New Pt-containing nickel-based superalloys are currently under study to increase their mechanical resistance at high temperatures. Their environmental resistance should also be better. However, the Pt content in these alloys appears insufficient (Pt is expensive) and the influence of the remaining alloying elements is unknown, let alone in the new “biofuel” environments. This project gathers experts in the mechanics, corrosion, surface treatment and in situ characterization of superalloys to investigate the onset of degradation (chemical, mechanical and coupled). This settles the basis to study the impact of a coating (Al/Si/rare earth) on such degradation. The degradation at the gas/alloy and coating/alloy interfaces will be studied in model and real alloys under hot corrosion, oxidizing and fatigue conditions, which is quite original for these brand new Pt-containing superalloys. The impact on Science, Society and on the turbine industry could be thus impressive.

The objective of the QWellMagNa project is to study magnetic nanostructures embedded in metallic matrixes. The originality of the project is twofold: on one hand it is based on the use of spectroscopic properties of quantum wells (QW) formed between the magnetic particles and the surface, on the other hand it relies on an ambitious experimental approach using scanning tunnel microscopy with functionalized active microfabricated tips. The nanoparticles buried a few nanometers below the surface confine the electrons between their magnetic interface and the surface of the matrix forming quasi-open QW. QW will be detected by scanning tunneling microscopy / spectroscopy (STM / STS) with active planar magnetic probes. The spectroscopic properties of QW reflects the position and the depth of the nanoparticles but also their shape and their magnetic state. The detailed analysis of the spatial variation at the surface of the electron density will therefore make possible to extract this information. The original use of "tip-on-chip" active planar probes allows us to locally generate the magnetic fields necessary both for the magnetic detection (modulation) and for the magnetic manipulation of nanoparticles. This field will be generated by current pulses flowing across an special structure on the STM tip specifically designed for this purpose. The probes developed within the framework of this project will be manufactured by standard lithography processes and could be adaptable to any tunnel microscopy equipment, thus broadening the area of application of the STM. We will also work on the individual manipulation of the magnetic state of an individual nanoparticle in an assembly which offers unique perspectives for studying the effects of magnetization dynamics of correlated systems with QW states.

With the future ban on combustion engines and the possibility for France to achieve energy independence thanks to the methanisation sector, an explosion in the need for supercapacitors (electric and hybrid vehicles) and depollution methods (biogas purification) seems inexorable. The use and production of activated carbons (ACs) is undoubtedly one of the best responses to these fast-growing markets. The main objective of the CarBioLab laboratory, shared by the Institut Jean Lamour (UMR 7198 CNRS - University of Lorraine) and the company Groupe Bordet, is to develop, produce and industrialise highly technically advanced activated carbons in France for two main applications: biogas purification and supercapacitors. CarBioLab's strategy is to revitalise the activated carbon market with the introduction of a new generation of activated carbons that are more responsible, environmentally friendly and from short circuits. The various research areas envisaged within the framework of CarBioLab are listed below: - Development of biosourced ACs on a laboratory scale and evaluation of their performance; - Development of a full-scale prototype and determination of evaluation methodologies; - Process optimisation and technology transfer. The recognised skills of the IJL, and in particular of the "Biosourced Materials" team, in the synthesis and characterisation of biosourced carbonaceous materials produced by different types of pyrolysis and activation processes, combined with the industrial experience of Groupe Bordet in the production of charcoal and its transformation into activated vegetable carbon, will allow the perpetuation of a research and development dynamic already initiated between the IJL and Groupe Bordet since 2019. In addition, the complementary skills, know-how and equipment of Groupe Bordet and the IJL reinforce the coherence and interest of setting up a common structure that will create the conditions for more regular scientific and technical exchanges and therefore better reactivity.

The TESLA project aims at the development of an ultra-sensitive (nT range), wireless and batteryless magnetic sensor based on Lamb waves for biomedical applications. The passive feature and the remote interrogation of the device will allow a continuous monitoring of the magnetic field and a comfortable use for the patients during heavy medical examinations. Indeed, there is a growing interest in very sensitive magnetic sensors and most importantly in healthcare institutions to conduct high quality medical analysis and to promote early diagnosis. This project has two main steps: the first one will be a proof of concept where the device will be realized with a thinned piezoelectric substrate bonded on the backside to a magnetostrictive thin film while the second one will allow to reach the targeted performance (magnetic sensitivity and acoustic) thanks to a stack of thin layers.

The MEGALIT project has the objective to explore the potential to enhance functionalities of near-surface Metal Glasses (MG) recognized for their outstanding mechanical properties (Metal-like) and surface state (Glass-like), in order to substitute complex existing solutions by a single-multifunctional material coating approach. Our strategy relies on the advantages that can provide the combination of Physical Vapor Deposition coating technology suitable for the deposition of thin films of MG which show better ductility than bulk material and ultra-short pulsed laser irradiation treatment enabling an improvement of some of the required properties at the near-surface of the materials. The industrial relevance of bulk metallic glasses still suffers from detrimental weaknesses (such as insufficient toughness, limited industrial scale-up of the processing technologies and prohibitive cost) for large scale applications. However, these drawbacks can be reduced by decreasing their dimensionality, as in thin films elaboration. Within the MEGALIT project, the detailed strategy to address this challenge is to (i) carefully design the chemical composition of the amorphous alloys with regard to the targeted application ; (ii) exploit thin films PVD coatings technologies which are particularly adapted to generate amorphous metastable phase ; and (iii) tailor the functionalization of the coating surface with adequate ultrafast laser irradiation treatment. Such an advanced process could provide two distinct modifications of the surface and near-surface characteristics of the coating (depending on the irradiation conditions): a modification of the surface state (topography and roughness), to adapt the wetting properties (while maintaining the coating amorphous structure), or a controlled phase transition of the film to form a kind of composite-like nanostructure. Such design of metallic glass composites is a recent trend in the field of metallic glasses where breakthrough performances in terms of mechanical properties (toughness beyond that of the best existing alloys) have been demonstrated. This project is based on the knowledge of the IJL and MATEIS laboratories and IREIS, specialists of amorphous metallic alloys in thin film, of the Hubert Curien laboratory, specialist of the surface functionalization using laser and of the industrial partner (IREIS - HEF group), specialist of the industrial coatings and laser surface texturation at industrial scale. The outcome of this project will deliver technological solutions in three application fields: - Bio-medical applications in order to design a competitive antibacterial and hydrophobic surface treatment ensuring complementary corrosion and abrasion-resistant functions. - Aeronautics, energy and chemical industries to increase the erosion resistance of substrates (to sand, water, dust and potentially reactive particles) in severe operating conditions by combining enhanced mechanical properties (toughness, rigidity, hardness, fatigue resistance) and chemical stability. - Energy storage technologies and process industries, addressing the technical issue of the protection of components operating in corrosive conditions and requiring also electrical conductivity as well as mechanical strength. Consequently, the aim of the project relies on the demonstration of the potential of key enabling technologies (photonics and advanced materials) to address multifunctional-by-design issue, rather than a single property, which will make thin films metallic glasses distinctively attractive. While strong scientific and technical impacts are expected from this multidisciplinary approach, the partners are in position to further exploit positively the MEGALIT project results toward the socio-economical world.