RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research is focused on two principle areas: i) the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformations and microstructural changes in the metallic solid state, and ii) the relationship between mechanical properties and microstructure of metals and alloys.  This work contains both experimental and theoretical components with an emphasis on model development at the mesoscale.

My current research activities can be classified under three topics:

Recovery, Recrystallization and Grain Growth

• The effects of solute and precipitates on static and dynamic recrystallization processes in Fe, Mg and Cu based systems.
• The effect of recovery on the nucleation of recrystallization

Phase Transformations

• Thermodynamics and kinetics of atomic clustering processes in Al and Mg alloys
• Effects of solute on the kinetics of the austenite to ferrite transformation in Fe-C-X alloys
• The design of non-isothermal heat treatment schedules for precipitation hardening systems

Mechanical Properties

• Solute and Precipitate Effects on the Work Hardening of Al Alloys
• Strength-Elongation combinations in inhomogeneous solid solutions
• Solute and Precipitate Effects on the creep and fatigue properties of Al alloys

More recent evolving areas of research include the coupling of microstructure and corrosion in engineering alloys and the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase selection during the devitrification of metallic glasses for hard magnetic applications.

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