CAREER: A Mechatronic-based Research and Educational Framework for Next Generation Actuators and Sensors Comprised of Functional Nanotube Composites

这个教师早期职业发展（CAREER）计划奖是通过系统工程宏观结构组成的功能纳米管开发下一代功能材料。 纳米晶体和纳米结构经常被引用为候选材料，可以被设计为表现出增强的或全新的特性，用于不同的应用。 具体来说，在这个项目中，单个氮化硼（BN）纳米管表现出类似于自然界中发现的致动机制（即，滑动-粘附原纤维运动）将被组装以产生新的功能宏观结构。 这一新概念源于新观察到的BN纳米管中的压电（PZT）效应，该效应可用于制造具有可控膨胀和收缩以及惊人的电气和机械性能的陶瓷压电纤维。 目前，人们对纳米管网络的这种致动知之甚少，但如果能够利用这种特性来制造轻质、坚固、多功能的复合材料，那么在未来将带来巨大的回报。 为实现这一发展，该项目将针对：i）设计和开发由BN纳米管制成的功能性纳米管基复合纤维，ii）设计和开发由功能性纳米管复合材料组成的宏观致动器和传感器，（三）最终分析模型和控制实验的发展，以便能够操纵纳米级性能和制造参数，以达到所需的宏观性能 这里的假设是，这种基于系统理论的方法将促进最终宏观结构致动器/传感器子系统的迭代设计过程的自动化，并提供不同纳米到宏观配置之间的模块化和可互换性。这大大增加了致动器的冲程和应力产生能力，远高于当前技术。 这种致动器/传感器配置具有以下潜力：i）通过利用基于纳米管的设备为未来纳米级机器人技术建立一些早期基础，ii）通过更好地理解纳米管驱动机制来创建下一代纳米级泵和纳米发动机，以及（iii）在许多科学学科中的利用，例如振动控制、生物医学应用（药物递送和肿瘤去除）和发电应用。 这个职业生涯项目的教育计划是通过涉及高中学生，K-12数学，计算机科学和物理教师，本科生和研究生，培养拟议的研究计划的跨学科方面。 具体来说，该计划将包括关于基于纳米管的致动器和传感器的新跨学科研究生课程开发和实施，以及通过克莱姆森大学的两个屡获殊荣的项目为代表性不足的少数族裔和弱势学生提供保留和指导计划（同侪方案-教育充实和保留方案和WISE方案-科学和工程领域的妇女），通过为高中学生和K-12教师采用基于探究的合作学习计划，利用两项NSF资助的倡议，为中等教育提供外展计划（克莱姆森GK-12项目和南卡罗来纳州系统倡议的AOP中心的SMTG项目），最后，通过米其林公司和橡树岭国家实验室的固态部门，发展汽车工业和政府的伙伴关系。

This Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award is to develop next-generation functional materials by systemically engineering macroscopic structures comprised of functional nanotubes. Nanocrystals and nanostructures are often cited as candidate materials that can be engineered to exhibit enhanced or entirely new properties for use in different applications. Specifically in this project, the individual boron nitride (BN) nanotubes that exhibit actuation mechanisms similar to that found in nature (i.e., slip-stick fibrillar motion) will be assembled to create new functional macrostructures. This novel concept originates from the newly observed piezoelectric (PZT) effect in BN nanotubes, which can be utilized to fabricate ceramic piezoelectric fibers with controllable expansion and contraction and astounding electrical and mechanical properties. Such actuation of nanotube networks is poorly understood at present, yet offers immense payoffs in the future if this property can be harnessed to make lightweight, strong, multifunctional composites. To achieve such development, this project will target: i) design and development of functional nanotube-based composite fibers made of BN nanotubes, ii) design and development of macroscopic actuators and sensors comprised of functional nanotube composites, and ultimately iii) development of analytical models and control experiment in order to be able to manipulate the nanoscopic properties and fabrication parameters to arrive at the desired macroscopic performance. The hypothesis here is that such systems theory-based approach will facilitate the automation of an iterative design process for the final macrostructure actuator/sensor subsystems and provide modularity and interchangeability between different nanoscopic to macroscopic configurations.This research project offers a promising new type of actuator/sensor configuration that is based on dimensional changes and requires no dopant intercalation, which tremendously increases the actuator stroke and stress generation capabilities way above current technology. This actuator/sensor configuration has the potential for: i) establishing some of the early foundations for future nano-scale robotics via the utilization of nanotube-based devices, ii) creating next generation nano-scale pumps and nano-engines via a better understanding of the nanotube actuation mechanism, and (iii) utilization in many scientific disciplines such as vibration control, biomedical applications (drug delivery and tumor removal), and power generation applications. The educational plan of this CAREER project is centered on fostering the interdisciplinary aspects of the proposed research program through involving high-school students, K-12 math, computer science and physics teachers, undergraduate and graduate students. Specifically, this plan will include new cross-disciplinary graduate course development and implementation on nanotube-based actuators and sensors, retention and mentoring plan for underrepresented minorities and under-privileged students through two award-winning programs at Clemson University (PEER Program - Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention and the WISE Program - Women In Science and Engineering), outreach program for secondary education through employing inquiry-based cooperative learning program for high-school students and K-12 teachers utilizing two NSF-funded initiatives (Clemson GK-12 project and the SMTG project of the AOP Hub of the South Carolina State Systematic Initiative), and finally development of an academe-industry-government partnership through Michelin Corporation and Solid State Division of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.