Temporary Research Groups

Interfacial processes/reactions at the atomic scale

The research group focuses on interfacial reactions and processes at liquid/solid interfaces on the atomic scale, in structural, energy and functional materials. [more]

Hydrogen in Materials

Funding ended January 2023
This group was concerned with the 3D mapping of hydrogen at near-atomic scale in metallic alloys with the aim to better understand hydrogen storage materials and hydrogen embrittlement. [more]

Sustainable Synthesis of Materials

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.
[more]

Integrated Computational Materials Engineering

Engineering materials are subjected to various thermo-chemo-mechanical loads during production and in service. The aim of the "Integrated Computational Materials Engineering" research group is the development, implementation, and application of models that allow to investigate who the materials respond to these loads. To enable investigations at time and length scales relevant for engineering applications, the models are typically based on continuum formulations. [more]

Hydrogen at Interfaces

The group studies the science of hydrogen at and across microstructural defects, both in structural and energy-related materials, in close reflection of the associated complex redox phenomena taking place in and at the surfaces of these materials. Many of these phenomena are of highest relevance for developing novel materials and processes that leverage a hydrogen-driven carbon-neutral economy, such as catalysis and sustainable material production. [more]

Reducing Iron Oxides without Carbon by using Hydrogen-Plasma

Steel is the dominant metallic material. The production per year is 1.8 billion tons, of which 30% can be produced out of recycled melted scrap. The huge rest amount has to be newly produced from oxide minerals reduced by CO in blast furnaces, followed by partial removal of C by O₂ in converters. The CO₂emission of these two processes is enormous, approx. 2.1 tons of CO₂ per 1 ton of steel. Steel making thus becomes the largest single greenhouse gas emitter worldwide (~ 8% of all emissions). ROC is intensively involved in basic research needed to drastically cut down these CO₂ emissions, by up tp 80% and beyond. This is the biggest single leverage we have to fight global warming.
[more]