MRI-R2: Acquisition of Nanomechanical Systems for in situ Mechanical Characterization of Materials in Application Environments

该奖项是根据2009年美国复苏和再投资法案（公法111-5）资助的。该主要研究仪器（MRI-R2）奖的目的是获得几种补充仪器，以建立在受控环境和外部刺激下材料力学行为的微观和纳米表征方面的强大能力。具体而言，纳米压痕仪和纳米冲击/疲劳测试仪将获得能够在受控温度，大气和液体环境中操作，同时在热，电，电化学和生物刺激下。这些仪器将促进和加强几项研究和教育活动，包括理解和开发：（1）用于电化学储能的新材料;（2）用于航空航天和汽车应用的轻质材料;（3）用于电子互连、微机电设备（MEMS）和微流体设备的无铅焊接;（4）生物材料和生物医学应用的多功能智能材料。这些技术的发展需要在微米和纳米尺度上测量功能和结构材料在应用环境中的力学行为。在未来十年中，耦合机械X（X可以是热、电、电化学或生物刺激）将成为一个活跃的科学追求领域，具有广泛的应用。 应用条件下的原位纳米力学测量将加速许多关键技术领域的材料研究，包括更强大和更持久的电池，更轻和更强的汽车和飞机材料，以及更强大的生物相容性和生物可降解植入物。研究生和本科生将受益于动手实验室培训和参与使用原位纳米机械系统的研究。这些仪器将提供给来自多个学科的教师，学生和工业合作伙伴，他们对纳米机械表征有共同的兴趣和共同的需求。这些仪器支持的研究活动将影响汽车、航空航天、电子、医学以及能源转换和存储等关键领域。

This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The objective of this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI-R2) award is to acquire several complementary instruments to establish a strong capability in micro- and nano-characterization of mechanical behavior of materials in controlled environments and under external stimuli. Specifically, a nanoindenter and a nano-impact/fatigue tester will be acquired that are capable of operating in controlled temperature, atmosphere, and liquid environment while under thermal, electrical, electrochemical, and biological stimuli. The instruments will enable and enhance several research and education activities, including understanding and developing: (1) new materials for electrochemical energy storage; (2) lightweight materials for aerospace and automotive applications; (3) lead-free soldering for electronic interconnects, micro-electromechanical devices (MEMS), and micro-fluidic devices; and (4) biomaterials and multi-functional, smart materials for biomedical applications. Advancing these technologies requires measuring, at the micro- and nano-meter scale, mechanical behavior of functional and structural materials in application environments.In the coming decade, coupled mechanical-X (where X can be thermal, electrical, electrochemical, or biological stimuli) will emerge as an active field of scientific pursuit with a broad range of applications. In situ nanomechanical measurements at application conditions will accelerate materials research in many critical technology areas, including more powerful and longer lasting batteries, lighter and stronger materials for automobiles and airplanes, and more robust bio-compatible and bio-degradable implants. Graduate and undergraduate students will benefit through hands-on laboratory training and participation in the research using the in situ nanomechanical systems. The instruments will be accessible to faculty members, students, and industrial partners from multiple disciplines who have a shared interest and a common need for nanomechanical characterization. The research activities enabled by the instruments will impact critical areas such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, medicine, and energy conversion and storage.