Project
COMPLEXURF: Laboratory of complex surfaces and interfaces. (COMPLEXURF)
Quoting Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Pauli: “God made the
bulk; surfaces were invented by the devil”. Surfaces and
interfaces are indeed prone to unpredictable physical and
chemical modifications due to interactions with
uncontrolled atmospheres, surface re-organization, and
contamination. High-impact research dealing with
interfaces can therefore only be achieved if surfaces can be
prepared, treated, and analyzed for both surface chemistry,
physical characteristics and topography aspects at the same
place. KU Leuven is very active in this field. This is
supported by a pool of state-of-the-art equipment which
contributes to improve our understanding of the atomistic
mechanisms controlling interfacial properties. However, we
still lack key tools to prepare, treat and characterize
surfaces of materials with various more complex shapes
(flat monoliths, fibers, particles) at a relatively large scale
(20x20cm²), rapidly, and accurately. This also forms the
missing link between fundamental studies and more
applied research for which scale effects, repeatability,
speed of measurements and versatility without
compromising accuracy, play an important role. This project
then aims at setting up a laboratory dedicated to the study
of complex surfaces and interfaces, supported by a group of
scientists and engineers offering complementary key
expertise that will contribute to acquire novel and holistic
views to unravel highly complex physico-chemical
interfacial phenomena.
Non-confidential summary in layman's terms
Applicant: David Seveno | Application number:
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