9603002 Komanduri This award supports a two year collaborative research project between Professor Ranga Komanduri of the Oklahoma State University and Professor Takahiro Shirakashi of the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan. The focus of this research is to delineate the micromechanisms of finishing advanced materials such as ceramics and glasses. The use of ceramics for many advanced applications is hindered by the high cost of finishing them. Both analytical and experimental studies will be carried out. On the analytical side, molecular dynamics simulation and analysis of the ultraprecision machining will be carried out. On the experimental side a variety of finishing operations will be investigated including magnetic field assisted finishing processes for internal and external finishing. The proposal brings together the effort of two laboratories that have complimentary expertise, research capabilities and equipment. The research should provide new knowledge of magnetic field assisted polishing, ultra precision machining of metals, `gentle' grinding of advance ceramics and glasses, and in situ micromaching inside a scanning electron microscope. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***
