A universal measuring microscope and a microhardness tester will be used to improve the quality and broaden the scope of three projects in micromechanics and micro-heat transfer research. The first and second projects involve studies of micro-cracking and the associated toughening of structural ceramics and of impact damage of ceramic coatings, respectively. Such studies will lead to development of tougher and higher strength structural ceramics. The third project involves a study of boiling inception and temperature overshoot with a potential application for cooling high power microelectronic chips.
