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Welcome !
On this website you will find information on my research. My research focuses on the modelling of phase transformations and grain growth in metals and the morphological changes they cause on the microscopic scale. On the microscopic level most metals namely consist of grains, each with their own crystal structure, orientation and composition. Using physical and chemical laws, I attempt to predict how the shape, size and spatial distribution of the grains and the local composition change in time during loading, deformation or due to a change in temperature. This is important since macroscopic properties, such as strength, deformability and conductivity, depend on the grain structure on the microscopic level. I mainly use the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams)- and Phase Field method, which are both derived based on thermodynamic principles.
In May 2006, I received a Ph.D. in applied sciences at the University of Leuven (Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium) on this topic. At the present time, I'm postdoctoral researcher of FWO-Flanders and connected to the department of Metallurgy and materials engineering of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) in the research group Thermodynamics in materials engineering and temporarily visiting scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (California, USA), Condensed Matter & High Pressure Physics division.
Using the menu on the left, you will find more information on my background, research activities and publications.
Example of a microscopic image of the grain structure of a steel and of a simulated grain structure.
