As industries demand better performance and resource efficiency, plasma and vapour deposition processing has become essential for synthesizing and integrating advanced chemicals and materials into next-generation devices and systems. Across the energy, aerospace, microelectronics and surface engineering sectors, there is a growing demand for advanced coatings that enhance durability, functionality and sustainability.
Meeting these demands requires a high level of expertise in plasma-matter interactions and advanced vapour deposition processes. This includes controlling the conversion of small and low-energy molecules into advanced chemicals and the synthesis and integration of advanced materials – both organic and inorganic – onto complex, sensitive or large-area substrates. Scaling reliably from laboratory setups to industrial-level systems adds another layer of complexity.
The Plasma & Vapour Deposition Processes group develops fundamental and technological expertise in plasma-matter interactions and advanced vapour deposition processes. Its aim is to define, design and develop new processes and prototypes that push the boundaries of plasma processes, surface engineering and coating technologies.
The main objectives of the group are to develop a deep understanding of the mechanisms driving plasma and vapour deposition processes and provide technical solutions to engineer new processes and create new products or improve existing ones.
Activities span the entire innovation chain and multiple TRLs from idea generation to conceptualization, proof of concept, prototyping, process validation, and finally, process and product optimization.
The Plasma & Vapour Deposition Processes group brings together a multidisciplinary team of researchers and engineers with expertise spanning plasma physics, plasma chemistry, surface science, thin-film engineering, chemistry and process engineering. This broad and complementary knowledge base enables the group to address complex problems, from fundamental understanding to practical implementation, thereby advancing innovative solutions in material development, surface modification, and plasma and vapour deposition processes.
Its technological capabilities are currently articulated around five core technologies that place LIST at the forefront of coatings and surface engineering R&D:
Taking advantage of the new processes and prototypes developed, the group integrates materials into new devices and applications. It has notably gained experience in designing and developing vapour deposition processes and a variety of vapour deposition equipment, ranging from small laboratory-scale setups to semi-industrial systems, enabling the integration of materials in thin-film form onto temperature-sensitive, complex shapes (0D, 1D, 2D, 3D) and large substrates.
Beyond this, the group also relies on these developments for the discovery and engineering of new functional materials for applications ranging from adhesion and corrosion applications to advanced energy applications. The vapour deposition processes developed enable the synthesis, deposition and engineering of materials ranging from organic (e.g. polymers) to inorganic compositions (e.g. oxides, nitrides, metals). Not only the composition of the materials, but also the application process itself critically determines the characteristics and performance of the coatings.
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