• A thesis is proposed by MATEIS (INSA-Lyon) and IM2NP (AMU), in the framework of the project ANR NANOTRIP.

    Subject:

    Transformation induced plasticity in zirconia: characterization at small scales by X-ray diffraction and in-situ electron microscopy during mechanical loading.

    Objective of the thesis:

    The objective of this thesis is to better understand the tetragonal-monoclinic phase transformation mechanism at the origin of this transformation-induced plasticity. For this, in situ mechanical tests on micro-pillars in Scanning Electron Microscopes and in combination with synchrotron X-ray diffraction will be performed.

    The thesis project therefore aims to:

    – Develop cerium oxide doped zirconia exhibiting a TRIP effect, with grain sizes (microstructures) compatible with the fabrication of micro-pillars and small samples for micromechanical tests in the broad sense,

    – Perform micrometric-sized samples (micro-pillars, but also potentially micro-beams or other suitable geometries) by focused ion beam (FIB) micromachining,

    – Carry out ex-situ mechanical tests followed by microstructural analyzes. Later on, in-situ tests in a scanning electron microscope, in order to obtain the constitutive laws of micro-pillars cut from a single grain or presenting interfaces to better understand the criteria for the transformation and transmission from grain to grain,

    – Develop in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments on micro-pillars (Laue microdiffraction, coherent diffraction imaging and phase mapping, etc.), in particular within the framework of tests carried out on synchrotron beamlines.

    In general, the thesis will provide a better understanding of the conditions / criteria for nucleation of the monoclinic phase and its transmission across grain boundaries, the constitutive laws associated with the transformation at small scales or the effects of the level of cerium on the transformability (critical transformation constraint).

    Your profile:

    – Either a training in “material science”, with proven experience (internship, end-of-study project) in the field of design and / or use of advanced characterization methods like X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, with a passion for the understanding of the underlying physics of phenomena.

    – Or training in "Condensed Matter Physics", with experience in the field of relationships between microstructures and material properties.

    – Experience in in situ testing at the microscale would be a plus.

    Applications (Cover letter + CV) to be sent exclusively to:

    Jerome.chevalier@insa-lyon.fr and olivier.thomas@im2np.fr

    Imperatively with the subject: ANR NANOTRIP Mesis - application First name Last name

    More information are available in the following documents:

    - In English: « Sujet de thèse NANOTRIP_english.pdf »

    - In French: « Sujet de thèse NANOTRIP_français.pdf »


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  • The IAM-WBM is offering a PhD position in material science at the FML. The focus of the thesis is the identification and application of high-throughput techniques to predict the changes in structural and mechanical properties of materials during service. The main goal of the project is to develop small-scale mechanical tools, which allow to assess the reliability and safety-potential of materials being subjected to microstructural changes during service.

    Your tasks:

    • Scale-bridging (from sub-μm to mm sizes) mechanical experiments for instance in standalone and in situ SEM indenters as well as universal testing machines;
    • Microstructural characterization of advanced high strength steels and body centered cubic model materials;
    • AI-based prediction(s) of macroscopic material behaviors (e.g. establishing of a multidimensional neural network);
    • Scientific publishing (journal publications and scientific talks at international conferences)

    Your profile:

    • Candidates must hold a master degree with focus on physics, materials science or mechanical engineering.
    • Experiences in microstructural properties of materials, mechanical testing and AImethods are beneficial.

    For more information:

    do not hesitate to contact:

    Prof. Christoph Kirchlechner: christoph.kirchlechner@kit.edu

    Dr. Hans-Christian Schneider: hans-christian.schneider@kit.edu


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  • The Institute for Applied Materials – Materials- and Biomechanics (IAM-WBM) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) strives for a fundamental understanding, prediction and optimization of mechanisms responsible for the degradation of advanced functional material systems. Our material portfolio comprises, among others, materials required for the energy transition, i.e. for energy conversion and storage.

    The focus of the DFG-funded project is the identification and application of toughness-increasing mechanisms in functional material systems (e.g. hard coatings). The successful candidate will be tasked to measure and tailor the toughness of model materials and applied hard coatings using in situ micromechanics in order to establish a quantitative, mechanism-based understanding of toughening mechanisms. The project is part of an international cooperation between the KIT, the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung in Düsseldorf (Prof. Gerhard Dehm), the Research Center Jülich (Dr. Steffen Brinckmann) and the University of Leoben in Austria (Dr. Matthias Bartosik).

    Your tasks:

    • Experimental micromechanics comprising of sample preparation via femto-second laser ablation and focused ion beam microscopy (FIB) and in situ testing of micro fracture samples in the scanning electron microscope (SEM)

    • Data analysis and interpretation

    • Publication of the results in the form of journal publications and scientific talks

    Your profile:

    • Candidates must hold a master degree with focus on physics, materials science or mechanics. 

    • A basic understanding of the physics of electron microscopy as well as mechanics is required.

    Application:

    Applications from candidates having prior experience in SEM operation are particularly encouraged.

    The call for applications is open until filled.

    Besides a state-of-the-art micromechanics laboratory at the IAM / KIT and an inclusive, caring as well as supportive atmosphere, we can offer up to a 75% EG 13 salary for three years. We warmly welcome applicants of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life at the institute.

    For more information:

    Do not hesitate to contact Prof. Christoph Kirchlechner,
    christoph.kirchlechner@kit.edu


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  • The Ceramics group (Prof. Jürgen Rödel) at the Department of Materials and Earth Sciences at TU Darmstadt has an opening for a
    Ph.D. student.

    Subject: Dislocation toughening of oxides

    Your tasks:

    Their recent results suggest that high dislocation densities in oxides and semiconductors afford high damage resistance and fracture toughness depending on crystal structure and plane. Therefore they work towards the development of high-density dislocation structures by macroscopic and local mechanical quasistatic and cyclic loading (nanoindentation, micropillar compression), characterization with partners by TEM, X-ray dark field microscopy, as well as mechanical characterization by crack tip opening methods and instability criteria.

    Your profile:

    - Excellent university degree (Master) in Materials Science or Physics.

    - Strong interest in scientific research combined with a strong desire for international collaboration and ability to work in a team.

    - Very good knowledge of spoken and written English.

    Desired skills:

    Strong academic background in one or more of the following subjects: metal plasticity, solid state mechanics, crystallography Demonstrated ability for independent scientific research.

    Application:

    Applications should include scientific CV (including list of publications in peer-reviewed journals, if any), courses and grades, motivation letter and contact data from two references. Please direct specific inquiries to Prof. Jürgen Rödel and send applications to: apply@ceramics.tu-darmstadt.de
    Code No. 371

    Application deadline: August 15, 2021

    More information can be found in the following document: « PhD position dislocation toughening oxides_TU Darmstadt.pdf »


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  •  We would like to draw your attention to the Symposium "30 Years of Nanoindentation with the Oliver-Pharr Method and Beyond“ at TMS 2022, to be held February 27 - March 3, 2022 in Anaheim, CA, USA.

    You can to submit your abstract for this TMS Symposium until July 1, 2021.

    Symposium description:

    The origin of nanoindentation can be traced to the 1980s with the development of the first instrumented hardness testers providing submicrometer accuracy. However, it took the 1992 seminal publication by W.C. Oliver and G.M. Pharr to effectively launch the field. Their novel data evaluation procedure, later dubbed the “Oliver-Pharr method”, has directly enabled numerous transformative research efforts in a diverse range of fields spanning materials science, geology, biology and medicine. Up to now, it remains indispensable for ensuring the service performance and lifetime of essential small components, such as thin films and coatings, electronic sensors and MEMS.

    This symposium aims at bringing together the different generations of researchers, as well as the different fields and applications. It will highlight the amazing range of applications and the robustness of the Oliver-Pharr method. A mixture of well-established invited speakers and promising younger researchers will address how everything started, how nanoindentation is currently used, and what the future of small-scale mechanical testing might look like.

    Topics of interest:

    • General aspects of nanoindentation including historical background

    • Nanoindentation in-method development, standardization

    • New approaches towards data science

    • Dynamic nanoindentation (CSM, CMX, dynamics….)

    • Refinements in understanding

    • Indentation Size Effects

    • Thermally activated deformation behavior

    • Extreme testing environments, e.g. high and low temperatures, irradiation, electrochemical or high strain rates

    • Complex loading conditions, such as cyclic fatigue, fracture testing

    • In-situ testing in SEM, TEM or synchrotron

    • Stress-strain measurements, e.g. from spherical nanoindentation

    • Structural and functional materials; thin films, metals, ceramics, amorphous & crystalline

    • Soft and viscoelastic materials behavior

    The platform is open for submissions until July 1, 2021:

    https://www.tms.org/AnnualMeeting/TMS2022

    Additionally, we would like to draw your attention to the related JOM Topic issue “30 Years of Oliver-Pharr: Then, Now and the Future of Nanoindentation” set for publication in June 2022 – i.e. exactly 30 years after the seminal publication introducing the Oliver-Pharr Method. For further details, please refer to the flyer: https://www.tms.org/portal/downloads/publications/jom/editorialCalendar/2099.pdf


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