I-Corps: Equipment and Service for Non-contact Adhesion Characterization of Single Micro-Particles

表面的粘附特性使人们能够了解粘合和涂覆表面的稳定性，并了解各种不同表面的润湿性。例如，碳粉颗粒的粘附特性是印刷和复印行业的关键参数。基于颗粒和表面粘性（即单个微颗粒的粘附性能）的最终产品可以是关键行业的设备和/或分析服务。其他有潜力的行业包括食品加工、半导体、制药、化妆品、油漆和染料以及空调系统。目前，只有少数测量选项可用于单个微粒的粘附特性，其中没有一个是非接触的。多年来，基于离心、空气动力和水动力、冲击谱和超声振动的统计黏附测量技术已经被引入多粒子系统。目前，还没有一种已知的针对单个微粒的粘附特性表征技术。由于相关物体的长度较小，所涉及的力水平较低，因此在微/纳米尺度上精确表征微颗粒的粘附特性是一项关键的技术挑战。所提出的技术比接触技术具有优势，因为微观尺度的接触改变了键的性质。该计划的目标是在nsf支持的研究项目的基础上，探索和评估关键粘附测量和表征技术的商业潜力。所提出的技术是在各种条件下，如电场、温度和湿度，对单个微颗粒进行非接触粘附表征。该方法基于超声激发单个粒子的运动，并使用激光测振仪检测其响应。该设备通过在本地环境中进行非接触式、非侵入式测量，消除了当前设备的各种复杂性。这种方法/技术将是独特的和可重复的。

Adhesion characteristics of surfaces allow one to know the stability of bonded and coated surfaces, and to understand the wettability of various different surfaces. For example, adhesion characteristics of toner particles are a critical parameter for printing and copying industry. End-products based on stickiness of particles and surfaces (i. e. adhesion properties of single micro-particles) can be equipment and/or analytical services for key industries. Other potential industries are food processing, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paints and dyes, and air-conditioning systems. Currently, there are only a few measurement options available for single micro-particle adhesion characterization, none of which is non-contact. Over the years, several statistical adhesion measurements techniques based on centrifuge, aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces, impact-spectrum, and ultrasonic vibration have been introduced for multi-particle systems. At present, no known adhesion characterization technique exists for single micro-particles. Accurate adhesion characterization of micro-particles at the micro/nano scales is a key technical challenge due to the small length-scale of associated objects and low force levels involved. The proposed technology has an edge over the contact techniques, as contact at micro-scale changes the properties of the bonds. The objective of the program is to explore and assess the commercial potential of a critical adhesion measurement and characterization technology based on NSF-supported research projects. The proposed technology is for making non-contact adhesion characterization of single micro-particles under various conditions, such as electric field, temperature, and humidity. This method is based on ultrasonic excitation of the motion of single particles and detecting its response using a laser vibrometer. The equipment eliminates various complications of the current equipment by making non-contact, non-invasive measurements in native environments. This method/technique will be unique and repeatable.