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Materials Science Research

Facilities

Opening Doors to Materials Science Research

A unique research and fabrication facility located in Kelowna

Welcome to our research group!

About Us:

Our research group focuses on the development of novel materials for diverse industries. Our unique infrastructure enables development and characterization of metallic, ceramic, composite, functionally graded and multi-scale composites.

We pride ourselves in contributing to solving materials-related challenges with our industry partners, as well as advancing fundamental knowledge at the leading-edge of materials science.

With an unwavering commitment to collaboration and sustainability, our group seeks to make meaningful contributions to various industries.

Spotlight


Discover our cutting edge technology and facilities


Meet some of our industry collaborators (Under Construction)


Learn More about our projects


Where innovation meets Sustainability: explore our cleanTech Hub


Dr. Bichler oversees two laboratories with a focus on a comprehensive approach to material fabrication and development:

Metal Casting Laboratory

With a focus on advancing the understanding and development of magnesium and aluminum alloys, our research involves manufacturing and characterization of novel alloys and their composites.

Gravity and die casting, melt treatment, alloying and subsequent heat treatment drive our new alloy development activities.

Material characterization using advanced techniques like X-ray diffraction, EBSD, SEM, GC-MS, TGA/DSC help us relate the processing to the microstructure, while mechanical testing, wear testing and corrosion evaluation help us relate the new alloys to target applications.

Powder Metallurgy Laboratory

Our group specializes in the fabrication and spark plasma sintering of advanced ceramic, metallic, nano, and functionally graded materials and composites. Key applications involve fabrication of materials for the energy sector, land transportation and aviation industries, as well as novel additives (e.g., grain refiners) for metalcasting applications.

Do not hesitate to Contact Us for academic or collaborative purposes.