Mechanical Characterization of Atomically Thin Membranes

Ruoff小组将对原子薄膜的机械性能进行研究。两种工具将用于进行这些测量：原子力显微镜将直接对膜施加压力。光学轮廓仪将单独用于测量膜的挠度作为施加压力的函数。几种不同的材料将被测量：原子厚度的石墨烯、氧化石墨烯、单层粘土和非常薄的无定形碳膜。为了更好地理解这些非常薄的薄膜的力学行为，并从实验数据中提取基本的力学性能，将开发模型。这种原子薄膜将在许多重要的应用中找到用途，例如压力传感，机电和化学传感元件。为单个层和少数层堆叠的机械响应建立的数据库将有助于理解这种薄血小板在复合材料中的作用，以及在纳米电子学和传感器等各种应用中的作用。该项目包括重要的扩展，如研究生和博士后研究培训，高中和本科生和高中教师的暑期研究经验，德州大学奥斯汀分校使用的课程材料的补充，以及7-12年级的课程开发。研究成果将在高质量的期刊上发表，并在大学、国家实验室、研究所和其他公共论坛、国际会议和一个高度可见的网站上应邀发表演讲。

The Ruoff group will undertake studies of the mechanical properties of atomically thin membranes. Two tools will be used to make these measurements: An atomic force microscope will directly stress the membranes. An optical profilometer will separately be used to measure the deflection of the membranes as a function of applied pressure. Several different materials will be measured: atom-thick graphene, oxidized graphene, single layer clays, and very thin amorphous carbon films. Models will be developed to better understand the mechanical behavior of these very thin films and to extract the basic mechanical properties from the experimental data.Such atomically thin membranes will find use in a host of important applications, such as for pressure sensing, and as electromechanical and chemical sensing elements. The database established for the mechanical response of individual layers and few-layer stacks will be relevant to understanding the role such thin platelets play in composite materials, and in a variety of applications such as nanoelectronics and senors. The project includes significant outreach such as research training for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, summer research experiences for high school and undergraduate students and high school teachers, additions to course materials used at UT Austin, and curriculum development for grades 7-12. Research results will be disseminated by publication in quality journals, and invited talks at universities, national laboratories, institutes, and other public forums, at international conferences, and on a highly visible web site.