Center Objectives and Long-term Strategic Plan

The main objective of FunMat is to develop and deploy science-based competences in advance surface engineering. This is done in order to provide focused R&D in the field of designed nanostructured thin film materials for industry. Specifically, the partners of FunMat all take a challenge in developing high-temperature and chemically stable ceramic thin film materials.

The main motivation behind this VINNOVA Excellence Center is to develop the elements for active industry interaction around designed materials and to expand the sphere of industrial interaction. It is our intention to grow by strategic recruitments to form a focused research center of critical size providing scientific excellence and innovations. We believe that maintaining intra- and interdisciplinary strengths will make us continuously attractive for industry. Through our collective network of contacts, our mode of operation carries research findings both up and down the value chain.

We are committed to formalize our problem-oriented research and so-called Society-Initiated Research, and to offer it for new and wider applications of nanostructured thin films or coatings and surface functionalization. This is an important domain for a dominant part of Swedish industry.

Nanotechnology and Advanced Surface Engineering offer many competitive advantages. These emerging fields play a vital role in Sweden’s dominant materials-based industry with new and promising applications in tomorrow’s products. Thin film applications by vapor methods affect virtually every product around us. It is an enabling technology for which the participating research groups and industry have outstanding positions. Products for tomorrow require thin film materials based on the processes that we are currently exploring. These may be flat panel displays, DVD’s, bioimplants, precision bearings, high-frequency filters, magnetic memories and sensors, durable light metal alloy components for engines, x-ray mirrors, chemical- and biosensors, and optical coatings. In particular, our research caters directly to the tooling, automotive, electrotechnical, biomedical, energy, and electronic industry sectors.

Figure 1. Surface Engineering is omnipotent. Thin Film Technology and its inherent element of nano- and microstructural design is recognized as an enabling technology for which Swedish R&D has a strong position