Interdepartmental & Partner Research Groups

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

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

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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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 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

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