Development of a New Class of Thermal Transducers Through Phase-Change Materials

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The objective of this program is to enable a new micro-actuation technology through the successful integration of vanadium dioxide thin films in micro-electro-mechanical structures. To demonstrate the advantages of the new technology, specific vanadium dioxide-based devices will be developed; including monolithically integrated programmable micro-actuators capable of exerting repeatable forces well beyond the theoretical limits of current technologies, and micrometer-sized biomimetic fins. The intellectual merit is the development of a new technology that will create a different approach for micro-actuation and establish new paradigms in the field. The fundamental mechanism that will be used relies on the large stress changes that occur during the solid-to-solid- structural phase transition of vanadium dioxide thin films. Preliminary results show that the devices to be developed will be capable of larger strain energy densities, higher reversibility and repeatability, increased switching speeds, and due to the strongly coupled mechanisms during the phase-change of vanadium dioxide enhanced multifunctionality. The broader impacts are to transform the field of thermal transducers by translating a recently observed fundamental phenomenon into a new operating principle for micro-actuators, and to understand how to make the best use of this new technology in related fields such as micro-robotics, -surgery, - manipulation, and energy harvesting. The outreach activities include experimental demonstrations to visiting pre-college students, who will have the opportunity to manipulate micro meter-sized objects. The program will integrate underrepresented groups in the planned research and educational activities.