SBIR Phase I: Characterization Of Ceramic Particles Based On Elliptically Polarized Light

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目研究了利用创新的椭圆偏振光散射方法表征陶瓷粉末和纤维的潜力。粒度、粒度分布和形状是制造先进陶瓷材料的关键因素，这些材料依赖于细颗粒和粗颗粒的精确混合。IOTA可以通过一种独特的方法来优化极化设置，从而确定这些参数。与目前的在线颗粒测量技术不同，可以评估圆柱形和不规则形状（如颗粒团块）。识别这种形状的能力对提高陶瓷质量和过程控制有很大的影响，对产品开发和降低成本很重要。本次调查将评估在陶瓷生产现场使用该系统的可行性。建议进行基础研究，以仔细检查仪器的准确性（将结果与电子显微照片进行比较），以适应各种颗粒尺寸，形状和尺寸分布。还提出了颗粒加载研究，以评估系统在什么条件下可以运行。第一阶段将重点评估测量陶瓷粉末和晶须的系统精度和可接受的工作条件。在第二阶段，一个原型系统将在一个陶瓷制造工厂建造和测试。颗粒团聚也将被研究。测量细颗粒大小和形状的能力对于控制许多高科技产品的质量是必要的，例如高级陶瓷和药品。此外，监测和控制颗粒大小对于许多消费品（化妆品、油漆、颜料）、纺织品、食品加工、医疗器械（静脉注射溶液、血液处理）和环境监测的制造至关重要。

9860878 This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project examines the potential for characterizing ceramic powders and fibers using an innovative elliptically polarized light scattering method. Particle size, size distribution, and shape are key factors in manufacturing advanced ceramic materials, which rely on precise mixtures of fine and coarse particles. IOTA's can determine these parameters via a unique approach for optimizing polarization settings. Unlike current on line particle measuring techniques, cylindrical and irregular shapes (such as particle agglomerates) can be evaluated. The ability to discern such shapes can have a great impact for improving ceramic quality and process control, important for product development and reduced costs. This investigation will assess the feasibility of using the system at a ceramic manufacturing site. Fundamental research is proposed to closely examine the accuracy of the instrument (comparing results with electron micrographs) for a variety of particle sizes, shapes, and size distributions. A particle loading study is also proposed to evaluate under what conditions the system can operate. Phase I will focus on evaluating system accuracy and acceptable working conditions for measuring ceramic powders and whiskers. In Phase II a prototype system will be constructed and tested at a ceramic manufacturing plant. Particle agglomeration will also be studied. The ability to measure fine particle sizes and shapes is necessary for controlling the quality of many high technology products, such as advanced ceramics and pharmaceuticals. In addition, monitoring and controlling particle size is fundamental to the manufacture of many consumer products (cosmetics, paints, pigments), textiles, food processing, medical apparatus (parenteral solutions, blood processing), and environmental monitoring.