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层表面的稳定性，并了解各种不同表面的润湿性。 例如，调色剂颗粒的粘附特性是印刷和复印工业的关键参数。 基于颗粒和表面粘性的最终产品（即，e.单个微粒的粘附性能）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粘附特性，其中没有一个是非接触式的。多年来，基于离心力、气动力和水动力、冲击谱和超声振动的几种统计粘附测量技术已被引入用于多颗粒系统。目前，没有已知的粘附表征技术存在的单个微粒。 由于相关物体的长度尺度小且所涉及的力水平低，因此在微米/纳米尺度下精确地表征微米颗粒的粘附是一个关键的技术挑战。所提出的技术具有接触技术的优势，因为微尺度的接触改变了键合的性质。该计划的目标是探索和评估基于NSF支持的研究项目的关键粘附力测量和表征技术的商业潜力。提出的技术是在各种条件下，如电场，温度和湿度的非接触粘附表征的单个微粒。这种方法是基于超声波激励的单颗粒的运动和检测其响应使用激光测振仪。该设备通过在自然环境中进行非接触、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.