PFI:AIR - TT: Micro-Laser Assisted Drilling

这个PFI:AIR技术翻译项目的重点是研究微激光辅助加工（Micro-LAM）系统在进行精密钻孔（微激光辅助钻孔或Micro-LAD）方面的应用。先前的研究发现，Micro-LAM在加工非常坚硬和极脆的材料（例如半导体和陶瓷）中是必不可少的。Micro-LAM工艺在加工过程中对材料进行原位修改，从而使这些材料更容易切割，并使其产生有用的最终产品更具成本效益。Micro-LAD系统旨在通过激光加热和热软化来降低硬度和脆性，从而提高延展性，从而提高生产效率，降低成本。本研究项目旨在评估利用这种基本材料行为的Micro-LAD系统，并确定在加工过程中半导体和陶瓷高压相的优先加热和由此产生的热软化的程度和意义。随着该技术从研究发现向商业应用的转变，该项目解决了以下技术差距：通过将Micro-LAM技术扩展到具有概念验证和执行市场分析的钻井中，提高了半导体和陶瓷钻井的生产率并降低了成本。通过提高半导体和陶瓷的本地钻井能力，使其更具延展性和更低脆性，与目前市场上的钻井工艺相比，它将变得更容易加工，从而提高生产率并降低制造成本。这些新的知识和专业技能可以融入到教学和教育工作中，也可以应用到工业中。总体而言，该项目将在四个核心领域取得成果。首先，基础材料科学和工程研究将在一个真正的概念证明中得到推进和展示。第二，主要研究人员将与大学合作。美国技术转移办公室和工业合作伙伴进一步将研究成果整合到可实现的结构中，初步提出概念验证，最终实现原型和商业化或生产单元。第三，将制定一个商业模式或计划，以参与行业？兴趣和与拟议研究相关的市场研究活动。最后，学生将获得与产品创新和将基础研究转化为现实世界商业应用的过程直接相关的独特教育和研究体验。项目初期的合作伙伴包括学术和行业组织：西密歇根大学（Kalamazoo, Michigan）和Micro-LAM Technologies LLC （Battle Creek, Michigan）。该项目为该校制造和机械工程专业的本科生、研究生和博士后，以及来自全校的创业和商业专业的学生提供与先进科学、工程和材料概念相关的实践培训机会。

This PFI:AIR Technology Translation project focuses on investigating the utility of the micro-laser assisted machining (Micro-LAM) system to perform precision drilling (micro-laser assisted drilling or Micro-LAD). Previous research has found Micro-LAM to be essential in machining materials that are very hard and extremely brittle (e.g. semiconductors and ceramics). The Micro-LAM process modifies the material, in-situ during machining, so as to render these materials easier to cut and makes it more cost effective to generate useful end products. The Micro-LAD system aims to achieve enhanced ductility through reduced hardness and decreased brittleness from laser heating and thermal softening, which promotes a more efficient, productive and less costly manufacturing process. This research project aims to evaluate the Micro-LAD system that capitalizes on this fundamental material behavior and determines the degree and significance of the preferential heating and resultant thermal softening of the high-pressure phases of semiconductors and ceramics during the machining process.This project addresses the following technology gaps as the technology translates from research discovery toward commercial application: improve the productivity and decrease the cost of drilling semiconductors and ceramics by extending the Micro-LAM technology to drilling with a proof of concept and performing a market analysis. By advancing the capability associated with drilling semiconductors and ceramics by locally rendering them more ductile and less brittle, it will become easier to machine, resulting in greater productivity and reduced cost of manufacture when compared to the current drilling process in the marketplace. This new knowledge and expertise can be assimilated into teaching and educational efforts, as well as distributed into industry.Overall, the project will produce achievement in four core areas. First, fundamental materials science and engineering research will be advanced and showcased in a real proof of concept. Second, the principal investigators will work with the university?s technology transfer office and industrial partners to further integrate the research results into realizable structures, initially the proposed proof of concept and eventually a prototype and commercialization or production unit. Third, a business model or plan will be developed to engage industries? interests and for market research activities associated with the proposed research. Finally, students will achieve unique education and research experiences directly related to product innovation and the process of moving fundamental research into real world commercial use.Partners at the inception of the project include both academic and industry organizations: Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, Michigan) and Micro-LAM Technologies LLC (Battle Creek, Michigan). This project provides hands-on training opportunities to undergraduate, graduate, and post-doc students from manufacturing and mechanical engineering programs at the university, as well as entrepreneurship and business students from across the university, related to advanced scientific, engineering and materials concepts.