Dr. Fatih Dogan's   research interest encompasses fuel cells (including solid oxide fuel cells and bio-fuel cells), hydrogen as transportation fuel, high temperature superconductors, thermophotovoltaics, and high energy density capacitors.   Top of Page

Dr. William Fahrenholtz'  research interests include:

Processing and characterization of ceramics and ceramic-metal composites, reaction-based processing, ultra-high temperature ceramics, and cerium oxide-based coatings for corrosion protection.

Seeking collaborations in the following areas of interest:

• Innovative materials for advanced nuclear reactor concepts
  • Boride and carbide ceramic materials with high strength and oxidation resistance
  • Capable of withstanding high temperature environments and a hard neutron spectrum
  • Neutron absorbing materials with high thermal and neutronic stability
  • Use as moderators, reactor lining materials, burnable fuel additives
  • These materials provide an increased margin of safety in accident scenarios
• Materials and structures for nuclear fuel applications
  • Ceramic-based composites with tailored, directional thermal conductivity
  • Improved transfer of heat out of fuel stacks to allow for higher efficiency
• High temperature electrical conductors and semiconductors
  • Borides have electrical conductivity comparable to metals ( 10e8 S/m at room temp)
  • Stable to temperatures above 2000^oC
  • Can be oxidation resistant and/or compatible with nitrides and carbides
  • Carbides such as SiC are high temperature semi-conductors  

  Top of Page

Dr. Greg Hilmas  has been performing R&D since 1998 in the area of wear resistant composite materials for use in the petroleum and mining industries.  The goal of these programs has been to engineer a new array of wear resistant, hard materials that do not fail catastrophically when placed under the severe loading environments found in mining and hard-rock drilling applications.

Novel, Wear Resistant Materials for the Petroleum Drilling and Mining Industries

The coextrusion technology being utilized to develop these unique materials provides materials that have a "functionally designed architecture."  The coextruded, "cellular" structure (Figure) provides an architecture that is not prone to the catastrophic failure modes observed in conventional drill bit inserts.  These drill bit inserts have been shown to dramatically increase bit lifetimes while maintaining the rate-of-penetration of current materials and minimizing drill bit failure.

Figure. Direct comparison from an off-shore drill rig test showing the typical breakage and spallation failure associated with standard drill bit inserts vs. the minor chipping damage typically observed using "cellular" drill bit inserts fabricated at Missouri S&T.

Missouri S&T has been working closely with SMith Tool, a division of Smith International, Inc. on furthering this technology and scaling it up for production.  Past R&D activities have allowed us to successfully transfer technology related to the pilot-scale production of Diamond/WC(Co) cellular architectures to be used as bit inserts for roller-cone and hammer bits.

  Top of Page

Dr. Piotr Jasinski’ s  research interests are related to electrical characterization and applications of electroceramics. I have been investigating a wide range of solid state materials including oxygen and sodium ion electrolytes, mixed ionic - electronic conductors and insulators. The research was related to the development of electrolytes, electrodes and seals for solid oxide fuel cell, sensors and capacitors.

  Top of Page