Award Abstract #0300574
Nanophases and Nanofabrication

NSF Org:	CMMI Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation
Initial Amendment Date:	April 11, 2003
Latest Amendment Date:	August 18, 2004
Award Number:	0300574
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Kevin Lyons CMMI Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation ENG Directorate for Engineering
Start Date:	May 1, 2003
Expires:	September 30, 2005 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$280306
Investigator(s):	Hong Liang hliang@tamu.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Adm Svcs Ctr Rm 109 Fairbanks, AK 99709 907/474-7314
NSF Program(s):	EXP PROG TO STIM COMP RES, COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH, NANOMANUFACTURING
Field Application(s):	0308000 Industrial Technology
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, MANU, 9251, 9231, 9178, 9150, 9146, 9102, 5980, 5918, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	9150, 7298, 1788

ABSTRACT

In this research program, Professor Hong Liang at the University of Alaska Fairbanks seeks to develop a new and perhaps revolutionary nanofabrication process to generate nano-scale phases - a crucial step for further expansion of the fledgling nanotechnology manufacturing industry. There are two objectives in this program. The first objective is to develop nanofabrication processes to generate nanodimension phases. The second objective is to understand the role of mechanical stimulation on phase formation and transformation at small scale. The primary experimental approach is to use an atomic force microscope (AFM) to conduct mechanical stimulation. Professor Liang will use several contact and scanning modes to dope elements from an AFM tip to a substrate surface. The doped surfaces will be subsequently heat-treated to form desired phases. The AFM will also be used for surface characterization, along with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscope techniques. How structure-surface properties are impacted by the effects of mechanical energy and heat treatment processes will be studied. The simplicity and flexibility of the mechanical manipulation techniques is a significant advantage for synthesis and characterization of nano-structures. The potential applications in nanomachining, assembly, nanosensors, and development of MEMS and NEMS are extremely exciting. Intellectual merit also lies in developing scientific understanding of a series of new phenomena and non-equilibrium transformations. These include: properties of nanophases, nanoscale phase transformation, and their property-performance relationships with materials. Understanding friction-induced nanophases and phase transformation will open new areas of materials research in surface science and nanostructured materials.

This research is integrated with education activities, including ongoing program development in Materials Science and outreach to Alaskan K-12 and schoolteachers. Both graduate and undergraduate level students will be involved in this research. Students will have an opportunity to explore the most advanced manufacturing technologies. Expanding such new technologies and bringing them to public attention in the local community is the first step to encouraging small companies in Alaska. Such companies can create more job opportunities in the state, and could change Alaska's technology infrastructure for the better.

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