WP1: Management and Scientific Coordination

Leader: Università degli Studi Roma Tre

The Management and Scientific Coordination work package ensures the project progresses according to the defined objectives, timeline, and budget. This includes maintaining high-quality standards and effective communication across all partners. The focus is on managing consortium activities, monitoring risks, and ensuring the successful delivery of project goals.

Main Objectives:

• Coordination of scientific activities, including quality assurance.
• Administrative and financial management of the project.
• Monitoring risks and implementing risk mitigation strategies.
• Facilitating knowledge management and innovation-related activities.

Key Tasks:

• Task 1.1: Administrative and financial management of the consortium.
• Task 1.2: Monitoring project progress, identifying risks, and implementing quality control measures.

WP2: Fabrication of Advanced Ceramics

Leaders: Politecnico di Torino, Università degli Studi di Modena – Reggio Emilia

This work package focuses on the development and optimization of advanced nanocomposite ceramics. Using state-of-the-art techniques like 3D printing and thermal spraying, WP2 aims to produce ceramics with unprecedented strength and toughness for industrial and biomedical applications.

Main Objectives:

• Optimization of bulk ceramics through 3D printing and sintering.
• Development of advanced coatings using thermal spraying techniques.
• Integration of knowledge from characterization and modeling for superior ceramic designs.

Key Tasks:

• Task 2.1: Design and synthesis of zirconia-based composite powders using nanopowder engineering.
• Task 2.2: Optimization of thermal spray parameters for durable and efficient coatings.
• Task 2.3: Development of 3D-printed components with tailored mechanical properties.
• Task 2.4: Production of prototype turbine parts with advanced thermal barrier coatings.

WP3: Multiscale/Multimodal Characterization

Leaders: Università degli Studi Roma Tre

This work package is dedicated to developing and optimizing advanced micro- and nano-scale testing methods for ceramic materials. WP3 focuses on understanding the mechanical properties, crack propagation, and residual stress distributions within the developed ceramics to validate theoretical models and improve material performance.

Main Objectives:

• Development of novel techniques to measure toughness and crack resistance at micro- and nano-scales.
• Analysis of residual stress distributions within composite ceramics using advanced microscopy techniques.
• Validation of models through multimodal in-situ and ex-situ characterization.

Key Tasks:

• Task 3.1: Development of nano-scale methods to measure strength and fracture toughness, including in-situ micro-bending and nanoindentation.
• Task 3.2: Novel Focused Ion Beam (FIB) techniques for residual stress mapping within ceramic composites.
• Task 3.3: Application of developed characterization methods on complex demonstrator samples to improve design rules.

WP4: Modelling of Crack Propagation Resistance

2027-04-20

WP4 aims to develop advanced computational models to simulate and predict crack propagation mechanisms in nanocomposite ceramics. By integrating experimental data from WP3, this work package focuses on understanding toughening mechanisms and guiding the design of ceramics with superior mechanical properties.

Main Objectives:

• Development of a multi-scale Phase-Field Method (PFM) for simulating crack propagation.
• Validation of the model using experimental results from nano- and micro-scale characterization.
• Identification and understanding of key toughening mechanisms in ceramics.
• Application of the model to guide the design of novel ceramic materials and coatings.

Key Tasks:

• Task 4.1: Development of advanced features in the PFM framework, including 3D microstructural representation and residual stress incorporation.
• Task 4.2: Modeling experimental testing procedures to retrieve and calibrate material parameters.
• Task 4.3: Homogenization of toughening mechanisms to enable simulations at macro scales.
• Task 4.4: Utilizing the model to assist in the design of optimized ceramic materials.

WP5: Functional Testing and Applications

WP5 focuses on testing the functional performance of the developed materials and coatings in real-world applications. The main goal is to assess the suitability of these ceramics for biomedical implants and high-temperature environments while benchmarking their performance against existing industrial standards.

Main Objectives:

• Evaluate the thermal and mechanical performance of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) under simulated operating conditions.
• Assess the biocompatibility and mechanical performance of bulk ceramics for biomedical applications.
• Identify degradation mechanisms and correlate them with material properties.

Key Tasks:

• Task 5.1: Conduct in-vitro testing of bulk ceramics for biocompatibility, cell adhesion, and mechanical performance as dental prostheses.
• Task 5.2: Evaluate high-temperature behavior of TBCs, including thermal cycling, particle erosion, and CMAS (Calcium-Magnesium-Aluminosilicate) corrosion resistance.
• Task 5.3: Inspect damage mechanisms and establish correlations with microstructural and mechanical properties.

WP6: Dissemination and Exploitation

WP6 ensures that the results of the CONCERTO project are effectively communicated and utilized. The work package focuses on raising awareness among stakeholders, promoting scientific achievements, and facilitating the adoption of project outcomes through strategic dissemination and exploitation activities.

Main Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive communication strategy to reach scientific, industrial, and public audiences.
• Promote the exploitation of project outcomes, including potential industrial applications and collaborations.
• Engage stakeholders through workshops, publications, and outreach activities.

Key Tasks:

• Task 6.1: Creation and management of the project website, newsletters, and other digital materials.
• Task 6.2: Coordination and dissemination of scientific publications in high-impact journals.
• Task 6.3: Management of intellectual property rights (IPR) and technology promotion.
• Task 6.4: Development and implementation of a stakeholder engagement plan.
• Task 6.5: Organizing open-day workshops to share results with targeted audiences.