Laboratory sheet

Research topics :

• Processing and characterisation of multifunctional materials: colloidal or conventional powder metallurgical processing of monoliths, composites, gradient materials and laminates based on oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides as well as ceramic-metal composites (such as ZrO2-TiN (-TiCN, -NbC, -WC), WC-Co, TiCN-Ni, NbC-Ni,…). Microstructural, mechanical and functional characterisation and evaluation. 

• Development, characterisation and evaluation of biomaterials: zirconia, ZTA, ATZ, HA, calcium phosphates, glass ceramics, bioactive glass, amorphous silica for controlled release,... 

• Colloidal processing of inorganic materials: electrophoretic deposition of free-standing objects, coatings, laminates and gradient materials, as well as for surface functionalisation.

• Additive manufacturing of materials: Direct ink writing (DIW) and stereolithography (SLA/DLP) of ceramics and cermets. Selective laser melting (SLM) and sintering (SLS) of ceramics in collaboration with the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven.

• Surface functionalization of biomaterials: electrophoretic deposition, plasma coating, laser texturing of ceramics to develop antimicrobial, antifouling, bio- and hemo-compatible surfaces.

• Selective powder deposition: selective powder deposition and consolidation of ceramic and cermet monoliths, laminates and gradient materials.

• Advanced sintering technologies and modelling: Conventional sintering, spark plasma sintering, hot pressing, microwave and hybrid microwave sintering.

• Dedicated powder preparation: Synthesis of oxides, carbides, borides, ternary carbides,… by means of sol-gel synthesis, mechanical alloying, carbo- and borothermal synthesis, reaction synthesis, molten salt synthesis,…

• Processing and characterisation of MAX, MAB and MXene materials: Reactive hot pressing, reactive spark plasma sintering, molten salt synthesis,...

• Materials for dental applications: In close collaboration with the BIOMAT research cluster of KU Leuven.

• Machining of ceramics: In collaboration with the Department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. Electrical discharge machining, conventional grinding, ultrasonic machining, hard machining, laser structuring,...

Contact information:

Prof. Dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels

Tel : +32 16 321244

Jozef.vleugels@kuleuven.be

Advanced Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy — Department of Materials Engineering (kuleuven.be)

Contact information:

Prof. Dr. ir. Annabel Braem

Tel : +32 16 321534

Annabel.braem@kuleuven.be

 https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/siem/BIO/Biomaterials-tissue-engineering

 
Prof. dr. ir Fei Zhang 

Tel : +32 16 710090

fei.zhang@kuleuven.be

https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english/research/50000644/research/biomat

Dr. Shuigen Huang (research expert)

Tel : +32 16 321777

Shuigen.huang@kuleuven.be

https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/siem/ACPM