Overview

1. Towards Room Temperature Formability in Magnesium AlloysMichele Manuel, University of Florida, DMR 0845868 • Overview • The goal of this research program is to understand the effect of nanoparticle additions on the underlying deformation mechanisms in magnesium alloys. In particular, understanding the effect of microstructural variables such as interfaces, on the evolution and change in the twinning and dislocation behavior of these materials may unlock the key to room temperature ductility, and ultimately formability, in these materials. • Findings • Processing via electromagnetic acoustic transmission technique provides an avenue to distribute nanoparticles in bulk magnesium. This technique couples a static magnetic and alternating induction fields to produce ultrasonic vibrations in a magnesium melt. • The coefficient of thermal expansion and elastic modulus mismatch between the nanoparticle and magnesium matrix have been identified as the principle mechanisms that can dramatically alter dislocation mechanics. • Solidification characteristics such as the velocity of the solidification front, cooling rate, and density differences between the magnesium matrix and nanoparticles, coupled with particle size drive the final particle distribution just as strongly as ultrasonic vibratory intensity. Brightfield TEM image of a grain boundary in Dy2O3-reinforced Mg. The central columnar structure is a grain boundary displaying the segregation and entrapment of Dy2O3 clusters (black structures) at the boundary. Smaller nanoparticle clusters can be seen in the adjacent grains (fine black and dark grey regions).

2. Towards Room Temperature Formability in Magnesium Alloys Michele Manuel, University of Florida, DMR 0845868 Broader Impact The central outreach objective of this award is to advance the level of design education in undergraduate materials science and engineering curricula. Each year, the PI integrates fundamental design practices into existing undergraduate courses. Design projects are peer-reviewed by an expert panel which typically consists of faculty and industry experts prior to submission in to international design competitions. Undergraduate Materials Science and Engineering senior design students receiving a 3rd place award in the ASM Undergraduate Design Competition at the 2010 MS&T conference in Houston, Texas. Assessing Design Education PI presented a paper at the Mudd Design Workshop VII: Design Education: Innovation and Entrepreneurship entitled “Supporting Students’ Technical innovation in Capstone Design: Insights into the Human Connection.” This paper has been accepted and will be published in the International Journal for Engineering Education.