| NSF Org: |
CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | July 21, 2011 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 30, 2015 |
| Award Number: | 1120399 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Carole Read
cread@nsf.gov (703)292-2418 CBET Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering |
| Start Date: | August 15, 2011 |
| End Date: | July 31, 2016 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $1,100,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $1,100,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
526 BRODHEAD AVE BETHLEHEM PA US 18015-3008 (610)758-3021 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
526 BRODHEAD AVE BETHLEHEM PA US 18015-3008 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
NANOSCALE: INTRDISCPL RESRCH T, EchemS-Electrochemical Systems |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.041 |
ABSTRACT
PI: James F Gilchrist
Proposal Number: 1120399
This research seeks to advance the fundamental manufacturing science of nanoparticle monolayer self-assembly and deposition as a unit operation for commercial nano manufacturing. Specifically, the proposed project will investigate the fundamental aspects of self-assembly methods, incorporate these discoveries into continuous roll-to-roll commercial-scale processes, and develop novel applications that utilize these processes. These processes will enable production of nanoporous membranes, flexible dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Intellectual Merit
This scalable nanomanufacturing program focuses on development of two separate but fundamentally related continuous processes that deposit self-assembled particle arrays on substrates. The first process focuses on convective deposition, and the second process focuses an automated Langmuir-Blodgett deposition. Both processes utilize capillary interactions of particles confined in thin films for directed particle self-assembly. Experimental and computational methods for exploring the fundamental mechanisms, limitations, and stabilities of each of these processes will advance rational scale-up and continuous operation and determination of new deposition control parameters. This fundamental insight will serve as the foundation for identifying expanded uses and target applications. To ensure feasibility and robustness of these processes, three energy and bioengineering-related applications will be developed in tandem utilizing self-assembled particle depositions derived from these processes. These include development of nanostructured dye supports in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), coatings and internal structures for light emitting diodes (LEDs), and large-are periodic nanoporous membranes for molecular to viral separations.
Broader impacts
Development of broadly applicable, commercial particle monolayer deposition processes could have far-reaching impact on a multitude of industrial applications. Fundamental research on colloidal self-assembly via capillary interactions and concomitant research into fundamental scientific aspects and scalable production of nanoporous membranes, DSSCs, and LEDs could also impact a wide variety of scientific disciplines and industries, and could lead to significant advancements in key areas of disease detection and energy applications. Direct collaboration with industrial partners, including Versatilis, LLC and PAower Optics LLC will guide efforts to commercialization. Undergraduate and graduate students will be trained in the principles of scale-up, surface science, particle technology, self-assembly, photovoltaics, separations, and a multitude of characterization techniques. A primary student initiative in collaboration with members of the Lehigh College of Education will expose K-5 students to topics related to fundamental surface science and scientific methods.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
This project aimed to advance the fundamental science of nanoparticle monolayer self-assembly and deposition for nanomanufacturing in two related processes using flow and interparticle capillary interactions. The first, convective deposition, was explored and yielded new insights into flow-assisted colloidal assembly including vibration-assisted convective deposition where periodic motion of the substrate doubles the rate of deposition and enables a wide range of deposition velocities that yield high quality monolayers. As was featured on the cover of the journal Soft Matter, colloidal crystals deposited using vibration formed extremely large domains of flow-aligned structures never seen before that may have significant use in optoelectronics. The effect of ionic strength and surface charge, streak and crack formation and ways to suppress these instabilities, and the effect of surfactant, temperature gradients, and concentration-driven resulting in Marangoni stresses were also elucidated. The second process, Automated Langmuir Blodgett Depostion, used similar physics to produce square meter per minute roll-to-roll nanoparticle coatings where the operating procedures were broadly determined and alteration of the microstructure by depositing binary suspensions was achieved. Coatings on non-flat surfaces was also analyzed.
This work directly impacted fabrication of coatings for LEDs, dye sensitized solar cells, and nanostructured membranes for viral separations and anodes for batteries. This will result in over 25 peer reviewed works, was the primary focus of 4 Ph.D. theses and impacted the work of more than 10 other Ph.D. students and 2 postdoctoral researchers. The results were highlighted in over 20 invited talks at premier universities and international conferences and in dozens of contributed talks. Several undergraduate students, many from underrepresented groups, contributed to this work and students had the opportunity to present this and related work to dozens of companies at industrial workshops.
Last Modified: 11/09/2016
Modified by: James F Gilchrist
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