Direct Measurement of Interfacial Energies in Ceramics

非技术描述：陶瓷存在于众多技术解决方案中，有助于应对当前和未来的全球挑战。应用范围从移动的设备中的电子器件到生物危害的传感器，但是精细控制和可预测陶瓷的设计和制造仍然面临重大困难。该项目采用变革性的方法，以提供关于如何在加工和操作过程中控制陶瓷结构演变的理解。通过使用利用复杂技术的实验方法，包括量化微尺度热演化和高分辨率电子显微镜，该研究介绍了一种测量界面能的方法-目前在很大程度上未知-这是预测制造和设计的关键。该项目还有重要的教育部分，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。这些都是有效的工具，通过从技术角度讨论超级英雄的梦幻般的宇宙，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的研究和开发培训，该领域的毕业生通常在高科技电子公司找到职位。技术规格：陶瓷制造和设计的可预测性强烈依赖于对界面热力学的深入理解。因此，界面能的直接测量是该领域发展的一个关键因素，它较少依赖于经验证据和趋势。该项目应用微量热技术测量陶瓷的界面能，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，以提供前所未有的数据。第一个研究成果提出了一种在其他材料中广泛应用的方法，并通过对如何控制界面能的仔细研究进行了补充。这种控制优化了工业中的成分设计，实现了更节能和更具成本效益的产品，并提高了操作过程中的可靠性。从教育的角度来看，学生接受指导，并进行战略材料和工艺的研究，接受高度先进的技术培训，以应用于他们未来的职业生涯作为材料的专业人士。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过评估使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准的支持。

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.