Joining Technologies & Corrosion
We drive innovations in joining technologies and corrosion management to enable evolution towards increasingly efficient, reliable and sustainable material technologies.
CORE COMPETENCES
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Joining Technologies
(e.g. soldering, brazing, nanopaste sintering, reactive joining, nanojoining) -
Corrosion & Materials Integrity
(e.g. corrosion mechanisms, failures and prevention strategies) -
Electrochemistry at Metallic Surfaces
(e.g. surface functionalizing of metals, alloys, implants, sensors) -
Interface Reactivity of Nanostructured Materials
(e.g. tuning reactivity and nano-size effects at solid-solid, solid-liquid and solid-gas interfaces)
KEY FACTS & PORTFOLIO
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We are the Swiss competence center for the assessment of corrosion failures and the development of corrosion prevention strategies.
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We are a renowned key player in the research, development and application of nanostructured joining materials and innovative micro- and nano-joining technologies.
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We operate the first laboratory-based Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (HAXPES) in Switzerland for state-of-the-art chemical-state studies of functionalized surfaces, thin films and their buried interfaces.
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We offer technology transfer of custom-tailored technological solutions in the fields of corrosion protection, surface and interface engineering, joining (i.e. brazing, soldering, nanopaste sintering) and functional oxide films.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
In order to bridge the gap between basic research and real-life applications, we aim at comprehensive understanding of the effect of material heterogeneities and defects on the (electro)chemical reactivity and stability of solid-solid, solid-liquid and solid-gas interfaces. To this end, cutting-edge experiments are combined with modelling to arrive at fundamental understanding of:
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The thermodynamics and kinetics of diffusion, wetting, nucleation and competing phase formation at solid-solid, solid-liquid and solid-gas interfaces
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The electrochemical reactivity and combined thermal, chemical and mechanical stability of heterogeneous metals, alloys and coatings systems in harsh environments
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Interface reactivity in nanostructured materials, such as thin oxide films, nanostructured alloys, nanoparticle pastes and nanomultilayers
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Defect engineering of functional oxide films
corrosion, joining, surface engineering, corrosion management, corrosion analysis, corrosion testing, failure analysis, joining technologies, packaging, brazing, soldering, bonding, oxide film, local electrochemistry, HAXPES, surface analysis, research, R&D, service, consult, Swiss, switzerland
corrosion, joining, surface engineering, corrosion management, corrosion analysis, corrosion testing, failure analysis, joining technologies, packaging, brazing, soldering, bonding, oxide film, local electrochemistry, HAXPES, surface analysis, research, R&D, service, consult, Swiss, switzerland
corrosion, joining, surface engineering, corrosion management, corrosion analysis, corrosion testing, failure analysis, joining technologies, packaging, brazing, soldering, bonding, oxide film, local electrochemistry, HAXPES, surface analysis, research, R&D, service, consult, Swiss, switzerland
Dr. Lars Jeurgens
Head of the Laboratory
Dr. Patrik Schmutz
Group Leader (Deputy to the Head of the Laboratory)
patrik.schmutz@empa.ch
Claudia Frey
Assistant