ROLLA, Mo. – Two students from the University of Missouri-Rolla each received research awards from the Glass and Optical Materials Division of the American Ceramic Society (ACerS) during a conference held Oct. 13-16 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Adam Lang of Warrensburg, Mo. , a graduate student in ceramic engineering, placed second in the student poster contest with "The effect of structure on the mechanical properties of phosphate glass fibers." Lang determined the strength of glass fibers in the air and in liquid nitrogen. He was also able to relate the strength to the molecular structure of the glasses.

Brad Tischendorf of Rolla, Mo., a Ph.D. student in ceramic engineering, placed third in the student poster contest with "Weathering reactions on phosphate glass surfaces." Tischendorf’s research shows how atmospheric conditions might degrade the optical amplifiers used in the world’s largest laser, the National Ignition Facility at Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL). His goal is to help LLNL predict the performance characteristics of their amplifiers and to provide information about the design of chemically stable compositions.

For the student poster contest, students displayed and explained their research project to judges.

ACerS is an international association that provides technical, scientific and educational information to its members and others in thenceramics and related materials field.