Xavier Maeder

Dr. Xavier Maeder serves as group leader for research in microstructure at the Laboratory of Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). His research bridges geoscience and materials engineering through advanced characterization techniques.

His primary research interests include microstructure analysis across various materials, mechanical properties of thin films and coatings, deformation mechanisms in both geological and engineered materials, and specialized expertise in electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction techniques. His work spans multiple domains from rock deformation studies to advanced materials characterization, connecting fundamental geoscience principles with practical materials engineering applications.

Dr. Maeder's research contributes significantly to understanding material behavior at micro and nano scales, particularly in the context of material mechanics, microstructural analyses, and nanomechanics. His expertise in diffraction methodologies enables precise characterization of material properties essential for developing advanced coatings and miniature mechanical systems.

He maintains strong international connections through his previous positions at the University of Lausanne, University of Mainz, University of Utrecht, and CSEM in Neuchâtel, bringing interdisciplinary perspectives to his current research at Empa.