SUMA2-Network · Surface Modifications for advanced applications

The SUMA2 Network is designed to collaborate in the field of materials surface modification for advanced applications, and is composed of 3 Universities and 1 research center in Europe (Saarland University and Fraunhofer Institut for Material and Beam technology (GER), National Politecnical Institute of Lorraine (FRA) and Linköping University (SWE)), and 5 Universities in Latinamerica (Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (ARG), Potificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CHI), Universidade de Caxias do Sul (BRA)).The purpose of this multidisciplinary network is to combine different areas of expertise in physics, chemistry, materials science, materials engineering, mechanical engineering and electronic engineering towards the development of optimized surfaces for different applications, such as: gas sensors, transparent p-n junctions, organic solar cells, electrochemical electrodes and wear resistant and anticorrosive surfaces.To achieve this goal different processing techniques will be applied and combined, like plasma-based deposition techniques, plasma-assisted thermochemical diffusion treatments, and laser patterning. This will be complemented with excellent characterization facilities including FIB/SEM, high resolution TEM, and atom probe tomography. Moreover, specially designed facilities for property testing (electrical, mechanical, sensing) are available. 54 exchanges with the participation of 41 scientists with different levels of experience (from PhD students to professors) will be carried out within the project. The total cost of the project is 184.800 €. Three workshops will be organized in order to exchange experience among the partners, to enhance knowledge transfer as well as to discuss further common activities.