Full-time study

4 years

prof. Ing. Ivo Dlouhý, CSc.

Chairman :
prof. Ing. Ivo Dlouhý, CSc.
Councillor internal :
prof. RNDr. Karel Maca, Dr.
prof. RNDr. Pavel Šandera, CSc.
Councillor external :
prof. RNDr. Antonín Dlouhý, CSc. (Ústav fyziky materiálů AV ČR, v.v.i. )
prof. Mgr. Tomáš Kruml, CSc. (Ústav fyziky materiálů AV ČR, v.v.i. )

The aim of the doctoral study is:
• To ensure the education of graduate creative workers in the field of physics of materials and materials sciences for their work in the academic sphere, institutes of basic and applied research and departments of research and development of industrial companies.
• To enable the doctoral student to develop talent for creative activities and further development of a scientific or engineering personality. To ensure the development of their ability to process scientific knowledge in the field of study and related fields, both literary and their own acquired theoretical or experimental work.
• To develop the habits necessary for creative activity in the field of materials sciences and related fields and for communication with the scientific community.
• The doctoral study is primarily focused on basic research into the relationship between the structure, behaviour and properties of materials in relation to the parameters of their preparation with a focus on materials based on metals, polymers, and ceramics and their composites.
• The purpose of research carried out by doctoral students is also the development of new materials, optimization of useful properties of materials and prediction of their service life on the basis of theoretical and computational methods based on experiments.

the graduate's profile, based on the current state of scientific knowledge and creative activities in the field of materials physics and materials science.
• The graduate of the study is a mature personality, creatively thinking, able to formulate and implement research projects of theoretical and experimental nature, or to develop and apply the knowledge of these projects in production practice.
• The doctoral student will gain broad theoretical and experimental knowledge in the field of modern materials and methods of their development, preparation, study of their behaviour under mechanical, thermal or corrosion stress and properties in relation to the structure.
• The graduate will be an expert capable of exact descriptions of processing processes, designs of very complex products from metals, ceramics and polymers and composites with these matrices, tools for their production, mathematical simulations of processing processes, modelling of mechanical behaviour of materials or predictions of its properties and durability.
• Graduates will be equipped with a broad knowledge of the properties and behaviour of structural ceramics, polymers, metallic materials and composites and processes in processing into final products and tools, both on a theoretical and practical level.
• Graduates are expected to be employed in leading positions associated with technical and technological preparation of production, where they will be able to develop production processes and their design on the basis of knowledge acquired through studies.
• Graduates will also be employed as research and development staff in applied research centres, and after subsequent scientific-pedagogical and foreign practice also as academic staff of universities and academic institutions.

• The doctoral programme "Materials Science" is built so that the graduate is a self-acting material specialist applicable in a number of areas, able to formulate and implement research, development and application projects.
• With regard to the role of materials in all design applications and technologies, creative workers in the field of materials science and engineering will always find appropriate applications at home and abroad, including in the following areas.
- Within the framework of postdoctoral projects at a number of foreign workplaces for graduates with the ambition to be active in the fields of scientific research.
- In the form of direct involvement in research teams of academic and applied research workplaces.
- In the departments of research and development of industrial enterprises, or interdisciplinary teams of these workplaces.
• In all these cases, full-fledged involvement can be expected not only in the Czech Republic, but also at foreign workplaces.

See applicable regulations, DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)

The rules and conditions of study programmes are determined by:
BUT STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES
BUT STUDY PROGRAMME STANDARDS,
STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES of Brno University of Technology (USING "ECTS"),
DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)
DEAN´S GUIDELINE Rules of Procedure of Doctoral Board of FME Study Programmes
Students in doctoral programmes do not follow the credit system. The grades “Passed” and “Failed” are used to grade examinations, doctoral state examination is graded “Passed” or “Failed”.

Brno University of Technology acknowledges the need for equal access to higher education. There is no direct or indirect discrimination during the admission procedure or the study period. Students with specific educational needs (learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicap, chronic somatic diseases, autism spectrum disorders, impaired communication abilities, mental illness) can find help and counselling at Lifelong Learning Institute of Brno University of Technology. This issue is dealt with in detail in Rector's Guideline No. 11/2017 "Applicants and Students with Specific Needs at BUT". Furthermore, in Rector's Guideline No 71/2017 "Accommodation and Social Scholarship“ students can find information on a system of social scholarships.

The doctoral study programme follows on the bachelor's and master's education in the specialization of Materials Engineering (B-MTI) and the master's program Materials Engineering (M-MTI). During the course, students are provided with a balanced basis of theoretical and engineering disciplines supplemented by laboratory teaching with the maximum possible use of the latest instrumentation and computer technology.
For other adepts with education at other universities, the completed master's degree must be permeable to the fields of Materials Science and Engineering, Materials Physics, Solid State Physics, Materials Chemistry, etc.
The doctoral programme in "Materials Science" replaces the existing doctoral study programme in "Physical and Materials Engineering". Both programmes are conceptually identical and after granting a favourable opinion with the accreditation of the "Materials Science" programme, doctoral students will complete their studies within the currently accredited programme.

1. Application of in-situ SEM mechanical testing for plastic deformation localization analysis

   The thesis aims at adoption and application of in situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) mechanical testing for comprehensive characterization of deformation mechanisms under uniaxial monotonic loading. A combination of digital image correlation (DIC) method, used to obtain full-field strain maps of high accuracy, and electron backscatter electron diffraction (EBSD), enabling to acquire crystallographic orientation maps and identification constituent phases, will be pursued for that purpose. Such a dataset will offer an opportunity to follow and characterize deformation mechanisms and assess their influence on macroscopic mechanical properties of the studied material, namely wrought and 3D printed austenitic stainless steel. The method of mechanical testing will present an essential tool for rapid and complex deformation behaviour analysis of different variants of the studied material, for instance during the 3D printing process optimization.

   Tutor: Šmíd Miroslav, Ing., Ph.D.

2. Development of hybrid composites compensating shrinkage at pyrolysis

   The main goal of the doctoral thesis will be the design and characterization of hybrid composites using, for example, fillers to suppress and/or control matrix shrinkage during partial pyrolysis. The work will consist of analyses of microstructural changes of hybrid materials based on polysiloxane resins, optimization of the preparation of composites and their characterization. Furthermore, from the determination of the influence of the method of compensation of shrinkage during pyrolysis on the resulting properties of the matrix. The use of matrix precursors thus prepared for the preparation of fibre-reinforced composites will also be studied. The influence of shrinkage compensation on the micromechanisms of failure and other properties of the prepared hybrid composite materials will be also studied. Due to the complicated microstructure and the number of present interfaces, it will be necessary to develop a procedure to obtain local properties describing the interfaces for numerical simulations. Simulations will result in the prediction of stress distribution formed during the material preparation. Within the work, it will be necessary to elaborate the issues related to the influence of the surrounding matrix by the presence of e.g. fillers, i.e. local changes in the microstructure, stress state and the like, and the impact of these changes on global characteristics. The involvement of advanced techniques of electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, acoustic emission, nanoindentation, etc. will be necessary to achieve the set goals.

   Tutor: Chlup Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

3. Influence of defects on fatigue life of nickel superalloys

   The topic of the work will be to characterize the influence of casting defects and geometrical notches representing stress concentrators on the fatigue life of nickel superalloy components. In particular, the relationship between the microstructure of the superalloy and its tolerance to defects during cyclic loading at elevated temperatures will be monitored. Fatigue tests will be performed on specimens without and with geometrical notches. Based on the analysis of tested specimens using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the influence of defects on the initiation of fatigue cracks and their further propagation will be quantified. The results of the work will expand knowledge about the influence of defects on the fatigue life of nickel superalloy components and help to predict their fatigue life.

   Tutor: Fintová Stanislava, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Influence of loading frequency on the mechanism of fatigue damage

   The dissertation thesis will focus on the identification of mechanisms of fatigue damage of metallic materials depending on the loading rate. It will focus mainly on fatigue tests at different loading frequencies, with emphasis on high-frequency tests and their interpretation. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the mechanisms of fatigue damage of metallic materials at different frequencies (rate) of loading will be studied and from the results, it will be possible to deduce the relationship between traditional and high-frequency fatigue tests. The results of the work will help to gain a deeper understanding of the effect of loading rate on the mechanism of fatigue damage of metallic materials and contribute to the prediction of fatigue life based on high-frequency tests.

   Tutor: Fintová Stanislava, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

5. Microscopic processes at the fatigue crack tip

   Fatigue crack propagation is a process that is described macroscopically using quantities such as the amplitude of the stress intensity factor, the J-integral or the plastic part of the J-integral. There are many models of crack propagation at the microscopic level that consider plastic deformation around the crack tip, but which differ in detail. Advances in experimental methods allow a more accurate and detailed experimental study of these processes and subsequently their more accurate description and modeling using advanced methods of molecular statics and dynamics. The aim of the work will be to gather as much details as possible about the processes at the crack tip during its growth by modern methods: high-resolution digital image correlation (HR DIC), electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI), high-resolution electron backscatter diffraction (HR EBSD) and observation of lamellae prepared using the focused ion beam technique in a transmission electron microscope. Observations will be supplemented by simulation of microscopic processes using molecular dynamics or discrete dislocation dynamics. The measurement methods will first be validated on 316L steel and then applied to materials reinforced with oxide dispersion (ODS) and prepared using additive manufacturing.

   Tutor: Kuběna Ivo, Ing., Ph.D.

6. Study of the influence of transients in piezoceramics in terms of mechanical response

   The main goal of the doctoral thesis will be to study the mechanical and fracture behaviour of piezoceramics (for example BTO, BTZC, etc.) during its transition from one state to another, especially in the vicinity of Curie temperature. The sudden change in electrical properties in the area of transients is well studied, but the influence of mechanical characteristics is not reported in detail. The work will focus on lead-free piezoceramics, or on composite systems containing such piezoceramics. The work will use both non-destructive and destructive methods for characterization of elastic, mechanical and fracture characteristics depending on the temperature. From the point of view of the study of microstructure, all available imaging methods (SEM, TEM, AFM, etc.) will be employed. The analysis of microstructural and structural changes during the transit area will be an integral part of the study. Due to the complicated microstructure and its changes, it will be appropriate to support experimental results by modelling.

   Tutor: Chlup Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

7. Study of the influence of transients in piezoceramics in terms of mechanical response

   The main goal of the doctoral thesis will be to study the mechanical and fracture behaviour of piezoceramics (for example BTO, BTZC, etc.) during its transition from one state to another, especially in the vicinity of Curie temperature. The sudden change in electrical properties in the area of transients is well studied, but the influence of mechanical characteristics is not reported in detail. The work will focus on lead-free piezoceramics, or on composite systems containing such piezoceramics. The work will use both non-destructive and destructive methods for characterization of elastic, mechanical and fracture characteristics depending on the temperature. From the point of view of the study of microstructure, all available imaging methods (SEM, TEM, AFM, etc.) will be employed. The analysis of microstructural and structural changes during the transit area will be an integral part of the study. Due to the complicated microstructure and its changes, it will be appropriate to support experimental results by modelling.

   Tutor: Chlup Zdeněk, Ing., Ph.D.

8. Synergy of high-temperature degradation mechanisms in nickel-based superalloys

   Hot-section components in advanced turbine engine systems are expected to operate at higher temperatures and dwell conditions for longer durations than today with the aim to increase efficiency, lower emissions, and reduce replacement costs. However, under these hot dwell environments, advanced nickel-based superalloys used for turbine blade applications are susceptible to simultaneous time-dependent damage mechanisms such as oxidation, stress corrosion, and creep in addition to cycle-dependent fatigue crack initiation and growth, which often affects cracks in a synergetic interaction. A deep understanding of individual damage mechanisms and synergistic effects is crucial for the safe operation of modern power units. The PhD thesis will improve the understanding of the time-dependent mechanisms of plastic deformation and their synergy on the lifetime of advanced precipitation strengthen high-temperature materials. Emphasis will be placed on lifetime, localization of plastic deformation, and fatigue crack initiation and propagation under different loading regimes. The PhD student should manage to perform tests in computer-controlled MTS machines and data acquisition and evaluation and to use modern material characterization methods - SEM, EBSD, TEM, XRD, CPEM. The proposed topic is secured both in terms of materials within the cooperation of the IPM with the SIEMENS company and in terms of experiments, where the IPM has all the necessary equipment for the successful completion of the planned experiments. It is expected that the PhD student will participate in ongoing research projects (FW03010504, FW03010190, CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/19_262/0020138) and participate in a foreign internship (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Aachen University or Oxford University).

   Tutor: Pantělejev Libor, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

9. Transparent and translucent ceramics with gradient doping of active ions

   The development of ceramic processing has made it possible to prepare polycrystalline ceramics with optical properties comparable to traditional materials such as single crystals or glass. In addition, polycrystalline ceramics offer many advantages, especially in shaping and spatial control of the distribution of active ions. The aim of this Ph.D. study will be the preparation of fine-grained ceramics with a gradient structure of dopants that will provide optimal optical and other required properties for selected applications (laser media, other luminescent applications, optoelectronics, dental ceramics, …). Advanced forming and sintering technologies based on colloidal processing and pressure-assisted sintering will be used to prepare ceramics. Ceramics will be evaluated in terms of efficiency and usability in the intended applications.

   Tutor: Trunec Martin, prof. Ing., Dr.

1. round (applications submitted from 18.04.2022 to 27.05.2022)

1. Mechanical properties and strengthening mechanisms in complex alloys

   Complex alloys containing elements in equimolar ratio belongs to perspective group of advanced materials with extremely good combination of strength and deformation properties, with potential to improved corrosion resistance and other application properties. Excellent mechanical properties are result of combination of strengthening and toughening micromechanisms, in particular nanotwinning and deformation induced plasticity due phase transformations. PhD project will be focused on design of these alloys based on theoretical knowledge supported by semiempirical findings from similar systems. Selected compositions will be experimentally prepared by casting and powder metallurgy route. Then, relationship between microstructure, fabrication procedures and final mechanical properties will be investigated. Special interest will be focused on characterisation and quantification of deformation mechanisms and phase compositions by advanced electron microscopy methods. As a result new complex alloys with optimised preparation procedures, known performance during mechanical loading and key application properties.

   Tutor: Dlouhý Ivo, prof. Ing., CSc.