SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project examines the potential for characterizing ceramic powders and fibers using an innovative elliptically polarized light scattering method. Particle size, size distribution, and shape are key factors in manufacturing advanced ceramic materials, which rely on precise mixtures of fine and coarse particles. IOTA's can determine these parameters via a unique approach for optimizing polarization settings. Unlike current on line particle measuring techniques, cylindrical and irregular shapes (such as particle agglomerates) can be evaluated. The ability to discern such shapes can have a great impact for improving ceramic quality and process control, important for product development and reduced costs. This investigation will assess the feasibility of using the system at a ceramic manufacturing site. Fundamental research is proposed to closely examine the accuracy of the instrument (comparing results with electron micrographs) for a variety of particle sizes, shapes, and size distributions. A particle loading study is also proposed to evaluate under what conditions the system can operate. Phase I will focus on evaluating system accuracy and acceptable working conditions for measuring ceramic powders and whiskers. In Phase II a prototype system will be constructed and tested at a ceramic manufacturing plant. Particle agglomeration will also be studied. The ability to measure fine particle sizes and shapes is necessary for controlling the quality of many high technology products, such as advanced ceramics and pharmaceuticals. In addition, monitoring and controlling particle size is fundamental to the manufacture of many consumer products (cosmetics, paints, pigments), textiles, food processing, medical apparatus (parenteral solutions, blood processing), and environmental monitoring.

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase II project is aimed at developing and demonstrating an innovative information-rich and real-time system for particle characterization. Encouraged by results from Phase I which established the feasibility of using polarized light scattering for characterization of micron, sub-micron and nano-sized ceramic particles, Synergetic Technologies proposes to develop an accurate and reliable on-line instrument. Phase I illustrated the high accuracy achievable, the ability to detect and quantify nano-size particles, and the capability of determining the size distribution of high aspect ratio whiskers and irregularly shaped particles. Project tasks include: system design, construction, calibration and testing; software development for more accurate shape determination and automized system use; study of different lasers; and testing and demonstration at three potential customer sites (a major ceramic research university, a large industrial research laboratory, and a small company at the leading edge of nanomaterials production). The University of Kentucky staff and students will assist in this project. The ability to measure fine particle sizes and shapes on-line is necessary for controlling the quality of many high technology products, such as advanced ceramics and pharmaceuticals. In addition, monitoring and controlling particle size is fundamental to the manufacture of many consumer products, medical products, food processing and environmental monitoring.