Materials for energy is a very broad topic, which can comprise ferritic and austenitic steels, Ni-based superalloys, Ti-based alloys, ceramics, ceramic matrix composites, etc. It also includes materials issues for energy production from renewable sources, biomass combustion, fuel cells, nuclear energy plants, petro-chemical industry, etc.
The focus of WG2 is on the development of innovative materials solutions based on detailed understanding and modelling of high-temperature microstructure degradation processes and surface protection against steam oxidation, and on simulation of manufacturing processes for large components to ensure optimal properties during scale up from laboratory samples to industrial use
3.2.─────Materials for Energy
The working group WG2 covers the development, processing, characterization and modelling of energy materials, primarily intended for energy generation sector.
3.2.─────Scope
WG2 thematic scope
3.2.─────Structure
WG2 structure
In WG2 there are two thematic subgroups: EMEP and Non-EMEP. The EMEP partners have adopted the operating model and research programme of the former COST project proposal “Engineered Micro- and nanostructures for Enhanced long-term high-temperature materials Performance” (EMEP) for their activities in WG2. The internal work programme EMEP consists of Work Topics (WT) such as: WT1. Advanced Materials Modelling & Design, WT2. Materials Development and Manufacturing (A. Pipework and Tubing, B. Castings, C. Forgings), WT3. Materials Process Development and WT4. Testing and Validation
The Non-EMEP research activities are concentrated around several research topics on energy materials other than the ones addressed in EMEP WTs. Currently, WG2 is composed of 55 institutions from across Europe and is being led by two coordinators.
3.2.─────Activities
WG2 current activities and future plans
The aim of this Working Group is to do joint research activity on Materials for Energy, possibly within funded projects, but also on a bottom-up, free scientific basis. WG2 holds its regular annual meeting each Februray in Brussels.
Members of WG2 submitted several common projects on materials modelling and simulation, materials testing and analysis, process optimization and surface engineering that are partly under development.
The action plan is to work on common research activity through two-page proposals continuously updated by each member on WG2 Dropbox folder, in order to find aggregation points for joint research and proposal submission.
3.2.─────Coordinators
Prof. Monica Ferraris (Politecnico di Torino, Italy)
Prof. Christof Sommitsch (Graz University of Technology, Austria)