Dear Mechanicians,

a new project at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca (Lucca, Italy) has just been launched to create the first open access database of rough surfaces from nature and technology, see:

http://musam.imtlucca.it/wikisurf.html

People are invited to contribute to the database by providing images of surfaces acquired using experimental techniques, as well as the corresponding elevation data field (raw x,y,z data in columns).

This database will provide useful information for scientists interested in using real surface topologies to understand the role of surface roughness in surface physics, chemistry and mechanics.

Yours sincerely,

Marco Paggi

Claudia Borri

Jacopo Bonari

Maria Rosaria Marulli

Novelis is hiring for a Principal Scientist in Atlanta, GA.

Reporting to the Group Leader for Surface Science, this senior scientist will provide wide-ranging contributions to various Company Critical, Enabling Science and Exploratory programs. We are looking for someone with at least 12 years of research experience and a proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary research groups. The successful candidate will probably have a strong background in Metallurgy/Materials Science combined with research experience in at least one adjacent technical discipline, such as corrosion, electrochemistry and/or surface analysis/spectroscopy. Experience in the development of thin - functional films, or other forms of engineered surfaces would be desirable. The position will require a high level of skill in the planning and execution of R&D projects/programs, including effective regular reporting and communication at senior technology and business levels.

The full job description can be viewed here:

https://novelis.taleo.net/careersection/globalext/jobdetail.ftl

Please send all resumes to claire.odioso@novelis.com.

Hello everyone,

One of the papers from the 'past' (but still quite actual...I think) and maybe of some interest to various communities.

Abstract:

A system in which one adherend had two types of surface treatment was tested using a wedge test.

Simple polishing and polishing with subsequent sandblasting were the

treatments used, with a distinct straight line, perpendicular to the sample edges,

separating the two. Despite the clear-cut difference in surface treatment, smooth

transitions in crack growth speed were noted. This can be explained by the

existence of a curved crack front, encroaching gradually on one surface-treated

zone, whilst remaining partially on the other. Crack length, a, vs. time, t, curves

were exploited to obtain fracture energy vs. crack speed. The multi-valued nature

of the relation can also be explained by a non-rectilinear fracture front. The

method is proposed for reproducible comparison of surface treatments.

Regards,

MKB

Official link: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00218460902997232

Interested applicants should send their materials to Professor Paul W. Leu at pleu@pitt.edu. http://www.pitt.edu/~pleu/Research/index.html

Graduate Students Openings

We are currently looking for ambitious graduate students to perform experimental and theoretical studies related to nanostructures. Students must possess a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering,Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or relevant field. The following materials are required for application.

1. CV
2. Transcript
3. GRE scores
4. 2 letters of recommendation
5. 100 word statement of interest

TOEFL score is required for international candidates.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Opening

We are also looking for a postdoctoral scholar with a background in computational materials science.

The following materials are required for application.

1. CV
2. 2 letters of recommendation
3. 100 word statement of interest

Working at University of Pittsburgh

Research group members will benefit from the resources fostered by the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Simulation and Modeling (http://www.sam.pitt.edu), the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (http://www.psc.edu) and the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation (http://www.mascarocenter.pitt.edu).

The Petersen Institute of Nano Science and Engineering’s (http://www.nano.pitt.edu) Nanoscale Fabrication and Characterization Facility, was ranked second in the nation in 2006 for microscale and nanoscale research by theleading global trade publication, Small Times. It houses state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopy, dual beam FIB, dedicated E-beam lithography, FTIR, SPM, XRD, UV-Vis-IR spectrophotometer and clean-room facilities.

The city of Pittsburgh is a recognized hub for innovative, high-tech development and research. It is consistently ranked high in livability surveys.

A Post-Doc Position is avalaible in Bio-Mimetic Adhesive Interfaces (EbioAdI) at the University of Mons-Hanaut, Belgium

Supervisor: Prof. Pascal Damman, PhD
University of Mons-Hainaut
Interfaces & Complex Fluids Lab (InFluX)
European Collaborative Research Project (ESF-Eurocores)
Duration : 1 – 3 years
Deadline: 1 September 20088

In short:

Several natural systems as geckos, spiders, flies and, at a smaller scale, cells have developed over the years different but very effective strategies to control adhesion and friction. This usually involves a complex interplay between molecular-scale interactions and bulk structural properties. The main objective of the Collaborative Research Project EBioAdI will be the development of an integrated framework for the engineering of bio-mimetic surface with superior adhesive and friction performances through (i) the development of predictive theoretical models (heterogeneous multiscale models), (ii) the design of artificial bio-mimetic prototypes and (iii) the testing of natural systems as well as artificial bio-mimetic prototypes against their friction and adhesive performances. These surfaces can have applications in different fields spanning from the automotive to the biomedical industry, from micro/nano-technology to robotics and print industry.

Description of the Research Consortium:

The present CRP will involve partners with different scientific backgrounds spanning from biology to applied and theoretical physics, from biomedical to mechanical engineering, with specific research expertise in friction and adhesion.
Dr. S. Gorb at the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research – Stuttgart (Germany)
Dr. B. Persson at the Forschungszentrum Julich (Germany);
Dr. P. Decuzzi at the Center of Bio/-Nanotechnolgy and /- Engineering for Medicine (Italy)
Dr. O. Gulseren at the Department of Physics - Bilkent University (Turkey)
Dr. E. Arzt at the Leibniz Institute for New Materials (Germany)
Dr. P. Damman at the Laboratoire Interfaces & Fluides Complexes (Belgium)
Dr. C. Creton at the Laboratoire de PhysicoChimie des Polymères et Milieux Dispersés (France)
Dr. R. Spolenak at the ETH Zurich (Switzerland)

What is EUROCORES ?

The EUROCORES Scheme enshrines ESF’s goals of enhancing synergy at a pan-European level by providing a framework to bring together national research funding organisations and supporting interdisciplinary research in non-traditional areas, thereby opening new horizons in science. EUROCORES programmes are broad and complex in nature, with topics selected through an open call for themes. Uniquely, EUROCORES networking activities bring together researchers who will eventually conduct their research at the bench together.
(see http://www.esf.org/activities/eurocores.html)

PhD in Physics or Chemical Physics required

Please to contact: Prof. Pascal Damman

Email: pascal.damman@umh.ac.be

Position available / thin film and surface mechanics

“Surface du Verre et Interfaces”, a joint CNRS/Saint-Gobain research laboratory in Paris, is hiring a research scientist to strengthen its activities on thin films mechanics. For more information:

http://www.saint-gobain-recherche.com/svi/en/pages/StaffPositions.htm

Dr Etienne Barthel CNRS/Saint-GobainSurface du Verre et Interfaces BP 135 F-93303 Aubervilliers Cedex France

tel: 33 1 48 39 55 57 fax: 33 1 48 39 55 62

www.saint-gobain-recherche.com/svi/en