John B. Vander Sande

Cecil and Ida Green Distinguished Professor Emeritus

BE Mechanical Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1966
PhD Materials Science, Northwestern University, 1970

Room 8-031, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA  02139
617-253-6933 (phone) 617-258-6118 (fax)
jbvs@mit.edu

Prof. Vander Sande's current research thrust involves detailed analysis of the relationship between materials properties and microstructure in metallic and ceramic systems. A thorough investigation into the fine details of these microstructures is obtained through various electron microscopy techniques, emphasizing transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy.

His group is investigating the role that a high magnetic field can play in developing texture in high-temperature superconducting oxides, particularly for thick films on substrates. They explore the detailed structure of grain boundaries in ceramics to correlate structure and local composition to the electrical properties of grain boundaries. They also investigate the nature of carbonaceous material (small particles) generated by combustion processes. In one case, they are attempting to use the structure and composition of particles to determine their source of origin; in another case they are attempting to form fullerenic particles from a laboratory combustor. Finally, phase transformations in the Mg-Ca-Zn system are being investigated with an eye toward enhancing the elevated temperature behavior of Mg alloys.

Selected Publications

“A Model for the Texture Development of High-Tc Superconductors Under an Elevated Magnetic Field,” JMR 14 (7): 2751–2763 (1999) (with others).

"Jc Enhancement of Bi₂, Sr₂ Ca Cu₂ O₈/Aq Thick Films Melt-Grown Under an Elevated Magnetic Field (0-10T)," Physica C 316: 261–266 (1999) (with others).

"Combustion Synthesis of Fullerenes and Fullerenic Nanostructures," Carbon 40: 177-182 (2000) (with others).

"Precipitate Crystal Structure Determination in Melt Spun Mg -1.5 wt % Ca -6 wt % Zn Alloys," Accepted for publication in Microscopy and Microanalysis (2003) (with others).