Collaborative Research: Microscale Joining Using Nanoheater Structures

这项拨款为一个多机构、多学科的项目提供资金，以了解复合纳米加热器-连接材料结构的加工-结构-性能关系。重点是在微观尺度上的应用，在复杂的几何形状和具有温度敏感部件的异构设备中，温度分布的空间和时间控制非常重要。本研究旨在了解(1)纳米加热器与连接材料复合材料的制备，包括混合对热输出合理分布的影响；(2)纳米加热连接材料复合材料在柔性基板上的沉积；(3)纳米加热器的可控非接触点火；(4)连接/互连的功能性和可靠性。金属基结构和聚合物粘合剂都将被研究。复合连接系统的制造和沉积将通过超声波粉末固化和印刷或直接静电纺丝/静电喷涂来完成。将进行点火实验和自燃建模。最后对关节质量和鲁棒性进行表征。如果成功，这项研究将使传统应用中连接材料的新方法成为可能，从而提高生产率，减少能源和材料的使用，降低成本，扩大产品范围。这项研究预计将为构建芯片实验室、柔性电子、微光器件、传感器、医疗器件以及能源和信息存储器件等微尺度器件带来新的方法。该项目还将通过与马萨诸塞州城市路易斯斯托克斯少数民族参与联盟（UMLSAMP）、当地K-12学校、科学博物馆和国际合作伙伴（塞浦路斯大学）的合作，促进人力资源开发（特别是妇女和少数民族），提高公众对STEM的理解。

This grant provides funding for a multi-institution, multi-disciplinary project to understand the processing-structure-property relationships of composite nanoheater-joining-material structures. The focus is on joining applications at the microscale level where spatial and temporal control of temperature profiles is important in complex geometries and heterogeneous devices with temperature sensitive parts. This research aims to understand (1) the fabrication of nanoheater composites of nanoheaters and joining materials, including the effect of mixing on proper distribution of heat output; (2) the deposition of the nanoheater-joining material composite onto flexible substrates; (3) the controlled, non-contact ignition of the nanoheaters; and (4) the functionality and reliability of the joining/interconnects. Both metal-based structures and polymer adhesives will be investigated. Fabrication and deposition of the composite joining system will be done by both ultrasonic powder consolidation and printing or direct electrospinning/electrospraying. Ignition experiments and modeling of self-ignition will be conducted. Finally, joint quality and robustness will be characterized.If successful, this research will enable new ways of joining materials in conventional applications that increase productivity, reduce energy and material usage, lower costs, and broaden the range of products. This research is anticipated to lead to new ways to build microscale devices such as Lab-On-Chips, flexible electronics, micro-optical devices, sensors, medical devices, and energy and information storage devices. The project will also contribute to human resource development (especially women and minorities) and increased public understanding of STEM through collaborations with the Urban Massachusetts Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (UMLSAMP), local K-12 schools, the Museum of Science, and international partners (University of Cyprus).