Mechanics of Damping in Nanostructured Materials

NSF提案的标题：纳米结构材料中的减振机理在该提案中，提出了一种建模和实验相结合的方法来重点研究纳米结构材料的减振性能，如碳纳米管(CNT)和碳纳米管增强聚合物复合材料。对于开发纳米级传感器和执行器、纳米复合材料、NEMS和纳米电子元件等应用来说，了解由于长度尺度的急剧减小而产生的衰减的起源是至关重要的。随着纳米尺度表面体积比的急剧增加，研究纳米尺度表面和界面的影响成为研究的一个重要方面。随着纳米结构材料与不同类型、在不同空间和时间尺度上运行的其他材料或系统相结合，这些效应变得重要起来。更具体地说，将开发一种多尺度的建模和仿真方法来研究碳纳米管和碳纳米管基聚合物复合材料的减振性能；然后，建模研究将与实验程序相结合，以探索各种内在和外部参数，如结构、缺陷、温度、湿度和界面结合，这些参数对于理解碳纳米管和碳纳米管相关复合材料的减振机理至关重要。最后，所获得的研究成果将被完全纳入一项针对广泛受众的创新教育计划，包括毕业生、本科生、K-12和代表性不足的群体。由于该项目的主题也是研究界和产业界的主要兴趣所在，预计将通过造福国家经济来产生社会影响。

Title of the NSF Proposal: Mechanics of Damping in Nanostructured MaterialsIn this proposal, an integrated modeling and experimental approach is proposed to have a focused study on the damping properties of nanostructured materials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNT) and CNT reinforce polymer composites. Understanding the origin of damping due to the dramatic reduction in the length scale is essential for developing applications such as nanoscale sensors and actuators, nanocomposites, NEMS, and components for nanoelectronics. With the dramatic increase in the surface-to-volume ratio at the nanometer length scale, a critical aspect of the research is to study the effects of nanoscale surface and interface. These effects become important as nanostructured materials are integrated with other materials or systems that are of different types and operate at different spatial and temporal scales. More specifically, a multiscale modeling and simulation approach will be developed for studying damping properties in CNT and CNT-based polymer composites; The modeling study will then be combined with an experimental program to explore various intrinsic and extrinsic parameters, such as structure, defect, temperature, humidity, and interface binding, that are critical for understanding the damping mechanism in CNT and CNT related composites. Finally, The research results obtained will be fully incorporated into an innovative educational program that targets at a wide range of audiences, including gradates, undergraduates, K-12 and underrepresented groups. Since the topic of this project is also of the key interest of both research communities and industries, the societal impact is expected through benefiting the nation's economy.