SBIR Phase I: On-Line, Non-Destructive, Rapid Characterization of Nanopowders and Agglomerates

这个小企业创新研究一期项目测试了利用偏振光散射表征纳米级粉末尺寸和形状的可行性。纳米结构是一种新型材料，可以定制结构、电化学、电气、电子、光学、磁性和化学性质。纳米材料能否发展成为有用的器件和产品，在很大程度上取决于在合成、加工和器件生产过程中表征这些材料的能力。目前的表征技术是离线的、缓慢的、昂贵的和不可靠的。协同技术公司（STI）将开发一种创新的在线、可靠、信息丰富和实时的设备。所提出的系统的前驱体已成功地用于表征燃烧过程中纳米尺寸煤烟单体的团块。任务包括准确性评估和表征各种单独的纳米粉末及其团聚体。STI咨询了纳米材料领域的两家领先的商业创新者：Triton Systems和纳米材料研究公司。这些公司对STI的技术非常感兴趣，并渴望帮助他们开发在线商业使用的系统。第一阶段的工作将集中在概念验证上，特别强调纳米粉末团块的结构特征。第二阶段将包括在生产设施中建立和集成用于在线测试的原型装置。

9960509ManickavasagamThis Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project tests the feasibility of using polarized light scattering for characterization of nano-sized powder size and shape. Nanostructures are a novel family of materials that allow customized structural, electrochemical, electrical, electronic, optical, magnetic, and chemical properties. The development of nanomaterials into useful devices and products depends in large part on the ability to characterize these materials during synthesis, processing, and device production. Current characterization techniques are off-line, slow, expensive, and unreliable. Synergetic Technologies, Inc. (STI) will develop an innovative on-line, reliable, information-rich and real-time device. A precursor of the proposed system has been successfully used to characterize agglomerates of nano-sized soot monomers from combustion processes. Tasks include accuracy assessment and characterizing a variety of individual nanopowders and their agglomerates. STI has consulted with two leading commercial innovators in the nanomaterials area: Triton Systems and Nanomaterials Research Corporation. These companies have great interest in STI's technology and are eager to assist them in developing a system for on-line commercial use.Phase I efforts will focus on proof-of-concept, with special emphasis directed atcharacterizing the structure of nano-powder agglomerates.Phase II will involve building and integrating a prototype unitfor on-line testing at a production facility.