Interdepartmental and Partner Research Groups

Our group is trying to push functional bulk magnets to their physical limits given by their intrinsic properties. Key is the understanding of the critical magnetization reversal processes on the atomic scale. We tackle this with the most advanced correlated electron microscopies and tomographies combined with sophisticated simulation across the length scales applied to modelsystems made by additive manufacturing. more

High temperature materials are used for critical components in power plants, chemical/metallurgical plants, motors for ships and cars and in gas turbines for aero engines. more

Future technology challenges will no longer be simply addressed by today's materials and processing solutions, which are often based on trial and error. Instead, guidance will be attained from correlative experimental and theoretical research bridging all length scales.
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The group is dedicated to harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the field of material science. Our main objective is to tackle critical challenges such as advanced materials design, experimental data analysis, text and data mining for information retrieval. more

This research group develops multi-physics and microstructure-resolved continuum models that can accurately represent electrochemical energy devices and processes under operando conditions. These models are designed to enable rationalization and improvement of the electro-chemo-mechanical performance of all-solid-state and liquid high energy density Li-ion batteries. more

The goal of our group is to develop advanced high-entropy materials (HEMs) with exceptional mechanical and multi-functional properties based on the understanding of their structure-properties relations. This is being achieved by combining advanced design strategies and experimental techniques. more

Our research group focuses on one of the most dangerous yet most elusive embrittlement problems frequently observed in high-strength metallic materials: hydrogen embrittlement (HE). The mission is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of HE, as well as to use the acquired knowledge to design novel microstructure concepts with enhanced hydrogen-resistance. Ultimately, we aim to promote the development of high-performance and hydrogen-tolerant alloys that are urgently needed for the dawn of the hydrogen age.
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This research group aims to increase the direct sustainability of structural and functional metals. The research topics cover reduced CO₂-intensive primary production, low-energy metallurgical synthesis, metal recycling, scrap-compatible alloy design, green steel, sustainable semiconductors, improved longevity of alloys, and green energy generation via combustion of metal powders. The scientific focus lies in the study of the physical and chemical foundations for improving the direct sustainability of structural metals.
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Additive manufacturing via selected laser melting (SLM) is a promising fabrication technique that can enable unique alloy design pathways due to rapid heating and solidification. This group aims to exploit such process characteristics of SLM to achieve refined micro and nanostructures that will in turn enhance the mechanical and physical performance of complex 3D architectures in both static and dynamic loading conditions. more

This project combinatorially explores multi-component systems based on the concept of high entropy alloys (HEAs).This concept enables experimentally probing compositions that are multi-component in nature and are also located in the middle of phase diagrams. Eqilibrium and non-equilibrium phases can be found and identified for their crystal structures and their magnetic properties as a function of composition by employing multiple methods of combinatorial screening. more

The focus of this group lies on exploring and understanding the atomic-scale degradation behavior of γ/γʹ Ni-based superalloys and new CoNi based superalloys exposed to severe/harsh environmental conditions at high temperatures. Furthermore the role of deformation induced defects on the degradation will also be examined and material design routes to slow down or suppress aspects of the degradation will be defined. more

Designing damage tolerant functional oxide nanostructures
Multiferroic oxide films have enormous potential applications in next-generation electronic, memory and energy harvesting technologies due to their perovskite structure. more

The research group explores innovative research on the material – light elements interactions, a research field with relevance for nuclear and fusion reactors, as well as for materials required for the hydrogen economy. The major aspects of research are studies on sinks for He and H in metals (e.g., precipitates, interfaces, grain boundaries), and their evolution at elevated temperature. Based on this knowledge, we aim to establish He and H tolerant refractory materials via microstructure tailoring and optimization. more

The focus of the research group is to investigate phase transformation phenomena that occur as a result of metal-gas reactions, which, in turn, generate stresses and lattice defects in the material. more

Our group investigates and develops novel strategies for the sustainable production of metallic materials, integrating the development of synthesis science and technology into material design. Currently the focus lies on the reduction of iron ores with hydrogen in both solid state direct reduction as well as plasma melting processes, for which we investigate the fundamental relationships between processing parameters, phase and microstructure evolutions and reduction kinetics. more