Ceram/Glass/Matls/Biomatls Egr

This course provides a review of all relevant issues concerning the processing and sintering of advanced ceramic materials - discussing powder preparation and characterization; colloidal and sol-gel techniques; powder consolidation and forming; sintering theory and practice; and microstructure evolution. The course shows the importance of each step; and the critical interconnections among the steps; in the overall fabrication of ceramics; focuses on the formation of ceramics by firing consolidated powders; reveals which ceramic manufacturing methods are easier to employ and why; covers the properties of colloidal suspension; elucidates the liquid-phase sintering and vitrification; describes the role of solid solution additives in the sintering of ceramics; considers the densification of amorphous materials that can crystallize during firing; and more.

This course will develop a fundamental understanding in several areas of colloidal and interfacial chemistry that are important in the modern processing of fine ceramics; adsorption from solution; wetting; dispersion and stability of suspensions; sedimentation; osmosis effects; rheology; light scattering; emulsions; and gels; and how those principles apply to modern ceramic processing.

The focus of this course is the foundations of linear optics leading to detailed exploration of electronic and vibrational processes in different materials and photonics. Advanced topics include femtosecond laser pulses and THz spectroscopy. Format consists of lectures and hands-on laboratory for research/measurements.

This course introduces the student to a wide variety of diffusion-controlled phenomena in solids and liquids. Solids covered include inorganic and organic glasses; glass-ceramic; ceramics; metals; and porous materials. Liquids covered include oxide and non-oxide glass forming melts; halides; and liquid metals. Both atomistic and mathematical approaches to diffusion processes will be emphasized. The course will include extensive discussion of measurement techniques and will deal with diffusion of both ionic and gaseous species. Diffusion under stress; thermal and electrical field gradients will be discussed in addition to diffusion under concentration of gradients.

The theoretical background necessary for the understanding; prediction and modification of surface properties is provided. Non-crystalline materials are stressed. The course includes use of thermodynamic principles to predict the general chemical and mechanical behavior of glass under a wide variety of environments. Mathematical models provide quantitative descriptions of the performance of these materials in various applications. Individual topics include chemical durability; mechanical properties including environmental effects; friction; wear; grinding and polishing; and surface modification processes such as ion-exchange and de-alkalization processes.

Physical and mathematic presentation of material properties and their relation to the symmetry of crystals; ceramics; glasses; and isotropic materials. Presentation of properties in both matrix and tensor forms. Properties include linear and non-linear equilibrium properties (e.g.; permittivity; stiffness; permeability; piezoelectricity; electro-optic and magneto-optic) and transport properties (e.g.; diffusivity; electrical conductivity). Inter-relationship of properties using Maxwell Relations and thermodynamics.

This course explores; in detail; the relationship between structure; stoichiometry; and properties of solid materials. The subject is approached through a thorough discussion of symmetry (both point and space groups) and crystal chemistry.

This course focuses on the fundamental structure/properties; related processes; and characterization of material surfaces and thin films. Surface structure and processes will then be applied to examine practical aspects of thin film deposition; functionality; and characterization.

This course covers the principles behind and practical uses of electron microscopy in materials research; including electron microscope-based analytical techniques. There is hands-on laboratory instruction in scanning electron microscope operation for ultimate application in students' thesis work.

The course will provide the student with detailed knowledge of the interactions of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Particle probes used in materials characterization will also be considered. A theoretical approach to understanding the mechanisms of interaction will provide the foundation for understanding any of the plethora of materials characterization techniques; including capabilities and limitations.

The skeleton contains 206 bones that provide strength and rigidity yet allow flexibility. However; bone can fail as a result of both disease and insult. In this course we study the hierarchical structure of bone; how disease affects it and; subsequently; its repair both medically and surgically. (Annually)