An Integrated Education Program on Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Materials Design

Pennsylvania State Univ University Park, University Park PA

Investigators

Abstract

0073836 Liu The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State University develops an integrated computational approach in core subjects of the graduate and upper-undergraduate curricula. The approach is based on new courses on computational thermodynamics, computational kinetics and integrated systems materials design, that integrate fundamental principles and advanced computational tools. Computer-based educational tools will help students connect abstract thermodynamic concepts with the properties of real world materials and mathematical kinetics with practical materials processing procedures, and thus remove the common perception among students that thermodynamics and kinetics are problematical to learn and difficult to apply in practice.