Skip Navigation
Penn State

Penn State Search >


Gary L. Messingphoto-Gary Messing

 

Head, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Penn State University

Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Science

 

121 Steidle Bldg.

Penn State University

University Park, PA 16802

Phone: (814) 865-2262

FAX: (814) 865-2917

E-mail: Gary L. Messing

Education:

 

  • Ph.D., University of Florida (Materials Science and Engineering)
  • B.S., Alfred University (Ceramic Engineering)

 

Research Interests:

 

  • Solution synthesis of powders and films
  • Seeding phase formation
  • Sintering
  • Grain Growth
  • Templated Grain Growth
  • Optical materials
  • Ferroelectric materials

 

The Messing group is currently focused on developing processes for producing optically transparent ceramics (e.g. Nd-doped YAG), high performance piezoelectrics, and solid state grown single crystals. The strategy is to control sintering and grain growth processes by first establishing a fundamental understanding of how powder synthesis, ceramic phase formation, and powder shaping influence the achievement of specific microstructure-property objectives. They are expert in powder synthesis by spray pyrolysis and phase formation from solution precursors. It has been shown that phase separation in sol gel and precursor system formation plays a major role on phase formation during heating in the alumina, mullite, and lead magnesium niobate systems. In some cases, they have developed successful strategies to induce and control phase development and transformation by solid state seeding. They also have extensive expertise in the measurement of the thermomechanical characteristics of ceramics during sintering of laminated structures.

 

Technologies Impacted by Research:

 

  • Powder synthesis and sintering impact technologies requiring phase pure and submicron powders
  • The microstructure effort has direct impact on ceramics in which specific orientations or single crystals are desired and include piezoelectric, structural, and optical properties
  • Materials studied include mullite, alumina, barium titanate, lead magnesium niobate, and strontium barium niobate, bismuth titanates, yttrium, and aluminum garnet

 

Professional Experience:

 

2001-present Head, Department of Materials Science and Engineering
2006 Visiting Professor, ETH- Zurich, Switzerland
2002 Distinguished Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, Penn State
1997-2001 Director, Materials Research Laboratory, Penn State University
1993 Visiting Professor, University of Paris
1991-1997 Founding Director, NSF-I/UCRC Particulate Materials Center, Penn State
1989-2002 Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, Penn State
1988 Research Fellow, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia
1985-1989 Associate Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, Penn State
1980-1985 Assistant Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, Penn State
1978-1980 Research Scientist, Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio

 

Awards:

 

2005 Ceramics Education Council - Outstanding Educator Award
2003 European Ceramics Society International Award
2002-2003 President – American Ceramic Society
2002 University of Florida Distinguished Alumnus Award
2000 Robert B. Sosman Memorial Award-ACerS
1996-1999 Board of Trustees ACerS
1998 Elected Chair, Gordon Research Conference on Solid State Studies in Ceramics
1993 Richard M. Fulrath Pacific Award
1992 Wilson Research Award, Penn State University
1990 Fellow, American Ceramic Society

 

Leadership

 

Chair, University Materials Council, 2005-2006
International Academy of Ceramics, 2000
Secretary/Treasurer, International Ceramics Federation
Editor, Ceramics International
Editor, Materials Letters

 

 

Selected Publications:

 

  1. P. W. Rehrig, S-E. Park, S. Trolier-McKinstry, G. L. Messing, B. Jones, and T. R. Shrout, “Piezoelectric Properties of Zirconium-doped Barium Titanate Single Crystals Grown by Templated Grain Growth,” J. Appl. Phys. 86(3):1657-1661 (1999).
  2. S-H. Lee, S. Kochawattana, G. L. Messing, J. Dumm, G. Q. Quarles and V. Castillo “Solid State Reactive Sintering of Transparent Polycrystalline Nd:YAG Ceramics” J. Am. Ceramic Soc 89 (6) 1923-1929 (2006)
  3. E. M. Sabolsky, S. Trolier-McKinstry, and G. L. Messing, "Dielectric and Piezoelectric Properties of <001> Fiber-Textured 0.675 Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.325 PbTiO3 Ceramics," J. App. Phys. 93 (7) 4072-4080, April 1, 2003.
  4. A. Mohanram, G. L. Messing and D. J. Green, "Measurement of Viscosity of Densifying Glass-based Systems by Isothermal Cyclic Loading Dilatometry," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 87 (2) 192-96 (2004).
  5. G. L. Messing, S. Trolier-McKinstry,E.M. Sabolsky, C. Duran, S. Kwon B. Brahmaroutu, P. Park, H. Yilmaz, P.W. Rehrig, K. B. Eitel, E. Suvaci, M. Seabaugh and S. Trolier-McKinstry K. S. Oh, “Templated Grain Growth of Textured Piezoelectric Ceramics,” Critical Reviews in Solid State and Materials Sciences, 29:45-96 (2004).