The curriculum concentrates on the comprehensive study of materials properties and failure processes from the point of view of physics and physical metallurgy. Students should develop capability to apply their knowledge in inventive manner to new technologies and materials, such as plasma spraying, special methods of thermo-mechanical and thermo-chemical treatment, etc. Special attention is paid to the degradation processes and to the synergetic effects of various materials properties on material failure. The subjects of study are metallic and non-metallic materials, e.g., structural ceramics, polymers, amorphous and nanocrystalline materials and intermetallics.
The Ph.D. programme requires proficiency in mathematics and physics at the MSc. degree level obtained from Faculty of Science or Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

prof. RNDr. Miroslav Liška, DrSc.

1. Ab initio study of phase stability of transition metal alloys

   Relative stability of phases for different binary alloys can be successfully studied with help so called first-principle or ab initio simulations. These methods are based only on basic postulates of quantum mechanics and do not need any input experimental data. Obtained results will be used as input data for advanced thermodynamic modeling. Dissertation work will be focused on estimation of equilibrium structural parameters and heats of formations for different alloys and their relative stability with help of ab initio calculations. The PAW method implemented in simulation package VASP will be used these work. For study of disordered or doped alloys the EMTO-CPA method will be used.

   Tutor: Zelený Martin, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Atomistic studies of dislocations in III-nitride semiconductor heterostructures

   Semiconductor epitaxial films based on III-nitrides (i.e. N + Ga, Al, In) represent an essential parts of the design of light-emitting diodes (LED) that should in the future replace the currently used source of lighting. Since there is no lattice-matched substrate, these heterostructures are often made by deposition on Si wafers or Al2O3. The mismatch of the lattice parameters of the III-nitride film and the substrate leads to internal deformation that, for a certain critical thickness of the film, relaxes by nucleating dislocations. The major problem is the occurrence of so-called threading dislocations that penetrate through the thickness of the film and suppress the luminescence of the device. In order to boost the efficiency of these heterostructures, it is necessary to understand the mechanism by which the threading dislocations are nucleated. These studies will be made by employing atomistic simulations based on molecular statics and dynamics. Collaborating institutions (tentative short-term visits): - University of Oxford (UK) - University of Cambridge (UK) - EPFL - École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland) Financial support from a GACR grant or a currently proposed ERC project. The Ph.D. student will get involved in the project CEITEC. The Ph.D. thesis will be written in English.

   Tutor: Gröger Roman, doc. Ing., Ph.D. et Ph.D.

3. Consolidation and shaping of ceramic nanoparticles by colloidal approaches

   The subject of the PhD study is focused on shaping and compaction of nanoceramic oxide particles. The main task of the student will contain a study of bulk ceramics processing using ceramic particles with size below 100 nm via wet shaping methods. The research will concern primarily with methods of direct consolidation of ceramic particles. A common difficulty of all these methods lies in the preparation of a stable concentrated suspension of nanoparticles with appropriate viscosity. The solution of the problem assumes understanding and utilization of colloidal chemistry and rheology of ceramic suspensions.

   Tutor: Trunec Martin, prof. Ing., Dr.

4. Interactions of substrate and polycomponent metal systems during metal-ceramiics bonding

   Joining of ceramic materials using metallic alloys usually involves melt of the metallic alloy that reacts with the substrate to reate the bond. The work will deall with chracterising of these interactions and with design of metallic systems that would not ude high temperature metl for creation of the bond.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Metal-ceramic coatings for high temperature aplications of intermetallics and superalloys

   The topic deals with preparation of metallic coatings, optimization of preparation and subsequent oxidation parameters and characterisation of oxidarion resistance of the obtained final coatings. The aim of the study is a technology proposal for coating technique using classical layed deposition techniques and also non.traditionall techniques using partiall pre-oxidation of the surface layer.

   Tutor: Jan Vít, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

6. Properties of geopolymers incorporating waste.

   Design and characterisation of new ceramic and composite materials from waste. Evaluation of their response at mechanical loading, other application properties. Development of the preparation and fabrication procedures, basic characterisation of properties as a part of development works. New ceramic and composite materials on the geopolymer basis having properties useful for possible applications. Data on mechanical and thermal stability.

   Tutor: Dlouhý Ivo, prof. Ing., CSc.

7. The role of bi-material interface in integrity of layered metal/ceramic laminates in SOEC

   Design and characterisation of SOEC components focusing on the role of bi-material interface in integrity of layered metal/ceramic, glass/ceramics materials. Experimental and computatinal investigation of the role of residual stresses, technological parameters applied during production and operational conditions. Criteria for thermo-mechanical stability evaluations of cell components with interconnects, parameters optimisation and verification.

   Tutor: Chlup Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.