NIRT: Nanoreactor Processes for Manufacturing Oriented Materials

该提案是响应纳米科学与工程倡议，NSF 01-157，类别NIRT。宾夕法尼亚州立大学的研究小组提出了一种新的纳米制造技术，该技术利用精心设计的纳米反应器系统在生产过程中对齐，粘合和组装定向纳米材料，而不是试图在事后操纵它们。这种具有纳米级控制的制造方法基于（1）纳米制造的化学反应器和（2）纳米级材料组装器的组合使用。这种方法的一个组成部分是使用高分辨率探头来指导、测试和确认产品和结构的开发。随着受控排列的实现，具有新特性和功能的纳米材料可以组装成可用的材料，这些材料将在推进未来技术方面发挥关键作用。这些包括具有定制特性的电线、胶带、片材、复合材料和电路。这些材料的生产需要创新的建筑方法来定位，缝合，编织，盘绕或连接纳米材料，并精确控制纳米尺度上的对齐，成分和相位。在该NIRT赠款期内将执行的主要任务如下：（a）制造进行聚合、输送、排列和组装的集成纳米通道反应器/处理系统，（B）使用基于引发剂的聚合反应器系统生产排列的复合聚合物纤维、带和束，（c）使用预聚催化剂系统生产聚合物纳米纤维和中空管，和（d）将取向的聚乙炔纳米材料转化为碳管、导线和电子器件。为了实现纳米科学的全部潜力，必须通过具有成本效益的手段以具有可再现的取向、尺寸和性质的必要数量生产纳米结构材料。它们的生产方式必须有利于它们被进一步加工成可用的宏观材料。虽然纳米科学发现的步伐不断加快，但纳米材料加工和制造工程--一项关键的使能科学--却很少受到关注。如果这种情况持续下去，纳米科学将仍然是一个实验室的好奇心，不会被转移到一个真实的技术造福社会。为了解决这个问题，宾夕法尼亚州立大学的团队将尝试开发可以快速转化为大规模生产技术的纳米制造方法。这种方法的实现将导致有序的聚合物纳米复合材料的大规模生产，而这种材料不能以任何其他方式制造，以及纳米电子器件的快速、可重复制造。在开展这项研究所需的不同领域对学生进行交叉培训，将扩大我国未来在纳米科学和工程方面的能力。

This proposal was received in response to Nanoscale Science and Engineering initiative, NSF 01-157, category NIRT. The Penn State team proposes a new nanomanufacturing technology that utilizes carefully designed nanoreactor systems to align, bond, and assemble oriented nanomaterials as they are produced, rather than trying to manipulate them afterwards. This approach to manufacturing with nanoscale control is based on the combined use of (1) nano-fabricated chemical reactors and (2) nanoscale material assemblers. An integral part of this approach will be the use of high resolution probes to guide, test, and confirm the product and structure development. With the attainment of controlled alignment, nanomaterials with novel properties and functions can be assembled into usable materials that will play a critical role in advancing future technologies. These include wires, tapes, sheets, composites, and circuits with tailored characteristics. The production of these materials requires innovative architectural methods to position, stitch, weave, coil, or connect nanomaterials with precise control of alignment, composition, and phase on the nanoscale. The principal tasks to be carried out during this NIRT grant period are as follows: (a) fabrication of integrated nanochannel reactor/processing systems that perform polymerization, transport, alignment, and assembly, (b) production of aligned composite polymer fibers, tapes, and bundles using initiator-based polymerization reactor systems, (c) production of polymeric nanofibers and hollow tubes using anchored-catalyst systems, and (d) conversion of oriented polyacetylene nanomaterials into carbon tubes, conducting wires, and electronic devices. To realize the full potential of nanoscience, nanostructured materials must be produced in requisite quantities with reproducible orientations, dimensions and properties by cost effective means. They must be produced in a manner conducive to them being further manufactured into usable, macroscale materials. Although the pace of nanoscientific discoveries continues to increase, nanomaterials process and manufacturing engineering - a key enabling science - have received little attention. If this situation persists, nanoscience will remain a laboratory curiosity and will not be transferred into a real technology benefiting society. To address this problem, the Penn State team will try to develop nanomanufacturing methodologies that can quickly be converted to mass-production technologies. The realization of this approach will lead to mass production of ordered polymeric nano-composite materials that cannot be made in any other way, and fast, reproducible fabrication of nano-electronics devices. Cross-training of students in the diverse fields required to carry out this research will expand our nation's future capabilities in nano-science and engineering.