Graduate Course Offerings
TEACHING TECHNIQUES ESM 501, FALL
Introduction to basic pedagogical technique. Discussion of the various phases of teaching, including preparation, classroom technique, student evaluation. Problems and pitfalls and how to avoid them.

SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SKILLS ESM 502, SPRING
Practical introduction to the operation of scanning electron microscopes (SEM), including energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometers. Required of all students who use the SEM in their research.

ELECTRON DIFFRACTION ESM 503, SPRING
A quantitative discussion of electron diffraction as a means of micro-characterization of materials and as a basis for understanding image contrast in the transmission electron microscope. Topics covered include atomic, kinematical, and dynamical scattering; indexing diffraction patterns; and convergent- beam diffraction.

BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE AND ANALYSIS ESM 504, SPRING
Course content is directed toward providing a thorough treatment of the engineering issues implicit in understanding living tissue interactions with processed materials. Emphasis on identifying and eliminating surface contamination, corrosion, and optimizing material properties and compatibility.

THERMODYNAMICS OF SOLIDS ESM 511, FALL
Current knowledge regarding the thermodynamic properties of condensed phases is discussed. The thermodynamic treatment of ideal, regular, and real solutions is reviewed. Estimation of reaction-free energies and equilibria in condensed phase reactions such as diffusion, exidation, and phase transformations; thermodynamic analysis of phase equilibrium diagrams.

STRUCTURE OF MATERIALS ESM 512, FALL
The structure of solids can be studied using X-ray, neutron, and electron diffraction techniques. Topics covered are coherent and incoherent scattering of radiation, structure of crystalline and amorphous solids, stereographic projection and crystal orientation determination, and the concept of reciprocal vector space. Laboratory work in X-ray diffraction is also included.


Doctoral student Henry White operates the NASA Microgravity Simulator as local high school students look on and learn.

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS ESM 513, FALL
A unified approach for all solid materials will be used with regard to the correlation between microstructure and their macroscopic mechanical properties. The course deals with various testing techniques for delineating mechanical properties of materials, considering elasticity, anelasticity, plasticity, dislocation theory, cohesive strength, fracture, and surface wear. Attention is given to strengthening mechanisms for solids, metals, ceramics, and polymers.

KINETICS AND TRANSFORMATIONS I ESM 521, SPRING
Atomistic rate processes in solids with emphasis on diffusion in crystals. Theory of diffusion and experimental techniques; role played by a broad class of crystalline imperfections. Topics include annealing of deformed materials, kinetics of defect interactions, thermally controlled deformation, kinetics of nucleation and growth, solidification, and precipitation.

IMPERFECTIONS IN CRYSTALS ESM 522, SPRING
The characteristics of point defects in metals, semiconductors, and ionic solids are described, and the thermodynamics of point defects is developed. Dislocation theory is introduced and the structures of internal boundaries are described. Finally, interactions between lattice imperfections are discussed, with emphasis on plasticity and fracture.

SOLID-STATE ELECTRONICS ESM 523, FALL
A study of the electronic processes in solids leading to the analysis and design of materials and devices. Crystal structures, binding, electrical and thermal conductivities, diffusion, galvomagnetic, thermomagnetic, and thermoelectric effects. Hall effect and magnetoresistance. Conductivity in thin films.

KINETICS AND TRANSFORMATIONS II ESM 531, SPRING
A review of the processes by which structures are changed in the solid state. Classical nucleation theory including homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms. Diffusion and diffusionless growth mechanisms. Transformation kinetics.

MATERIALS PROCESSING ESM 532, FALL
A study of manufacturing processes used in the semiconductor industries. Topics include single crystal growth, compound formation, zone refining, epitaxial growth, doping techniques, thin film techniques, thick film techniques, passivations, isolations, lead bonding techniques, cleaning and etching, and failure analysis; discrete devices and integrated circuit (IC) devices; various modern concepts in IC processing.

POLYMERIC MATERIALS ESM 533, FALL
Introduction to the physical properties of polymeric materials. Conformations, phase diagrams, and flow properties of polymers and polymer solutions. Rubber elasticity of polymer networks and melts. Flory-Huggins lattice model for concentrated solutions. Applications to diffusion, segregation, and spinodal decomposition in polymer blends. Experimental methods.

ADVANCED LABORATORY ESM 534, FALL
Students perform five advanced materials laboratory experiments, choosing from the following topics: Hall effect in semiconductors, Mossbauer magnetism measurement, High Tc semiconductor characterization, absorption of particle radiation, wetting phases, contact angle measurements, polymer thin film morphology, and adhesion properties of polymer interfaces.

MODERN ELECTRON MICROSCOPY ESM 542, FALL
Principles and practice for transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopes. Instrument design. Specimen preparation. Instrument operation. Electron diffraction and imaging theory. Microanalysis using X-ray and electron spectra. Typical electron microscope investigations are outlined and used as examples.


Students and faculty share a special bond. Here Professor Rafailovich joins Dr. Jason Li and his family at graduation prior to his starting a new job at Exxon Research Corporation.

  ENGINEERING CERAMICS ESM 543, SPRING
The characterization of ceramics is reviewed with special reference to advanced engineering ceramics, bulk high-temperature superconductors, and ceramic magnets. Typical microstructures and thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties are compared. These properties are related to the various methods of processing.

SEMINAR IN SURFACE SCIENCE ESM 600, SPRING
Discussions and reading on current problems in surface physics, chemistry, and crystallography.


A micrograph of thermal sprayed coatings of alumina. Some of the microstructural features include unmolten particles, dendrite growth, and columnar structures. (The field of view is approximately 5000 sq.um.)

SEMINAR IN PLASTICITY AND FRACTURE ESM 602, FALL
Intended for advanced students, especially those doing research in the area. Topics: detailed description of defects and their relations to mechanical structure; dislocation theory; plasticity and yield criteria; creep and fatigue; microscopic theory of fracture including ductile and brittle behavior and the relationship of plastic flow to cleavage.

SEMINAR IN ULTRASONIC METHODS AND INTERNAL FRICTION IN SOLIDS ESM 604, SPRING
Review of advanced measurement techniques in the field of ultrasonics coupled with quantitative descriptions of experimental variables related to the sample microstructure. Applications to optical, electrical, and mechanical properties are discussed. Use of ultrasonics for nondestructive evaluation is considered.

ADVANCED DIFFRACTION TECHNIQUES ESM 605, FALL
Advanced topics in diffraction theory including the dynamical theory in perfect and imperfect crystals and its applications in imaging methods. Other topics from the following list are pursued if time is available: EXAFS/EXELFS/SEXAFS; LEED/RHEED; small-angle scattering; Kossel line and electron channeling patterns; convergent beam diffraction; phonon scattering; glancing incidence X-ray diffraction; diffraction from defect structures; colored symmetry; holography.

SEMINAR IN OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS ESM 606, FALL
A survey of modern optical materials and their characterization. The properties of both glasses and crystalline materials are related to physical origin. Electro-optic, elasto-optic, and magneto-optic properties and their interrelations are related to applications in technology including laser systems, displays, and spectroscopy.

SEMINAR IN CATALYSIS ESM 608, FALL
Introduction to homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Geometric factors in catalysis. The kinetics of heterogeneous catalysis. Electronic factors in catalysis: metals, semiconductors, and surface species. Preparation and properties of metal surfaces. Porosity. Typical industrial processes, e.g., Fischer-Tropsch, ammonia synthesis, ammonia oxidation, etc.

SEMINAR IN REACTIONS IN INORGANIC SOLIDS ESM 610, FALL
Crystal growth and the nature of defects in inorganic solids. Crystallography and nucleation phenomena in selected inorganic single crystals. Theories of isothermal decomposition kinetics. Measurement of decomposition rates. Radiation effects and nature of radiation damage in inorganic solids. Photodecomposition and the underlying theories of photolysis.


A resolidified alumina particle that demonstrates dendritic growth.

SEMINAR IN ADVANCED THERMODYNAMICS OF SOLIDS ESM 612, SPRING
The fundamentals of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes and the theory applied to thermal diffusion, thermoelectric transport, and other coupled processes in solids are presented. Thermodynamics of multicomponent phase equilibria. Diffusion, oxidation, and other rate processes in ternary and higher-order systems.

SEMINAR IN MATERIALS AND ENVIRONMENT ESM 613, SPRING
Interactions between materials and their environments including corrosion, oxidation, absorption, and adsorption reactions. The influence of these reactions on the properties of materials, the design of materials resistant to these phenomena, alternative methods of protection, and the utilization of these reactions in promoting breakdown and deterioration of materials.

SEMINAR IN DIFFUSION IN SOLIDS ESM 614, SPRING
Diffusion in solids is considered in detail, including solution of the transport equations for volume, grain boundary, and surface diffusion. Kirkendall effect and other diffusion phenomena, atomic mechanisms of diffusion, correlation effects, etc. Next, the theory of processes in which diffusion plays an important role is considered, such as ionic conduction, oxidation of metals, and the sintering of solids.

SEMINAR IN PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS ESM 615, FALL
The theory of phase transformations in solids is considered. Kinetics and mechanisms of nucleation and growth and martenistic transformations. Melting and solidification, precipitation from solid solution, polymorphic transformations, eutectic and eutectoid reactions, second-order transitions, recrystallization, and other transformations in solids.

SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN MATERIALS SCIENCE ESM 696
Supervised reading and discussion of selected publications in particular fields of materials science.

MATERIALS SCIENCE COLLOQUIUM ESM 697
A weekly series of lectures and discussions by visitors, local faculty, and students presenting current research results.

PRACTICUM IN TEACHING ESM 698
A semester-long experience of teaching at the college level under faculty supervision.

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06/05/99 SC, GBH, AK, and JQ