Internship: Instrumentation of a Flapping Wing with a Flexible Strain Gauge

About the role

Mines Saint-Étienne offers a 4 to 6-month on-site internship in the flexible electronics department, within the centre of Microelectronics. The project concerns soft electronics for flapping-wing drone applications: a flexible strain gauge will be integrated onto the wing of a bird-like flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV) to measure its deformation during flapping. The internship takes place in Gardanne, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

Key responsibilities

• Integrate a strain gauge onto an X-Fly wing (an early version of the gauge will be provided).
• Set up a test bench that lets the drone's wing flap under controlled conditions.
• Acquire the gauge signal in real time and transmit it to a computer (for example via an Arduino or Teensy) for display, storage and analysis.
• Compare the electrical signal with an independent optical measurement of deformation (high-speed camera, motion capture system, etc.) to verify and calibrate the sensor.
• Estimate the impact of the added instrumentation on the mechanical and dynamic behaviour of the bare wing.
• If time permits, study different instrumentation configurations (geometry, orientation, stack, positioning) and analyse their effect on measurement quality and wing dynamics.
• Work hands-on in the lab, partly in the clean room facility.

Required profile

• Master's or engineering student in engineering sciences, electronics and embedded systems, materials science or a related field.
• Basic knowledge of electronic design and circuitry is highly appreciated.
• Autonomy, curiosity and passion for technological innovation.
• Strong interest in practical work and experimentation, with a rigorous scientific approach in a maker spirit.

What we offer

• Hourly rate of 4.50 EUR for actual work.
• Start in March 2027, with an application deadline of 15 January 2027.
• 75% of public transport costs covered (subject to conditions), staff lounge and one day off per month (subject to supervisor approval).

Applications are submitted through the RECRUITEE platform.