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Kathryn Logan with Georgia Tech |
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Date: April 28, 2004
Time: 10:30am
Location: NIA, Rm 404
Speaker: Kathryn Logan with Georgia Tech
Subject:* "Materials are Enabling"
Materials are truly enabling. Look around and it quickly becomes apparent how materials are intrinsic to everything. There is an increasing societal demand for materials that can be used in more extreme environments; a decreasing availability of research dollars; and a continuing increase in the significant expense of experimental research. There are many materials technology drivers such as aerospace, infrastructure, biotechnology, telecommunications, electronics, defense, information technology/computers, manufacturing, environment or energy.
Traditionally, materials selection for various applications has focused on the development of structure-property relations, processing development, and measurement of properties. Now, materials selection requires a broader focus to include theoretical modeling of the structure-property relations, process modeling, and resolution of analytical characterization across the time and length scales: atomic to micro to macro to predictable performance. Instead of using an approach based on a design “with” materials, scientists and engineers can have a considerable impact on improving a material’s reliability and performance by using an approach based on the design “of” materials. A new level in 2-D and 3-D modeling is required to establish the processing, microstructure and property correlations that provide a means for the optimization of reliability and performance. Simulation modeling is less costly than trial and error manufacturing and allows a less complicated determination of critical processing parameters. Also, much information can be gained by optimizing the properties that are required for specific applications. The model can then be used as a screening tool followed with experimental validation, then production. The ability to engineer the design of materials has the significant potential of creating materials that have multifunctional capabilities; as example, a material potentially having active/passive, structural, chemical, electrical and smart capabilities.
In order to accomplish the successful design of reliable, multifunctional materials, an interdisciplinary, collaborative team made up of industry, government and university partners is necessary. Interdisciplinary engineering and science outreach from universities engaged in education and sponsored research, collaboration with government researchers and access to facilities, and partnerships with industry in developing applications lead to a successful technology transfer and/or commercialization of intellectual property.
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