Processing of Functionally Graded Nanocrystalline Alloys

该项目涉及先进材料加工领域的研究和教育要素，其具体目标是创造一类新的材料：功能梯度纳米晶体金属（fgnm）。就智力优点而言，该计划解决了在结合两个先前独立的子领域纳米晶体金属和功能梯度材料时出现的新加工科学问题。采用水相电沉积法制备纳米晶合金，并通过原位改变外加电流波形诱导出梯度结构。基本的加工科学围绕着梯度纳米晶体结构中相邻层之间的成分、结构和特性的不匹配，以及如何定制加工变量来控制这些不匹配；残余应力和界面结构作为这种不匹配的函数进行了专门研究。研究的结构是这样的，处理问题的顺序是复杂的，首先是单个沉积层，然后是双层，最后是复杂的多层梯度结构。除了培养材料加工科学新领域的研究生和本科生外，该项目中心对研究与教学的整合产生了更广泛的影响。这些活动利用了PI每年春季参与的“先进材料加工”课程的教学优势。参加本课程的本科生参与一个独特的项目，使他们参与研究活动，并以一份将研究与课程使命联系起来的书面报告结束。这种机制也有助于在课程中引入纳米晶体金属加工的新课程。

This project involves both research and educational elements in the area of advanced materials processing, with the specific goal of creating a new class of materials: functionally graded nanocrystalline metals (FGNMs). In terms of intellectual merits, the program addresses new processing science issues that arise in combining two previously separate subfieldsnanocrystalline metals and functionally graded materials. Nanocrystalline alloys are prepared using aqueous electrodeposition, and graded structures induced through in-situ changes to the applied current waveform. The fundamental processing science centers around the mismatch of composition, structure, and properties between the adjacent layers in a graded nanocrystalline structure, and the way in which processing variables can be tailored to control these mismatches; residual stresses and interface structure are specifically studied as a function of such mismatches. The research is structured in such a way that processing questions are addressed in order of complexity, first for individual deposited layers, then bi-layers, and finally complex multi-layer gradient structures.In addition to training of graduate and undergraduate students in new areas of materials processing science, the broader impacts of the project center on the integration of research and teaching. These activities take advantage of the PI's teaching involvement with a course on Advanced Materials Processing" each spring. Undergraduates enrolled in the course participate in a unique project that engages them in the research activity, and culminates with a written report that ties the research to the mission of the course. This mechanism also facilitates the introduction of new lectures on nanocrystalline metals processing into the course.