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NICKEFFECT aims to develop novel ferromagnetic Ni-based coating materials to replace the scarce and costly Platinum and ensure high efficiency in key applications.

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Designing next-generation materials that are not only high-performing but also safe and sustainable is an inherently complex task. It requires navigating a landscape marked by interdisciplinary data, multiple stakeholder needs, regulatory constraints, and the urgency to make early-stage design decisions with lasting consequences. In the NICKEFFECT project, these challenges are being met with a powerful data management and decision support infrastructure designed to foster collaboration, improve traceability, and accelerate safe and sustainable innovation.   At the heart of this infrastructure lies a dedicated Materials and Processes Information Management System (M&P IMS), deployed using the Ansys Granta MI platform [1], and a modular Decision Support System (DSS). These tools provide secure, structured access to critical information—ranging from experimental performance data to risk assessments and environmental impacts—enabling researchers, sustainability experts, and regulators to make informed choices throughout the R&D process.   [caption id="attachment_7429" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Figure 1. The NICKEFFECT M&P IMS interface accessible via browser with...

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Materials design remains a very complex challenge in science and engineering, owing to the virtually infinite number of variables such as material composition and synthesis parameters. Traditionally guided by expert intuition and iterative experimentation, the process often involves navigating a multidimensional design space with only fragmentary knowledge, which can be compared to exploring a vast territory with a map that covers only a few percent of the terrain. As a result, identifying optimal material candidates frequently requires extensive trial-and-error, consuming significant time and resources before reaching a viable solution.   To accelerate this process, materials scientists are increasingly turning to models based on data to guide their research by prioritizing the next materials to study or synthesis parameters to use. In the last decade, machine learning (ML) has gained popularity in materials design thanks to its efficiency and modularity in using a wide range of datasets, whether theoretical or experimental, large or...

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On May 12th, NICKEFFECT project partner Vrije Universiteit Brussel organised a successful webinar titled "Electrodeposition Strategies for Fabricating Porous Alloys," presented by Dr. Eva Pellicer, Full Professor in the Department of Physics at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain. The hybrid event, co-hosted by our partners at VUB and UAB, welcomed attendees both in person and online.   Eva Pellicer, a key project partner of NICKEFFECT, delivered an insightful session that delved into the intricacies of achieving controlled porosity in electrodeposited metals. The webinar served as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and anyone interested in the advanced fabrication of metallic materials. Dr. Pellicer not only discussed fundamental principles but also presented compelling case studies that highlighted the practical applications and benefits of employing porous alloys.   Participants gained a deeper understanding of key factors influencing porosity in electrodeposited metals, effective strategies for achieving tailored pore structures, and real-world applications showcasing the advantages of...

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NICKEFFECT's upcoming webinar titled "Industrial Application of Electrodeposition Processes", will offer insights into the practical aspects and innovative potential of this technology.   Professionals, researchers, and individuals interested in the transition of electrodeposition from laboratory research to industrial implementation are invited to join on 26th May at 10:00 CET. This session will be led by NICKEFFECT Project Coordinator, Dr. Aliona Nicolenco from CIDETEC.   Why Attend?   Electrodeposition is a versatile technique with applications spanning numerous industries, from automotive and aerospace to electronics and renewable energy. This webinar will bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical industrial challenges, providing valuable insights into how these processes are optimised for real-world scenarios.   Webinar Agenda:   Welcome and Introduction Key Phenomena in Electrodeposition Mind the Gap: Lab vs. Industry R&D Practical Cases Q&A   Meet the Speaker: Dr. Aliona Nicolenco, NICKEFFECT Project Coordinator and Senior Researcher at CIDETEC Surface Engineering, is a leading expert in the electrodeposition of nanostructured materials. Holding a Ph.D....

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NICKEFFECT was represented by its Project Coordinator, Aliona Nicolenco, from CIDETEC, at the 9th International Congress on Surfaces, Coatings, and Interfaces, held from 23 to 25 April in Albufeira, Portugal. The event served as a platform for leading researchers and industry stakeholders to exchange knowledge on the latest developments in surface and coating technologies.   On 24 April, during the FreeMe project workshop dedicated to Safe and Sustainable-by-Design (SSbD) coating solutions, Aliona Nicolenco delivered a keynote presentation titled: “Boosting the Research and Development of Safe and Sustainable-by-Design Ni-Based Materials for Energy Applications”   Her presentation highlighted how NICKEFFECT is leveraging advanced modelling tools, digital twin methodologies, and CRA/LCA-LCC analyses to develop high-performance, Ni-based materials for PEM water electrolysers. These efforts are aimed at enhancing material efficiency, reducing reliance on critical raw materials, and enabling industrial scalability — all while supporting Europe’s green energy goals.   The FreeMe workshop featured contributions from several Horizon Europe projects addressing...

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Magnetoelectric actuation is a burgeoning topic nowadays given the need for energy-efficient devices. Magnetoelectric actuation refers to the control of magnetic properties of materials using voltage. Several mechanisms contribute to the magnetoelectric response including surface charging, ionic migration (referred to as ‘magneto-ionics’), reduction/oxidation reactions, and ferroelectric/ferromagnetic coupling. In magneto-ionics, certain ions (e.g., oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, or lithium) migrate within a material when an external voltage is applied. Since electric fields, rather than electric currents, drive ionic motion, this process is more energy efficient. Potential applications of magneto-ionics include magnetic memory devices, neuromorphic computing, and adaptive magnetic materials. Electrodeposited films, micro- and nanostructures are promising candidates for oxygen magneto-ionic investigations, particularly those with high surface-to-volume (S/V) ratios. Ferromagnetic Ni, Co and their alloys can be electrodeposited from aqueous solutions. It has been demonstrated that mesoporous Ni-Cu films with ultranarrow pore walls enable the entire film (and not just the utmost surface) to contribute...

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Modeling materials from first principles, i.e., without the need to fit or depend on experimental data, has taken on great importance in the last twenty years. Such methodology allows a deeper understanding of the physico-chemical phenomena dictating how materials behave. Density-functional theory (DFT) has been the tool of choice for computing the properties of materials at the nanoscale for decades. Indeed, ground-state properties such as phase diagrams, magnetism, or band gaps (determining whether a material is an insulator, semiconductor, or metal) and structures as well as more advanced properties such as charge carrier mobilities, ionic conductivity, or light emission/absorption spectra are all reachable within DFT and its extensions.   Because such computations are very demanding, both in terms of CPU power and human efforts, in the last 15 years additional tools have been developed to handle hundreds of thousands of such calculations and store them efficiently in databases. For example, the Materials...

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On April 1st, NICKEFFECT and the NOUVEAU project joined forces to host an insightful webinar titled "Water Electrolysers for a Sustainable Future". This event provided insights into the latest advancements in electrolyser technologies, with NICKEFFECT focusing on Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE) and NOUVEAU exploring Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOECs).   This session attracted researchers, industry professionals, and students eager to learn more about innovative developments in energy systems and how these technologies are driving a more sustainable future. The speakers provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with their respective electrolyser technologies.   Insights from NOUVEAU: Advancing SOEC Technology   Vesna Middelkoop, NOUVEAU Project Coordinator from VITO, presented "Development of SOECs – a pathway to a sustainable future". Her presentation explored how SOEC technology plays a crucial role in the transition towards a green hydrogen economy and a low-carbon future. While SOECs do not use platinum group elements (PGEs), they still contain...

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Electrodeposition plays a crucial role in the fabrication of advanced coatings and materials with tailored properties. Research on the electrochemical deposition of nickel-based alloys highlights its catalytic performance. Investigating the nucleation and growth mechanisms in Ni-based alloys deposition bridges the gap between fundamental electrochemistry and practical applications.   Defining New Electrochemical Reactions   One of the key challenges in Ni alloy electrodeposition is understanding the reduction mechanism of alloying element. Unlike nickel, which reduces directly, certain alloying elements undergo a more complex reduction process. Through electrochemical modeling, new reaction pathways were defined by summing multiple electrochemical reactions and optimizing the Butler-Volmer equations. This approach enables a more accurate description of the kinetic parameters governing the process.   AI-Powered Analysis of SEM Images   To quantify the nucleation behavior, the VUB AI tool was utilized for analyzing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. This AI-driven approach enables precise detection and measurement of nuclei, providing valuable insights into the effect of...

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The transition from laboratory-scale research to pilot-scale production is a crucial phase in developing nickel coating technologies. While these coatings are expected to provide excellent corrosion resistance, durability, and conductivity, their large-scale production and application must be assessed for sustainability, economic feasibility, and regulatory compliance. Ensuring sustainability during this transition is essential to minimize environmental impact, optimize costs, and meet regulatory standards.   A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates the environmental footprint, focusing on raw material extraction, energy consumption, emissions, and waste management. Nickel production and electroplating are energy-intensive and generate hazardous by-products such as heavy metal waste and chemical effluents. Sustainable solutions, including closed-loop recycling, optimized plating baths, and eco-friendly alternatives, help mitigate these impacts. In addition, a Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Analysis assesses capital and operational costs, process efficiency, and market potential to ensure cost-effective scaling. Innovations such as low-energy deposition techniques and resource-efficient chemical formulations improve economic viability while...

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