Project description
A multi-scale approach to understanding structural decay in metallic glasses
Metallic glasses feature a disordered atomic microstructure that renders them valuable for energy-efficient electronics and biomedical devices. However, their potential is limited because these materials unpredictably turn brittle as they age. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the UN-STRUCT project will launch a multi-scale investigation to help uncover why this degradation happens over time. The study will combine atomic-scale computer simulations with synchrotron X-ray analysis and mechanical testing, spanning from the macroscopic down to the nano scales. It will examine how heat treatment changes the glass at an atomic level to cause this sudden brittleness. Decoding these structural changes will ensure metallic glasses can be safely deployed in real-world applications without sudden failure.
Objective
From the glass in windows to plastics and gels, amorphous materials are everywhere in our daily lives. A particular class of amorphous materials are metallic glasses (MGs), which possess a disordered glassy microstructure that is exploited in high-tech applications, including biomedical micro- and nano-electromechanical systems and energy-efficient soft magnetic devices. Whilst exceptional in many regards, MGs suffer from unpredictable property changes that are driven by aging of the glass structure. Indeed, a long-standing question in MG-research is to uncover the structural origin of annealing-induced embrittlement in the glassy solid domain. This is what UN-STRUCT will answer. Building on novel insights from atomistic simulations of glassy microstructural evolution, the project proposes a unique cross-scale experimental approach. This approach combines macro- and nanoscale probing of mechanical performance in the evolving glassy microstructure and its structural correlation lengths, integrated with synchrotron-based extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. In concert, the proposed approach will quantify the annealing-induced structural origins of abrupt toughness losses that MGs suffer from. Atomic-scale structural and nano-scale mechanical probing along annealing isotherms will be pursued by the applicant in the hosting group, whereas the link to macroscale mechanical performance will be conducted during a two-months secondment abroad. If successful, UN-STRUCT will solve a long-standing fundamental challenge in glass science, enabling the reliable and safe use of MGs in engineering applications operating at practical, application-relevant time scales. The applicant, experienced in nanomechanical testing, will significantly expand her technical knowledge, methodology skills, and professional network, all of which are relevant for her future employability as principal investigator in the materials engineering field.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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12205 Berlin
Germany
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