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Application of Neutron Diffraction Techniques to Measure Strains in Metallic Specimens In-Situ and Ex-Situ Loading Conditions Requesting applications from science or engineering faculty members at institutions serving students underrepresented in science, engineering, mathematics and technology to work on the following projects at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Project Description Application of neutron diffraction techniques to measure strains in metallic specimens in-situ and ex-situ loading conditions has found very important applications in many fields of engineering. Recent exploratory research with University of Tennessee, Knoxville (Prof. Dayakar Penumadu) demonstrated the feasibility of measuring elastic strains for an assemblage of deforming particles that are subjected to confined compressive stress. The proposed project will involve performing spatially resolved lattice strain measurements for varying particle size and applied loads. Each polycrystalline particle will have enough grains to provide sufficient neutron counts when using beam size constrained to be inside a single particle. Using suitable materials, a systematic study of stress or force-chain structure will be experimentally determined and effects of particle shape and size quantified. The results from the proposed research experience for undergraduate(s) will be beneficial for a wide variety of fields including powder metallurgy, granular flow, compaction of ceramic particulate systems, and for validating discrete element based numerical methods for solving boundary value problems. Laboratory Contact: Applicants’ Responsibilities and Relationship to Project Applicants will receive support under the Department of Energy Faculty Student Team Research Program (FaST) to work collaboratively with the project research team at the Laboratory for up to 10 weeks during the summer of 2008. The exact appointment period in the time frame of June to August will be scheduled by mutual agreement between the host divisions at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the successful applicant. Faculty will be expected to identify students from their campuses to participate in the FaST program. The faculty member will provide some mentorship to students during the summer research activities. The faculty and students must participate as a group and serve their appointments concurrently. It is expected that the faculty member and the students become an integral part of the research team working on this project and that opportunities for continued collaboration may be identified. Qualifications of Ideal Candidate Faculty should be teaching in a department of automotive engineering, nuclear engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, or materials science and engineering and be interested in engineering of residual stresses, materials uniaxial and biaxial deformations and their relationship to improving fatigue life, resistance to corrosion, and fitness for service. Students should be rising seniors (current standing = junior) in an engineering discipline or closely related field. Students interested in pursing a graduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Engineering Science will be preferred." Support and Financial Commitments The successful candidate will receive a stipend based on the academic salary, travel expenses to and from the Laboratory, and a housing allowance. Students recommended by the faculty member for participation in the program will receive a stipend of $400/week for each week at the Laboratory, plus a housing allowance, and reimbursement for transportation expenses to and from the ORNL. Funds are provided for this program from the US Department of Energy, Office of Science in partnership with the National Science Foundation, from ORNL, and from other sources.
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Project Descriptions