Materials Processing
Coating and Printing Processes
Coatings, films and printed patterns are everywhere! They are commonly made by depositing liquids, such as polymer solutions and ceramic particle suspensions, onto substrates, followed by solidification through drying, sintering or curing to develop the required functional properties, such as wear resistance and antireflection. Liquid applied coating and printing processes are frequently carried out via fast and economical roll-to-roll (R2R) processes. In CEMS, we have a long history of fundamental research on coating and printing processes, and we have recently applied our expertise to the challenge of developing R2R printed electronics.
Related Faculty:
Xiang Cheng - Cheng Research Group
Cari Dutcher - Dutcher Research Group
Lorraine Francis - Francis Research Group
Dan Frisbie - Frisbie Research Group
Satish Kumar - Kumar Research Group
Polymer Processing
Polymers are processed into complex shapes with well-designed structures and properties. The exploration and synthesis of new polymers, such as nanostructured block polymers and tunable elastomers, is closely coupled to the engineering of processing routes, such as injection molding and blown film extrusion, that are designed to further develop properties and functionality of polymer materials. The section on Polymer Science and Engineering provides more information.
Related Faculty and Research Groups:
Microstructured Polymers Program of IPRIME
Frank Bates - Bates Research Group
Michelle Calabrese - Calabrese Research Group
Chris Ellison - Ellison Research Group
Lynn Walker - Walker Research Group
Vapor Phase Thin Film Deposition
Many functional materials derive their unique properties through careful control of composition and crystal structure, and devices require precise heterostructure architectures only achievable using specialized processes. Research in this area develops and applies a variety of techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), sputtering, thermal and electron beam evaporation, atomic layer deposition ALD) and physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD, CVD) to produce thin films with engineered morphology from novel materials. Nanofabrication and lithographic techniques can then be used to produce devices. See our research overview on Electronic, Magnetic & Photonic Materials to learn more about research in CEMS related to the application of films produced using these techniques.
Related Faculty:
Daniel Frisbie - Frisbie Research Group
Russell Holmes - Holmes Research Group
Bharat Jalan - Jalan Research Group
Chris Leighton - Leighton Research Group
Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the field of materials processing by allowing fabrication of metals, ceramics and polymers with complex and customizable shapes and little to no waste. Additive processes include those developed to produce 3D shapes, such as fused filament fabrication of polymers and selective laser melting of metals as well as those that create 2D patterns additively, such as ink jet printing.
Related Faculty:
Michelle Calabrese - Calabrese Research Group
Chris Ellison - Ellison Research Group
Lorraine Francis - Francis Research Group
Dan Frisbie - Frisbie Research Group
David Poerschke - Poerschke Research Group
Bulk Metal and Ceramic Processing
A variety of powder, melt, and solid deformation approaches are used to process bulk metal and ceramic materials to achieve the desired composition and microstructure, whether it be understanding and controlling the growth of large single crystals or achieving a controlled polycrystalline microstructures. Common techniques include vacuum arc melting, pressureless sintering, hot pressing, current-assisted densification, and rolling. These methods are used routinely to synthesize novel compositions and to elucidate processing-structure-property relationships.
Related Faculty:
Jeffrey Derby - Derby Research Group
Chris Leighton - Leighton Research Group
Nathan Mara - Mara Research Group
David Poerschke - Poerschke Research Group