Stefan Michalik

His research interest is focused on structural studies of disordered systems (primarily metallic glasses) using state-of-the art synchrotron and neutron scattering experimental methods combined with the Reverse Monte Carlo simulation technique. For example, he and his co-authors are in their recent work explaining the better glass forming ability of Cu54Hf46 and Cu61Hf39 compared with Cu69Hf31 in the view of short range order differences of glassy states and corresponding crystalline phases formed during devitrification. 

Skills:

• Structure characterisation by means of X-ray pair distribution functions.
• In situ investigation of relaxation and devitrification processes by high energy X-ray diffraction.
• Qualitative and quantitative Powder diffraction analysis.
• Structure modelling by the Reverse Monte Carlo simulations.

Institute of Materials Research, the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Košice, Slovakia
Dr. Karel Saksl

The IMR team is systematically developing new Ca- and Ca-Mg- based metallic glasses with characteristics such as low mass density 1.7 – 2.8 g/cm³ and low elastic modulus 20 – 40 GPa aimed for biocompatible and biodegradable medical applications. Our collaborative intention is to describe the atomic structure and clarify the high glass forming ability of some of those glasses.

In addition, Mg-based metallic glasses are also considered as a potential hydrogen storage material. The existence of reversible room temperature hydrogenation and dehydrogenation of Mg-Ce-Ni has been reported in literature. The IMR collective prepared a series of new quaternary Mg-Ce-Ni glassy alloys with Cu addition to modify the hydrogen storage capacity and dehydrogenation temperature. We aim to understand the structure of Mg-Ni-Ce-Cu metallic glasses at different stages of deuteration using neutron and X-ray diffraction techniques. 

During last four years, we have been submitting proposals at large scale facilities (DLS, ILL and DESY) and carried out various X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments.

Recent publications:

• Š. Michalik, J. Ďurišin, D. Balga, K. Saksl, M. Ďurišin, M. Drakopoulos, In situ HEXRD study of a Ca61Al39 metallic glass, J. Alloys Compd. 687 (2016) 188–196. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.06.094.
• K. Saksl, Z. Molčanová, J. Ďurišin, P. Jóvári, Š. Michalik, L. Temleitner, et al., Atomic structure of Ca–Mg biodegradable metallic glass, J. Alloys Compd. 801 (2019) 651–657. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2019.06.120.
• M. Šuliková, Z. Molčanová, B. Ballóková, J. Ďurišin, S. Martinková, D. Varcholová, et al., Development of new Mg-Zn-Sr alloys for medical purpose, Int. J. Nanotehcnology. 17 (2020) 573–583.

Institute for Solid State Physics, Wigner Research Centre for Physics in Budapest, Hungary 
Dr. Pál Jóvári

The collaboration with Pál Jóvári and his colleagues is focused on the modelling of 3D atomic structures of chalcogenide glasses by the Reverse Monte Carlo simulation method using high energy X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy as input experimental datasets. The final atomic configurations are analysed by means of partial pair correlation functions.  

Recent publications:

• I. Pethes, R. Chahal, V. Nazabal, C. Prestipino, A. Trapananti, S. Michalik, et al., Chemical Short-Range Order in Selenide and Telluride Glasses, J. Phys. Chem. B. 120 (2016) 9204–9214. doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.6b05996.
• P. Jóvári, A. Piarristeguy, A. Pradel, I. Pethes, I. Kaban, S. Michalik, et al., Local order in binary Ge-Te glasses – An experimental study, J. Alloys Compd. 771 (2019) 268–273. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.08.323.
• I. Pethes, R. Chahal, V. Nazabal, C. Prestipino, S. Michalik, J. Darpentigny, et al., Chemical order in Ge-Ga-Sb-Se glasses, J. Non. Cryst. Solids. 484 (2018) 49–56. doi:10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2018.01.017.
• I. Pethes, A. Piarristeguy, A. Pradel, S. Michalik, R. Nemausat, J. Darpentigny, et al., Short range order and topology of Ge Ga Te100-2 glasses, J. Alloys Compd. 834 (2020) 155097. doi:10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.155097.

Institute of Physics, Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, Slovakia
Professor Pavol Sovák

Since 2017 I have been a co-supervisor of a phd student Andrea Lachová. The phd project is focused on the development of new Ti-Zr-Si based bulk metallic glasses for biomedical applications and structural characterization of the transition from conventional multicomponent Ti-Zr-Nb-Ni-Cu glassy alloys to high-entropy glassy alloys.

Department of Physics, Faculty of Science in Zagreb, Croatia 
Professor Emil Babić

In collaboration with prof. Emil Babić, a few series of multicomponent Ti-Zr-Nb-Ni-Cu metallic glasses were casted by a melt spinning technique. The atomic structure of those alloys is investigated by means of X-ray pair distribution function analysis to identify structural modifications through the transition from a conventional multicomponent system to a high entropy system. Some of those prepared alloys are also a part of the phd project mentioned above.

Recent publications:

• E. Babić, D. Pajić, K. Zadro, K. Biljaković, V. Mikšić Trontl, P. Pervan, et al., Structure property relationship in (TiZrNbCu)1−xNix metallic glasses, J. Mater. Res. 33 (2018) 1–14. doi:10.1557/jmr.2018.168.
• R. Ristić, I.A. Figueroa, A. Lachová, Š. Michalik, V. Mikšić Trontl, P. Pervan, et al., Transition from high-entropy to Cu-based (TiZrNbNi) 1− x Cu x metallic glasses, J. Appl. Phys. 126 (2019) 154105. doi:10.1063/1.5119373.

Completed publication list can be seen on Stefan Michalik ORCID webpage.