9307418 Vitek This U.S.- Czech research project is between Dr. Vaclav Vitek of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Vaclav Paidar of the Czech Academy of Sciences' Institute of Physics. The researchers seek to establish a link between the structure and properties of more general, asymmetrical boundaries, and the relationships between structures of different boundaries. Establishing a link between the structure and properties of rather special, short period boundaries and boundaries of general nature is of principal importance for extension of the present atomistic studies of boundary properties. The researchers will also study the nucleation of new three-dimensional phases at grain boundaries and dynamic processes taking place at grain boundaries. In the process, they will assess the stability of the corresponding structures using the concept of atomic level elastic moduli, advanced earlier in Prof. Vitek's research supported by NSF. Results are expected to contribute to our knowledge of non-symmetric grain boundary structures, which can effect the structure and properties of metallic and ceramic materials. This project in materials research fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading experts in the United States and Eastern Europe to combine complementary talents and pool resources in areas of strong mutual interest and competence.
