This research is structural investigation of the nucleation stage in multianion oxynitride glass ceramic materials, e.g. barium-aluminum-silicon oxynitrides, or magnesium-aluminum- silicon oxynitrides. The study will determine, using magic angle sample spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, the relationship of local microstructural units to nucleation phenomena. Glasses processed by conventional melting or by sol-gel techniques will be chemically analyzed, and thermal stability and microstructure will be determined. Differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, small angle x-ray scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, and electron microscopy will be used to characterize the specimens. The research will provide the knowledge base needed to fabricate new glass and glass ceramic materials having novel combinations of properties.
