TU Wien – Solids4Fun

One of the basic notions of the solid state science is the fact that the properties of a piece of matter do not only depend on the chemical composition, but on many other parameters, such as crystallinity, defects, surface properties, purity (dopants), size (nano-, meso-, macroscale), dimensionality (0D, 1D, 2D, 3D), porosity or phases (depending on pressure, temperature, etc.). Only a thorough understanding on how the various parameters influence the properties can lead to deliberate materials selection, synthesis procedures, device development, etc. In the Doctoral School Solids4Fun (Building Solids for Function) the interplay between parameters and properties will be exemplarily investigated for different kinds of inorganic solids. This especially includes oxides, semiconductors and intermetallics in different forms, such as thin films, (nano-)composites, porous materials, quantum dots, photonic crystals, metamaterials or hybrid materials. Research and training in Solids4Fun will be concentrated around four central issues, which are covered by the research activities of the faculty:

• Materials and Synthesis
• Properties and Functionality
• Applications and Devices
• Theory and Modelling.

True scientific and technical innovation and groundbreaking developments is mainly attained if scientists with different expertise combine their efforts. This is especially true for materials science. A well-known problem arising when specialists in different areas cooperate is to understand the other scientist’s language and their way of thinking. Solids4Fun intends to address this problem by a very interdisciplinary but well-balanced training program. The scientific basis of the training program is materials-related fundamental research. It allows PhD students with different master degrees to benefit from a doctoral school that connects different scientific areas. The training of Solids4Fun aims at a broad view on preparation and properties of solid matter from different perspectives, i.e. from the perspectives of chemistry, physics, materials science and nanotechnology, as well as from the perspectives of experiment and theory. This comprehensive scientific view on solids will allow the graduate students to develop a broader understanding on how to synthesize and optimize (“design”) solid materials towards specific properties and applications. This will also allow for a better communication between the sciences and enable the graduates of Solids4Fun to solve scientific problems together.

Training program

The main goal of the training is to become a creative independent and internationally competitive scientist. This will be achieved by top-level PhD projects. The doctorate program Solids4Fun will ensure that its students get the widest possible expert support through direct access to all the faculty members with their different background and competences and through connections to national and international research groups. The coverage of a wide range of topics within Solids4Fun will provide unique research and education opportunities to the doctorate students. The interdisciplinary research environment and training program of Solids4Fun will enable its students to communicate with scientists from other areas and to experience the different languages and approaches to deal with scientific problems and challenges. Since materials science is inherently interdisciplinary, graduates from this interdisciplinary DK will have good career chances in materials-related industries. The broad training in the DK ensures a high qualification profile to position the young researchers ideally for their future careers, both in research and in more technologically oriented positions in industry. A doctorate will be awarded to DK students who have, in addition to all the requirements according to university regulations,

• conducted high-quality scientific research in an interdisciplinary context
• successfully passed the DK curriculum
• presented the results of their research at international workshops or conferences
• participated in seminars and summer academies