Characterization Of Advanced Materials Research Articles

Vibration tolerance of micro-electrodes

Micro four-point probe measurements can be used for extremely accurate electrical characterization of advanced electronic materials. The measurements are, however, sensitive to environmental vibrations which may compromise measurement quality severely. We have experimentally measured the vibration tolerance of two different micro-electrode designs (straight and three-way flexible) on two different samples (indium-tin-oxide and highly doped silicon). We show that three-way flexible electrodes are significantly more vibration tolerant (at least 50 times) compared to their straight counterparts. We have theoretically analyzed the vibration tolerance of the electrode designs and show excellent agreement between theory and experiment; as a result the theoretical framework may be used to predict vibration tolerance of any micro-electrode.

Dynamic Testing and Characterization of Advanced Materials in a New Experiment at CERN HiRadMat Facility

An innovative and comprehensive experiment (named Multimat) was successfully carried out at CERN HiRadMat facility on 18 different materials relevant for Collimators and Beam Intercepting Devices. Material samples, tested under high intensity proton pulses of 440 GeV/c, exceeding the energy density expected in HL-LHC, ranged from very light carbon foams to tungsten heavy alloys, including novel composites as graphite/carbides and metal/diamond without and with thin-film coatings. Experimental data were acquired relying on extensive integrated instrumentation (strain gauges, temperature sensors, radiation-hard camera) and on laser Doppler vibrometer. This allows investigating relatively unexplored and fundamental phenomena as dynamic strength, internal energy dispersion, nonlinearities due to inelasticity and inhomogeneity, strength and delamination of coatings and surfaces. By benchmarking sophisticated numerical simulations against these results, it is possible to establish or update material constitutive models, which are of paramount importance for the design of devices exposed to interaction with particle beams in high energy accelerators such as the HL-LHC or FCC-hh.

Advances in Understanding Materials for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries by Atomic Force Microscopy

The development of advanced lithium batteries represents a major technological challenge for the new century. Understanding the fundamental electrode degradation mechanisms is important for battery performance improvements. The complex electrochemical processes inside a working battery are being explored to a limited extent. Various advanced material characterization techniques have been used to monitor dynamic conditions for optimizing battery materials. State‐of‐the‐art atomic force microscopy methods have been applied to energy storage systems, specifically lithium‐ion batteries. Atomic force microscopy is an ideal tool to provide localized morphological, chemical, and physical information at nanoscale for the in‐depth understanding of the electrochemical processes, reaction mechanisms, and degradation of battery materials. Here, we review recent progress in the development and application of atomic force microscopy for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries. We discuss atomic force microscopy as an analytical tool to help researchers understand graphite, silicon, layered metal oxides, and other representative electrode materials. We summarize the importance of atomic force microscopy technique in studying the next‐generation Li–S and Li–O2 batteries. We also highlight some of the remaining challenges and possible solutions for future development.

International Conference on Advances in Materials and Manufacturing Applications (IConAMMA-2017)

IConAMMA International Conference on Advances in Materials and Manufacturing Applications – 2017 (IConAMMA - 2017) emphasized on the most recent advances and developments in the field of design and manufacturing process using experiments with high precision equipment’s and computational techniques. In this regard, IConAMMA – 2017 was organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Amrita University, Bengaluru campus during 17th - 19th August, 2017.The conference focused on the recent developments in the field of Mechanical Sciences applied to Materials and Manufacturing Engineering. In addition to contributory papers, the conference has invited renowned experts for delivering keynote addresses/special lectures in the field of Mechanical Sciences. There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of the development and utilization of advanced materials and structures in applications ranging from hydrospace to aerospace. With the ability to respond autonomously to changes in their environment, smart systems can offer a simplified approach to the control of various material and system characteristics. Mechanistic understanding from any discipline is the route to the development of materials with capabilities beyond those currently available. The conference is aimed at creating a cross disciplinary summit that transcends departmental, institutional, industrial, public and private research organizational and global barriers and lends itself to the integration of research and education in the vital field of advanced materials. This conference is dedicated to bring up substantial discussions on major sectors of advanced processing, material characterization, modeling and simulation, properties, performance and device fabrication.List of Scope of the Conference and Acknowledgements are available in this PDF.

Pattern recognition with machine learning on optical microscopy images of typical metallurgical microstructures

For advanced materials characterization, a novel and extremely effective approach of pattern recognition in optical microscopic images of steels is demonstrated. It is based on fast Random Forest statistical algorithm of machine learning for reliable and automated segmentation of typical steel microstructures. Their percentage and location areas excellently agreed between machine learning and manual examination results. The accurate microstructure pattern recognition/segmentation technique in combination with other suitable mathematical methods of image processing and analysis can help to handle the large volumes of image data in a short time for quality control and for the quest of new steels with desirable properties.

A proposition of peritectic structures as candidates for thermal energy storage

Peritectic structures are proposed as candidates for thermal energy storage in solar power plants. According to the evolution of Concentrated Solar Plants (CSP) technologies, the development of a new technology for ultra-compact Thermal Energy Storage (TES) over an extended range of temperatures is required. Identification, synthesis, analysis and characterization of innovative advanced materials should allow reaching outstanding energy density, long term stability, reasonable investment and could also enhancing heat transfers. All these assets make the ‘peritectics’ very appealing potential candidates for heat storage. In this work, a theoretical study based on phase diagrams modeling is performed to investigate the possible use of binary peritectic structures. It has been shown that peritectics can provide significantly increased energy density compared to simple melting/solidification processes, mainly because they involve chemical reactions. These materials could hence represent a very innovative and promising route for ultra-compact heat storage over a wide range of temperatures [300 - 700°C].

Crystallite size-dependent metastable phase formation of TiAlN coatings

It is well known that surface energy differences thermodynamically stabilize nanocrystalline γ-Al2O3 over α-Al2O3. Here, through correlative ab initio calculations and advanced material characterization at the nanometer scale, we demonstrate that the metastable phase formation of nanocrystalline TiAlN, an industrial benchmark coating material, is crystallite size-dependent. By relating calculated surface and volume energy contributions to the total energy, we predict the chemical composition-dependent phase boundary between the two metastable solid solution phases of cubic and wurzite Ti1−xAlxN. This phase boundary is characterized by the critical crystallite size dcritical. Crystallite size-dependent phase stability predictions are in very good agreement with experimental phase formation data where x was varied by utilizing combinatorial vapor phase condensation. The wide range of critical Al solubilities for metastable cubic Ti1−xAlxN from xmax = 0.4 to 0.9 reported in literature and the sobering disagreement thereof with DFT predictions can at least in part be rationalized based on the here identified crystallite size-dependent metastable phase formation. Furthermore, it is evident that predictions of critical Al solubilities in metastable cubic TiAlN are flawed, if the previously overlooked surface energy contribution to the total energy is not considered.

Additive Manufacturing of Nickel-Base Superalloy IN100 Through Scanning Laser Epitaxy

Scanning laser epitaxy (SLE) is a laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)-based additive manufacturing process that uses a high-power laser to consolidate metal powders facilitating the fabrication of three-dimensional objects. In the present study, SLE is used to produce samples of IN100, a high-γ′ non-weldable nickel-base superalloy on similar chemistry substrates. A thorough analysis is performed using various advanced material characterization techniques such as high-resolution optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and Vickers microhardness measurements to characterize and compare the quality of the SLE-fabricated IN100 deposits with the investment cast IN100 substrates. The results show that the IN100 deposits have a finer γ/γ′ microstructure, weaker elemental segregation, and higher microhardness compared with the substrate. Through this study, it is demonstrated that the SLE process has tremendous potential in the repair and manufacture of gas turbine hot-section components.

Infrastructure development for radioactive materials at the NSLS-II

The X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) Beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II is a multipurpose instrument designed for high-resolution, high-energy X-ray scattering techniques. In this article, the capabilities, opportunities and recent developments in the characterization of radioactive materials at XPD are described. The overarching goal of this work is to provide researchers access to advanced synchrotron techniques suited to the structural characterization of materials for advanced nuclear energy systems. XPD is a new beamline providing high photon flux for X-ray Diffraction, Pair Distribution Function analysis and Small Angle X-ray Scattering. The infrastructure and software described here extend the existing capabilities at XPD to accommodate radioactive materials. Such techniques will contribute crucial information to the characterization and quantification of advanced materials for nuclear energy applications. We describe the automated radioactive sample collection capabilities and recent X-ray Diffraction and Small Angle X-ray Scattering results from neutron irradiated reactor pressure vessel steels and oxide dispersion strengthened steels.

Microstructures and Microhardness Properties of CMSX-4® Additively Fabricated Through Scanning Laser Epitaxy (SLE)

Epitaxial CMSX-4® deposition is achieved on CMSX-4® substrates through the scanning laser epitaxy (SLE) process. A thorough analysis is performed using various advanced material characterization techniques, namely high-resolution optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Vickers microhardness measurements, to characterize and compare the quality of the SLE-fabricated CMSX-4® deposits to the CMSX-4® substrates. The results show that the CMSX-4® deposits have smaller primary dendritic arm spacing, finer γ/γ′ size, weaker elemental segregation, and higher microhardness compared to the investment cast CMSX-4® substrates. The results presented here demonstrate that CMSX-4® is an attractive material for laser-based AM processing and, therefore, can be used in the fabrication of gas turbine hot-section components through AM processing.

Quantification of the inherent uncertainty in the relaxation modulus and creep compliance of asphalt mixes

Advanced material characterization of asphalt concrete is essential for realistic and accurate performance prediction of flexible pavements. However, such characterization requires rigorous testing regimes that involve mechanical testing of a large number of laboratory samples at various conditions and set-ups. Advanced measurement instrumentation in addition to meticulous and accurate data analysis and analytical representation are also of high importance. Such steps as well as the heterogeneous nature of asphalt concrete (AC) constitute major factors of inherent variability. Thus, it is imperative to model and quantify the variability of the needed asphalt material’s properties, mainly the linear viscoelastic response functions such as: relaxation modulus, $E(t)$ , and creep compliance, $D(t)$ . The objective of this paper is to characterize the inherent uncertainty of both $E(t)$ and $D(t)$ over the time domain of their master curves. This is achieved through a probabilistic framework using Monte Carlo simulations and First Order approximations, utilizing $E^{*}$ data for six AC mixes with at least eight replicates per mix. The study shows that the inherent variability, presented by the coefficient of variation (COV), in $E(t)$ and $D(t)$ is low at small reduced times, and increases with the increase in reduced time. At small reduced times, the COV in $E(t)$ and $D(t)$ are similar in magnitude; however, differences become significant at large reduced times. Additionally, the probability distributions and COVs of $E(t)$ and $D(t)$ are mix dependent. Finally, a case study is considered in which the inherent uncertainty in $D(t)$ is forward propagated to assess the effect of variability on the predicted number of cycles to fatigue failure of an asphalt mix.

(Invited) Atomic-Scale Exploration of Synthetic Low Dimensional Materials

Low-dimensional materials functioning at the nanoscale are a critical component for a variety of current and future technologies. From the optimization of light harvesting solar technologies to large-scale catalytic processes, key physical phenomena are occurring at the nanometer and atomic length-scales and predominately at interfaces. For instance, graphene is a nearly ideal two-dimensional conductor that is comprised of a single sheet of hexagonally packed carbon atoms. In order fully realize the potential of graphene for novel electronic applications, large-scale synthesis of high quality graphene and the ability to control the electronic properties of this material on a nanometer length scale are key challenges. In addition to graphene, we are interested in exploring the synthesis of low-dimensional materials that do not occur in nature. This talk will highlight how scanning probe microscopy presents a series of powerful experimental tools that can overcome several challenges and allow for the direct characterization of several advanced materials. This talk will also cover our most recent discovery and synthesis of new two-dimensional (2D) boron allotropes (borophenes). This discovery of metallic 2D sheets of boron presents almost ideal example of the synergy between predictive modeling resulting in the experimental realization of a designer materials.

Electromagnetic characterization of advanced nanostructured materials and multilayer design optimization for metrological and low radar observability applications

In this work the electromagnetic characterization of composite materials reinforced with carbon and metallic nanoparticles is presented. In particular, the electric permittivity and the magnetic permeability as a function of the frequency are used to evaluate the electromagnetic absorption capability of the nanocomposites. The aim is the study of possible applications in advanced coating able to tune the electromagnetic reflectivity of satellite surfaces in specific frequency ranges, in a special way for those surfaces that for some reason could be exposed to the antenna radiation pattern. In fact, the interference caused by the spurious electromagnetic multipath due to good electric conductive satellite surface components could in turn affect the main radiation lobe of TLC and Telemetry antennas, thus modifying its main propagation directions and finally increasing the microwave channel pathloss. The work reports the analysis of different nanostructured materials in the 2–10GHz frequency range. The employed nanopowders are of carbon nanotubes, cobalt, argent, titanium, nickel, zinc, copper, iron, boron, bismuth, hafnium, in different weight percentages versus the hosting polymeric matrix. The materials are classified as a function of their electromagnetic losses capability by taking into account of both electric and magnetic properties. The possibility to design multi-layered structures optimized to provide specific microwave response is finally analyzed by the aid of swam intelligence algorithm. This novel technique is in general interesting for metrological purpose and remote sensing purposes, and can be effectively used in aerospace field for frequency selective materials design, in order to reduce the aircraft/spacecraft radar observability at certain frequencies.

High resolution imaging and analysis of residual elastic strain in an additively manufactured turbine blade

Using recently developed microchannel plate (MCP) neutron area detectors at a pulsed neutron source provides a method of fast non-destructive imaging and characterisation of advanced materials at unprecedented spatial resolution. The energy resolved neutron transmission spectrum can be found from the neutron time of flight (ToF), this provides valuable information about the crystallographic structure within the sample such as the average residual elastic strain in the incident beam direction. By measuring this spectrum at a number of sample orientations information is built up about the strain distribution throughout the specimen. The energy-resolved neutron transmission spectrum of an additively manufactured turbine blade was measured at the Engin-X instrument, ISIS, UK. A high resolution three-dimensional reconstruction of the neutron attenuation coefficient of the blade was recovered, then analysis of the energy resolved spectrum gave insight into the underlying residual elastic strain profile imparted by the advanced manufacturing process.

Image-based software solutions for advanced materials processing and characterization

New image-based solutions are being developed for advanced materials processing and characterization, which involve working with and creating high-quality models from scan data (such as MRI, CT, micro-CT…). Techniques involving the reconstruction and analysis of 3D materials data can accurately reconstruct internal structures, even to the nano level, and generate high-quality meshes suitable for design and simulation applications. By looking at key techniques and their applications, it is possible to better understand the wider impact and benefits of image-based modelling for industry when working with advanced materials.

The use of organic vapour preadsorption to understand water adsorption on activated carbons

In this work, n-octane preadsorption coupled with water vapour sorption has been assessed as a useful technique for the advanced characterization of porous carbon materials. First, two microporous activated carbons with different oxygen contents were gradually preloaded with the n-alkane and then characterized by different adsorbates. As the micropore system is being filled, a narrowing of the hysteresis loop and a decrease in the slope of the water isotherms at low and medium relative pressures was observed. The latter result indicates that the available surface oxygen content gradually decreased with the blockage of the micropores, thus suggesting that the primary water adsorption centers of activated carbons are located in the narrow pores. Moreover, correlations between the available surface oxygen content and the micropore volumes measured by N2 and CO2 adsorption were found. Then, the microporous system of two activated carbons with a mainly mesoporous structure was nearly completely blocked. The surface chemistry of these two carbons was modified in order to have a deeper analysis of the role played by the surface oxygen groups on the water adsorption mechanism. The obtained results showed that the water sorption in the mesopores is highly dependent on the available surface oxygen content.

Substitution of Critical Raw Materials: Synthesis, Characterization and Processing of New Advanced Materials in Optoelectronic and Magnetic Devices

AbstractThis proceedings volume, published in phys. status solidi contains the research presented at the 2016 Spring European Materials Research Society Meeting in Lille, France, in the framework of the symposium E “Substitution of critical raw materials: synthesis, characterization and processing of new advanced materials in optoelectronic and magnetic devices”.The symposium, organized by the EIP commitment RESET, received 110 abstracts with 61 oral pre¬sentations from 26 different countries and represented one of the first scientific conferences on the theme of Critical Raw Materials in Europe.Raw materials are fundamental in most technological applications, however, the global increase demand and the geopolitical concentration of some of them, raised concerns about securing reliable access to raw material resources. In 2010 and, successively, in 2014 the EU commission created a list “Critical Raw Materials” on the prevision of the supply disruption foresees in the next 10 years and the economic and technological importance.Research is needed to improve the fundamental understanding of the development of new material solutions with a reduced or completely eliminated critical content, while maintaining or enhancing the performance of the materials, components and products.The design of the alternative compounds, the control of growth processes coupled with accurate characterization are mandatory for the further development of new CRM free devices.Among the different applications the research projects presented at the symposium were mainly focussed on modern lighting devices, transparent conductive layers, permanent magnetic materials and catalytic converters, providing an interdisciplinary platform on alternatives to CRM.We thank all invited and contributed participants for the high scientific level of presentation and, more in general, for the success of the symposium.

Gyrotrons for High-Power Terahertz Science and Technology at FIR UF

In this paper, we present the recent progress in the development of a series of gyrotrons at FIR UF that have opened the road to many novel applications in the high-power Terahertz science and technology. The current status of the research in this actively developing field is illustrated by the most representative examples in which the developed gyrotrons are used as powerful and frequency tunable sources of coherent radiation operating in a CW regime. Among them are high-precision spectroscopic techniques (most notably DNP-NMR, ESR, XDMR, and studies of the hyperfine splitting of the energy levels of positronium), treatment and characterization of advanced materials, new medical technologies.

(ECS Charles W. Tobias Young Investigator Award) Advanced Materials Diagnosis and Characterization for Enabling High Energy Long Life Rechargeable Batteries

High energy long life rechargeable batteries is considered as key enabling technology for deep decarbonization. Advanced materials characterization tools are essential for scientists and engineers to understand operation and degradation mechanisms in batteries, in order to propose solutions and strategies for improvement. Scanning electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM/EELS) offers unprecedented spatial resolution, which has enabled nanoscale imaging and chemical analysis of battery materials - their surfaces, grain boundaries and phase boundaries. Combining the state-of-the-art in situ operando analytical electron microscopy with first principles (FP) computational data analysis, we reveal some insights that could not be possible to see in the past. On the other hand coherent x-ray diffraction imaging (CXDI), a lensless form of microscopy capable of discerning electron density and strain with 10 nm resolution, can be used to map the strain evolution of a single cathode particle in a functional battery material as it is cycled in-situ. The evolution of compressive/tensile strain reveals a number of interesting phenomena. By combining electron based and X-ray based novel imaging techniques, I hope to showcase the state-of-the-art diagnostic tools developed for probing and understanding electrode materials in operando.

IConAMMA Abstract

International Conference on Adva.nces in Materia.ls and Ma.nufa.ctu.ring Applications - 2016 (IConAMMA - 2016) emphasized on the recent advances and developments in the field of design and manufacturing process using experiments with high precision equipments and computational techniques. In this regard, IConAMMA - 2016 was organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Bengaluru campus during 14th - 16th July, 2016.The conference focused on the recent advances in the field of Mechanical Sciences applied to Materials and Manufacturing Engineering. In addition to contributory papers, the conference has invited renowned experts for delivering keynote addresses/special lectures in the field of Mechanical Sciences. There is an increasing awareness of the benefits of the development and utilization of advanced materials and structures in applications ranging from hydrospace to aerospace. With the ability to respond autonomously to changes in their environment, smart systems can offer a simplified approach to the control of various material and system characteristics. Mechanistic understanding from any discipline is the route to the development of materials with capabilities beyond those currently available. The conference is aimed at creating a cross disciplinary summit that transcends departmental, institutional, industrial, public and private research organizational and global barriers and lends itself to the integration of research and education in the vital field of advanced materials. This conference is dedicated to bring up substantial discussions on major sectors of advanced processing, material characterization, modeling and simulation, properties, performance and device fabrication.Scope of the ConferenceThe role of manufacturing in the country's economy and societal development has long been established through their wealth generating capabilities. To enhance and widen our knowledge of materials and to increase innovation and responsiveness to ever-increasing international needs, more in-depth studies of functionally graded materials/ tailor-made materials are needed at present. The objective of this conference is to bring together experts from academic institutions, industries and research organizations and professional engineers for sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience in the emerging trends related to advanced materials processing, and characterization.The conference is structured as follows: plenary lectures followed by parallel sessions. The plenary lectures introducing the theme of the conference will be delivered by eminent personalities of international repute to introduce the theme of the conference. Each parallel session starts with an invited talk on specific topic followed by contributed papers. Papers are invited from the prospective authors from industries, academic institutions and R&D organizations and from professional engineers.AcknowledgementsIConAMMA - 2016 thank the Management of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, our Director of Bengaluru Campus Br. Dhanraj Swamy ji, Associate Dean and Head, School of Engineering Prof. Rakesh S G, Chairperson, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Nagaraja S R. for having given me the morale support and guidance throughout the execution of IConAMMA.The Guest Editors, of IConAMMA Prof. C S P Rao, Professor and Head of The Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT, Warangal, Telangana State, INDIA and Prof. Basavarajappa S, Registrar IIIT, Dharwad, Karnataka State, INDIA.IConAMMA - 2016, I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks and regards to all the experts, steering committee, advisory and review committee, session chairs and the speakers for their sincere involvement and in helping to make this International conference a successful event.We take this opportunity to deeply express our sincere thanks to all the participants of the Conference, student volunteers, TEAM IConAMMA for their hard work and devotion towards the successful execution of the event.We whole heartedly thank all the people who were directly and indirectly helpful in organizing IConAMMA - 2016.