RUI: Systematic Prediction and Characterization of New Ferroelectric Materials

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9310461 Nielson This project is concerned with the establishment of an interdisciplinary undergraduate research laboratory for the systematic prediction and characterization of new inorganic ferroelectric materials. The three-year project is expected to increase significantly the number of known ferroelectric materials which now stands at about 200. Ferroelectrics are of increasing importance in the fabrication of electrooptic devices, integrated circuits, pyroelectric detectors, and piezoelectric transducers. The project involves the prediction of ferroelectric behavior in new materials based on analysis of previously published crystallographic data; the high temperature formation of these materials in poly crystalline form; verification by X-ray analysis that the materials have the expected structure; specimen processing; and subsequent measurement of the dielectric and thermodynamic properties of these materials as a function of temperature to confirm the predicted ferroelectric property. The project is designed to offer a series of attractive undergraduate research topics and will in addition encourage the participants to follow careers in physics and chemistry. ***