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]

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]

Interfaces, such as surfaces or grain boundaries, play a crucial role in determining the global mechanical behaviour and properties of materials. These interfaces can act as barriers to dislocation motion, influencing the strength, ductility, and fracture behaviour of materials. In addition, chemical reactions or varying chemical composition at these interfaces can affect the mechanical properties of materials, along with corrosion resistance and wear behaviour. Understanding the micromechanical behaviour at these interfaces is therefore critical for the design and optimisation of materials for a wide range of applications, from structural materials to electronic devices or batteries. [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]

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