This proposal outlined an interdisciplinary research program to synthesize, with a novel technique, functionally gradient materials (FGM), which are composites with a spatial gradient in composition. The novel process is to use centrifugal force to cause phase separations of fine particles in molten materials during the combustion synthesis. Two classes of experiments are included in the program: Combustion synthesis with centrifugation, and thermal melting of metals with centrifugation of fine particles into the melt. Two systems with potential commercial applications are selected for study: metal-ceramic and ceramic-ceramic composites with favorable structural properties, and novel electro-optic materials with compositional gradients chosen on the basis of their utility in gradient-index (GRIN) optical technology and quantum-dot optoelectronic structures. %%%% This study plans to synthesize functional gradient materials (FGM) using centrifugal force to cause phase separations of fine particles in molten materials during the combustion synthesis. Two systems with potential commercial applications are selected for study: metal-ceramic and ceramic-ceramic composites for structural applications, and electro-optic materials for optical and optoelectronic applications. The ability to synthesize FGM will increase the possibilities of commercial applications greatly.
