2008-09 Catalog: Materials Science

Supervised research experience, open only to senior-class materials-science majors. Starting with an open-ended topic, students will plan and execute a project in materials science and engineering that includes written and oral reports based upon actual results, synthesizing topics from their coursework. Only the first term may be taken pass/fail.

An introductory laboratory in relationships between the structure and properties of materials. Experiments involve materials processing and characterization by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and optical microscopy. Students will learn techniques for measuring mechanical and electrical properties of materials, as well as how to optimize these properties through microstructural and chemical control. Independent projects may be performed depending on the student's interests and abilities.

The staff in materials science will arrange special courses or problems to meet the needs of students working toward the M.S. degree or of qualified undergraduate students. Graded pass/fail for research and reading.

Thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformations. Phase diagrams for decomposition and ordering. Nucleation, spinodal decomposition, microstructural morphologies. Role of strain energy in solid-solid phase transformations. Thermomechanical processing of selected materials.

A seminar course designed to introduce advanced undergraduates and graduate students to modern research in materials science.

An introduction to the structure and properties of materials and the processing routes utilized to optimize properties. All major classes of materials are covered, including metals, ceramics, electronic materials, composites, and polymers. In the first term, emphasis is on the relationships between chemical bonding, crystal structure, thermodynamics, phase equilibria, microstructure, and properties. In the second term, generic processing and manufacturing methods are presented for each class of materials with particular focus on the influence of these processes on mechanical properties. Emphasis is placed on the basic materials science behind each processing method, covering such topics as thermodynamics, diffusion, kinetics of phase transformations, and microstructure development.

Diffraction contrast analysis of crystalline defects. Phase contrast imaging. Physical optics approach to dynamical electron diffraction and imaging. Microbeam methods for diffraction and imaging. Chemical analysis by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and electron energy loss spectrometry.

Content is identical to MS 132 but without the laboratory exercises.

Atomic structure, hybridization, molecular orbital theory, dependence of chemical bonding on atom configurations. Covalency, ionicity, electronegativity. Madelung energy. Effects of translational periodicity on electron states in solids. Band structures of group IV semiconductors; transition metals and ferromagnetism. Structural features of materials such as point defects, dislocations, disclinations, and surfaces. Structures of defects calculated with the embedded atom method.

Principles of electron and X-ray diffraction, with applications for characterizing materials. Topics include scattering and absorption of electrons and X rays by atoms. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) and the X-ray diffractometer. Kinematical theory of diffraction: effects of strain, size, disorder, and temperature. Crystal defects and their characterization. A weekly laboratory will complement the lectures.

Kinetic master equation, uncorrelated and correlated random walk, diffusion. Mechanisms of diffusion and atom transport in solids, liquids, and gases. Coarsening of microstructures. Nonequilibrium processing of materials.

Applications of X-ray and neutron diffraction methods to the structural characterization of materials. Emphasis is on the analysis of polycrystalline materials but some discussion of single crystal methods is also presented. Techniques include quantitative phase analysis, crystalline size measurement, lattice parameter refinement, internal stress measurement, quantification of preferred orientation (texture) in materials, Rietveld refinement, and determination of structural features from small angle scattering. Homework assignments will focus on analysis of diffraction data. Samples of interest to students for their thesis research may be examined where appropriate.

Thermodynamics and kinetics of ion and electron transport in solids, with emphasis on processes in electrolyte and electrode materials used in energy storage and conversion. Treatment of electroanalytical characterization techniques including a.c. impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry, and d.c. polarization methods. Application areas include fuel cells, electrochemical gas separation membranes, batteries, supercapacitors, and hydrogen storage materials.

The relation of lattice defects to the physical and mechanical properties of crystalline solids. Introduction to point imperfections and their relationships to transport properties in metallic, covalent, and ionic crystals. Kroeger-Vink notation. Introduction to dislocations: geometric, crystallographic, elastic, and energetic properties of dislocations. Dislocation reactions and interactions including formation of locks, stacking faults, and surface effects. Relations between collective dislocation behavior and mechanical properties of crystals. Introduction to computer simulations of dislocations. Grain boundaries. The structure and properties of interfaces in solids. Emphasis on materials-science aspects of role of defects in electrical, morphological, optical, and mechanical properties of solids.

Introduction to the mechanical behavior of solids, emphasizing the relationships between microstructure, defects, and mechanical properties. Elastic, anelastic, and plastic properties of crystalline and amorphous materials. Polymer and glass properties: viscoelasticity, flow, and strain-rate dependence. The relationships between stress, strain, strain rate, and temperature for deformable solids. Application of dislocation theory to strengthening mechanisms in crystalline solids. The phenomena of creep, fracture, and fatigue, and their controlling mechanisms.

The staff in materials science will arrange special courses or problems to meet the needs of advanced graduate students.