Experimental Characterization and Model Validation of Smart Piezoelectric Nanocomposites using Ultramicrotome

使用超薄切片机对智能压电纳米复合材料进行实验表征和模型验证

• 批准号: RTI-2020-00687
• 负责人: Meguid, Shaker
• 金额: $ 5.88万
• 依托单位: University of Toronto
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Research Tools and Instruments
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=692257
• 关键词: Experimental; Characterization; Model; Validation; Smart

Our current NSERC DG sponsored research program is concerned with the accurate modelling and experimental characterisation of the electromechanical behaviour of smart piezoelectric nanocomposites (SPNCs) containing active piezoelectric nanowires (NWs) made of Zinc Oxide and Gallium Nitride. SPNCs will form the foundation for the next generation of lightweight nanostructured composites for applications requiring multifunctionality, autonomy and adaptability involving sensors, actuators and energy harvesters. An essential aspect of our research program is the evaluation of the electromechanical behaviour of NWs and SPNCs. Existing literature are limited in scope and contradictory. This is due to the complexities associated with the atomistic predictions and experimental measurements of the piezoelectric coefficients. In this RTI, we are seeking support to acquire an ultramicrotome system capable of preparing nanocomposite samples for microscopy characterisation. These samples are in the form of ribbons with the desired geometry, thickness, flatness and roughness that are consistent and conform to very tight tolerances (<1 nm). These topological features cannot be obtained by ad hoc methods such as polishing. The proposed system is equipped with a fully motorized stage with the necessary controls and precise glass and diamond knives that make it possible to accept a wide-range of substrates and consistently produce ribbons without wrinkling or pulling the NWs. It dynamically isolates environmental vibration and eliminates thickness variation due to air turbulences. To avoid unnecessary duplication of the equipment, we conducted an extensive search of existing ultramicrotomes at UofT and nearby institutions. Our search revealed that existing ultramicrotomes are used specifically for tissue engineering, biological, chemical and medical applications. Consequently, most of these facilities have configured their systems which make them unsuitable for sectioning nanocomposites samples. Additionally, these systems are fully occupied with their own research teams and/or external contracts. In view of the highly specialized nature of our piezoelectric research, it is necessary to prepare our samples in a dedicated facility to ensure their suitability for our applications and the proper training of the HQP. The requested ultramicrotome will significantly enhance our ability to efficiently and consistently prepare samples to obtain high quality images, ultimately leading to accurate and meaningful results. Research supported by the proposed ultramicrotome will aid in developing innovative and cost effective SPNCs, greatly improved understanding of their behaviour, new knowledge concerning the experimental characterization of piezoelectric coefficients, and the effective training of 66 HQP over the 5-year duration of this research program. In view of its importance, my department will contribute $12,000 in support of the proposed ultramicrotome system.

我们目前由 NSERC DG 赞助的研究项目涉及包含由氧化锌和氮化镓制成的活性压电纳米线 (NW) 的智能压电纳米复合材料 (SPNC) 的机电行为的精确建模和实验表征。 SPNC 将成为下一代轻质纳米结构复合材料的基础，这些复合材料适用于需要多功能性、自主性和适应性的应用，涉及传感器、执行器和能量采集器。我们研究计划的一个重要方面是评估 NW 和 SPNC 的机电行为。现有文献范围有限且相互矛盾。这是由于与压电系数的原子预测和实验测量相关的复杂性。在此 RTI 中，我们正在寻求支持以获得能够制备用于显微镜表征的纳米复合材料样品的超薄切片机系统。这些样品呈带状，具有所需的几何形状、厚度、平整度和粗糙度，且一致且符合非常严格的公差（<1 nm）。这些拓扑特征无法通过抛光等临时方法获得。所提出的系统配备了一个全电动平台，配有必要的控制装置以及精确的玻璃和金刚石刀，可以接受各种基材并一致地生产带材，而不会起皱或拉扯纳米线。它动态隔离环境振动并消除由于空气湍流导致的厚度变化。为了避免不必要的设备重复，我们对多伦多大学和附近机构现有的超薄切片机进行了广泛的搜索。我们的搜索显示，现有的超薄切片机专门用于组织工程、生物、化学和医学应用。因此，大多数这些设施的系统配置使其不适合切割纳米复合材料样品。此外，这些系统完全被自己的研究团队和/或外部合同占据。 鉴于我们压电研究的高度专业性，有必要在专用设施中准备我们的样品，以确保它们适合我们的应用以及 HQP 的适当培训。所需的超薄切片机将显着增强我们高效、一致地制备样品以获得高质量图像的能力，最终获得准确且有意义的结果。拟议的超薄切片机支持的研究将有助于开发创新且具有成本效益的 SPNC，极大地提高对其行为的理解，获得有关压电系数实验表征的新知识，并在该研究计划的 5 年期间对 66 名 HQP 进行有效培训。鉴于其重要性，我的部门将捐赠 12,000 美元来支持拟议的超薄切片机系统。