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Outreach

Center Outreach Activities

The MRSEC participates in a number of fruitful outreach activities with other institutions. This outreach takes of the form of collaborations based on shared interests and/or resources, personnel exchanges with other laboratories, and the organization of meetings and work shops. Several collaborations are listed below. Those interested in forming a collaboration with the MRSEC should contact Prof. A. Rollett.

Some questions frequently asked by industrial collaborators are addressed here.

  • M. Upmanyu, Colorado School of Mines, and A.D. Rollett, CMU MRSEC
    Non-linear boundary migration kinetics. When boundary curvatures are based on nanoscale microstructures, the driving forces are high compared to the thermal energy. The non-linear migration rate-driving force response observed in molecular dynamics may be a reflection of the loss of linearity that has been assumed since the classical analysis of Turnbull in the 1950s.
  • V. Randle, University of Wales Swansea, and G.S. Rohrer, CMU MRSEC
    We are studying changes in the grain boundary plane distribution during the sequential thermomechanical processing used for grain boundary engineering of materials with a high density of annealing twins. We are applying our new stereological analysis technique to determine grian boundary character distributions and obtain a better understanding the influence of the grain boundary plane on the macroscopic properties.
  • C. Cornwell (US Army/ High Performance Technologies Inc.), S. Schoenfeld and J. Clayton (Weapons Materials R&D, Aberdeen, MD), and A.D Rollett, CMU MRSEC Developing numerical 3D descriptions of anti-armor materials.
  • C. Liu, Pennsylvania State University, I. Livshits, Central Arkansas University, and D. Kinderlehrer and S. Ta'asan, CMU MRSEC
    Our collaboration with Penn State and Central Arkansas is focused both on developing analytical principles that are necessary to implement algorithms for computation of 3D grain boundary networks and the implementation of 2D and 3D simulations. The theoretical analysis in 2D was instrumental in development of a successful 2D model and has also yielded significant mathematical results. A significant feature of the simulations is the derivation of robust statistics from which to calibrate future simulations.
  • H. Weiland, Alcoa, A. D. Rollett, CMU MRSEC, and R. Suter, CMU MRSEC
    Orientation Imaging of Aluminum Alloys. Our collaboration with Alcoa is focused on collecting three-dimensional microstructure data from Al alloys used in aerospace and automotive structures. The goals of the collaboration are to provide fundamental information on the motion energy and mobility of grain boundaries in aluminum using both the current characterization methods of the MIMP and the 3D microscopy methods under development. The two areas of areas of interest are (a) an improved understanding of deformation and annealing in aluminum alloys and (b) an improved understanding of the fatigue fracture process in partially recrystallized aerospace alloys. Information on grain boundary properties measured by the MRSEC will be used by Alcoa for modeling of grain growth and recrystallization.
  • G. Gottstein, RWTH Aachen, and A.D. Rollett, CMU MRSEC
    Grain Boundary Mobility Studies in Aluminum. Under the supervision of advisors Günter Gottstein and Dimitri Molodov, Mitra Taheri spent a summer at The Institut für Metallkunde und Metallphysik, which was dedicated to an apprenticeship or sorts within the Interface Dynamics group. The group1s experimental focus lies in the areas of grain boundaries, notably structure, mobility, and the resulting effects of microstructure and chemical composition on the motion of these boundaries. A large portion of her visit entailed measurement of boundary motion via X-Ray tracking using bicrystals (developed onsite). The later portion of her stay involved further in-situ studies of boundary motion; these experiments were performed using a hot-stage within a Scanning Electron Microscope. Mitra is herself implementing a hot stage for in situ observations of boundary motion in the OIM system at CMU.
  • T. Massa, Kennametal Incorporated, and G.S. Rohrer, CMU MRSEC
    We are working to identify which microstructural parameters of WC/Co composites influence toughness and hardness. To do this, we developing tools for the collection of reliable microstructural information and models for the behavior of the composites under load.
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