Surface du Verre et Interfaces

In manufacturing of glass as well as other materials, new functionalities could be achieved by targeting the surface. The surface functionalization is often achieved by thin film or multilayer deposition which can be carried out as a post-processing low temperature step. Part of our research is focused on deposition methods and thin film’s properties. A whole new research area is also emerging in our lab around the creation of structured surfaces and their properties. This topic is in expansion in fundamental research and it may also impact the glazing industry if suitable elaboration methods are identified. In practice, for all functionalized glass products, mechanical requirements are crucial for their viability: stiffness, durability, resistance. What is the impact of these surface modifications and thin coatings on the surface mechanics of glass? This can be assessed through specific experimental tools and adequate modelling.

Finally, these processes open a number of new avenues for improved optical, conductivity, wetting properties for high technology glazings or displays, for example. Other desirable properties target chemicals or particles exchanges between glass and its environment for filtration or contamination control.