ProgramPlenary Conference by José Halloy The energy, digital, and ecological transition is accompanied by a rapid growth in demand for so-called “critical” materials, revealing the structural dependence of our technical systems on mineral and energy flows of geological origin. This intensification of industrial metabolism highlights the tensions between socio-technical dynamics and the biogeophysical limits of the Earth system. This conference proposes an analytical framework based on the physics of industrial metabolism, which articulates the balances of power, matter, and time. This framework makes it possible to assess the sustainability of technologies at different time scales (centennial and millennial). The concept of the zombie load index (Z) is presented as a diagnostic and governance tool, making it possible to quantify energy and material dependencies, maintenance time lags, and disruptions to natural cycles. By placing technologies in the broader context of planetary metabolisms, the presentation discusses the physical conditions for the emergence of “living” technologies to replace “zombie technologies.” These new “living technologies,” yet to be invented, must be compatible with the surface powers of the biosphere (1–3 W m⁻²) and based on renewable and recycled flows. José Halloy is co-founder of LIED (Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Tomorrow's Energies) and professor of physics and sustainability sciences at Université Paris Cité. Roundtable "Sustainability of consumer products” (provisional title)
Flash presentations of projects funded by DIM MaTerRE in 2025 Presentation of initial results from projects funded by DIM MaTerRE in 2023-2024 Opportunities and initiatives from DIM MaTerRE: Calls for projects, Training, Outreach, Workshop
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