The European Ceramic Society
Laboratory sheet
Belgium
KU Leuven Department of Materials Engineering
Research groups on “Powder Metallurgy and Advanced Ceramics” / “Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering”
Director : Prof. dr. ir. Jozef (Jef) Vleugels
Email : Jozef.vleugels@kuleuven.be
Phone : +32 16 321244
Address : Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, bus 2450 B-3001 Heverlee Belgium
Website : https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/siem/ACPM
Director : Prof. dr. ir Annabel Braem
Email : Jozef.vleugels@kuleuven.be
Phone : +32 16 321244
Address : Kasteelpark Arenberg 44, bus 2450 B-3001 Heverlee Belgium
Website : https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/siem/ACPM
Research topics :
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Processing and characterisation of multifunctional materials: colloidal or conventional powder metallurgical processing of monoliths, composites, gradient materials and laminates based on oxides, carbides, nitrides, borides as well as ceramic-metal composites (such as ZrO2-TiN (-TiCN, -NbC, -WC), WC-Co, TiCN-Ni, NbC-Ni,…). Microstructural, mechanical and functional characterisation and evaluation.
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Development, characterisation and evaluation of biomaterials: zirconia, ZTA, ATZ, HA, calcium phosphates, glass ceramics, bioactive glass, amorphous silica for controlled release,...
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Colloidal processing of inorganic materials: electrophoretic deposition of free-standing objects, coatings, laminates and gradient materials, as well as for surface functionalisation.
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Additive manufacturing of materials: Direct ink writing (DIW) and stereolithography (SLA/DLP) of ceramics and cermets. Selective laser melting (SLM) and sintering (SLS) of ceramics in collaboration with the department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven.
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Surface functionalization of biomaterials: electrophoretic deposition, plasma coating, laser texturing of ceramics to develop antimicrobial, antifouling, bio- and hemo-compatible surfaces.
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Selective powder deposition: selective powder deposition and consolidation of ceramic and cermet monoliths, laminates and gradient materials.
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Advanced sintering technologies and modelling: Conventional sintering, spark plasma sintering, hot pressing, microwave and hybrid microwave sintering.
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Dedicated powder preparation: Synthesis of oxides, carbides, borides, ternary carbides,… by means of sol-gel synthesis, mechanical alloying, carbo- and borothermal synthesis, reaction synthesis, molten salt synthesis,…
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Processing and characterisation of MAX, MAB and MXene materials: Reactive hot pressing, reactive spark plasma sintering, molten salt synthesis,...
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Materials for dental applications: In close collaboration with the BIOMAT research cluster of KU Leuven.
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Machining of ceramics: In collaboration with the Department of mechanical engineering of KU Leuven. Electrical discharge machining, conventional grinding, ultrasonic machining, hard machining, laser structuring,...
Contact information:
Prof. Dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels
Tel : +32 16 321244
Advanced Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy — Department of Materials Engineering (kuleuven.be)
Contact information:
Prof. Dr. ir. Annabel Braem
Tel : +32 16 321534
https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/english/research/siem/BIO/Biomaterials-tissue-engineering
Prof. dr. ir Fei Zhang
Tel : +32 16 710090
https://gbiomed.kuleuven.be/english/research/50000644/research/biomat
Dr. Shuigen Huang (research expert)
Tel : +32 16 321777
Exceptional facilities :
(see: https://www.mtm.kuleuven.be/equipment)
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Fully equipped powder metallurgical lab for colloidal and powder processing
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Milling and mechanical alloying equipment
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Selective powder deposition equipment
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Additive manufacturing equipment (direct ink writing & stereolithography/DLP)
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A wide collection of furnaces for different atmospheres and temperature ranges
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Spark plasma sintering, microwave sintering, hot pressing equipment
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Thermal analysis lab (DSC, DTA, TGA, SDT, TMA, DMA, IET)
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SEM & NanoSEM with EDS/EBSD (Electron Backscattered Diffraction)
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Dual beam SEM combined with a FIB (Focused Ion Beam)
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Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) with WDS
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TEM: Transmission Electron Microscopes equipped with EELS and EDX
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Equipment for surface treatment (atmospheric plasma) and characterization (contact angle, surface zeta potential, 3D optical profiler, nanoSEM, AFM, ellipsometry, ATR-FTIR)
Financial support programmes :
- European funding: H2020, Horizon Europe, Interreg,…
- National / regional funding: FWO, VLAIO,…
- Industrial funding
Latest news
20 JECS Trust grants available to attend the CERAMIC AM SUMMIT!
The Ceramic AM Summit will be organised by DKG from 30th June to 2nd July 2025 at WISTA Eventcenter in Berlin, Germany.
Platinum Internship Programme at CGCRI!
As a part of the platinum jubilee celebration, CSIR-CGCRI is proud to announce the ‘PLATINUM Internship Award’ to invite young undergraduates to gain from the knowledge and experience of accomplished scientists by working at CSIR-CGCRI and to inspire them to pursue S&T as a career. This is meant to be a preparatory phase for young interns to imbibe the spirit of inquiry and learn the tools and techniques of research during their stay at CSIR-CGCRI.
Information
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