Session HA: Materials Research at Academic Centers

Friday, November 9, 2007

The Center for Physics and Chemistry of Materials (CPCoM) at Fisk University will establish a program that integrates high-quality science education with state-of-the-art research and develop it over the course of CREST support into an internationally recognized research center. Education of undergraduates and graduates will be a vital component of the Center. The four components of the research program at CPCoM are: (1) controlled defect formation during processing of wide-gap semiconductors for optical and electro-optical applications (crystal growth and materials science), (2) fabrication of metal and semiconductor nanocrystals by pulsed laser deposition: linear and nonlinear optical properties (chemical physics and optics), (3) mesoscale materials for photonic applications (applied optics and spectroscopy), (4) modification, and characterization of new thin film optical materials (surface sciences).   

Friday, November 9, 2007

Advanced materials and the science and engineering related to their design, process, test and manufacture represents one of the fast growing sectors of the Materials Science and Engineering field. Awareness of existing process, performance, manufacturing or recycle-ability issues and limitations, often dictates the next generation of advances needed to improve existing or create new materials. To compete in this growing science and technology area, trained experts must possess strong academic skills in their discipline as well as advanced communication, networking and cultural teamwork experience. Clemson's School of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), is continuing to expand our program to focus on unique capabilities which support local, regional and national needs in advanced materials. Specifically, MSE at Clemson is evolving to highlight intrinsic strengths in research and education areas related to optical materials, advanced fibers and composites (based on inorganic, organic and natural fibers), biomaterials and devices, and architectural and restoration material science (including the conservation and preservation of maritime structures). Additionally, we continue to invest in our expertise in materials design and fabrication, which has historically supported our well known programs in ceramics and textiles. In addition to a brief review of the School's forward-looking challenges to remain competitive among strong southeast regional materials science programs, this presentation will also highlight recent technical advances in fiber-based materials for nanofluidic applications. Specifically we will present recent results on design of fiber-based nanofluidics for sensor applications and we will discuss some physical phenomena associated with liquid transport at nanoscale.   

Friday, November 9, 2007

Novel radiation detectors are under investigation in the Semiconductor Materials and Radiological Technologies (SMART) Laboratory at Kansas State University. These detectors include CdZnTe Frisch ring high-resolution gamma ray spectrometers and reactive ion etched perforated Si-based neutron detectors. The CdZnTe Frisch ring detectors consist of parallelepiped semiconductor bars configured in a simple planar detector configuration. They are transformed into high-resolution devices by coating them with an insulating material followed by a conducting material. Room temperature energy resolution for 662 keV gamma rays approaching 1.0\% FWHM has been achieved with the simple configuration. In addition, perforated semiconductor diode detectors have been under development for several years at Kansas State University for a variety of neutron detection applications. The fundamental device configuration is a pin diode detector fabricated from high-purity float zone refined Si wafers. Perforations are etched into the diode surface with inductively-coupled plasma (ICP) reactive ion etching (RIE) and backfilled with 6LiF neutron reactive material. The perforation shapes and depths can be optimized to yield a flat response to neutrons over a wide variation of angles. The highest efficiency devices thus far have delivered over 12\% thermal neutron detection efficiency. The miniature devices are 5.6 mm in diameter and require minimal power to operate, ranging from 3.3 volts to 15 volts, depending upon the amplifying electronics. The battery operated devices have been incorporated into compact modules with a digital readout. Further, the new modules have wireless readout technology and can be monitored remotely. The neutron detection modules can be used for neutron dosimetry and neutron monitoring. When coupled with high-density polyethylene, the detectors can be used to measure fission neutrons from spontaneous fission sources. Measurements with a 252Cf source have been conducted for verification. Efforts are now underway to incorporate the high-resolution Frisch ring devices into the compact packages in order to make wireless neutron counter/gamma ray spectrometer units for remote radiation sensing.   

Friday, November 9, 2007

An interdisciplinary science/engineering graduate program was created at the University of Arkansas in 1998 with a goal of providing not only the same rigorous technical content and research skills development present in traditional science and engineering graduate programs, but also with the goal of creating PhD graduates proficient in the effective and efficient application of these traditional graduate school outcomes. This new interdisciplinary program has as its educational and research focus micro and nanoscale materials, processing, and devices, and issues its own MS and PhD degrees in Microelectronics-Photonics (microEP). In this talk the authors will discuss the methods used to bring high tech industrial effectiveness training and practice into the academic arena during the creation and evolution of this microEP graduate program, as well as key components of the extra training given all microEP students that was developed with the financial support of the NSF through IGERT, MRSEC, REU, PFI, and GK-12 grants won by the program since its inception in 1998.