Sectors and Solutions

Automotive and Aerospace

CERIC Partner facilities support aerospace and automotive industry on advanced materials and devices to meet critical safety and performance requirements, assessing the capabilities and limitations of materials even in extreme conditions.
Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: MCX, PSD, XAFS, Irradiation, DXRL, TOF-ERDA, HR-TEM, PIXE/RBS/PIGE, MTEST, TAST, PGAA,SANS, GINA, RAD, DLS, Nanospectroscopy beamline, SuperEsca, SPL-MSB, FESEM, XPS and XPD, XAFS, Spectromiscroscopy beamline, TOF-ERDA, Nuclear Microprobe

Examples of potential solutions:

Composition analysis of tires.
Irradiation damage analysis of electronic components used in airplanes for failure analysis when subjected to cosmic rays.
Imaging of engine system components.
Investigation of surface roughness.
Residual stresses and irregularities in components.
2D and 3D imaging of components (it can be done during operation).
Information about deep layers of matter, even from the inside of a container or a machine, being able to analyse different kind of materials in solid, powder, liquid and pressurized gas form where no reference materials exist.

Study of the inside of large pieces of equipment, and inside vessels that have different conditions of pressure, temperature and environment applied for material manufacturing and testing (glass, ceramic, alloys).
Fabricating high precision components that have to be coupled with precision systems, such as microgears, microparts for watches, microturbines and microfluidic channels.

Analysis of dispersion of pigments for coatings and paintings.
Analysis of inorganic pigments in paintings.
Depth profiling with depth scale of several microns for the analysis of the thin and multilayer films for process control monitoring, composition analysis and contaminant control.
Depth studying of coatings or thin layers up to micro and nano size.

Surface and interface study on heterogeneous catalysis e.g. for energy conversion by hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Study of how properties of catalysts, batteries and fuel cells can vary during operation and follow the evolution of components. Study of electronic behaviour of fuel cells during operations.
Understanding the diffusion behaviour of molecules in microporous materials for the design of membranes for separations for catalysts e.g. in petrochemical industry.
New materials for Li-ion batteries: composition of materials impurities, mixtures of polymorph
Average or local elemental composition of bulk samples in a non-destructive way especially for hydrogen and boron elements through in-situ or under operando experiments, e.g. fuel cells.
Analysis of the changes of catalysts during chemical reactions.
Study of electronic behaviour of fuel cells during operations.
Analysis of traces (ppm ppb) – Catalysis.
Probing new catalysts at atomic level.

Studies of electronic structure phenomena such as electronic phase transitions and the electronic structure of small – down to sub-micrometer size – objects.
Study of electronic properties of materials such as semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors, topological insulators, low-dimensional materials providing composite image of the electronic properties of investigating materials. Imaging of the electronic properties of semiconductor materials and devices, such as in photovoltaics.
Understanding at the distribution of chemistries across a surface such as in operando electrochemical systems and semiconductors.
Analysis of the surface behaviour and in surfaces interactions in electrochemical systems and semiconductors under realistic conditions. Up to nanoscale.

Microstructural and morphological characterisation of nanostructured metals, defining the composition, crystal structure, shape at nanometric scale.
Sensitive analysis of metals microstructure and their thermal behaviour through residual stress test.
Aggregation and microstructural defects (dislocations, planar defects, precipitates) down to atomic resolution.
Study orientational disorder, determine cation distributions and localise light atoms in crystal structures.

Microstructural and morphological characterisation of alloys and new alloys, defining the composition, phases crystal structure and shape down to nanometric scale.
Following the evolution of alloys composition and microstructure during operation (stress or temperature from 77K up to 1000 °C).
Study orientational disorder, determine cation distributions and localise light atoms in crystal structures.
Determining the texture of alloys components.
Quantitative elemental analysis of alloys samples.
Study of distribution of two-phase systems (such as metal alloys).

Composition, crystal and molecular structure of materials such as ceramics and plastics, aggregation and microstructural defects definition (dislocations, planar defects, precipitates) down to atomic resolution in order to solve issues related to materials characteristics and why problems related to their functioning occur.
Surface structure and structural dynamics to study synthetic polymers in solution and in bulk. Definition of thin film structure in polymers surfaces.
Understand the properties and behaviour of modern smart materials which all have nanoscale structure (composites, polymers with or without nanofillers).
Study surfaces interactions in nanocomposites.

Analysis of inhomogeneity of casted materials, water uptake of solids, analysis of artefacts and machines and also dynamic measurements to follow time-dependant processes.
Intolerance of shot blasting systems to metalworking fluids.
Depth profiling with depth scale of several microns for the analysis of the thin and multilayer films for process control monitoring, composition analysis and contaminant control.
Characterisation of individual aerosol particles collected on filters.
Characterisation of novel detector structures with the particular focus to the radiation hardness tests (e.g. wideband gap semiconductors, novel diamond detectors including 3D structures).
Corrosion of metals applied in extreme conditions.
Monitoring radiation damage and compounds deposition.
Microstructural defects (dislocations, planar defects, precipitates) down to atomic resolution of materials such ceramics.
Definition of defects, precipitates (size, composition, shape).

Metal/Metallurgy

The continuing drive for miniaturisation provides an opportunity to build on current micro and nano-manufacturing capabilities related to metals. Among others, developing intelligent multi-functional surface properties for metal components and solutions is key for metal industry. CERIC can support the study of these properties and define new grades of metals and alloys with higher strength, formability and corrosion resistance.
Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: MCX, MTEST, RAD, GINA, SAXS, HR-TEM, TOF, PGAA, NAA, PEEM, XAS

Examples of potential solutions:

Microstructural and morphological characterisation of nanostructured metals, defining the composition, crystal structure, shape at nanometric scale
Sensitive analysis of metals microstructure and their thermal behaviour through residual stress test
Aggregation and microstructural defects (dislocations, planar defects, precipitates) down to atomic resolution
Study orientational disorder, determine cation distributions and localise light atoms in crystal structures.

Determining the composition and microstructure of new alloys (composition, phases, etc.).
Microstructural and morphological characterisation of nanostructured alloys, defining the composition, crystal structure, shape at nanometric scale.
Quantitative elemental analysis of alloys samples.
Determining the texture of alloys components.
Following the evolution of alloys composition and microstructure during operation (stress or temperature from 77K up to 1000 C).
Study of distribution of two-phase systems such as metal alloys.

Analysis of inhomogeneity of casted materials, water uptake of solids, analysis of artifacts and machines and also dynamic measurements to follow time-dependant processes.
Corrosion of metals applied in extreme conditions.
Intolerance of shot blasting systems to metalworking fluids.

Optoelectronics

The Opto-electronics industry has been growing exponentially in the last decades. Main emphasis of technology trends is to have great efficiency that too with greatly reduced size of apparatus. Enhanced conductive and magnetic properties of materials and miniaturisation are the areas where the industry is focusing its efforts in order to come up with better innovations and inventions. CERIC Partner facilities can offer an extensive knowledge and a wide range of solutions for materials development in this area.
Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: Nuclear Microprobe, RBS, GINA, PEEM, UARPES, XPS, Nanospectroscopy beamline, XAS, PSD, TOF-ERDA, Gas phase photoemission beamline, Spectromiscroscopy beamline, BaDElPh, TWINMIC, SuperESCA, NanoInnovation laboratory.

Examples of potential solutions:

Analysis of the surface behaviour and in-surface interactions in electrochemical systems and semiconductors under realistic conditions. Up to nanoscale.
Study of electronic properties of materials such as semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors, topological insulators, low-dimensional materials providing composite image of the electronic properties of investigating materials. Imaging of the electronic properties of semiconductor materials and devices, such as in photovoltaics.
Study of electronic structure phenomena such as electronic phase transitions and the electronic structure of small – down to sub-micrometre size – objects.
Surface morphology, roughness, mechanical and biomechanical behaviour of samples up to micro and nanoscale, permitting also impedance and capacitive measures.
Magnetic ordering and crystalline structure in superconductors.
Effect of electric field on different types of electronic devices such as transistors.
Charge transport phenomena occurring in finished devices and probe electronic transport at different sample depths.
Study of surface and interface phenomena obtaining morphology, chemical (elemental sensitivity) and magnetic properties with lateral resolution of few dozen of nanometres for e.g. composites, clusters, giant magneto-resistive materials, metal-semiconductor spintronic materials.
Magnetic mapping of several types of surfaces in real time with a spatial resolution up to 20 nm e.g. to establish the stability of magnetic memories and graphene based sensors.
Graphene acquisition of functionalities beyond its intrinsic properties for possible spintronic applications.
Induced superconductivity in grapheme.

Structure measuring of thin films or liquid surfaces providing detailed information about on the near-surface structure, including thin films layered on the substrate. Multilayers (up to several thousand) can be investigated. Depth profiling with depth scale of several microns for the analysis of the thin and multilayer for UV mirrors, giant magnetic resistance and magnetic recording.
Study of surface and interface phenomena obtaining morphology, chemical (elemental sensitivity) and magnetic properties with lateral resolution of few dozen of nanometres for thin films and their deposition.
Characterisation of thick and thin films, their quality, composition and microstructural defects in semiconductors.

Energy

Energy demand from developed and developing countries grows, together with concerns on the detrimental effects that an energy economy based on fossil fuels has on the environment. Materials research is fundamental in order to develop energy and storage systems, as advances in materials science that may boost the transition to more sustainable energy consumption. Studies are being carried out including the development novel materials with advanced properties to be applied on solar and fuel cells and batteries and CERIC can offer solutions for main topics related to materials applied to the newest systems.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: HRTEM, EPR, Nuclear Microprobe, NMR, XAFS, MTEST, SAXS, SLS, SPL-MSB, FESEM, XPS and XPD, SuperESCA, TOF-ERDA, Spectromiscroscopy beamline, BaDElPh, ESCA, TAST, PGAA, UARPES

Examples of potential solutions:

Surface and interface study on heterogeneous catalysis e.g. for energy conversion by hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers.
Study of how properties of catalysts, batteries and fuel cells can vary during operation and follow the evolution of components. Study of electronic behaviour of fuel cells during operations.
Understanding the diffusion behaviour of molecules in microporous materials for the design of membranes for separations for catalysts e.g. in petrochemical industry.
New materials for Li-ion batteries: composition of materials impurities, mixtures of polymorphs
Average or local elemental composition of bulk samples in a non-destructive way especially for hydrogen and boron elements through in-situ or under operando experiments, e.g. fuel cells.
Analysis of the changes of catalysts during chemical reactions.
Study of electronic behaviour of fuel cells during operations.
Analysis of traces (ppm ppb) – Catalysis.
Probing new catalysts at atomic level.

Study of electronic properties of materials such as semiconductors, high-temperature superconductors, topological insulators, low-dimensional materials providing composite image of the electronic properties of investigating materials. Imaging of the electronic properties of semiconductor materials and devices, such as in photovoltaics.
Studies of electronic structure phenomena such as electronic phase transitions and the electronic structure of small – down to sub-micrometer size – objects.
Understanding the distribution of chemistries across a surface such as in operando electrochemical systems and semiconductors.
Analysis of dichalcogenides applied in innovative solutions.

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Information on nanoparticle sizes, shape and size distributions in the 1 nm to 0.1 µm range
for the development of solar cells and organic solar cells.

Analysis of the change in the absorbers during oil press process.
High quality data for e.g. the analysis of oil and oil samples for the petrochemical industry.

Chemical

The traditional chemical industry has become a mature industry, new products and market opportunities will come from advanced chemicals with new properties: controlling structures at the micro- and nano-levels is therefore essential to develop new products, meanwhile Almost all chemical industries nowadays rely on development, selection, and application of catalysts. CERCI Partners facilities can offer their expertise on this “hot topics” for Chemical industry.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: NMR, SAXS, NAA, PEEM, XAFS, EPR, MTEST, HRTEM, GINA, XRD1, SANS, SISSI, XPS, Nanospectroscopy beamline, SuperEsca, SPL-MSB, FESEM, XPS and XPD

Examples of potential solutions:

Study of surface and interface phenomena obtaining morphology, chemical (elemental sensitivity) and magnetical properties with lateral resolution of few dozen of nanometres for, e.g., composites, clusters.
High quality data from different types of compounds for the analysis for example of fertilizers.
Determination of the local structure, dynamics, reaction state and chemical environment within molecules.
Graphene functionalisation beyond its intrinsic properties for possible spintronic applications
Detect trace elements at high resolution.
Analyse the shape, size and density of nanoparticles.

Analysis of the changes of catalysts during chemical reactions. Study of how properties of catalysts can vary during operation and follow the evolution of components.
Understanding the diffusion behaviour of molecules in microporous materials for the design of membranes for separations for catalysts.
Surface and interface study on heterogeneous catalysis.
Analysis of traces (ppm ppb) – Catalysis.
Probing new catalysts at atomic level.

Composition, crystal and molecular structure of materials such as ceramics and plastics, aggregation and microstructural defects definition (dislocations, planar defects, precipitates) down to atomic resolution in order to solve issues related to materials characteristics and why problems related to their functioning occur.
Surface structure and structural dynamics to study synthetic polymers in solution and in bulk. Definition of thin film structure in polymers surfaces.
Understand the properties and behaviour of modern smart materials which all have nanoscale structure (composites, polymers with or without nanofillers).
Study surfaces interactions in nanocomposites.

Pharmaceutical, Medical and Biotech

CERIC techniques can offer solutions to critical issues to industry, obtaining much more precise information of the molecular structure and behaviour offering the possibility to understand unsolved issues so far. Among others, CERIC Partner facilities help to understand variability in drugs and their behaviour, critical to address the problem of failing to identify effective drug, or to study biosimilars that are also new target for industry as they present an affordable option to the consumer and a potential hit for manufacturing companies.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: DLS, IUVS, NMR, XRD1, HRTEM, Nanoinnovation laboratory, Structural Biology, Irradiation, SANS, SAXS, SLS, SYRMEP, Nanospectroscopy beamline, SuperESCA, SISSI, EPR, BIO, TOF, XAS

Examples of potential solutions:

Identification of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and of the interactions between API and excipients within formulation.
Development of drug formulations and their release in solid, liquid-crystal (lipid nanoparticles formulation) and liquid state (oral dosage form formulation).
Definition of local structure and symmetry, presence of local strains, mechanism of structural and chemical transformations in the development of new pharmaceutical compounds.
Structural investigation of composites, polymers with or without nanofillers, micellar solutions, emulsions, biological macro molecule and drug delivery systems.
Identification of proteins size and agglomeration, in order to determine the dispersion of particles in tissues for drug delivery applications.
Study of new contrast media for the definition of new protocols in the medical field and in drug delivery.
Study orientational disorder, determine cation distributions and localise light atoms in crystal structures.
Information on nanoparticle sizes, shape and size distributions in the 1 nm to 0.1 µm range.

Identification of proteins size and agglomeration, in order to determine the dispersion of particles in tissues e.g. for drug delivery applications.
Proteins identification in the field of biosimilars.
High throughput production of recombinant proteins and test of biochemical and enzymatic activities on the proteins where inhibitors are being tested.
Study the way to optimise the fabrication of protein nanoarrays.
Characterisation of protein molecules and their aggregates, precrystallisation processes and structures of protein-surfactant complexes.

Control on DNA replication, genome stability and cell signalling to prevent cellular abnormalities, genetic diseases and the onset of cancer.
Study of pharmaceutical compounds and their interaction with DNA.

Enhanced Tomography to study human organs (e.g. kidney), stones composition, mammographic imaging with resolution of few to hundreds of microns.
Study new types of scaffolds functionalised with different types of cells.
Irradiation in atmosphere (e.g. for living cells and seeds for mutation studies).

Analysis of the changes of catalysts during chemical reactions. Study of how properties of catalysts can vary during operation and follow the evolution of components.
Surface and interface study on heterogeneous catalysis.
Analysis of traces (ppm ppb) – Catalysis.
Probing new catalysts at atomic level.

Defining performances of biocompatible materials for virology, cellular biology or cancer research.
Biological irradiation studies.
Testing of biosensors’ bio-functionalisation.
Contrast matched measurements, which reveal particular details on multicomponent systems.

Food

Technology is taking an increasingly important role in food production. Advances are required from across the full spectrum of food research, and CERIC Partner facilities can support from the molecular and microstructural definition and the raw material processing and novel processing methods, to quality control, microbiological safety issues and advances in preservation.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: EPR, DLS, IUVS, SISSi, NAA

Examples of potential solutions:

Very specific information about the relative concentration of the components (e.g., in edible fats and oils).
Pore structure of samples, for example, freeze-dried vegetables.
Determination of the dispersion of particles in emulgens.
Trace elements composition, map molecular groups and structures on the nanoscale.
Diffusion behaviour of molecules in microporous.

Specific interactions of proteins embedded in matrixes (e.g. glassy sugar matrices).
Determine proteins size and agglomeration of proteins.

Monitoring radiation damage in different materials including food.

Environmental

Issues of environmental protection are gaining an increasing importance. Every aspect of materials usage, from extraction to production, and disposal is now related to environmental considerations. CERIC Partner facilities also collaborates on systems and processes for analysis, monitoring and control of contaminant particles, nanoparticles and trace elements too.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: IUVS, MCX, XAFS, BaDElPh, PIXE-RBS-PIGE, TOF-ERDA, TWINMIC, RBS, GINA, MTEST, Gas phase photoemission beamline, NAA, XAS.

Examples of potential solutions:

Detecting trace elements and map molecular groups and structures up to micro and nano resolution in environmental studies such as in plastic pollution.
High resolution studies of electronic band structure (e.g. for ozone studies).
High quality data from different types of materials for the analysis for example of soil and fertilizers.
Studies to define the distribution of the absorption of light metals.
Depth profiling with depth scale of several microns for the analysis of the thin and multilayer films for process control monitoring, composition analysis and contaminant control.

Characterisation of individual aerosol particles collected on filters.
Evaluating effectiveness of pollutants removal solutions.

Cultural Heritage

CERIC Partner facilities can support cultural heritage conservation offering a wide complementary set of characterisation techniques, essential due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the samples, through low or non-destructive analytical methods and providing information from atomic to the structural level of the samples.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: PIXE-RBS-PIGE, EPR, Twin-mic, SYRMEP, RAD, MCX, PGAA, TOF

Examples of potential solutions:

Characterisation of the metal threads from liturgical vestments and folk costumes in order to define appropriate treatment for cleaning and conservation.
Analysis of inorganic/metal pigments in the paintings and composition of antique coins.
3D tomographic imaging of several objects with resolution of few to hundreds microns, and
3-D imaging by thermal neutrons for bulky objects in a non-destructive way, providing high-quality imaging inside objects.
Non-destructive bulk or local elemental composition measurement for provenance studies.
Unique combination of element analysis and imaging for the easier interpretation of structure and materials.
Material surfaces studied at atomic level.

Characterization of the metal threads from liturgical vestments and folk costumes in order to define appropriate treatment for cleaning and conservation.
Monitoring damages in materials done by exposition to radiation.

Textile

High tech solutions have become prominent in the textile sector over the last decade. Delivering enhanced performance, exceptional protection and premium function is the focus of the textile sector. Nowadays, new polymers with enhanced properties and nanomaterials are basic materials for the smart textile sectors and CERIC partner facilities can support research in this area.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: SISSI, EPR, TwinMic, PIXE-RBS-PIGE, SANS.

Examples of potential solutions:

Study of polymers, polyamides and other materials for high quality application, as well as to solve issues related to their technical characteristics.
Surface structure and structural dynamics to study synthetic polymers in solution and in bulk. Definition of thin film structure in polymers surfaces.
Understand the properties and behaviour of modern smart materials which all have nanoscale structure.

Monitoring radiation damage and compounds deposition (down to submicrometric resolution) in textiles used in high risk sites.

Paint and Coatings

Paint and coatings manufacturers are constantly seeking for long lasting solutions easy to use and with enhanced properties in the area of dirt, rain and environmental contaminants repellants materials, focusing, in particular on their micro and nano-scale structure as is directly linked to their end-use properties at the macro-scale. CERIC Partners have facilities and skills to help refine production and manufacturing processes and understand micro- and nano-structure in these materials for higher end-product performance.

Main beamlines, instruments and laboratories: PGGA, DLS, PIXE/RBS

Examples of potential solutions:

Depth studying of coatings or thin layers up to micro and nano size.
Depth profiling with depth scale of several microns for the analysis of the thin and multilayer films.
Analysis of dispersion of pigments for coatings and paintings.
Analysis of inorganic pigments.