About Electrons Matter

The Electrons Matter Doctoral Network is a Marie Skłodowska Curie action funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe programme.

The Electrons Matter network addresses critical challenges in the additive manufacturing (AM) of tungsten and tungsten alloys, a field crucial for advancing applications in energy, aerospace and green technologies. Tungsten, with its exceptional properties such as the highest melting point of any metal and excellent resistance to wear and corrosion is ideal for extreme environments. However, its high melting temperature and brittleness make it difficult to process using conventional methods – limiting is industrial use.

Electrons Matter leverages electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB), an AM technology with unique capabilities for processing refractory materials such as tungsten. By combining computational modelling, advanced characterisation, process design, novel in process monitoring methods, and mechanical behaviour analysis, Electrons Matter aims to develop optimised strategies for manufacturing dense, crack-free tungsten components with complex geometries. The Electrons Matter network will tackle key challenges such as defect formation, microstructure evolution, and process monitoring. Thus driving innovations in AM and materials design. Furthermore, material reusability will be studied, enhancing the sustainability of the process.

Electrons Matter integrates the expertise of five leading academic and seven industrial partners to train a new generation of materials scientists. Nine doctoral candidates will benefit from interdisciplinary research, industrial secondments and cutting-edge training in sustainability, innovation and advanced manufacturing.