BRIGE: Effect of Microstructure and Interface Layer on the Fracture and Thermal Behavior of Nanocomposites

该研究计划的重点是了解和利用微观结构和界面层对颗粒增强聚合物纳米复合材料的断裂和热性能的影响。良好的表征和功能化的纳米复合材料将由不同的颗粒和聚合物系统制造。将利用显微立体视觉和数字图像相关进行微观和宏观疲劳裂纹扩展实验。动态断裂实验也将使用改进的分离式Hokinson压杆技术进行。 将通过实验和数值方法测量纳米复合材料的热导率。最后，将实验结果与修改后的微观力学模型相结合，将确定纳米复合材料的有效热和断裂行为作为单个组件属性的函数。项目意义的非技术描述了解纳米复合材料的断裂和热性能与颗粒单个材料性能的函数关系是至关重要的，并且从小型工业到大型研究中心都需要这样做，以便更好地优化纳米复合材料的设计。 这项研究的结果是很重要的，特别是在结构和应用程序中的组件的性能主要取决于提供冷却设备热点的有效性。 此外，这些发现可以导致新型纳米复合材料的开发，这些材料可以通过在不可逆损伤发生之前检测热性能的变化来报告损伤和微裂纹。扩大代表性不足的群体在工程中的参与该项目支持通过直接让学生参与拟议的研究和通过外联活动来扩大代表性不足的群体的参与。作为持续推广工作的一部分，将为当地高中学生组织一系列使用聚合物和纳米复合材料的实验室演示活动，其中三分之一来自代表性不足的群体。 学生将接触并熟悉当前的纳米技术，3D计算机视觉和数字图像相关技术。PI还将通过南加州大学科学教育中心以及那里的科学实验室项目，与南卡罗来纳州和附近各州的历史悠久的黑人学院和大学合作。与本尼迪克特学院的一名教员的合作已经建立，并将通过这个桥梁奖得到促进。这项研究已经通过工程招标中的扩大参与研究启动赠款得到资助，这是工程教育和中心部扩大工程参与计划的一部分。这项研究也通过刺激竞争性研究的实验计划（EPSCoR），这是国际和综合活动办公室的一部分。

Technical Description the ProjectThis research program focusses on understanding and exploiting the effect of microstructure and interface layer on the fracture and thermal properties of particle reinforced polymer nanocomposites. Well characterized and functionalized nanocomposites will be fabricated from different particles and polymer systems. Both micro-scale and macro-scale fatigue crack growth experiments using microscopic stereo vision and digital image correlation will be conducted. Dynamic fracture experiment will also be conducted using the modified split Hokinson pressure bar technique. The thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites as-fabricated and after subjected to mechanical loading will be measured experimentally and numerically. Finally, combining the experimental results with a modified micromechanics model, the effective thermal and fracture behavior of the nanocomposite as a function of individual component properties will be determined. Non-Technical Description of the Project's SignficanceUnderstanding the fracture and thermal properties in nanocomposites as a function of individual material properties of the particles is essential and needed from small industry to large research centers for a better optimized design of nanocomposites. The outcome of this study is important especially in structures and applications where the performance of the components depends mainly on the effectiveness of providing cooling for a device hot spot. Furthermore, the findings can lead to the development of novel nanocomposite materials that can report damage and micro cracking by sensing changes in thermal properties before irreversible damage occurs. Broadening Participation of Underrepresented Groups in EngineeringThe project supports the effort to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups by directly involving students in the proposed research and through the outreach activities. As a part of continuous outreach effort, a set of laboratory demonstration events, using polymer and nanocomposites, will be organized for local high school students, of which one-third are from underrepresented groups. The students will be exposed to and familiarized with the current nanotechnology, 3D computer vision and digital image correlation techniques. The PI will also work with Historically Black Colleges and Universities in South Carolina and nearby states, through the Center for Science Education at the USC as well as the SCienceLab program there. A collaboration with a faculty member at Benedict College has already been established and will be facilitated through this BRIGE award.This research has been funded through the Broadening Participation Research Initiation Grants in Engineering solicitation, which is part of the Broadening Participation in Engineering Program of the Engineering Education and Centers Division.The research is also funded through the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), which is part of the Office of International and Integrative Activities.