Manufacturing of Multifunctional Nanocomposites

随着物联网和工业4.0的出现，小型、经济、可靠的设备的开发对当今社会变得越来越重要。纳米和微米尺度制造通过结合材料科学、工程和制造，已成为各种应用的“使能”技术。我们建议研究多功能纳米复合材料的制造。智能聚合物纳米复合材料被认为是有前途的新材料。碳基纳米颗粒，特别是碳纳米管（CNT）和石墨烯，由于其出色的机械，电气和热性能而受到广泛关注。添加到聚合物组分中的微量碳基纳米颗粒可以显着增强其功能。为了实现便携性、出色的能源使用和传感能力，通过增材和减材工艺相结合对多功能复合材料进行精密制造至关重要。该计划的目标是深入了解和开发具有成本效益的3D纳米图案化设备，使用各种纳米复合材料协同增强功能。 聚合物纳米复合材料将利用新颖的喷涂和沉积方法沉积到所需的基底上。碳纳米颗粒将用氧化铁官能化，使得碳纳米颗粒可以与磁场对准。电极将使用专有的基于铜纳米颗粒的墨水沉积，并且光烧结将在柔性基板上产生导电路径。为了获得所需的功能，将通过建模优化工艺，因为存在与均匀分散和厚度控制相关的若干挑战。 为了进一步提高纳米复合材料的功能，我们将研究纳米机械加工利用原子力显微镜（AFM）探针，以消除材料和纳米复合材料上产生的图案。传统的基于尖端的加工在槽的制造方面受到限制，并且经常导致高侧堆积。为了应对这一挑战，我们将实施振动辅助纳米机械加工，通过外部振动样品，同时工具去除工件的一部分。这将模仿旋转切割来剪切工件，以减少切割力并能够生成3D形状。 通过拟议计划获得的技术成果将成为加拿大其他新应用和发展的催化剂，这些进步将促进向工业合作伙伴的技术转让。此外，这项研究是非常重要的高素质的人才，谁将学习设计，材料科学，振动，制造，仿真和控制的跨学科培训。

With the advent of the Internet of Things and Industrie 4.0, the development of miniature, cost-effective and reliable devices is becoming ever more important for today's society. Nano and micro scale manufacturing has become an “enabling” technology for a variety of applications by combining material science, engineering and manufacturing. We propose to research the manufacturing of multifunctional nanocomposites. Smart polymeric nanocomposites are considered promising new materials. A lot of attention is being paid to carbon-based nanoparticles, particularly carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes, due to their outstanding mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. A minute amount of carbon-based nanoparticulates added to polymer components can significantly enhance their functionalities. Precision manufacturing, through a combination of additive and subtractive processes, of multifunctional composites is vital in order to achieve portability, excellent energy usage and sensing capabilities. The goals of this program are in-depth knowledge and the development of cost-effective 3D nano-patterned devices using a variety of nanocomposites that synergistically enhance functionalities. Polymeric nanocomposites will be deposited onto desired substrates utilizing novel spraying and deposition methods. The carbon nanoparticulates will be functionalized with iron oxides, so that the carbon nanoparticulates can be aligned with magnetic fields. The electrodes will be deposited using proprietary copper nanoparticle based inks, and photo sintering will generate conductive paths onto flexible substrates. In order to obtain the desired functionalities, processes will be optimized through modeling, since there are several challenges associated with uniform dispersion and thickness control. To further enhance functionalities of nanocomposites, we will investigate nano mechanical machining utilizing an atomic force microscope (AFM) probe to remove material and generate patterns onto the nanocomposites. Traditional tip-based machining is limited in the fabrication of grooves and often results in high side pileups. To tackle this challenge, we will implement vibration-assisted nano mechanical machining by externally vibrating the samples while the tool removes a portion of the workpiece. This will mimic rotational cutting to shear the workpiece, in order to reduce the cutting forces and be able to generate 3D shapes. The technological outcomes through the proposed program will be the catalysts for other novel applications and developments in Canada, and the advancements will promote technology transfer to industrial partners. Moreover, this research is very important for the interdisciplinary training of highly qualified personnel, who will learn design, material science, vibrations, manufacturing, simulation and control.