9311075 Orme The award is for a high-speed x-y positioning system that will be incorporated in an existing facility which is used in ongoing work supported by NSF to demonstrate the ability to enhance the microstructure of net-formed materials by using the new materials synthesis technique. The technique involves the generation of streams of molten metal droplets that are directed onto a temperature controlled substrate where they undergo rapid solidification. Control of the solidification phenomena leads to control and manipulation of the materials's microstructure. With the incorporation of the proposed high speed positioning system the microstructure can be refined to exhibit grain sizes on a nanoscale (with grains < 100nm in at least one dimension). Significant scientific interest is recently directed towards nanophase materials synthesis. Properties which are associated with nanophase materials such as increased thermal expansion, reduced density, increased strength and specific heat as well as a supermodulus effect, have given these materials numerous new engineering applications. The proposed high-speed positioning system will allow the demonstration of the fabrication of nanophase materials with the new materials synthesis technique.
