Nanocomposites and Bio-inspired Nanostructures

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This research program is concerned with the development, characterization and property measurements of several advanced nanostructured materials that are currently not available elsewhere in the world. These include high strength and corrosion resistant nanocrystalline Cu-Ni alloys for use in marine structure repair, a new class of durable superhydrophobic metal composite coatings for application as non-wetting surfaces, high thermal conductivity Cu-diamond composites for thermal management in electronic devices and antireflective/optical surfaces based on the so-called moth eye effect. This program has a strong emphasis on smart bio-inspired materials design using examples of structures found in nature as a blueprint for new engineered materials solutions. Consequently the program has a significant research component that deals with the analysis and understanding of biological materials. By paying more attention to nature’s ingenuity to solve rather complex problems, this program builds on a very successful nanomaterials technology process platform previously developed by the applicant and co-workers. This process makes nanocrystalline metals by a low temperature electrochemical reaction using aqueous solutions containing metal salts. For simple metals and some alloys this process has already been transferred to industry and successfully applied in various industries such as industrial corrosion and wear resistant coatings, environmentally benign chromium replacement, soft magnetic materials and high strength/low weight structural materials. Some of the new materials to be developed in this program will incorporate several of nature’s tricks to make structures with very specific functions such as found on non-wettable leaves that are always dry and clean or insect eye structures with unique antireflection/ optical properties. The results of this research will provide Canadian industry with several new materials which can find application in a broad range of industries in particular in the manufacturing sector. The nanocrystalline Cu-Ni alloys are expected to have excellent mechanical and corrosion properties and will be a crucial component in future repair technologies for marine structures such as navy and merchant ships, marine renewable energy plants and offshore oil and gas platforms. The superhydrophobic metal coatings can provide self-cleaning anticorrosion and antifouling solutions, in particular for Canada’s power industries, while the Cu-diamond nanocomposite are earmarked as advanced heat sink materials for electronic devices. Finally, a better understanding of the details of the moth eye structure/function and its successful reproduction could lead to better antireflective/optical devices. This research will contribute to the training of up to 20 highly qualified personnel in the multidisciplinary area of nanomaterials - nanobiology.