Real-time In-situ Investigation of Multifunctional Polymer Composites for Tailoring Material Response
Abstract
Ultra-light weight and multifunctional composite materials with unprecedented functionalities and tailorable properties can dramatically enhance the mobility, maneuverability, reliability, and transportability of DoD assets. However, there is a large gap in our current understanding of how to translate and scale the science of multifunctionality in materials systems to develop structures withunique capabilities. The proposed research aims to bridge this gap by advancing our understanding of the science of multifunctionality across the material length scales and gaining deeper insight into the fundamental mechanisms that govern the performance of these materials in service environments. An experimental investigation is proposed to investigate the scale-dependent mechanisms of multifunctional materials and study the numerous degradation mechanisms associated with various loading and environmental conditions. The proposed system, featuring an in-situ micro-load frame, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and electron-dispersiveX-ray spectroscopy (EDS) will be used for three-dimensional (3D) characterization of material morphology and its evolution, analysis of the chemical composition, and measurement of material response with nanometer spatial resolution under a wide range of thermomechanical loads and environmental conditions. The micro load frame, located inside the color ESEM, will enable tracking morphologicalchanges and material degradation in real-time, which will help explain the nano and microscale mechanisms. ESEM and EDS will be used together to track crack formations at the boundary between different material phases. Experiments will be conducted to investigatethe effects of nanostructure variability and microstructural stochasticity on damage initiation and the effects of flaws in as-produced materials, and the formation and growth of new damage surfaces in-situ. The experimental system will also aid in the systematicdevelopment of simulation methodologies for predicting the multiphysics behavior and damage characteristics of complex nanocomposites and multifunctional material systems. The novel capabilities of this experimental system will facilitate research efforts on several of the PI#s ongoing DoD grants and directly impact two research projects funded by ONR. The integration of experiments with computational tools will contribute to the need for computationally assisted material design, enabling the design and discovery of novelmultifunctional material systems with tailorable properties. This will help address DoD#s vision of developing paradigm-shifting material systems that enable new structural design concepts and life-cycle management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- May 15, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312399
Entities
People
- Aditi Chattopadhyay
Organizations
- Arizona State University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy