Ivo Thijs

Title: Innovations of Ivo Thijs in Titanium Foams

Introduction

Ivo Thijs is a notable inventor based in Mol, Belgium. He has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the development of titanium and its alloys. With a total of two patents to his name, Thijs has focused on creating high ductility foams that have various applications in engineering and technology.

Latest Patents

Thijs's latest patents revolve around the manufacturing of titanium, titanium alloy, and NiTi foams with high ductility. His method for producing these foams involves preparing a powder suspension of titanium, NiTi, or titanium alloy powder. The process includes gelcasting the suspension to form a green artifact, followed by a calcination step. This calcination involves a slow heating process, where the green artifact is heated at a rate of 20°C per hour to a temperature between 400°C and 600°C. The titanium, NiTi, or titanium alloy powder used has a particle size of less than 100 micrometers. The resulting high ductility foam exhibits a compression strain greater than 10% and a theoretical density of less than 30%, with pore sizes ranging from 50 to 1000 micrometers.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Ivo Thijs has worked with the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). His work at VITO has allowed him to explore innovative solutions in materials science and contribute to advancements in the field.

Collaborations

Thijs has collaborated with notable colleagues such as Steven Mullens and Jozef Cooymans. These collaborations have further enriched his research and development efforts in the area of titanium foams.

Conclusion

Ivo Thijs is a prominent inventor whose work in titanium and its alloys has led to significant advancements in materials science. His innovative methods for producing high ductility foams demonstrate his commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology.