Phase diagram calculations in teaching, research, and industry

I have a long-standing interest in alloy thermodynamics/phase diagrams and in utilizing the principles of this subject for materials research and engineering applications. At the same time, I also have a long association with ASM International as a member and a former Trustee of the Society. The Society’s initiative in promoting critical assessments of phase diagrams beginning in the late 1970s rekindled this field and stimulated further research, particularly in phase diagram calculations. Significant advancements have been made in phase diagram calculations using the Calphad approach since the late 1980s due primarily to the availability of inexpensive computers and robust software. In this article, I first present the use of computational thermodynamics including phase diagram calculation in teaching, next the use of calculated phase diagrams, particularly for multicomponent systems, for materials research/development, and manufacturing, and last describe some current research in advancing this methodology when the phases involve ordering with decreasing temperature. He received his BS from the University of California-Berkeley and his MS from the University of Washington-Seattle, both in Chemical Engineering, and his Ph.D. in Metallurgy from the University of California-Berkeley. After spending 4 years in industry, he joined the faculty of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, as Associate Professor in 1967 and was promoted to Professor in 1970. He served as the Chair of the Materials Department from 1971 to 1977 and then as the Associate Dean for Research in the Graduate School from 1978–1980. In 1980, he joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the Fall of 1980 as Professor, served as the Chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering from 1982 to 1991, and was named Wisconsin Distinguished Professor in 1988. He delivered the Edward DeMille Campbell Lecture at the Annual ASM International (ASM) Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, on October 14, 2003. Professor Chang has a strong interest in research, teaching, and education. He is a Member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Fellow of ASM and the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). He has focused his research on thermodynamic modeling/phase diagram calculation and in applying thermodynamics and kinetics to extraction/refining in his earlier career and then structural, electronic, and magnetic materials in bulk form as well as at the nanoscale. Among his recognitions are the Wisconsin Idea Fellow Award (UW System, 2004), a highly cited materials scientist covering the period 1981–1999 (ISHighlyCited, 2003), John Bardeen Award (TMS, 2000), Albert Sauveur Achievement Award (ASM, 1996). Champion H. Mathewson Medal (TMS, 1996), Extraction and Processing Lecturer Award (TMS, 1993), William Hume-Rothery Award (TMS, 1989), Belton Lecturer Award (CSIRO, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 2000), Winchell Lecturer Award (Purdue University, 1999), Best Paper Award with Dr. W.-M. Huang (Alloy Phase Diagram International Commission or APDIC, 1999), Honorary Professorship (Northeast University, Shenyang, 1998-, Southeast University, Nanjing, 1997-, Central South University of Technology, Changsha, Hunan, 1996-, and University of Science and Technology Beijing, 1995-, all in the People’s Republic of China), Summer Faculty (Quantum Structure Research Initiative, Hewlett-Packard Laboratory, Palo Alto, CA, 1999). Honorary Chair Professor (National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China, 2002–2005), Visiting Professorship (MIT, 1991 and Tohoku University, Sendai, 1987), Honorary Life Membership of Alpha Sigma Mu (1985), and Byron Bird Award (University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1978). He also received recognitions in teaching and education: an Outstanding Instructor Award (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 1972), Educator Award (TMS, 1990), and Albert Easton White Distinguished Teacher Award (ASM, 1994). He served as a Trustee of ASM (1981–1984), as the 2000 President of TMS, and as the National President of Alpha Sigma Mu (1984).