Project

Discipline

Surface Electrochemistry; Electrochemical Material Science

Lead
Lay summary
This project is intended to be the starting point for a long-term strategic partnership between the Department of Chemical and Control Engineering of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia) and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of the University of Bern (Switzerland). The topical focus of the proposed project lies in Surface Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Material Science. The proposed project will contribute to the strengthening of the Macedonian partners by assisting in the development of the local research and educational infrastructure in the field of Surface Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Material Science. Relevant topics are electroplating, metal finishing, corrosion and corrosion protection. All these galvanic processes rely on the use of various organic and inorganic additives at the respective interface. By the use of state-of-the-art microscopic (e.g. Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy), spectroscopic (Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy) and scatting techniques (in-situ surface X-ray diffraction) it is intended to derive an atomistic understanding of the underlying mechanisms of additive-assisted metal deposition and corrosion processes.  An intensive teaching program will be complemented by practical training courses introducing the Macedonian cooperation partners into these state-of-the-art techniques. Since industrial processes related to these topics are known to cause serious environmental pollutions further topics such as environmental sustainability and safety need to be addressed in this project.

Direct link to Lay Summary

Last update: 21.02.2013

Active participation

Number	Title	Start	Funding scheme

The proposed project (Institutional Partnership IP) is intended to be the starting point for a long-term strategic partnership between the Department of Chemical and Control Engineering (in the following abbreviated as DCCE) of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia) and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (in the following abbreviated as DCB) of the University of Bern (Switzerland). The topical focus of the proposed project lies in Surface Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Material Science as modern branches of Physical Chemistry. It is the particular aim of the proposed project to bridge the gap between fundamental and applied research in this field. Electrochemical processing and engineering are both vital for the entire economy of the Republic of Macedonia. In particular electrochemical material science was identified by the Macedonian Department of Science as a promising discipline having the potential to stimulate the domestic economy. In this context the DCCE was recently selected by the Governmental Department of Education and Science as certified national reference laboratory providing an interdisciplinary service to the domestic industry related to all kinds of products (to be) manufactured by electrochemical means. However, in order to meet modern European standards of product development, process analysis, process controlling and product certification a strengthening of the DCCE in various aspects and on different levels is absolutely mandatory. Basis for accomplishing these strategic objectives is an educational and research level at the DCCE that meets today`s European standards.The proposed project will therefore contribute to the strengthening of the Macedonian partners by assisting in the development of the local research and educational infrastructure in the field of Electrochemical Material Science. Relevant topics concern electroplating, metal finishing, corrosion and corrosion protection. Since industrial processes related to these topics are known to cause serious environmental pollutions further topics such as environmental sustainability and safety need to be addressed within this project. An intensive teaching program will be complemented by practical training courses introducing the Macedonian cooperation partners into state-of-the-art techniques in surface electrochemistry and electrochemical material science.