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Quantitative In-Situ TEM Nanoindentation Instrument

Award Information
Agency: Department of Energy
Branch: N/A
Contract: DE-FG02-04ER83979
Agency Tracking Number: 75333S04-I
Amount: $750,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: 30 b
Solicitation Number: DOE/SC-0072
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2004
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
10025 Valley View Road
Minneapolis, MN 55344
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Oden Warren
 Dr.
 (952) 835-6366
 owarren@hysitron.com
Business Contact
 Thomas Wyrobek
Title: Mr.
Phone: (952) 835-6366
Email: thomas@hysitron.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

75333S Nanoindentation is the primary technique for assessing the nanomechanical behavior of small volumes of materials. With this technique, the force required to produce a given displacement into a sample by a sharp diamond tip is measured, and the hardness of the material being tested is determined analyzing the force-displacement curve. However, the microstructural origins of the measured mechanical response often are not readily understood. This project will develop a quantitative nanoidentation instrument capable of operating inside a transmission electron microscope. This capability would enable the real-time correlation between the evolving force-displacement curve and images of the evolving microstructure. Insights gained from such experiments would substantially improve the ability to engineer the mechanical behavior of materials. In Phase I, the following three components were developed and assembled into a working quantitative nanoindetation system: a miniature transducer capable of electrostatic actuation and capacitive displacement sensing, an in situ transmission-electron-microscopy holder equipped with a three-axis piezoelectric positioner and a three-axis course positioner, and a force-feedback controller. Tests in a transmission electron microscope showed the feasibility of the concept. Phase II will: (1) develop a prototype, ready-to-commercialize, quantitative nanoindentation instrument that is compatible with the transmission electron microscope; and (2) conduct applications research having industrial relevance using the quantitative nanoindentation system. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The ability to apply quantitative nanoindentation in transmission electron microscopes should provide a crucial understanding of structure-mechanical property correlations at nanoscale, leading to improvements in surface engineering and thin-film technology, and facilitating the design of useful shape-memory alloys and other smart materials.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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