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80 years of research and innovation

​​​Nuclear, medicine, digital, space, defence, electronics, and more – since its creation in 1945, the CEA has been behind many great scientific discoveries and technological innovations. This progress has helped us to meet the challenges of the last eight decades and change our daily lives forever.

On the occasion of this anniversary, and throughout the year 2025, we will be sharing with you the highlights, innovations and inspiring stories that have made the CEA a key player in scientific and technological research at the service of society. Beyond France, the CEA will be celebrating its 80th anniversary with its institutional partners in Brussels, Osaka and Washington.

Published on 26 March 2025

​Our research
for tomorrow’s technologies.

Video80 years of research and innovation

The CEA in a few key dates


1948

Zoe reactor. © IZIS / PARIS MATCH / SCOOP 
The first French nuclear research reactor came online. Today, the nuclear energy sector is a key component of French energy sovereignty and our transition to a carbon-free energy mix.
Zoe reactor. © IZIS / PARISMATCH / SCOOP

Early days of nuclear medicine. © CEA

- ​1958 -

Radiopharmaceuticals were first used to diagnose and treat various diseases, including cancer.
This was the dawn of nuclear medicine in France. 
Early days of nuclear medicine. © CEA
 
First integrated circuit © CEA/Hardouin 

​- 1967 -
After the first French integrated circuit, expansion of microelectronics and semiconductors at the CEA.     
First integrated circuit. © CEA / Hardouin
 
   
 

 
               
                  
1971 

            Launch of the first nuclear powered submarine equipped with nuclear missiles, Le Redoutable by General de Gaulle.© Pierre FERRARI  Pierre GROCAT / ECA / ECPAD / Défense
            
Le Redoutable, the first French nuclear-powered submarine equipped with nuclear missiles, was deployed across the world’s waters.
 Launch of the first nuclear powered submarine equipped with nuclear missiles, Le Redoutable by General de Gaulle. 
               
© Pierre FERRARI  Pierre GROCAT / ECA / ECPAD / Défense

   



Ice core analaysis © CEA/IPEV 

 - 1987 -

 
   
The analysis of ice cores taken from Antarctica demonstrated that the climate is strongly correlated with greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Today, the link between climate change and increasing greenhouse gas concentrations due to human activity is a generally established fact within the global scientific community.
 
   
Ice core analaysis. © CEA / IPEV


 
   

      

   
 
   
      Silicon-on-insulator Technology © CEA 
   
- 1992 - 
      
 
   
      
The spin-off company SOITEC was founded. This start-up went on to become a world leader in silicon-on-insulator production, today found in most conventional high-tech devices.   

      
 Silicon-on-insulator Technology. © CEA

      

         
 
      

       
         Prion diagnostic kit. © CEA / L. Godart
      
 - ​1999 - 
         
 
      
         
A rapid screening test was developed for the prion involved in mad cow disease.

         
Prion diagnostic kit. © CEA / L. Godart

         

            
 
         

         The CEA produced the first functional superconducting qubit in 2002. © CEA / Dupont
         
 -​ 2002 -

          
            
​The first functional qubit (quantum bit) was developed, paving the way for the quantum computer.
 
            
The CEA produced the first functional superconducting qubit in 2002. © CEA / Dupont
 
            

               
 
            
 
            

                            
                              
2019

                         
                           A tetraplegic patient piloting an exoskeleton. © CEA / J. Treillet  
                        
 
                        
A patient with tetraplegia was able to move again thanks to a mind-controlled exoskeleton linked to a brain implant; 
 A tetraplegic patient piloting an exoskeleton. © CEA / J. Treillet 
 
            

               
 
            

             
               Anne L’Huillier and Pierre Agostini. © CEA / L. Godart 
            
- ​2023  - 
               
 
            
               
French physicists Anne L’Huillier and Pierre Agostini, alongside Austrian Ferenc Krausz, won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their work on attosecond laser pulses.

               
Anne L’Huillier and Pierre Agostini. © CEA / L. Godart

               

                  
 
               
 
               Axial view of the human brain, with the same acquisition time but different magnetic field strengths.  © CEA 
               
 - 2024 -

               
Images of the brain were acquired with unparalleled precision using the Iseult MRI scanner, the most powerful of its kind in the world. ​   

               
Axial view of the human brain, with the same acquisition time but different magnetic field strengths. © CEA

               

                  
 
                  
 
               

               
 
                              
                                 
2025 

                           Vue-de-l-interieur-du-tokamak-West-credits-CRoux-CEA.jpg

                           
Nuclear fusion: WEST beats the world record for plasma duration!
WEST, the tokamak run by the CEA © C. Roux / CEA

                
                
               


            
	

            

                


​Events

   
 



OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN - Expo 2025

    From 13 June to 13 July - Temporary exhibition
In
 2025, the World Expo will be held in Osaka, Japan. If you're there, 
take the opportunity to come and say ‘ohayo! To celebrate its 80th 
anniversary, the CEA is taking up residence in the France pavilion, in 
the ‘Temporary Exhibition’ area, from 13 June to 13 July. An opportunity
 to discover our work through an immersive visit, from the infinitely 
small to the infinitely large. From health to the climate, to the 
digital revolution, the CEA's action in favor of society is revealed 
itself at every step.



    
       
         OSAKA, KANSAI, JAPAN - Expo 2025 : Le CEA à l’heure japonaise