
NSF Org: |
ECCS Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems |
Recipient: |
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Initial Amendment Date: | October 21, 2014 |
Latest Amendment Date: | June 6, 2016 |
Award Number: | 1463987 |
Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
Program Manager: |
Dimitris Pavlidis
ECCS Division of Electrical, Communications and Cyber Systems ENG Directorate for Engineering |
Start Date: | August 1, 2014 |
End Date: | May 31, 2017 (Estimated) |
Total Intended Award Amount: | $161,847.00 |
Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $161,847.00 |
Funds Obligated to Date: |
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History of Investigator: |
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Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
100 INSTITUTE RD WORCESTER MA US 01609-2280 (508)831-5000 |
Sponsor Congressional District: |
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Primary Place of Performance: |
100 Institute Road Worcester MA US 01609-2280 |
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): |
GOALI-Grnt Opp Acad Lia wIndus, EPMD-ElectrnPhoton&MagnDevices |
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
Abstract:
Current techniques used for metrology are plagued by slow measurement speed, susceptibility to surface interactions, and some techniques can even deform the measured surface due to tip wear on the surface. Development of new tools to address these challenges could spawn a new era in the area of nano-metrology, and nano-assembly of structures. Such systems can have significance in the area of electronics, optical, and biological applications. This integrated research and education GOALI proposal centers around the development of elastic wave resonators and integration of Ag2Ga nano-needles and photomechanical actuators to enable precise tools for nanomanipulation, nano-metrology and nano-assembly. The principle of elastic wave resonators is a method by which single and multidimensional standing waves propagate at a rate of kHz to MHz along a high aspect ratio micro-scale filament. The magnitude of energy contained within the "wave packet" compared to the flexibility and stiffness of the filament enable pronounced standing waves to be generated and sustained along the filament. The proposal objectives are to investigate the use of nanoscale standing wave probe resonators for metrology, understand the electro-mechanical limits and scaling issues of such resonators, develop mathematical models and develop applications in nano-assembly. The educational aspects of the proposal are utilizing research based undergraduate course in nano-mechanical resonators, internships at industrial sites, graduate level course on nano-mechanical resonators, and opportunities for underrepresented students in this exciting area.
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.
The project was the development of elastic wave resonators, their miniaturization, and applications. The major goals of the project are the batch fabrication of standing wave probes using and growth of Ag2Ga nano-needles for low-cost commercial applications, characterize the resonators for resonance frequency, quality factors and mechanical stability, use photomechanical actuators integrated with nano-needles for “pick and place” of small nanometer scale objects and explore applications. The project resulted in the growth of nanoneedles and their integration with photomechanical micro-grippers. Nanoneedles were also explored as a stylus for measurement of thin film surface properties as well as imaging. New COMSOL based thermoacoustic model for predicting the characteristics namely resonance frequency and quality factors of one-dimensional (1D) nanoresonators were developed with excellent agreement between experiments and theory. Collaborations with NaugaNeedles LLC resulted in student internships in summer, and use of nanoneedle based tuning fork resonators for biomedical applications was explored. The project also resulted in the creation of new 2D nanomaterial based photomechanical systems all of which would be useful for creation of micro-devices for metrology as well as nanomanipulation applications. The CEO of NaugaNeedles LLC was invited for a seminar to Worcester Polytechnic Institute that resulted in a broad range of engagements with students and wide ranging discussions with other faculties. A graduate student worked on the project and published several papers. The project resulted in collaboration with Prof. Robert Cohn at the University of Louisville on the exploration of nanoneedles for soft robotic applications. Four journal papers, four conference papers, and one book chapter were published as a result of the project. As a result of these publications, the PI was invited to be on the editorial board of the journal Actuators (MDPI), which he serves currently. The continued exploration of nanoneedles is still in its infancy, and future development in these areas may include chromatic photomechanical systems based on high aspect ratio nanostructures.
Last Modified: 08/29/2017
Modified by: Balaji Panchapakesan
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