CAREER: Phononic Crystals: Theory and Practical Implementations

这个教师早期职业发展（CAREER）奖的研究目标是开发建模声子晶体（PnCs）的方法，并通过实验对其进行表征。 PnC是一种类型的微米/纳米结构，其能够通过材料几何形状的周期性图案化来操纵弹性波穿过材料的方式。 计算机模拟将用于模拟PnC的行为。 这些模拟将指导PnCs的设计、制造和实验表征。 课程包括PnCs的分析和计算工具，演示弹性波如何通过PnCs移动的理论和实验结果，PnCs如何改变材料的热导率的演示，结果文档，工程学生教育，和工程研究经验的学生从代表性不足的群体。从这项研究的结果将导致广泛的技术进步，在信号处理领域和热电装置。 因为PnC的固有几何形状赋予它们处理弹性波（信号）的能力，所以这些类型的设备将能够取代传统的数字信号处理技术，传统的数字信号处理技术与PnC相比消耗相对大量的功率。此外，通过操纵材料中的声子，还可以构造更有效的热电装置，其可以实际用于能量的热收集。 研究生和本科生将参与这项研究，以及来自当地社区学院的学生，只为美洲原住民服务。 课程材料也将作为该奖项的一部分开发，该奖项将解决材料中能量传输的不同模式以及它们之间的相互作用。

The research objective of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award is to develop methods for modeling Phononic Crystals (PnCs) and to characterize them experimentally. PnCs are a type of micro/nanostructure that are capable of manipulating the manner by which elastic waves travel through a material by a periodic patterning of a material's geometry. Computer simulations will be used to model the behavior of the PnCs. These simulations will then guide the design, fabrication and experimental characterization of the PnCs. Deliverables include analytical and computational tools for PnCs, theoretical and experimental results demonstrating how elastic waves move through PnCs, demonstration of how PnCs alter the thermal conductivity of a material, documentation of results, engineering student education, and engineering research experience for students from underrepresented groups.Results from this research will lead to a wide range of technological advances in the areas of signal processing and thermo-electric devices. Because the inherent geometry of PnCs give them their ability to process elastic waves (signals) these types of devices will be in a position to replace traditional digital signal processing techniques which consume relatively large amount of power in comparison to PnCs. Additionally, by manipulating phonons in materials more efficient thermoelectric devices can also be constructed that can be practically used for thermal harvesting of energy. Graduate and undergraduate students will participate in this research as well as students from a local community college that serves only Native Americans. Course material will also be developed as a part of this award that will address the different modes of energy transport in materials and the interplay between them.