Imène Lahouij

Biography

I am a teacher-researcher at Mines Paris, where I develop research activities in tribology and surface engineering within the CEMEF Center. My work focuses on a wide variety of materials encountered in tribological contacts—metallic alloys, polymers, composites, 2D materials, nanoparticles, and other nanomaterials—whose behavior and interactions at the interface I study. My research thus lies at the crossroads of several disciplines—materials science, mechanics, chemistry, and data science—with a central objective: understanding the phenomena that occur at the interface between two contacting surfaces. I am particularly interested in the physical and chemical mechanisms governing friction, wear, and lubrication. These phenomena, which occur at scales often difficult to observe, determine the lifespan, performance, and reliability of many mechanical systems. The challenge is both to better understand these mechanisms and to use this understanding to develop new materials and lubrication solutions that are more efficient and suited to real operating conditions. A significant part of my research today focuses on the effect of electric currents on tribological contacts, particularly on their wear and lubrication. These issues are becoming increasingly important with the electrification of mechanical systems, especially in sensors and transmission systems of electric vehicles, where electrical, mechanical, and physicochemical interactions are closely coupled. My research thus aims to bridge the gap between fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena and the development of concrete solutions for tomorrow’s systems.

Publication(s)

2026
Effect of Electric Current on the Tribochemical Behavior of Friction Modifier Additives DOI : 10.1007/s11249-026-02167-4
2026
Mixed Lubrication Regime Modelling in Cold Strip Rolling: Toward a More Complete Physical Description of the Boundary Component
2025
Synergistic anti-wear performance of TiO2 nanoparticles and ZDDP: Influence of dispersion methods DOI : 10.1016/j.triboint.2025.110791
2025
Electric polarity: A key factor in lubricated wear of bearing steel DOI : 10.1016/j.triboint.2025.110748
2025
Deep Learning Prediction of Dry Friction in DLC Coatings Using Literature-Derived Data DOI : 10.1007/s11249-025-02056-2
2024
Effect of micro-plasto-hydrodynamic lubrication on strip surface in steel cold rolling DOI : 10.21741/9781644903131-142
2024
Enhanced mechanical properties of magnesium alloy reinforced by layered Ti3AlC2 MAX phase fabricated by SPS at a near solidus temperature DOI : 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174403
2022
Inhibition of Micro-pitting by Tribofilm-Forming ZrO2 Nanocrystal Lubricant Additives: A Micro-pitting Rig and Transmission Electron Microscope Study DOI : 10.1007/s11249-021-01555-2
2021
In-depth investigation of a third body formed by selective transfer in a NiCr / AgPd electrical contact DOI : 10.1016/j.wear.2021.203753
2021
Synergistic effects between oil tribopolymerisation and abrasive wear in forming a protective third body in a conductive polymer/noble metal electrical contact DOI : 10.1002/ls.1542
2021
Combined laser shock and micro-compression approach to the mechanical behavior of powders for cold spray
2020
Nanoscale in situ study of ZDDP tribofilm growth at aluminum-based interfaces using atomic force microscopy DOI : 10.1016/j.triboint.2019.106075
2019
Third-body formation by selective transfer in a NiCr/AgPd electrical contact. Consequences on wear and remediation by a barrel tumble finishin DOI : 10.1016/j.wear.2018.11.022
2018
Nanoscale Generation of Robust Solid Films from Liquid-Dispersed Nanoparticles via in Situ Atomic Force Microscopy: Growth Kinetics and Nanomechanical Properties DOI : 10.1021/acsami.8b16680
2018
Nanotribological Printing: A Nanoscale Additive Manufacturing Method DOI : 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b02505
2015
Friction Reduction Benefits in Valve-Train System Using IF-MoS2 Added Engine Oil DOI : 10.1080/10402004.2014.960540
2014
Understanding the deformation of soot particles/agglomerates in a dynamic contact: Tem in situ compression and shear experiments DOI : 10.1007/s11249-013-0246-3
2014
Direct observation by in situ transmission electron microscopy of the behaviour of IF-MoS2 nanoparticles during sliding tests: Influence of the crystal structure DOI : 10.1002/ls.1241
2013
Lubrication mechanisms of hollow core inorganic fullerene like WS2nanoparticles: In situ TEM approach
2013
IF-MoS2 based lubricants: Influence of shape and crystal structure
2013
Understanding the deformation of soot particle/agglomerates in a dynamic contact: TEM in situ compression and shear experiments
2012
Student poster abstract: Real-time TEM imaging of compression and shear of single fullerene-like MoS2 and WS2 nanoparticles
2012
IF-MoS2 based lubricants: Influence of size, shape and crystal structure DOI : 10.1016/j.wear.2012.07.016
2012
Lubrication mechanisms of hollow-core inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles: Coupling experimental and computational works DOI : 10.1088/0957-4484/23/37/375701
2012
Real time TEM imaging of compression and shear of single fullerene-like MoS 2 nanoparticle DOI : 10.1007/s11249-011-9873-8
2011
In situ TEM observation of the behavior of an individual fullerene-like MoS 2 nanoparticle in a dynamic contact DOI : 10.1007/s11249-011-9755-0
2011
Understanding the tribochemical mechanisms of IF-MoS 2 nanoparticles under boundary lubrication DOI : 10.1007/s11249-010-9678-1

Projects

2022-2026 ANR- Toward a novel lubrication approach tailored to E-mobility – ELUB-Mobility Lead Investigator

Teaching

General Engineering Professions (MIG)

Lecturer

A MIG is a personalized, project-based learning program that brings together a group of 12 or 14 students, guided by the School’s faculty members, to explore a complex problem in its various dimensions—including, of course, scientific and technical aspects, but also cross-disciplinary aspects (socioeconomics, management, law, the environment, etc., depending on the field being studied). Ten different topics are offered. They all reflect current research themes being developed by the School’s centers and industry. The challenges students will tackle through these 10 projects address major issues facing the industry of the future and society: From Energy Resource Transformation to Management, Data Science and Innovative Applications, Raw Material Extraction and Environmental Impact, Design and Materials for Aerospace and Automotive, and Medical and Hospital Care Engineering Each MIG topic is addressed through complementary and interlinked activities during an intensive three-week period: - company visits, lectures, and classes - a period of experimentation and/or modeling at a research center or in a company, in the form of mini-projects carried out in small groups. In addition, each group of students collectively summarizes the work completed in the form of a written report and an oral presentation before a panel of industry professionals. This presentation will allow you to better understand all aspects of the topic and to deepen your teamwork skills.

Materials for Engineers

Lecturer

The in-person component (27 hours) is structured into plenary sessions in a lecture hall (12 hours), small-group sessions (12 hours) with smaller class sizes, and presentations of lab reports to a panel (30 minutes). It also includes a written exam (2 hours and 30 minutes). Students’ independent work (18 hours) includes (in addition to the engine disassembly and reassembly mentioned above): A self-assessment multiple-choice quiz (30 min) on prerequisites. This self-assessment is conducted prior to the first class to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and then focus on certain aspects during face-to-face instruction. An assignment on phase diagrams (2 hours) An assignment on material aging (2 hours) Laboratory work at the CMAT (6 hours): 13 lab sessions are conducted in groups of 4 to 5 students, supervised by the Center’s engineers and technicians as well as doctoral students, since most lab topics are related to current thesis projects. A 20-minute oral presentation for each lab session is held at the end of the day in two parallel sessions. Students therefore complete one of the lab sessions and participate in or attend half of the presentations at the end of the day. Two similar days are organized to accommodate the entire class. Final exam review (5 hours)

Materials Design for New Challenges (Course)

Lecturer

Monday, September 14 Tuesday, September 15 Wednesday, September 16 Thursday, September 17 Friday, September 18 9:00–10:30 9:00–10:00 Introductory Seminar (Renault) 10:00–10:30 a.m. Weekly Schedule (J. Crepin and J.L. Bouvard) Synthesis and Processing of Materials (polymers, glasses, metals, ceramics) -Continued- (V. Esin) From Material Processing to Functional Properties: Material Forming (C. Moussa) From Material Processing to Functional Properties: Process-Induced Microstructure (S. Dépinoy) Life Cycle Assessment (M. Douziech) 10:45–12:15 The Material at the Heart of the Structure to Achieve Target Properties (A.F. Gourgues) Life Cycle Assessment -Continued- (M. Douziech) 1:45 PM–3:15 PM Synthesis and processing of materials (polymers, glasses, metals, ceramics) (V. Esin) Accessibility of resources (J. Osterbaan) From Material Processing to Functional Properties: Controlling Material Behavior (V. Esin) Surface Functionalization (M.H. Berger) Service Life of Materials and Structures (J.L. Bouvard) 3:30–5:00 p.m. Strategies for numerical material modeling (H. Proudhon and J.L. Bouvard) Environmental effects (C. Duhamel)

Materials for New Challenges (Research Quarter)

Lecturer

PhD supervision

2025 Optimization of the tribological performance of sliding contacts in a position sensor LEOTTA Alexandre
2023 Lubrication of the electrified contact PENG Zhengyan
2023 Tribological modeling of cold rolling of aluminum alloys BOUILLET Geoffroy
2023 Thermal and tribological modeling of pilger tube rolling MARIR Anes
2022 Tribological triplet of boundary lubrication: influence of TiO₂ nanoparticles, cold spray composite coatings, and an electric current on the performance of boundary additives. NASSIF Adam
2022 Development of a friction model in mixed/boundary lubrication, enhanced by considering temperature, for cold rolling of stainless steel ELHAJJ Cynthia
2018 Contribution of micro-mechanical tests to the study of plastic behavior of an anisotropic material - Micro-indentation, micro-pillar compression, and scratch PINHEIRO DE BRITO Larissa Raquel
2017 Experimental study of elastomer wear at high temperature: application to power transmission belts MONTALBAN Laura
2016 Formation mechanisms of third bodies and tribological behaviors of sliding electrical contacts ISARD Manon