Project: Microwave measurements for planar circuits and components

According to conventional understanding regarding the strength of materials, a small and a large beam of the same material will fail under the same stress. However, in reality the small beam is stronger and this ‘size effect’ can change the strength of a material by up to an order of magnitude. Industry has found that this size effect mechanism can be exploited through the addition of different atom sizes, particles and grain boundaries. Current state-of-the-art understanding of the interaction between these size effects is limited, and industry has had to make do with empirical relationships relating to individual length-scales. A validated, joined-up understanding of the mechanisms behind ‘smaller being stronger’ is needed to realise the material and component performance benefits that length-scale engineering offers. This project will produce design rules and new measurement techniques which will enable industry to exploit length-scale engineered materials and create components that are lighter, stronger, and fatigue and wear resistant.

Acronym 14IND02 PlanarCal (Reference Number: 14IND02)
Duration 01/10/2015 - 30/09/2018
Project Topic Metrology
Project Results
(after finalisation)
See Website
Website visit project website
Network EMPIR
Call EMPIR CALL 2014

Project partner

Number Name Role Country
1 Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Coordinator Germany
2 NPL Management Limited Partner United Kingdom
3 VSL B.V. Partner Netherlands
4 Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen - Nürnberg Partner Germany
5 Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. Partner Germany
6 Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. Partner Germany
7 Technische Universiteit Delft Partner Netherlands
8 University of Leeds Partner United Kingdom
9 Universite Des Sciences Et Technologies De Lille - Lille I Partner France
10 EPCOS AG Observer Germany
11 Eidgenössisches Institut für Metrologie METAS Observer Switzerland
12 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft Observer Germany