Smart Materials and Devices (SMD)
Prof. Dr. Manfred Kohl [Contact]
Smart materials are characterized by their multifunctional properties, in particular, sensing and actuation functions. Important examples are shape memory alloys (SMAs), piezoelectrics, as well as multiferroic materials. These materials show large abrupt changes of their physical properties near phase transformations allowing for compact device actuator and sensor designs. Therefore, they are predestined for applications on the micro- and nanometer scale.
Our research contributes to the research program 3: "Materials Systems Engineering" (MSE), Topic 1: "Functionality by Information-Guided Design: From Molecular Concepts to Materials", in the research field „Information“ as defined by the Helmholtz Association. Link to MSE website.
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Microactuator Systems (MAS)- Prof. Dr. Manfred KohlWe combine smart materials, micro engineering and micro/nano technologies to develop novel smart actuators, sensors and multifunctional devices. In the focus are shape memory alloys that can be reversibly deformed by strain values exceeding 10% and still recover their original shape by heating (thermal shape memory effect) or by applying a magnetic field (magnetic shape memory effect). Based on these materials we develop multilayer material systems and corresponding device architectures at the micro- and nanometer scale with actuation and self-sensing capability.
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Thermomagnetic Microactuators and Generators (TMG) - NNSmart materials are useful to convert waste heat or vibrational energy into electricity (energy harvesting).
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Zero-emission Thermal Technologies (ZET) - Dr. Jingyuan XuWe combine advanced functional materials, thermodynamics, and micro-/system engineering to develop zero-emission heating and cooling technologies. Our research spans elastocaloric, thermoacoustic, and solar-driven approaches for efficient, refrigerant-free thermal energy conversion. We design innovative devices across scales, from microcooling to building systems, with integrated actuation, heat transfer, and energy conversion, aiming to enable sustainable, energy-efficient thermal technologies powered by renewable or low-grade heat.
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