9411842 Tittmann The Research Equipment Grant will make it possible for the Engineering Science and Mechanics Department at Pennsylvania State University to purchase Atomic Force Microscopy equipment which will be dedicated to the formation of an Engineering Nano Characterization (ENC) Center to support research and education in engineering. The equipment will be used for various research projects including; characterization of thermo-mechanical damage in gas turbine materials, in-situ evaluation of surface corrosion on A1 and Mg alloys, optimization of surface engineering and coating technology, surface diagnostics for nanofabrication of Micro Electro-Mechanical systems (MEMS) and characterization of grain boundary microstructure in semi solid A1 alloys for metal working. The ENC Center will be used by faculty and graduate students for research and for laboratory education of both undergraduate and graduate students in NDE and Failure Analysis Prevention courses. An estimated 30 students and 10 faculty per year will use the ENC Center Facilities. ***
