Current Success Stories

Multifunctional materials

IMMENSE

In the course of global undertakings to achieve a CO2-neutral energy economy, the German-Spanish-Czech consortium of the project named IMMENSE targets the UN sustainable development goals (SDG) 7 and 9. In detail, it plans to make impact on the current fuel cell technology by tailoring the catalytic ink and processing it using digital inkjet-printing technology supplementing the currently used analogous processes.

Multifunctional materials

KESPER

The project ventured into developing multinary kesterite compound for photoelectrochemical water splitting and ammonia generation. Despite relentless efforts to improve, the instability of kesterite in aqueous media and control over phase impurities posed a setback to achieve the ambitious objectives of the project. Not deterred by the setback, the project continued to improve material quality and look for alternative promising absorber systems.

Multifunctional materials

LaSensA

Our study on nanolasers performed within a project by partners Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania and National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan, has achieved significant international acclaim. The research, detailed in the article "Lasing in an assembled array of silver nanocubes" published in Nanoscale Horizons, introduces a novel approach to developing plasmonic nanolasers.The innovative work focuses on an SLR-based (surface lattice resonance) nanolaser created using an assembled array of silver nanocubes.

Multifunctional materials

ULTCC6G_EPac

The ULTCC6G_Epac project has achieved groundbreaking advancements in the development and validation of Ultra-Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (ULTCC) materials, paving the way for next-generation microwave and millimeter-wave applications.

Through a collaborative effort involving leading research institutions and industry partners, the project has successfully progressed ULTCC materials to Technology Readiness Level 4-5, demonstrating their potential in real-world scenarios.

Multifunctional materials

FULSENS-GEL

The M-ERA.NET FULSENS-GEL project aimed to develop an innovative nanocomposite material, based on the combination of elastic, resistant and flexible hydrogels with functionalized Fullerenol (FL)-based nanomaterials, thus obtaining new conductive hydrogels, with tunable network structures, active surface and improved electrochemical, mechanical and optical properties.

Multifunctional materials

NanOx4Estor

The NanOx4EStor project (Nanoscaled Ferroelectric (Pseudo)-Binary Oxide Thin Film Supercapacitors for Flexible and Ultrafast Pulsed Power Electronics) aims to develop innovative, cost-effective, high-throughput methods for fabricating advanced dielectric capacitors.

These capacitors, based on wake-up-free (pseudo-)binary oxide thin films, are produced through physical vapor deposition (PVD) processes and optimized for superior ferroelectric and energy storage (ES) properties using (i) strain, (ii) interface, and (iii) dead-layer engineering techniques.

Materials for additive manufacturing

DePriSS

The DePriSS project focused on combining advanced 3D printing and thermal spraying technologies to develop components with improved wear and fatigue resistance under dynamic and cyclic loads. By integrating these two additive manufacturing methods, the project aimed to overcome traditional manufacturing limitations and achieve superior surface properties for high-tech applications. Within the project duration, several specific achievements were reached.

Multifunctional materials

SunToChem

The main aim of the SunToChem project was to design new efficient H2-evolution photocatalysts. The engineering of the photocatalysts was performed based on an in-depth understanding of nucleation-crystallization phenomena and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The research was focused on perovskite titanates, particularly on two-dimensional (2D) SrTiO3/Bi4Ti3O12 nanoheterostructures, 2D SrTiO3 nanoplatelets, SrTiO3 cube-like particles with different types of exposed facets and Al-doped SrTiO3 particles.

Innovative Surfaces, Coatings and Interfaces

SLIM-FIT

Main objective of "SLIM-FIT" is to establish an advanced battery cell design based on innovative, interpenetrating electrode and separator coatings aiming for stable and safe Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries for mobile applications. The concept uses a widely un-explored regime of "slim" electrode dimensions (10 µm – 20 µm thickness compared to 80 µm - 100 µm in state-of-the-art battery cells), specifically "fitted" to the requirements of high performance Li-S technology. Aim is to demonstrate the new concept in prototype Lithium-Sulfur battery cells in an application-relevant evaluation.

© Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technology

High Performance Composites / Biobased Performance Material

DURACER

The DURACER project developed ceramic tool composites based on alumina reinforced with super-hard cubic boron nitride (cBN) particles. The composites, in accordance with the project assumptions, were obtained using the Spark Plasma Sintering method. The main challenge was the metastability of cBN under SPS conditions. At high temperatures, cBN transforms into a hexagonal, graphite-like form and therefore ultra-high pressure must also be ensured during its sintering to avoid cBN-->hBN transition.

Multifunctional materials

NanoElMem

The NanoElMem project presents an innovative approach towards the design and fabrication of materials for the creation of direct alkaline ethanol fuel cells (DAEFC). Emphasis was put on the development of platinum (Pt)-free anode catalysts and nano-composite membranes, where environmentally friendly and sustainable polysaccharides and inorganic materials were employed. The vast potential of graphene, from a scientific and applied point of view, was harnessed as an active component in polysaccharide-based nanocomposite membranes.

Materials for Additive Manufacturing

SYMPA

Stereolithography is an additive manufacturing method, which enables high-precision processing of thermoset resins, mostly acrylate- or epoxy-based photopolymers. Material consumption is comparable low because the unused resins can be re-used and even transparent components can be manufactured. However, mechanical properties and long-term stability of such components are rather low, hindering their use for durable automotive applications.