The Institute for Material Synthesis and Manufacturing Processes develops and researches high-performance materials and innovative manufacturing processes for efficient energy converters of the future. The range of topics includes solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), thermal barrier coatings for high-efficiency gas turbines, gas separation membranes for lower emissions in power plants, and next generation lithium-ion batteries.
Dr. Muecke has been providing scientific work since 2007: in the area of wet-chemical coatings and metal-based SOFCs. Dr. Muecke is currently working on the development and surface analysis of layer systems of the fuel cell.
Surface analysis of the fuel cell
Here, Dr. Muecke is searching for a variety of defects in the surface. The samples can be analysed directly during the manufacturing process (before and after the coating of the fuel cell), and does not need to be destroyed (sawed open). "In contrast to the light microscope, the VK-9700 laser scanning microscope delivers images with a great depth of focus, the software is user-friendly, and the stitching function is a great help in our work", reports Dr. Muecke. In some instances, larger target objects must be observed or measured that cannot be captured in their entirety within the field of vision. The new realtime function allows the stitching of individual 2D and 3D images up to a size of 10,000 x 10,000 pixels. The field of vision can therefore be increased 50 times.
Some colleagues also test the surfaces in terms of stresses, and carry out various stress tests on samples, which may at some point be used in e.g. aircraft turbines. The materials are then scrutinised; cracks, expansion joints and other findings from the stress tests are measured and recorded. "Here too, the stitching function is a valuable asset, as it had turned out to be very difficult to use a light microscope for these tasks", adds Dr. Muecke. "The VK-9700 allows us to gain a quick overview before samples are forwarded to our high-resolution REM, which is operated by specifically trained personnel. It allows us to not only look at the topography of the sample, but also offers an optional 3D true colour output"
Dr. Muecke explains about his experiences with the Keyence laser scanning microscope:
· Improved visualisation: Not only a depiction of the topography: high contrast, three-dimensional images in true colours
· Fast results (high processing speed)
· Overview images by way of the stitching function
· Very good depth focus and resolution (100 ηm)
· Non-destructive sample analysis
· Flexible, mobile device
· Magnetic samples are not a problem (unlike with an REM)
· Very easy operation (40 users)
