Functional materials and composites

 

Smart materials

The behavior of materials is determined by their structure and the integration of their components. Smart materials, a new class of materials designed with nanoscale tetrapodal and porous structures, offer innovative solutions for advanced technologies such as sensors, photonics, energy, catalysis, healthcare, food, environment, concretes, and many more.

Contact also: Prof. Yogendra Kumar Mishra, mishra@mci.sdu.dk.

Thin films

Thin films made of inorganic and/or organic materials are integral parts in many daily technologies. By selecting the material, structure and deposition technique, functional thin films are designed with a tailored response, for example, as optically active organic thin film filters, sensors, photodetectors, and OLEDs.

2D materials

Plasmons and polaritons are novel optical phenomena in atomically flat 2D materials. A detailed understanding and the ability of material manipulation in engineered meta-surfaces interfacing with light-emitting quantum systems, can revolutionize the next generation of advanced light sources and photon-based technologies.

Composites for aerospace technologies

The development and upscaling of functional composites is important due to their technological relevance. Composites with tailored responses could be a game changer for aerospace technologies, from drones to aircrafts.

Materials' structure-property relationship

 

Materials analysis and imaging

Materials are characterized with respect to size, shape, and properties. Various characterization techniques are utilized and combined to unravel the key features of materials and their corresponding performances.

Nanoscale chemical imaging of materials

Material discoveries always require new advancements in characterization technologies. Recently, a greater understanding of how chemistry works at the nanoscale has become accessible via state-of-the-art technologies. This opens up the possibility of understanding basic chemical and biological processes in different materials.

Fatigue and fracture in materials

Any material's mechanical response is determined by its development process, structure and constituent components. Material-based components can develop fatigue and fractures due to certain applied and environmental conditions, which are critical factors in their suitability for technological applications.

Materials for energy technologies

Organic photovoltaic materials

In the current scenario of green energy demand, photovoltaics plays an important role. This field requires continued efforts to develop new classes of photovoltaic technologies, for example, organic photovoltaics (OPV). New organic materials are developed for enhanced OPV performance and upscaling of the materials for industrial applications using roll-to-roll (R2R) coating technologies.

 

Electrochemical energy conversion

Energy storage is the second most important aspect after production in energy technologies which requires new developments in functional, efficient, and reliable materials for fuel cells, supercapacitors and others. Goal is also to reduce environmental impact.

Advanced materials manufacturing and recycling

Additive manufacuring

The additive manufacturing approach is revolutionizing the materials manufacturing sector. Using additive manufacturing, materials can be designed and integrated into various shapes and components which is almost impossible by other techniques. This opens up possibilities for fabricating and understanding the features of custom-designed lattice structures to achieve tailored mechanical properties, including direct sensor integration into 3D printed components.

Bioprinting

Healthcare constantly requires the development of new classes of materials in new shapes with tailored responses. 3D bioprinting strategies for new materials have the potential to advance the field of biomedical engineering.

Converting biomass into sustainable fuels and valuable bioproducts

Material recycling is one of the most important aspects today in the context of the green revolution. New processes and strategies are important to extract valuable raw materials from biomass and waste and re-use them in value products.

Materials for carbon capture and utilization

Tons of biomass are created every day. By exploring suitable processes and developing functional active materials it can be harnessed for carbon capture (CCU) and energy production (power-to-X). This is essential for developing sustainable energy solutions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fostering a circular carbon economy.

Chemical/biochemical process synthesis

Separation of materials using appropriate techniques is a key step in the collection and reuse of materials. Distillation, absorption, adsorption, stripping, liquid-liquid extraction are some of the main processes to extract new materials for various products to develop advanced technologies.

Materials from natural compounds

Materials in nature are made up of a number of important inorganic and organic compounds. Understanding their chemical composition is important for the development of new biocompatible products, pharmaceuticals and the fabrication of food-safe products.

 

Bio-inspired materials

 

Soft materials for robotics

Motion-responsive materials play a crucial role in various everyday technologies, particularly in healthcare. In the field of soft robotics the focus lies on the development of new soft materials in suitable forms through advanced techniques, alongside understanding their properties. Bio-inspired materials are gaining importance as potential alternatives in soft robotics for advanced technological applications.