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，特别侧重于从纳米复合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的开发；(2)基于MEMS的集成传感的开发；(3)反应波传播控制机制的确定；(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是利用集成传感器的微型制造测试结构进行的。燃烧行为的测量是使用高速诊断技术获得的，以允许对燃烧波进行成像(即，确定火焰速度并观察旋转燃烧或脉动波)。用扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射仪对反应物和产物进行了表征。一种合成的产品材料与我们的工业合作伙伴太阳能涡轮机公司一起在商业应用中进行了实验测试。实验工作还得到了理论分析和软件开发的补充，该商业模拟包包含用于数值解决传热、多相流和反应流问题的模块。该方案中开发的材料将作为涂层应用于燃气轮机部件，以提高系统的性能和耐久性。新开发的材料涂层起到了防止高温氧化和腐蚀的保护作用，而高温氧化和腐蚀是涡轮部件发生的主要退化机制。当受到典型燃烧环境的热气流影响时，新开发的涂层将抵抗表面攻击，并保持组件的机械性能。这项研究包含了“以项目为基础”的教学内容。学生们将以小组形式开展与本研究相关的项目。他们学习如何制造纳米系统，对反应样品进行燃烧研究，并对最终产品进行表征。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和本科生工程师联系起来。这种经验指导学生做出职业选择，证明他们的课程工作与解决实际问题的相关性，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.