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.
prof. Mgr. Tomáš Kruml, CSc.

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. Creep of ferritic oxide dispersion strengthened alloys at low strain rates.

   Oxide dispersion strengthened alloys (ODS) exhibit excellent resistance against high temperature plastic deformation. A microstructural reason rests in the presence of a threshold stress below which a dislocation motion is effectively obstructed by a dispersion of the nano-oxide particles [1]. Nevertheless, a limited accumulation of creep deformation is also observed in the low stress regime, while a microstructural mechanism has not yet been identified. Therefore, the aim of the study is to find relations between the high temperature mechanical response of the ODS alloy subjected to low applied stresses and a corresponding evolution of microstructure. At very low creep rates, it is envisaged that the creep strain accumulation is governed by a drag of nano-oxides by dislocations stuck to the particle interfaces. One of the partial goals thus will focus on this hypothesis, its confirmation or disproval, also with an aid of a thermodynamic model suitable for prediction of the basic creep characteristics. A new FeAlOY ODS nanocomposite with a high-volume fraction of Y2O3 nanodispersion developed at IPM will be investigated at temperatures of 800 to 1100 °C by conventional creep tests, torsional and helicoidal specimen method. Furthermore, the selective laser melting (SLM) version of FeAlOY alloy will also be investigated in terms of microstructure and creep behavior. In order to accelerate the acquisition of experimental data, the incremental loading/unloading method will be used. The new experimental data on stress exponent, activation energy of creep or the dependence of creep rate on nanodispersion size and dislocation density will allow to identify the process governing creep, all in a close correlation with results on the evolution of ODS microstructure during creep deformation. Literature: [1] Wasilkovska, A., Bartsch, M., Messerschmidt, U., Hezog, R., Czyrska-Filemonowicz, A., Creep mechanisms of ferritic oxide dispersion strengthened alloys, J. Mater. Process. Technol. 133 (2003) 218-224. [2] Gamanov, Š., Luptáková, N., Bořil, P., Jarý, M., Mašek, B., Dymáček, P., Svoboda J., Mechanisms of plastic deformation and fracture in coarse grained Fe–10Al–4Cr–4Y2O3 ODS nanocomposite at 20–1300°C, Journal of Materials Research and Technology 24 (2023) 4863-4874. [3] Kloc, L., Mareček, P., Measurement of Very Low Creep Strains: A Review, J. Test. Eval. 37 (2009) 53-58.

   Tutor: Dymáček Petr, 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. Heat treatment of 3D printed metal parts for aerospace

   Heat treatment of metal parts produced by additive manufacturing (3D printing) is an integral part of this production. The heat treatment of these parts is absolutely necessary to achieve a higher quality of the final product, which leads to an increase in its added value, which is crucial for the practice. The student will have the opportunity to participate in research on the heat treatment process of titanium alloys and Inconel alloy intended for demanding conditions and in the field of aviation and cosmonautics (space industry).

   Tutor: Kotrbáček Petr, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

4. Impact of interstitial elements on creep in industrial hexagonal alloys.

   Environmentally friendly technologies, serving energy production, transportation and storage, need to be promoted in order to meet restrictions imposed on a production of greenhouse gasses. Traditional classes of hexagonal metallic alloys, like Zr, Ti and Mg, usually represent the material of choice for these advanced engineering solutions. However, all the three alloy families suffer from environmental attack and their creep performance is seriously hampered by an embrittlement associated with an absorption of interstitial elements, hydrogen in particular. Over decades, a significant research effort improved understanding of the related damage accumulation, nevertheless, many scientific questions remain open due to a lack of experimental techniques capable to trace the uptake of interstitial atoms in-situ. In recent years, the Advanced High Temperature Materials (AHTM) team at IPM developed experimental and theoretical approaches that may provide new insight into the damage processes in question. In particular, we have designed and constructed a new electrolytic cell which enables an acquisition of synchrotron diffraction data in-situ during well controlled exposure of the alloys to aggressive environments. The new technique makes it possible to follow temporal and spatial evolution of the alloy microstructure under well controlled process conditions. In addition, our research protocol combines standard testing and characterization techniques like creep, electron microscopy (EM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) with the ex-situ and in-situ diffraction of synchrotron radiation (SXRD) and ab-initio calculations, thus providing comprehensive information on the investigated material system. Objectives of the thesis focus on three topical issues related to the industrial variants of Zr-, Ti and Mg-based alloys subjected to interactions with atmospheres containing interstitial elements: 1) time and space evolution of the interstitial distribution and associated build-up of internal stresses, 2) understanding the relation between the internal stress states and the alloy embrittlement and 3) time/strain resolved data on the accumulation of creep damage in the application relevant range of temperatures. The work assumes an application of various experimental and theoretical methods like micro and nano structural electron microscopy, SXRD or numerical modelling within a framework of density functional theory. Literature: [1] J. Čadek, Creep in metalic materials, Academia, Prague, 1988. [2] Y. Fukai, Metal-Hydrogen System, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2010. [3] V.G. Gavriljuk at al., Hydrogen in Engineering Materials, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 2023. [4] A. Weiser et al., Hydrogen penetration into the NiTi superelastic alloy investigated in-situ by synchrotron diffraction experiments, Acta Materialia 277 (2024) 120217.

   Tutor: Dlouhý Antonín, prof. RNDr., CSc.

5. Machine-learned interatomic potentials for study of crystal lattice defects

   Machine learning algorithms are currently under great development and their applications can be found also in computational material science. Using such approaches, it is possible to obtain information about interatomic interactions, which can be used subsequently for computer simulations of large-scale systems and predict material properties at real operation temperatures without the need for their experimental preparation. Material properties are strongly influenced by defects of crystal lattice such as impurity atoms, grain boundaries and twin boundaries. Therefore, it is necessary to develop procedures for training machine-learned potentials that will be able to cover the influence of mentioned defects.

   Tutor: Zelený Martin, Ing., Ph.D.

6. 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.

7. Production and characterization of advanced geopolymeric composites.

   Geopolymers are one of the most promising future construction materials due to their attractive mechanical properties, durability and ability to sequestrate CO2. New methods of geopolymeric composites have been developed, which enable the production and dispersion of reinforcing nanofiller "in-situ", i.e. directly in the liquid alkaline activator. This method makes it possible to achieve an optimal dispersion of the filler and a higher content of the filler by at the same time having superior control on its orientation within the matrix. The task of the position will be the production of various geopolymer composites characterized by different loadings of natural and synthetic fibers and/or 2D nanofillers such as graphene, boron nitride nanolayers or clay nanolayers. The candidate will also delve into the effectivity of cold-consolidation methods, for instance by use of isostatic pressure. Micro- and nano-structural characterization of the samples will be performed by electron microscopy techniques such as SEM, TEM and AFM. Chemical composition and phase analysis will be performed by means of XRD, FTIR, and EDS. The work will be supplemented with the mechanical characterization of the produced samples by compressive tests, measurement of the modulus of elasticity by resonance, measurement of the fracture toughness by Chevron and nanoindentation methods, measurement of bending strength by three-point bending test.

   Tutor: Bertolla Luca, Ing., Ph.D.

8. Study of the influence of transients phenomena in piezoceramics in terms of fracture-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.