FunMat-II - Functional Nanoscale Materials

About us

This is FunMat-II.

FunMat-II is a second-generation competence center on functional nanoscale materials based at Linköping University. With 14 partners from academia, research institute, national and international companies, and the public sector, we are doing industrially inspired fundamental research of functional surfaces, especially for cutting tools, fuel cells, and batteries.

Mission and goals

With a team of more than 40 academic and industrial researchers, we have a wide competence within material science and surface engineering. We focus specifically on wear resistant coatings for cutting tools, corrosion resistant coatings for fuel cells and catalytically active materials for batteries. Using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches, we generate knowledge on synthesis processes and material behaviour in specific applications and we use the knowledge to design new materials with improved functionality.

Our activities are funded by Vinnova, Linköping University and our partners. 

  • FunMat-II will provide knowledge-based design of functional nanoscale materials with unique and improved surface properties. This covers the entire chain, from synthesis to field-tests of the materials, and include computer-guided materials design and high-throughput calculations to search for new materials with the desired properties.
  • FunMat-II offers its industrial partners in-depth fundamental understanding of material science related to the manufacturing process, products and applications in addition to an open research environment enabling new influences and new perspectives on problems.
  • FunMat-II will act to engage and promote young talents, from high school to beyond, to choose a career path in materials science and engineering. A close collaboration between academia and industry partners will ensure a recruitment base of skilled graduates with knowledge directly applicable to their business.

Open PhD and postdoc positions withing the network

At Linköping University

At Uppsala University

  • There is an open PhD position at Uppsala University. The PhD project involves research in the field of fundamental materials science studies of thin films of functional multicomponent materials, specifically focusing on growth using magnetron sputtering, thermoelectric properties and components, material growth of thin-film and low-dimensional materials, as well as supporting computational studies:
    https://www.uu.se/en/about-uu/join-us/jobs-and-vacancies/job-details?query=755925 

Our partners

FunMat-II consists of following partners

Logo of Uppsala University.
RISE logotype
logotype of Oskarshamn kommun
 

Ionautics logotype

Seco Tools logotype

 

Alleima logotype

 

 

Sandvik Coromant logotype

 

Ionbond's logotype

 

 

 

 

 

Teknologisk institut logo

SAFT logotyp

Plansee logo

 

CemeCon logotype

 

Westinghouse logotype

 

Our Linköping facilities

See our facilities in Linköping

Follow us on a guided tour of our facilities at Linköping University in this video.

News and stories from FunMat-II

Researchers in a lab.

Boosted nano material to secure hip implant

Cellular biologist Anna Fahlgren has  teamed up with materials scientist Emma Björk. Together, they will use nano materials that may contribute to a better healing process and faster recovery for the patient.

Igor Abrikosov walks between two supercomputers.

Materials science at the service of humankind

Artificial nerve cells, electronic plants, cheap solar cells and new types of diodes are all examples of materials science conducted at Linköping University. Research and development of new  materials could be a major key to a sustainable future.

A researcher examines a process.

Through the eye of the needle – how do you utilize a starting grant?

Physicist Emma Björk got her first big research grant in 2021. The grant finances four years of her own passion project, and all of a sudden, she became established as a researcher. – My first thought was, what do I do now?