Department of Structural and Phase Analysis (OSFA) primarily focuses on the study and analysis of both the structure and the chemical and phase composition of metallic and non-metallic materials at all available levels of resolution. In these areas, it also provides expert support to other departments of IMSE and to other institutes of the faculty.

The individual laboratories of the department are equipped with top-level instrumentation and include a metallographic laboratory, a light and electron microscopy laboratory, a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) laboratory, an X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) laboratory, and a computer modeling laboratory.

The teaching activities of the department’s staff are aimed mainly at courses within the Materials Engineering specialization, as well as general courses within the Mechanical Engineering program.

The department also carries out a number of scientific projects in cooperation with other departments. The most important research topics include:

• microstructural stability and mechanical and functional properties of immiscible alloys,
• preparation of materials by mechanical alloying using high-energy ball milling,
• welding of heterogeneous welds for high-pressure components using an electron beam,
• study of coatings produced by the Cold Spray method,
• study of biodegradable materials, including their surface treatments for biological applications,
• theoretical modeling of advanced materials using quantum-mechanical calculations and machine learning.

The department is also involved in producing expert assessments and forensic/technical reports, mainly in the area of metallic materials and technologies for their processing and joining, not only for manufacturing companies but also for insurance companies, courts, etc.

Research specializations of OSFA staff

Ing. Martin Zelený, Ph.D.

• Computational modeling of phase stability and of mechanical and magnetic properties of materials using machine learning and quantum-mechanical calculations, e.g., multiferroic materials and shape-memory alloys.

Assoc. Prof. Ing. Vít Jan, Ph.D.

• Immiscible alloys – microstructural stability, mechanical and functional properties.
• Electron-beam welding of heterogeneous welds for high-pressure components.
• Metallic alloys with a phase reaction as self-supporting heat-storage materials.
• Eutectic high-entropy alloys (HEAs) – study of microstructure, stability, and mechanical properties.

Ing. Simona Hutařová, Ph.D.

• Effect of the Cold Spray additive technology on the structure and mechanical properties of austenitic alloys.
• Effect of Cold Spray additive technology on the corrosion properties of austenitic alloys.
• Study of protective surface layers on nickel-based superalloys.

Mgr. Jan Čupera, Ph.D.

• Advanced analytical methods in scanning electron microscopy with emphasis on phase analysis.
• Modification and subsequent analysis of immiscible alloys suitable for SERS substrates and for waste-heat storage systems using phase-transformation materials.

Ing. Roman Štěpánek, Ph.D.

• Study of mechanical properties and stability of magnesium alloys prepared by severe plastic deformation.
• Study of mechanical properties of Al–Cu alloys prepared by additive technologies.
• Study of coatings/deposits produced by the Cold Spray method.

Ing. Ondřej Adam, Ph.D.

• Study of fine-grained immiscible alloys – their preparation, microstructure evolution, and microstructural stability.
• Preparation of materials by mechanical alloying using high-energy ball milling.
• Use of thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, TMA) to evaluate material behavior and properties at elevated temperatures and to calculate kinetic parameters of ongoing reactions.

Ing. Miroslava Horynová, Ph.D.

• Study of relationships between microstructure and mechanical properties of magnesium alloys.
• Corrosion and fatigue behavior of magnesium alloys and other metallic materials.
• Study of metallic and composite materials produced by additive technologies.
• Study of biodegradable materials, including their surface treatments for biological applications.