Design of CNT Composite Microstructural Characteristics for Enhanced Engineering Functionality and Manufacturability

这项研究的主要目标是研究三个关键的微观结构参数，即(I)碳纳米管-聚合物界面强度；(Ii)碳纳米管取向；(Iii)碳纳米管分散程度，对碳纳米管复合材料的可制造性的影响。为了实现这一目标，将通过使用实验技术来检验加工机理，这些技术包括在原子力显微镜内进行加工，以及使用伊利诺伊大学最近开发的一种新的微划线加工工艺。主要研究人员和他的同事们早先开发的碳纳米管聚合物复合材料模型假设了完美的界面结合，将通过使用两种可能的方法明确地模拟碳纳米管-聚合物界面来增强该模型：将界面建模为微观结构中的第三相，并使用碳纳米管-聚合物界面的内聚区模型。模型验证将使用微型划线过程完成。该项目给社会带来的好处包括加深对碳纳米管-聚合物界面强度对碳纳米管可制造性的影响的了解，并大幅增加其在跨越生物医学、电子和国防等领域的微型应用中的潜力；例如，用于药物输送的微流控电路、更有效地封装的微电子等应用。作为连接纳米世界和宏观世界的桥梁，该项目所追求的研究将促进微制造领域新一代领导者的教育和培训。此外，项目研究人员将积极参加几个校内/校外项目，包括妇女工程项目、少数民族工程项目和麦克奈尔奖学金项目，从而大力鼓励来自代表性不足群体的成员参与。将努力将拟议研究中开发的新的碳纳米管复合材料应用和可加工性问题纳入伊利诺伊大学的新课程和现有课程。

The overarching objective of the proposed research is to study the effects of the three critical microstructural parameters, namely, (i) carbon nanotube-polymer interfacial strength; (ii) carbon nanotube orientation; and (iii) Level of carbon nanotube dispersion, on the manufacturability of carbon nanotube composites. To achieve this objective the machining mechanics will be examined by employing experimental techniques that include both machining inside an atomic force microscope and machining with a new micro-scribing process recently developed at the University of Illinois. The carbon nanotube polymer composite model developed earlier by the principal investigator and his colleagues, which assumed perfect interface bonding, will be enhanced by explicitly modeling the carbon nanotube-polymer interface using two possible approaches; modeling the interface as a third phase in the microstructure, and, using cohesive zone models for the carbon nanotube-polymer interface. Model validation will be accomplished using the micro-scribing processes. The benefits to society of this project include an enhanced understanding of the effects of carbon nanotube-polymer interfacial strength on the manufacturability of carbon nanotubes and a substantial increase of their potential for use in micro-scale applications that span fields including biomedical, electronics and defense; for example, applications such as microfluidic circuits for drug delivery, more effectively packaged micro-electronics. As a bridge between the nano- and the macro-worlds, the research pursued in this project will facilitate the education and training of a new generation of leaders in the field of micro-manufacturing. Further, the project researchers will strongly encourage participation of members from under-represented groups by proactively participating in several on-campus/off-campus programs, including Women in Engineering Program; Minority Engineering Program; the McNair Scholar program. An effort will be made to integrate new carbon nanotube composite applications and machinability issues developed in the proposed research into both new and existing courses at the University of Illinois.