best Masters internship project. She carried out her internship at the Laboratory of Engineering Sciences for Environment at the University of La Rochelle. One of her supervisors, who is part of SF2M, encouraged her to apply. ‘‘I won the Western Region prize! Amongst the criteria considered were the progress of the internship, autonomy, integration, and the project report, as well as overall academic results," says Caroline, who obtained a cheque for €500 and a one-year membership of SF2M. In fact, her internship went so well that she is now doing her PhD at the same laboratory. Her thesis is looking at the diffusion of hydrogen on the surface and sub-surface of monocrystalline nickel.

Well prepared students

The recent graduate won this prize not only due to her commitment, but also to her training. "My modelling and physical chemistry of surfaces classes, as well as the introduction to ab initio calculations, allowed me to get ahead and be at ease during my internship," says Caroline. Enthusiasm shared by the Head of the MET Masters, Nihed Chaâbane: "She was top of her class and passed each module with top marks. When SF2M asked me to evaluate her competences she already had them well under her belt. Our students are well equipped for this type of prize, as the Masters begins with a general core, common to all students, covering the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of materials, prior to specialisation." As course Head, Nihed Chaâbane looks forward to the award each year and hopes it will inspire future student intakes.