CAREER: Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling of Closed-Cell Nanoporous Media

拟议的研究涉及与能源转换和效率以及新兴技术的材料合成有关的突出技术和科学问题。它提出通过引入纳米级孔隙来调整致密材料的电学、热学和光学特性。新的纳米多孔介质可用于各种应用，包括(1)热电转换器件，(2)高温燃料电池，(3)热障涂层，以及(4)集成电路的能效和(5)光电系统的制造。纳米多孔材料的新型制造工艺和表征技术将随着其热物理和光学性质的实验验证模型而发展。这项研究的独特之处在于，它探索了纳米技术和传输现象的最新进展与纳米多孔材料的合成和表征的整合。它本质上是多学科的，涉及多尺度制造和建模。在项目过程中取得的成果和专业知识将被纳入PI在本科和研究生阶段的教学活动中。将开发与纳米技术和能源相关的教育模块，并与洛杉矶一所历史悠久的西班牙裔和黑人学院的教师共享。有效的学术和工业合作已经到位，并将扩大。

The proposed research addresses outstanding technical and scientific issues related to energy conversion and efficiency as well as material synthesis for emerging technologies. It proposes to tune electrical, thermal, and optical properties of dense material by introducing nanoscale pores. The new nanoporous media could be used in various applications including (1) thermoelectric conversion devices, (2) high temperature fuel cells, (3) thermal barrier coatings, as well as (4) energy efficiency of integrated circuits and (5) manufacturing of optoelectronic systems. Novel manufacturing processes and characterization techniques of nanoporous materials will be developed along with experimentally validated models for their thermophysical and optical properties. The research is unique in that it explores integration of recent advances in nanotechnology and transport phenomena to the synthesis and characterization of nanoporous materials. It is multidisciplinary in nature and involves multiscale manufacturing and modeling. Results and expertise developed during the course of the project will be incorporated into the PI's teaching activities at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Educational modules related to nanotechnology and energy will be developed and shared with faculty of a historically Hispanic and Balck college of Los Angeles. Working academic and industrial collaborations are already in place and will be expanded.