Nano- and micromechanics of thin film and biological materials

Scientific Mission

Mechanical properties and the resulting reliability of systems exhibit strong size effects in the micron and sub-micron range. Our research aim is to produce and identify small-scale material structures and to study their materials physics. Using state-of-the-art thin film deposition and patterning, functional materials in the form of blanket films and patterned structures are synthesized. By employing advanced in-situ methods, we investigate the deformation mechanisms in miniaturized metals with emphasis on confined dislocation plasticity, diffusional creep, fatigue and fracture. These studies are linked with industrial problems in the area of microprocessor fabrication and reliability. In a highly interdisciplinary direction, we perform research at the border between materials science and biology from an evolutionary, structural and mechanical perspective. Current topics include adhesion mechanisms in insects, geckoes and bio-inspired artificial systems, the mechanics of the cytoskeleton, and functional properties of plant surfaces. Mechanical strength and adhesion are generally found to increase for smaller systems ("smaller is stronger"), up to certain limits, which we aim to describe by theoretical models. Based on the fundamental insight gained, we develop optimized thin-film systems and artificial bio-inspired attachment devices that can be transferred into useful technical systems.