Collaborative Research: Atomic Plane Electrical Contacts

这项研究的目的是了解纳米尺度（十亿分之一米）结构如何影响电接触电阻和使用寿命。 众所周知，粗糙的表面磨损很快，但为了使开关和继电器的电接触更好，表面应该有多光滑？ 该方法是测试表面与纳米级粗糙度的应用薄膜涂层，包括碳纳米管直接生长在接触测试沿着与一个特殊的设备，用于评估涂层表面样品选择高循环测试的候选材料。 这些合同将定期进行评估，以了解其长期表面行为。 将建立数学模型来预测性能，并用于帮助设计寿命更长的低电阻微型电气开关。这项研究的社会影响包括教育和工业效益。 现代社会离不开电子产品，电子设备离不开可靠的高质量开关。 随着电子产品的缩小，开关也必须缩小。 在教育方面，一位麻省理工学院的博士。毕业生，谁一直在教内城高中学生，和学生，从俄勒冈州立大学和麻省理工学院将共同努力，开发新的纳米科学为中心的教学材料，用于核心数学和科学类。 在工业上，这项研究将能够创造更低电阻更长寿命的电接触。 工业合作伙伴将能够制造更小的电子探针来测试硅微芯片。

The objective of this research is to develop an understanding of how nanometer scale (one billionth of a meter) structures affect electrical contact resistance and useful life. It is known that rough surfaces wear quickly, but how smooth should surfaces be to make better electrical contacts for switches and relays? The approach is to test surfaces with nanometer-scale roughness to which are applied thin-film coatings, including carbon nanotubes grown directly on the contact testing along with a special apparatus for evaluating coated surfaces samples to choose candidate materials for high-cycle testing. The contracts will be evaluated at regular intervals to develop an understanding of their long-term surface behavior. Mathematical models will be made to predict performance and used to help design longer lasting lower resistance miniature electrical switches.The societal impact of this research includes educational and industrial benefits. Modern society cannot function without electronics, and electronic devices cannot function without reliable high quality switches. As electronics shrink, so must the switches. Educationally, a recent MIT Ph.D. graduate, who has been teaching inner-city high school students, and students, from OSU and MIT will work together to develop new nanoscience-centered teaching materials for use in core math an science classes. Industrially, this research will enable the creation of lower resistance longer life electrical contacts. The industrial partner will be able to make smaller electrical probes for testing silicon microchips.