SBIR Phase I: Replacement of Toxic and Polluting Cleaning Processes Using Vacuum Cycle Nucleation

该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目将开发一种基于真空的清洁工艺，该工艺依赖于在污染颗粒停留的表面裂缝处形成蒸汽气泡的趋势。 在内爆时，气泡释放出大量的局部能量，旨在驱逐颗粒。 通过将能量集中在表面，所需的能量比在整个溶剂流中平均增加大量热量或能量的过程少。该项目更广泛的社会/商业影响将是减少清洁部件所需的化学品，能源和水的量。 它还减少了对有害清洁溶剂的需求，这些溶剂会造成环境和健康风险。 这种清洁工艺的潜在应用范围从汽车到医疗和半导体部件。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a vacuum-based cleaning process that relies on the tendency of vapor bubbles to form at surface crevices where contaminate particles lodge. Upon implosion, the bubbles release a large amount of localized energy meant to dislodge particles. By focusing energy at the surface, less energy is required than in processes which add a lot of heat or energy equally across the entire solvent stream.The broader societal/commercial impact of this project will be to reduce the amount of chemicals, energy, and water required for cleaning parts. It also reduces the need for hazardous cleaning solvents which create environmental and health risks. Potential applications for this cleaning process range from auto to medical and semiconductor parts.