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LMM->Overview

Research Summary

            Laboratory for MicroMechanics of Materials is concentrated in the areas of micromechanical characterization of materials (including composites, superplastic, magnetic and thin film layered structures).  The main focus for these activities is to correlate details of microstructure (crystallographic grain and phase) distribution in the materials and properties (mechanical, magnetic) exhibited by these materials.  A variety of analytical approaches together with computational analysis (statistical analysis and neural network) have been used to characterize the distribution of the microstructure (crystal grain, phase) and its linkage to property.  One major emphasis has been to apply the concept of n-point probability functions to composites (elastic, plastic and magnetic) and finally to polycrystalline materials and layered structures.  I consider this as my most important contribution.  In a recent work, a statistical continuum mechanics formulation was used to predict texture and microtexture evolution in polycrystalline materials.  In particular, a very good prediction of the <110> compression texture in FCC materials, and improved predictions of minor components of the rolling textures was obtained.  Presently, I am trying to use the direct information from x-ray and Orientation Imaging Microscopy (SEM/TEM) to produce the statistical information to be used in the optimization process.  I believe this effort has already made an important impact in the community and further development will provide the means not only to bridge the gap between the microstructure and property but also introduce a new mathematical foundation to engineer new advanced materials with optimized properties (Microstructure by Design). 

We have developed a unique experimental facility in texture (and micro-texture) analysis and mechanical deformation while strengthening the computational and analytical capabilities. The total funding for these proposals were over $12 million dollars ($3million for equipment proposals) with our share of $5 million (over 12 years).   The equipment proposals included: an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (with OIM and EBSP), High Resolution Transmission Microscope (with OIM), x-ray diffractomer with Texture Goniometer, Nano-indentation, Optical microscopes, and a number of sintering and sample prep facilities.   The earliest success in this effort has been the acquisition of an environmental Scanning Electron Microscope. With the addition of texture analysis hardware to perform in-situ characterization of materials at high temperature, this is probably the only facility for a number of years that could provide texture maps at high temperature and under different mediums other than vacuum.  We have been able to acquire a TEM Joel facility (a donation from NASA) four years ago.  A proposal for the acquisition of high resolution Transmission Electron Microscope was finally granted by NSF recently (after three earlier attempts) and is now fully functional and equipped with an automated Orientation Imaging Microscopy (one of the few in the world).  I recently received a grant for ~$800,000 from the army to develop a high temperature, high field facility to process textured materials.  I can claim that with the acquisition of the TEM, SEM, x-ray (for texture and thin film) and mechanical testing facility (insitu mechanical characterization), we have brought our institution to the forefront of materials research. 

We strongly believe in a strong collaboration with other scientists on research efforts of common interest. We  believe a successful modeling and computational effort is only possible once these ideas have been applied to a variety of experimental data.  We have been able to develop strong collaborations with scientists not only in engineering but also in physics and chemistry (with the faculty and scientists at MARTECH, NHMFL and CENNAS).

Nineteen graduate students completed their graduate studies under Dr. Garmestani’s advisement (6 Ph.D.s).  At present we have an active group of 11 graduate students (9 Ph.D.s) and three post-docs who are working in a variety of projects as part of LMM.  Five of these students are involved in Computational analysis and the rest are in experimental projects.  I have written a total of 54 Journal papers and 45 as proceedings.

Our research plan is to continue my efforts in the area of microstructure (texture, micro-texture, and phase) by design and its application in a variety of interdisciplinary fields.  We will also strengthen the present experimental facility (x-ray, …) with a number of joint instrumentation proposals.