1. International Materials Institutes (IMI), DMR-0231320 Advanced Neutron Scattering netWork for Education and Research (ANSWER) P. K. Liaw, H. Choo, and E-W. Huang, The University of Tennessee, USA International Collaborator: M. Hofmann, Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), Germany Domestic Collaborators: L. Porcar, National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA W.-R. Chen, Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA Study of Nano-Particle-Strengthened Nickel-Based Superalloys Motivations  The investigation of nano-particle-strengthening mechanisms in superalloys is essential to improve the performance of advanced structural materials.  The study of deformation mechanisms of the nano- particles is important for materials life-time predictions, which is critical for the applications of the structural materials.  The synergistic international collaborations using the in-situ neutron-diffraction and small-angle neutron- scattering (SANS) techniques reveal the strengthening and deformation mechanisms in the superalloys. Research Efforts  The quantitative characterization at the multi-scale microstructural levels is necessary to understand the strengthening mechanism and deformation behavior.  Small-angle neutron-scattering experiments quantify (1) spatial arrangements and (2) the size and shape of the nano-particles. Impact  The present study helps us understand the mechanical behavior of the nano-particle-strengthened materials for new applications and next-generation-material design. Lake Travis/Mansfield Dam in Texas Superalloys are used as metallic lining at the Lower Colorado River Authority Power Plant (Lake Travis/Mansfield Dam in Texas) Small-angle-neutron- scattering (SANS) results of a nickel- based superalloy The SANS data shows that the radius of the nano-particles is about 6 nm, which is in good agreement with the transmission- electron-microscopy analysis

2. International Materials Institutes (IMI), DMR-0231320 Advanced Neutron Scattering netWork for Education and Research (ANSWER) P. K. Liaw and H. Choo, The University of Tennessee, USA On-line Open Courses: ANSWER organizes tutorials, workshops, and short courses, which are available on the Internet for the public access (http://answer.utk.edu). ANSWER Fellowship Programs For example, a series of ANSWER-organized tutorials benefit the research communities at conferences, such as the Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meetings in 2007 and 2008. ANSWER provides opportunities to US students to learn from international experts in the area ranging from advanced structural materials to neutron scattering. IMI-ANSWER Education and Outreach: On- line Open Courses, Tutorial Series, and Publications Fellowship-Program Activities  ANSWER provides fellowships to students at Univ. of Florida, Univ. of Virginia, Univ. of Kentucky, Carnegie Mellon Univ., Johns Hopkins Univ., and Illinois Inst. of Tech. to carry out neutron-scattering research in Australia, United Kingdom, and Germany.  The availability and new capabilities of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, have been communicated to high-school, female, and minority students. IMI-ANSWER Outreach Programs at Tennessee The attendees of Educational Symposium in front of the Spallation Neutron Source main building, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN. IMI High-School and Minority Students Programs ANSWER graduate students and high- school students