Research

Micromechanical properties of metallic materials

We investigate the micromechanical properties of metallic materials using techniques such as nanoindentation, micropillar compression, and microtensile testing. These small-scale mechanical tests serve three key purposes. First, they help assess the mechanical reliability and performance of nano- and micromaterials for advanced electronic devices. Second, they provide insights into the intrinsic mechanical properties of materials, which inform the design and optimization of structural materials at larger scales. Lastly, they allow us to explore size effects on mechanical properties and deformation mechanisms. By integrating environmental chambers and customized experimental setups, we extend our studies to examine micromechanical behavior under various environmental conditions and a wide range of strain rates.

Plasticity of materials under irradiation and fields

We investigate the plastic deformation behavior of materials exposed to various irradiation sources and external fields. In particular, we study how materials with different interatomic bonding characteristics undergo mechanical and microstructural changes under electron-beam irradiation and electric currents. By comparing these changes with those induced by conventional heat treatments, we aim to isolate the unique effects of irradiation and fields on material behavior. Furthermore, we explore atomic-scale mechanisms to understand how irradiation and fields influence interatomic bonding. These insights can be applied to develop energy- and time-efficient post-treatment and processing techniques for structural materials across multiple length scales.

Metallic materials under environmental conditions

We investigate the mechanical properties and deformation behavior of metallic materials in various environmental conditions. Due to their high strength and plasticity, metallic materials are widely used in engineering applications that demand structural integrity. However, their mechanical properties are highly sensitive to factors such as temperature, pressure, gaseous environments, and corrosive media. A systematic study is essential to understand these dependencies. By customizing mechanical testing systems, we reveal how environmental conditions influence material behavior and propose optimized microstructures to enhance mechanical performance.

Mechanical metamaterials for extreme conditions

We design and study mechanical metamaterials to assess their performance under extreme loading conditions. The deformation behavior of these materials is governed by both the microstructure of their constituents and their geometric design. Using computer-aided design, we create metamaterials with diverse geometries and sizes, which are then fabricated through advanced additive manufacturing techniques such as localized electrodeposition and laser-based powder bed fusion. We investigate their mechanical response under compression and tension across a wide range of strain rates and temperatures. This systematic approach not only evaluates their applicability in extreme environments but also expands the design space for optimizing microstructure and geometry.

Extreme mechanics of 3D nano-architected oxides (MPI-SUSMAT partner group)

We investigate the combined mechanical response of 3D nano-architected oxides under electron-beam irradiation, strain rate, and temperature. These nano-architected oxide structures are created using a combination of localized electrodeposition of metallic materials, atomic layer deposition of oxides, and selective etching of metals. The deformation behavior is assessed under high temperatures and electron-beam irradiation to determine whether similar deformation mechanisms are activated. Further studies, conducted over a broad range of strain rates and at low temperatures (−150°C), aim to explore the viscoplastic deformation induced by electron-beam irradiation, distinguishing these effects from those observed under high-temperature conditions above the glass transition temperature.

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