Please consider attending the following: MATERIALS ENGINEERING SEMINAR "Probing the Mechanisms of Flash Sintering Through In Situ Characterization Techniques" By Xin Li Phuah Purdue MSE Ph.D. Preliminary Exam Advisor: Professor Haiyan Wang ABSTRACT Flash sintering is a new field-assisted sintering technique capable of sintering ceramics to near full density with reduced furnace temperatures and dwell time of only a few seconds. Since the first demonstration in 2010, flash sintering has gained considerable attention in the recent years, especially to explain the rapid densification process. Although several mechanisms have been proposed so far, the mechanism is still under debate and in situ characterization techniques have been employed for investigation. In situ diffraction has been a major characterization technique to monitor the crystal lattice in real time during flash sintering. This method could estimate increase in sample temperatures and concentration of defect generation, as well as observe any abnormal lattice expansion from directionality effects during the flash state. Particle sintering through in situ bias studies in TEM is another critical characterization technique to observe morphology changes during the sintering process. Through quantitative microstructural analysis, difference in shrinkage was revealed between the particles sintered with and without an electric field. Date: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 Time: 1:30 P.M. Place: HAMP 2108 PURDUE MSE [cid:image002.png@01D448ED.B1A6E1A0]