Prof. Dr. Michael Scheffler from the Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg opened the meeting and gave an overview of the upcoming presentations and discussions. In his opening speech, he emphasized how important the exchange of innovative ideas and current research results is for progress in materials science, especially with regard to the transfer to applications.   

Dr. Thomas Konegger from the Vienna University of Technology presented new developments in the production of polymer-derived ceramics with a hierarchical pore structure. He presented processes with which porous and catalytically active ceramics can be produced simultaneously. This combination of processes creates both open porosity and transition metal nanoparticles during ceramic formation, which can be used for heterogeneously catalyzed material conversion processes.   

In his presentation, Dr. Ulf Betke explained the mechanisms for increasing strength in replica foams. He discussed extrinsic methods such as coatings and ion exchange as well as intrinsic methods such as doping. Betke showed that significant increases in strength can be achieved by filling cracks and larger defects as well as through targeted residual stress generation.   

PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Tobias Fey gave an overview of the generation of compressive stresses through second phase formation in replica foams. Using special coating and phase formation techniques, it was possible to achieve a doubling or tripling of strength. The lectures led to intensive discussions that exceeded the scope of the planned program, so that the third lecture was postponed to the following day.   

A 50-minute guided tour of the department gave the participants an insight into the technical equipment and the research work of the respective working groups, which led to new research ideas on the spot.

The presentations were followed by an intensive discussion on the strategic direction of the specialist committee. Particular emphasis was placed on the planned expansion of the meeting and conference content to include training opportunities and joint meetings with other expert committees, e.g. the Additive Manufacturing Expert Committee, in order to exploit synergies.   

The next meeting of the Cellular Materials Expert Committee will take place on 26 November 2024 in Magdeburg, in the run-up to CellMAT 2024. Further details and concrete proposals on the strategic direction will follow in the course of the year. 

Information on all specialist committees can be found on the DGM website at https://dgm.de/de/netzwerk

If you are interested in actively participating in one of the committees, please send us a short email to fachgremiendgm.de