Faculty and Student Teams Program

Project Descriptions

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Materials Science and Technology Division

X-Ray Microtomography

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

Faculty and students will prepare samples for study by in-house x-ray microtomography and by differential aperture microscopy. Samples will be prepared to study defects, fracture, grain growth and deformation. Measurements will be carried out on an x-ray microtomography instrument at ORNL and on the 3D x-ray crystal microscope of beamline 34-ID-E. The team will optimize grain size and surface structure to simplify the interpretation of detailed 3D resolved crystal structure measurements.

Laboratory Contact: Gene Ice, icege@ornl.gov

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 Faculty Candidate

Background in x-ray techniques and in the preparation of metallurgical samples. Experience with x-ray microdiffraction or microtomography techniques is a bonus.

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.

See Financial Information.