1.

Processing and conductivity issues in BiFeO3-based piezoelectric ceramics

The project leader gave an invited talk at the Intenational conference organized by the Srbian Society for Ceramic Materials on two key issues in the field of piezoelectrics based on BiFeO3, i.e., the processing of ceramics and their electrical conductivity. Entirely based on the results of the research project, he presented the problems and solutions for the processing of BiFeO3 and BiFeO3-SrTiO3 (BFO-ST) ceramics. The second part of the talk was focused on the high electrical conductivity of BiFeO3-based ceramics as one of the key problems in the application of these materials in piezoelectric sensors and actuators.

B.04 Guest lecture

COBISS.SI-ID: 28674087

2.

The role of intermediate Pbam phase in morphotropic phase boundary Sm-modified BiFeO3 ceramics

The postdoctoral fellow of the project, Julian Walker, was invited to give a talk at the University of New South Wales (Australia) where he presented the last project’s results on the role of the intermediate antipolar phase in the high-field electrical and electromechanical response of (Bi,Sm)FeO3 ceramics.

B.04 Guest lecture

COBISS.SI-ID: 28533287

3.

Design and realization of a measurement system for high-temperature characterization of electromechanical properties of piezoelectric ceramics, thick films and actuator structures

In the frame of the research project we designed and constructed a measurement system based on an optical MTI 2100 displacement sensor, capable of detecting small, nanometer displacement signals from samples under electric field up to 400°C. The system consists of an optical displacement sensor, a furnace with heating elements and isolation housing, temperature sensors, sample holder, micromanipulators for electrical contacts, and the electrical instruments for the voltage application and for measurements of displacement signals (i.e., voltage generator, voltage amplifier, high-voltage probe, oscilloscope and lock-in amplifiers for detection of small (mV) voltage signals). The measurement system is currently used in several research projects of the department, including those with foreign institutions (prof. Jacob Jones, North Carolina State University, USA). The system is currently of interest for the company Hidria d.o.o.

F.17 Transfer of existing technologies, know-how, methods and procedures into practice

COBISS.SI-ID: 28588327