Fabrication and Thermomechanical Characterization of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Nanowires

NiTi形状记忆合金纳米线的制备和热机械表征该奖项的研究目标是在纳米尺度上发展对马氏体相变的基本理解以及由此产生的形状记忆合金（SMA）纳米线的热机械行为。形状记忆合金镍钛（NiTi）是纳米生物技术领域的一种很有前途的功能材料，构成了一种理想的、生物相容的纳米机械换能器。该研究将导致合成纳米结构NiTi的方法，并表征其形状记忆性能。 研究方法包括：（1）开发一种新的自下而上的方法来合成NiTi纳米线和纳米柱;（2）实验测量NiTi纳米柱的热机械变形和形状记忆效应;以及（3）使用新的原子模拟来解释实验结果并指导实验测试计划。如果成功，研究结果将为阐明形状记忆合金NiTi纳米线的基本变形机制提供新的思路。实验和模拟方法的积极耦合将产生更深入的理解马氏体相变和位错成核的纳米结构。这项研究的另一个预期好处是开发一种用于纳米级驱动的新材料。对于许多新兴的纳米系统来说，在纳米尺度上调用机械转导的能力是必不可少的。一些创新的应用可能包括：用于装置自组装的定向致动、用于运动的重复致动、压力诱导的局部流体流动、在粘附的细胞或有机分子上产生局部力、来自微型装置的力传递。该项目将吸引研究生研究人员，以及高中学生和教师。

Fabrication and Thermomechanical Characterization of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy NanowiresThe research objective of this award is to develop a fundamental understanding of martensitic phase transformation at nanometer scales and the resulting thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloy (SMA) nanowires. SMA nickel-titanium (NiTi) is a promising functional material for the nano-biotechnology field, constituting an ideal, biocompatible, nanoscale mechanical transducer. The research will result in methods to synthesize nanostructured NiTi and to characterize their resulting shape memory properties. The research approach includes (1) development of a novel bottom-up approach to synthesize NiTi nanowires and nanopillars, (2) experimental measurement of the thermomechanical deformation and shape memory effects of NiTi nanopillars, and (3) use of novel atomistic simulations to interpret experimental findings and guide experimental test plans.If successful, the results of the research will provide original contributions to elucidate the fundamental deformation mechanisms of shape memory alloy NiTi nanowires. The active coupling of the experimental and modeling approaches will yield a deeper understanding of martensitic phase transformation and dislocation nucleation in nanostructures. Another expected benefit of the research is the development of a new material for nanometer scale actuation. The ability to invoke mechanical transduction at the nanoscale is imperative for many emerging nanosystems. Some innovative applications may include: directed actuation for device self assembly, repeated actuation for locomotion, pressure induced local fluid flow, generation of local force on adhered cells or organic molecules, force delivery from a micro-device. The project will engage graduate researchers, as well as high school students and teachers.