Martha Mecartney
Martha Mecartney
- Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Education:
B.S., Case Institute of Technology,Case Western Reserve University, Metallurgical Engineering and Materials, 1979
B.A., Western Reserve College,Case Western Reserve University, Classics, 1979
M.S., Stanford University, Materials Science and Engineering, 1980
Ph.D., Stanford University, Materials Science and Engineering, 1984
Location:
The Henry Samueli School of Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA 92697-2575
zotcode: 2575
Room:
Office: ET 744C
Lab: ET 621
Lab: ET 752
Phone:
- (949) 824-8128 Lab
- (949) 824-2919 Office
- (949) 824-2541 Fax
Research:
Dr. Mecartney is interested in sol-gel processing of oxide ceramics, including thin films, grain boundaries in ceramics, interfacial engineering of superplastic ceramics, and analytical transmission electron microscopy.
One of Dr. Mecartney's current research projects focuses on grain boundary structure and ionic conductivity in yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics. YSZ is used as a solid electrolyte in high-temperature fuel cells (those operating above 800 degrees Celsius). While certain additives can enhance the ability to shape-form YSZ into shapes that are efficient for fuel cell design, the influence of these additives on ionic conductivity and the ultimate performance of the fuel cell is not well understood. Dr. Mecartney's group is investigating these issues using impedance spectroscopy to analyze the grain interior and grain-boundary conductivity, and electron microscopy to characterize the microstrcutre and special distribution of the additives at the grain boundaries, in addition to conducting suplerplastic deformation experiments.
Dr. Mecartney's most recent published projects include the design of superplastic oxides using grain boundary phases; superplastic deformation of cubic YSZ using intergranular phases; the design of superplastic fine grain ceramics using intergranular phases; and grain boundary engineering of highly deformable ceramics.
