The research team at the laboratory of metallurgy in extreme environments is composed of a diverse group of experts dedicated to advancing the fields of metallurgy, materials science and physics. This multidisciplinary team includes metallurgists, materials scientists, mechanical engineers, physicists and chemists, all bringing their specialized knowledge to tackle the complex challenges associated with extreme environments.
We are an international team that collaborates closely, leveraging their combined expertise to design and conduct experiments, analyse data, and develop innovative solutions in metallurgy and materials science. National and international faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students work side by side, fostering a dynamic and collaborative research environment. The team’s commitment to excellence and innovation drives the our mission to push the boundaries of what is possible in metallurgy.
Principal Investigator
Information
Ass.-Prof. Matheus A. Tunes, BSc MSc PhD MInstP
matheus.tunes[at]unileoben.ac.at
Academic journey
University of São Paulo, BSc in Physics, 2012′
University of São Paulo, MSc in Materials Science & Metallurgy, 2015′
University of Huddersfield, PhD in Atomic Collisions in Solids, 2020′
Awards and career prizes
FAPESP Undergraduate Scholarship, 2009′
Merit of Honour for Scientific Presentation, IPEN-CNEN/SP, 2011′
Merit of Honour for Scientific Presentation, FATEC/SP, 2011′
Student Ambassador of the University of São Paulo, 2012′
Brazilian Navy Graduate Fellowship, 2012′
Uni. of New Mexico Research Scholar (Santander Universities), 2014′
Certificate of Excellence, Uni. of Huddersfield Materials Forum, 2017′
Oak Ridge National Laboratory ASTRO Fellowship, 2017′
Los Alamos National Laboratory Director’s Fellowship, 2021′
Ion Beam Modification of Materials (IBMM) Award, 2022′
American Chemical Society Materials Rising Stars, 2025′
Research Interests
Space Materials, Thermonuclear Fusion, Hypersonic, Radiation Damage, Corrosion, and Electron Microscopy
| Nichteisenmetallurgie | Google Scholar | Research Gate | arXiv | github | ORCID | Scopus | materialsatextremes.com |
Undergraduate and postgraduate researchers
Anna-Carina Seitlinger, Dipl.-Ing.
Postgraduate researcher
Scientific Research at [X-MAT]
The next generation of self-healing aluminium alloys for space exploration
Academic journey
Bachelor of Science in Materials Science, 2022′
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria
Investigation of different cooling rates on the microstructure along the process chain of an Al -4.7Mg-3.6Zn(0.6Cu-0.17Ag) alloy.
Master of Science in Materials Science, 2024′
Chair of Gen. and Analytical Chemistry, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria
Hydrogen Embrittlement of the Precipitation Hardening Nickel-Based Alloy 718.
Christoph Frühwirth, Dipl.-Ing.
Postgraduate researcher
Administrator of LUNA
Scientific Research at [X-MAT]
Radiation shielding in deep space applications
Academic journey
Bachelor in Energy Engineering, 2024′
Chair of Energy Network Technology, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria
Development of a self-sufficient energy system for water-pump operation.
Master in Energy Engineering, 2025′
Chair of Nonferrous Metallurgy, Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria
Development and characterization of aluminum alloys for metal matrix composites under the specific requirements of the sustainable energy industry.
Ícaro Silva Fida Carneiro, BSc
Postgraduate researcher
Scientific Research at [X-MAT]
Hydrogen deep trapping in hierarchical alloys
Academic journey
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, 2021′
Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Thomas Barzic, BSc
Postgraduate researcher
Scientific Research at [X-MAT]
Metallurgy of copper alloys for application as heat-sinks of future thermonuclear fusion reactors
Academic journey
Scientifique Baccalauréat, 2019′
Fabert High School at Metz, France
Bachelor in Materials Science, 2023′
University of Lorraine, France
Gabriel Pfandl
Special researcher
Scientific Research at [X-MAT]
Effects of irradiation in silica aerogels in simulated Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions
Academic journey
Matura in Future Materials, 2026′
Höhere Technische Lehranstalt (HTL) Leoben, Austria
HTL Thesis at the Erich Schmid Institut (ÖAW): Influence of Environmental Stressors on the Mechanical Performance of Silica-Based Aerogels
[X-MAT] alumni around the world!
Sandra G. Hernandez, BSc MSc
Development and characterisation of an ultrafine-grained Al-Mg-Si alloy for space applications
(Master Thesis Completed Oct 2024)
Now at Consumibles Die Casting Saltillo, Mexico.
Patrick Willenshofer, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. mont.
Aluminium alloys in extreme environments for space applications
(Doctoral Thesis Completed Sep 2024)
Now at voestalpine BÖHLER Bleche, Austria.
Bogdan Malysh, BSc
Aluminium alloys in extreme environments for space applications
(Doctoral Thesis Completed Aug 2025)
Susanna Nurschinger, BSc
Quench sensitivity of new aluminium crossover alloys
(Master Thesis under Completion, Jan/2026)
Soon to pursue her doctoral degree in our University.
Collaboration with the scientific network within Nichteisenmetallurgie
Transmission Electron Microscopy, materials characterization and in situ TEM
International network of scientists
ETH Zürich (Switzerland)
Physical Metallurgy, Lightweight Alloys and Biomaterials
Chair Professor at Nichteisenmetallurgie (Austria)
Recycling, Nonferrous Metals and Hydrogen Energy
Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
Lightweight Alloy Design
Jönköping University (Sweden)
Hydrogen Damage in Lightweight Alloys
Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
Design and Architecture of Functional Materials Systems
University of Belgrade (Serbia)
World-class leader in hydrogen damage in materials
Leader of the Network of Excellence in Hydrogen Embrittlement
Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil)
Ion Beam Modification of Materials
UK National Ion Beam Centre, MIAMI Facilities (UK)
Ion Beam Modification of Materials
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (United States)
Advanced Nuclear Fuels and Nuclear Materials
Politecnico di Milano (Italy)
Head of the Archès Lab
International Leader in new Materials Manufacturing Technologies
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (United States)
Advanced Nuclear Materials and Characterisation
University of Manchester – UKAEA Chair Professor (UK)
Thermonuclear Fusion Materials and Atom Probe Tomography
Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa (Portugal)
Thermonuclear Fusion, Nuclear Materials and Ion Beams
Instituto Superior Técnico de Lisboa (Portugal)
Thermonuclear Fusion, Nuclear Materials and Ion Beams
Inomorph Ltd (UK)
Coatings, Thin Films and Advanced Materials
MIAMI Facilities (UK)
Ion Beam Modification of Materials, Accelerator Science
University of Manchester (UK)
Advanced Nuclear Materials, Electron Microscopy
University of New Mexico (United States)
Nuclear Reactor Transport and Radiation Shielding
Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany)
Electron Microscopy and Nanomaterials
Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo (Brazil)
Science and Technology of Vacuum and Transport Phenomena
Faculdade de Tecnologia de São Paulo (Brazil)
Thin Solid Films, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technology
University of Huddersfield (UK)
Advanced Materials Development and Testing
University of São Paulo (Brazil)
CALPHAD, Physical Metallurgy and Nuclear Materials
Universidade Federal do ABC (Brazil)
Biomimetic Materials and Materials for the Future
CEO AWR|Prototyping (Austria)
Advanced Manufacturing of Materials
Chair of Mat. Science and Testing of Polymers (Austria)
Mechanical behaviour of advanced polymers
Łukasiewicz Research Network (Poland)
Krakow Institute of Technology
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering – Politecnico di Milano
Expert in Molecular Dynamics
University of California – Berkeley (United States)
Nuclear Materials and Nuclear Engineering
Apprentices
Kindergarten Josefinum
Optical/Electron Microscopy and Materials Destruction