Objective I aim to achieve a fundamental understanding of the atomistic kinetic pathways responsible for nanostructure formation and to explore the concept of self-organization by thermodynamic segregation in functional ceramics. Model systems are advanced ceramic thin films, which will be studied under two defining cases: 1) deposition of supersaturated solid solutions or nanocomposites by magnetron sputtering (epitaxy) and arc evaporation. 2) post-deposition annealing (ageing) of as-synthesized material. Thin film ceramics are terra incognita for compositions in the miscibility gap. The field is exciting since both surface and in-depth decomposition can take place in the alloys. The methodology is based on combined growth experiments, characterization, and ab initio calculations to identify and describe systems with a large miscibility gap. A hot topic is to elucidate the bonding nature of the cubic-SiNx interfacial phase, discovered by us in TiN/Si3N4 with impact for superhard nanocomposites. I have also pioneered studies of self-organization by spinodal decomposition in TiAlN alloy films (age hardening). Here, the details of metastable c-AlN nm domain formation are unknown and the systems HfAlN and ZrAlN are predicted to be even more promising. Other model systems are III-nitrides (band gap engineering), semiconductor/insulator oxides (interface conductivity) and carbides (tribology). The proposed research is exploratory and has the potential of explaining outstanding phenomena (Gibbs-Thomson effect, strain, and spinodal decomposition) as well as discovering new phases, for which my group has a track-record, backed-up by state-of-the-art in situ techniques. One can envision a new class of super-hard all-crystalline ceramic nanocomposites with relevance for a large number of research areas where elevated temperature is of concern, significant in impact for areas as diverse as microelectronics and cutting tools as well as mechanical and optical components. Fields of science natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metalsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringcoating and filmsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringceramicsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocompositesengineering and technologymechanical engineeringtribology Keywords Ab initio calculation Functional ceramics Nanocomposite PVD Self-organization Spinodal decomposition carbide diffusion electron microscopy epitaxy nanostructure nitride oxide sputtering Programme(s) FP7-IDEAS-ERC - Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) ERC-AG-PE5 - ERC Advanced Grant - Materials and Synthesis Call for proposal ERC-2008-AdG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme ERC-AG - ERC Advanced Grant Coordinator Linköping University Address Campus valla 581 83 Linköping Sweden See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Lars Hultman (Prof.) Administrative Contact Johan åkerman (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 2 292 000,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Linköping University Sweden EU contribution € 2 292 000,00 Address Campus valla 581 83 Linköping See on map Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Principal investigator Lars Hultman (Prof.) Administrative Contact Johan åkerman (Mr.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window
