 |
 |
 |
|||
 | |||||
 |  |
||
 |
 |
||
 | |||
|
 |
||
| |||
|
 |
||
| |||
|
 |
||
| |||
|
 |
||
| |||
|
 |
||
| |||
|
 |
||
 |
|||
| |||
| |||
|
| Zuhair Munir | |
 |
email: zamunir@ucdavis.edu |
| Office: 2021 Kemper Hall | |
| Phone: (530)752-4058 | |
| Distinguished Professor | ||
| B.S., 1956, University of California, Berkeley M.S., 1958, University of California, Berkeley Ph.D., 1963, University of California, Berkeley | ||
Research  | ||
| ||
| Combustion Synthesis and Processing of Materials: A research program emphasizing the fundamental aspects of synthesis and processing of materials by combustion methods involves worldwide collaborations with a number of universities and other institutions. Specific Current topics include: Synthesis of Functionally Graded Composite Materials by Centrifugally-Assisted Combustion: The goal of this research is to synthesize a graded composite with a composition changing from a pure ceramic phase to pure metallic phase in a continuous fashion. The presence of liquid phase during the simultaneous combustion makes it feasible to introduce a gravitational field as another processing parameter. Graded composites of ZrO2/M (with M being Cu, Ni, or Fe) are being investigated. The aim is to understand the relationships between combustion parameters, materials characteristics, and gravitational fields in the synthesis of tailored composites. Field-Assisted Combustion Synthesis: The focus of this research is on the role of electromagnetic fields in combustion synthesis. Experimental results demonstrate that when a field is externally imposed, the combustion process is dramatically altered. Difficult-to-synthesize materials, e.g., SiC, WC, B4C, etc., are easily synthesized when a field is present. A U.S. Patent has been issued for this innovative process of synthesis. Multi-Layer Combustion Systems: Investigations of the propagation of combustion waves in thin (100 nm) multilayer systems are aimed at providing an understanding of the role of phase transformation and diffusion on the rates of wave propagation. Metallic (e.g., Ni-Al and Ti-Al) and nonmetallic (e.g., Si-C) systems can be examined under conditions of high combustion wave velocities (up to several meters per second). Multilayer systems, which are initially deposited under ultra-high vacuum (10-9- 10-ll Torr), provide ideal, contamination-free interfaces which make possible the correlation between microstructural development and combustion kinetics. Development of SHS-Diagrams: Theoretical studies of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) have resulted in the introduction of the concept of SHS-diagrams. Experimental investigations have been carried out to determine the validity of such diagrams. Investigations continue to focus on incorporating additional processing parameters (including electric field to develop such diagrams for a variety of technologically important materials. The role of materials parameters (e.g., particle size, crystallinity) in delineating the various boundaries of the SHS diagrams is being investigated. | ||
Laboratories | ||
| A wide range of experimental and computer facilities is dedicated to this work. These include the following major items:
| ||
Support | ||
| National Science Foundation U.S. Army Research Office Sandia N.A.S.A. National Research Council |
  |
Department | Faculty | Students | Directory | Alumni | Research | Admissions | Contact Us | Webmaster |
| Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department |