Materials spray processes (MSPs) are being developed as affordable methods for producing high-performance metal, ceramic, or metal/ceramic composite coatings. There are many spray processes, including various thermal and cold sprayings and room temperature aerosol spraying, but common to all is a continuous spray of molten and/or solid particles moving at high velocity. The sprayed coatings have commonly contained microstructural defects such as inter-particle pores and micro-sized cracks. Minimization or complete elimination of these micro-defects is the greatest technical challenge in the spray processing. Current research activities in the research group include
(i) thermal barrier coating for high temperature applications,
(ii) environmental resistant coatings for microelectronics components,
(iii) novel ceramic and/or metallic-catalyst coatings for energy-related applications.
