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Home
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About us
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Organisation
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Organisation chart
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Materials Chemistry
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Material and Surface Technologies
We develop innovative technologies that customize the properties of materials and surfaces for specific applications. For example, we increase the biocompatibility of surfaces or improve the stability of alloysin aggressive media, that are used as electrodes in electrolysers. We also investigate the safety aspects of material technologies, such as the analysis of X-ray emissions during laser surface treatments.
For metallic materials, we can cover the entire process from powder/granulate through the melting process to thermal post-treatment. We use laser-based, wet-chemical and electrochemical techniques to structure and functionalize their surfaces. We offer advanced electrochemical, microscopic and spectroscopic methods for the characterization and evaluation of functional properties. We often combine these techniques and, where possible, always apply them in situ / in operando to gain a better mechanistic understanding of the processes by capturing data as they occur.
Although we specialize in metals and alloys, our methods can also be applied to other material classes such as polymers or ceramics, which we often investigate as functional layers. We are currently using our materials and methods expertise to build Material Acceleration Platforms (MAPs). In our MAPs we integrate modules for material synthesis, characterization and testing through automation in circular, self-learning optimization loops, using artificial intelligence (AI) for efficient and autonomous test planning, property prediction and data analysis.
Projects:
• RöLaMat - Contributions for a draft standard with regard to the generation of unwanted X-rays during ultrashort pulse laser material processing (P-6241)
• CorRobot - ML-driven optimization of corrosion inhibitor mixtures with an automated platform (PA-00012848)
• BioCombs4Nanofibers - Antiadhesive Bionic Combs for Handling of Nanofibers
• Study of possible medical and occupational exposure to ionizing radiation during the use of ultrashort pulse lasers (USP lasers) in dentistry (as of 04/24)
further information
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Fields of expertise
• Development of material acceleration platforms (MAPs) for electrochemical processes (corrosion protection and electrocatalysis)
• Investigation of the interaction mechanisms of short and ultrashort laser pulses with materials, including for nanostructuring
• Laser safety, analysis of X-ray emissions during laser surface treatments
• Development of novel steels and multi-main-element alloys
• Development of metallic nanoparticles for electrocatalytic processes
• Investigation of the deformation and corrosion mechanisms of metallic materials
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Main activities
- Investigation of deformation and corrosion mechanisms of lightweight alloys, steels and additively manufactured materials
- Analysis of mechanisms of microbially influenced corrosion (MIC)
- Investigation of corrosion and delamination processes at buried interfaces under technical and model coatings
- Investigation of the interaction mechanisms of short and ultra-short laser pulses with materials with a focus on surface nano-structuring
- Analysis of material parameters under laser-induced extreme stress conditions
- Laser safety, analysis of X-ray emissions during laser surface treatments
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Range of services/technical equipment
• MAP with modules for liquid handling (pipetting robots and pump stations), electrodeposition and electrochemical characterization
• Arc melter for the production of alloys (up to 200 g Fe-based) in a high-purity inert gas atmosphere at temperatures of up to 3500°C
• Electroplating station for the production of alloys as thin layers
• Femtosecond laser technology (30 fs pulse duration @ 800 nm wavelength & 925 fs pulse duration @ 1030 nm wavelength)
• Nanosecond cleaning lasers (1064 nm and 532 nm)
• Electrochemical atomic force microscopy (AFM) with integrated tensile testing machine (max. force: 5 kN, static/dynamic, strain/compression): Topography, Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM), adhesion/stiffness analysis, force spectroscopy
• Electrochemical techniques with high spatial resolution (Scanning Electrochemical Microscope (SECM), Scanning Vibrating Electrode (SVET), Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP))
• In situ spectro-electrochemical methods: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES) in liquid environment, coupled to electrochemical analysis
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Publications of the division
