Acquisition of a New Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer to Support Basic Materials and Device Research and Education at the University of Houston.
Abstract
This proposal is to fund a state-of-the-art simultaneous thermal analyzer (STA) for use in DoDfunded research and STEM education in the Central Facilities of the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston. The STA will be included in Central Facilities, managed by James Meen. Key personnel who will supervise users of the XRD facility are C.W. Paul Chu, Oomman Varghese, and Allan Jacobson. The STA proposed is a Netzsch STA 449 F1 Jupiter. This combines thermogravimetric analysis with differential thermal analysis and differential scanning calorimetry under identical thermal tracks so that two or more sets of information are simultaneously available. Materials lost from the samples are analyzed in a mass spectrometer. The STA operates from -150 ¡C to 2400 ¡C. This will provide an impressive characterization technique for characterizing materials over a temperature range considerable larger than currently available. Research that will be supported by this new facility includes: Characterization of ultra-high temperature nanocomposite ceramics for use in hypersonic rocket engines and similar applications. These multiphase dispersions have complex microstructures arising from their heat treatment and that hugely influence their mechanical and thermal properties. The formation and evolution of these structures are poorly understood and need to be deciphered to improve the material properties of the ceramics (AFRL RCP to Meen). Characterization of nanoscale metal alloys that have potential high-temperature applications. The processes of formation and treatment of these alloys have yet to be formulated in detail and their understanding is critical in tailoring such materials. (Varghese) Characterization of novel superconducting materials that either have higher transition temperatures than those recorded so far or that have isotropic properties at temperatures similar to those known from the cuprates. This, in part, involves characterization of layered transition metal polar intermetallic and intergrowth structures. (AFOSR MURI to Chu) Studies of reactions of molecules in cavities of metal-organic frameworks. These materials have multiple applications in gas storage, molecular adsorption, ion exchange, catalysis, and drug delivery. (Jacobson) The wide use of the Central Facilities (228 users from 45 groups in 10 departments last year) indicates that the new STA facility will have a wide user base at UH and beyond. Many users will be UH graduate students and post-docs but the STA will also be used by UH undergraduates, Houston Community College students, and high school students and teachers involved in outreach and research programs as well as external users who wish to conduct thermal research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2018
- Source ID
- W911NF1610520
Entities
People
- James Meen
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Houston