Mechanical Behavior of Materials: Nanoscale Deformation Mechanics of Hierarchical Materials
Abstract
Creating next-generation supermaterials requires the ability to observe complex nanomechanical responses (from atomic-, nano-, to micro-) under extreme stress. This experimental work will leverage the high-stresses (above 10 GPa) afforded by nanoindentation (area roughly (100 nm)^2) combined with high-resolution (1 A - 1 nm) electron microscopy to understand the evolutionarily optimized resilience of natural super-materials. This proposal seeks to directly image and quantify the dynamic nanoscale responses within evolutionarily optimized biominerals to understand how these highly ductile ceramics withstand mechanical impact and exhibit high resilience on the atomic- and nano- scale. With in situ electron microscopy, we can directly observe previously overlooked length scales where complex mechanical behavior occurs. This work aims to experimentally reveal the strategic advantages underlying evolutionarily optimized nanomechanical materials in order to design and inspire new synthetic routes to resilient structural materials. We seek to achieve new measurement regimes using high-resolution scanning / transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) and high framerate TEM (400 frames / s) during indentation of biominerals to resolution at extreme stresses (over 10 GPa) and reach new stress rates (over 100 Gpa / s).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 03, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210056
Entities
People
- Robert Hovden
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Michigan