Activities

Seminar by Prof. Joana Loureiro from the Faculty of Engineering – University of Porto, entitled “Challenges in the design and development of drug delivery systems for targeted disease treatment” – on 23rd October 2025, at 12:00, in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: The talk will explore the key challenges in the design and development of drug delivery systems aimed at targeted disease treatment. Special emphasis will be placed on strategies for crossing biological barriers, with a focus on targeting the brain, while also

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Seminar by Prof. Sam Kassegne from San Diego State University, entitled “Re-Imagining Carbon: The Quest for Material Discovery and Synthesis of New and Novel Carbon Hybrids” – on Thursday, September 25th, 2025, at noon, in the Seminar Room

Abstract: The development of new and novel materials is critical for driving innovations in the next generation of devices and systems for applications in nanoelectronics, energy conversion and storage, and quantum computing. As the limitations of silicon-based technologies become increasingly

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FYA of Henry Summers, entitled “The Coupled Influence of Microstructure and Architecture on Additively Manufactured Inconel 718 Lattice Structures” – 25th of September at 3:00 p.m. in the seminar room

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM), particularly laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), has revolutionized the fabrication of high-performance metal components for aerospace by enabling more complex geometries to be produced with superior mechanical properties and minimal material waste [1-5]. High-strength Ni-based superalloys

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Seminar of Prof. Paraskevas Kontis, Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology entitled “Atomic-scale engineering for crack-free additively manufactured superalloys.” On September 19th at noon in the seminar room.

Abstract: The presence of minor grain boundary solutes such as boron and zirconium can have significant consequences for the production of superalloys using additive manufacturing methods. On the one hand, their presence in the bulk chemistry is crucial for achieving

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Seminar by Prof. Pere Barriobero, Ramón y Cajal researcher at the Polytechnical University of Catalonia, entitled “Real-time monitoring of engineering alloys under manufacturing and service conditions” – on September 11th, 2025, at 12:00 PM, in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: Optimizing the performance of engineering alloys during manufacturing and service conditions requires a keen understanding of their microstructure evolution under applied temperature and load. It is thus a challenging task, because under the influence of an external load and/or

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Seminar by Prof. Marie A. Charpagne from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, entitled “Metastable alloys by design” – on Monday, September 1st, at 11:00am, in the Auditorium.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing how we synthesize, produce, and use metallic materials. However, out of hundreds of commercially available engineering alloys, only a handful are readily printable. This arises from the extreme heating and cooling rates associated with

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FYA of Rafael Thomey entitled “Investigating and Addressing Degradation Mechanisms in 100% Silicon Nanowire Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries”– Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at noon in the auditorium.

Abstract: This thesis investigates key challenges in the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries by using a fully silicon-based nanowire anode as a model system. The work focuses on understanding the mechanisms responsible for capacity fading—such as SEI instability, mechanical degradation,

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Seminar by Dra. Maria Crespo-Ribadeneyra from Queen Mary University of London, entitled “Na-ion batteries: from materials sustainability to operando characterisation techniques” – on July 4th, 2025, at 11:00, in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are a potential alternative to diversify the energy landscape, beyond Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), due to their similar storage mechanism and easy technology transfer. Currently, the benchmark anodes for SIBs are hard carbons (HCs), since sodium

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Seminar by Dr. Sven Vogel from Los Alamos National Laboratory, entitled “Metallurgical Studies with the HIPPO Diffractometer at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center” – on June 27th, at 12:00, in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: Advantages of neutron diffraction for metallurgical studies are highlighted with research examples performed on the High Pressure – Preferred Orientation (HIPPO) diffractometer at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). We give a brief introduction of neutron diffraction and

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Seminar by Natividad Gomez Cerezo from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, entitled “Nanostructured materials: applications in energy and biomedicine” – on June 20th, 2025, at 11:30, in the Seminar Room (SS floor).

Abstract: Energy: H2 production The development of TiO₂-based photocatalysts modified with palladium for efficient hydrogen (H₂) production under UV-visible and visible light irradiation has been explored. By combining high-surface-area mesoporous TiO₂ with small amounts of Pd, the researchers aimed to

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Seminar by Prof. Subodh Kumar. from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, entitled “Improving Formability of Mg Alloys, and Improving Mechanical Properties, Self-Healing and Recycling of Polymer Composites.” – on June 16th, at 12:00, in the SS Seminar Room.

Abstract: Cast Mg alloys have found many applications and current focus of research is on wrought Mg alloys. One major challenge in this effort is poor formability of Mg alloys. In this talk, I will present the results of current

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Seminar by Prof. Mohamad Moosavi from University of Toronto, entitled “Connecting Materials Synthesis to Applications Using Machine Learning on X-ray Diffraction Data” – on May 23rd, 2025, at 12:15, in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: In this talk, I will present our work on developing machine learning methods to accelerate the design and discovery of nanoporous materials, with a focus on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Over the past decades, the synthesis of over 100,000 MOFs

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Seminar of Dr. Gabriele Greco from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, entitled “Spider-inspired sustainable materials and structures” – on April 29th, 2025, at 10:00 am, in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: Spiders often evoke fear and disgust, yet their silks and webs inspire awe and fascination, capturing human curiosity throughout history. From sparking the interest of ancient philosophers to influencing practical innovations, spider silk has long been intertwined with our

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FYA of Yunhuan Liu entitled “Fire Protection Coatings for Enhanced Fire Safety of Battery Enclosures in Extreme Conditions” – March 28, 2025, at 2:00 PM in the Seminar Room.

Abstract: The demand for lightweight battery enclosures in new energy vehicles has led to the increased use of aluminum alloys and polymer composites. However, the potential hazards associated with thermal runaway events in high-energy-density batteries necessitate advanced fire mitigation strategies.

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