Instrumentation for Probing Dynamic Material Interfaces in Extreme Environments
Abstract
This DURIP proposal requests funds to procure key instrumentation that will enable significant extensions in our capabilities to probe the behavior of interfaces under extreme conditions. Extreme conditions span the behavior of interfaces under both low and high temperature. Specifically, we are requesting funds for six instrument systems- (1) A quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with novel dissipation electronics that will allow us to probe the quasi-liquid boundary layer when ice forms on surfaces. This will also allow us to monitor the efficacy of anti-icing and de-icing molecular additives to address the critical issue of ice nucleation and breakoff on materials relevant to flight surfaces; (2) New digital electronics to allow us to conduct atomic force microscopy and spectroscopy measurements in ultra-high vacuum environments. This will allow us to examine materials change and degradation for non-conducting (insulating) materials when exposed to extreme thermal and oxidative environments. This is in direct support of high-velocity systems in supersonic and hypersonic flight regimes. The requested controller will allow precise measurements in several AFM modalities that cannot be accessed with our aging analog scanning probe control electronics. The ability of the requested AFM electronics to image non-conducting interfaces and adsorbates with both contact and non-contact AFM modalities is crucial, and represents a major extension of our present capabilities; (3) Mass spectroscopy instrumentation with pulse-counting capabilities to allow us to monitor the identity and velocity of volatile species as well as to precisely characterize the incident velocity and intensity of the supersonic and hypersonic beams used in our experiments. This mass spectrometer and the associated Multichannel Scaler, item (4) for time-of-flight measurements, will directly support of our efforts to examine surface and materials change in non-equilibrium gas flows at high-temperature and at supersonic and hypersonic velocities; (5) laser heating system for use in ultra-high vacuum to examine the chemistry, stability, and degradation of materials at high temperatures; and (6) Residual Gas Analysis instrumentation for use in surface science experiments for precision characterization of interfacial chemistry associated with the preparation and growth of thin film coatings as well as post-reaction analysis of surface chemistry products, with this again in support of our fundamental studies of gas-surface interactions in extreme environments. The requested instrumentation and associated science endeavors will help educate the next generation of STEM workforce in areas of high interest to the DoD including the training of undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310528
Entities
People
- Steven J. Sibener
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Chicago