IREIS

IREIS – Research Institute on Surface Engineering – is the R&D subsidiary of the HEF Group, a leading industrial company specialized in surface engineering and surface treatment (2,500 employees / 245 M€ / over 20 countries). IREIS investigates and improves surface properties of materials from laboratory scale up to the development of industrially viable solutions. The expertise of R&D Engineers and researchers covers the following areas: (1) PVD/PECVD thin film materials and plasma sources and; (2) tribology – science, experimental simulation and problem-solving (3) laser (micro) texturing and (4) ionic liquids for thermochemical treatment.

IREIS possesses a femtosecond laser research platform. This research platform is dedicated to prototyping and research activities or production of components.

Alongside the public establishments of research & industrial partners of the St-Etienne-Lyon region, IREIS has been establishing a long-lasting partnership in the area of ultra-fast laser texturing throughout MANUTECH USD, a public-private R&T platform addressing laser texturing and surface engineering. The platform integrates many laser sources adapted on either X-Y turntables either via a fiber connected to a robotized arm.

IREIS research activities are mainly in the fields of mobility, energy efficiency, advanced manufacturing processes and the development of new surface functionalities. IREIS is regularly involved in EU and French collaborative projects.