The object of this project is to develop and study methods for the synthesis of nanostructured films for friction and wear resistance. This award is made under the Partnership for Nanotechnology Initiative. The research will consist of two related approaches, one involving high-rate deposition of continuous films, the other involving high-definition deposition of patterned films. The high-rate deposition will be achieved using Hypersonic Plasma Particle Deposition (HPPD), with the objective of developing HPPD as a robust, reliable process through an improved understanding of the operating parameters and their effects upon the film properties. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of aerodynamic focusing for the deposition of size-selected nanoparticles to produce patterned thin films for friction and wear applications such as the Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), experimental monitoring of the process using a new particle beam mass spectrometer will be conducted. This research includes the development of numerical models to simulate the plasma flow and temperature distribution, particle nucleation and growth in the nozzle, and hypersonic deposition of the particles on the film substrate. The impact of this nanotechnology research is expected to be crucial for commercial viability for high-rate processing applications in the automotive industry, and for patterned nanostructure deposition for the MEMS industry.
