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Driven in parallel by the demands of technology and
the inquisitiveness of basic science/engineering, the last decade has
brought an explosion in the development of new materials. In this
effort, design and synthesis of surface layer and thin film systems
present particular advantages and interest since several material
properties are surface-sensitive and applications demand materials with
novel properties for miniaturized, small-scale components and devices (MEMS,
NEMS, etc.). These needs led to research in functionally gradient,
multifunctional and self-organized nanostructured thin films. An
overview of research activities in the Surface and Nanostructure
Engineering Laboratory (SaNEL) will be presented, involving: (i)
development of functionally gradient surface layers by utilizing
intensified plasma-assisted processing (a novel technique developed in
our laboratory); (ii) Me-containing nanocomposite diamondlike carbon
films with functionally gradient interfaces; (iii) multifunctional
(mechanical, tribological, magnetic, etc.) metal/ceramic nanocomposite
and multilayered thin films, and (iv) epitaxially grown, self-organized
oxide, nanostructured thin films with high potential for electronic
applications. |