MRI: Acquisition of a Nanoindentation System for Nanocomposite and Advanced Materials Research and Education

这个MRI项目旨在获得一个重要的纳米压痕仪器，可以增强阿克伦大学现有的材料研究和教育重点。 三个部门有4名PI，拥有聚合物加工和开发，结构-性能关系的材料表征以及聚合物的机械行为方面的专业知识。 目前不可用的纳米压痕系统可以（1）增强NSF资助的功能聚合物纳米复合材料的成本效益替代纳米材料。 该研究旨在开发一种新的替代技术，并制定一种独特的和具有成本效益的功能纳米级增强材料，即，纳米级石墨片（NGP）。NGP可以以低成本获得，并使用UV/O3进行表面改性，用于不同的复合材料应用。 纳米力学表征将提供丰富的信息，在本地化的粘弹性变形，多相形态和界面性能，所有这些都发挥重要作用，影响复合材料的功能性能。 压痕系统还可以（2）有利于开发由纳米水泥增强的水泥-聚合物复合材料的研究，称为聚合物插层/剥离水泥（PIEC），其在强度、粘附性、可加工性、耐久性和成本降低方面提供比常规基础设施材料高一个数量级的增强。 该仪器可以量化控制复合材料性能增强的界面参数。 (3)通过纳米压痕技术，可以增强对聚合物加工中混沌混合的多尺度结构发展的理解。 纳米压痕可以进行韧性评估，否则不能获得使用现有的仪器通过混沌混合处理的层状硅酸盐纳米复合材料。 (4)在阿克伦开发的最先进的自排列纳米光刻方法，其中包括使用机械膜拉伸与准分子激光照射前的嵌段共聚方法的结合，可以得到增强。 该仪器可以提供来自自排列纳米光刻的聚合物域的定量测量。 阿克伦大学机械工程系已有86年的历史，并准备在新的世纪开发新的教育项目。 该部门提供了一种ABET认证（2002年）在机械聚合物工程（BSMPE）计划在我们的国家理学士学位之一。 该独特的计划产生合格的工程专业学生，为区域工业和联邦实验室的工程实践挑战做好准备。 该仪器将与BSMPE学生的实验室经验相结合。 该部门还拥有我们国家最古老（1914年）和最具活力的工程合作社计划之一，并得到俄亥俄州邻近工业合作伙伴的大力支持。 我们的本科生在高级设计和合作项目中获得的最新知识可以大大加强我们国家的工业中心。 该大学成立了阿克伦全球聚合物学院，向公司传播新技术。 它还通过提供技术和人力资源帮助美国小公司升级其业务。 目前，俄亥俄州正在经历一个紧迫的技术转型。 该项目可以使我们的工业合作伙伴受益，并通过在俄亥俄州东北部地区建立科学密集型基础设施，在该州提供可持续的工业化和科学教育。

This MRI project aims to acquire a vital nanoindentation instrumentation that can augment the existing materials research and education priorities at The University of Akron. There are 4 PIs across three departments, possessing expertise in polymer processing and development, materials characterization of structure-property relationships, and mechanical behavior of polymers. The presently unavailable nanoindentation system can (1) enhance NSF-funded cost-effective alternative nanomaterials for functional polymer nanocomposites. The research aims to develop a novel alternative technology and formulates a distinct and cost-effective breed of functional nanoscale reinforcements, viz., nanoscale graphite platelets (NGP). The NGP can be made available at low cost and surface modified using UV/O3 for different composite applications. Nanomechanical characterization will produce fruitful information in localized viscoelastic deformation, multiphase morphology and interfacial properties, all of which play important roles in influencing the functional performance of the composites. The indentation system can also (2) benefit research on developing cement-polymer composites reinforced by nanocrystallites, referred to as polymer-intercalated/exfoliated cement (PIEC), which provides an order of magnitude higher in enhancement in strength, adhesion, workability, durability and cost-reduction than conventional infrastructure materials. The instrumentation can quantify the interfacial parameters that govern the composite's property enhancements. (3) Understanding of multi-scale structure development in polymer processing by chaotic mixing can be augmented via nanoindentation techniques. Nanoindentation can perform toughness assessment that could not be otherwise obtained using existing instrumentation for the layered silicate nanocomposites processed via chaotic mixing. (4) The state-of-the-art self-arrangement nanolithography method developed at Akron, which involves the use of mechanical film-stretching with the incorporation of block copolymerization methods prior to excimer laser irradiation, can be enhanced. The instrument can provide quantitative measurements of the polymeric domains derived from self-arranged nanolithography. The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Akron is over 86 years old and poised to develop novel educational programs in the new century. The Department offers one of a kind ABET-accredited (2002) Bachelor of Science in Mechanical-Polymer Engineering (BSMPE) program in our nation. The unique program produces qualified engineering students equipped for the challenges in engineering practice for the regional industry and federal laboratories. The instrument will be integrated with the laboratory experience for the BSMPE students. The Department also boasts one of the oldest (1914) and most dynamic engineering co-op programs in our nation, with strong support from our neighboring industrial partners in Ohio. The up-to-date knowledge acquired by our undergraduate students in senior design and co-op projects can greatly strengthen our nation's industrial hub. The University has established the Akron Global Polymer Academy to disseminate new technologies to companies. It also helps small US companies to upgrade their operations by providing the technology and human resources. Presently, Ohio is undergoing a pressing technological transition. The project can benefit our industrial partners and provide sustainable industrialization and science education in the state through cultivating a science-intensive infrastructure in the northeastern Ohio region.