PRR Project

Summary

The present profile concerns to an Assistant Researcher non-academic Chair sponsored by GRESTEL - Produtos Cerâmicos, S.A., a Portuguese company dedicated to manufacturing and designing of tableware and accessories made of stoneware.The company is dedicated to preserve the environment on a daily basis, not only by improving its infrastructure but also its manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency. In response to the growing call for sustainable development, GRESTEL has prioritized these efforts.The effort to embrace sustainability and diminish the ecological impact on the environment aligns with one of the societal challenges addressed by CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, an Associate Laboratory of the University of Aveiro (UA), particularly within its Research Line "Sustainability."The partnership between both entities already exists and has been proven quite fruitful. The main examples were the incorporation of autogenous and exogenous waste in the formulation of a new paste (ECOGRÉS Project), and the backstamp printing by inkjet subsequently fired by laser (DIGIGRÉS Project). Both projects targeted the goals of the European Green Deal initiative.In this agenda, the ceramic industry faces challenges such as shortage of raw materials, energy transition and digitalisation. Recent reports warn that feldspar, used as flux in ceramic pastes, is already in the list of Critical Raw Materials. This challenge emphasizes the necessity for developing novel formulations for pastes and glazes, incorporating alternative raw materials such as mining residues, end-of-life products, and processing wastes, coupled with a focus on reducing processing temperatures and leveraging ecodesign approaches, alongside exploring new firing technologies. Simultaneously, interesting results were obtained with the introduction of different wastes in decorative glazes or by using sol-gel technology.Regarding energy transition, the introduction of industrial wastes, both in pastes and glazes, leaves to a reduction of processing temperatures, enhancing the environmental gains. Also, new firing approaches have been proposed, although at a very early research stage.Industry 4.0 has led to profound changes in production systems driven by digital technologies, creating new solutions such as digital printing. Moreover, it also opened new possibilities for new technologies, like the use of laser radiation in the ceramic industry. Although already applied in the processing of advanced ceramics, new possibilities surge for traditional ceramics like stoneware (decoration sintering, selective crystal growth, engraving).In this framework, the main purpose of the present non-academic Chair, named ECOGRES Chair, is the development of completely new tableware lines with disruptive characteristics, based on ecodesign approaches and new technologies. To achieve this, as main tasks, the researcher should be able to:Design new paste formulations for stoneware tableware with incorporation of secondary raw materials (i.e. autogenous and/or exogenous wastes), targeting an increase in the mechanical properties (a modulus of rupture value 80% above the actual value of 600 kgf/cm2) with a simultaneous 10% reduction in the product thickness.Design new glazes formulations with incorporation of secondary raw materials and/or sol-gel technologies, aiming new high mechanical modulus stoneware.Explore the capabilities of laser radiation in the after-firing decoration step (development of new inks, additives, visual effects, etc.).Develop functional coatings capable to avoid the metal marking effect observed in tableware products, and adaptable to all developed glazes formulations.Design and test new sintering approaches for stoneware bodies, with particular focus in the use of electric field in single or hybrid firing concepts, that ensure carbon neutrality in the coming decades.In addition to the objectives and tasks above outlined for stoneware, the advances obtained in this work will allow technical-scientific developments in other ceramics that may lead to scientific publications, joint patents, and submission of projects on a national or international level.The scientific profile required for this job includes:Scientific and technical knowledge of ceramics and vitreous materials and sol-gel chemistry;proven track record of securing national and international funding for research projects;the ability to collaborate with researchers with a diverse backgrounds in a multidisciplinary environment;shown interest in the technology transfer of research results and the ability to work closely with industry partners to translate them into real-world applications;Experience as a researcher and in management of industrial projects with the Portuguese ceramic industry;Good communication skills;A track record of organization of seminars, workshops, congress, or summer schools;Proven experience in MSc and PhD supervision.