Elizabeth J. Podlaha-Murphy

Research

Dr. Podlaha's research targets the area of Electrochemical Engineering. Electrochemical processes are important for the fabrication of micromachines, microelectronics and protective coatings, as well as for the operation of batteries and corrosion. The research aim is concerned with the understanding and characterization of electrochemical processes for the development of new materials, processes and applications.

Current research interests are devoted towards the understanding of alloy codeposition and composite plating. Electrodeposition offers a cost effective means of producing not only single element coatings, but alloy and composite materials, with the advantage of tailoring the deposit chemical composition and microstructure by the appropriate choice of operating conditions. Experimental studies are complemented with theoretical, numerical simulation of electrochemical systems. Experiments are conducted under well defined mass transport and current distribution conditions in order to test model predictions.

Development of a model to describe alloy plating is essential to control the electroplating process and in the development of new alloys. Particularly interesting are those alloys which undergo interactive behavior during the codeposition process. One example is the induced codeposition of Mo which cannot be electroplated as a single metal, but can be plated as an alloy with iron-group elements. Other research topics concern the electrodeposition into deep, high aspect ratio holes. This interest is motivated by the fabrication of new microsystems via the LIGA process. As a material is plated inside a recess, the geometry of the electrode changes and imparts a dynamic change on the current distribution and mass transport of reacting species. The influence of these changes on the alloy composition and deposition rate is considered. Also, unique multilayered structures having a modulated composition in the nano-range exhibit unusual magnetic and mechanical properties. These materials can be readily prepared by electrodeposition. The relationship between the deposition parameters and the material structure are considered. During electrodeposition, solid particles added to the plating bath can be incorporated into the deposit for improved mechanical and tribological properties. The influence of the plating process on the particle deposition rate is another research direction, with a view towards the synthesis of nano-composites.

Last modified on May 27, 2004