Micromechanical characterization of photomechanical materials

Abstract

This proposal seeks funding to acquire a system for micromechanical characterization ofphotomechanical materials that fills the sig nificant gaps in both forces, from nano- to milli-Newtons, and lengths, from micrometers to millimeters, that exist between charact erizationtechniques at the single molecule and the macroscopic levels. We propose the purchase of acommercial instrument that inte grates highly sensitive capacitive force transducers based onmicro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology with piezoelectric p ositioners and anoptical microscope with adjustable viewing direction to enable a wide range of measurements onmicro-scale photome chanical materials. To the existing system, we will add a multi-wavelengthlight source permitting in situ photo-switching of a rang e of materials. These capabilities willaccelerate the pace of fundamental discovery by providing access to previously unobtainable measurements on individual micro-crystalline structures, and by allowing us to rapidly screenmany candidate materials using only sm all quantities to identify the most promising materials forscale-up to enable macroscopic testing.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Sep 07, 2021
Source ID
N000142112836

Entities

People

  • Ryan C Hayward

Organizations

  • Office of Naval Research
  • Regents of the University of Colorado
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Quantum Dot Semiconductor Device Photonics and Graphene Optoelectronic Materials and THz Physics.
  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Snow Cover Descriptors for Reptiles and Their Illustrations.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems