Research areas

Theme 1

Multifunctional Nanocomposites for Combined Electrical and Mechanical Contacts
Theme Leader: Per Eklund, LiU

We develop novel coating materials for electrical contact applications. The nanocomposite MaxPhase coating materials replace gold in electrical contacts. They are tough, electrically conducting, resistant to corrosion and wear, cheap, and environmentally friendly – truly multifunctional materials.

Theme 2

Self-Organizing Nanoscale Coatings for Cutting Tools and Components
Theme Leader: Magnus Odén, LiU

FunMat generates strategic knowledge for the deposition and structure evolution of new hard coatings used in wear protection of metal machining tools. The next generation of tools must withstand yet higher mechanical and thermal loads than those of today. We explore nanostructured ceramic coatings and push the frontiers of characterization techniques as well as computational methods.

Theme 4

Low-Energy /Friction Surfaces for Components
Theme Leader: Lars Hultman, LiU

We explore new nano-structured carbon-based coatings, which can resist mechanical wear and have tunable urface energy. Examples of applications are rolling bearings, orthopedic implants, and hard discs. The coatings are produced in laboratory and industry magnetron sputtering systems. Expertise is provided on the growth and doping of fullerenes and graphene, characterization by nanotribology and electron microscopy as well as theoretical calculations.

Theme 5

New Nanoscale Sensor Materials and Application
Theme leader: Anita Lloyd Spetz, LiU

Silicon carbide chemical sensors are commercialized for applications in harsh environment at temperatures below
400 °C. Applications at higher temperatures require improved contact materials. The conducting ceramic materials developed within FunMat offers a unique possibility for the silicon carbide sensors as well as other challenging sensor developments. Graphene eptitaxially grown on SiC is developed as an ultra sensitive gas sensor for close to room temperature operation.

Page responsible: lars.hultman@liu.se
Last updated: Tue Aug 16 12:51:46 CEST 2011