Argonne researchers investigate the synthesis, fabrication and characterization of ceramic and covetic materials to optimize their properties for practical engineering applications.

Focus Areas

• Covetic materials (nanocarbon-infused metals/alloys) for conductors with high thermal & electrical conductivity
• Dielectrics for power inverters/converters for automotive & industrial electronics
• Ionic and mixed-conductors  for fuel cells and electrolyzers, gas separation membranes and electrodes
• Membrane reactors for reactive separation and chemical synthesis

Capabilities

• Materials fabrication, including melt-processing; aerosol-, physical vapor-, & chemical solution-deposition processes; powder synthesis with controlled stoichiometry/morphology
• Characterization, including thermal; electrical; electrochemical; X-ray, microstructural and chemical
• Gas permeation testing, including setup to measure permeation flux; diffusivities; and gas stream analysis