We are going to have a seminar on 'Multiscale Synchrotron X-ray Studies of Polycrystal Microstructures and Their Responses to External Fields' on Friday 31st July 2015, 1-2 pm, given by by Prof. Robert Suter from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA.

Abstract and biography are given below.

Date & Time:  1-2pm, Friday 31st July 2015
Venue:           Room 526, James Watt Building South

Tea/coffee/biscuits before the start.

 

 


Abstract

Many properties of polycrystalline materials are influenced by the arrangement, throughout the bulk of the material, of crystalline grains and the character of interfaces between them. While this fact has been known for decades, only recently have three dimensionally resolved probes of microstructure become available. Non-destructive high energy x-ray probes allow the tracking of mechanical and thermal responses at and below the grain length scale and thus offer a unique opportunity to test large scale micro-mechanical computational models. I will describe synchrotron based measurement techniques and illustrate measurements of crystal orientation fields, elastic strain states, and void and crack formation in a variety of materials under a variety of conditions. Finally, I will point to continuing developments of the measurement techniques and the implications of an approaching revolution in the nature of synchrotron x-ray beams. The latter should allow measurements that span length scales from those associated with single defects (nano-scale) up through the mesoscale to macroscale emergent properties.

First published: 24 July 2015