The curriculum concentrates on the comprehensive study of materials properties and failure processes from the point of view of physics and physical metallurgy. Students should develop capability to apply their knowledge in inventive manner to new technologies and materials, such as plasma spraying, special methods of thermo-mechanical and thermo-chemical treatment, etc. Special attention is paid to the degradation processes and to the synergetic effects of various materials properties on material failure. The subjects of study are metallic and non-metallic materials, e.g., structural ceramics, polymers, amorphous and nanocrystalline materials and intermetallics.
The Ph.D. programme requires proficiency in mathematics and physics at the MSc. degree level obtained from Faculty of Science or Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

1. Atomistic calculations of theoretical strength of metallic crystals

   The aim of this work is to gain new results in the research field of limit states of crystalline solids and to contribute to understanding of their mechanical properties under various loading conditions. For this purpose, theoretical strengths in tension, compression and shear for selected metallic materials will be computed from first principles and using semi-empirical methods. Linear Muffintin Orbitals method and more advanced Linearized Augmented Plane Waves method without shape-approximation of crystal potential (so-called full-potential version) will be used in order to calculate electronic structure of the selected materials. Good conditions for study as well as for research work (new PC cluster) are prepared and supported by the research project Simulation modeling of mechatronic systems and a COST grant with a wide international cooperation.

   Tutor: Šandera Pavel, prof. RNDr., CSc.

2. Fabrication of nanostructures and masks by using of local anodic oxidation (LAO)

   - Study of local anodic oxidation (LAO) by AFM. - Application of AFM in fabrication of masks and grids for nanoelectronics and nanophotonics.

   Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

3. Fabrication of nanostructures and masks by using of the focused ion beam (FIB)

   - Study of principles in fabrication of nanostructures by local sputtering and deposition using the focused ion beam (FIB) - Application of FIB for fabrication of masks and grids in nanoelectronics and nanophotonics

   Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

4. Fabrication of nanostructures and nanodevices for nanoelectronics and spintronics, study of their transport properties

   - Development of the methods of fabricatiom of nanostructures and nanodevices (e.g. quantum rings and dots, single electron transistors, spin valves, etc.) by application of available methods (e.g. local anodic oxidation by AFM, focused ion beam - FIB, electron lithography) on advanced materials and structures (e.g. semiconductor heterostructures with 2D electron gas, magnetic layered structures and semiconductors, graphene, etc.). - Measurement of electrical and magnetoelectrical properties of fabricated stractures and devices, ane their possible application

   Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

5. Fabrication of nanostructures by using of self-assembled mechanism

   - Study of the influence of substrates and deposition conditions on the growth of ultrathin films and nanostructures, - Application of controlled self-assembly (e.g. of selective growth) in fabrication of masks and grids for nanoelectronics and nanophotonics.

   Tutor: Spousta Jiří, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

6. Fatigue Life of Materials and Components of Turboblower under Mechanical and Thermal Loadings

   This work will be focused on finding of quantitative fatigue life criteria of materials and components of car turboblower. The components are damaged by mechanical and thermal fatigue. The research will include the influence of selected loading and material parameters as well as that of the quality of surface machining

   Tutor: Pokluda Jaroslav, prof. RNDr., CSc.

7. First principles calculations of elasticity stability of perfect crystals

   Searching for interconnections between technically important macroscopic material parameters and their microscopic and atomistic structure is presently one of very important directions in solid state physics and material research. Deeper understanding to relation of macroscopic parameters of matter and its structure helps us to obtain further knowledge, necessary for discovering materials with better parameters. Aim of this work is to get new results in the field of study of mechanical properties of crystalline solids with regard to possible variability of their atomic structure. For this purpose, calculations based on first principles i.e. fundamental quantum theory based on density functional theory will be performed using computational systems Wien2k and VASP.

   Tutor: Pokluda Jaroslav, prof. RNDr., CSc.

8. Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD), part II.

   Ion Beam Assisted Deposition (IBAD) of thin films ZrO2, HfO2, Al2O3, hydroxylapatite ..., part II.

   Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

9. Nanophotonics I

   Application of plasmon polaritons in nanophotonics - Generation and detection of plasmon polaritons in metal thin films and nanostructures. - Study of propagation of plasmon polaritons on surfaces of these objects and their application (e.g. in nanosensors).

   Tutor: Dub Petr, prof. RNDr., CSc.

10. Nanophotonics II

    Application of plasmon polaritons in nanophotonics> - Fabrication of plasmonic nanoantennas and a study of their influence on local excitation of electromagnetic. radiation - Application of plasmonic nanoantennas in local excitation of photoluminescence

    Tutor: Šikola Tomáš, prof. RNDr., CSc.

11. Optical micromanipulation techniques combined with microspectroscopic methods

    Current optical micromanipulation techniques include many unique tools and methods that enable spatial localization of microobjects (incl. living cells) in a laser beam (so called optical tweezers), 3D manipulations with several objects, non-contact and sterile separation of microobjects or suspension components, surface arrangement of microparticles and their transport. Optical tweezers use single focused laser beam for spatial confinement and manipulation of microobjects. Laser wavelength is not absorbed by the object and therefore the object is not injured.or damaged. Optical trapping can be combined with microspectroscopy (fluorescence or Raman) that provides non-invasive spatially resolved mapping of molecular composition of studied sample. The applicant is expected to design an optical system for dynamic creation of several laser beam foci with PC-controlled spatial positioning. It is assumed that spatial light modulator, acousto-optical deflectors or galvanooptical mirrors will be used. This system will enable trapping of a microobject (e.g. living cell) and simultaneously obtaining spectral information about its chemical composition. Based on this analysis the objects can be separated in a micro-fluidic channel. The above described combination represents a new and actual topic with high probability of applications in cell biology, analytical chemistry, microfluidics and surface chemistry. Within the Ph.D. thesis, the applicant is expected to perform experimental and theoretical research tasks at the Institute of Scientific Instruments (ISI) of the ASCR that can provide the necessary equipment and background. The ISI laboratory collaborates with a number of European laboratories in the field of optical trapping and spectroscopy; this provides successful applicant with the possibility of scientific visits abroad and fast professional growth.

    Tutor: Zemánek Pavel, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

12. Quantitative fractography in biaxial fatigue

    In a majority of structural components, the stress state is different from the homogeneous uniaxial tension or compression, typical for fatigue testing in laboratories. Therefore, biaxial fatigue tests start to be used more frequently in the last years. The analysis of fracture morphology by means of both the optical and the electron microscopy, belongs to the most important methods of fatigue damage investigation. Advanced methods as optical chromatography and stereophotogrammetry in SEM are used for a 3D reconstruction of the fracture microrelief. However, application of these methods to biaxial fracture surfaces is still in a pioneering stage. The aim of the work quantitative to the assessment of fracture surfaces obtained after combined bending-torsion fatigue tests. The experiments will be performed in the frame of extended international collaboration with the E.S.Institute of Materials Science in Leoben, Austria, the University of Opole, Poland and other universities in Europe

    Tutor: Pokluda Jaroslav, prof. RNDr., CSc.

13. Study of physical properties of nanostructures

    - Building an apparatus for the measurements of local and integral photoluminescence properties of nanostructures - Study of photoluminescence properties of nanostructures (ordered and disordered semiconductor/dielectric structures)

    Tutor: Spousta Jiří, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

14. Study of transport properties of the molecular nanofibres

    - Development of the methods of manipulation/formation of nanofibres (e.g. C60) between segments of nanoelectrodes. - Measurement of electrical transport properties of nanofibres.

    Tutor: Dub Petr, prof. RNDr., CSc.

15. Study of ultra thin magnetic layers and nanostructures

    - Application of a newly developed ultravacuum apparatus based on MBE and RHEED, for preparation of magnetic ultrathin films and nanostructures - Application of FIB, EBL and other methods for preparation of magnetic ultrathin films and nanostructures - Study of magnetic properties of ultrathin films and nanostructures

    Tutor: Spousta Jiří, prof. RNDr., Ph.D.

16. Temperature Dependence of Mechanical Properties of Shape-Memory Alloys

    Special properties of Ni-Ti shape memory alloys (Nitinols) are studied only two laboratories in Prague, focused on the basic research of phase transformations. Only static, quasistatic and low-cycle fatigue properties are known from the world literature. There is a lack of data on the temperature dependence of high-cycle fatigue properties, which are important for a development of mechatronic actuators. The basic unit of unique experimental device is the temperature chamber TTC 4002 for measurement of the temperature dependence of elastic moduli and characteristics of internal friction. In the frame of the development of a mechatronic actuator, tests of shape-memory force effect and electrical resistance will be performed using Nitinol materials. The work is supported by the research plan Simulation modeling of mechatronic systems . An extended international collaboration is presumed including a participation at international scientific conferences.

    Tutor: Pokluda Jaroslav, prof. RNDr., CSc.

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    Tutor: Pokluda Jaroslav, prof. RNDr., CSc.