Metallic Foams

We are involved in experimental and theoretical studies of the synthesis, structure and mechanical properties of a various metallic foams, in particular those with high melting points

	NiMnGa Foams *Dr. Peiqi Zheng and Ashley Pazypuente We are processing ferromagnetic shape memory Ni-Mn-Ga foams by replication casting and replication powder metallurgy methods. We are also characterizing their microstructure, composition, phase transformation temperatures and magnetic properties with our collaborators at Boise State University.
	Phase Change and Strain Evolution in Li-ion Batteries Matt Glazer We are examining transient phase change and strain development phenomena during the use of Li-ion batteries and the effects of structure and hierarchal architecture on these phenomena using the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory.
	NiTi-based Foams Dr. Catherine Tupper, Antoine Emery, and *Anselm Neurohr We are investigating processing methods to achieve open or close-cell NiTi foams with superelastic or shape-memory compositions. We are also characterizing the mechanical properties of these foams.
	Freeze-Cast Ni-, Cu-, and Co- Foams Hyeji Park, Myounggeun Choi, and Hyungyung Jo, under Dr. Heeman Cho André Röthlisberger and Sandra Häberli, under Prof. Ralph Spolenak We are continuing to develop and establish the freeze-casting process for copper and nickel with potential applications in energy areas.
	Freeze-Cast Directionally Porous Iron Foams Amelia Plunk We are investigating processing methods to achieve iron foams with hierarchical pore shape and size for hydrogen storage/generation purposes.
	Micro-architectured Nickel-based superalloys Dr. Dinc Erdeniz, *Dr. Cong Wang and Ashley Paz y Puente We are developing Ni-based superalloys with topologically-optimized micro-architectural features. We use the pack cementation technique to add Al,Ti and Mo to woven or braided structures fabricated from Ni or Ni-Cr wires and transform them into creep- and oxidation-resistant superalloys.
	Bulk Metallic Glass Foams *Dr. Marie Cox We are developing new a powder-based process to fabricate bulk metallic glasses (Zr57Nb5Al10Cu15 Ni13) with open, elongated pores. The structure and properties of these high-strength foams are studied.
	Nanoporous Gold Foams *Dr. Karen Yu-Chen Chen Nanoporous gold has a sponge-like structure with extremely high surface due to the nanometer scale porosity. It has potential applications in sensors, actuators, catalytic materials, etc. We use cutting-edge x-ray nano-tomography and in situ imaging to characterize the structural evolution of nanoporous gold during dealloying and coarsening.
	Iron-based Foams *Dr. Justin Scott We are examining methods to create high-chromium, ferritic steel foams with an open-cell structure. Both microstructure and mechanical properties will be studied to optimize processing techniques.