In this section, you can find a current overview of available general topics for final theses, along with contacts for supervisors. Generally, the topics can be tailored to the student’s wishes, so the information provided here is mostly general.
Don't hesitate to contact the individual supervisors and arrange a meeting. They will explain to you what the topic entails.
[BP - Bachelor's thesis topic, DP - Diploma thesis topic, BP/DP - The topic can be adjusted in scope for any type of final thesis, and after BP, it is possible to continue the topic as a DP]
Topic 1/2025: Size Effect During Nanoindentation at Small Depths (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ing. Petr Haušild (KMAT)
The aim of this work is to gain a deeper understanding of the size effect, i.e., the mechanisms governing the formation and growth of the effective plastic zone during nanoindentation at small loads/small indentation depths. This is essential for characterizing, for example, small particles, thin films and coatings, or ion-irradiated surfaces where damage is limited to a thin layer.
Topic 2/2025: Finite Element Method Simulation of Indentation Testing (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Doc. Ing. Aleš Materna, Ph.D. (KMAT)
The Finite Element Method (FEM) is the most commonly used numerical method for simulating the deformation response of materials. Instrumented indentation testing serves to determine local mechanical properties of materials. The aim of this work will be to create an FEM model and apply it to a specific case of a thin material layer, so that the findings can complement experimentally obtained data.
Topic 3/2025: Behavior of Shape Memory Materials During Micromechanical Tests (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Jaroslav Čech, Ph.D. (KMAT)
The shape memory effect is based on the reversible change of crystalline structure at a certain temperature. This effect is characterized by significant reversible deformation (up to tens of percent), which greatly exceeds the elastic deformation of common metals (a few percent). The most prominent representative of shape memory metals is the nickel-titanium alloy NiTi (Nitinol). It is used in medicine, aerospace, and other technical fields. With the development and miniaturization of technology, and the need to describe properties of increasingly smaller objects or areas of materials, it is necessary to study deformation processes in micro-volumes. This is done through micromechanical tests, particularly nanoindentation and specialized in-situ tests. The goal of this work is to use these types of tests to describe and understand the processes occurring in shape memory alloys at the microscopic level.
Topic 4/2025: Low-Alloyed Mg Alloys for Resorbable Implants (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Karel Tesař, Ph.D. (KMAT / FZU AV ČR)
Mg alloys are promising for implants that dissolve in the body after fulfilling their function. It is relatively easy to produce implants from Mg that meet the medical industry's demanding requirements for mechanical and corrosion properties using all available alloying elements. However, if we are limited to elements that are unequivocally harmless to the body (Ca, Zn, ...), meeting these requirements is more challenging. It is necessary to actively use the possibilities of grain boundary engineering, advanced manufacturing methods, functional surface treatments, mathematical approaches to developing new alloys, and other tools to improve the resulting material. This broad topic encompasses a wide range of subtopics focused on developing Mg-Zn alloys for implants at FJFI and can provide opportunities for students from various programs and specializations.
Topic 5/2025: Study of Microstructure of Additively Manufactured Materials (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Ondřej Kovářík, Ph.D. (KMAT)
At KMAT, we study the mechanical and fracture properties of newly developed and additively manufactured materials. To explain the obtained mechanical and fracture parameters, it is necessary to examine their microstructure and micromorphology of the interfaces between individual building blocks. This is not possible without perfect preparation of metallographic surface samples.
Topic 6/2024: In-situ Study of Deformation Processes at the Micrometer Scale (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Jaroslav Čech, Ph.D. (KMAT)
With the development and miniaturization of technology, and the need to describe properties of increasingly smaller objects or areas of materials, the importance of micromechanical tests such as nanoindentation, micropillar compression, or micronose bending is increasing. A special group of tests are in-situ methods, where the test takes place inside a microscope (usually a scanning electron microscope) and the processes occurring in the material can be observed directly during the tests. This enables precise detection and study of phenomena such as slip band activation, twinning, pile-up formation, or microcrack formation in the material. Studying these processes on the micro- to nano-scale is essential for understanding the local deformation response of materials and correctly interpreting the obtained data.
Topic 7/2025: Computer Simulations in Mechanics and Elastodynamics of Ferroelastic Alloys (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Prof. Ing. Hanuš Seiner, Ph.D., DSc. (ÚT AVČR)
The Ultrasonic Methods Department of the Institute of Thermomechanics AV ČR is looking for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students to work on topics addressed within the FerrMion project. The offer includes topics in theoretical continuum mechanics and computer simulations. By agreement, the theoretical/modeling work can be expanded to include participation in experiments, utilizing world-unique devices for non-contact resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) and transient grating spectroscopy (TGS). Additionally, a 3D Atom Probe Tomography (3D APT) workplace will be established in the coming years.
Topic 8/2025: Wire Electrical Discharge Machining as a Surface Modification Method for Implants (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Karel Tesař, Ph.D. (KMAT / FZU AV ČR)
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is mainly used for manufacturing parts with very precise dimensions or parts made from conductive materials that are difficult to machine otherwise. One of the negative aspects of this non-contact machining method is the implantation of electrode material into the surface of the sample. This primarily involves Cu and Zn, which are the most common components of electrodes (brass). From an implant perspective, Zn is a harmless element that is typically present in the body. However, Cu can negatively affect cell growth, and therefore, healing. On the other hand, Cu has a much stronger effect on limiting the formation of bacterial biofilms due to its high toxicity to bacteria and yeast. The question arises whether it is possible to find such EDM parameters and subsequent surface modifications of implants that will not harm cells but will effectively limit potential bacterial and yeast infections.
Topic 9/2025: Universal Resonant Machine for Fatigue Testing of Small Bodies (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Ondřej Kovářík, Ph.D. (KMAT)
At KMAT, we study the fracture properties of newly developed and additively manufactured materials using a highly efficient in-house methodology. We test materials prepared by a wide range of manufacturing technologies for applications in aerospace, energy, medicine, as well as newly developed materials like multiferroics or lightweight alloys reinforced with quasicrystals. The extensive fracture mechanical properties obtained are incomplete without knowledge of the fatigue limit of these materials. The proposed methodology concept involves resonant testing of simple rotationally symmetric bodies prepared by electrical discharge machining under tensile-compression, bending, and bending under rotation conditions.
Topic 10/2025: Laser-Ultrasound Characterization of 3D-Printed Layered Materials (BP/DP)
Supervisor: Ing. Martin Koller, Ph.D. (UT AV ČR)
Thanks to recent advancements in 3D printing, additive manufacturing, and direct deposition methods, it is now possible to easily create multiphase materials from metal powders. Besides producing components with graded properties, it is also possible to develop new types of alloys available only in small quantities. In a single prepared sample, additive manufacturing methods can produce several homogeneous layers that differ in alloying element ratios. Laser-ultrasound methods are successfully used to study such materials, determining their elastic properties at scales ranging from tenths to millimeters. The bachelor's thesis will focus on studying newly prepared materials based on titanium alloys produced by 3D printing or coatings made by cold spraying. Based on experimental data, the student will verify whether the studied samples contain internal inhomogeneities and evaluate the elasto-acoustic properties of the prepared materials.