Field-Assisted Sintering of Alloy-Derived High-Entropy Oxides for Energy-Sector Protection

This project brings together Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at University of Alberta (UofA) and Institute of Energy Materials and Devices (IMD-2: Materials Synthesis and Processing) at Forschungszentrum Jülich to develop tougher, longer-lasting oxide coatings for high-temperature use. Our team recently discovered a promising mix of metal oxides that forms naturally on a special alloy. During a 24-week visit to IMD-2 in Germany, intern Hongrui Yue will use an advanced method called Field-Assisted Sintering (FAST/SPS) to press and heat the mechanically alloyed oxide powders with the same chemistry so they become dense, uniform, and well-bonded. The work will include preparing powders, running sintering trials, and checking results with standard tools that measure density, structure, and strength. The goal is to create coatings that can better resist heat and corrosion in areas like turbines and industrial equipment. The expected benefits are clear: IMD-2 will advance a fast, energy-efficient process for complex oxides and strengthen ties with Canadian researchers; UofA will train a highly skilled postdoctoral research fellow in modern manufacturing and share new know-how with Canadian labs and companies. Together, we aim to shorten the path from lab discovery to practical, durable materials that support cleaner, more reliable energy systems.

Faculty Supervisor:

Jing Liu

Student:

Partner:

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Advanced Manufacturing; Clean Technology

University:

University of Alberta

Program: