MRI-R2: Acquisition of Nanomechanical Systems for in situ Mechanical Characterization of Materials in Application Environments

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。该主要研究仪器（MRI-R2）奖的目标是获得几个补充仪器，以建立在受控环境和外部刺激下材料机械行为的微纳米表征的强大能力。具体来说，将获得一个纳米压头和一个纳米冲击/疲劳测试仪，能够在受控温度、大气和液体环境下工作，同时在热、电、电化学和生物刺激下工作。这些仪器将促进和加强一些研究和教育活动，包括理解和开发：(1)电化学储能新材料；(2)航空航天和汽车用轻量化材料；(3)电子互连、微机电装置（MEMS）、微流体装置的无铅焊接；(4)生物医学应用的生物材料和多功能智能材料。推进这些技术需要在微观和纳米尺度上测量功能和结构材料在应用环境中的机械行为。在未来十年，耦合机械-X（其中X可以是热、电、电化学或生物刺激）将成为科学追求的一个活跃领域，具有广泛的应用。应用条件下的原位纳米力学测量将加速许多关键技术领域的材料研究，包括更强大和更持久的电池，更轻和更坚固的汽车和飞机材料，以及更坚固的生物相容性和生物可降解植入物。研究生和本科生将受益于动手实验室训练和参与使用原位纳米机械系统的研究。这些仪器将对来自多个学科的教职员工、学生和工业合作伙伴开放，他们对纳米力学表征有共同的兴趣和需求。这些仪器支持的研究活动将影响汽车、航空航天、电子、医药、能源转换和存储等关键领域。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The objective of this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI-R2) award is to acquire several complementary instruments to establish a strong capability in micro- and nano-characterization of mechanical behavior of materials in controlled environments and under external stimuli. Specifically, a nanoindenter and a nano-impact/fatigue tester will be acquired that are capable of operating in controlled temperature, atmosphere, and liquid environment while under thermal, electrical, electrochemical, and biological stimuli. The instruments will enable and enhance several research and education activities, including understanding and developing: (1) new materials for electrochemical energy storage; (2) lightweight materials for aerospace and automotive applications; (3) lead-free soldering for electronic interconnects, micro-electromechanical devices (MEMS), and micro-fluidic devices; and (4) biomaterials and multi-functional, smart materials for biomedical applications. Advancing these technologies requires measuring, at the micro- and nano-meter scale, mechanical behavior of functional and structural materials in application environments.In the coming decade, coupled mechanical-X (where X can be thermal, electrical, electrochemical, or biological stimuli) will emerge as an active field of scientific pursuit with a broad range of applications. In situ nanomechanical measurements at application conditions will accelerate materials research in many critical technology areas, including more powerful and longer lasting batteries, lighter and stronger materials for automobiles and airplanes, and more robust bio-compatible and bio-degradable implants. Graduate and undergraduate students will benefit through hands-on laboratory training and participation in the research using the in situ nanomechanical systems. The instruments will be accessible to faculty members, students, and industrial partners from multiple disciplines who have a shared interest and a common need for nanomechanical characterization. The research activities enabled by the instruments will impact critical areas such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, medicine, and energy conversion and storage.