• Subject: 'Development of a new STEM-in-SEM technique'

    You will be registered as PhD Student at the Université de Lorraine and employed by JEOL EUROPE SAS (CIFRE program).

    Your task:

    Develop a new cutting-edge technique for characterizing defects by electron microscopy.

    Perform detailed analyses of deformation microstructures.

    Results will be discussed in the framework of materials science.

    Interact with several researchers and engineers.

    Publish your work in international scientific journals.

    Application:

    For further information and application resume including addresses of referees and your exam scores (bachelor and master), please contact: Dr. Antoine GUITTON antoine.guitton@univ-lorraine.fr; Prof. Emmanuel BOUZY emmanuel.bouzy@univ-lorraine.fr

    More information on the project are available in the following document: « ApplicationPhD-JEOL-LEM3.pdf »


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  • Symposium CT03 - Imaging Materials with X-Rays—Recent Advances with Synchrotron and Laboratory Sources

    Abstract submission open from September 24th to October 29th.

    The last decade has seen a tremendous evolution of x-ray imaging and microscopy. This has been driven by the rapid development of third and fourth generation x-ray facilities, as well as new laboratory sources and x-ray optics capable of producing beams routinely below 50 nm in size. The high penetrating power, extreme sensitivity of x-rays to strain and defects and the tunability of these new sources to access x-ray fluorescence of much of the periodic table has enabled in situ or operando studies of nano-scale properties materials. It is worth also emphasizing that small x-ray beams may also be used to induce an electrical current or light emission in the nano-object enabling enhanced scanning probe and photo excitation studies.Beyond a discussion of the methods which have been developed, and are still an object of active research (coherent diffraction imaging in forward or Bragg or full field imaging conditions, nano x-ray fluorescence imaging, micro-Laue diffraction …), this symposium aims to review the materials science issues that these new tools can help solving. The range of materials science topics and related applications is indeed very large: electronic and optoelectronic devices (including flexible devices), transport properties, photovoltaic applications, catalysis, energy harvesting and storage, and even structural materials.

    In all these areas, being able to investigate local structure-function relationships at the nano-scale during operation is a fundamental issue. The techniques described above have begun to make a major impact on these fundamental materials science questions. Our invited speakers, as well as the growing community of x-ray facility users, will present a complete overview of the capabilities and science being engaged with x-ray imaging and microscopy. These capabilities are only going to grow with the new, high brightness, synchrotrons and tabletop facilities appearing and being planned worldwide.


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  • The Physics and Mechanics of Materials Department (PDP and SIMAC teams) at the Institut PPRIME is looking for a PhD on:

    Mechanical properties of nanotwinned gold thin films

    Scientific Context:

    A twin is a portion of a crystal with a particular orientation, for example obtained by a reflection, with respect to a matrix with the same crystalline structure. Twins may appear during plastic deformation, crystal growth or recrystallization. During the last years, nanotwinned materials have been the subject of great interest due to their remarkable mechanical properties: they present large mechanical resistance, ductility and work-hardening capacities. Moreover, they have the same electrical resistivity as coarse grain crystals.

    In this context, the “PtyMet” project aims at characterizing the stress field in nanotwinned thin films, and its impact on physical properties. We will combine experiments (X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy) and simulations (molecular statics and dynamics) and focus on single-crystalline nanotwinned gold thin films. From a numerical point of view, atomistic scale simulations are particularly well adapted tools for these studies. They include key materials properties such as the stacking fault and twin boundary energies, allowing precise descriptions of the defect configurations (e.g. dislocations, grain boundaries, twins). Furthermore, atomic scale simulations and experiments are now working on converging spatial scales. From the experimental point of view, X-ray diffraction can be used to determine the twinned volume (via pole figures) or the stress state in the sample (via Bragg peaks displacement). Moreover, using a coherent X-ray beam allows the characterization of single crystalline defects such as dislocations or twins.

    PhD task:

    Optimization of the deposition conditions is mandatory in order to prepare homogeneous thin films, without other defects than the twins.The films’ microstructure before deformation will be precisely characterized.Simultaneously, atomic scale simulations will be used to establish the elastic strain field associated with different nanotwinned thin film microstructures. Equilibrium conditions will be determined using semi-empirical potentials, that are reliable for gold. The impact of the twins’ density and thickness will be studied.Finally,in-situ tensile tests at synchrotron radiation sources, using both classical and coherent X-ray diffraction,will be performed. This, together with atomic scale simulations,will allow a full characterization, from the atomic to the macro-scale, of the mechanical properties of nanotwinned gold thin films.

    Required skills/qualification:

    The applicant should hold a master degree in solid-state physics or materials science. He/she should show a shared interest in computer simulations and in experimental work. Skills in atomic scale simulations and / or X-ray diffraction will be an asset.

    Application:

    send a CV and a cover letter to the contacts below.

    Contact:

    Sandrine BROCHARD sandrine.brochard@univ-poitiers.fr

    Pierre GODARD pierre.godard@univ-poitiers.fr

    More information (and a french version) are available in the following document:  these_PhD_PtyMet_nanotwins.pdf »


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  • This post-doctoral position is to be held at FEMTO-ST (www.femto-st.fr), within the Dpt. Of Applied Mechanics. FEMTO-ST is a joint research unit which is affiliated with the French National Centre of Scientific Research (CNRS), the University of Franche-Comté (UFC), the National School of Mechanical Engineering and Microtechnology (ENSMM), and the Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology (UTBM).

    Scientific context:

    This part of the CAVHYTATION project is intended to provide new insights in chemo-mechanical couplings at the microscale, in order to assess the potentialities of innovative micromechanical sensors. Micromechanical structures have been realized and a dedicated surface chemistry is under validation in order to provide a representative model system. As a post-doc in the PMMCM group, you will be in charge of two innovative experiments intended to probe the fine-scale deformation of the structures when their surface undergoes a chemical modification. One of these experiments is to be conducted together with a group operating at SOLEIL. These fine-scale displacements are crucial to elucidate the role of the material in the chemo-mechanical transduction.

    Required qualifications:

    The applicant is expected to have significant background and extensive experience as experimentalist. Experience in multidisciplinary environments would be greatly appreciated. Excellent communication skills as well as a team-oriented attitude are requested

    Further information may be obtained from Fabien Amiot (fabien.amiot@femto-st.fr).

    Information on duration and application are available in the following document: « profile_cavhytation.pdf »


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  • PhD Topic:

    Synthesis, mechanical properties and biodegradability of thin films metallic glasses

    Short description:

    The study of amorphous metal films (thin film metallic glasses, TFMGs) is receiving more and more attention due to the excellent mechanical properties: a tensile strength close to theoretical limit, high hardness and elastic deformation. Their disordered atomic structure is the source of unique physical properties that are different from their crystalline counterparts. However, studies on the synthesis and characterization of TFMGs are relatively recent, as efforts have focused on the bulk metallic glasses (BMGs). In this context, the main goal of the study is the TFMGs synthesis by magnetron sputtering on flexible polymer substrates with a structure totally or partially disordered at the nanometric scale. Structural-mechanical relationship will be identify trough the combination of x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, nanoindentation, optoacoustic techniques and micro-tensile tests of films on flexible polymeric substrates. We aim to establish correlation between the elastic and plastic properties of TFMGs, and contribute to a better understanding of the microstructures and local atomic ordering influence on their mechanical properties. In addition, one application of these coatings in the biomedical field is considered, in partnership with the Laboratory for Translational Vascular Research (LVTS, INSERM U1148, Pr. F. Chaubet) who will perform specific biocompatibility tests (cells growth,…).

    PhD tasks :

    (i) coatings with thin films of metallic glasses on flat polymeric supports (Kapton or elastomer sheets) and curved structures of polymers obtained by 3D printing; 

    (ii) study of the structural and mechanical properties of hybrid materials, in particular at the polymermetal interface, 

    (iii) control of their degradation kinetics in simulated biological medium,

    (iv) in the context of a biomedical application, the evaluation of their mechanical properties in relation to the absorption of the materials constituting the hybrid,

    (v) evaluation of compatibility with human vascular cells (collaboration with the LVTS , Pr. F. Chaubet).

    Further information and application:

    Supervision: Prof. Philippe Djemia (LSPM, Université Sorbonne Paris Nord),

    Co-supervision: Dr. Fatiha Challali, Dr. Florent Tétard

    Financial support: MESR Grant (starting on September 1th 2020; 3 years duration).

    Start date: September 1st 2020

    More detail on the subject and information on application are available in the following document: « PhD offer-Thin film Metallic glass-LSPM-2020.pdf »


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