advanced


Research Focus Advanced Materials

Research

Research groups from four faculties (Pharmacy and Chemistry; Mathematics, Informatics and Physics; Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences; Civil Engineering) cooperate within this research focus in order to fully exploit the synergies between physics, chemistry, earth sciences, pharmaceutical technology, and civil engineering. A particular strength of the research focus lies in high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis and characterization of materials, which results e.g. in hitherto inaccessible coordination geometries in solid state compounds. Thereby, fabrication of novel materials with tailored optical, electronic and mechanical properties becomes possible. Furthermore, elaborate high-p, high-T technologies allow us to mimic conditions which are found deep in the earth mantle, thus permitting unprecedented insights into geomechanical and geochemical processes. Strong activities are focused on clusters in the gas phase and on surfaces. Basic questions ranging from the “magic” stability of clusters to the electronic structure and interaction with radiation are studied, and the concepts are transferred to a wide range of applications, such as stability of biomolecules under radiation exposure or development of cluster materials for high-density storage media. Phase diagrams of and electronically driven phase transitions in low-dimensional materials are investigated in order to contribute to the understanding of phenomena such as metal-insulator transitions or unconventional superconductivity. New concepts of phase transitions in amorphous systems, particularly water and ice, have resulted in the discovery of new phases in this ubiquitous and life-supporting substance. The expertise in phase transitions, polymorphism and water-solid interactions is also being exploited to obtain better control of drug formulation and performance.

Teaching

Based on expertise and support from the above mentioned faculties a master study “Materials- and Nano-Science” has been implemented with a strongly interdisciplinary curriculum. A rigorous training in materials related chemistry, physics and mineralogy is supplemented by a broad range of lab courses on surface and materials analysis, synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials as well as numerical methods. Applied topics, such as tribology, plasma technology, high-pressure synthesis and concrete technology are offered as well. For more detailed information, please consult: http://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/ma-material-und-nanowissenschaften/

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