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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The defense will be held on April 29th 1-3 pm in the MREB Room 126. </span><br>
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
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"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;letter-spacing:-.05pt">Temperature</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
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</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
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"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;letter-spacing:-.05pt">Synthesis</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
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</span></b><b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">of<span style="letter-spacing:
-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:.05pt">
</span>or<span style="letter-spacing:.05pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">Ruby</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">
</span>and</span></b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
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<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
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letter-spacing:-.05pt">Applications</span></b></p>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Chairman</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of the<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span>Committee: </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Dr.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Stanko R.
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Brankovic, </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Professor</span><span style="letter-spacing:
1.55pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Electrical</span> and <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">
Computer</span> <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Engineering</span></span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
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<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
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<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0.55pt 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size:16.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt;">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
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</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Members:</span></span><span style="font-size:
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 152%;"><br style="mso-column-break-before:
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<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; margin: 4.2pt 27.8pt 0.0001pt 24pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:
"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; letter-spacing:-.05pt">Dr. Francisco</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:
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C. Robles, <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Associate</span> <span style="letter-spacing:
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Professor</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.35pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Mechanical</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">Engineering</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span>Technology</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; margin: 4.2pt 27.8pt 0.0001pt 24pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Dr.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Yan</span> Yao, <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Associate
Professor</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Electrical</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span>and <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Computer </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; margin: 4.2pt 27.8pt 0.0001pt 24pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Dr.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Jiming<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Bao,</span> Associate<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> Professor</span><span style="letter-spacing: 1.35pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Electrical</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;"> </span>and <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Computer</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; margin: 4.2pt 27.8pt 0.0001pt 24pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Dr.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Debora</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Rodrigues,</span> Associate<span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> Professor</span><span style="letter-spacing: 2.15pt;"> </span>Civil
and <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Environmental</span> <span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering</span></span></p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; margin: 4.2pt 27.8pt 0.0001pt 24pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Dr. Suresh</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Khator,</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">Associate
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Dean, </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Cullen</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">College </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">of</span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.05pt; font-weight: normal; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; text-align: center; margin: 4.2pt 27.8pt 0.0001pt 24pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt;">Dr.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt;"> Alamgir
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Karim,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Program</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt;">
Director </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt;">Material </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; text-indent: -0.05pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Program</span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:
11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:
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</span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; margin: 3.45pt 182.15pt 0.0001pt 202.2pt; text-indent: -0.05pt; line-height: 153%;">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:
11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family:
Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">An
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Abstract</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.25pt">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt"> </span>a <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">
Dissertation</span><span style="letter-spacing:
1.0pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Presented</span> to </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">The</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">faculty</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">of the</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;"> Material</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Science</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">&</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Program</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 3.05pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">University</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: 0.05pt;">of</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Houston </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: -0.1pt;">In</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Partial <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Fulfillment </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">of the<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Requirements</span> for the<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Degree</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Doctor</span> of<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">
</span>Philosophy </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">in
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Material</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.05pt;">Engineering </span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; margin: 3.45pt 182.15pt 0.0001pt 202.2pt; text-indent: -0.05pt; line-height: 153%;">
<span style="text-indent: 23.15pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; letter-spacing: 0.1pt;">b</span><span style="text-indent: 23.15pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">y Wenli
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Yang</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; margin: 9.15pt 182.4pt 0.0001pt 202.6pt; text-indent: 23.15pt; line-height: 152%;">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:17.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in 150.9pt 0.0001pt 170.85pt;">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">May<span style="letter-spacing:
-.25pt">
</span>2019</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
</div>
<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;
mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br style="page-break-before:always;
mso-break-type:section-break">
</span>
<div style="page: WordSection5">
<p align="center" style="text-align: center; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; margin: 3.1pt 0in 0.0001pt 17.8pt;">
<b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:
11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
letter-spacing:-.05pt">ABSTRACT</span></b><span style="font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<b><span style="font-size:23.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></b></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 39pt;">
<span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">Sapphire</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.4pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.1pt">or</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.45pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt">ruby<span style="letter-spacing:-.5pt">
</span>as<span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt"> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.5pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">single</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.5pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">crystal</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">á-Al</span></span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">2</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">O</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">3</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:.65pt">
</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt">phase<span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">is</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">gaining</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.5pt">
</span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.4pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">lot</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">of</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">attention</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.5pt"></span>in<span style="letter-spacing:-.5pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">recent</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.3pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">years</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span>due<span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt"> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">its</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">thermal,</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">mechanical</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">optical</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">properties.</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.4pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">The</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">current</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">study</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.4pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">presents</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">unique</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">method</span><span style="letter-spacing:.8pt">
</span>to<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesize</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.85pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span>or<span style="letter-spacing:.75pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">ruby,</span><span style="letter-spacing:.8pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">which</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">optimize</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt"></span>the<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">traditional</span><span style="letter-spacing:.75pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesis</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">process,</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span>and</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">explores</span><span style="letter-spacing:.6pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">some</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing:.75pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">their</span><span style="letter-spacing:.75pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">applications</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.75pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">such</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span>as<span style="letter-spacing:.75pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">high</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">refractive</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">index</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:.05pt">thin</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">film</span><span style="letter-spacing:.5pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">coating</span><span style="letter-spacing:.65pt">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">stress</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">transferring</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">material.</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">In</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesis</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">process, pseudoboehmite</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">(PB)</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">is</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span>used<span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">as</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span>a<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">precursor</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">and</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">mechanical</span> <span style="letter-spacing:2.55pt">
<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milling</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:2.4pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>is
<span style="letter-spacing:2.4pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">employed</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>to
<span style="letter-spacing:2.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">reduce</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:2.4pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>the
<span style="letter-spacing:2.3pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>phase
<span style="letter-spacing:2.4pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">transformation</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.4pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">temperature</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:
2.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.1pt">of</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">pseudoboehmite</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>to<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:.45pt"></span>or<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">ruby.</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>The<span style="letter-spacing:.65pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">phase</span><span style="letter-spacing:.4pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">transformation</span><span style="letter-spacing:.45pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">of</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing:.55pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milled</span><span style="letter-spacing:.45pt">
</span>PB<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">samples</span><span style="letter-spacing:.5pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">was</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">investigated</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span>by<span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">various</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.35pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">characterization</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">techniques.</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">XRD</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.3pt">
</span>data<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">showed</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">that</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.2pt">
</span>PB<span style="letter-spacing:-.45pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">structure</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">is</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">first</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:
1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesized</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:2.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt">as<span style="letter-spacing:2.05pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">raw</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.0pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">material,</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.0pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">followed</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.05pt">
</span>by<span style="letter-spacing:1.9pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">its</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.05pt">
</span>room<span style="letter-spacing:1.85pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">temperature</span><span style="letter-spacing:2.0pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">transformation</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.9pt">
</span>to<span style="letter-spacing:2.4pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">÷-Al</span></span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">2</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">O</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">3</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:
1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">Raman</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:1.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt">spectrum<span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing:1.05pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">HRTEM</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.05pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">confirmed</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.0pt">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing:1.05pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">presence</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.3pt"></span>of<span style="letter-spacing:1.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">á-Al</span></span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
letter-spacing:-.05pt">2</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">O</span><span style="font-size:
7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">3</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt">
<span style="letter-spacing:
.3pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt">and<span style="letter-spacing:1.0pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">÷-Al</span></span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">2</span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt; letter-spacing:-.05pt">O</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;letter-spacing:-.05pt">3</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt">
<span style="letter-spacing:
.55pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span><span style="top:-1.0pt; mso-text-raise:1.0pt">phase<span style="letter-spacing:1.05pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">in</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.05pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">the</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.15pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
30hr <span style="letter-spacing:.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milled</span><span style="letter-spacing:.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>PB
<span style="letter-spacing:.3pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sample.</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">Through</span><span style="letter-spacing:.45pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">the</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">proposed</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesis</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:
.35pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">method,</span>
<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">there</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>is
<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span>a
<span style="letter-spacing:.5pt"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">significant</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">temperature</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">reduction</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">(approximately</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">200°C)</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span>for<span style="letter-spacing:.75pt"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">complete</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">transformation</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span>to<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">or</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
ruby<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"> </span>during<span style="letter-spacing:.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">annealing,</span><span style="letter-spacing:.8pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">which</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span>is<span style="letter-spacing:.85pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">confirmed</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt"></span>from<span style="letter-spacing:.65pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">thermal</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">analysis.</span><span style="letter-spacing:.75pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:.05pt">This</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.85pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">is</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span>due<span style="letter-spacing:.85pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">to</span><span style="letter-spacing:.85pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:.7pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">or</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
ruby<span style="letter-spacing:.2pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">seeds</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">are</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesized</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.35pt">
</span>at<span style="letter-spacing:.4pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">room</span><span style="letter-spacing:.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">temperature</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.25pt">
</span>in<span style="letter-spacing:.2pt"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milled</span><span style="letter-spacing:.65pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sample</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">serve</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">as</span><span style="letter-spacing:.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">hetero</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sites</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
for <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">nucleation</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span>in<span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt"> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">annealing</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">process.</span></p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Calibri"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><br>
</span></font></div>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 7pt 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-indent: 39pt;">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">In</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"> </span>
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">addition,</span> XPS<span style="letter-spacing:
.05pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">and</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">EELS analysis</span> <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">
shows</span> <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">unique</span><span style="letter-spacing:.3pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">band</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">gap</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">effects,</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">both</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.1pt">
</span>of <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">them </span>are</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">consistent</span><span style="letter-spacing:.55pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">with</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">theoretical</span><span style="letter-spacing:.4pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">value</span><span style="letter-spacing:.6pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">for</span><span style="letter-spacing:.5pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">two</span><span style="letter-spacing:.45pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">random</span><span style="letter-spacing:.3pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">choosing</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">samples</span><span style="letter-spacing:.5pt">
</span>(PB<span style="letter-spacing:.6pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milled</span><span style="letter-spacing:.45pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">10hr</span><span style="letter-spacing:.5pt">
</span>and<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">30hr</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">samples).</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.4pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">This</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">indicates</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">the</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">reliability</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt"> </span>XPS<span style="letter-spacing:-.3pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">band</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">gap</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">results.</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">It </span>is<span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">found</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span>it<span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt"> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">possible</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span>to<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span>tune</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
the<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span>band<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">gap</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt"> of</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">alumina</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">during</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">mechanical</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milling</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">through</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">quantum</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.3pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">confinement.</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">FTIR</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">result</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
shows<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">that</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span>PB<span style="letter-spacing:-.3pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">lose</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">water</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">content</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">from</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.45pt">
</span>its<span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">structure,</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">which</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span>can<span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">releases</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.2pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">its</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">surface</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">strain</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">during</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
the<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">milling</span><span style="letter-spacing:.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">process,</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">therefore</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">cold</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">welding</span><span style="letter-spacing:.2pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">induces</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">the</span><span style="letter-spacing:.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">increase</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing:.35pt"> </span>PB<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">grain</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">size.</span><span style="letter-spacing:.35pt">
</span>The<span style="letter-spacing:.25pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">current</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
study<span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">also</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">involved</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt"></span>the<span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:
-.05pt">application</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt">
</span>of<span style="letter-spacing:1.6pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.75pt">
</span>or<span style="letter-spacing:1.6pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">ruby</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt">
</span>thin<span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">films,</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">which</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.7pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">are</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.55pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">deposited</span><span style="letter-spacing:1.65pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.15pt">on</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.25pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">substrates</span> <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">
through</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"> </span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">ion</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">beam</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">sputtering from</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.05pt">
</span>the<span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"> </span>low<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt"> temperature</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.1pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">synthesized</span> <span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">
sapphire</span><span style="letter-spacing:.1pt"></span><span style="letter-spacing:-.1pt">or</span><span style="letter-spacing:
.15pt">
</span><span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">ruby</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:
"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri;margin-top:.4pt">
<span style="font-size:14.5pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman""></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 24pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<span style="letter-spacing:-.05pt">target.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<div></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
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