Advanced Materials

The theme Advanced Materials benefits from Engineering input in biochemical and chemical engineering, applied physics, and mechanical and industrial engineering. Engineering expertise is offered in:

• Electronics of materials
  Research focuses on single molecule devices, molecular assemblies, 2Dimensional Carbon and other materials and 1Dimensional Carbon, oxides and inorganic semiconductors, organic-inorganic hybrids, and on functionalities with these materials: improved transport (transistors, spintronic devices); light collection and emission (photodetectors and light emitting diodes); data retention (memories); energy harvesting (solar cells, piezoelectrics and thermoelectrics).

• Mechanical engineering of materials
  Internationally reputed teams conduct research on: Casimir forces and MEMS, In-situ mechanical microscopy, Laser surface engineering and additive processing, Nanoparticles, Nano-composites and nano-porous materials, Phase change materials for memory, Size effects and multiscale plasticity, Smart materials for actuation and sensing

• Biobased materials
  Research is conducted in the field of biobased chemicals and performance materials, include both chemo-catalytic and bio-catalytic approaches and encompass process and product engineering activities.

Of particular interest are:

• the development of techno-economically viable value chains including biomass selection and pre-treatment, conversion to low molecular weight building blocks which are subsequently converted to green advanced polymers and composites

• the development and optimization of advanced materials from biopolymers (starch, cellulose, lignin, proteins) and other natural products (fats, oil) by enzymatic conversion processes or chemical and physical modifications.