Materials Physics Laboratory
The Materials Physics Laboratory (MPL) houses a variety of tools to quickly address a wide array of scientific and engineering problems. Industrial projects support most of the applied research done in the lab. Meeting the needs of industrial customers with quick turnaround times and realistic problem solutions are a goal. The variety of equipment and low cost of operation of the MPL can provide the critical mass necessary to rapidly explore and proof-test ideas.
Research
Most of the research performed in the MPL has involved the study of synthetic and natural materials systems formation and characterization. The quantum mechanical behavior of atoms and molecules are used to explore and manipulate nanoscale materials systems. This approach successfully bridges the gap between classical material behavior and the understanding needed to control, modify, and manipulate nanomaterials. Robust models that are predictive and testable are usually developed to permit the rapid exploration of parameter space of the materials system of interest.
The Supersonic Water Gun (SWG – pronounced swig) is a novel tool for studying the effects that single raindrop-sized drops of water at high speeds under controlled conditions. A typical one inch (2.54 cm) diameter specimen can have between four and nine separate impact sites. Each drop of water can be delivered a speeds ranging from below 250 mph to as fast as Mach 1.5. Degree of damage depends on the speed and size of the water drop. Test specimen size is constrained only by ease of handling. Pre- and post-shot microscopy is used to evaluate the degree and character of impact damage.
Magnesium flouride cratered by supersonic water impact. Bars are 250 microns.
Modeling
The development of robust predictive models and their subsequent proof testing have been key to the success of the MPL. Predictive synthesis and characterization models for new or little known materials are frequently developed by using the following modeling tools:
- Group theoretical calculations for vibrational mode analysis in semi-infinite solids
- Semi-empirical energy calculations (e.g. Mopac, Tinker, Gamess) for finite systems
- Empirical thermodynamic calculations (e.g. SolGasMix, Isp, PHREEQ) for phase equlibria
Synthesis
The Materials Physics laboratory has the capability to synthesize bulk solids, thin films, and powders via a variety of traditional and novel methods. Typical methods include:
- Physical vapor deposition (PVD)
- Hot filament chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
- Microwave plasma substrate-less CVD for powder synthesis
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