9623681 Feller This project will involve at least fifteen Coe College undergraduates in a number of projects in glass science. The purpose of the research is to find relationships between the atomic-level structure of important glasses, some never described before and some of commercial interest, and the physical properties exhibited by these glasses. The short-range atomic structure will be determined using various techniques, including magnetic resonance, optical spectroscopy, and neutron scattering. The physical properties to be related to the atomic arrangements include density, optical transmission, softening temperature, and glass-forming limits. An important aspect of this research, which will benefit and provide additional research training for the undergraduate students concerned, is the experience they will gain in working as part of an ongoing and large international collaboration established to study these glasses. %%% This research will involve the determination of quantitative structureproperty relationships in a wide variety of basic, novel, and commercially interesting glass systems. The glass families to be studied include alkali borates, alkali silicates, alkali borosilicates, alkali germanates, heavy metal oxide glasses based on lead and bismuth oxides, alkali vanadates, phosphates, chlorinated glasses and others. A number of complementary spectroscopic techniques including novel nuclear magnetic resonance, dynamic angle spinning, nuclear quadrupole resonance, elastic and inelastic neutron scattering at the Rutherford-Appleton lab, infra-red, and Raman scattering will be used. The physical properties to be examined include: density, glass transition temperature, optical characterization, and glassformation limits. The work is part of well-established world-wide collaborations. Another crucial aspect of the project is the heavy reliance on unde rgraduates; at least fifteen students from Coe College will be active as full members of this research effort. ***
