Our Vision
Advanced materials are the foundation of future technologies, from quantum technologies and microelectronics to energy, lightweight engineering, medical technology and aerospace. By combining experimental research with modeling and simulation, Montanuniversität Leoben develops materials solutions that strengthen innovation and competitiveness in Austria and beyond.
Established in early 2026, the Research Cluster: Materials brings together researchers across disciplines and connects them with industry and international partners. It provides a shared platform to pool expertise and infrastructure, extend research networks, enhance the visibility of scientific achievements, establish lasting cooperations and foster excellence through talent development and targeted support. In this way, complementary strengths become joint research, effective knowledge transfer and new opportunities.
Achieving more together
SCI Publications 2016–2026
MUL
- Publications
- > 7,000
- External partners
- 2,600
- Citations
- 220,000
- Connections
- > 10,000
RCM
- Publications
- 3,700
- Publications share
- 52%
- Citations
- 122,000
- Citations share
- 56%
- Interdisciplinary
- 12%
Open the cooperation mapCD Labs & ERC Grants
A list of all Christian Doppler Laboratories and ERC Grants in Leoben.
CD Laboratories
Advanced Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries – ongoing
Ass.Prof. DI Dr. Eva Gerold
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
Innovative, sustainable recycling methods for lithium-ion batteries with improved efficiency.
Partners Aurubis AG
Oct 2025Sep 2032
Deformation-Precipitation Interactions in Aluminium Alloys – ongoing
DI Dr. Irmgard Weißensteiner
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
Aluminium alloys with a high recycled content for sustainable high-performance materials.
Partners AMAG rolling GmbH
Jan 2025Dec 2031
Reactive Flows in the Production and Refinement of Green Steel – ongoing
Priv.Doz. Dr. Ebrahim Karimi-Sibaki
Chair of Simulation and Modelling of Metallurgical Processes
Reactive flows and mass transport in green steelmaking, studied through numerical simulation.
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, INTECO melting and casting technologies GmbH
Jul 2025Jun 2032
Sustainable Hard Coatings – ongoing
DI Dr. Michael Tkadletz
Chair of Functional Materials and Materials Systems
Sustainable hard coatings through more energy-efficient coating processes and less resource-intensive materials.
Partners CERATIZIT Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Jan 2025Dec 2031
The Effect of Recycled Materials on the Mechanical Lifetime of Plastics – ongoing
Priv.Doz. DI Dr. Florian Josef Arbeiter
Chair of Materials Science and Testing of Polymers
How recycled feedstock affects the mechanical lifetime of plastic pipes.
Partners Borealis GmbH, POLOPLAST GmbH & Co KG, PIPELIFE Austria GmbH & Co KG
Jul 2024Jun 2031
Computer-Aided Design of Crystal Growth Processes – ongoing
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Lorenz Romaner
Chair of Physical Metallurgy
Hybrid modelling methods for the virtual description of silicon carbide crystal growth.
Partners EEMCO GmbH
Nov 2022Oct 2029
Knowledge-Based Development of Advanced Steels – ongoing
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Ronald Schnitzer
Chair of Physical Metallurgy
Fundamentals for producing advanced steels with a reduced carbon footprint.
Partners voestalpine Stahl GmbH, voestalpine Forschungsservicegesellschaft Donawitz GmbH
Dec 2022Nov 2029
Inclusion Metallurgy in Modern Steelmaking – ongoing
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Susanne Michelic
Chair of Ferrous Metallurgy
Formation, properties and effects of non-metallic inclusions in steelmaking.
Partners voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH, voestalpine Stahl GmbH, voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl GmbH & Co KG
Sep 2021Aug 2028
Selective Recovery of Specialty Metals through Innovative Process Concepts – ongoing
Assoz.Prof. DI Dr. Stefan Steinlechner
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
Recovering specialty metals from industrial process streams through innovative processes.
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, Andritz AG, ARP Aufbereitung, Recycling und Prüftechnik GmbH +1 more
Oct 2020Sep 2027
Advanced Aluminium Alloys – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Stefan Pogatscher
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
New aluminium alloys balancing strength and formability for lightweight components.
Partners AMAG rolling GmbH
Jan 2018Dec 2025
Magnetohydrodynamic Applications in Metallurgy – completed
Univ.Prof. Dr. Abdellah Kharicha, MSc
Chair of Simulation and Modelling of Metallurgical Processes
The interaction between electromagnetic fields and metallurgical fluids.
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, INTECO melting and casting technologies GmbH
Jul 2018Jun 2025
Modern Coated Cutting Tools – completed
Ass.Prof. DI Dr. Nina Schalk
Chair of Functional Materials and Materials Systems
Optimising hard-metal coatings for wear-resistant cutting tools in the machining industry.
Partners CERATIZIT Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Oct 2017Sep 2024
Manufacturing-Process-Based Component Design – completed
Assoz.Prof. DI Dr. Michael Stoschka
Chair of Mechanical Engineering
Material fatigue in aluminium and steel castings, to optimise component design.
Partners Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Siemens AG Österreich, Nemak Dillingen GmbH +1 more
Oct 2016Sep 2023
Advanced Synthesis of Novel Multifunctional Coatings – completed
Ass.Prof. Dr. Rostislav Daniel
Chair of Functional Materials and Materials Systems
Novel nanostructured coatings for tooling under extreme conditions.
Partners voestalpine eifeler Vacotec GmbH
Aug 2015Jul 2021
Extractive Metallurgy of Technology Metals – completed
Priv.Doz. DI Dr. Stefan Luidold
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
Processes for extracting technology metals from end-of-life devices and alternative raw-material sources.
Partners CERATIZIT Austria Gesellschaft m.b.H., RHI Magnesita GmbH, METTOP GmbH +1 more
Jun 2015May 2022
Highly Efficient Composite Processing – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr.-Ing. Ralf Schledjewski
Optimising manufacturing processes for composite materials in the aerospace industry.
Partners FACC Operations GmbH
Apr 2013Mar 2020
Functional Polymer-Based Printing Inks – completed
Assoz.Prof. DI Dr. Thomas Griesser
Die Chemie funktioneller Ink-Jet-Druckertinten und ihre Anwendung in neuen Bereichen werden erforscht. Es werden neue und innovative Druckertinten entwickelt, die eine UV-härtbare, nicht reizende und bioverträgliche Alternative zu bislang verwendeten Produkten darstellen. Dabei wird auch der Einsatz von nicht reizenden und körperverträglichen Druckertinten für die Herstellung medizintechnischer Produkte ins Auge gefasst.
Partners Durst Phototechnik Digital Technology GmbH, Schmid Rhyner AG, Lithoz GmbH +1 more
Jan 2012May 2019
Optimisation and Biomass Use in Heavy-Metal Recycling – completed
Priv.Doz. DI Dr. Jürgen Antrekowitsch
Ziel der Forschung ist die Optimierung von Recycling-Prozessen für schwermetallhaltige Rückstände. Dabei sind Rückstände, die Mengen wertvoller Metalle wie Zink, Blei und Kupfer enthalten, besonders relevant.
Partners Aurubis AG, Befesa Steel R&D, S.L.U., RHI Magnesita GmbH +2 more
Jan 2011Jul 2018
Process Simulation of Solidification and Remelting – completed
Assoz.Prof. Dr.-Ing. Menghuai Wu
Erstarrungs- und Umschmelzvorgänge bei der Herstellung industrieller Metalle werden mittels numerischer Methoden beschrieben und analysiert. Die Ergebnisse werden anschließend in etablierten Produktionsprozessen auf ihre Praxistauglichkeit hin getestet.
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, INTECO melting and casting technologies GmbH
Jul 2011Jun 2018
Early Stages of Precipitation – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Ernst Kozeschnik; DI Dr. Harald Leitner
Untersucht wird ein als Ausscheidungsreaktion benannter physikalischer Prozess in Hochleistungswerkstoffen. Bei diesen Reaktionen handelt es sich um Auskristallisation von gelösten Stoffen im festen Werkstoffzustand, die wesentliche Materialeigenschaften mitprägen.
Partners Böhler Edelstahl GmbH, voestalpine BÖHLER Aerospace GmbH & Co KG, voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH +3 more
Oct 2007Sep 2015
Localised Corrosion – completed
ao.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Gregor Mori
Die Mechanismen des Auftretens örtlicher Korrosion an korrosionsbeständigen Materialien werden untersucht. Damit wird ein grundlegendes Verständnis der Entstehungsvorgänge verschiedener Korrosionsarten erreicht und die Entwicklung von Werkstoffen mit höherer Beständigkeit möglich.
Partners Böhler Edelstahl GmbH, OMV AG, voestalpine Grobblech GmbH +5 more
May 2007Apr 2015
Advanced Hard Coatings – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Christian Mitterer; Dr. Richard Tessadri
Im Zentrum der Forschungstätigkeiten stehen die Entwicklung und Charakterisierung neuartiger Hartstoffschichten, welche die Lebensdauer von Werkzeugen verlängern und Abnutzungsprozesse verlangsamen.
Partners PLANSEE SE
Apr 2004Dec 2011
Multiphase Simulation of Metallurgical Processes – completed
Univ.Prof. Dipl.Phys. Dr. Andreas Ludwig
Ziel der Forschung ist die Entwicklung von Computersimulationen, die verschiedene Prozesse der Metallherstellung beschreiben und zu ihrer Optimierung beitragen.
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, Wieland-Werke AG +4 more
Jul 2004Dec 2011
Fatigue Strength – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Wilfried Eichlseder
Partners AVL List GmbH, Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, BMW Motoren GmbH +4 more
Jun 2002May 2010
Metallurgical Fundamentals of Continuous Casting – completed
ao.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Christian Bernhard
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH +1 more
Jan 2002Dec 2009
Secondary Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous Metals – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Helmut Antrekowitsch
Partners AMAG rolling GmbH, voestalpine Edelstahl GmbH, CARIMPEX Export-Import-Transit-Gesellschaft m.b.H. +8 more
Apr 2002Dec 2009
Computational Applied Thermofluid Dynamics – completed
ao.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Wilhelm Brandstätter
Partners AVL List GmbH, Lenzing AG, RHI Magnesita GmbH +5 more
Jan 1999Jun 2006
Property-Optimised Building Materials – completed
o.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Harald Harmuth
Partners RHI Magnesita GmbH, voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH, voestalpine Stahl GmbH
Apr 1999Mar 2006
Sensor-Based Measurement Technology – completed
o.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Paul O'Leary
Partners AVL List GmbH, voestalpine Edelstahl GmbH, RHI Magnesita GmbH +3 more
Oct 1996Mar 2004
High-Performance Ceramics – completed
o.Univ.Prof. Mag. Dr. Robert Danzer
Partners voestalpine Edelstahl GmbH, TDK Electronics GmbH & Co OG, voestalpine Stahl GmbH +3 more
Feb 1992Jan 1999
Laser Applications in Materials Research – completed
ao.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Reinhold Ebner
Partners voestalpine Edelstahl GmbH, voestalpine Stahl GmbH, Österreichische Industrieholding AG
Jan 1991Dec 1997
Micromechanics of Materials – completed
em.o.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Franz Dieter Fischer; em.o.Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Franz G. Rammerstorfer
Partners voestalpine Edelstahl GmbH, Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, voestalpine Stahl Donawitz GmbH +2 more
Jan 1991Dec 1997
ERC Grants
MAD-TENSOR – ongoing
Dr. Max Hodapp
Materials Center Leoben (MCL)
AI-driven materials design using tensor networks (machine learning) for high-entropy alloys
Jan 2026Dec 2030
InterBond – ongoing
Dr. Barbara Putz
Chair of Structural and Functional Ceramics
Programmable interfaces for more sustainable, more recyclable composite materials ("debonding on demand")
May 2025Apr 2030
BulkNanoWe2 – completed
Prof. Dr. Daniel Kiener
Chair of Materials Physics
Industrial translation of the TOUGHIT findings into near-net-shape tungsten components for extreme environments
May 2024Oct 2025
HETEROCIRCAL – ongoing
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Stefan Pogatscher
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
Circular aluminium alloys
Apr 2024Mar 2029
POL_2D_PHYSICS – ongoing
Dr. Aleksandar Matkovic
Chair of Physics
Polarised, two-dimensional semiconductor materials
May 2023Apr 2028
REFMAG – completed
Dr. Andrea Bachmaier
Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science (ESI/Austrian Academy of Sciences)
Exploring the industrial potential of the nanocomposite magnets developed in the SpdTuM project
Apr 2022Sep 2023
TUCAS-CO2 – completed
Prof. Dr. Christoph Rameshan
Chair of Physical Chemistry
Perovskite catalysts for CO2 utilisation (reverse water-gas-shift) on the path to industrial application
May 2022Oct 2023
CITRES – completed
Dr. Marco Deluca
Materials Center Leoben (MCL)
Novel multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) based on relaxor thin films for high power- and energy-density storage applications
Apr 2019Dec 2024
CeraText – completed
Prof. Dr. Raul Bermejo
Chair of Structural and Functional Ceramics
Bio-inspired multilayer ceramic structures (modelled on seashells) for greater damage tolerance and reliability
May 2019Oct 2024
TRANSDESIGN – completed
Univ.Prof. DI Dr. Stefan Pogatscher
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy
Kinetics of phase transitions in non-equilibrium metals (aluminium alloys)
Feb 2018Jun 2023
SpdTuM – completed
Dr. Andrea Bachmaier
Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science (ESI/Austrian Academy of Sciences)
Innovative nanocomposite magnets designed to work without critical rare-earth metals
Jan 2018Dec 2023
TOUGHIT – completed
Prof. Dr. Daniel Kiener
Chair of Materials Physics
Tailored nanostructured metals
May 2018Apr 2024
TUCAS – completed
Prof. Dr. Christoph Rameshan
Chair of Physical Chemistry
Targeted, reversible control of perovskite catalyst surface chemistry via electrochemical polarisation
Jan 2018Jun 2023
INTELHYB – completed
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Eckert
Chair of Materials Physics
Intelligent alloy design of metallic glasses and functional nanocomposites
Feb 2014Jan 2019
USMS – completed
Prof. Dr. Reinhard Pippan
Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science (ESI/Austrian Academy of Sciences)
Ultra-strong, damage-tolerant bulk metals based on nanostructured material architectures
Mar 2014Feb 2019
Where to find us
Research Cluster: Materials
Jahnstraße 12 · 8700 Leoben
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