Our undergraduate researcher (also, University Scholar)’s research was featured in UConn Today. He is currently studying the ternary B2 structured Cu-Dy-Y alloys with the high strength and enhanced ductility for space applications (low temperature environment). The deformation mechanisms (dislocation plasticity + twinning + martensitic transformation) of this new material system has not been understood. Wyeth is trying to create and characterize this new material system and to search for a way to improve the low temperature ductility.

UConn Today news article can be found below:

Three CoE Students Pursue In-Depth Research Projects as University Scholars

Lee receives the funding from DOE-BES ($130,000) for the next two years. This funding is the continuation of our research on micro-mechanical characterization of single crystalline metals under different environments (primarily, cryogenic environments). This study will focus on how sample dimension and temperature influence the size-dependent strength and tensile ductility. We will also develop a new mathematical model that can predict a size-dependent stress-strain curve using the finite-size scaling theory and the scale-free intermittency statistics.

We just started to collaborate with Pratt & Whitney to investigate the mechanical properties of grain boundaries of Ti alloys ($30,000)! This new project will study (1) how diffusion bonding influence the mechanical behavior of grain boundaries (impurity segregation and abnormal growth of weak beta-phase) and (2) how the mechanical behavior of twist boundary is affected by the misorientation and the imposed strain rate. Understanding of mechanical behavior of grain boundary will be crucial for the improvement of fatigue resistance of Ti alloys.

Lee received the 2025 UConn Research Excellence Award with Prof. Mark Aindow ($50,000)! This research will focus on the nanomechanical and microstructural characterization of nanoporous amorphous carbon materials with the lightweight, high strength, and high ductility. Our initial work was published at Nature Communications in 2024 and studied the unimodal pore structures. Materials are fabricated by Prof. James Watkins group at UMass Amherst.

• Zhongyuan Li, Ayush Bhardwaj, Jinlong He, Wenxin Zhang, Thomas T. Tran, Ying Li, Andrew McClung, Sravya Nuguri, James J. Watkins, Seok-Woo Lee, “Nanoporous amorphous carbon nanopillars with lightweight, near-theoretical strength, large fracture strain, and high damping capability,” Nature Communications 15, 8151 (2024)  [PDF.pdf][web]

This new project will focus on the influence of various pore distribution (size and number) on mechanical properties. Also, this work will include the fabrication and characterization of bulk-scale nanoporous amorphous carbon materials. This work will enable us to create a new class of structural materials.

Alex and Kyle gave the oral presentation in TMS 2025 (Las Vegas)!

Kyle Wade (former MS. Student): Microstructural and micro-mechanical characterization of isothermally heat-treated  Al6061 cold spray deposit

Alex Horvath (PhD student): A Large Hysteresis Behavior in CaFe₂As₂ Single Crystals via the Bauschinger Effect associated with Buckling-Induced Formation of Nanocrystalline Structure

Zhongyuan and Shuyang’s reunion in China for Shuyang’s marriage! Congratulation, Shuyang!

Shuyang’s collaboration paper was published at Physical Review B! Congratulations!

https://journals.aps.org/prb/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevB.111.054102

Title: Tuning the structure and superconductivity of SrNi2P2  by Rh substitution

Abstract: The compound SrNi2⁢P2 is unique among the ThCr2⁢Si2 class since it exhibits a temperature-induced transition upon cooling from an uncollapsed tetragonal (ucT) state to a one-third-collapsed orthorhombic (tcO) state where one out of every three P-rows bond across the Sr layers. This compound is also known for exhibiting bulk superconductivity below 1.4 K at ambient pressure. In this paper, we report on the effects of Rh substitution in Sr⁢(Ni1−⁢Rh)2⁢P2 on the structural and superconducting properties. We studied the variation of the nearest P-P distances as a function of the Rh fraction at room temperature, as well as its temperature dependence for selected compositions. We find that increasing the Rh fraction leads to a decrease in the transition temperature between the ucT and tcO states, until a full suppression of the tcO state for ≥0.166. The superconducting transition first remains nearly insensitive to the Rh fraction, and then it increases to 2.3 K after the tcO state is fully suppressed. These results are summarized in a phase diagram, built upon the characterization by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, resistance, magnetization, and specific heat measurements done on crystalline samples with varying Rh content. The relationship between band structure, crystal structure, and superconductivity is discussed based on previously reported band structure calculations on SrRh2⁢P2. Moreover, the effect of Rh fraction on the stress-induced structural transitions is also addressed by means of strain-stress studies done by uniaxial compression of single-crystalline micropillars of Sr⁢(Ni1−⁢Rh)2⁢P2.

Our research (Zhongyuan’s work) is highlighted in MSE news!

Professor Seok-Woo Lee’s Journey from Alchemy Dreams to Materials Science

Seok-Woo published a book that introduces Materials Science to high school students.

Seok-Woo Lee, “Make materials that changes the world! Materials Science!,” (2024) – This book introduces Materials Science and Engineering to high schoolers! [Book contents and preface] [IngramSpark] [Amazon] [Barnes&Noble]

This book offers students a concise overview of materials science, covering key topics such as: (1) the significance of materials science, (2) the cosmic origins of materials, (3) the internal structure of materials, (4) methods for analyzing material structures, (5) materials thermodynamics, (6) materials kinetics, (7) properties of materials, (8) different classes of materials, and (9) innovations in materials science.

Given the crucial role of new materials in advancing technology, materials science has become increasingly important. Understanding this field is essential for anyone interested in engineering. Materials scientists work to address major challenges like global warming and the energy crisis, and they contribute to the development of technologies such as spacecraft, artificial intelligence, quantum computers, electric vehicles, and supersonic planes. This book will help students grasp the fundamentals of materials science and understand how materials scientists develop new materials that drive technological progress.

 

 

Gyuho, the former group member, gave a wonderful department seminar at UConn MSE on 09/20/24. His presentation discussed his PhD research on ductile-to-brittle transition and its relation to his life. He also shared the lessons that he has learned as an engineer at the start-up company (Frore systems). I think that his presentation was one of the best (also funniest) department seminars ever for my past 10 years at UConn.