Novel Microfabricated Device for in situ Nanomaterial Testing

1. Novel Microfabricated Device for in situ Nanomaterial Testing Daniel C. Ralph, Cornell University, ECCS - 0335765 SEM image of the micro-device and its components; block arrows show the direction of movement of the indenter tip and the shuttles during the experiment; (Inset) close up view of a nickel nanowire tensile specimen We have developed the design for a novel microfabricated device that can be used to perform in situ tensile and single fiber pullout experiments on nanomaterials and nanocomposites respectively within an SEM/TEM chamber. Load application (and measurement) and deformation measurement for the specimens are performed with the aid of a nanoindenter.The design converts a compressive nanoindentation force applied to a shuttle to uniaxial tension on a specimen attached to a sample stage. Dimensions of the device are 3 mm x 2mm x 0.5 mm Jun Lou, YogeeswaranGanesan and Cheng Peng, Rice University. Work performed at the Nanofabrication Center, University of Minnesota. Single fiber pullout test: Multi-wall carbon nanotube gets gradually pulled out of an epoxy matrix