ALTRAN FOUNDATION

Since 1996, the Altran Foundation for Innovation has supported and promoted technological innovation for human benefit. The Altran Foundation is a vehicle for civic commitment, seeking to mobilise the Group’s resources around creative and innovative projects. The Altran Foundation has achieved wide recognition in the world of corporate philanthropy. At the ADMICAL* philanthropy awards in 2006, it won the Fondation de France Award for the originality and sustainability of its efforts. The Foundation also won the ADMICAL Special Jury Award in 2002.

 REDUCING CO₂ LEVELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE: OUR TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGE!
This project is about developing a bio-composite based on Guadua Bamboo that can be used for house building. The goal of this project is to develop local economies based on small companies’ networks using this technology. It’s about an innovative technology combining social and economical development, respect of the environment and carbon storage

 FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT
Today, 1.5 million people suffer from degenerative retinal diseases. The gravity of the situation prompted Professor José Sahel and his team at the Quinze- Vingts National Ophthalmology Hospital Centre to develop an artificial retina that res­tores hope to affected patients. Placed under the existing retina, it directly stimulates the neurons, replacing defective cells. These implants should eventually allow patients to recognise faces, read large print and move independently in a restricted environment. For one year, Altran consultants laid the foundations of an industrial project and improved the system through their work in the following areas: optimisation of laboratory tests, digital simulation of the neuron-implant connection, system design and intellectual property.

 ENERGY: WASTE NOT WANT NOT
Cost is one of the main obstacles to the development of solar energy. To overcome this problem, Maxxun BV has developed an innovative system of solar collectors based on luminescent solar concentrator technology. AAt the same time, Altran teams worked to optimise light transmission towards the system’s photovoltaic element, thereby increasing efficiency. They also developed reflective thin-film deposition, leading to the creation of the first prototype.

 
 BECAUSE THE WORLD NEEDS MANKIND
Deforestation is one of the major consequences of developing countries’ need for energy. To meet this challenge, Guy Reinaud offers an alternative source of energy: biomass or “green” charcoal. Such charcoal produces a low-cost, eco-friendly and universally available fuel from any type of organic material, such as straw, branches, plant waste and rice husk. Altran’s support was instrumental in doubling production capacity, cutting production costs in half and decreasing the biomass charcoal’s temperature from 500°C to 40°C at the end of the process to avoid any danger. Today, the project hopes to expand to the rest of Africa, and the association is working on a new version that is 10 times more powerful – the Pyro 8.