- Combinatorial Process Development for the Synthesis of
Novel Nano-Textured and Ultra-Hard Films.
Funded by the National Science Foundation
There have been great strides in the development and diverse utilization of hard nanocrystalline and
nancomposite coatings in recent years to combat wear in a wide range of tribological applications.
However, the progress has been rather slow in the development of films that are not only ultra-hard
and tough but also self-lubricating over broad ranges of temperatures and environments. Research
has focused primarily on nanocomposite adaptive coatings that combine a hard phase that is highly wear
resistant embedded with one or more nanocrystalline solid lubricant (SL) phases that provide lubrication
in different environments. The current research project aims at developing a novel technique for the
fabrication of adaptive self-lubricating coatings by producing ultra-hard nitride films with highly
ordered nanopores that are subsequently filled with reservoirs of SLs. The advantage of this approach
over the 3-dimensional nanocomposite design is that the SLs should be released during contact at a
controlled rate to continuously replenish the surfaces and maintain a low friction coefficient while
the mechanical integrity of the film is maintained.
- Self-Lubricating Nanocomposite Coatings for Air and Space
Applications
(Partially Funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory Summer Fellowship Programs
in 2007 and 2008)
The goal of this program is to explore a series of novel smart nanocomposite films that are based on a
soft noble metal (Me) phase embedded in a hard binary or ternary transition metal nitride (TMN) matrix.
These coatings will be able to provide adequate lubrication at temperatures up to 800 °C. The noble
metal will diffuse out of the TMN matrix, as a result of grain boundary diffusion, to replenish the
surface and maintain a low friction coefficient. Additional materials will be investigated for their
potential to help form lubricious phases at the surface of the coatings. The self-lubricating nature
of this adaptive coating has the potential to extend service lifetime in numerous moving mechanical
assemblies for various industries that include the manufacturing, tooling, and material forming sectors
as well as biomedical implant, aerospace, aircraft, and nuclear power industries.
- Nano-Textured Surfaces to Combat In-Stent Restenosis
(Funded by the National Institute of Health)
We are currently developing a new prototype of stents that consists of Nitinol (NiTi) and stainless steel
(SS 316 L) stents with a surface modification/nano-texturing treatment to create highly ordered nanopores
on the surface. The nanopores are subsequently investigated as a suitable carrier for selected drugs to
combat neointima proliferation.
- Spectroscopic Ellipsometry as a Real Time Technique for Process
Monitoring and Control of Composite and Multilayer Coatings
(Funded by Research Corporation)
The objective of this project is to use in-situ real time spectroscopic ellipsometry (RTSE) as a tool to
conduct a fundamental study on the growth of nanocomposite and nanolaminate structures. This study will
entail investigating the nucleation and growth process of these novel structures as a function of the
physical and chemical properties of the deposited materials in addition to processing parameters such as
substrate temperature, ion/atom ratio, ion energies, and substrate materials.
Comments and questions: saouadi@physics.siu.edu
Department of Physics e-mail: physics@physics.siu.edu
Comments and questions related to web server: rbaer
Last Updated 4/18/08 bdu
