Alfred University

In collaboration with Prof. A. N. Cormack (http://engineering.alfred.edu/facultyandstaff/profile.cfm?username=cormack ) of the Inamori School of Engineering at the Alfred University (NY, USA) we have developed computational procedures for the simulation of the mechanical properties and fracture mechanism of materials in general. However, we have applied these procedure to the study of silicate glasses of geological and technological interest. The development of new glassy materials is key for addressing major global challenges in energy, medicine, and advanced communications systems. For example, thin, flexible, and large-area glass substrates will play an enabling role in the development of flexible displays, roll-to-roll processing of solar cells, next-generation touch-screen devices, and encapsulation of organic semiconductors. The main drawback of glass and its limitation for these applications is its brittle fracture behavior, especially in the presence of surface flaws, which can significantly reduce the practical strength of a glass product. Hence, the design of new ultrastrong glassy materials and strengthening techniques is of crucial importance. Our main goal is the understanding of the underlying microscopic mechanisms that are responsible for mechanical properties by employing atomistic modeling techniques.