UGSC awards $110,000 grant for glass research

The Usable Glass Strength Coalition (UGSC) has given a $110,000 grant to Pennsylvania State University (PSU), USA.The award will be used to carry out research that aims to improve the understanding of manufactured glass products’ strength properties.The research, Controlling and understanding reactive surface sites on multicomponent glasses, will be led by co-principle investigators, Seong H. Kim, PhD, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Carlo Pantano, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering.The aim of the study is to characterise the distribution and chemical nature of reactive surface sites on glass that nucleate strength-controlling defectsAs stated in the PSU research abstract: “It is reasonable to expect that the existence and concentration of strength-controlling atomic and nano-scale defect precursors depend on the surface cooling rate and the local atmosphere.“These processing variables could provide an effective means to controlling and enhancing the strength of glass through irreversible chemical (or physical) passivation of these defect precursors at the time of their creation.”Dr Pantano said: “Glass strength is a grand challenge for both industry and academia. It will take time and multiple approaches, but working together we have a chance to meet the challenge, and at the same time, train the next generation of glass scientists and engineers.”Research is to commence October 1, 2013, with initial funding for one year. 09.10.2013, Usable Glass Strength Coalition (UGSC)/glass-international.com