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Donald R. Uhlmann

Professor
Materials Science and Engineering
The University of Arizona
Ph.D., Harvard University
Arizona Materials Laboratory
4715 E. Fort Lowell Road
Tucson, AZ 85712
AML Phone: (520) 322-2960
FAX: (520) 322-2993 red line

Teaching Interests:

Current Research:

Research Interests:

Sol-Gel Synthesis of Ceramics Nanocomposites

Sol-gel or wet chemical synthesis methods offer many advantages for preparing high value-added materials and devices.  In the present research, such methods are used to prepare novel ceramics and nanocomposites with exceptional combinations of properties. Principal attention is directed to the synthesis of films and coatings; to the tailoring of the nanostructure/microstructure of films by controlled variations in precursors, solution formulations and processing, to characterizing the properties of the films; to modeling the behavior of the materials and the relation of nanostructure/microsturcture to properties; and to incorporating the films into device structures. A separate program is directed to the immobilization of radioactive waste using sol-gel methods. This research is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Zelinski.

Optical Materials

Research on optical materials is directed to three principal areas: (1) fabrication of planar optical waveguide structures having ease of preparation coupled with exceptionally low optical attenuation;
(2) fabrication of planar waveguiding structures which can be embossed with surface relief features; (3) solid state dye lasers with markedly improved photostability coupled with enchanced chemical and mechanical stability; (4) electrochromic and user-controlled photochromic materials and devices; and (5) non-linear optical materials, especially inorganic and nanocomposite materials with exceptional second-order non-linearity. Various portions of this research are carried out in collaboration with Prof. Peyghambarian of the Optical Sciences Center, with Dr. Cronin and Dr. Boulton of Donnelly Corporation's Advanced Technology Center, and with Prof. Zelinski.

Hybrid Silicone Materials & Devices

Silicone polymers offer many attractive properties, including chain flexibility, chemical and thermal stability in harsh environments, and ability to tailor properties by changes in molecular architecture. The present research builds upon these characteristics to synthesize novel hybrid materials based on silicones, including tailored nanocomposites and near molecular composites. The optical, chemical, thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of the materials are characterized and related to the chemical and physical structure. Principal attention is being directed to the synthesis of novel optical materials, including waveguides and laser hosts, and to modeling the behavior of the materials and device structures.

Ferroelectric and Pyroelectric Materials & Devices

Ferroelectric and pyroelectric materials, especially ferroelectric and pyroelectric ceramics, have a remarkably wide range of applications. The present research on ferroelectrics is directed principally to ferroelectric films for memory applications. Such films are fabricated both by wet chemical methods and by sputtering. The effects of precursors, fabrication conditions and post-deposition treatments on properties are being investigated, as is the intergration of such films in device structures. This work is carried out in collaboration with Profs. Jackson & Zelinski as well as Dr. Teowee of Donnelly Corporation. The research on pyroelectrics is directed principally to pyroelectric films with exceptionally high pyroelectric coefficients and their integration into device structures for sensing and imaging. In all cases, the experimental investigations are coupled with modeling of materials behavior.

Kinetic Processes in Materials

A range of kinetic processes in materials are being investigated both experimentally and theoretically. Principal attention is focused on the processes of nucleation and crystal growth and to the overall process of crystallization from the melt. Specific attention is being directed to crystallization in films vs. bulk of the same composition; crystallization under conditions of rapid cooling and heating, where time-dependent nucleation effects are important; and crystallization on reheating glasses. Both single-component and binary systems are being investigated. This research is carried out in collaboration with Prof. Weinberg and Dr. Shneidman.

Recent Publications:

University of Arizona
College of Engineering