Nucleation is the onset of a phase transition, e.g. from liquid to gas, in a small but stable region. In this photo, bubbles in a soft drink each nucleate independently, responding to a decrease in pressure. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.)
Instructor(s)
Prof. Kenneth Russell
Prof. Samuel Allen
MIT Course Number
3.21
As Taught In
Spring 2006
Level
Graduate
Course Description
Course Features
Course Description
This course presents a unified treatment of phenomenological and atomistic kinetic processes in materials. It provides the foundation for the advanced understanding of processing, microstructural evolution, and behavior for a broad spectrum of materials. The course emphasizes analysis and development of rigorous comprehension of fundamentals. Topics include: irreversible thermodynamics; diffusion; nucleation; phase transformations; fluid and heat transport; morphological instabilities; gas-solid, liquid-solid, and solid-solid reactions.