Periodic Reporting for period 1 - nanoMECommons (Harmonisation of EU-wide nanomechanics protocols and relevant data exchange procedures, across representative cases; standardisation, interoperability, data workflow)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2021-02-01 al 2022-07-31
Nanomechanics and nanomechanical testing have become pervasive tools that are currently valuable and applicable to a relevant range of industrial stakeholders. Application examples include automotive (coatings and structural alloys), microelectronics (MEMS and multi-stack devices), energy (batteries, materials for high temperatures), chemical, pharmaceutics (micro-capsules for drug delivery) and buildings (thin films for energy efficient windows, nano-enabled cement materials). The main challenge is to enable industry achieving access to fast and reliable analysis of a wide range of material properties (not only strength, but also hardness, stiffness, toughness, residual stress, reliability) by using fast and reproducible methods. In this complex framework, the common requirements for the application of nanomechanical testing methods to industry are represented by (a) the ability of testing complex heterogeneous systems at multiple length scales, (b) the combination between multiple techniques, (c) the possibility of using nano-scale mechanical characterisation methods on the production line and (d) the harmonization and standardization of protocols (from sample preparation to the final storage and usage of the data).
On this basis, the main ambition of the project NanoMECommons is to become the cornerstone for the exploitation of high-resolution cutting-edge nanomechanical characterisation by the industry by competence development in partnership with academic and research experts in the field. To achieve this, the project will focus on a series of research and innovation actions, starting from the development of state-of-the-art nanomechanical testing method, to novel metadata structures for materials characterisation and (finally) pre-normative activities and transfer to industry of developed protocols.
Currently, the consortium was able to expand the European EMMO ontology to characterization field and obtain the approval of the EMMO governance via EMMC.
Although additional optimization work still needs to be performed to gain the maximum benefits of the characterization ontology which was developed on the basis of the CHADA translation to enable the interoperability of CHADA structure, as well as its online completion feature via OIE. Also, further work will contain the functionality of OIE providing answers to end-user questions on the characterization tasks similar to a research engine amongst standardized and curated characterization methods and workflows for connection multi-modal outputs, based on the merhods and protocols developed for testing in industrial relevant environment in the project.
On this basis, the main ambition of the project NanoMECommons is to become the cornerstone for the exploitation of high-resolution cutting-edge nanomechanical characterisation by the industry by competence development in partnership with academic and research experts in the field. To achieve this, the project will focus on a series of research and innovation actions, starting from the development of state-of-the-art nanomechanical testing method, to novel metadata structures for materials characterisation and (finally) pre-normative activities and transfer to industry of developed protocols.
Currently, the consortium was able to expand the European EMMO ontology to characterization field and obtain the approval of the EMMO governance via EMMC.
Although additional optimization work still needs to be performed to gain the maximum benefits of the characterization ontology which was developed on the basis of the CHADA translation to enable the interoperability of CHADA structure, as well as its online completion feature via OIE. Also, further work will contain the functionality of OIE providing answers to end-user questions on the characterization tasks similar to a research engine amongst standardized and curated characterization methods and workflows for connection multi-modal outputs, based on the merhods and protocols developed for testing in industrial relevant environment in the project.
Nano-scale mechanical characterisation has been clearly identified, by both industrial and academic stakeholders, as one of the main tools for supporting the development and exploitation of nanomaterials in a very wide range of strategic sectors. This can be easily understood by the fact that modern devices, with central role in smart, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly applications, very often consist of nanomaterials in miniaturised designs (as those exhibited by the industrial partners in NanoMECommons). The functional properties of nanomaterials in the form of e.g. nanostructured surfaces, coatings and thin films have received increased focus. However, their nanomechanical behaviour is equally important as it ensures structural integrity and durability, whilst influencing their repairability and reusability. These are essential elements within a circular economy perspective and assume increased importance in the circular economy action plan and area 3 of the European Green Deal "Mobilising industry for a clean and circular economy".
NanoMECommons unique position in implementing web-tools and metadata for stakeholders of characterisation systems in nanomechanics:
• Deep involvement of all partners in leading positions in well-established networks and community such as EMCC and EMMC of stakeholders (characterisation experts, modellers, manufacturers, regulators).
• Access through pioneering contributions of partners in the development of national and European metadata schemes for materials modelling and characterisation such as CHADA, MODA and EMMO.
• Integrated and community-based exploitation, dissemination, communication of characterisation and modelling results and data.
NanoMECommons unique position in implementing web-tools and metadata for stakeholders of characterisation systems in nanomechanics:
• Deep involvement of all partners in leading positions in well-established networks and community such as EMCC and EMMC of stakeholders (characterisation experts, modellers, manufacturers, regulators).
• Access through pioneering contributions of partners in the development of national and European metadata schemes for materials modelling and characterisation such as CHADA, MODA and EMMO.
• Integrated and community-based exploitation, dissemination, communication of characterisation and modelling results and data.
Nanomechanical properties also influence the structural integrity and functionality of energy storage materials such as batteries which have a central role in area 2 of the European Green Deal "Supplying clean, affordable and secure energy" as they contribute towards the establishment of a decarbonised EU’s energy system and the accomplishment of the main climate objectives.
Nanomechanical behaviour is crucial for the durability and functionality of coatings used in smart devices, energy convertors (sensors, solar cells) as well as on nanostructured surfaces with hydrophobic, superhydrophobic and anti-reflective functions. These materials also meet applications as smart windows in buildings, and, in this context, they are very relevant for applications in area 4 of the European Green Deal "Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way". Their impact is proportional to the energy amount consumed by buildings (40%).
In NanoMECommons, advanced nanomechanics will be used in combination with diffraction, microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, for the assessment of a wide range of properties at the nano-scale, including hardness and elastic modulus distribution on heterogeneous nano-composites (high-speed nanoindentation), thin film properties on compliant substrates, residual stress of hard coatings (automotive sector), surface energy in superhydrophobic nanopatterned materials, mechanical properties of nanoparticles and novel materials for state-of-the-art processes such as additive manufacturing (manufacturing sector). Given the enormous industrial relevance of such methods, the overall concept underpinning the project is to make use of recent advances in experimental nanomechanics to develop reliable, interoperable and widely applicable multi-technique operation protocols for application in Organic & Printed Electronics, avionics, chemicals, digital metal processing-additive manufacturing, automotive and energy sectors.
Nanomechanical behaviour is crucial for the durability and functionality of coatings used in smart devices, energy convertors (sensors, solar cells) as well as on nanostructured surfaces with hydrophobic, superhydrophobic and anti-reflective functions. These materials also meet applications as smart windows in buildings, and, in this context, they are very relevant for applications in area 4 of the European Green Deal "Building and renovating in an energy and resource efficient way". Their impact is proportional to the energy amount consumed by buildings (40%).
In NanoMECommons, advanced nanomechanics will be used in combination with diffraction, microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, for the assessment of a wide range of properties at the nano-scale, including hardness and elastic modulus distribution on heterogeneous nano-composites (high-speed nanoindentation), thin film properties on compliant substrates, residual stress of hard coatings (automotive sector), surface energy in superhydrophobic nanopatterned materials, mechanical properties of nanoparticles and novel materials for state-of-the-art processes such as additive manufacturing (manufacturing sector). Given the enormous industrial relevance of such methods, the overall concept underpinning the project is to make use of recent advances in experimental nanomechanics to develop reliable, interoperable and widely applicable multi-technique operation protocols for application in Organic & Printed Electronics, avionics, chemicals, digital metal processing-additive manufacturing, automotive and energy sectors.