Research Areas:

High performance computing and Materials processing

We are applying large-scale numerical simulation and high-performance computing to better understand continuum transport and reaction in the processing of advanced materials. These exciting tools provide a new means of obtaining the fundamental physical insight necessary to enable advances in many modern materials processing operations, and the sphere of accessible problems continues to enlarge with the rapid evolution of computers and numerical methods. Developing research areas include the modeling of crystal growth methods, ceramics sintering mechanisms, polymer processing, and microwave heating, in conjunction with the development of efficient numerical methods.

Our research in crystal growth is directed at understanding the complex, inherently nonlinear phenomena that control the processes used to create these materials. This understanding is motivated by needs of current and future electronic and optical systems, which require single-crystal substrates with precisely controlled properties. We are particularly interested in describing heat transfer in high-temperature melt growth systems, internal radiant heat transfer in semitransparent crystals, three-dimensional time-dependent flows in crystal growth systems, mass transfer in melt and solution growth, faceting phenomena, and morphological stability of crystal interfaces.

Understanding the connections between engineering properties, material micro-structure, and macroscopic processing conditions is vital in the production of advanced ceramics. We are particularly interested in the evolution of micro-structure in such materials. The focus of this work includes fundamental analyses of sintering processes, grain growth during densification, and the evolution of macroscopic stresses which arise during sintering and high-temperature processing.

In conjunction with research in the areas described above, we seek to advance state-of-the-art numerical methods and analysis. These efforts primarily involve finite element methods for solutions to governing equations for incompressible fluid dynamics, heat and mass transfer, radiation heat transfer, and free and moving boundary problems. Methods are developed for modern parallel architectures.