MRI: Acquisition of a Thermo-Hydroforming Stamping Press for Research and Education in Forming of Multifunctional Nanocomposite and Biocomposite Polymer Structures

该主要研究仪器（MRI）的目的是获得一台热液压成形冲压压力机，该压力机能够在高压和温度下以不同的应变速率成形不同厚度和成分的板材。该研究包括设计和合成多功能复合材料（MCM），通过在层间和层内水平加入纳米增强材料。关键原理将是通过热成形冲压过程控制纳米颗粒的浓度、取向和形态。研究的重点将是发展基本材料-加工-性能关系，从而产生聚合物和复合材料的多功能性能，特别是机械刚度和韧性，减轻重量，导热性，介电性能，导电性，增强阻隔性能，耐火性和自诊断能力。要用热流体成形压机测试的材料示例有(a)纳米材料增强复合材料，(b)射频器件工程材料，(c)可定制材料和结构，(d)生物基结构复合材料，以及(e)用于生物医学应用的成形和穿孔镍钛诺形状记忆合金薄板。热流体成形压力机将为教师、博士后研究员、研究生和本科生研究人员提供大量的教育和研究机会，以了解更多关于生物基复合材料、纳米复合材料和轻质金属的成型，以及验证现有材料模型的准确性，并开发纳米复合材料成型模拟的新模型。通过每年由工程学院主办的各种研讨会，将鼓励第一代，低收入和/或代表性不足的大学三年级和四年级学生参与热流体成型研究。多元文化学徒计划（MAP）将为未被充分代表的女高中生提供参与，以更多地了解生物基材料和纳米技术的职业机会。新的热液成形压力机也将为当地小企业提供获得研究仪器的机会。最后，利用由塑料工程师协会（SPE）主办的夏季讲习班，实习工程师将接受关于冲压热流体成形作为形成复合材料的独特工艺的好处的培训。

The objective of this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) is for the acquisition of a thermo-hydroforming stamping press capable of forming sheet materials of varying thickness and composition under high pressure and temperature at varying strain rates. The research to be conducted includes design and synthesis of multifunctional composite materials (MCM) through incorporation of nano-reinforcements at both the interlaminar and intralaminar levels. The key principle will be to control the nanoparticle concentration, orientation and morphology through the thermo-hydroforming stamping process. The emphasis of the research would be on the development of fundamental materials-processing-property relationships that lead to polymer and composite multifunctional properties, particularly mechanical stiffness and toughness, reduced weight, thermal conductivity, dielectric properties, electrical conductivity, enhanced barrier performance, fire resistance and self-diagnostic capability. Examples of materials to be tested with the thermo-hydroforming press are (a) nanomaterial-reinforced composites, (b) engineered materials for RF devices, (c) tailorable materials and structures, (d) biobased structural composites, and (e) to shape-set and perforate thin nitinol shape memory alloy sheets for biomedical applications. The thermo-hydroforming press will provide numerous educational and research opportunities for faculty, post-doc fellows, graduate and undergraduate researchers to learn more about forming of biobased composites, nanocomposites, and lightweight metals, as well as to verify the accuracy of existing material models and to develop new models for the forming simulation of nanocomposites. Through various workshops sponsored annually by the college of engineering, participation of first-generation, low-income and/or underrepresented college juniors and seniors in the thermo-hydroforming research will be encouraged. The multicultural apprenticeship program (MAP) will provide for the participation of underrepresented women high school students to learn more about career opportunities in biobased materials and nanotechnology. The new thermo-hydroforming press will also provide opportunities for local small businesses to have access to a research instrument. Finally, using summer workshops sponsored by the Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE), practicing engineers will be trained on the benefits of stamp thermo-hydroforming as a unique process for forming composite materials.