Vincent Sobotka

Vincent Sobotka is a Full Professor at Polytech Nantes, University of Nantes, where he also serves as Deputy Director. He is affiliated with the Nantes Thermal and Energy Laboratory (UMR_C 6607) and is the Scientific Director of CAPACITES SAS. His office is located at La Chantrerie, rue Christian Pauc, CS 50609 44306 Nantes Cedex 3 in the Isitem building, offices R115 and E212.

Dr. Sobotka completed his doctoral thesis at LTN, University of Nantes (2001-2004), followed by an ATER position at Polytech Nantes (2004-2005), then served as a Lecturer (2005-2017) before becoming a University Professor (2017-present). His academic journey demonstrates a steady progression within the same institution, reflecting deep institutional knowledge and commitment to his field.

His research focuses on experimental approaches and modeling of heat transfer in polymer materials and composites. He specializes in characterizing thermal properties of polymers and composites, modeling heat transfers in shaping processes, and controlling/optimizing thermal properties during manufacturing. Dr. Sobotka has developed experimental apparatus for characterizing thermal properties under industrial process conditions and works extensively on thermal optimal design of forming processes. His work spans applications in additive manufacturing, composite materials, thermoplastic processing, and injection molding technologies.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on thermal management solutions for composite manufacturing, with significant focus on lattice structures for enhanced heat transfer, optimization of cooling channels in molds, and characterization of high-performance polymers like PEEK. His research increasingly integrates computational methods with experimental validation to solve practical manufacturing challenges.

Dr. Sobotka has supervised numerous PhD students, with several currently in progress. His research appears to be supported by various industry partnerships including CIFRE agreements with companies like Cogit Composites, Airbus, and the IRT Jules Verne institute. He has established strong connections between academic research and industrial applications, particularly in aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors.

He is affiliated with the Laboratoire de Thermique et Energie de Nantes (LTEN), where he leads research activities focused on thermal characterization of materials, process optimization, and development of innovative manufacturing technologies. His team works closely with industry partners to address real-world challenges in composite manufacturing and thermal management.