MS&T’08 Technical Program

Controlled Processing of Nanoparticle Structures and Composites
Nanoparticles and structures hold great promise to enable a broad range of new commercial products with unique properties. However, barriers in the form of process understanding and control must be overcome to reproducibly fabricate monoliths and composites made from nanoparticles. In particular, aggregation must be controlled in powder synthesis and processing to enable the fabrication of homogeneous green or composite microstructures, and microstructure evolution must be controlled to preserve the size and properties of the nanoparticles in the finished product. This symposium will focus on three general topics: 1) processing to preserve nanoparticle size, structure and properties; 2) digital printing, templating and 3D assembly technologies; 3) applications of nanoparticle assemblies and composites. The goal of the symposium is to generate a constructive dialogue on the fundamentals of processing at the nanoscale to facilitate the development of commercial nanoparticle products and devices.

Topics:

• Agglomeration control during powder synthesis, handling and processing
• Suspension control and nanoparticle assembly
• Techniques to produce homogeneous green microstructures
• Controlled sintering and microstructure evolution to preserve nanoparticle structure and properties
• Nanoscale structure-property relationships including polymer/nanoparticle composites
• Simulation of nanoparticulate processing and sintering
• Fabrication of nanoparticle membranes, films, coatings and filters
• Nanodevices and nanoparticle-enabled devices including fuel cells, ultracapacitors, hybrid photovoltaics, sensor elements, etc.
• Nanoparticle commercialization efforts

Organizer: Tom Hinklin, Sandia National Laboratory; Co-organizers: K. Lu and A. Aning, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, klu@vt.edu, J. Voigt and K.G. Ewsuk, Sandia National Laboratories, M. Naito and H. Abe, Joining and Welding Research Institute, Osaka University, J.E. Smay, Oklahoma State University

Nanomaterials for Electronic and Multifunctional Applications
Many nanoscale materials such as graphene structures, ceramic and metal nano-components etc. can lead to new applications where a unique combination of properties (electrical, chemical, optical, structural, thermal, biological etc.) can be exploited in unprecedented ways. End products that use this technology can be varied, ranging from multifunctional fabric and chemical/biological sensors to miniaturized electronic devices for energy conversion. This symposium aims to bring together experts working on different aspects of nanotechnology to discuss the challenges and opportunities in this expanding field.

Topics:

• Graphene-based nanostructures 
• Nanoscale additions and enhancements in larger structures 
• Multiscale composites using nanoscale structures
• Multifunctional coatings 
• Protection, storage and durability of nanoscale devices

Organizer: Sharmila Mukhopadhyay, Wright State University; Co-organizers: S. Chan, Columbia University; R. Singh, University of Cincinnati

Nanotechnology for Power Generation
Nanomaterials have been of key importance and have tremendous potential to transform technology leading to increasing system properties and efficiency. This session will deal with nanotools or devices that help with enhancing system properties for power generation. Applications of nanotechnology in turbines and for engine environments leading to enabling a more cost and energy efficient and more environmentally friendly system are desired. 

Topics:

• Synthesis and applications of nanotools for power generation
• Synthesis of nanomembranes and structures for cleaner environments
• Nano-based sensors, catalysts and devices for applications in power generation
• Nanomaterials for energy related applications

Organizers: Navin Manjooran, Siemens AG; Gary Pickrell, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University,

Nanotube-Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites
Carbon nanotubes have elastic modulus exceeding 1 TPa coupled with very high strength, unique electrical, thermophysical and chemical properties. Therefore, using them as the matrix reinforcements appears to be promising. Thus, carbon nanotube-reinforced composites have drawn considerable attention, and significant progress has been made in the area of polymer matrix composites. Despite the exciting possibilities, carbon nanotube-reinforced metal matrix composites (NRMMC) have suffered from the lack of interfacial bonding between the metal matrix and carbon nanotubes. With the advent of nanotubes made of materials other than carbon, the possibility of developing a wide array of composites has become real. This symposium will address all aspects related to the NRMMCs, and provide a forum to the interested researchers working in this area so that further progress can be secured.

Topics:

• Processing techniques of NRMMCs 
• Microstructural characterization with advanced analytical techniques (such as interface microstructure etc.) 
• Mechanical, physical and chemical properties
• Multifunctional composites 
• Computational modeling and simulation in the nanotube-reinforced NRMMC systems

Organizer: Indrajit Charit, University of Idaho; Co-organizers: S. Seal, University of Central Florida; K.L. Murty, North Carolina State University

Novel Processing of Nanoparticle and Composite Particulate Systems
Much more research is needed in nanoparticulate and composite processing, which has wide functional and structural applications. There are diverse requirements for nanoparticulate materials. Some applications require porous nanostructure and large response areas, while other applications such as structural components require full density components. Due to these constraints, different innovative techniques have been developed. Depending on the liquid content, they can be divided into dry processes, semi-dry processes, and wet processes. Since nanoparticles have very large specific surface area, the most active research is in the wet processing area starting with colloidal suspension of the nanoparticles. This symposium will highlight current and emerging processes to synthesize, form and consolidate powdered materials into useful engineering products. Various methods of synthesis, forming nanoparticles into 3D shapes (dry, semi-dry, and wet), and sintering of nanomaterials will be presented. The extremely active digital processing, templating, and 3D assembly technologies will be included. Also, engineering of composite particles or processing mixed powders to create functional materials will be discussed.  Finally, the symposium will address challenges of multimaterial integration in consolidation processes such as sintering and the evolution of microstructures from nanoparticles.

Topics:

• Innovative synthesis
• Shaping
• Sintering
• Characterization
• Nanoparticulate component performance evaluation
• Simulation of nanoparticulate forming and sintering

Organizer: Kathy Lu, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Co-organizers: A. Aning, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; J.E. Smay, Oklahoma State University

Smart Diagnosis and Medical Treatment via Nanomaterials
As the examination of nanomaterials accelerates, understanding their potential for use as medical diagnostic and treatment agents is becoming very important. By working within a multidisciplinary team, one is better poised to select the most appropriate nanomaterial, endow benign surface modifications, identify optimal routes of administration and understand their pharmacodynamics. The impact could encompass the diagnosis, target-specific drug delivery and necrosis. Cancer is the second deadliest cause of death in the U.S. Thus, a significant need exists to develop more sensitive, accurate and cost-effective tools for cancer detection and treatment. Similar arguments can be made in the case of cardiovascular diseases, orthopedics, melanoma, infections and other aspects of human health where nanomaterials can play a role. With current convergence and overlap of materials and medicine, this maiden meeting is expected to be of mutual benefit to both materials scientists as well as the medical/ biological researchers and experts.

Topics:

• Use of nanometals and nano-oxides as contrasting agents, magnetic vectors and hyperthermia agents
• Advances in the optical probes and labels for imaging-based detection
• Development and use of probing agents and drug cargo 
• Case studies in the use of nanomaterials for the detection and treatment of tumors

Organizer: Abdul-Majeed Azad, The University of Toledo; Co-organizers: Vijay Goel, The University of Toledo; N. Ebraheim, The University of Toledo Medical Center; D. Styblo, Valtronic Technologies