Materials World Network: Novel Interface and Strain Control in Epitaxial Nanocomposite Films

非技术描述：这个材料世界网络项目探索了垂直应变控制纳米复合材料(VSCN)系统中垂直应变控制的基本知识，它允许应变层的生长远远超过传统的临界厚度。该项目涉及德克萨斯农工大学(TAMU)的王海燕博士和剑桥大学(UCAM)的朱迪思·德里斯科尔博士之间的广泛合作。后者的资金由英国工程和物理科学研究理事会(EPSRC)提供。这项研究的更广泛影响是：1)初级研究人员参与了国际多学科培训，并在两所大学和洛斯阿拉莫斯国家实验室获得了互补的研究经验；2)两所大学的材料科学和工程课程正在得到加强；3)通过TAMU的高中教师暑期研究计划、TAMU的女性工程师论坛和女性导师计划、新墨西哥大学(一所为拉美裔服务的机构)的暑期学校计划、一年一度的女子学校协会活动和UCAM.TECHNICAL的剑桥科学节，这些成果正在向更广泛的受众传播。技术细节：该项目致力于研究与单层或多层薄膜相比可以提供更好的物理性能的VSCN薄膜。基础科学研究的重点是了解应变、界面兼容性和横向排序的限制。正在发展和探索新的系统，以展示VSCN方法的威力，最后正在进行强大增强的VSCN系统的功能适用性的演示。各种表征技术，如高分辨率的X射线衍射仪和透射电子显微镜(结合STEM和EELS)，以及物理性质的测量，正在被用来研究VSCN薄膜的结构-性能关系。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: This Materials World Network project explores the fundamental understanding of vertical strain-control in vertical strain controlled nanocomposite (VSCN) systems, which allows growth of strained layers far in excess of the conventional critical thickness. The project involves extensive collaboration between Dr. Haiyan Wang from Texas A & M University (TAMU) and Dr. Judith Driscoll from the University of Cambridge (UCAM). Funding for the latter is provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in the UK. The broader impact of the research is: 1) junior researchers are involved in international multidisciplinary training and are gaining complementary research experience at both universities and at Los Alamos National Laboratory; 2) the materials science and engineering curricula at both universities is being enhanced; and 3) the results are being disseminated to a much broader audience through the summer research program for high school teachers at TAMU, the Woman Engineer Forum and the Woman Mentor Program at TAMU, the Summer School Program at the University of New Mexico (a Hispanic-Serving Institution), Annual Girls School Association events and the Cambridge Science Festival at UCAM.TECHNICAL DETAILS: This project is concerned with studying VSCN films that can give better physical properties compared to single layer or multilayer films. Basic scientific research is focused on understanding the limitations to strain, interface compatibilities, and lateral ordering. New systems are being grown and explored to demonstrate the power of the VSCN method, and finally demonstrations of the functional applicability of the strongly enhanced VSCN systems are being carried out. Various characterization techniques, such as high resolution XRD and TEM (combined with STEM and EELS), as well as physical property measurements are being utilized to investigate the structure-property relationships of VSCN films.