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Le Printemps des Sciences is the must-attend science and technology event in Wallonia and Brussels. It takes place every year in early spring and offers free activities accessible to all.

Maxime Lucas is an FNRS Research Fellow in the Department of Mathematics and a member of the naXys Institute. He works on complex systems within the "Network Dynamics" cluster headed by Professor Timoteo Carletti. He is co-author of two papers on complex systems, recently published in prestigious journals Nature Physics and Physical Reviews Letters.

The three Belgian scientific experiments selected to be carried out on board the International Space Station (ISS) during astronaut Raphaël Liégeois' mission in 2026 have just been unveiled by the Federal Science Policy Public Service (Belspo). One of them is carried by a team from UNamur for an experiment at the crossroads of biology and physics aimed at analyzing the resistance of the "blob", an atypical unicellular organism.

SummaryIn 2025, machine learning continues to revolutionize various scientific fields, with major implications in physics, particularly photonics. The integration of advanced machine learning algorithms has enabled significant advances in the design and control of photonic systems, improving their efficiency and performance. These advances are essential for the development of communication, imaging and quantum computing technologies. However, physics research presents many challenges that go beyond simple performance measurements: identifying patterns and building analytical models is often just as crucial.In this thesis, we apply computational intelligence tools, in particular heuristic optimization and neural networks, to develop data-driven approaches to solving various tasks in physics. Although data-centric, our approach remains rooted in physics, always seeking to understand the physical phenomena underlying the algorithms. The results of this thesis cover a wide range of applications, from the design of complex metasurfaces and diffraction gratings to the analysis and interpretation of spectral data. We have also successfully developed an optimizer capable of learning and adapting to the problems encountered, particularly in physics. This key tool in our arsenal outperforms state-of-the-art methods in our applications. In particular, it has enabled the design of a coronagraphic phase plate for exoplanet imaging, with a performance 25% better than the best previous solutions.We have also designed a compact, all-dielectric beam deflection device, operating efficiently for all polarizations, reaching a maximum efficiency of 90%. Starting from a purely data-driven design, we were able to extract and validate an analytical model based on the behavior of an echelle lattice, providing a physical understanding of its operation. In addition to simulation-based tasks, we also processed experimental data, developing an animal origin classifier for scrolls, capable of distinguishing three animal species with 90% accuracy. This tool offers a non-invasive method for conservators and historians wishing to analyze fragile historical materials.Jury members Prof. Michaël LOBET (UNamur), PresidentProf. Alexandre MAYER (UNamur), SecretaryDr. Charlotte BEAUTHIER (CENAREO)Prof. Benoît FRENAY (UNamur)Prof. Olivier DEPARIS (UNamur)Prof. Denis LANGEVIN (Université de Clermont Auvergne)Prof. Hai Son NGUYEN (Ecole Centrale de Lyon)

The first global conference of Chinese materials researchers took place from July 22 to 28, 2025, at the University of Namur. Organized by Professor Bao-Lian Su, director of the Inorganic Materials Chemistry Laboratory (CMI) of the Nanomaterials Chemistry Unit (UCNano) in the Chemistry Department at the University of Namur, Belgium, in collaboration with Professor Qing-Jie Zhang of Wuhan University of Technology (China) and Professor Max Gao-Qing Lu of the University of Wollongong (Australia), the event brought together nearly 500 participants. 

A project submitted by Professor Frédéric Silvestre's Laboratoire de Physiologie Évolutive et Adaptative (LEAP) at the University of Namur has been ranked among the top 6 research projects funded by the FNRS and the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ) for scientific collaboration between Wallonia and Quebec. The aim? To understand the impact of human activities on St. Lawrence Estuary (SLE) belugas, using interdisciplinary approaches to help improve conservation strategies for this threatened species..

In early September, the University of Namur hosted the first Main-Group Elements Reactivity Conference (MG-ERC). Over 100 researchers from 12 countries and 32 institutions gathered around Professor Guillaume Berionni. An event hailed as "one of the best chemistry conferences" by its prestigious guests.