PI: Bharat Gwalani

We investigated the mass transport mechanisms during shear deformation using correlated multi-modal characterization techniques. This revealed microstructural changes on a meso- to atomic-scale based on processing parameters, like strain, pressure, strain rate, and estimated local temperature. Investigating mass transport pathways helped establish driving forces and mechanisms responsible for microstructural evolution. The impact of external heating during shear deformation was assessed by comparing it with room temperature experiments through ex-situ correlative microstructural characterization. A novel in situ shear deformation experimentation technique was developed using nano-mechanical testing capabilities to observe shear-induced microstructural changes on a well-characterized feature, like grain or phase boundary.