A research technician at Saint-Gobain Recherche for the past 8 years, Hélène works for the Glass Melting Department.

Multipurpose, she contributes to several studies and works with many different departments.




"I was hired at Saint-Gobain Recherche after completing a science baccalauréat and a 2-year university diploma in chemistry," Hélène explains. "I am part of the Formulation Group within the Glass Melting Department. Our goal is to make new kinds of glass in the laboratory and to test various chemical formulae in order to characterise them according to the specifications given by the customer. These may be to achieve the right colour for example or give them very specific thermal properties."

Although a specialist in the formulation of coloured glass for buildings and automotive, Hélène is also involved in other areas. "I work on the glass fibres veils for Saint-Gobain Adfors to constantly improve their performance. We thus seek to add the right ingredients in the formulation of the glass to improve its mechanical properties."

Moreover, she also works with many of Saint-Gobain Recherche's departments and calls on their expertise. "A good research technician is someone who is very versatile and can work by him or herself. In the formulation group, for example, we must be able to make our glass from A to Z: from its formulation to its characterisation. To characterise it, we may need to use tools from other departments."

Thus, depending on the expertise required, research technicians are trained to use the tools, or may request an analysis from the relevant department. For a chemical characterisation for example, which requires very specific expertise, it is the EMC2 Chemistry group that makes the analysis and provides them with the result.

"The work with researchers from the various departments of Saint-Gobain Recherche is truly rewarding. I am constantly learning how to operate new equipment and mastering new techniques."

With Saint-Gobain Recherche since January 2010, Souryan joined the industrial mortars research department as a research technician. Since then he has worked on various projects.




"With a single material, we have to explore various aspects," Souryan stresses.

"Currently, I am mainly working on a study to improve the thermal performance of buildings. This involves mixing cements with additives to give them the desired thermal properties. It is a research project that aims to develop a new innovative solution. We face several constraints: ensuring that the new mortar will remain on the wall once applied, that the new formulation actually provides improved thermal properties and that it manages to harden according to the constraints of the site applicators. Each aspect has an impact on the other two."

At the same time, Souryan is also involved in a study on the effect of certain components, especially polymers, on the hardening of the product, depending on the climatic conditions they undergo. "For this study, we are using knowledge the suppliers have of the material to develop our own project. There is also a real cross-over between the departments."

Finally, he has also studied the issues surrounding the structure of the hydrated binder. "This diversity of projects is extremely rewarding. At Saint-Gobain Recherche, each technician works on several research studies. This enables us to diversify our knowledge of the materials and then use this knowledge in the various studies we are involved in."