04/16 - Time: 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Physics Department Seminar

Prof. Ainissa Ramirez of Yale University will speak about her research on magnetic solders.

Magnetic solders are a new class of magnetorheological materials or "smart fluids." The suspension of micron-sized magnetic particles in tin-silver solders enables them to respond to magnetic fields.  This ability to manipulate solder has several potential microfabrication applications: specifically, the filling of vertical paths and other hard-to-reach regions.  Moreover, self-healing structures based on these materials could potentially be repaired in service by the application of heat and a magnetic field. The inclusion of magnetic particles has also been found to drastically increase the solder's strength.  In addition to these practical issues, these magnetically-responsive solders are a compelling tool for microfabricating adaptable and complex 3D geometries.  Dr. Ramirez's talk will describe the synthesis, mechanical behavior, and applications of these new materials.

Ainissa G. Ramirez, Ph.D., is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Yale University.  Before joining the faculty at Yale in 2003, she worked as a member of technical staff at Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies in Murray Hill, N.J., for four years. Her work focuses on the development of thin film NiTi shape memory alloys and the development of smart solders.  Dr. Ramirez received her training in materials science and engineering from Brown University (Sc.B.) and Stanford University (Ph.D.).   She has authored more than 30 technical papers and holds six patents.  Her research has been awarded the Sloan Research Fellowship, the NSF CAREER award, and the MIT's TR100 award.

Admission: Free

Event Website: http://www.southernct.edu/physics

Location: Jennings Hall 113

Contact Information: Elliott Horch, (203) 392-6393 , horche2@southernct.edu