Collaborative Research: Understanding Mechanical and Thermal Properties and Their Coupling at Nanomolecularly Modified Metal-Ceramic Interfaces

本计画旨在研究及发展模型，以描述分子化学、化学环境、界面形貌及热机械循环对经分子奈米层修饰之金属-陶瓷界面断裂韧性及热导率之影响。使用接近零厚度的纳米层来定制粘附的金属-陶瓷界面是一种有吸引力的方法，以保持材料系统的功能性、稳定性和可靠性，用于许多新兴应用，例如，纳米电子学、器件封装和布线以及生物植入物。纳米层化学对界面韧性的影响将在模型金属/陶瓷界面受到不同的加载条件下进行研究，以深入了解界面断裂的纳米级力学。这些研究结果将被应用于研究和开发分子键合和界面热传输之间的耦合。由此产生的理解的界面-化学-物理-机械-热性能的关系，预计使新的方式为合理的分子水平剪裁的界面性能剪裁各种各样的材料系统。这项研究将为定制软硬异质界面的稳定性和热机械性能提供分子水平的理解，并为工程应用中各种复合材料和结构的合理设计铺平道路。在教育方面，该项目将作为一个平台，通过在材料科学，化学和机械工程的尖端关键重要性问题上的合作，分别为博士授予研究型大学（RPI）和本科生学院（E H）的研究生和本科生提供跨学科培训。通过夏季访问和定期会议的两个研究重点的互补执行将丰富两组研究生和本科生的研究和教育经验。这项研究将纳入这两个机构现有的课程。计划为高中教师进行实地访问和暑期实习，以使K-12学生了解纳米材料界面领域的最新发展及其在新兴工程应用中的重要性。

This project aims to investigate and develop models to describe the effects of molecular chemistry, chemical environment, interface topography, and thermo-mechanical cycling on interfacial fracture toughness and thermal conductance at model metal-ceramic interfaces modified with molecular nanolayers. Tailoring adherent metal-ceramic interfaces using near-zero-thickness nanolayers is an attractive method to preserve the functionality, stability and reliability of materials systems for many emergent applications, e.g., nanoelectronics, device packaging and wiring, and biological implants. The effects of nanolayer chemistry on interfacial toughness will be studied in model metal/ceramic interfaces subject to different loading conditions to obtain insights into the nanoscale mechanics of interfacial fracture. The results of these studies will be applied to investigate and exploit the coupling between molecular bonding and interfacial heat transport. The resultant understanding of the interface-chemistry-physics-mechanical-thermal property relationships is anticipated to enable new ways for rational molecular-level tailoring of interfacial properties for tailoring a wide variety of materials systems. This research will provide a molecular-level understanding for tailoring the stability and thermomechanical properties of soft-hard hetero-interfaces, and paves way for rational design of a wide variety of composite materials and archictectures for engineering applications. On the educational front, this project will serve as a platform for cross-disciplinary training of graduate and undergraduate students from a PhD-granting research university (RPI) and an undergraduate-only college (E&H), respectively, through collaboration on a problem of key importance at the cusp of materials science, chemistry and mechanical engineering. The complementary execution of two research thrusts through summer visits and periodic meetings will enrich the research and educational experience of graduate and undergraduate students in both groups. The research will be integrated into extant courses at both institutions. Site-visits and a summer internship for a high-school teacher are planned to K-12 students to the latest developments in the field of nanomaterials interfaces and their importance in emerging engineering applications.