Scientific Domains

Research Areas

MINAS covers six interconnected scientific domains spanning from fundamental nano-scale physics to applied engineering, with growing focus on AI-driven and sustainability-oriented directions.

Core Domains

Core Research Areas

Established scientific areas forming the foundation of the center's expertise and infrastructure.

MEMS / NEMS

Design, fabrication, testing and lifetime estimation of micro- and nano-electromechanical systems — including MEMS reliability engineering, microsystems for space and telecommunications applications, and optical microsystems such as multi-degree-of-freedom micromembranes.

Nano Tribology

Tribological characterization — friction, wear and adhesion — at the nanometre scale using AFM-based methods, foundational to reliable MEMS switch and sensor design.

Nano Mechanics

Nanomechanical characterization of micro and nano structures — stiffness, fatigue, deformation and reliability — including the design of mass-detection sensors and environmental biosensors.

Thin Films

Deposition and mechanical/tribological characterization of nanometre-thick surface coatings, for MEMS, electronics and industrial applications.

Emerging Domains

Emerging Research Directions

New and actively funded domains aligned with EU priorities and digital innovation.

Green Tribology

Eco-friendly lubrication, bio-compatible surfaces and sustainable tribological solutions — extending to marine and corrosive environments through the Ocean Tribology Center (OTC, EU-COST CA23155). Part of the GSTrib Erasmus Mundus project (2025–2027).

AI & Triboinformatics

Application of artificial intelligence and statistical methods (ANOVA, ELECTRE) to model, predict and optimize tribological behavior — wear prediction and friction modelling.