Nanomechanical Characterization of Materials for Advanced

Project description

Nanomechanics and nanomechanical testing had become widely used tools, valuable and applicable across multiple industries. Examples of applications included automotive coatings and structural alloys, MEMS and multilayer microelectronics, energy materials for batteries and high-temperature components, chemical and pharmaceutical microcapsules, and construction materials such as energy-efficient window films and nano-optimized cement. The main challenge was to provide industry with fast and reliable access to a wide range of material properties—not only strength but also hardness, stiffness, toughness, residual stresses, and reliability—using reproducible methods.

Within this framework, NanoMECommons sought to lay the foundation for industrial use of high-resolution nanomechanical characterization by developing state-of-the-art testing methods, novel metadata structures, pre-normative activities, and the transfer of protocols to industry. The interoperable CHADA (CHAracterization DAta) framework was created to harmonize nanomechanics protocols and data exchange, focusing on integrated methods and robust data management. In particular, ontology development and data management were combined to establish a reference ontology for nanoindentation and a centralized material information management system. Ontologies ensured traceability, integrity, and interoperability in compliance with FAIR principles, while the central database provided tools for data processing, model calibration, validation, and maintenance of material cards. This reference database rationalized material selection, shortened time to market, and improved resource efficiency.

Fraunhofer IWM subproject:

Fraunhofer IWM developed the interoperable CHADA framework and the CHADA app, leveraging advances in standardized data management and material characterization achieved by NanoMECommons. By integrating these results, Fraunhofer IWM offered industry partners a robust solution for handling complex material data—especially nanoindentation—ensuring interoperability, traceability, and data integrity in line with FAIR principles.