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Physical Behavior of Materials Division of Materials Sciences and Engineering |
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Physical
behavior refers to the physical response of a material, including the
electronic, chemical, magnetic and other properties, to an applied
stimulus. The research in
this portfolio aims to characterize, understand, predict, and control
physical behavior of materials by developing the scientific basis underpinning
the behavior, and furthermore, establishing rigorous physical models for
predicting the response of materials.
The forms of stimuli range from temperature, electrical and
magnetic fields, chemical and electrochemical environment, and proximity
effects of surfaces or interfaces. Basic
research topics supported include characterization of physical properties
with an emphasis on the development of new experimental tools and
instrumentation, and multi-scale modeling of materials behaviors.
Specific areas of research include: electrochemistry and corrosion,
high-temperature materials performance, superconductivity, fuel cells,
semiconductors/photovoltaics, and more. The
research in this activity provides the primary support of the fundamental
understanding and identification of detailed mechanisms responsible for
the physical behavior of materials, and the incorporation of this
knowledge into reliable detailed predictive models.
The understanding that has resulted from such modeling work has
already led to the design of unique new classes of materials including
compound semiconductors, tough structural ceramics, ferroelectrics, and
magnetocaloric materials. For
example, the predicted magnetic properties of nanoscale clusters have been
verified by high fidelity measurements.
New compound semiconductors have been developed that can remove
excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Highly desirable phases of ferroelectric materials can be formed
using novel processing techniques. Breakthrough
understanding of the chemistry of friction now enables the tuning of
lubrication layers. [Research Programs] [Proposal Submissions] [Publications] [Staff Contacts] |
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