Modeling & Manufacturing of Multi-Functional MMCs through Ultrasonic Consolidation (UC)

Using IREE funding, Utah State Universit y (USU) personnel traveled to Loughborough University in England, U.K. One Ph .D. student went for 3 months as a visiting researcher to the Rapid Manufa cturing Research Group, and his graduate advisor paid a short supervisory visit. Th e main research tasks during this international cooperation were to experimentally st udy thermal and physical phenomena during fiber embedment within metal matri x matrices using the ultrasonic consolidation process. Through this inte rnational experience the awardees benefited by gaining experience with varyi ng educational systems, engaging in innovative experimental discussions, de veloping a more fundamental understanding of bond formation during ultrasonic c onsolidation, and initiating a more formal collaboration between complementary res earch groups at Loughborough University and Utah State University.