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

表面的附着力特性使人们能够了解粘合表面和涂层表面的稳定性，并了解各种不同表面的润湿性。例如，墨粉颗粒的附着力特性是印刷和复印行业的关键参数。基于颗粒和表面粘性(即单个微小颗粒的粘附性)的最终产品可作为关键行业的设备和/或分析服务。其他潜在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，只有几种测量方法可用于单个微粒的粘附性表征，没有一种是非接触式的。多年来，已经引入了几种基于离心机、空气动力和流体动力、冲击光谱和超声波振动的多颗粒系统附着力统计测量技术。目前，还没有已知的单个微粒的粘附性表征技术。由于相关物体的长度尺度较小，所涉及的作用力水平较低，因此在微米/纳米尺度上准确地表征微粒的附着特性是一项关键的技术挑战。提议的技术比接触技术更有优势，因为微尺度的接触会改变键的性质。该计划的目标是基于美国国家科学基金会资助的研究项目，探索和评估一种关键的附着力测量和表征技术的商业潜力。该技术用于在不同的电场、温度、湿度等条件下对单个微粒进行非接触式黏附表征。这种方法是基于超声激励单个粒子的运动，并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、非侵入性测量，消除了当前设备的各种复杂情况。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.