The Chemistry of Diamond Growth D. S. Dandy Free-standing diamond films are grown at low pressures via a complex interaction between gas and solid chemistry and transport, a process that is little understood at present. We develop detailed kinetics mechanisms describing the gas-surface chemistry occurring during diamond growth, and incorporate these mechanisms into multidimensional transport calculations to employ in process design and optimization. These numerical studies are tightly coupled with experimental efforts. An example of predicted and measured diamond growth rates for near-substrate methane injection is shown in the plot below. Polymer Processing Effects on the Structure and Properties of the Marine Polysaccharide, Agar A. L. Rakow and L. A. Belfiore Processing effects are investigated to understand and utilize relationships between the microstructure and properties of Agar.
Gel set by surface cooling, extrusion, and film pressing are the three processes of interest.
Mechanical and optical properties will be related to microstructure. Stress-strain response at low and extremely high strain is of major interest along with stress relaxation using jump strains. Infrared dichroism and electron microscopy are employed to interpret the mechanical property results. Agar can be used in edible films and its unique properties may be worthy of biomimicry. This research focuses on compatibilizers for industrially important polymer blends.