New Ceramic Composite Materials (Materials Research)

This proposed research is funded under the National Science Foundation Program, Research Opportunities for Women, which provides funds to allow female scientists to change career fields. The research will involve room temperature tensile and flexure tests as well as creep tests at elevated temperatures on ceramic matrix composite materials. Fracture surfaces will be observed using scanning electron microscopy, and the fiber surfaces will be studied using the scanning Auger microprobe. Transmission electron microscopy studies will be performed along with electron energy loss spectroscopy and energy dispersion x- rays. The research program will provide an opportunity to explore the feasibility of conducting fatigue tests on the ceramic composites. The facilities and the institutional environment is excellent for the execution of this research.