Research Groups

The key to establish a fundamental understanding of the links between synthesis, microstructure and properties is to characterize materials on all hierarchical levels of microstructure. Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy offers versatile techniques enabling the analysis of atomic arrangements, microchemistry, defect structures, interfacial phenomena and precipitate structures. The development and application of advanced TEM techniques, including atomic resolution aberration-corrected imaging, analytical TEM and in-situ TEM are major areas of research. [more]

The Environmental & Analytical Electron Microscopy (EAEM) group will combine atomic scale scanning / transmission electron imaging techniques, ultrahigh energy resolution spectroscopy and various gas environments to characterize the nanostructure evolution and local properties of materials in application related conditions. We investigate, for example, the impact of hydrogen on the microstructure and properties of materials. But also questions such as 'Can we store energy-related gases efficiently?' or 'How can we optimize materials for applications in green technologies (e.g. for water splitting)?' are being addressed. This also includes the analysis of how properties change as the size decreases from the bulk scale down to low-dimensional structures. [more]

Hydrogen is ubiquitous in nature, mainly in molecular compounds. In its atomic form it represents a genuine possibility as an energy carrier for the transport and storage of renewable energy. [more]

Alloys based on intermetallic phases comprise a new class of materials entering into application, e.g. TiAl compressor blades in the new GE_NX^TM jet engines. The basis for any new material development is a sound understanding of the stability of the constituting phases in dependence of composition, temperature and time, i.e. knowledge of the respective phase diagrams. [more]

Even after decades of micro and nanomechanics research, a complete deformation map with the mechanical behavior of small-scale materials at application relevant high strain rates and operational sub-ambient temperatures still remains elusive. Experimental determination of micro/nanomechanical properties under such extreme loading conditions is deterred by the lack of appropriate small-scale testing platforms and sample fabrication technologies, which are capable of manufacturing ideal test-beds for statistically relevant mechanical testing. Motivated by these critical gaps in research knowledge, development of necessary nanomechanical instrumentation and additive micromanufacturing techniques form the core research areas of the group. [more]

The group Quantitative Transmission Electron Microscopy (QuanTEM) is dedicated to understanding the atomic-scale structure, composition, and properties of sustainable materials through high-resolution imaging and advanced techniques such as 4DSTEM and in situ microscopy. [more]

Grain boundaries and hetero-interfaces play a decisive role in controlling fundamental deformation mechanisms such as dislocation motion and crack propagation which govern a material‘s strength, ductility and fracture toughness. The group Thermo-Chemomechanics and Interfaces (THINC) focuses on unlocking exciting properties of such material interfaces in advanced materials and the role of thermo-chemomechanics driven interfacial plasticity and fracture on the global material response. Understanding fundamental processes of interfacial deformation is crucial for developing damage tolerant and sustainable materials for various cutting-edge applications ranging from miniaturized microelectronics and energy materials, protective coatings, to aerospace and advanced manufacturing. [more]

Find out more about our interdepartmental & partner research groups. [more]