Final Report Summary - NANOALLOY (Induced electrodeposition of nanostructures as nanowires and nanotubes consisting of cobalt-based multilayers for MEMS applications)
The NANOALLOY project (return phase) has been an excellent opportunity for further collaboration between KU Leuven (Belgium) and IAP MD (Moldova) namely:
• by further developing at the IAP MD the scientific insight required for the demonstration at lab scale of the technological feasibility of the concept of producing nanostructures (e.g. nanowires) with different aspect ratios in the anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) by electrodeposition from aqueous electrolytes developed. The transfer of the scientific knowledge with the objective of nurturing present collaboration and exploring a possibility of further collaboration between academic researchers and industrial centres in and outside the EU, e.g. establishing contacts with European top-leading research centres in microelectronics, like IMEC, Belgium;
• by training both early stage and experienced researchers from the home institution in template electrodeposition;
• by dissemination of the acquired scientific and technological knowhow through writing and publishing joint scientific papers on the important aspects of the electrodeposition synthesis of nanomaterials in international peer-reviewed journals;
• by delivering lectures and presenting posters on the technological and scientific aspects of this research at international conferences on materials science.
Thus, a really outstanding research has been done in order to understand interdependencies between the structure and properties of tungsten alloys, as well a capability and competence to implement the achieved results by networking with other institutions, e.g. Universitat Autonoma Barcelona (UAB), which is in line with one of the project objectives – strengthening the EU expertise and establishing cooperation in the field of nanomaterials and nanodevices. Thus, the project efforts have been pulled so as to study nanostructured materials consisting of iron group metal alloys that are especially appropriate for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), where microstructures with a high mechanical strength and wear resistance coupled to a high thermal resistance and stability against plastic deformation are required.
Of main importance was producing of nanowires and heterostructures (multilayers) obtained by electrochemical ways, and investigating the relationship between structural properties and synthesis conditions. Those nanomaterials were optimized to achieve the pre-requisites for the MEMS electroforming, which was done jointly with IMEC, in view of microbumps application. Also, template-assisted electrodes for the perpendicular magnetic recording media and to be used as catalysts were electroformed. The maps of the corrosion behaviour and magnetic properties of the most promising Co-W alloys were created based on the study of a number of alloys having different content of W (0-31 at.%) and structure (polycrystalline and amorphous-like).
Dr. N. Tsyntsaru was very active in creating new opportunities for a further exploration of materials science:
a) By submitting projects in the framework of the FP7 program: EC-MODEL and IAPSEC (2 REGPOT), INOUT-transResearch (CIG Marie Curie Actions) and preparing new ITN project within Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon 2020;
b) By submitting four bilateral and national projects: SCOPES, Ukraine - Moldova, Lithuanian Science Council Foundation, and Moldovan National Foundation.
• by further developing at the IAP MD the scientific insight required for the demonstration at lab scale of the technological feasibility of the concept of producing nanostructures (e.g. nanowires) with different aspect ratios in the anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) by electrodeposition from aqueous electrolytes developed. The transfer of the scientific knowledge with the objective of nurturing present collaboration and exploring a possibility of further collaboration between academic researchers and industrial centres in and outside the EU, e.g. establishing contacts with European top-leading research centres in microelectronics, like IMEC, Belgium;
• by training both early stage and experienced researchers from the home institution in template electrodeposition;
• by dissemination of the acquired scientific and technological knowhow through writing and publishing joint scientific papers on the important aspects of the electrodeposition synthesis of nanomaterials in international peer-reviewed journals;
• by delivering lectures and presenting posters on the technological and scientific aspects of this research at international conferences on materials science.
Thus, a really outstanding research has been done in order to understand interdependencies between the structure and properties of tungsten alloys, as well a capability and competence to implement the achieved results by networking with other institutions, e.g. Universitat Autonoma Barcelona (UAB), which is in line with one of the project objectives – strengthening the EU expertise and establishing cooperation in the field of nanomaterials and nanodevices. Thus, the project efforts have been pulled so as to study nanostructured materials consisting of iron group metal alloys that are especially appropriate for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), where microstructures with a high mechanical strength and wear resistance coupled to a high thermal resistance and stability against plastic deformation are required.
Of main importance was producing of nanowires and heterostructures (multilayers) obtained by electrochemical ways, and investigating the relationship between structural properties and synthesis conditions. Those nanomaterials were optimized to achieve the pre-requisites for the MEMS electroforming, which was done jointly with IMEC, in view of microbumps application. Also, template-assisted electrodes for the perpendicular magnetic recording media and to be used as catalysts were electroformed. The maps of the corrosion behaviour and magnetic properties of the most promising Co-W alloys were created based on the study of a number of alloys having different content of W (0-31 at.%) and structure (polycrystalline and amorphous-like).
Dr. N. Tsyntsaru was very active in creating new opportunities for a further exploration of materials science:
a) By submitting projects in the framework of the FP7 program: EC-MODEL and IAPSEC (2 REGPOT), INOUT-transResearch (CIG Marie Curie Actions) and preparing new ITN project within Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under Horizon 2020;
b) By submitting four bilateral and national projects: SCOPES, Ukraine - Moldova, Lithuanian Science Council Foundation, and Moldovan National Foundation.