NIRT: Nanocomposite Reactions in the Self-propagating High Temperature Synthesis of Materials

该计划整合了燃烧领域的研究和教育，特别关注从纳米复合材料反应物中自蔓延高温合成（SHS）新材料。研究目的是了解反应物特性对燃烧合成过程的影响，以及对最终产物微观结构的影响。这项工作有五个主要阶段：（1）在随机介质和多层箔中处理反应物的技术开发;（2）基于MEMS的集成传感器的开发;（3）确定反应波传播的控制机制;（4）初始和最终产品的表征;以及（5）燃烧合成材料的商业应用演示。反应波的温度和压力测量使用集成传感器的微制造测试结构。使用高速诊断技术获得燃烧行为的测量以允许燃烧波的成像（即，以确定火焰速度并观察旋转燃烧或脉动波）。使用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）和X射线衍射（XRD）分析来表征反应物和产物。我们的工业合作伙伴Solar Turbines，Inc.在商业应用中对合成产品材料进行了实验测试。实验工作是补充理论分析和软件开发，使用商业模拟包，其中包含模块，以数值方式解决传热，多相流和反应流的问题。本计划中开发的材料用作燃气涡轮机部件的涂层，以提高系统的性能和耐久性。新开发的材料涂层可作为防止高温氧化和腐蚀的保护屏障，高温氧化和腐蚀是涡轮机部分的主要退化机制。当受到典型燃烧环境的热气流时，新开发的涂层将抵抗表面侵蚀并保持部件的机械性能。该研究采用了"基于项目"的教学组成部分。学生将在与本研究相关的项目团队工作。他们学习制造纳米级系统，对反应样品进行燃烧研究，并表征最终产品。该项目还包括一个指导计划，在支持性的工作环境中将研究生与本科生工程师联系起来。这种经验指导学生做出职业选择，展示他们的课程与解决真实的问题的相关性，并有助于他们的全面准备。

This plan integrates research and education in the area of combustion, specifically focusing on self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) of new materials from nanocomposite reactants. The research objective is to understand the influence of reactant characteristics on the combustion synthesis process, and on the microstructure of the final product. The work has five primary phases: (1) development of techniques to process reactants, both in random media and multi-layered foils; (2) development of integrated MEMS-based sensing; (3) determination of the controlling mechanisms of reaction wave propagation; (4) characterization of the initial and final products; and (5) demonstration of a commercial application of a combustion-synthesized material. Temperature and pressure measurements of the reacting wave are made using micro-fabricated test structures with integrated sensors. Measurements of combustion behaviors are obtained using high-speed diagnostic techniques to allow imaging of combustion waves (i.e., to determine flame speeds and to observe spinning combustion or pulsating waves). Reactants and products are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. A synthesized product material is tested experimentally on a commercial application with our industrial partner, Solar Turbines, Inc. The experimental effort is complemented by theoretical analysis and software development using a commercial simulation package that contains modules to numerically solve problems in heat transfer, multi-phase flow and reacting flows. The materials developed in this plan are applied as coatings on gas turbine components to improve the performance and durability of the system. The newly developed material coatings act as a protective barrier against high-temperature oxidation and corrosion, which are the main degradation mechanisms that occur in the turbine sections. When subjected to the hot gas streams of a typical combustion environment, the newly developed coatings will resist surface attack and maintain the component's mechanical properties. The study incorporates a "project-based" instruction component. Students will work in teams on projects relating to this research. They learn about fabricating nano-scale systems, perform combustion studies on the reacting samples, and characterize the final products. The project also includes a mentoring program, linking graduate with undergraduate engineers in a supportive work environment. This experience guides students in making career choices, demonstrates the relevance of their coursework to solving real problems, and contributes to their overall preparedness.