The institute
FEMTO's news

Tribute to our colleague Philippe LUTZ

Our scientific community of Burgundy-Franche-Comté has just suddenly lost Philippe LUTZ, full professor at the University of Franche-Comté and a leading figure in microrobotics and micromechatronics research at the FEMTO-ST laboratory.

His death this week-end following a sudden cardiac arrest has been completely unexpected and  strikes the scientific community as a whole.

Philippe LUTZ was an international reference, his human qualities and his implication in our community were very much appreciated by all.

Prof. LUTZ joined the University of Franche-Comté, Besancon, as Professor in 2002. He was the head of the research group “Automated Systems for Micromanipulation and Micro-assembly” of the AS2M department of FEMTO-ST Institute from 2005 to 2011. He was the Director of the PhD graduate school of Engineering science and Microsystems with more than 400 PhD students from 2011 to February 2017, and he was the head of the Doctoral College. His research activities at FEMTO-ST were focused on the design and control of micro-nano systems, microgrippers, micro-nano robots, feeding systems and micro-nano manipulation, assembly stations, and Optimal design and control of piezoelectrically actuated compliant structures.

Prof. LUTZ received several awards of IEEE, authored over 90 refereed publications (50 in high standard journals), served as associate editor for the IEEE Transaction on Automation Science and Engineering and as Technical Editor for the IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronic, was member of several steering committees and was member of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) Committee on Micro-Nano Robotics.

Contact : Yann Le Gorrec, Head of the AS2M Department of FEMTO-ST

  • Photo Ch-Pieralli Micronora 2006

    Tribute to Christian PIERALLI : A Leading Researcher at the Intersection of Science and Medicine

    A visionary researcher at the CNRS within the FEMTO-ST Institute, Christian passed away on May 8, 2026, after a career dedicated to optical technological innovation in the service of life sciences and medicine.

    Read more
  • pint of science 2026

    La recherche FEMTO-ST s'implique du 18 au 20 Mai au Festival Pint of Science

    Le festival international de vulgarisation scientifique Pint of Science revient à Besançon du 18 au 20 mai. 
    Les équipes de l'Institut FEMTO-ST se mobilisent une nouvelle fois pour partager leurs recherches dans une ambiance décontractée et accessible à tous.

    Read more
  • Image Ludovic Godard

    Toward a new generation of recyclable composites

    The PEPR RECYCOMP project, in collaboration with the FEMTO-ST Institute, is developing recyclable high-performance composites for a circular economy.

    Read more
  • FEMTO-ST Is seeking future changemakers

    FEMTO-ST launches the second edition of its MSCA-PF Boostcamp in 2026

    Following a successful first edition, FEMTO-ST is pleased to renew its Boostcamp, a dedicated online training designed to support applications to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF). The 2026 edition will take place on June 2–3, 2026.

    Read more
  • Photo Mathilde Hary

    Mathilde Hary has been awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship

    A European project at the intersection of photonics and sustainable artificial intelligence

    Read more
  • Miniro

    National research program on miniature robotics

    FEMTO-ST is leading the MINIRO project, which brings together a national academic consortium of excellence in miniature robotics.

    Read more
  • Océane Topenot_Photographe @ludovic Godard

    Océane Topenot : an exemplary academic career

    After graduating with an engineering degree from SUPMICROTECH-ENSMM and then a PhD in mechanics from FEMTO-ST, Océane joined the aerospace equipment manufacturer SAFRAN.

    Read more
  • Tribute to Frédéric THIEBAUD

    The academic community has lost a valued colleague and friend,full professor at Marie and Louis Pasteur University and researcher at FEMTO-ST in materials science.

    Read more
  • Michel de Labachelerie receives the Legion of honor

    National recognition for this CNRS scientist, a specialist in micro and nanotechnologies, who has contributed significantly to the structuring of national and regional research as founder and first Director of the FEMTO-ST institute.

    Read more
  • Launch of the European i-Nano-T project

    The Bourgogne Franche-Comté region is banking on regional scientific and industrial synergy to drive innovation in nanomedicine.

    Read more