9521945 Levi Description: This proposal is for a US-Indo research collaboration between materials scientists Carlos Levi of the University of California, Santa Barbara and Vikram Jayaram of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The project is entitled "Phase Selection in Ceramic Oxides Under Non-Equilibrium Conditions." The investigators will study the evolution of oxide microstructures in ceramic oxides synthesized under conditions wherein thermodynamic equilibrium is highly constrained. The program will focus on relatively simple binary and higher component systems using techniques with proven potential to bring about substantial metastability. Compositions produced in this manner will be heat treated to study the hierarchy of states by which the non- equilibrium structure evolves towards a more stable one. The primary objective is to enhance the understanding of phase selection processes, their relationship to fundamental forms of metastability, as well as their impact on microstructure evolution through subsequent transformations. Scope: The PIs have extensive experience in this area and have collaborated productively in the past. The bulk of the experimental work will be carried out at the Indian Institute of Science. The US collaborator will provide guidance in the design of experiments and analysis of results, as well as access to atomization and characterization facilities at the UC, Santa Barbara. The research is expected to generate a mutually beneficial interaction with the ongoing research on the synthesis of structural ceramics and functional inorganic oxides at the NSF Materials Research Laboratory at UC. This project will provide a unique international opportunity for a US Post- doc to participate in the experimental research at the IISc in Bangalore. *** This research will investigate small signal stability of electric power systems as affected by the addition of High Voltage DC (HVDC) lines and control devices such as Static Var Compensators (SVC), Power System Stabilizer (PSS) and other Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices. The objective will be to develop an overall linearized model to include the above mentioned devices and to examine their relative influence on dynamic stability. This research is important in determining the causes of low frequency oscillations and voltage collapse. Both of these are operating problems faced by utilities in both countries. Prof. M.A. Pai, University of Illinois Urbana will collaborate with Profs. D.P. Sen Gupta & L.R. Padiyar, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. The research team is exceptional. Prof. Pai is an internationally recognized leader in the use of direct methods for power system stability, Sen Gupta and Padiyar have done state-of-the-art system studies involving FACTS and adaptive PSS. Scope: This research will address a problem in the area of power systems that is of importance in the U.S. and India. While there is much accumulated experience in the U.S., the Indian academic institutions are very good at keeping up with state-of-the-art, and the power industry there quite mature in terms of their absorption of technology. The results expected from this collaboration include research papers, course development at the University of Illinois, and an advanced level monograph emanating from the research. ***
