Master Thesis
Description
As one of fundamental building materials, wood is natural, renewable and sustainable. The surface properties of wood vary under the effect of environmental stresses such as temperature, relative humidity and chemicals. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has proved to be a powerful surface measurement tool for imaging, mechanical, electrical, magnetic and thermal characterization of different materials in their natural state with nano-level resolution. The application of AFM to biological materials such as wood is emerging as an interesting topic. This thesis´ focus will be to study the effects of environmental stresses on wood surface using atomic force microscopy and will be experimental.
The tasks include:
Expected:
Basic knowledge of wood material; Knowledge of light microscopy; Basic knowledge of statistics; English language communication skills are required; Self-motivation and interest in learning new skills.
The final thesis report can be written in English or German.
Contact: Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bohumil Kasal, bo.kasal(at)tu-bs.de