COURSES

Goals

The objective of the course is to enable students to independently design, perform and critically evaluate the characterization of advanced metallic materials, nanomaterials, biomaterials, surfaces, coatings and interfaces. The student develops the following competences: 1. Advanced understanding of relationships among manufacturing, chemical composition, microstructure, surface properties and functional behaviour of metallic materials. 2. Independent selection of appropriate and complementary characterization methods for a defined research question. 3. Planning of sample preparation and measurement procedures, considering possible artefacts, methodological limitations and measurement uncertainty. 4. Critical interpretation of microscopic, spectroscopic, diffraction, mechanical and three dimensional data. 5. Integration of results obtained using different methods and at different length scales. 6. Independent and collaborative research and solution of complex research problems. 7. Scientifically substantiated reporting and presentation of results to experts from different disciplines. 8. Responsible research data management and critical use of digital tools and artificial intelligence.

Curriculum

1. Crystal structure, phase composition, crystal defects and microstructure of metals and alloys. 2. Relationships among chemical composition, processing, microstructure and properties of metallic materials. 3. Elastic and plastic deformation, dislocations, strengthening mechanisms, fatigue, creep, fracture and wear. 4. Mechanical properties and mechanical testing at macro, micro and nanoscale, including microhardness and nanoindentation. 5. Metallographic sample preparation, light microscopy and quantitative microstructural analysis. 6. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, SEM and TEM, sample preparation and image interpretation. 7. Chemical microanalysis using EDS and WDS and spatial mapping of chemical composition. 8. Crystallographic and phase characterization using XRD, GIXRD, EBSD and electron diffraction. 9. Characterization of surfaces, thin and ultrathin films, oxide layers, corrosion products, interfaces and segregation using XPS, AES, SIMS and ToF SIMS. 10. Three dimensional and nondestructive characterization using X ray microcomputed tomography. 11. Site specific preparation and fabrication of electron transparent lamellae using focused ion beam techniques and integration of FIB, SEM and TEM. 12. Characterization of additively manufactured metallic materials, particularly materials produced by laser and electron beam powder bed fusion. 13. Characterization of metallic biomaterials, medical implants and interfaces between biomaterials and biological systems. 14. Analysis of damage, tribocorrosion, wear particles, corrosion products and failure mechanisms of metallic components. 15. Correlative and multimodal characterization, integration of data across different length scales and selection of complementary analytical methods. 16. Fundamentals of measurement quality assurance, calibration, repeatability, measurement uncertainty and critical evaluation of results. 17. Digital image and data processing, statistical analysis and responsible and transparent use of artificial intelligence methods in materials characterization. 18. Independent design of a characterization study for a selected metallic material, selection of methods, interpretation of results and preparation of a scientifically substantiated report.