Scanning Electron Microscopy for interdisciplinary research

• Subject Area: Coating and Surface Technology ; Biological Process Engineering ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials ; Mechanical Properties of Metallic Materials and their Microstructural Origins ; Mechanical Process Engineering ; Primary Shaping and Reshaping Technology, Additive Manufacturing
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 533266269

The aim of this project is to create a central facility for electron microscopy at the Saarland University of Applied Sciences (htw saar). The project team, consisting of four newly appointed professors and two professors with strong research backgrounds as well as experienced scientific staff, comes from related disciplines of engineering - energy and process engineering, bioprocess engineering, materials science, mechatronics as well as actuators, sensors and thin-film technology. Ongoing research projects and especially the preparation of new projects are supported and enabled by the investment in a modern scanning electron microscope (SEM) for interdisciplinary research. Additional microanalytical equipment such as X-ray elemental analysis (EDX), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and a mechanical in situ loading unit allow to address important knowledge-oriented research questions in the addressed disciplines. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the tasks and the required method development, the position of a research associate is requested. After the expiration of the requested funding, this position will be made permanent by the university management and will be supported by the htw saar on a permanent basis. In addition to specific topics, a common band runs through the research questions of the various disciplines: topics of energy technology and energy efficiency. In physical process engineering, the generation of hydrogen by means of membrane reactors is one of the topics. Hydrogen generation in photobioreactors is also studied in bioprocess engineering, as are microscopic changes on the electrodes and membranes of redox flow batteries. In materials science, the focus is on research of shape memory materials that can be used as solid-state elements in elastocaloric heat pumps. Welded joints of such NiTiX elements with steel are also being investigated. Finally, in mechatronics and thin-film technology, the focus is on highly energy-efficient actuators (and sensors) that can generate mechanical work based on a coated, highly flexible dielectric elastomer film.

• DFG Programme: Major Instrumentation Initiatives
• Major Instrumentation: FE-REM mit EDX, EBSD und mechanischer in situ-Belastungseinheit
• Instrumentation Group: 5120 Rasterelektronenmikroskope (REM)
• Applicant Institution: Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Matthias Faust
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Timo Gehring; Professor Dr.-Ing. Moritz Habschied; Professor Dr.-Ing. John Heppe; Professor Dr. Günter Schultes