Post-doc in Robotics for the automated handling and characterization of micrometer-sized biosourced objects

Context of the works:RAIDO: Reliable AI and Data Optimization (website

under construction, a brief description is given as appendix). The project RAIDO falls within the framework of the development of trustworthy and green AI. It is a Horizon Europe (Cluster 4) research and innovation project especially targeting a human-centered and ethical development of digital and industrial technologies.

In this project, we are deploying innovative robotic and automation solutions aimed at helping the human operator to carry out particularly complex tasks with a high societal and ecological impact. In particular, our work focuses on an experimental platform for the characterization of plant fibers (hemp, flax, nettle), which are particularly difficult for human operators to handle, due to their very small dimensions (around 20µm in diameter) and the very low forces to be applied, beyond the limits of human dexterity. This platform is based on particularly innovative new technologies [1-6], and its robotization and automation will open to the future manufacturing of structural composites incorporating these natural fibers. This new type of composite meets very high industrial and ecological expectations, whether for reasons of lightness, recyclability, carbon sequestration or mechanical performances.

Main responsibilities of the recruited fellow:

- Design and development of a robot and its gripper for automated handling of plant fibers (diameter 20µm, length 1mm) to avoid statistical biases induced by manual sample preparation prior to characterization.

- Interaction with RAIDO consortium partners, e.g. by carrying out experimental campaigns, implementing partner AI algorithms, comparing their results with our physical models. Travel to project partners for short stays (approx. 1 week).

- Technological maturation of our platform through the development of new characterization strategies, the evolution of its control architecture (switch to a real-time PLC), and the development of a more integrated force-displacement measurement principle.

- Carrying out these tasks in active interaction with several doctoral students/engineers/research professors, supervising trainees, monitoring projects, drafting deliverables, developing partnerships with new users of our prototypes.

[1] Placet, V et al. (2020). Transverse compressive properties of natural fibers determined using micro mechatronic systems and 2D full-field measurements. Materials Today: Proceedings, 31, S303-S308.

[2] A. N. André et al., "Automating Robotic Micro-Assembly of Fluidic Chips and Single Fiber Compression Tests Based-on XYTheta Visual Measurement With High-Precision Fiducial Markers," in IEEE Trans. on Automation Science and Engineering,

[3] Govilas, J. et al.(2022). Platen parallelism significance and control in single fiber transverse compression tests. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 159, 106990.

[4] Govilas, J. et al.. (2023). Investigating the influence of plant fiber geometry on apparent transverse elastic properties through finite element analysis. Composites Part A: App. Sc. and Manufacturing, 175, 107789.

[5] Richely, E et al.. (2023). Measurement of microfibril angle in plant fibres: Comparison between X-ray diffraction, second harmonic generation and transmission ellipsometry microscopies. Composites Part C: Open Access, 11, 100355.

[6] Govilas, J. et al. (2022). Platen parallelism significance and control in single fiber transverse compression tests. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 159, 106990.