S1 – Characterization of Structure-Property Relationships in Functional Ceramics

Probing structure-property relationships in functional ceramics demands an integrated approach that combines multimodal experimental approaches (light, X-ray, electron, neutron, etc.) with theory and simulation. State-of-the-art characterization techniques that address multiple dimensions (2D, 3D, and beyond), are multiscale (both spatially and temporally), and can capture dynamic material responses under external stimuli (electric and magnetic fields, stress and strain fields, etc.) are necessary to answer many open questions in this field.

This symposium is intended to provide a bridge between the Basic Science and Electronics Divisions of EMA 2020. Half of the symposium will focus on rapidly developing experimental techniques best suited for characterizing functional ceramics, including in-situ methods, while the other half will focus on the use of these techniques, together with existing experimental and modelling approaches, to answer open structure-property questions. Materials of interest include, but are not limited to, energy storage materials, ferroics and multiferroics (ferroelectrics, electrocalorics, magnetoelectrics, relaxors), flexoelectrics, optical materials, quantum materials, etc. The symposium is aimed at exposing scientists to new characterization techniques and unfamiliar research questions, to bring about new ideas and new collaborations. Methods for approaching the challenging material problems spanning functional interfaces, short range structural orders and long-range crystallinity will be featured. One of the sessions will focus on the work of early career researchers (untenured or newly tenured). Contributions integrating novel applications of machine learning and other computational tools to predict and interpret diffraction and microscopy data are also welcome.

Proposed sessions                                                                                                        

• Imaging and analytical techniques
• Integrating machine learning into the structural measurement workflow
• Advances in connecting local and global structure to properties
• Addressing open questions in functional ceramics

Symposium Organizers

• David W. McComb, The Ohio State University, USA, 29@osu.edu
• Abhijit Pramanick, City University of Hong Kong, China, apramani@cityu.edu.hk
• Christopher Fancher, OakRidge National Laboratory, USA, fanchercm@ornl.gov
• James LeBeau, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA, lebeau@mit.edu
• Hadas Sternlicht, Brown University, USA, hadas_sternlicht@brown.edu