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ABOUT THE INSTITUTE
History
Advances in metallurgy in the past have in a large degree resulted
from careful observation of large masses of data and inspired
guessing by people familiar with the behavior of metals. Only
in rare instances has theory clearly designated more than a general
direction or improvement. It is believed that in this Institute
rapid advances will be made both in a scientific understanding
of metals, and in the relation of this scientific knowledge to
practical problems. Here, under one roof, are collected the talents
and viewpoints of all three professions. While the theoretical
leadership will come mainly from physicists, metallurgists will
bring their techniques (which will be used in preparing research
materials for the whole Institute) and a knowledg e of that vast
reservoir of somewhat unassimulated data on structure and behavior
of metals that constitutes modern metallurgy. The metallurgists
will themselves undertake fields in which research on constitutionary
structure, diffusion, phase transforma tions, grain growth, and
similar fields in which a phenomenological approach must preced
or accompany the strictly mathematical. Physical chemists will
study reducation of reactions of metals with non-essential metals
and the related thermodynamic sideli nes; analytical chemists
will not only provide service, but will develop new methods of
analysis involving spectrochemistry, radiochemical techniques,
and others.
An important initial filed of research will be the deformation
of metals, over the whole range from very small strains (anelasticity)
to very large ones leading to fracture. Theories of resistance
to deformation will be tested over a wide range of tem perature
on whatever metal will most sensitively show the effect desired-a
marked advantage over the customary course which uses the material
most available.
Semi-conducators and superconductors, ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism
are other fields selected by the staff for research at a early
date. Problems of the structure of metallic phases (both of pure
metals and of alloys), and the effect of deform ation on structure
will be studied by the x-ray laboratory. Particular attention
will be paid to transition structures in all types of transformation.
A cryogenic laboratory is being built for the study of superconductivity
as well as for spectroscopic, thermal, magnetic, structural, and
mechanical studies over a wide range of temperatures. Liquid helium
is planned for the immediate future, with ext ensions to magnetic
cooling in a few years.
Close relations will be maintained with the two other newly-formed
research institutes at the University of Chicago, the Institute
for Nuclear Studies and the Institute for Radiobiology and Biophysics.
For example, neutron scattering in relation to cr ystal structure
is to be investigated in cooperation with the former. Cooperation
with the research staff in industrial concerns will be established.
In particular, it is hoped that industrial research men will work
in the Institute as visiting research associates and will attend
conferences on various aspects of metallurgy, to be held from
time to time.
The Institute will maintain close connections with the instructional
activities of the university, but it is not intended to establish
a separate Department of Metallurgy, and consequently, no degrees
in metallurgy will be awarded. Students may, howev er, elect to
do a thesis under a member of the Institute staff, but must meet
all academic requirements for degrees awarded by the physics or
chemistry departments. A number of post-doctoral research associateships
are available for metallurgists, physic ists and others.
The laboratories of the Institute are at present housed in temporary
quarters in the West Stands on Stagg Field--next to the spot made
famous as the site of the first nuclear chain-reacting pile of
1942. A new research building is planned immediately adjacent
to the present campus, which will house not only the Institute
for the Study of Metals, but also the Institute of Nuclear Studies
and the Institute of Radiobiology.
A total staff, including both academic and service personnel,
of about fifty is planned for the near future, and it is expected
the a full force of about one hundred will be employed at the
time the permanent building is occupied. At present, the acad
emic staff includes the following: J.E. Burke (formerly associated
with Cornell University; International Nickel Co.; and Los Alamos);
C.S. Barrett (Carnegie Institute of Technology); Simon Freed (University
of Chicago); David Gurinsky (New York Universit y; Los Alamos);
Lester Guttman (University of California; Los Alamos); Harold
Hirsch (Stevens Institute; Los Alamos); T'ing sui Ke (Yenching
University; University of California; Radiation Laboratory, M.I.T.);
Earl A. Long (Ohio State University; Universi ty of California;
University of Missouri; Los Alamos); Norman Nachtrieb (University
of Chicago; Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company; Los Alamos); Adam
Skapski (Jagiellonion University, Poland; Crakow Mining Academy);
Cyril Stanley Smith (Massachusetts Institut e of Technology; American
Brass Company; Los Alamos); John W. Stout (University of California;
Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Los Alamos); Francis T.
Worrell (University of Pittsburgh; University of Tennessee; Radiation
Laboratory, M.I.T.); Willia m H. Zachariasen (University of Chicago);
and Clarence Zener (Washington State College; Watertown Arsenal).
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