Σεμινάριο Ασφαλείας Εργαστηρίων – Laboratory Safety Seminar

02 Οκτωβρίου 2024

English text follows.

Την Πέμπτη 3 Οκτωβρίου και ώρα 9:00, θα πραγματοποιηθεί το Σεμινάριο Ασφαλείας του Τμήματος στην αίθουσα Φ2 του κτηρίου Φυσικής. Η παρακολούθησή του είναι υποχρεωτική προκειμένου να μπορέσει κάποιος να παρακολουθήσει κάποιο Εργαστηριακό Μάθημα. Θα τηρηθεί παρουσιολόγιο. Οι φοιτητές που το έχουν ήδη παρακολουθήσει στο παρελθόν δεν υποχρεούνται να το παρακολουθήσουν ξανά.

On Thursday, October 3rd, at 10:00 AM, the Department's Safety Seminar will take place in room F2 of the Physics building. All master's and doctoral students who have not attended it as undergraduates must participate. Attendance will be taken.
The seminar is POSTPONED and will be rescheduled.

Τελετή Υποδοχής Πρωτοετών

25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024

Η υποδοχή των πρωτοετών φοιτητών του Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών, θα πραγματοποιηθεί την Τετάρτη 9 Οκτωβρίου 2024 και ώρα 14:00 στην Αίθουσα Ε130 (τηλε-εκπαίδευσης) κτήριο Τμήματος Μαθηματικών και Εφαρμοσμένων Μαθηματικών (δίπλα στη γραμματεία).

Δείτε την πρόσκληση.

Παρουσίαση Μεταπτυχιακής Διπλωματικής Εργασίας του κ. Νικολάου Πιτάνιου

25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024

ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ

ΤΜΗΜΑ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΗΣ ΥΛΙΚΩΝ

 ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΜΕΤΑΠΤΥΧΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ

 Τίτλος

«SLM Controlled Phase Locking Between Optically Trapped Exciton-Polariton Condensates» 

του Νικολάου Πιτάνιου

μεταπτυχιακού φοιτητή του Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

 Επιβλέπων: Παύλος Σαββίδης

 Παρασκευή 27 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024 Ώρα 10:00

Η παρουσίαση θα πραγματοποιηθεί στην αίθουσα Φ2, στο κτήριο του Τμήματος Φυσικής, του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

Abstract

This Master’s thesis explores the phase locking between optically trapped exciton-polariton condensates, concentrating on the use of spatial light modulator (SLM) to realize and precisely manipulate the trapping potential. By using digital holography and implementing the Gerchberg–Saxton phase retrieval algorithm the sculpting of the laser field can be achieved. Coupling between condensates is realized through the change of the optical trap intensity between the two traps leading to phase locking with neighboring condensates. Applications in quantum information processing and polariton phased arrays technology are potentially affected by the study being presented.

Ανακοίνωση μαθήματος “Βιώσιμα Πολυμερή” – “Sustainable Polymers” course announcement

25 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024

English text follows.

Το προπτυχιακό και μεταπτυχιακό μάθημα "Βιώσιμα Πολυμερή" θα ξεκινήσει την ερχόμενη εβδομάδα (από 30/9) σύμφωνα με το πρόγραμμα.

The undergraduate and postgraduate course "Sustainable Polymers" will start next week (from 9/30) according to the schedule.

Registration and course declarations for postgraduate students

19 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024

To enroll at the postgraduate program in “Materials Science and Engineering” for the 2024-2025 fall semester candidate graduate students who were accepted in June and September calls must have fulfilled their degree requirements by the end of the registration period (see below). Note that students who were provisionally accepted under the requirement of completing their undergraduate studies can enroll by submitting  a certificate of completion.

Course registration period for the fall semester 2024-2025 of the MSc in “Materials Science and Engineering” is from 30/9/2024 to 11/10/2024.

All students are required to have consulted their supervisors (or the Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor D. Papazoglou) and have their consent. (Course declaration form is attached).

Courses will start on Monday 30th September 2024.

Course Program: https://www.materials.uoc.gr/en/graduate-course-timetable-winter-2024-amp-ndash-2025/

Παρουσίαση Μεταπτυχιακής Διπλωματικής Εργασίας της κ. Η. Μανουρά

29 Αυγούστου 2024

ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ

ΤΜΗΜΑ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΗΣ ΥΛΙΚΩΝ

 ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΜΕΤΑΠΤΥΧΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ

 

Τίτλος

«Theoretical Investigation of MOFs’ Linker Functionalization for Enhancing Desalination»

της Ηλέκτρας Μανουρά

μεταπτυχιακής φοιτήτριας του Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

 Επιβλέπων Καθηγητής: Γεράσιμος Αρματάς

Τετάρτη 4 Σεπτεμβρίου 2024,Ώρα 11:00

H παρουσίαση θα πραγματοποιηθεί στην αίθουσα Τηλε-εκπαίδευσης (Ε130), στο κτήριο του Τμήματος Μαθηματικών και Εφαρμοσμένων Μαθηματικών, του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

Abstract

Water scarcity is a critical issue that affects millions globally. With the increasing population and the escalating impacts of climate change, there is an urgent need for sustainable water treatment solutions. Desalination, plays a pivotal role in addressing this challenge. Our research leverages Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)—highly porous materials composed of metal nodes and organic linkers—to enhance the desalination efficiency. By functionalizing MOF linkers, we improved salt rejection without significantly affecting water permeability, making the desalination process more effective and energy-efficient. We employed a multi-scale computational approach, that can advance the understanding of MOF interactions with water and contaminants, contributing valuable insights to the field of materials science and environmental engineering. Specifically, we conducted extensive ab initio calculations to screen a wide range of functional groups for their binding energy with water and salt ions, using the RI-MP2/def2-TZVPP level of theory [1]. This process led to the creation of a database of substituted benzenes with high salt adsorption potential compared to water. The functional group with optimal selectivity (-PO₃H₂) was selected for MOF modification and its desalination performance was evaluated through molecular dynamics simulations. It was found that the functionalized MOF reached 100% ion rejection, without significantly affecting water permeability. The results of this research, can guide experimental scientists to design new materials with desired properties and interactions, and facilitate the development of advanced desalination membranes and other water treatment technologies, tailored to specific needs and conditions.

Call for Applications for Postgraduate Studies in the Department of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete

25 Ιουλίου 2024

The Department of Materials Science and Technology of the University of Crete announces a limited number of postgraduate student positions for the academic year 2024-2025. The offered educational and research activities of the program are:

• Optoelectronics - Magnetic materials - Nanotechnology,
• Polymers - Colloids,
• Theoretical - Computational Materials Science,
• Synthetic Chemistry of Materials,
• Biomaterials - Biomolecules.

Deadline for submission of the application and supporting documents for the Postgraduate Program is set for September 2nd, 2024. The interviews will take place on September 9th, 2024 between 9:00 - 13:00.

More Information

Παρουσίαση Μεταπτυχιακής Διπλωματικής Εργασίας της κ. Νικάνδρας Παπακώστα

19 Ιουλίου 2024

ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ

ΤΜΗΜΑ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΗΣ ΥΛΙΚΩΝ

 ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΜΕΤΑΠΤΥΧΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ

 

Τίτλος

«Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures on Metallic and Semiconductor Surfaces for Hydrogen Production through Alkaline Electrolysis»  

της Νικάνδρας Παπακώστα

μεταπτυχιακής φοιτήτριας του Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

 Επιβλέπων: Παναγιώτης Λουκάκος

 

Παρασκευή 26 Ιουλίου 2024, Ώρα 11:00

H παρουσίαση θα πραγματοποιηθεί στην αίθουσα Τηλε-εκπαίδευσης (Ε130), στο κτήριο του Τμήματος Μαθηματικών και Εφαρμοσμένων Μαθηματικών, του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

Abstract

The present thesis examines the enhancement of hydrogen production through the fabrication of nanostructured electrodes and their application in alkaline electrolysis. The primary focus is on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the impact of nanostructured surfaces on improving reaction efficiency.

Νanostructured nickel electrodes were fabricated using ultrashort laser pulses to form periodic surface structures. Additionally, measurements were conducted on nickel electrodes subjected to electrodeposition (ELN) and on iron electrodes. ELN two-step fabrication process was employed to effectively enlarge the electrocatalytic area of the electrodes in an alkaline electrolysis setup. Initially, ultrashort laser pulses were used to nanostructure the electrode surfaces, followed by the electrodeposition of nickel particles. Furthermore, nickel foam (NF) electrodes with increased surface area were explored through the deposition of nickel using the Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique. High-resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed for structural and morphological characterization of the prepared electrodes.

The efficiency of hydrogen production was assessed using a custom-made electrolysis cell. For laser-nanostructured nickel electrodes, the hydrogen production efficiency increased by a factor of 3.7. In contrast, electrodeposited-laser-nanostructured nickel electrodes (ELN) showed an enhancement factor of 4.5, and laser-nanostructured iron electrodes exhibited a factor of 2. These enhancements were corroborated by current-time measurements during electrolysis.

Nickel foam electrodes decorated with nickel nanoparticles at various deposited thicknesses (using PLD) were also investigated for their HER performance. The electrodes exhibited significantly increased HER activity, attributed to the enlarged electrochemically active surface from the laser-induced periodic surface nanostructures. The structural and morphological characteristics were analyzed using FE-SEM, XRD, and XPS. The optimal deposition thickness was determined to be 300 nm. The NF electrode decorated with 300 nm Ni nanoparticles (Ni/NF 300) demonstrated superior electrochemical characteristics, with a 15-fold increase in electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) compared to the bare NF electrode.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the significant improvements in hydrogen production efficiency achieved through the innovative fabrication of nanostructured electrodes, highlighting the potential for advancing material processing technologies in the green energy sector.

Παρουσίαση Μεταπτυχιακής Διπλωματικής Εργασίας της κ. Σουλτάνας Νικολέττας Πίκου

17 Ιουλίου 2024

ΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ ΚΡΗΤΗΣ

ΤΜΗΜΑ ΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΗΣ ΥΛΙΚΩΝ

 

ΠΑΡΟΥΣΙΑΣΗ ΜΕΤΑΠΤΥΧΙΑΚΗΣ ΔΙΠΛΩΜΑΤΙΚΗΣ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΑΣ

 Τίτλος

«Optical Characterization of Perovskite Single Crystals»

της Σουλτάνας - Νικολέττας Πίκου

μεταπτυχιακής φοιτήτριας του Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

 Επιβλέπων Καθηγητής: Νικόλαος Πελεκάνος

 Παρασκευή 19 Ιουλίου 2024 Ώρα 15:00

H παρουσίαση θα πραγματοποιηθεί στην αίθουσα Τηλε-εκπαίδευσης (Ε130), στο κτήριο του Τμήματος Μαθηματικών και Εφαρμοσμένων Μαθηματικών, του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης

Abstract In this master thesis the optical properties of Methylammonium Lead Trichloride Single Crystals (MAPbCl3 SCs) of high-optical quality were investigated. The characterizations techniques used were Photoluminescence, Reflectivity and Time resolved Photoluminescence at different powers and temperatures, giving thus a detailed characterization of the crystals. By combining and analyzing the collected data we have reached several conclusions: the main emission peak is Stokes-shifted with respect to the free-exciton line by about 15-20 meV and is due to emission of localized excitons in shallow traps. With increasing temperature, the main emission peak loses intensity by ionization of the localized excitons directly to the electron-hole continuum of states. We show that additional secondary-emission peaks are either part of a cascade trapping process initiated at the localized exciton states of the main emission peak or represent emission at “cubic” inclusions inside the predominantly orthorhombic lattice at low temperatures. Finally, the MAPbCl3 SCs were mechanically polished and the resulting spectra are compared to the pristine ones, while several differentiations were observed.

Πρόσκληση Τελετής Ορκωμοσίας Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών

15 Ιουλίου 2024

Η Πρόεδρος του Τμήματος Επιστήμης και Μηχανικής Υλικών Καθηγήτρια κ. Μαρία Βαμβακάκη σας προσκαλεί στην τελετή αποφοίτησης την

Τετάρτη, 24 Ιουλίου 2024 και ώρα 11:00

στο αμφιθέατρο «Πετρίδης», Κτήριο Τμήματος Μαθηματικών και Εφαρμοσμένων Μαθηματικών

Δείτε την Πρόσκληση Τελετής Αποφοίτησης.