Recruited in January 2009 at Saint-Gobain Recherche in order to develop a virtual reality activity, Thierry has developed around 10 projects, allowing the installation of a new material to be optimised, the simulation of sound insulation and the results of thermal analysis to be illustrated.


"The term virtual reality encompasses the use of new digital technologies to enhance Saint-Gobain's solutions and provide support in developing research projects: concepts and innovations can be illustrated without physical mock-ups having to be built."

The digital technologies used range from computer generated images or augmented reality through to virtual reality. "We are developing immersive, interactive and real time applications. The more sensations are used, the more a situation close to reality is produced."

For example, Saint-Gobain Recherche is seeking to develop new, more efficient products for the thermal insulation of buildings. "To back up this research, we have developed a virtual reality application that allows you to experience the different stages of implementation of a thermal insulation system from the outside. This allows us to test innovations and note the time savings and cost."

Virtual reality can also be useful in training: "We have created a program for training in the application of facade renders. It requires a technical movement of the body that has great importance on the final quality of the work. The program allows you to repeat the movement as many times as you want applying a virtual render on a virtual facade, but handling a real spray gun."

To the virtual reality itself, digital images are added and augmented reality. "With digital imaging, we produce images that give a realistic rendering of glass façades, their reflections and the light passing through the glass," Thierry explains. "For Lapeyre, we are developing augmented reality applications that can assist with sales, such as the ability to change kitchen units virtually before buying them."
 
These technologies offer researchers the ability to foresee potential problems, give them assurances about the feasibility of their projects as well as helping showcase the Group's innovations and solutions. "The Virtual Reality activity has a real general function with, at the same time, both a marketing aspect and an R&D support role."

 

Holding a vocational degree in chemical formulation, Stephanie was hired at Saint-Gobain Recherche in February 2010 as a research technician on Raw Material and Glass Defects. *

Stephanie is part of a team of four technicians and two engineers involved in assisting the flat glass and bottle production plants. The team works upstream of production by characterising the raw materials, and downstream by analysing product quality when manufacturing defects occur.

"One of my primary missions is to appraise the raw materials of the glass," Stephanie says. "I carry out the mineralogical characterisation to identify those minerals which are potentially hazardous for the manufacture of the glass. I then prepare a report that is validated by the team and sent to the plants. It is they who decide, following our recommendations, whether or not to validate the raw material in question. I feel like an inspector searching for a person who represents a danger to the glass community." A job that comes right at the beginning of the glass manufacturing chain.

"The second part of my mission takes place at the end of the chain, since I occasionally characterise defects in the glass linked to the raw materials. I receive glass plates containing stones or other inclusions to determine their origin. We communicate a lot about our various appraisals," Stephanie says.

"I am also required to contribute to specific studies, still linked to raw materials, in particular for insulating glass products which are still at the research stage. This allows me to have contact with other researchers and other departments at Saint-Gobain Recherche." A variety of tasks that Stephanie likes and which makes her job interesting. "When I appraise a raw material or I analyse defects in a piece of glass, I can see the direct practical implications of my work and its impact. It's very rewarding."

* since October 1, Stephanie has evolved in another department and invests herself in new research missions.