She unveils the invisible with the help of numerical modelling

Isabelle Choquet conducts research on one of the manufacturing industry's most difficult processes to observe: the fusion of metals. Photo: University West.

When you think of welding or metal 3D printing, what probably comes to mind are sparks flying and metal parts coming together. But look a little closer, and you’ll discover an incredibly complex science – one that Professor Isabelle Choquet is pioneering, driven by her passion for physics, and, above all, curiosity:

"I want to understand why things work – or why they don’t. And it’s not just about metals, welding or mechanics – it’s about how things function on a deeper level. It’s just who I am. I guess it’s my personality."

How would you describe your research?

"I work with manufacturing processes that involve melting metal – like welding and metal 3D printing, or additive manufacturing as we say. My focus is on modelling these processes using physics-based simulations. The actual processes are so intense – involving heat sources like lasers or electric arcs that can reach over 20,000°C. It’s a harsh environment with a lot of radiation, and it’s very hard to observe. We simply can’t see what’s happening. That’s where computer modelling comes in. We use equations to simulate the process, how heat and material flow during melting and solidification."

What are the challenges?

"There are many challenges, but that’s also what makes it so interesting. One challenge is the range of scales we deal with, from the atomic level all the way up to full engine components. Another is that we’re dealing with several physical phenomena at once: fluid flow, high temperatures, heat transfer, and electromagnetism. And finally, validating our models is always a challenge – we have to design smart experiments to test whether the simulations truly reflect what’s happening."

How can your research benefit industry and perhaps contribute to society?

"I think our research is highly valuable for industry. By better understanding the complex processes we’re working with, we can help companies produce higher-quality components with fewer defects. That means less waste, reduced use of materials and energy, and overall better control during manufacturing. A more sustainable production process is clearly beneficial – not just for industry, but for society as well. It’s about saving resources. I also see great value in sharing knowledge – through publishing, through collaboration, and especially through teaching. To my surprise I’m the first woman professor in this field at University West, and I hope it can inspire more women to pursue this kind of work. Our students are the engineers of the future, and bringing them into this field helps the knowledge continue to grow and spread."

You often mention the importance of collaboration?

"Yes, collaboration is essential to everything I do. I work closely with engineers and researchers at the Production Technology Centre, many of whom are experts in areas like experimental measurement, process control, and materials science. We complement each other’s skills – while I focus on simulations and theoretical modelling, they provide critical data from experiments and practical insights from industry. Designing experiments together and validating our models as a team is one of the most exciting parts of the work."

How did you first get into this kind of research?

"Oh, it wasn’t planned. I originally worked on modelling re-entry flow for space shuttles and satellites. Then I moved to Sweden, and no one here was working in that field, so I had to switch. Almost by chance, I met a researcher who needed someone with modelling skills and that’s how I got started with welding. I quickly discovered how fascinating it is. I was really happy to find how many different areas of physics come together in this work."

Contact: Isabelle Choquet, Professor University West

At University West, we conduct research in collaboration with the surrounding world to create a better future