CENTRE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF PROGRESSIVE DIAGNOSTIC METHODS IN THE PROCESS OF METALS AND NON-METALIC MATERIALS

The main focus of the project is orientated towards building a modern and dynamic centre of excellent analytical methods and the latest knowledge of the interaction between  laser and electron beams with solids and high tech detection systems with high sensitivity, modern mechanical processes and the monitoring of electrical and non-electrical constants focused on the evaluation of specific properties, mainly progressive metallic and non-metallic materials made by the latest technologies in accordance with the long-term objectives of  the State Scientific and Technological Policy in 2015 - Advanced Materials and Technologies. It is expected that the project will contribute to the enhancement of the research's infrastructure in the Trnava region with direct connection to Slovakia (FMST cooperates with dozens of manufacturing companies throughout Slovakia and several educational and research institutions), and even the European Research Area (cooperation with POSTECH, IFW. FZD, TÜW and others), as well as to improve education and popularize science and technology among the general public.

The main project activities are focused on these sub-tasks:

• Development of the operating rules of the CE structures in the university and the FMST structures.
  

• Ensuring the sustainability of the development of CE
  

• Accreditation of different analytical procedures
  

• Attracting high school youth to learn technical material based courses
  

• Acquisition and the installation of a higher resolution electron microscope with EDS, WDS and EBSD detectors with equipment for sampling
  

• Acquisition and installation of a Laser Confocal Microscope enabling to create 3D surface maps and identify organic and inorganic substances in the surface layers
  

• Acquisition and installation of a instrumentational pendulum hammer with  dynamic optical sensing  of the deformation processes
  

• Acquisition and installation of a universal machine for penetrating standardized and non-standard mechanical testing of a wide range of materials
  

• Acquisition and installation of a spectrum analyzer to measure the impedance of modular spectres of non-metallic materials
  

• Acquisition and the installation of a rotary viscometer for rheological measurements of polymer based materials
  

• Acquisition and installation of apparatus for measuring alternating conductivity within non-metallic materials at elevated temperatures
  

• Acquisition and installation of a vulkanograph to evaluate specific parameters in the technological process
  

• Construction of a modern diagnostic centre for evaluating the properties of metallic and non-metallic materials
• Development of new processes and methodologies focused on the use of advanced analytical instrumentation for the detection of structural, mechanical and electrical properties of materials in their manufacturing process.
• Creation of an excellent training centre for doctoral students in the following fields of study: materials and engineering technologies and materials
• Popularization of research results for secondary schools' technical community with an emphasis on obtaining quality candidates for higher technical educational programs.
• Creation of new research jobs
• Creation of conditions for the return of  young specialised professionals from abroad
• Participation in the international joint projects for research and development of new types of materials in order to increase the productivity of technological processes for biomedical applications, to increase security of energy systems and the  reduction of intensive energy used in production systems.
  

• Project outcomes through research, the FMST becomes the driving force behind economic development within the Trnava Region.
• The project will contribute significantly to the improvement of equipment in the field of material research, which is one of the priority research areas for the FMST.
• The project will significantly improves the conditions within the educational process and the training of a new generation of scientific workers and also highly skilled workers for high-tech industries.
• Closer cooperation with the practice will contribute to enhancing the competitiveness of the region, create jobs and improve the quality of human potential.
• The centre of excellence will create favourable conditions for the immediate cooperation of science with social and economic practices to allow the effective transfer of scientific knowledge into practice.
• The project will create better conditions for the involvement of  the FMST in international research networks.