ReMade@ARI

This seminar connects carbonization conditions with the structure and function of carbon made from discarded plastics and food-derived sugars. Commodity plastics are carbonized under autogenic pressure in sealed quartz capillaries; sugars undergo neutral and alkaline hydrothermal processing in water and ionic liquids. Time-resolved WAXS, SAXS and Raman measurements, supported by ex situ XPS, track organic networks as they become carbonaceous solids. SAXS identifies emerging porosity and density variation, WAXS follows short-range aromatic stacking, and Raman D and G bands measure evolving sp2 domains and defects. XPS distinguishes oxygen-rich hydrothermal chars from plastic-derived carbons with lower oxygen-to-carbon ratios and stronger graphitization signatures. The combined observations relate precursor chemistry to intramolecular rearrangement, intermolecular crosslinking, pore formation and aromatic ordering under pressure.

Heterostructured metals combine soft and hard regions to generate internal mechanical interactions that improve strength and ductility. This talk explains how these architectures outperform conventional alloys and examines ReMade@ARI results on cryogenic deformation. Cascading crystal-defect mechanisms maintain work hardening as deformation proceeds. The same architectures can give bulk metals antimicrobial activity while retaining durability, connecting mechanical performance with public-health functionality. The research considers scalable multifunctional materials for medical devices, water infrastructure, energy systems and cryogenic transport.