Direct Measurement of Interfacial Energies in Ceramics

非技术描述：陶瓷出现在许多技术解决方案中，这些解决方案有助于解决当前和未来的全球挑战。应用范围从移动设备中的电子设备到生物危害传感器，但精确控制和可预测的陶瓷的设计和制造仍然面临着巨大的困难。这个项目采取了一种变革性的方法，提供了一个关于如何在加工和操作过程中控制陶瓷结构演变的缺失的理解。通过使用复杂技术的实验方法，包括微尺度放热的量化和高分辨率电子显微镜，这项研究引入了一种测量界面能量的方法-目前基本上未知-这是预测制造和设计的关键。该项目也有重要的教育组成部分，重点是在初中和高中推广工程学，并开展一系列基于超级英雄背后的科学的教育活动。这些是有效的工具，通过从技术角度讨论超级英雄的神奇宇宙，激励学生加入科学和工程领域。该项目还为本科生和研究生提供这一战略领域研究和开发方面的培训，该领域的毕业生通常会在高科技电子公司找到职位。技术细节：陶瓷制造和设计的可预测性在很大程度上依赖于对界面热力学的扎实了解。因此，对界面能的直接测量是该领域演变为不那么依赖经验证据和趋势的关键因素。该项目应用微量热技术来测量陶瓷的界面能，使用氧化钇作为模型系统，并将结果与详细的微观结构和结构分析相结合，提供前所未有的数据。第一个研究产品提出了一种在其他材料中广泛应用的方法，并对如何控制界面能进行了仔细的研究。这种控制优化了工业中的成分设计，实现了更多的能源和成本效益产品，并提高了运行期间的可靠性。从教育的角度来看，学生接受指导，并利用战略性材料和过程进行研究，接受高度先进的技术培训，这些技术将作为材料的专业人员应用于他们未来的职业生涯。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: Ceramics are present in a multitude of technological solutions that help address the current and future global challenges. Applications range from electronics in mobile devices to sensors for biohazards, but the design and fabrication of finely controlled and predictable ceramics still face significant difficulties. This project takes a transformative approach to provide a missing piece of understanding on how to control the evolution of ceramic structures during processing and operations. By using experimental approaches utilizing sophisticated techniques, including quantification of microscale heat evolution- and high-resolution electron microscopy, the research introduces a method to measure interfacial energies – currently largely unknown – which hold the key for predictive manufacturing and design. The project also has important education components that focus on the promotion of engineering in middle and high schools with a series of educational activities based on the science behind superheroes. These are effective vehicles to inspire students to join science and engineering fields by discussing the fantastic universe of superheroes from a technological perspective. The project also provides training of undergraduate and graduate students in research and development in this strategic field, with graduates in this field typically finding positions in high-tech electronics companies. TECHNICAL DETAILS: The predictability of manufacturing and design of ceramics strongly relies on a solid understanding of the thermodynamics of interfaces. Direct measurements of interfacial energies is therefore a key element for evolution of the field into being less dependent on empirical evidences and trends. This project applies microcalorimetric techniques to measure interface energies of ceramics, using yttrium oxide as a model system, and combines the results with detailed microstructural and structural analyses to deliver unprecedented data. The first research product presents a methodology for broad application in other materials, which is complemented by a careful study on how to control interfacial energies. Such control optimizes compositional design in industries, enabling more energy and cost-efficient products, and improves reliability during operation. From an education perspective, students are mentored and conduct research with strategic materials and processes, receiving training on highly advanced techniques to be applied in their future careers as materials’ professionals.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.