Research Interests:

Beth joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to work on the development of functional materials and coatings. This work includes the development of alternative forming techniques for oxygen and NOx sensors, solid oxide fuel cells, gas separation devices, and corrosion resistant coatings.

Education:

• M.S., Material Science and Engineering, University of California, Los-Angeles, California, 2000
• B.S., Ceramic Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, 1988

Research Experience:

Beth has over 13 years of experience in the area of ceramic processing. Prior to joining ORNL, Beth worked at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for 8 years and Garrett Ceramic Components for 4 years. At PNNL, her research activities included the extrusion of tubular supports for oxygen separation membranes, slip casting of electrochemical cells, the development of compression molding technology to fabricate complex planar components for fuel cells and oxygen generators, processing of resorbable and implantable bio-ceramic devices, synthesis and processing of nanoparticles, fabrication of catalyst supports and membranes, processing of biomaterials, the development of a resorbable bone filler and ceramic net shape forming techniques. At Garrett Ceramic Components, Beth evaluated gelcasting of silicon nitride components for use in automotive and aerospace applications. In addition, she worked within a team to develop processing methods for net shape fabrication of complex shapes and to understand the rheology of suspensions for slip casting. Other activities included compositional development, high-temperature mechanical property evaluation, and corrosion studies of silicon nitride.

Professional Societies:

• American Ceramic Society

Publications:

Selected publications include:

1. V. Vaubert, B.L. Armstrong, M. Janney, C. Walls, D. Stinton, etal. "Design and Development of a Ceramic Hot-Gas Filter for Fossil Energy," Proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference on Fossil Energy Materials, Oak Ridge TN, May 2000, R.R. Judkins, ed..
2. B.L. Armstrong, L. Song, P.A. Smith, G.W. Coffey, "Processing and Characterization of Biomaterials," Proceedings of the 30th Annual IMS Convention, Seattle, Washington, July, 1997.
3. B.L. Armstrong and K.L. Simmons, "Manufacturing of Planar Ceramic Interconnects," Proceedings of the 1996 Fuel Cell Seminar, Orlando, Florida (1996).
4. B.L. Armstrong, "Consolidation of Nanocrystalline ZrO2," Materials and Manufacturing Processes, 12, 1012, (1996).
5. J.W. Stevenson, B.L. Armstrong, T.R. Armstrong, J.L. Bates, L.R. Pederson, and W.J. Weber, "Mixed Oxygen Ion/Electron-Conducting Ceramics for Oxygen Separation," Proceedings of the Eighth Annual Conference on Fossil Energy Materials, Oak Ridge TN, May 1995.
6. B.L. Armstrong, "Synthesis and Processing of Nanocrystalline ZrO2," Proceedings from the NIST Nanomaterials Processing Workshop, Gaithersburg, Maryland, July 1995.
7. JW Stevenson, TR Armstrong, BL Armstrong, JL Bates, G Hsieh, LR Pederson, and WJ Weber, "Mixed Oxygen Ion/Electron-Conducting Ceramics for Oxygen Separation," Proceedings of the 10th Annual Conference on Fossil Energy Materials, N. C. Cole and R. R. Judkins, eds., CONF 9605167, ORNL/FMP-96/1, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, p. 117 (1995).
8. O. O. Omatete, R. A. Strehlow, and B. L. Armstrong, "Forming of Silicon Nitride by Gelcasting," Proceedings of the Annual Automotive Technology Development Contractors' Coordination Meeting, P-243, pp. 245-51 Society of Automotive Engineers, Warrendale, Pennsylvania (1991).
9. B.L. Armstrong, "Issues of Consolidation of Nanoparticulate Materials," Proceedings from the Gorham Intertech First Annual Nanoparticulate Conference, Monterey, California, November, 1994.

Group Members

Surface Processing and Mechanics Group