EAGER: Microstructure-Preserving Joints Between Nano-Layered Metal Composites

这一早期概念探索性研究资助(EARGER)项目将为纳米结构材料的焊接(即连接)奠定科学基础。传统的连接方法不能使用，因为它们破坏了这些材料的理想性能。健壮和可扩展的连接方法有望加速纳米结构材料从实验室到工程应用的过渡，从而促进国家利益。要探索的方法依赖于物质结构的自组织，形成一个强大而稳定的节理。该项目将促进对自组织过程的科学理解。它将指导一名全日制博士后研究人员，并为本科生提供研究机会。将尽一切努力从代表性不足的少数群体中招募妇女和个人加入该团队。此外，PI将通过TAMU-CONACyT合作研究资助计划与墨西哥一所大学发展合作，为学生建立国际研究机会。该项目的目标是确定是否可以通过初始均匀的填充材料的引导自组织将两个相邻的纳米层状金属复合材料(NMC)连接成微结构，该微结构内插两个相邻NMC的层状形貌，连接其中的所有单独层。纳米层状金属复合材料(NMC)具有许多优异的性能，如高硬度、抗疲劳和抗辐射、以及良好的热稳定性。然而，缺乏保存NMC层状微结构的连接方法阻碍了这些材料的技术应用。传统的连接方法--如焊接--破坏了NMC的层状形态，从而破坏了它们吸引人的性能。这里要研究的新的连接工艺是通过连续地连接其中的层来创建保持NMC特性的连接，实际上是插入它们的微观结构。这项工作将实验研究与相场建模相结合。实验将集中在使用物理气相沉积合成的薄膜材料的小规模测试上。该项目将依靠光刻技术在NMC之间创造明确的缝隙，并用定制的填充材料填补这些缝隙。为了指导实验工作，将开发一个相场模型来模拟填充材料的相分离以及随后内插微结构的形态演变。该模型将用于预先筛选一系列处理条件，将实验工作集中在处理参数空间的高价值区域。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。

This EArly-concept Grant for Exploratory Research (EAGER) project will lay the scientific foundation for welding together—i.e., joining—of nanostructured materials. Traditional joining methods cannot be used because they destroy the desirable properties of these materials. Robust and scalable joining methods promise to accelerate the transition of nanostructured materials from the lab to engineering applications, thereby advancing the national interest. The approach to be explored relies on the self-organization of material structure into a strong and stable joint. This project will advance scientific understanding of the self-organization process. It will mentor one full-time postdoctoral researcher as well as provide research opportunities to undergraduates. Every effort will be made to recruit women and individuals from underrepresented minorities to the team. Furthermore, the PI will build up international research opportunities for students by developing a collaboration with a university in Mexico via the TAMU-CONACyT collaborative research grant program.The goal of this project is to determine whether two adjacent nano-layered metal composites (NMCs) may be joined though the guided self-organization of an initially uniform filler material into a microstructure that interpolates the layered morphologies of two adjacent NMCs, connecting all the individual layers in them. Nano-layered metal composites (NMCs) possess numerous exceptional properties, such as high hardness, fatigue and radiation resistance, and excellent thermal stability. However, lack of joining methods that preserve the layered microstructure of NMCs impedes the technological use of these materials. Conventional joining methods—such as welding—disrupt the layered morphology of NMCs, thereby destroying their attractive properties. The novel joining process to be investigated here stands to create joints that preserve NMC properties by connecting the layers in them continuously, in effect interpolating their microstructures. The work combines experimental investigations with phase field modeling. Experiments will focus on small-scale testing of thin film materials synthesized using physical vapor deposition. The project will rely on lithographic techniques for creating well-defined gaps between NMCs and for plugging these gaps with customized filler materials. To guide the experimental effort, a phase field model will be developed to simulate both phase separation of the filler material as well as the subsequent evolution of the morphology of interpolating microstructures. This model will be used to pre-screen a range of processing conditions, focusing experimental effort on high-value regions of the processing parameter space.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.