FUNCTIONAL

"Strengthen International Research Collaborations on the Development of Functional Surfaces between the EU, Brazil and Mexico"

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The FUNCTIONAL project is aimed to achieve the strengthening cooperation between the European Union with third countries such as Brazil and Mexico in order to transfer knowledge in the development of functional and high-performance nanostructured surfaces. Therefore, the networking RTD activities among the four partners involved will strengthen the International dimension of the European Research Area by promoting the secondments of researchers either by receiving incoming staff members from Brazil and Mexico or by sending outgoing staff members from Spain and Germany. The main objectives of the joint exchange programme are: 1) Strengthening collaboration between European R&D centres of excellence and other organizations belonging to third countries. 2) Development of new research capacities in knowledge areas of large potential impact. 3) Maintaining sustainable research cooperation between EU countries and Brazil and Mexico through an exchange system between the partners not only during the project but also beyond it, promoting the creation of active and formal partnerships between the partners. The programme of exchange is focused on developing high-performance and functional nanostructured coatings able to withstand wear and corrosion hard conditions present during life-in service of many components for several industries. New advanced techniques (laser and friction stir based techniques) will be used in order to create this functional surface.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Functionalised surface layers cover components in fields from biomedicine to transport to energy. The market sector is huge and growing and a new EU-Latin America partnership promises a strong presence on the playing field.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Tapping the potential of nanostructured surfaces and composites provides an important opportunity for economic growth and development. Researchers in Spain and Germany joined forces with those in Latin America's two biggest economies, Brazil and Mexico, on the EU-funded project FUNCTIONAL. Their goal is to advance development of nanostructured surfaces through strengthened international cooperation and secondments of researchers.

Now in its third project year, visits from European researchers to Brazilian partner facilities have fostered knowledge about cryomilling to produce nanopowders. In this process, the material is chilled and then ground to create fine particles. Activities included process optimisation and characterisation of nanopowders, culminating in design and fabrication of a die for extrusion moulding to consolidate nanostructured alloys and composites.

Researchers employed techniques including friction stir welding and laser cladding, a welding process using laser heat rather than friction heat, to produce nanostructured surfaces. During staff exchanges, they characterised the surfaces with particular attention to corrosion properties, strengthening ties between Spain and Mexico.

The team has been spreading the word to stakeholders through networking, collaboration with universities and other organisations and contact with companies. Refineries, shipyards and nuclear energy organisations stand to benefit from enhanced corrosion-resistant coatings. In addition, the automotive and aeronautic industries are likely beneficiaries of the nanostructured alloys and composites with improved mechanical properties obtained using high-energy milling.

FUNCTIONAL nanostructured coatings and nanocomposites are expected to make an important contribution to many industries while boosting the economies of the collaborating countries. Mutual transfer of knowledge will have long-lasting impact on research and development, enhancing international visibility, funding and the quantity and quality of results.