Rapid Fabrication of Three-Dimensional Structures Using Magnetically-Responsive Low-Melting-Point Alloys

该奖项的研究目标是开发具有磁响应性的低熔点金属合金(由金属基质中的磁性颗粒组成)，可以使用磁场远程操纵。这些材料将使金属能够移动到垂直几何形状和难以到达的位置，以创建三维小规模组装。通过系统的研究，本项目将提供对可靠的合成方法以及分散体对机械和电学性能以及润湿和粘度行为的影响的了解。最后，这项工作还将研究这些材料可以产生的各种三维几何形状，并探索最适合这些合金的磁感应加热条件。如果成功，这项研究的结果将为快速制造三维金属结构提供机会。这些合金将通过弥散硬化表现出更高的机械强度，以实现牢固的互连，并允许通过磁感应直接加热。这种材料将有利于小型器件的制造和封装。除了这一研究追求，该计划还将寻找机会指导和培训未来的科学家，并将努力让小学生参与到科学中来，推出一系列有趣的科学讲座，名为科学星期六(www.cerencesaturday s.org)。

The research objective of this award is to develop magnetically-responsive, low-melting-point metal alloys (consisting of magnetic particles in a metal matrix) that can be manipulated remotely using a magnetic field. These materials will enable the movement of metal into vertical geometries and hard-to-reach locations to create three-dimensional small-scale assemblies. With a systematic study, this program will provide an understanding of reliable methods for synthesis and the effect of dispersions on the mechanical and electrical properties as well as the wetting and viscosity behavior. Lastly, this work will also investigate various 3D geometries that can be generated with these materials and explore magnetic-induction heating conditions best suited for these alloys.If successful, the results of this research will provide an opportunity to rapidly fabricate three-dimensional metallic structures. These alloys will display enhanced mechanical strength, by dispersion hardening, for strong interconnects and allow direct heating by magnetic induction. Such materials will benefit the fabrication and packaging of small-scaled devices. In addition to this research pursuit, this program will also seek opportunities to mentor and train future scientists and will make an effort to get schoolchildren engaged in science, with a fun science lecture series called, Science Saturdays (www.sciencesaturdays.org).