A 3D Nanostructural Diagnostics System
Abstract
The University of Texas Arlington (UTA) proposes the acquisition of a transmission electron microscope (TEM) based 3D nanostructural diagnostics system enabling and accelerating technological solutions for the future Warfighter; and advancing engineering programs in HBCUÕs/MIÕs. The proposed 3D nanostructural diagnostics system includes a Talos L120C TEM which is the latest generation 120kV transmission and scanning transmission electron microscope for high contrast, high-resolution imaging and analysis. The acquisition of this system will strategically expand the unique 3D imaging capabilities at UTA, enabling the largest range of scales from large aircraft structures to advanced materials and their nanostructural architectures. The unprecedented high resolution 3D imaging capabilities will range from achieving up to 30-micron resolution scans in up to 35-foot-long structures, to a single nanometer in small objects. The single nanometer resolution is achieved in the TEM. TEM is like computed tomography (CT) allowing for 3D subsurface measurements. The proposed platform, available to students and faculty across the UTA campus, and potentially across multiple universities, will be integrated with a unique array of tools for material characterization, structural diagnostics and performance prediction, developed at the UTA Advanced Materials and Structures Lab (AMSL) under DoD funding. The equipment will become an integral part of the unique facilities designed for closing the loop on advanced material design; effective control of the manufacturing process, including prediction of any potential irregularities at various scales, and predicting the effects of such flaws, to prevent formation of the critical defects in composites, accelerating the pace of development and certification of the advanced composite materials and structures in the United States. The proposed research instrumentation will support the multi-year DoD Program in composite materials and structures at UTA, including current and future efforts. Among such efforts are a five-year Army Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence 6.1 basic research effort, Novel High-Performing Materials through Integration of Process and Structure Modeling; another five-year ONR Project, Physics-based Composite Process Simulation; Air Force Composite Airframe Life Extension and Advanced Material Characterization & Structural Certification Programs, and many other tasks. The US DoD materials and structures communities would benefit greatly by enabling UTA the subsurface 3D imaging capabilities within a TEM in addition to UTAÕs unique X-Ray CT based capabilities constantly used by research Programs across the Services and by the rotorcraft OEMÕs (Bell, Boeing, Sikorsky Lockheed Martin) as well as the fixed-wing aircraft OEMÕs (Boeing, Lockheed Martin). The proposed equipment will support UTAÕs very successful partnership with DoD and Industry to address most pressing needs and long-term concerns in materials and structures for aircraft applications. It will be an extremely successful investment enabling breakthrough in developing advanced materials and processes and bridging the analyses scales much needed. The equipment is well suited for a broad range of composite material forms and manufacturing methods including additive manufacturing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 25, 2021
- Source ID
- W911NF2110229
Entities
People
- Andrew Makeev
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Texas at Arlington