Acquisition of a Nanoindentor System for Micro/Nanosystems Research and Education Efforts

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal to acquire a nanoindentor system from MTS corporation to support exciting and diverse research and training at the intersection of nano and microsystems technology. In its base configuration, the load resolution is 50 nN and the displacement resolution is 0.01 nm. These can be significantly lowered to 1 nN and 0.0002 nm, respectively with an additional indentation head. The nanoindentor is typically used to indent (push the tip into) a material while simultaneously measuring the load and displacement. The concept is common to many techniques in materials characterization, except that the mode of deformation is extremely complicated. However, with suitable analysis, typically via the finite element method, the measured load vs. displacement curve can be inverted to infer a host of important material properties. Because the measurement area is so small (on the order of 100s of nms), the instrument is ideally suited to obtain quantitative information regarding mechanical properties as a function of position in complex material systems and structures. The nanoindentor will be the heart of a unique micro/nanomechanical characterization facility at the University of Colorado (CU). It will greatly impact numerous diverse research efforts that are currently supported including applications in the characterization of advanced materials, experimental mechanics of micromechanical structures and devices, studies of biological materials/systems ranging from protein/cell structure up to full arteries, and as a nanomanufacturing tool for the development of nanoscale circuits using biomolecular templates. Initially the nanoindentor will be used by the groups of 12 faculty members, spanning six Departments and three Colleges at CU. It will be used to support research projects and instructional activities at the graduate and undergraduate levels. A number of activities are planned to increase our user base and the overall level of diverse expertise with the instrument. These include: i) the development of a Micro/nanosystems Forum in which two types speakers will be solicited: those with expertise in nanoindentation and related fields, and those with interesting research activities that may be able to make use of the nanoindentor; ii) the development of a website devoted to activities using the nanoindentor; iii) dissemination of capabilities and results, along with the solicitation of potential collaborative users at semiannual meetings of our NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (CAMPmode and MAST); iv) a user-fee structure that requires users to disseminate their results to our user community; and v) a plan to recruit new users, particularly underrepresented groups and women pursuing advanced degrees.