Materials Design 

Thin films and nanolaminated materials unit

We work on thin films, i.e. a thin layer of material deposited onto a surface to achieve properties that can not be attained by the surface material alone.

Our goal is to enable design of thin films with specific properties, and to control for example hardness, conductivity, transparency, magnetism, and ability to withstand heat and wear.

Another focus within the unit is to synthesize laminated 3D materials (in powder form) that can be converted into 2D, through chemical exfoliation. Exampled of such materials are 2D metal carbides (MXenes) and borides (boridene). These materials display a large surface to volume ratio, which makes them potentially very interesting for energy storage and catalysis.

Materials theory

Within the Materials theory unit we perform predictive and explanatory simulations based on primarily Density Functional Theory (DFT).

A major goal is to theoretically predict novel materials that can be synthesized in the lab, and to aid in fundamental understanding of the formed structure, composition and basic properties.

The simulations involve 3D as well as 2D materials, and we work in close connection to experimentalists.

Applied electrochemistry

Within the Applied electrochemistry unit, we work on already know materials as well as new materials discovered within the Materials design division.

We focus on sustainable materials development, and design electrodes and devices that we test for energy storage (supercapacitors, batteries) and energy conversion (HER, OER, etc.).