Seminars Spring 2004

Materials Science and Engineering Seminars
Washburn 323
Tuesdays 10:00-10:50 am

Fluidity of Al Based Alloys (January 27, 2004)
Thermodynamic, Mechanical, and Transport Properties of Proton-Exchange Membranes in PEM Fuel Cells (February 3, 2004)
Modeling Ligaments as Composite Materials (February 10, 2004)
Deformation and Fracture of Nanocrystalline Metals and Alloys (February 17, 2004)
Zirconia-Based Inert Anodes for Green Synthesis of Metals and Alloys (February 24, 2004)
Use of Library Resources (March 3, 2004)
Simulation of Thermo-Mechanical Deformation in High Speed Rolling of Long Steel Products (March 16, 2004)
Student Presentations (March 23, 2004)
The Success of Materials and Materials Processing technologies: Issues and Drivers (March 30, 2004)
A New Material Flammability Apparatus and Measurement Techniques(April 13, 2004)

Fluidity of Al Based Alloys

Tuesday, January 27, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Ms. Marisa DiSabatino
Department of Materials Technology,
NTNU, Trondheim, Norway

Abstract

The fluidity of Al based alloys is of significant importance in producing sound castings and, particularly, thin-walled components. In order to meet the industrial demands of complex shaped castings and have a better control of the production processes, the knowledge of the parameters affecting fluidity is required. Since fluidity is one of the measures by which the castability of metals can be quantified, a definition and a description of castability are presented. The main parameters influencing fluidity are reviewed and an experimental work on the fluidity of an Al-Si alloy (A356) is presented.

Thermodynamic, Mechanical, and Transport Properties of Proton-Exchange Membranes in PEM Fuel Cells

Tuesday, February 3, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Prof. Ravindra Data
Fuel Cell Center
Dept. of Chemical Eng., WPI

Abstract

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells offer the potential of revolutionizing electrical energy production through efficient and largely polution-free power generation systems for both transportation and stationary applications. However, the currently used polymer electrolyte membrane, Nafion, imposes severe limitaitons on the temperature and humidity under which the PEM fuel cells must operate, since liquid water is required within the pores of Nafion for conduction of protons. Thus, alternate electrolyte membranes are sought that can work under hot and dry conditions. Accomplishment of this challenging goal, however, first requires a good understnding of the sorption, mechanical and transport properties of Nafion. I will describe our ongoing work on this tropic.

Modeling Ligaments as Composite Materials

Tuesday, February 10, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Prof. Allen H. Hoffman
Mechanical Engineering, WPI

Abstract

Composite materials are commonly used in a wide variety of engineering applications. In a typical materials science application the constituents are known as well as their properties, volume fractions and connectivity. The typical analysis involves using this information to predict the material properties of the composite.

In contrast, composite materials analysis in biological tissues represents the inverse problem. The properties of the tissue can be determined through mechanical testing. However the constituent properites, volume fractions and connectivity are at best only vaguely known. Analysis in biological materials is used to reveal information about the microstructure and morphology of the material.

Mechanical Behavior of Nanocrystalline Metals and Alloys

Tuesday, February 17, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Prof. K.S. Kumar
Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912

Abstract

Nanocrystalline metals and alloys, with average and range of grain sizes typically smaller than 100 nm, have been the subject of considerable research in recent years. Such interest has been spurred by progress in the processing of materials and by advances in computational materials science. It has also been kindled by the recognition that these materials possess some appealing mechanical properties, such as high strength, increased resistance to tribological and environmentally-assisted damage, increasing strength and/or ductility with increasing strain rate, and potential for enhanced superplastic deformation at lower temperatures and faster strain rates. From a scientific standpoint, advances in nanomechanical probes capable of measuring forces and displacements at resolutions of fractions of a picoNewton and nanometer, respectively, and developments in structural characterization have provided unprecedented opportunities to probe the mechanisms underlying mechanical response. In his presentation, Prof. Kumar will present an overview of the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline metals and alloys with the objective of assessing recent advances in the experimental and computational studies of deformation, damage evolution, fracture and fatigue, and highlighting opportunities for further research.

Zirconia-Based Inert Anodes for Green Synthesis of Metals and Alloys

Tuesday, February 24, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Prof. U.B. Pal
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, Boston University, Boston MA

Abstract

The research work demonstrates the technical viability of employing zirconia-based inert anodes for environmentally sound and cost-effective production of metals such as magnesium, tantalum, aluminum, etc., directly from their oxides. The inert anode consists of the oxygen-ion-conducting stabilized zirconia membrane in intimate contact on one side with a catalytically active electronic phase. The opposite (other) side of the zirconia membrane is placed in contact with an ionically conducting solvent phase. A cathode is placed in the solvent and an appropriate electric potential is applied between the electrodes to synthesize the metals from their oxides. The full-benefit of the process can be realized if it is conducted at temperatures between 1100-1400∞C. At these temperatures the ohmic resistance drop across the stabilized zirconia membrane are low and therefore high current densities on the order of 1 A/cm2 or greater can be obtained. In addition, the process efficiency can be further increased by directly reforming hydrocarbon fuel over the anode. Topics covered in the presentation will include: stability of the zirconia membrane in the selected molten solvent (flux), volatility of the flux, transport processes, potentiodynamic sweeps, electrolysis experiments, and analysis of the metals produced.

Use of Library Resources

Tuesday, March 2, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Chris Cox
Ref/Instruction Librarian

Abstract

In this session, students will be introduced to various materials science references sources and periodical databases that the Gordon Library subscribes to. Standards and patent resources will also be presented. Discussion of current awareness tools, the process of professional publication and scholarly communication will follow.

Simulation of Thermo-Mechanical Deformation in High Speed Rolling of Long Steel Products

Tuesday, March 16, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Bruce Kiefer
Morgan Construction Company
Souvik Biswas
WPI Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student

Abstract

The goal of this work is to develop an off-line process model that can be used by engineers to expedite the optimum selection of process parameters in a high-speed mill for hot rolling of long steel products in the United States (U.S.) steel industry. The software tool developed in this work will better enable steel mill manufacturers and operators to predict the geometric properties of the hot rolled material. The properties predicted by the model can be used by the manufacturer to determine if customer requirements for the final rolled product can be met with the specified equipment and rolling conditions. This model can be used to reduce manufacturing costs and shorten production cycle time while assuring product quality.

Student Presentations

Tuesday, March 23, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Microstructure Evolution in Magnesium Cast Alloys

Presented by:

Lee Barber
WPI Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Student

Optimal Heat Treatment of Semi Solid Aluminum

Presented by:

Brian Dewhirst
WPI Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Student

Development and Characterization of an inorganic-organic hybrid gel for electrospinning a bone scaffold

Presented by:

Anthony Dana
Sarah Doherty
Justin MacEachern
Laura Matejik
Anissa Sidibe
Prof. Shivkumar's MQPGroup

The Success of Materials and Materials Processing Technologies: Issues & Drivers

Tuesday, March 30, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Prof. Jackie Isaacs
Assoc. Professor, Materials Group
Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115

Abstract

Traditionally in materials science, evaluation for the "success" of new materials includes characterization of physical properties, mechanical properties or microstructure. Investigation of the relationships among the structure, properties and processing of materials is the fundamental philosophy for research in materials science and engineering. Hence the material performance is established by optimizing tradeoffs between structure-property-processing for the user's specifications. For a number of years, advanced materials were developed primarily for performance, particularly in defense applications. With the increasing importance of commercialization and liabilities of materials, other factors are becoming significant for characterizing the success and performance of a material: the manufacturing cost for part fabrication and the environmental consequences of using that material. Economic and environmental assessment is necessary for the effective marketability of advanced materials and for evaluating alternative materials, processes and manufacturing technologies. These attributes, together with the technology based characterization, are now regarded as essential to determining the ultimate success of the materials system. Three cases are discussed to illustrate this theme: fiber reinforced metal matrix composites, particulate metal matrix composites, and automotive body-in-white designs.

A New Material Flammability Apparatus and Measurement Techniques

Tuesday, April 13, 2004, 10:00 am, Washburn 323

Presented by:

Prof. Nicholas Dembsey
Assoc. Professor
Fire Protection Engineering, WPI

Abstract

A key aspect of fire safety performance is to limit the potential for fire growth and spread through the use of appropriately specified material systems. Specification of material systems currently depends significantly on empirical evaluation of material flammability characteristics. As part of an on going apparatus improvement and development program, the Advanced Flammability Measurements (AFM) Apparatus was created. The AFM is of intermediate scale and is closely related to the bench scale Fire Propagation Apparatus (ASTM E 2058), and similar to the bench scale Cone Calorimeter (ASTM E 1354). It was developed to provide an apparatus with greater capability in terms of applied heat flux range, maximum sample size, and incorporation of additional measurement techniques needed to assess flame and material heat transfer directly. These characteristics of the AFM will improve measurement of key material fire characteristics needed for computer simulation of end use fire scenarios. Results from a recent study demonstrating the performance of the AFM compared to the Fire Propagation Apparatus and the Cone Calorimeter in terms of measurement of material fire characteristics will be discussed. Additionally, information on improved techniques for the measurement of flame and material heat transfer will be presented.

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