Professor Ioannis Michaloudis, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Humanities at The American University of Cyprus (AUCY) Featured in Le Monde for Collaboration with Boucheron on Groundbreaking High Jewellery Innovation highlighting the interdisciplinary collaboration that brought one of contemporary high jewellery's most innovative creations to life.

Published on 6 July 2026, the article, "Claire Choisne, une tête chercheuse chez Boucheron", explores Choisne's pioneering approach to jewellery design through the integration of unexpected materials and scientific research. Among the collaborators recognised is Professor Michaloudis, internationally known for his work at the intersection of art, nanotechnology, and material innovation.

The feature recounts how, in 2018, Choisne approached Professor Michaloudis to obtain silica aerogel an extraordinary material composed of 99.8% air and often referred to as "frozen smoke" or "solid sky." Together with Boucheron's innovation team, this collaboration led to the creation of exceptional jewellery pieces that capture what Choisne described as "a drop of sky" within crystal rock, combining artistic vision with cutting-edge materials science.
Reflecting on the collaboration,
Professor Michaloudis noted:
"Claire is as much a researcher as she is a designer."

The Le Monde article recognises Professor Michaloudis not only as an artist and nanoscience expert but also as Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, underscoring the growing international impact of research and creative practice emerging from the Faculty. His work continues to demonstrate how scientific innovation and artistic exploration can converge to inspire new forms of cultural expression and creative excellence.
This recognition in one of France's leading newspapers reinforces the Faculty’s commitment to interdisciplinary research, innovation, and international collaboration across the arts, science, and design.

We congratulate Professor Michaloudis on this distinguished recognition and celebrate the continued global influence of his pioneering work.