Multi-Scale Modeling of Co-Fired Ceramics' Fabrication Eugene Olevsky, San Diego State University Foundation, DMR A multi-scale framework for the modeling of sintering based on the parallel monitoring of micro- and macro-scale evolutions is being developed. The approach has no restrictions on the number of internal material parameters and could be used for the analysis of the optimum set of internal characteristics during sintering. This new integrated modeling approach should accelerate the advancement of multi-layer metallic and ceramic systems with enhanced functionality. The obtained results provide the basis of an on-line material processing control for a wide range of ceramic composites’ designs, including chips for wireless devices as well as solar cell components. A new direct multi-scale modeling approach enabling analyses of the influence of multiple internal structure parameters on the macroscopic shrinkage of a constrained or inhomogeneous specimens during sintering is developed. The obtained modeling predictions indicate satisfactory agreement with the results of sintering of bi-layered copper and cerium-gadolinium oxide system in terms of distortion and shrinkage kinetics. Meso-macro parallel modeling of sintering: macroscopic shape distortions and pore-grain structure evolution 3D compact of particles: the meso-scale Monte- Carlo-based simulation of sintering A new direct multi-scale modeling approach: analyses of constrained sintering Video-monitoring of the distortion of a copper powder bi-layered composite during sintering Finite-element modeling of distortions during sintering of a bi-layered composite

The PI and the supervised by PI Powder Technology Laboratory collaborate with Professors of Mathematics from the SDSU Computational Sciences Center (CSC). The PI and his collaborators have established the Discovery Team structure by meeting regularly with each graduate student to monitor research progress and offer guidance and advice. Students benefit from this multidisciplinary approach to multi-scale modeling of co-firing of multilayered ceramic composites through teamwork. The Discovery Team includes also research-involved K-12 students participating in the Upward Bound SDSU Program. The goal of Upward Bound is to provide high school students from low-income families better opportunities for attending college. The project includes collaborations with Sandia NL, and two foreign research organizations: Ukraine National Academy of Sciences and Denmark Technical University - Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy. Multi-Scale Modeling of Co-Fired Ceramics' Fabrication Eugene Olevsky, San Diego State University Foundation, DMR The PI explains the principles of sintering to Upward Bound high school students The project already resulted in 15 refereed journal papers: 10 published, accepted or submitted for publication and 5 at the final stages of preparation. The publication venues include: J. Amer. Ceram. Soc., Acta Materialia, Model. Simul. Mater. Sci. Eng, Int. J. Multiscale Comp. Eng., Comput. Mater. Sci. Predicted distortions during sintering of a solar cell component Screen-printing and sintering of a silicon-based solar sell Collaboration with industry (Ferro Electronics) on sintering of multi- layered solar cell components