Multiphase nanoarchitectures: development, physical-chemical charactzerization and simulation of processes

Mastering the materials architecture at nanoscopic level is a precondition for preparation of materials with better functionality (or multifuncionality), higher reliability, longer durability etc. Great advancements have been achieved in the areas of materials for energy sector, materials for health and other advanced sustainable materials pursued in this programme. In terms of structure, morphology and compositional features good control of materials nanoarchiteture has been achieved on selected nanoobjects, interfaces or surfaces of small surface areas (on the order of several micrometers or less), composites etc. More specifically, in the field of synthesis, we have constantly been using new approaches coupled with extensive use of in-situ monitoring of processes taking place during the synthesis. Similarly, to improve the understanding of materials behaviour (functionality), we have introduced novel in-situ and ex-situ techniques for investigation of morphological, structural and compositional changes under given conditions. Finally, many phenomena have been explained using theoretical modeling on different levels – from atomistic to continuum. This approach has already led to high quality results published in top jurnal like Nature Materials, Angewandte Chemie, Advanced Material, JACS, Physical Review Letters, ACS Nano etc. Further enrichment of our core approaches was achieved by cooperation with most established EU research institution such as three Max-Planck Institutes (Sttuttgart, Potsdam, Dusseldorf), University of Uppsala, Frauenhofer Institute, CEA and CNRS in France, TU Delft but also with Argonne National Lab and others. The cooperation has ranged from vigorous exchange of students (in both directions) to participation in major EU projects, bilateral cooperations etc. The basic knowledge has been regurarly transferred to applications via cooperation with international and national companies.

The programme has been dealing with selected edge current problems in the area of materials science, in particular materials for energy and health sectors. The programme activities have been strongly connected with 10 Slovene companies active in the field of hydrogen or lithium technologies: Mebius, Inea, Domel, Thermal power plant Šoštanj, Holding of Slovene Power Plants, Petrol, Silkem, Cinkarna, Iskra Systems and a couple of other working in automotive sector. NIC in fact has led a consortium including these companies (Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon Technologies). Some of developed materials have already been included in selected products of these companies. It is estimated that in the coming years the market will further open for innovative technologies in the field of sustainable/low carbon technologies. Thus, we see the programme activities as strongly oriented in the future giving our companies a chance to become leaders in selected niches of most advanced technologies. Besides in the fields of lithium and hydrogen technologies we have also amply cooperated with Slovene paint industry (Helios, Jub), pharmaceutical industry (Lek) and even hospitals (Valdoltra). Furthermore, our programme has been very much focused on education of young engineers and scientist. Although our Insitute is NOT an educational institution, there are about 20-25 young people regularly included in the programme activities on various levels of education. The degree is then granted by a partner educational institution, such as University of Ljubljana, International school Jozef Stefan etc. Additionally, we occasionally train people coming directyl from an industrial partner to solve particular burning problem. Thus, the programme certainly contributes to better and focused education of young people and people working in industrial R&D departments. Finally, we need to mention our wider embedment into EU area. We have many bilateral and project-based cooperations involving both EU industry and young researchers from various countries. Every year we accept up to 5 students to work on particular problems in our labs. Of course, the exhange works in both directions.