Nowadays, to properly design and develop advanced materials capable to preserve for long times their performance under aggressive environments such as power generation plants, renewables, nuclear reactors and electronics of new generation, transport on ground and on space, aeronautics, catalysis, biomedical implants, the optimization of metallurgical processes involved is crucial. To this end, in order to obtain the requested thermo-mechanical properties related to the final microstructure, the appropriate operating process parameters can be deduced from preliminary studies on thermodynamic and thermophysical properties, wetting, interaction and reactivity at the interfaces. Specifically, the present approach allows to optimize fabrication roots for new concept alloys such as Superalloys, HEAs, BMGs, etc.; Solder and Brazing alloys for 2D and 3D materials; Alloys for AM; Structural materials and composites for metal cooled plants; Light-weight and advanced composites for extreme conditions such as MMCs and CMCs as well as optimization of infiltration process and joining techniques; Metal NPs.
The combined approach between theoretical and experimental methods allows, working in a synergy, to improve both the methods applied. Specifically, the experimental work-plan, supported by the theoretical activity, may be targeted and vice versa, by taking into account the experimental observations, the theoretical description may be better addressed to scenarios much more close to the reality. By such improved combined approach, the full description of the overall evolving phenomena can be successfully obtained. In addition, such know-how can be scaled-up and all the gained knowledge can be easily transferred from the laboratory to the industry. The innovation is given by the combined scientific method applied, that can be easily set-up and “shaped” according to the current needs, which is typical for optimization processes.