Designing a Phase Field Model of a Spiral Eutectic
- Program: Materials Science and Engineering
- Course: EN.510.434 MSE Senior Design
Project Description:
When a liquid mixture of Mg and Zn that is 97wt.% Zn is cooled past a critical point it unexpectedly forms an MgZn2-Zn spiral eutectic. Understanding how this spiral eutectic forms is essential for scaling up its manufacture, opening up the mass production of a new form of metamaterials. Previous studies indicated that the mechanism occurred at longer time and length scales than are accessible through molecular dynamics. This project designs and implements a phase field model (PFM) that accesses these time and length scales, which will enable future studies of spiral eutectics.
Project Photo:
Professional picture of the primary researcher Alex DiNovi