Robert C. Reno

Associate Professor

Ph.D. Brandeis University, 1970

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Research Interests

We are engaged in studies of materials using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, electron diffraction, and nuclearspectroscopic techniques.

Past work includes:

  • Tin-based Mössbauer spectroscopy of intermetallic phases ( Cu3Sn,Cu6Sn5 ) and oxides/fluorides( SnO, SnO2, Sn2OF2, Sn2F6 ) in composite solders and plasma-assisteddry soldering of solder foils.

  • Iron-based Mössbauer spectroscopy of intermediate phases produced during mechanical alloying ofnano-sized crystalline and amorphous particles

  • Measurements of crystallographic texture in deformed steel and aluminum using neutron diffraction

  • Detection of stress-induced defects in metals using positron annihilation


Current work is directed toward materials characterization using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy:
  • An examination of crystallographic texture in deformed metals using electron backscattered diffraction patterns ( EBSP's ). The spatialresolution available with this technique is orders of magnitude better than that achieved with neutron diffraction. Comparison of polefigures generated by the two techniques provides information on texture gradients as a function of depth below a sample surface. EBSP'scan also be used to measure residual stress and crystallographic mismatch across an interface. This technique was used by Eric J. Moore in his recently completed Ph. D. study of the effects of plastic strain on the surface roughening of aluminum alloys. Eric successfully defended his dissertation on September 22, 2006.

  • Atomic force microscopy on semiconductor films used in photonics applications


Selected Publications

Plastic Strain and Grain Orientation Effects in the Surface Roughening of Aluminum Alloys
E.J. Moore, M. R. Stoudt and R. C. Reno
2005, TMS Letters 2, 135-136
Mechanochemical Transformations in the Zn-Magnetite System
L. Takacs, R. C. Reno and M. Pardavi-Horvath
1998, Hyperfine Interactions 112, 247
A Conversion-electron Mössbauer Study of Tin-Based Compounds Formed During PADS Treatment(Plasma-Assisted Dry Soldering) of a Solder Foil
Robert C. Reno and Brett Piekarski
1997, in Electronic Packaging Materials Science IX, (Materials Research Society, Warrendale, 1997), pp. 223-227.
A Mössbauer Study of Tin-Based Intermetallics Formed During the Manufactureof Dispersion strengthened Composite Solders
Robert C. Reno, Michael J. Panunto and Brett Piekarski
1997, Journal of Electronic Materials, 26, 11
Ultrasonic Measurement of Sheet Steel Texture and Formability: Comparison with Neutron Diffraction and Mechanical Measurements
A. V. Clark, Jr., R. B. Thompson, Y. Li, R. C. Reno, G. V. Blessing, D. V. Mitrakovic, R. E. Schramm and D. Matlock
1990, Res Nondestr Eval 2, 239
Texture Monitoring in Aluminum Alloys: a Comparison of Ultrasonic and Neutron Diffraction Measurement
A. V. Clark, Jr., R. C. Reno, R. B. Thompson, J. F. Smith, G. V. Blessing, R. J. Fields, P. P. Del Santo and R. B. Mignogna
1988, Ultrasonics 26, 189