Challenges continue to exist in developing a comprehensive theory of diffusion in liquid metals, despite the advancement of several semi-empirical and theoretical models. One major difficulty in developing a theory is that experimental data are not available for many pure metals and binary metal systems, and when they do exist, data are often inaccurate. In addition to challenges with data quality, where deemed reliable, existing data are typically reported over limited temperature and concentration intervals. In this thesis research, interdiffusion data was obtained for the binary Al-Cu system using the solid wire long capillary technique (SWLC), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with a concentration-dependent embedded atom method (CD-EAM) interatomic potential. In the SWLC experiments the interdiffusion coefficient was determined at temperatures of 993 K, 1023 K, 1073 K, 1123 K, and 1193 K, over an Al-rich concentration range limited by the liquidus of the binary phase diagram at the given temperature. For liquid Al~100Cu~0 (tracer), Al80Cu20, and Al60Cu40, the interdiffusion coefficient is well described by the Arrhenius relationship D_AlCu=D_0*exp(-Q_0/RT) over the temperature range, with best fit parameter values of Q_0 = 20.85 ± 4.49 kJ/mol, D_0 = 8.21 (+5.4, -3.26) x 10^-8 m^2/s, Q_0 = 34.41 ± 3.71 kJ/mol, D_0 = 2.84 (+1.47, -0.97) x 10^-7 m^2/s, Q_0 = 38.74 ± 8.01 kJ/mol, D_0 = 4.03 (+5.89, -2.39) x 10^-7 m^2/s, respectively. For the MD simulations, a new Al-Cu CD-EAM interatomic potential was developed that is suitable for the study of diffusion phenomena in the liquid state. Self- and interdiffusion coefficients were determined over a temperature interval of 993-1493 K. Simulations are performed for liquid Al99.999Cu0.001 (tracer), Al80Cu20, and Al60Cu40, and interdiffusion is described by Q_0 = 22.81 ± 0.27 kJ/mol, D_0 = 1.04 (+0.03, -0.03) x 10^-7 m^2/s Q_0 = 30.15 ± 0.49 kJ/mol, D_0 = 1.78 (+0.08, -0.08) x 10^-7 m^2/s, Q_0 = 37.01 ± 1.48 kJ/mol, D_0 = 3.29 (+0.52, -0.45) x 10^-7 m^2/s, respectively. The calculated values of the interdiffusion coefficients from the MD simulation are in good agreement with those obtained using the SWLC technique, supporting the accuracy of these new experimental findings. / February 2017

Uranium (U) exhibits a high temperature body-centered cubic (bcc) allotrope that is often stabilized by alloying with transition metals such as Zr, Mo, and Nb for technological applications. One such application involves U–Zr as nuclear fuel, where radiation damage and diffusion (processes heavily dependent on point defects) are of vital importance. Metallic nuclear fuels swell under fission conditions, creating fission product gases such as helium, xenon and krypton. Several systems of U are examined within a density functional theory framework utilizing projector augmented wave pseudopotentials. The bulk modulus, the lattice constant, and the Birch–Murnaghan equation of state for the defect free bcc uranium allotrope are calculated. Defect parameters calculated include energies of formation of vacancies in the α and γ allotropes, as well as self-interstitials, Zr, He, Xe and Kr interstitial and substitutional defects. This work is utilized in the construction of modified Embedded-Atom Method interatomic potentials for the bcc phase of uranium as well as the binary systems of U-Xe, U-Kr and U-He. Using this potential, equilibrium volume and elastic constants are calculated at 0 K and found to be in close agreement with previous first principles calculations. Further, the melting point, heat capacity, enthalpy of fusion, thermal expansion and volume change upon melting are calculated and found to be in reasonable agreement with experiment. Calculations of dilute fission gas defects show reasonable agreement with first principles calculations. Finally, void and xenon bubble energetics are analyzed as a function of temperature.

Understanding the effects of uncertainty on modeling has seen an increased focus as engineering disciplines rely more heavily on computational modeling of complex physical processes to predict system performance and make informed engineering decisions. These computational methods often use simplified models and assumptions with models calibrated using uncertain, averaged experimental data. This commonplace method ignores the effects of uncertainty on the variation of modeling output. Qualitatively, uncertainty is the possibility of error existing from experiment to experiment, from model to model, or from experiment to model. Quantitatively, uncertainty quantification (UQ) methodologies seek to determine the how variable an engineering system is when subjected to variation in the factors that control it. Often performed in conjunction, sensitivity analysis (SA) methods seek to describe what model factor contributes the most to variation in model output. UQ and SA methodologies were employed in the analysis of the Modified Embedded Atom Method (MEAM) model for a pure aluminum, a microstructure sensitive fatigue crack growth model for polycarbonate, and the MultiStage Fatigue (MSF) model for AZ31 magnesium alloy. For the MEAM model, local uncertainty and sensitivity measures were investigated for the purpose of improving model calibrations. In polycarbonate fatigue crack growth, a Monte Carlo method is implemented in code and employed to investigate how variations in model input factors effect fatigue crack growth predictions. Lastly, in the analysis of fatigue life predictions with the MSF model for AZ31, the expected fatigue performance range due to variation in experimental parameters is investigated using both Monte Carlo Simple Random Sampling (MCSRS) methods and the estimation of first order effects indices using the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST) method.

The development of the semi-empirical atomistic potential called the embedded atom method (EAM) has allowed for the efficient modeling of solid-state environments, at a lower computational cost than afforded by density functional theory (DFT). This offers the capability of EAM to model the energetics of solid-state phases of varying coordination, including defects, such as vacancies and self-interstitials. This dissertation highlights the development and application of two EAMs: a Ti potential constructed with the multi-state modified embedded atom method (MS-MEAM), and a Ni potential constructed with the fragment Hamiltonian (FH) method. Both potentials exhibit flexibility in the description of different solid-states phases and applications. This dissertation also outlines two applications of DFT. First, a study of structure and stability for solid-state forms of NixCy (in which x and y are integers) is investigated using plane-wave DFT. A ground state phase for Ni2C is elucidated and compared to known and hypothesized forms of NixCy. Also, a set of correlation consistent basis sets, previously constructed using the B3LYP and BLYP density functionals, are studied. They are compared to the well-known to the correlation consistent basis sets that were constructed with higher-level ab initio methodologies through computations of enthalpies of formation and combustion enthalpies. The computational accuracy with regard to experiment is reported.

No description available.

The Voter and Chen version of an embedded-atom model, derived by fitting to experimental data of both the diatomic molecule and bulk platinum simultaneously, has been applied to study the locally stable structures, energetics, growth patterns and melting behavior of free platinum clusters in the size range of N=2-56 and N=75. Using the constant-energy molecular dynamics simulations, thermal and conjugate-gradient minimization techniques, the global minima and the other locally stable structures have been distinguished from those stationary structures that correspond to saddle points of the potential energy surface. The number of isomers and the probabilities of sampling different basins of attractions of the clusters from 2 to 22 atoms are obtained. The energy spectra of these clusters have been analyzed. The correlations between the total energy of the 75-atom cluster and the isomer number and the energy-spectrum-width of the isomers are investigated. The number of isomers of 75-atom cluster as a function of the total energy is presented, and the isomer probability distribution is discussed. The melting behavior of Pt_N clusters in the size range of N=12-14, 54-56, and N=75 has been studied. An atom-resolved analysis method including physical quantities such as the root-mean-square bond-length fluctuations and the coordination numbers for indivudual atoms as the functions of the temperature has been presented. Comparisons have been made with the results of previous calculations using electronic structure and empirical potential methods. The results show that the global minima have structures based on either octahedral, decahedral or icosahedral packing.

No description available.

<p>Premelting is the formation of a thin, thermodynamically stable, liquid-like film at an interface for temperatures below the equilibrium melting temperature. Using a Monte Carlo technique, the underlying short range structural forces for premelting at the grain boundary can be directly calculated. This technique is applied to a (i) Σ9 ⟨115⟩ 120^o twist boundary and a (ii) Σ9 ⟨011⟩ {411} symmetric tilt boundary in an embedded atom model of Aluminum-Magnesium alloy. Both grain boundaries exhibit disordered structures near the melting point that depend on the concentration of Magnesium. The behavior is described quantitatively with sharp interface thermodynamics, involving an interfacial free energy that depends on width of the grain boundary, referred to as the disjoining potential. The disjoining potential calculated for boundary (i) displays a decreasing exponential dependence on width of the grain boundary, while the disjoining potential of (ii) features a weak attractive minimum. This work is discussed in relation to a previous study using pure Nickel, results of which can be useful to the theoretical study of thermodynamic forces underlying grain boundary premelting in an alloy.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

Theoretical and computational methods have been used to study nonlinear effects in the mechanical response of materials at the nano and macro scales. These methods include, acoustoelastic theory, molecular dynamics and finite element models. The nonlinear indentation response of Ni thin films of thicknesses in the nano scale was studied using molecular dynamics simulations with embedded atom method (EAM) interatomic potentials. The study included both single crystal films and films containing low angle grain boundaries perpendicular to the film surface. The simulation results for single crystal films show that as film thickness decreases, larger forces are required for similar indentation depths but the contact stress necessary to emit the first dislocation under the indenter is nearly independent of film thickness. The presence of grain boundaries in the films leads to the emission of dislocations at a lower applied stress. For a single crystal Ni thin film of a thickness of 20 nm a direct comparison of simulation and experimental results is presented, showing excellent agreement in hardness values. The effects of using different interatomic potentials and indentation rates for the simulations are also discussed. Dynamic indentation of the Ni thin film was also carried out for different frequencies. It has been found that there is a 12% increase in dislocations compared to quasi static indentation and the results are consistent with experiments. Acoustoelastic theory was used to study how nonlinear elastic properties of unidirectional graphite/epoxy (gr/ep) effect the energy flux deviation due to an applied shear stress. It was found that the quasi-transverse wave (QT) exhibits more flux deviation compared to the quasi-longitudinal (QL) or the pure transverse (PT) due to an applied shear stress. The flux shift in QT wave due to an applied shear stress is higher than that for an applied normal stress along laminate stacking direction for the same magnitude. The QT wave has energy flux deviation due to shear stress at 0o and 90o fiber orientations as compared to normal stress case where the flux deviation is zero. It was found that the energy flux shift of QT wave in gr/ep varies linearly with applied shear stress. The Finite element model of the equations of motion combined with the Newmark method in time was used to confirm the flux shift predicted by theory. / Ph. D.

No description available.