Dr. Aindow�s research involves the study of microstructural development in engineering materials using, primarily, electron microscopy techniques. Upon joining UConn, he led a comprehensive updating of the IMS Microscopy Laboratory facilities including the acquisition of a high-resolution field-emission gun scanning electron microscope and a digital automated high-resolution transmission electron microscope with imaging electron energy loss spectrometer and ultra-thin window energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. These facilities have been used in a wide range of IMS programs.

The main emphasis of Dr. Aindow�s recent research programs has been on microstructural development in aerospace alloys. These include:

INTERFACIAL STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES IN LAMELLAR TITANIUM ALUMNIDE ALLOYS - The objective of this project was to develop a fundamental understanding of defect-mediated interfacial processes in lamellar TiAlbased alloys using transmission electron microscopy to measure changes in the interfacial defect configurations as a function of thermomechanical history. Processes which were studied include: the formation of γ lamellae, the interaction of interfacial step defects, slip transmission through γ/α2 interfaces and the introduction of misfit dislocations at these interfaces. (Funded by NSF).

PROPULSION SYSTEMS PROGNOSIS � This project involved the development of strategies for assessing damage accumulation in turbine engine components during service. The approach was being developed initially for components produced from powder-processed nickel-based superalloy rotors and wrought Ti-6-4 blades. This large multi-organization program was led by Pratt & Whitney. (Funded by DARPA).

STRUCTURAL AMORPHOUS METALS - This multi-investigator program led by Boeing had the aim of developing new high strength Al alloys from vitreous precursors. A wide variety of transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to reveal the microstructural development in these new alloys. The correlation of these data with mechanical properties facilitated the alloy and process development phases of this program (Funded by DARPA.)

BIOCHEMICALLY COMPATIBLE PSEUDOELASTIC PSEDUOELASTIC β TITANIUM ALLOYS � (with S.P. Alpay) In this program we worked with Memry Corporation to investigate the deformation micro-mechanisms involved in the pseudoelastic response in metastable β�Ti alloys. The objective was to develop an understanding of the extraordinary sensitivity of this response to the alloy composition and/or thermal history (Funded by CII).

In addition to these main programs, extensive collaborations are underway with other faculty to exploit the potential of transmission electron microscopy in the characterization of nanoparticulate or nano-structured materials. These include studies of:

   Heteroepitaxial ferroelectric thin films (with S.P. Alpay).
   Metal-loaded carbon aerogels and derivative structures (with C. Erkey).
   Semiconducting quantum dots (with F. Papadimitrakopoulos).
   Mesoporous manganese oxide materials (with S.L. Suib).