Materials Physics
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A. Model of a space diamond "molecule" that contains 62 carbon atoms. B. Solid model of poorly packed jet fuel additive EGME around a metal oxide.
The physics of materials plays an important role in understanding the behavior of materials and in the development of new materials for a variety of applications. The Materials Physics Laboratory is an integrated research environment where a wide array of scientific and engineering problems can be quickly and thoroughly addressed.
Capabilities in this area include: synthesis of bulk solids, thin films, and powders via a variety of traditional and novel methods; traditional microscopic and spectroscopic characterization methods supplemented by a variety of specialized surface and powder analytical methods; and the development of descriptive and predictive models of new or little-known materials and systems.
Recent work includes developing a basic understanding of the corrosion process and applying it to the development of chrome-free corrosion prevention technologies for metal alloys. This corrosion research, which includes development of chrome-free conversion coats and primer pigments, was carried out on the University of Dayton campus.