Advanced Instrumentation Development for Research and Education on Plasma Coating Crack Formation Fundamentals and Control

波士顿大学材料研究计划仪器的这一奖项将使其能够构建第一个用于涂层微观结构的原位和实时表征和控制的仪器。 通过使用先进的闭环控制系统，更深入地了解裂纹形成机制将能够为不同的应用定制涂层结构。 等离子喷涂是一种广泛使用的沉积工艺，因为它可以经济地用于设计涂层属性。因此，它是航空航天、发动机、电力系统、电子和生物医学应用中许多应用的一种使能技术。该定制设计的系统包括用于测量颗粒状态、存款表面的热分布和粗糙度特性的传感器，以及实现过程实时控制所需的执行器。该奖项来自材料研究计划仪器，支持波士顿大学的仪器开发。 该仪器将能够更好地了解等离子喷涂涂层的微观结构发展和裂纹形成，以及设计先进的工艺控制系统，预计将能够制造新的涂层结构。 跨学科研究团队包括材料，传热，力学和控制方面的研究人员。计划广泛的教育影响，包括本科生和研究生的直接研究经验，并通过将设备和获得的结果纳入不仅材料课程的课程工作中，而且还包括学院提供的相关过程控制，传热和实验课程。

This award from the Instrumentation for Materials Research Program to Boston University will enable constructing the first of its kind instrumentation for insitu and real-time characterization and control of coating microstructure. A deeper understanding crack formation mechanisms will enable custom tailoring of coating structure for different applications through use of the advanced closed loop control system. Plasma spray is a widely used deposition process since it can be economically used to engineer coating attributes. As such, it is an enabling technology in many applications in aerospace, engines, power systems, electronics, and biomedical applications. This custom designed system includes sensors for measuring the particle state, the thermal distribution and roughness characteristics of the deposit surface, as well as the actuators needed to implement real-time control of the process.This award from the Instrumentation for Materials Research Program supports instrument development at Boston University. The instrument will enable a better understanding of microstructural development and crack formation in plasma sprayed coatings, as well as design of an advanced process control system that is expected to enable manufacture of new coating structures. The interdisciplinary research team includes researchers in materials, heat transfer, mechanics, and control. Broad educational impact is planned, including the direct research experience of undergraduate and graduate students, and by incorporation of the equipment and results obtained into the course work of not only materials courses but the related process control, heat transfer, and experimental courses offered by the College.