This system was constructed as an alternative for detection of obscured objects and material. Depending on the geometry of the given situation a flat-panel source can be used in tomography, radiography, or tomosynthesis. Furthermore, the unit can be used as a portable electron or X-ray scanner or an integral part of an existing detection system. UNCD field emitters show great field emission output and can be deposited over large areas as the case with carbon nanotube ​“forest” (CNT) cathodes. Furthermore, UNCDs have better mechanical and thermal properties as compared to CNT tips which further extend the lifetime of UNCD based FEA.

Benefits

• Prototype based on nitrogen incorporated ultrananocrystalline diamond film 
• Emission current densities of the order of 6mA/cm² could be obtained at electric fields as low as 10 V/lm to 20V/lm 

Nanocrystalline diamond coatings exhibit stress in nano/micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS). Doped nanocrstalline diamond coatings exhibit increased stress. A carbide forming metal coating reduces the in-plane stress. In addition, without any metal coating, simply growing UNCD or NCD with thickness in the range of 3-4 micron also reduces in-plane stress significantly. Such coatings can be used in MEMS applications.

Benefits

• Excellent chemical, mechanical and electrical properties, low intrinsic stress gradient 
• Could be applicable in many fields, including bio-medicine, optics, and sensors and actuators for space applications 

The system includes graphene and graphene oxide formed by an exfoliation process or solution processing method to dispose graphene and/or graphene oxide onto a Substrate. The system further includes an opposing wear member disposed on another Substrate and a gas atmosphere of an inert gas like N2, ambient, a humid atmosphere and a water Solution.

Benefits

• Easy to apply using spray process in air 
• Easily scalable to large area 
• Cost effective, eliminates hazardous waste 
• Virtually eliminates friction and wear 
• Works in dry and humid environment 

Superlubricity in dry atmosphere with no measurable wear for extended time.

The Invention 

Pulsed thermal imaging is widely used for nondestructive evaluation of advanced materials and components. Thermal imaging methods to analyze single-layer materials are well developed. However, a general method for analyzing multi-layer materials and coatings/films has not been developed due to the complexity of material systems and lack of an analytical solution. This technology provides a general method, test system including a filter, and numerical algorithm for automated analysis of thermal imaging data for multi-layer coating materials. 

Argonne’s pulsed thermal imaging-multilayer analysis method can accurately measure coating thermal conductivity and heat capacity (and/or thickness) distributions over an entire component’s surface. The method analyzes a temporal series of measured thermal imaging data to determine the properties for all coating layers based on a multilayer model. Argonne’s invention is currently the only method that can analyze coatings of more than one layer, is fully automated to produce 2D layer property images, and has validated high accuracy.

Argonne’s approach includes an infrared filter for flash lamps to eliminate the flash’s infrared radiation, ensuring accurate detection of surface temperature during pulsed thermal imaging tests. 

Key to Argonne’s thermal multi-layer analysis method is the numerical algorithm used for automated analysis of thermal imaging data for multi-layer materials, implemented in dedicated, Argonne-created software that allows for complete data-processing automation without the need of user intervention.

Benefits 

• Allows fast 2D imaging of multi-layer material properties of an object from one surface 
• All-in-one solution that includes method, optical filter, and analytical software for thermal multi-layer material analysis 
• Imaging is nondestructive and fast 
• Eliminates infrared radiation to assure data accuracy 
• Automated analysis of imaging data 

Applications and Industries 

• Multi-layer coating materials development 
• Manufacturing quality control 
• Coating degradation monitoring 
• Medical applications 

Developmental Stage 

Proof of Concept: the technology has been tested and proven to work for coated engine parts. 

Argonne Inventions 

• IN-05-125, Optical Filter for Flash Lamps in Pulsed Thermal Imaging View the patent.
• IN-14-032, Method and Apparatus for Material Thermal Property Measurement by Flash Thermal Imaging View the patent.
• IN-06-017, Method for Thermal Tomography of Thermal Effusivity from Pulsed Thermal Imaging View the patent

Wide adoption of Materials by Design approaches for nanomaterials such as catalysts, energy storage materials, and new drugs has greatly increased the need for nanomaterials analysis tools.

Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs) are widely used by materials researchers. Frequently fitted with ancillary x‐ray detectors for elemental analysis of materials, these instruments are limited in their nanoscale analytical sensitivity because they capture less than 2% of the meager x‐ray signals generated when ultra small particles and thin films are probed by the minute electron beams in today’s SEMs. To address this limitation, scientists at Argonne National Laboratory’s Electron Microscopy Center invented a new x‐ray detection system that increases the detection capability of SEMs during nanomaterials analysis.

π Steradian X‐Ray Detection System

Traditional implementations of solid state x‐ray detectors in SEMs capture only about 0.05–0.1 sR (<2%) of the signal generated, as indicated by the blue shaded region in the figure below. Argonne’s technology overcomes this limitation through an innovative new geometry and positioning of the x‐ray detection system.

For nanoparticles and thin film analysis, this invention facilitates capture of more than π steradians (sR) or ~50% of available x‐ray signal, encompassing both the blue and red regions in the figure. The technology also features a proprietary electron shield to protect the system from electrons hitting the detector and in addition, integrates electron detection to provide the enhanced capability to image the nanoparticles and thin films as well as identify their elemental composition. The Argonne system can be retrofitted onto existing SEMs or provided as an accessory detector for new SEMs.

Benefits

Argonne’s π Steradian X‐Ray Detection System can substantially reduce the time and cost for conducting routine analysis of nanomaterials by increasing detection capabilities of SEMs at the nanoscale by up to 500%. It enables highresolution rapid imaging and analysis, which facilitate new discoveries and scientific understanding of nanomaterials not practical using conventional detector implementations. The new system also accelerates ​“materials design and discovery” by enabling effective characterization of nanostructures engineered to evoke specific functionality in a timely fashion, in sync with the modeling and synthesis steps.

The cost of the new Argonne detector system is estimated to be an incremental addition to the cost of a traditional detector.

The Invention

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have created a stable, non-reactive nanofluid that exhibits enhanced heat-transfer properties with only a minimal increase in pumping power required relative to the base-heat transfer fluid. 

Nanofluids—liquid mixtures with a small concentration of nanoparticles in suspension—have unique properties that make them potentially useful for heat transfer. The study of nanofluid heat transfer is a relatively new area of scientific exploration, and although industrial applications for nanofluid technology are still in their infancy, some mixtures have been shown to substantially increase the heat-transfer characteristics of the nanofluid over the base liquid. 

Argonne’s nanofluid is composed of ceramic nanoparticles suspended in a base-heat-transfer fluid made up of water and water/ethylene glycol mixtures. Ceramic nanoparticles are not susceptible to surface oxidation, and enjoy significantly better chemical stability over longer periods of time than metals. Although ceramics generally have low thermal conductivity, some ceramics have properties that make them attractive candidates for use in nanofluids for commercial and industrial heat-transfer applications. 

Benefits 

• More efficient cooling systems 
• Higher productivity 
• Energy savings

Applications and Industries 

• Heat exchangers for engines, fuel cells, cooling towers and more 
• Cooling of power and microelectronics 
• Refrigeration and other cooling systems 
• Nuclear reactors 
• Aerospace 
• Defense 
• Grinding and machining

Developmental Stage 

Proof of concept 

Devices and films made of thermochromic V02 nanocrystals promises for many applications and potential technological breakthroughs, such as energy efficiency smart windows, infrared laser protection, infrared camera and so forth.

Smart windows made of V02 nanoparticles have readily demonstrated significantly enhanced solar-heat modulation capability in response to temperature variation (approximately twice the capability as compared to traditional thin film counterparts). However, commercial scale manufacturing of high-quality, property-controlled V02 nanoparticles has not been achieved due to conventional batch processing techniques. These techniques cannot precisely control the size, shape and surface properties in a scaled process, which is largely due to its limited capability of controlling heat and mass transfer in a large batch chemical reactor.

This Argonne invention comprises a new continuous flow synthesis to massively synthesize V02 nanoparticles/rods (B or M phases). This is a solution-phase based hydrothermal, or solvo-thermal synthesis approach that uses a continuous flow micro-reactor. By using a continuous micro-reactor, heat and mass transfer can be precisely controlled and the synthesis reaction can be conducted in an extended range of temperatures and pressures. This is particularly useful and suited to hydrothermal synthesis of high-quality V02 (M) nanocrystals because the phase selection of this material, from its other structures V02 (A, B, R) and phases (e.g. V6013 and V409) depend closely on temperature. At the same time, the reaction can be conducted in a relatively easy, flexible and safe mode (i.e., a limited amount of chemical reagents are heated at a time). This results in well-controlled, nano-particulate products with unique and enhanced infrared (heat) manipulation properties.

Furthermore, this process is scalable and capable of stably manufacturing high-quality V02 nanoparticles or nanorods in specific, and a spectrum of other nano-scale materials in general, at the kilo/day level.

The Invention 

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a method for creating a new class of platinum multi-metallic catalysts that are not only compositionally stable but also exhibit an advantageous electronic structure with enhanced catalytic properties. 

Using this process, researchers created an alloy of platinum and one or more transition metals (such as cobalt, nickel, iron, titanium, chromium and others). Next, they modified the near surface layers by annealing, which induces formations known as nanosegregated surfaces. These surfaces vastly improve performance by overcoming kinetic limitations for the oxygen reduction reaction. The result is a catalyst particularly advantageous for use in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. 

In the energy industry, fuel cells are rapidly becoming an important component. However, the high cost of manufacturing the platinum catalyst—a required element in a fuel cell—makes fuel cells relatively non-competitive in the commercial world. So far, such catalysts have not been able to demonstrate the performance and life expectancy consistent with a fuel cell’s long-term operation. Argonne’s invention overcomes this limitation. 

Benefits 

• Enhanced catalytic properties that drive improved performance, 
• Greater stability 
• Greater cost-effectiveness 

Applications and Industries 

• Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells 
• Energy storage devices, such as metal-air batteries 
• Magnetic storage devices 
• Automotive industry 

Developmental Stage 

Proof of concept