GOALI: Investigation of Cyclic Failure in Aluminosilicate Nanocomposites

非技术描述：该项目研究了一种新型多功能陶瓷复合材料的机械完整性，该复合材料具有低密度、高强度和高热稳定性等先进性能。这些新材料的潜在应用包括用于分离过程的多孔膜、多相固体催化剂、耐腐蚀涂层、绝缘系统部件和低碳足迹混凝土替代品。本研究制定了新型陶瓷材料损伤容限设计的新规则和材料构件质量评定的新标准。研究活动为本科生和研究生提供纳米材料科学、先进机械和纳米技术方面的培训。这项研究支持与当地高中合作组织高中科学外展研讨会，以促进招募和保留未被充分代表的群体进入科学和工程学科。技术细节：该项目调查先进的硅酸铝纳米复合材料由于长期暴露在低水平重复载荷下而过早失效的问题。这是一个重要的问题，因为早期故障通常会导致组件的使用寿命缩短和维护成本增加。使用尖端的纳米级深度传感方法，这项研究试图产生新的微结构-性能关系。所产生的知识可能导致新的材料设计规则，从而加速硅酸铝纳米杂化材料在科学和工程应用中的插入。这项研究建立在工业界(Anton Paar)和学术界(西北大学)之间的牢固合作伙伴关系之上，从而促成了学术界和工业界的联合研讨会，重点是表面机械表征方面的进展。这项研究通过为本科生提供研究实习机会和为研究生提供培训机会，为拥有一支熟练和多样化的劳动力队伍做出贡献。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: This project investigates the mechanical integrity of a new breed of multifunctional ceramic composites with advanced properties such as low density, high strength, and high thermal stability. Potential applications for these novel materials include porous membranes for separation processes, heterogeneous solid catalysts, corrosion-resistant coatings, insulation system parts, and low carbon footprint concrete alternatives. This research formulates new design rules for damage-tolerant novel ceramic materials and new standards for quality assessment of material components. The research activities provide training for undergraduate and graduate students in nanomaterials science, advanced mechanics, and nanotechnology. This research supports the organization of high school science outreach workshops in collaboration will local high schools to promote the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups into science and engineering disciplines.TECHNICAL DETAILS: This project investigates the premature failure of advanced aluminosilicate nanocomposites due to prolonged exposure to low-level repetitive loadings. This is an important issue as early failure usually results in shortened service lifetimes and increased maintenance costs of components. Using cutting-edge nanoscale depth-sensing methods, this research seeks to generate new microstructure-performance relationships. The knowledge generated could lead to new materials design rules and thus accelerate the insertion of aluminosilicate nanohybrids in science and engineering applications. The research rests on a strong partnership between industry (Anton Paar) and academia (Northwestern University) leading to a joint academia-industry workshop focused on advances in surface mechanical characterization. This research contributes to a skilled and diverse workforce through research internship opportunities for undergraduate students and training opportunities for graduate students.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.