The new infrastructure (Physical property measurement system – PPMS) makes the ESI a leading centre for advanced physical characterization of innovative functional materials in Austria.

In the FunkyMat project (Unlocking the Functional Potential of Sustainable Materials) Andrea Bachmaier, Megan Cordill, Claus Trost and their research team are working on characterization of the physical properties of all functional materials synthesized at the institute. For example, the new infrastructure will be used for the following research activities:

• Digitalization

The FunkyMat project will create a unique material database, which will be the basis for digital material development and will advance the development of material design and processing of functional materials beyond the state of the art.

• E-mobility

Electric means of transportation consume the largest number of permanent magnets. It is of utmost importance to find new magnetic material systems that contain less rare earth metals and meet the rapidly increasing performance requirements for magnetic materials. We are working on the development of these rare earth-free magnetic materials.

• Green transformation

We are working to develop materials that lead to clean energy solutions, and the new infrastructure will greatly enhance our possibilities. New functional materials with improved properties can also lead to improved durability and better efficiency during the use phase in applications such as wind turbines, electric cars, solar cells and hydrogen fuel cells.

The FunkyMat project is also helping to further advance material recycling. One focus is to understand how the chemistry of the material influences the mechanical and functional properties in order to develop more resource-efficient and cost-effective durable materials.