Mechanical Characterization of Atomically Thin Membranes

Ruoff小组将对原子级薄膜的机械性能进行研究。将使用两种工具进行这些测量：原子力显微镜将直接对膜施加应力。将单独使用光学轮廓仪测量膜的挠曲作为施加压力的函数。将测量几种不同的材料：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。将开发模型，以更好地了解这些非常薄的薄膜的力学行为，并提取基本的机械性能从实验数据。这种原子级薄膜将发现在一系列重要的应用，如压力传感，机电和化学传感元件的使用。为单个层和少数层堆叠的机械响应建立的数据库将与理解这种薄血小板在复合材料中以及在纳米电子学和传感器等各种应用中所起的作用有关。该项目包括重要的推广，如研究生和博士后研究员的研究培训，高中和本科生和高中教师的暑期研究经验，在UT奥斯汀使用的课程材料的补充，以及7-12年级的课程开发。研究成果将通过在高质量期刊上发表，以及在大学、国家实验室、研究所和其他公共论坛、国际会议上应邀发表演讲和在一个引人注目的网站上传播。

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.