Freeform Fabrication of Multifunctional Nanocomposites via Selective Laser Sintering

该奖项的研究目标是为确定通过选择性激光烧结制造的多功能聚合物纳米复合材料的制造-结构-性能关系进行基础研究，最终目标是创造一种新的快速、免工具的聚合物纳米复合材料组件制造技术。旨在同时提高力学、热学和电学性能的多功能聚合物纳米复合材料将被制备、表征和建模。该方法将把具有独特电和热性能的碳纳米材料(炭黑和石墨纳米片)集成到工程热塑性聚合物基质(尼龙12)中，通过选择性激光烧结进行先进的材料加工，纳米结构表征，以及材料加工和由此产生的性能的理论建模。采用系统的实验和理论方法，揭示聚合物纳米复合材料选择性激光烧结过程中的热传递和致密化机理。选择性激光烧结工艺作为生产多功能聚合物纳米复合材料的一种快速、免工具的制造方法的潜力将通过与传统聚合物加工方法(如熔融复合与压缩或注射成型)的基准比较来确定。该研究将为低成本制造具有复杂三维几何结构和功能梯度性质的聚合物纳米复合材料构件奠定科学技术基础。如果成功，这项研究的好处将包括制造低成本、轻质、导热和导电的多功能材料，从而在计算、通信、电子、汽车、航空航天和国防工业中带来新技术和应用。此外，这项研究将为聚合物纳米复合材料提供商业上可行的先进制造方法，提供比传统加工方法更好的可制造性和成本降低；并有可能通过佐治亚理工学院S先进技术开发中心向初创公司转让技术。最后，这项研究的重大好处将是跨多个学科的教学和推广计划的整合，包括自由形式制造和纳米材料，以影响佐治亚理工学院多样化学生群体的教育和培训；以及德卡尔布县高中教师和学生参与涉及亲身接触先进材料和制造的推广活动。

The research objective of this award is to conduct fundamental investigations towards the determination of the manufacturing-structure-property relationships in multifunctional polymer nanocomposites manufactured through selective laser sintering, with the ultimate goal of creating a new rapid and tool-less manufacturing technology for polymer nanocomposite components. Multifunctional polymer nanocomposites aimed at simultaneous improvements in mechanical, thermal and electrical performance will be prepared, characterized and modeled. The approach will be to integrate carbon nanomaterials (carbon black and graphite nanoplatelets) with unique electrical and thermal properties into an engineering thermoplastic polymer matrix (Nylon 12), advanced material processing through selective laser sintering, nanostructure characterization, and theoretical modeling of material processing and resulting properties. A systematic experimental and theoretical approach will be pursued to reveal the heat transfer and densification mechanisms in the selective laser sintering processing of polymer nanocomposites. The potential of the selective laser sintering process as a rapid, tool-less, manufacturing method for producing multifunctional polymer nanocomposites will be determined via a benchmark comparison with conventional polymer processing methods such as melt compounding with compression or injection molding. The proposed research will establish the scientific and technical basis for low-cost manufacturing of polymer nanocomposite components with complex three-dimensional geometries and with functionally graded properties. If successful, the benefits of this research will include manufacturing of low-cost, light weight, thermally and electrically conductive multifunctional materials leading to new technologies and applications in the computing, communications, electronics, automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. Additionally, this research will provide commercially viable advanced manufacturing methods for polymer nanocomposites offering improved manufacturability and cost reductions over conventional processing methods; and potential of technology transfer to a start-up company through Georgia Tech?s Advanced Technology Development Center. Finally, significant benefits of this research will be the integration of teaching and outreach programs across multiple disciplines, including freeform fabrication and nanomaterials, to impact the education and training of a diverse student body at Georgia Tech; and the engagement of Dekalb County high school teachers and students in outreach activities involving hands-on exposure to advanced materials and manufacturing.