News

New incorporation – Marta Cartón

Position: Research Asistant Research: Development and optimization of Co-base superalloys for high temperature applications Contact: marta.carton(AT)imdea.org

New generation of eco-benign fire retardants

Dr. De-Yi Wang, head of the High Performance Nanocomposites group of IMDEA Materials Institute, has been awarded a prestigious Marie Curie Action: "Career Integration Grant" (CIG) to carry out a four-year research project on design and processing of eco-benign multifunctional fire

Optimization of high-performance polymeric fibres

Poly p-(phenylene benzobisoxazole) or PBO fibres are highly anisotropic polymeric fibres used in high-performance structural applications owing to their outstanding properties, such as high strength and stiffness as well as low density. The anisotropic fibre structure, which is responsible for the

Morphing materials for aeronautic applications

IMDEA Materials collaborates with AERNNOVA in the development of novel morphing materials for aeronautic applications. Link to Project: Morphing materials for aeronautic applications

Andrea Fernández

Research Assistant: Recycling Composite Materials. Contact: andrea.fernandez@imdea.org

Modular concept for ultralight removable advanced car seat

This collaborative R&D project, led by Grupo Antolín with the participation of other companies from the automotive sector, aims at developing a new modular concept of advanced seat, removable, with ultralight structure obtained by more efficient and flexible transformation process, and

CRISTAL project starts

The main objective of CRISTAL project, funded by the CAPES Foundation, is to improve corrosion resistance of commercial Zamac 8 alloy (Zn-4Al-2,6Cu-0,5Mg) by microstructure control which will be achieved by varying the Cu content, the solidification rate, heat treatments and the combination of

New Incorporation – Momchil Jeliazkov

Position: Research Assistant MSc: TUDelft, The Netherlands Research: Buckling and failure optimization of stiffened tow-steered composite panels Contact: momchil.jeliazkov(AT)imdea.org

New incorporation – Wenzhou Chen

Position: Research Assistant Research: DFT/MD calculation of phase change materials Contact: wenzhou.chen(AT)imdea.org

New Incorporation – Alicia Moya

Position: Investigador Predoctoral Complutense University of Madrid, Spain Research: Nanohybrids for Photocatalysis Contact: alicia.moya@imdea.org

Watching Metals Alive

Researchers at IMDEA Materials Institute are investigating the in-situ deformation of metallic materials using a tensile testing micromachine coupled to a scanning electron microscope (Fig. 1a). This device allows to analyze in real time, the deformation, recrystallization and fracture mechanisms

The bachelor thesis of Carlos Cabeza has got the FOINDESA 2010 prize

Carlos Cabeza Barrantes, has been awarded with the FOINDESA 2010 prize for the best EUITA (UPM) bachelor thesis in the Equipments and Aerospace Materials specialty. The project “Nanoindentation for in-situ characterization of composites”, was carried out at IMDEA Materials facilities

EMULATE project

EMULATE project proposes a multidisciplinary approach to enhance the comprehension of metal machining. For that, the following three topics will be analyzed in order to improve this technology: 1) the development of accurate material models that incorporate the mechanisms of plasticity at the

New incorporation – Prof. Arnaud Weck

Position: Visiting Researcher Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering  McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Short Bio Prof. Weck obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from INSA-Lyon in France, his Ph.D. in Materials Science and

Saeid Lotfian & Rocío Muñoz awarded best PhD Thesis by UC3M

The PhD Thesis entitled "High Temperature Mechanical Behavior of Al/SiC Nanoscale Multilayers" and “In-situ analysis of the high temperature deformation and fracture mechanisms of a ɣ-TiAl alloy", carried out by Drs. Saeid Lotfian and Rocío Muñoz at IMDEA Materials

IMDEA Materials starts PilotManu project

PilotManu is an European project funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union. PilotManu will upscale of the current mechanical alloying technological facility into a powder manufacturing pilot line by further developing existing IPR-covered results owned by the consortium related to

Airbus Operations SAS signed a two years contract with IMDEA Materials

 IMDEA Materials Institute and Airbus Operations SAS based in Toulouse will collaborate in a research project to develop Virtual Testing tools based on Multiscale Modelling techniques. This new R&D contract strengthens IMDEA Materials´ internationalisation strategy. See SIMSCREEN

Near Beta Ti project starts

Near Beta Ti project is firstly aimed at processing the selected near beta Ti alloy by high pressure torsion, characterizing the grain size and phase distribution of the resulting microstructures and measuring their mechanical behaviour. In addition, the development of phase transformations in near

3D microscopic analysis of plasticity in Mg alloys

Due to the global tendency to reduce the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, Magnesium alloys, as very light material, are being very attractive for the transportation industry. Researches of IMDEA Materials Institute in collaboration with prestigious European research centers, have proposed a

Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (Q800, TA Instruments)

Instrument used to determine the elastic-viscous behavior of materials, mainly polymers. The machine works in the temperature range of -150 – 600 °C, frequency range of 0.01 – 200 Hz and the maximum force is 18 N. More info ….(+)

Pablo García-Chao

Research Assistant: Development of advanced high-strength steels. Contact: pablo.garcia@imdea.org

The V Edition Photography awards has taken place

The success of the contest has been possible by all of the employees´s participation. Divided by categories, the winners are: Bartolomé Mas: 1st prize Materials Characterization Miguel Herráez: 1st Prize Materials Simulation Olben Falcó: 1st Prize Open Subject Marta Carton: Public

Micro compounder available

A micro compounder is now available at IMDEA Materials Institute. The system (MC 15, Xplore) is equipped with co-rotating and counter-rotating screws. It is suitable for compounding thermoplastic based materials or polymeric materials with minute amounts of costly synthesized materials and

In-situ nanoindenter available

A nanoindenter stage to carry out mechanical tests inside a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) for the in-situ observation of the deformation mechanisms is now available at IMDEA Materials Institute. This system (PI 87 SEM PicoIndenter, Hysitron) allows the simultaneous acquisition of the

Drop weight impact test system available

A drop weight impact test system is now available at IMDEA Materials Institute. The system (INSTRON CEAST 9350, INSTRON) is designed to deliver 0.59 -757 J of energy. This instrument can be used to test any type of materials from composites to finished products, and is suitable for a range of impact

Annual report 2013

Report on IMDEA Materials Institute's activities throughout year 2013 is available for download. Download IMDEA Materials Institute annual report 2013

IMDEA Materials awarded two new Airbus R&D contracts

IMDEA Materials Institute has been awarded two new R&D contracts by Airbus Operations. The first one (ECURE) is focused on developing electrically-curable epoxy resins for bonding and repairing composite materials. The second project (NONCIRC) aims at assessing the potential of using

New Incorporation – Dr. Dong-Wook Lee

Position: Research Associate PhD: Texas Tech University, EEUU Research: Mesoscale Modeling of Microstructure Contact: dongwook.lee@imdea.org

Simulation to develop the airplanes of the future

Researchers from IMDEA Materials and the Materials Science Department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), members of the ESTRUMAT programme (Advanced Structural Materials), participate in the European project MAAXIMUS, which aims to develop new simulation techniques to design aircraft

IMDEA materials will participate in 2 of the 14 CENIT projects granted by CDTI

The board of directors of the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), headed for first time by Cristina Garmendia, Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, approved on July 29th fourteen research projects in the fourth call of the Programme “National Strategic Consortiums of

EXTRECP project

The goal of the EXTECP project, funded by the China Scholarship Council, is the development of coupled thermomechanical crystal plasticity models to simulate problems under extreme conditions: very large strain rates and high temperatures. See the whole description of the EXTRECP project.

Dr. Juan José Vilatela receives the prestigious ERC Starting Grant

Dr. Juan José Vilatela, Head of the Multifunctional Nanocomposites research group at IMDEA Materials Institute, has obtained the prestigious ERC Starting Grant from the European Research Council. Dr. Vilatela will receive € 1.5 million along the next 5 years to

New incorporation – Professor Rigoberto Burgueño

Position: Visiting Researcher Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences (Structural Engineering)  University of California, San Diego, USA. Professor of Structural Engineering, Michigan State University Research Interests Multiscale assessment and design of tailored materials, devices and structures.

New incorporation – David Maldonado

Position: Laboratory Technician BSc.: Telecommunications Engineering, Valencia University, Spain Contact: david.maldonado(AT)imdea.org

New incorporation – Prof. Jiang Wang

Position: Visiting Scientist PhD: Central South University, India Research: Computational Alloy Design Contact: jiang.wang(AT)imdea.org

Screening of phase transformation kinetics of Ti alloys

Drs. Yuwen. Cui and Javier Segurado will carry out a research project in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (China) to develop a high throughput diffusion multiple technique for screening of phase transformation kinetics in Ti alloys, which will be used

Yunfu Ou

Predoctoral Researcher: Multi-functional Graphene Thermoplastic Composite Materials. Contact: yunfu.ou@imdea.org

STEM project starts

Dr. Juan José Vilatela, leader of the research program on "Nanomaterials for Multifunctional Applications" at IMDEA Materials, leads this prestigious ERC Starting Grant from the European Union. Dr. Vilatela and his research group will develop new multifunctional structural composite materials that

New incorporation – Dr. Laura Cabana

Position: Researcher Associate PhD: Universidad de Barcelona Research: "Hybrids based on carbon nanotube fibres" Contact: laura.cabana@imdea.org

R&D collaboration agreement with STMicroelectronics and CEA

IMDEA Materials Institute, STMicroelectronics, one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies, and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) have recently signed a partnership agreement to perform a join research project in the field of microelectronics. This three

Visa difficulties when attracting talent

An article on the difficulties some of our foreign researchers face when coming to Spain has been published in “El Mundo”newspaper (nationwide publication).

Cover of the "Chem. Sus. Chem" Journal

  J. J. Vilatela, D. Eder. Nanocarbon Composites and Hybrids in Sustainability: A Review. ChemSusChem, 5, 456-478, 2012. DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201100536

Dr. Eduardo Troche

Proyect Manager. PhD: University of Vigo, Spain. Contact: eduardo.troche@imdea.org

Design allowables for Ni-based superalloys

As part of the European project MICROMECH, carried out in collaboration with Industria de Turbopropulsores (ITP), the following results have been obtained Development of a new methodology for experimental characterization at the micro scale. This methodology is based on micropillar compression as

New incorporation – Dr. Diego Garijo

Position: Research Associate PhD.: Aerospace Engineering. Technical University of Madrid,  Research: Blade Impact/Small Fragment Impact/Ice

Linear density, crimp and tensile tester for single fibres available

A linear density, crimp and tensile tester for single fibres is now available at IMDEA Materials Institute. This system (FAVIMAT+, Textechno) can be used to characterize mechanical properties of single fibres. It can measure the mechanical resistance, lineal density and crimp. In addition, it is

New incorporation – Dr. Yun Liu

Position: Visiting Scientist PhD: Sichuan University, China Research: Bio-based Fire Retardant Materials Contact: yun.liu@imdea.org

IMDEA Materials starts NEW EPOXY project

NEW EPOXY project will develop novel Graphene Oxide/Layered Double Hydroxide (GO/LDH) hybrids as multifunctional reactive fire retardants for epoxy resins. NEW EPOXY is a Marie Curie Action (International Incoming Fellowship, IIF) funded by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union. See NEW

New incorporation – Alfonso Monreal

Position: Research Assistant Research: Production and properties of thermoset nanocomposites Contact: alfonso.monreal(AT)imdea.org

Hexagonal Lithium under ambient conditions

The Metal Physics group, led by Dr. Teresa Pérez-Prado, has succeeded in stabilizing a Li phase with a hexagonal closed packed (hcp) structure at room temperature and 1 atm by the application of pressure to Mg-Li alloys. At atmospheric pressure, pure Li and Li-Mg alloys undergo a bcc to hcp

Patent awarded to the IMDEA Materials Institute

The granted patent, with publication number ES2342962, protects an invention which consists in a new process for the controlled fabrication of the stable beta phase under ambient conditions in the pure metals of group IV of the periodic table (Titanium, Zirconium, Hafnium). The process, which takes

Inauguration of the provisional site of IMDEA – Materials

IMDEA - Materials is beginning its activities following the successful meetings of the Scientific Committee and of the Board of Trustees. The inauguration of the provisional site of IMDEA-materials, which will be held on October 30th. Dr. Gary Savage, director of operations of Honda Formula 1

Carbon nanotube “stitches” strengthen composites

The newest Airbus and Boeing passenger jets flying today are made primarily from advanced composite materials such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic (extremely light, durable materials that reduce the overall weight of the plane by as much as 20 percent compared to aluminum-bodied planes). Such

Prof. Javier LLorca receives the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant

Prof. Javier LLorca, Director of IMDEA Materials Institute, has obtained the prestigious ERC Advanced Grant from the European Union. Prof. LLorca will receive € 2.5 million along the next 5 years to develop multiscale modeling strategies to carry out virtual design, virtual processing

PhD defense – Saeid Lotfian

Mr. Saeid Lotfian will defend his PhD thesis entitled "High Temperature Mechanical Behavior of Al/SiC Nanoscale Multilayers" next Monday 30th of June at 12:00 h in Carlos III of Madrid (video room 3.1.S08, Leganés campus (Madrid)). His work has been supervised by Dr. Jon Mikel

New incorporation – Dr. Bin Tang

Position: Research Associate PhD: Northwestern Polytechnical University, China Research: Phase field simulation of high-temperature alloys Contact: bin.tang(AT)imdea.org

New incorporation – Prof. Mauricio Terrones

Position: Visiting Scientist (01/07/2013-31/07/2013) Penn State University, USA / Shinshu University, Japan  Research: Synthesis and Properties of Novel Nanocarbons Link to the researcher profile

The Master thesis of Julian García obtains the maximum grade with Honors

 The research project “Neurite: a finite difference continuum model of the electrophysiological-mechanical coupling in neurons under mechanical loading” has been co-supervised by Dr. Antoine Jerusalem and Dr. Jose María Peña of IMDEA Materials Institute and Polytechnic

Watching metals live

Researchers at IMDEA materials Institute are investigating the in-situ deformation of metallic materials using a tensile testing micromachine coupled to a scanning electron microscope (Fig. 1a). This device allows to analyze in real time, the deformation, recrystallization and fracture mechanisms

Experiments at the Berlin Synchrotron Radiation Facility

Scientists from Imdea Materials (Metal Physics Group) will carry out experiments at BESSY II (Berlin Synchrotron Radiation Facility) at the Berlin Helmholtz-Center for Materials and Energy. There, synchrotron radiation will be used to measure the internal stresses in omega and beta pure Zr,

Rudi Maça

Predoctoral Researcher: Electrochemical energy storage. Contact: rudi.maca@imdea.org

COMETAD project starts

Whithin the framework of the coordinated project COMETAD, a new numerical tool for fire retardants will be developed. IMDEA Materials Institute main contribution in the project will to validate the numerical tool by performing a set of tailored lab-scale fire tests. See COMETAD project description.

Collaboration agreement with NanJing Tech University

IMDEA Materials Institute and the School of Materials Science and Engineering of NanJing Tech University (China) signed a memorandum of understanding past 14/05/2015. Both organisations want to pursue and promote joint research and development activities of mutual interest in multiscale

IMDEA Materials starts XMART project

XMART is an industrial collaboration between Industria de Turbopropulsores S.A. and IMDEA Materials Institute aiming to study the effect of porosity and its distribution on MAR-M-247 tensile and fatigue test specimens. See XMART project description.

Dual column tabletop universal testing system available

A dual column tabletop testing system is now available at IMDEA Materials Institute. The system (INSTRON 5966, INSTRON) has 10 kN of capacity and 1756 mm of vertical test space. This equipment is a universal, static testing system that performs tensile and compression testing; and also

IMDEA Materials starts its first Clean Sky project

MICROMECH is an European project funded by the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative (JTI-Clean Sky) within the 7th Framework Programme of the European Union. This ambitious two years research project aims at developing a material model to simulate the mechanical behaviour of polycrystalline

R&D contract between IMDEA Materials and TOLSA

TOLSA S.A. and IMDEA Materials Institute have recently signed a R&D contract to carry out a study on the performance of sepiolite based additives in fire retardant systems. This one year project is led by Dr. De-Yi Wang, head researcher of the High Performance Nanocomposites group.

International R&D contract with GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore Pte Ltd

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global footprint. Launched in March 2009, the company has quickly achieved scale as one of the largest foundries in the world, providing a unique combination of advanced technology and manufacturing to more