Submission Number: 57
Submission ID: 83
Submission UUID: dcb3f9e5-9a74-446c-9252-f664e99c28d2
Submission URI: /form/project

Created: Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:30
Completed: Thu, 07/30/2020 - 10:35
Changed: Fri, 03/05/2021 - 12:28

Remote IP address: 24.166.235.75
Submitted by: Vikram Gazula
Language: English

Is draft: No
Webform: Project
Project Title Modeling Atomic-Scale Processes in Crystalline Materials
Program Kentucky
Project Leader Matthew Zacate
Email zacatem1@nku.edu
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Mentor(s)
Student-facilitator(s)
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Project Description The Materials Modeling Group at Northern Kentucky University uses computer simulation methods to study point defects and diffusion in crystalline materials. The group has studied both ceramic and metallic materials, but recent efforts have focused on intermetallic compounds with funding support from the National Science Foundation (RUI: Search for Verifiable Complex Diffusion Mechanisms, grant number DMR 15-08189). Intermetallic compounds are used throughout industry with applications in fields ranging from medicine to defense. A key to developing new, improved intermetallic materials is developing a better fundamental understanding of how atomic-scale defects affect materials properties and how atoms move in these compounds. Research activities in this group are divided into two projects: use of computer simulations (1) to predict defect and diffusion properties in intermetallic and other crystalline materials and (2) to help interpret data obtained from a class of experimental techniques called hyperfine methods.


Energy minimization and molecular dynamics techniques are used to calculate defect formation, association, and migration energies. Results of these simulations are combined with thermodynamic models and theories of atomic diffusion to predict diffusion properties and defect-induced changes in materials properties. Two models for interactions are used, depending on the length- and time-scales of the simulation: density functional theory for the electronic scale and empirical potentials (e.g., the second nearest neighbor modified embedded atom method) for the atomic scale. Commercially available software is used for these simulations.
Project Deliverables
Project Deliverables
Student Research Computing Facilitator Profile
Mentee Research Computing Profile
Student Facilitator Programming Skill Level
Mentee Programming Skill Level
Project Institution Northern Kentucky University
Project Address
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Preferred Start Date
Start as soon as possible.
Project Urgency Already behind3Start date is flexible
Expected Project Duration (in months)
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Launch Presentation Date
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What will the student learn?
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What will the Cyberteam program learn from this project?
HPC resources needed to complete this project?
Notes
What is the impact on the development of the principal discipline(s) of the project?
What is the impact on other disciplines?
Is there an impact physical resources that form infrastructure?
Is there an impact on the development of human resources for research computing?
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Is there an impact on technology transfer?
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Lessons Learned
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