Karel Saksl

The Faculty of Materials, Metallurgy and Recycling at TU Košice is a leading Slovak institution in the development, processing, and application of advanced lightweight materials. Our research spans from alloy design and thermomechanical processing to the characterization and optimization of materials for structural, energy, and mobility applications. Emphasis is placed on high-performance aluminum, magnesium, and titanium-based systems, high-entropy alloys, and composites with tailored microstructures for enhanced strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and sustainability. FMMR has extensive expertise in in-situ and operando characterization techniques through access and active participation in large-scale research infrastructures, including: Synchrotron radiation facilities (e.g., ESRF, DESY) for microstructure and phase evolution studies via X-ray diffraction and tomography, Neutron sources (e.g., ILL, MLZ) for deep-penetration analysis of residual stresses, textures, and hydrogen interactions, Free-Electron Laser (FEL) facilities (e.g., European XFEL) for ultrafast studies of phase transitions and dynamic processes at atomic resolution. Our competence in experimental design, data interpretation, and collaboration with international beamlines supports the development of lightweight, multifunctional materials under real operating conditions, including extreme environments and dynamic loading. These capabilities are integrated into both fundamental research and industrial innovation projects, particularly in automotive, aerospace, energy storage, and circular economy applications.