The investigation of surface properties in engineering and functional materials can be effectively conducted without the need for large sample volumes or destructive testing procedures. By leveraging advanced measurement techniques—such as nanoindentation, microtribology, and other microscale mechanical testing methods—combined with state-of-the-art data analysis, we can obtain detailed insights into macroscopic material behavior. This includes understanding elastic and plastic deformation characteristics, mechanisms of crack initiation and propagation, and damage accumulation phenomena such as fatigue, all derived from micro- and nanoscale responses.

Our research focuses on applying these high-resolution techniques to quantitatively evaluate the deformation behavior of a wide spectrum of materials, including ceramics, metals, polymers, composites, and various classes of functional materials. A key area of interest is the effect of green hydrogen exposure on the mechanical properties of materials at the microscale, which has significant implications for the development of hydrogen-compatible materials in energy systems.

To meet these complex materials science challenges, we design and employ custom-built experimental setups, along with tailored sample geometries, enabling precise and reproducible characterization.