Tools for engineered surfaces

Abstract

After funding over a billion dollars of high technology research over the last six years, the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) funded by the US Department of Commerce and managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is finally proposing a focused programme on 'Tools for engineered surfaces'. Over $lOOm in leveraged funding (1 : 1 with industrial participation) is expected over the next four years. Surface engineers finally seem to have registered on the radar screen and secured the attention of the administration on the numerous challenges that industry faces in overcoming several high risk technical barriers. The programme aims to induce a paradigm shift from point solutions to a structured approach in the development of new materials, processes, and components. Specific goals of this programme include: simultaneous improvement of engineered surface process designs and reduction of cost through reductions in development time and increased yield and consistency; and development of prime reliant surfaces which are integral to the design and operation of a component, as opposed to being merely life enhancing. These goals are expected to be met through the development of a set of manufacturing and analytical process tools which are applicable to materials to provide wear, corrosion, and thermal enhancements to substrates, and which exploit new developments in process diagnostics, life/performance prediction, and equipment design and development.