| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T23: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
History of Materials Science and Engineering
|
| Presentation Title |
The Effect of the Kirkendall Effect: The Metastable States and the Energy Barriers to Its Discovery and Acceptance |
| Author(s) |
Ashley E. Paz y Puente |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ashley E. Paz y Puente |
| Abstract Scope |
While the Kirkendall Effect is now widely accepted by materials scientists, it did not become so without contention. Prior to his discovery, diffusion was thought to occur strictly through an exchange mechanism, but early in his academic career Kirkendall suggested a vacancy mechanism instead which was thought to be foolish and was consequently rejected by all the prominent metallurgists at the time. This talk will cover the history of Kirkendall’s discovery and the twists and turns along the way until its eventual acceptance by the diffusion community. It is a story of defiance and persistence that perhaps many scientists can either relate to or learn something from. In the end, many groundbreaking discoveries require relentless pursuit of truth and knowledge no matter the energy barriers that we may face. Kirkendall is just one example of a scientist whose determination led to a breakthrough that became a cornerstone of materials science. |