Functionalization of Metals by Hierarchical Surface Patterning

这项研究是关于通过表面图案化来理解和控制金属的功能特性（润湿性，腐蚀性和粘附性）。本研究的方法将是利用非晶态金属的粘性软化来赋予金属部件中所需功能的受控形貌（微米，纳米和分级）。这项研究的科学目标是：1）将表面形貌和化学的贡献解耦，2）了解原子结构（非晶与晶体）对金属表面性质的影响。对于目标1，将在不改变金属合金的表面化学的情况下表征形貌的系统变化对性能的影响。目标2将涉及从处于非晶态和晶态的金属合金制造可比较的表面形貌。这将通过使图案化的非晶金属结晶而不显著改变表面图案来实现。这些目标的结果将量化地形，成分和晶体结构对金属合金功能特性的影响。如果成功的话，这项研究的好处将包括通过图案化进行金属表面工程的新途径，由于其先进的制造技术，这种方法在历史上仅限于聚合物和半导体。 通过集成表面图案化和净成形，可以制造具有所需性能的复杂金属部件，而无需额外的功能化步骤。多学科的研究将为参与的本科生和研究生提供一个刺激的学习环境。外展活动将包括展示表面性质（疏水性和粘附性）与地形（荷叶结构和纤维状粘合剂）之间的关系，以促进K12学生？对工程和科学领域感兴趣。

This research is about understanding and controlling the functional properties (wetting, corrosion, and adhesion) of metals by surface patterning. The approach of this research will be to utilize viscous softening of amorphous metals to impart controlled topography (micro, nano, and hierarchical) for desirable functionality in metal components. The scientific objectives of this research are to 1) decouple the contribution of surface topography and chemistry and 2) to understand the effect of atomic structure (amorphous vs crystalline) on surface properties of metals. For objective 1, effect of systematic variation in topography on properties will be characterized without altering the surface chemistry of a metallic alloy. Objective 2 will involve fabrication of comparable surface topography from a metallic alloy in its amorphous and crystalline state. This will be achieved by crystallizing the patterned amorphous metal without significantly changing the surface pattern. The outcomes of these objectives will quantify the effect of topography, composition, and crystal structure on the functional properties of metallic alloys. If successful, the benefits of this research will include a new avenue for surface engineering of metals by patterning, which has been historically limited to polymers and semiconductors due to their advanced fabrication techniques. By integrating surface pattering and net-shaping, complex metals parts with desirable properties can be fabricated without additional functionalization steps. The multi-disciplinary research will provide a stimulating learning environment for the undergraduate and graduate students involved. Outreach activities will include demonstration of correlation between surface properties (hydrophobicity and adhesion) and topography (structure of lotus leaf and fibrillar adhesives) to promote K12 students? interest in the field engineering and science.