Research areas
Researchers in Materials Science are from different scientific subjects at Kau, Materials Engineering, Materials Physics, Physical Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering.
Most members in this research area are from the Department of Engineeriong and Physics, and the Department of Engineering and Chemical Sciences. Materials Science has also a large national and international network within both the scientific community and the business area.
The overarching goal in Materials research is to improve the performance of the materials and to develop new materials. It can be to improve mechanical or electrical properties, to improve environmental friendliness, or a cheaper production or utilisation of products. Within Materials Science we are especially focusing on areas such as fatigue, tribology, additive manufacturing, new and efficient solar cells, new carbon based nano-materials, nanostructured semiconductor surfaces and nanocrystals.
Materials properties depend on the structure of materials, and investigations of the structure of materials are of fundamental importance in Materials research. Well-equipped laboratories with advanced instruments and equipment for materials synthesis are the core of research. An important area is also the use of computations to determine and propose different materials conditions and simulate materials use in engineering applications, such as strength and electrical conduction. Experiments and computations are complimentary to improve the understanding of the research results and to allow these to be used for technological decisions. Materials research span from fundamental Materials Science to applied research and industrial applications, on lengthscales from atomic and nanolevels to micro- and macrolevels. As a basis we use the conceptual relations between "Structure - Modelling - Performance".
The research area of Materials Science have at Kau built a strong experimental environment in building Vänern (21) with several advanced instruments, testriggs and equipment for materials synthesis. This is a unifying factor in the different groups activities, to commonly use, care for and develop the laboratories.
Research areas:
- Mechanichal properties of high-performace materials
- Additive manufacturing and new materials
- Solarenergy materials
- Surface Physics och Nanomaterials
- Theoretical Material Science