Phase I - OI. Understanding the phenomena at the ceramic-metal interface and the interaction between ceramic densification and melting-infiltration-recrystallization phenomena of metal inclusions during sintering (continue in 2026). OIII. Realization of CerMets with favorable microstructures with improved electroactive constants and tunable meta-properties (will continue in 2026 and 2027).

Phase II - OI. Understanding the phenomena at the ceramic-metal interface and the interaction between ceramic densification and melting-infiltration-recrystallization phenomena of metal inclusions during sintering (continue in 2027). SHEEP. Finding the relationship between the percolation limit fc and the microstructural parameters; the design of favorable microstructures. OIII. Realization of CerMets with favorable microstructures with improved electroactive constants and tunable meta-properties (will continue in 2027).

Phase III - OII. Finding the relationship between the percolation limit fc and the microstructural parameters; Designing favorable microstructures (continued). OIII. Fabrication of CerMet composites with favorable microstructures to achieve improved electroactive constants and tunable meta-properties (continued)

Publications:

[1] L. Mitoseriu, V.A. Lukacs, L. Padurariu, C.E. Ciomaga, F. Gheorghiu, N. Horchidan, D. Giuranno,
Emergent electrical properties in metal-ceramic composites: a critical revue; Ceramics International
51, 43459 – 43487 (2025) – journal Q1
[2] I. Turcan, L. Padurariu, V.A. Lukacs, R.S. Stirbu, C.E. Ciomaga, F.F. Chamasemani, R. Brunner, G.
Stoian, L. Mitoseriu, D. Giuranno, Multiple percolation regions as result of microstructural variability
in AgBaTiO3 ceramic-metal composites, J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. (sent to)

International Conferences:

[1] L. Mitoseriu, V.A. Lukacs, L. Padurariu, C.E. Ciomaga, I. Turcan, R.S. Stirbu, N. Horchidan, D.
Giuranno, In-situ monitoring of Ag-BaTiO3 CerMet sintering process. Tayloring the metacomposite
properties by microstructural design (invited talk); 15 th European Meeting on Ferroelectricity (EMF-
15), Katowice, Poland, 31 Aug.- 5 Sept. 2025
[2] C.E. Ciomaga, D. Giuranno, F. Gheorghiu, I. Turcan, V.A. Lukacs, N. Horchidan, A. Oajdea, L.
Mitoseriu, Thermal treatment optimization of (1−x)BaTiO₃ + xAg composites: Microstructural control
and enhanced dielectric performance via sintering atmosphere engineering (e-poster); 15 th European
Meeting on Ferroelectricity (EMF-15), Katowice, Poland, 31 Aug.- 5 Sept. 2025
[3] V.A. Lukacs, L. Padurariu, R.S. Stirbu, C.E. Ciomaga, L. Mitoseriu, D. Giuranno, In situ monitoring
of Ag-BaTiO3 CerMet sintering process for tuning the metacomposite properties (oral); 18 th
European Congress & Exhibition on Advanced Mater. & Proc. (EUROMAT), Granada, Spain, 14– 18
Sept. 2025:
[4] A. Oajdea, F. Gheorghiu, M. Ciolan, I. Dumitru, C.E. Ciomaga, L. Mitoseriu, D. Giuranno, Influence
of silver content and thermal reoxidation on functional properties of BaTiO3-based ceramic and
multilayer composites (oral: OP-82); 16 th ECerS Conference for Young Scientists in Ceramics,
Department of Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Serbia,
October 15-18, 2025

Cognitive impact

The project has an integrated and innovative approach and generates a significant cognitive impact
in the field of multifunctional composite materials design, metal-oxide multi-material synthesis and
their processing, combining physico-chemical processes that allow the development of new
materials with superior electrical properties. The cognitive impact is demonstrated by developing

the research skills of the team involved in two directions: (i) modeling and simulation of liquid phase
sintering processes of composites and (ii) synthesis of metal-ceramic composite nanopowders and
their densification into CERMET structures with variable compositions. The knowledge generated in
this stage contributed to the development of analytical skills for the synthesis and interpretation of
results and will be transferred to the academic and educational environment, being effectively used
in courses and laboratories in the disciplines of Physics of Materials and Nanocomposite Materials at
the Faculty of Physics, and the results will be integrated into bachelor's, master's and doctoral theses
in the field. The results obtained will complement the specialized literature with original data,
analytical and numerical models and with synthesis and sintering strategies of CERMET composites.
The project uses an integrated approach, combining different experimental-theoretical techniques,
multi- and transdisciplinary to generate knowledge in a topical field, which has not been addressed
in our country till now.

Socio-economic impact

From a socio-economic perspective, the project responds to major current challenges, such as
finding multifunctional materials with superior electrical characteristics (giant, negative or near-zero
permittivity) for smart miniaturized, energy recovery and storage applications. The experimental
laboratory solutions generated in the nanocomposite processing stages as well as the optimization
of sintering parameters to generate desired electrical properties are scalable and have the potential
for testing and application on a larger scale, including industrial. The results of the first stage
contributed to the consolidation of the research team and the formation of new collaborations with
institutions abroad, which contributed to the improvement of its research skills. A doctoral student
together with the young researchers in the project team acquired new skills and contribute to
advanced research in the field of the grant.