Name Activity "Applied Continuum Mechanics" "TOPIC A : Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials Systems and their application in mechanical constructions (Long fibre reinforced composite materials) (Cardon A.) - Anisotropic elasticity, plasticity and viscoelasticity, development of numerical models for finite element analysis through experimentation, under controlled temperature, moisture and stress/displacement conditions - Mechanical properties of materials, reinforced with long fibres and their use in mechanical constructions - Formulation, application, performance and durability of technopolymere based composites - Study of dynamical properties and development of fibrous structures with sensors - dentification of stiffness and damping properties through mixed numerical and experimental techniques - Experimental and numerical analysis of fibre reinforced composites - Research on joints in composites. - Analysis of coupling phenomena: mechanical, thermal and hygrothermal fields - Description of the interface and its evolution under complex load states, including environmental loads - Study of interfaces in composite materials TOPIC B : Experimental analysis and computer aided design of structural elements (W.P. De Wilde) - Computer aided design of structural elements - Study of the behaviour and optimisation of composite structures, subject to unusual loads - Computers and their use in the analysis and design of structures - Experimental and numerical analysis of joints in hybrid composites - Research on joints in composites - Optimisation of sandwich panels with hybrid composites - Development of finite element analysis algorithms in the field of composite materials, structural vibrations and eigenvalue problems; stochastic finite element method - nfluence of surface properties on hygrothermal behaviour of composites. Study of the vibrational behaviour of clamped anisotropic plates, application to NDI. - Mechanical properties of composites, stochastic finite element method - Computer graphics and software tools - Consultance in the selection of computer equipment TOPIC C : Low Temperature Mineral Polymer Matrix Composites (J. Wastiels) - Mechanical properties in function of matrix materials and interphase - Addition of synthetic or natural fibres - Application in low cost housing materials and earthquake resistant design - Application in lightweight materials. - Development of a material for high temperature application" "Centre for Nuclear Engineering" "Research topics areEnergy Systems and Rational Use of EnergyEnergy and EnvironmentLiberalization of Electricity and Gas MarketsElectricity Generation via Fossil, Renewable and Nuclear based TechnologiesHydrogen and Fuel CellsThe global Energy Issue and Energy Policy" "Combustion and Robust optimization" "The research topics of BURN are:- Novel combustion technologies:combustor (flameless, oxy-fuel), internal combustion engine (LTC engines), micro gas turbine (mHAT)- Kinetic mechanism reduction:Tabulation of Dynamic Adaptive Chemistry, Principal Component Analysis- Non-conventional fuels:H2 enriched fuels, biofuels and biomass- Pollutant formation:particulate matter- Turbulence/chemistry interaction- Robust optimization and uncertainty quantificationsensitivity analysis, validation of kinetic mechanisms, UQ large number of uncertainties, coupling of UQ with optimization, development of surrogate models" "Construction engineering" "Herve DEGEE" "The research activities of the research group CERG are situated within two research lines. The first research line studies the behaviour of structural components in concrete and other quasi-brittle materials. A first research topic of this research line investigates the behaviour of building components, such as masonry walls and prestressed concrete members. The focus lies on the development of finite element models which allow for assessing the residual strength and damage in these building components. The results of this research are compared with experimental results from our own research laboratory. A second research topic is road design. This research focuses primarily on the diagnosis and prognosis of structural damage in road surfaces. The overarching goal is to develop practical recommendations as regards the implementation and design of buildings and civil-technical constructions in concrete and other quasi-brittle materials. A second research line ""road design and road ergonomics"" follows the recent international trend in the so-called user-friendly (i.e. ergonomical) design. The core of this research consists of analysing the effect of road construction aspects on driving behaviour. On the one hand, the effect of the actual road design (i.e. geometry and cross-section) on driving behaviour will be studied. On the other hand, the impact of extra monitoring and infrastructural arrangements (i.e. signalisation, marking, gate constructions etc.) on driving behaviour will be taken into account as well. The experimental data is collected from a driving simulator which allows for precise observation in various road environments and traffic situations (such as crossroads, intersections etc.) Services to industry: The services are performed in the domain of: material testing, finite element studies of civil engineering problems, experimental studies." "Engineering Materials and Applications" "Wim DEFERME" "Engineering Materials & Applications (EMAP)The Engineering Materials & Applications (EMAP) research group focuses on developing innovative solutions to successfully bridge the gap between fundamental research and industrially compatible products and processes.  This is done in a wide range of fields, from materials physics and chemistry to electronics, electromechanics and electrochemistry. Cooperation with industrial partners plays a crucial role in the EMAP research group.The research group includes various subgroups with specific and complementary expertise, which work closely together and operate within the spearhead domains of Hasselt University's Institute for Materials Research (IMO). Moreover, the EMAP research group is affiliated with the IMEC associated laboratory ""IMOMEC"". The main activities are focused on:Sensors for advanced diagnosticsPrinting and spray coating of functional layersElectrochemical energy storage and conversion systemsLifespan and integration of PV cells and modulesModelling of the energy output of PV systemsThin-film and tandem solar cellsThe research group regularly acts as a partner in various European, Flemish, national and international research programmes and networks and has a long tradition of joint research and service provision with industry and research centres.Detailed information about the activities of the EMAP research group can be found on the imo-imomec website as well as on the EnergyVille website.The expertise groups within EMAP are:Biomedical Device Engineering (BDE): Prof. dr. ir. Ronald Thoelen.In the field of advanced diagnostics, the Biomedical Device Engineering group focuses on research into the development of 'specific' measurement platforms that can process the signals from sensors with sufficient precision and speed to translate any impedance, thermal or optical biosensor into a fully functional point-of-care system. The applied research is done in close cooperation with the industry and is applied in various fields, ranging from health (care) to food industry.Functional Materials Engineering (FME): Prof. dr. ir. Wim Deferme.Using various printing and coating techniques, such as inkjet, screen printing or ultrasonic spray coating, functional inks and coatings can be deposited on a wide range of substrates (from glass and foils to textiles and paper) in the FME group. The materials deposited can be conductive for use as interconnects, RFID antennas or electrodes for opto-electronic applications. Other inks and coatings may have the property of absorbing light and can be used for the development of organic solar cells in combination with the abovementioned conductive electrodes. Light-emitting layers are also deposited and can be used to emit light by means of an electric voltage. In addition to research on organic electronics, the focus is on printed sensors for measuring body (or wound) parameters such as temperature, moisture content and pH. Finally, research is also being conducted into stretchable electronics using liquid metals and the 3D shaping of hybrid electronics.Electrochemical Engineering (EE): Prof. dr. ir. Momo Safari.Research in the Electrochemical Engineering (EE) group is focused on the fundamental engineering aspects of electrochemical systems such as advanced batteries, electrolysers and fuel cells. The group's research philosophy is to link experiment and theory to provide in-depth understanding and development of electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems. The aim is to correlate the intrinsic material properties, formulation, processing and microstructure of the electrode and electrolyte components with performance and ageing data from the control system. Applications of this research include in-depth analysis of electrochemical performance, optimisation of electrode/electrolyte formulations, end-of-life testing/simulations and the development of physics-based models/algorithms for device control and charge/health state prediction.Energy Systems Management (ESM): Prof. Dr. ir. Michaël Daenen and Prof. dr. Ivan Gordon (a.i).The determination of the energy yield of solar panels in a wide range of applications is central here. Within EnergyVille, the team from imec and UHasselt is working on a physics-based model for predicting the energy yield. For this, the team relies on fundamental material knowledge from the other PV teams and integrates knowledge of semiconductor materials into thermo-mechanical stress in integrated applications. The simulation framework is continuously expanded with knowledge on new technologies such as bifacial solar cells, thin-film solar cells and tandem solar cells. In addition, the system is continuously extended to integrated power electronics.PhotoVoltaic Cells and Modules (PVCM): Prof. dr. ir. Michaël Daenen and dr. Loïc Tous.The PV cell and module team studies and develops state-of-the-art production techniques and solar cell technologies that will be used in the modules of the future. The focus here is on cooperation with industry with a view to integrating solar cells into applications. The team has all state-of-the-art tools for the production and analysis of the PV modules of the future.The different topics that are studied are:Reliability of interconnections and metallisationThermo-mechanical stress in modules: simulation and validationIntegration of new cell and interconnection techniquesIntegrated PV in VIPV, BIPV, IIPV and AgriPVThin Film PhotoVoltaics (TFPV): Prof. dr. Bart Vermang and dr. Tom Aernouts.Thin-film solar cells are often not yet known to the wider public. But they have special properties that offer new possibilities for the easier application of solar energy. They are lightweight and can be applied not only to glass but also to plastic films, for example. This allows them to cover curved surfaces, such as roof tiles but also car roofs. Moreover, thin-film solar cells can also be made transparent, so that they can be installed in windows.In this research group, we study different materials that can be used in such solar cells, such as chalcogenides and perovskites. We also study the different processes needed to deposit these materials on large surfaces. This ranges from printing or coating processes for liquids, to sputtering and evaporation techniques. The electrical properties are also characterised and modelled, and laser techniques are used to connect solar cells together, with minimal losses.They can also be stacked on top of each other to obtain so-called tandem structures with even higher efficiency. Here, combinations of perovskites and chalcogenides are investigated, as well as combinations with silicon solar cells.Finally, the thin film materials are examined how they can be used to make green synthetic fuels, for example to generate hydrogen or (m-)ethanol. " "Engineering Technology" "Department Industrial Engineering" "Faculty of Engineering" "Faculty of Engineering" "Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering" "HYDR is currently developing research activities in the fields of: 1. Water resources management: - Assessment of water resources at the river basin scale through water balance models. 2. Surface water hydraulics and hydrology: - Process study for both quantity and quality aspects; - Rainfall-runoff modelling; - Stochastic rainfall and runoff models. 3. Hydrodynamics and sediment transport: - Process study of current circulation, turbulence and mixing in stratified flows, sediment transport processes, as well as lithologic and geomorphologic evolution in aquatic environment. 4. Groundwater hydrology: - Regional and site studies and modelling techniques for both quantity and quality aspects. 5. Ecohydrology: - Analysis of hydrologic systems in relation to land use and nature conservation; - GIS applications. 6. Educational Research in the field of Environment - Water: - Education and training needs analysis; - Evaluation and testing of knowledge, skills and competencies." "Industrial Vision Lab (InViLab)" "Steve Vanlanduit" "The InViLab research group focuses on the use of camera and laser based inspection techniques. We apply these optical techniques in a wide range of application areas: quality control, smart health, pollution monitoring, heritage conservation and sustainable materials. The main InViLab research themes are: - Camera control and fusion: we select and combine camera technologies best suited for a specific application (e.g. infrared and hyperspectral, 3D cameras and laser vibrometry). - Image processing: we use state-of-the-art machine learning techniques to extract relevant information from images and sensor signals (material properties, faults, damage, etc.). - Integration of cameras on mobile platforms (like drones, robots and vehicles)." "Mechanical Engineering" "The department WERK in fact consists of three units 'Acoustics & Vibration', 'Multibody mechanics' and 'Thermodynamics'. The Acoustics & Vibration Research Group central goal is to conduct fundamental and applied research in the broad field of Acoustics & Vibration, with special emphasis on signal processing and system identification. The acoustical research is focussed on noise power characterization of combustion engines, numerical calculation of sound radiating from ducts and sound quality of exhaust systems. Some of the research programs are in collaboration with Bosal and are funded by the IWT. Sound power measurements on all sorts of equipment (electrical, electromechanical, HVAC) are performed in the anechoic room for industrial clients. The research in the field of vibration is mainly concentrated on experimental and operational modal analysis. Advanced system identification and measurement methodologies have been developed to model the dynamic (vibration) behaviour of complex mechanical systems starting from input/output or output-only measurements. These models can be used to solve vibro-acoustical problems in cars, to assess damage in safety critical airplane components, for flight flutter analysis, ... The application field is mainly focussed on automotive and aeronautical industry. Our most important industrial research partners are ASCO Industries and LMS International. The research is essentially funded by the Flemish Institute for the Improvement of the Scientific and Technological Research in Industry (IWT), the Fund for Scientific Research - Flanders (FWO), the Research Council (OZR) of our university and the European community."