Events Calendar

AME Seminar

Speaker: Simon Park, University of Calgary

Talk Title: Sensing and Monitoring using Nanocomposite Sensors and Hybrid Copper Conductive Inks

Abstract: Highly accurate, miniaturized components that consist of a variety of materials will play key roles in the future development of a broad spectrum of products, such as wearable devices, lab-on-chips, subminiature actuators and sensors. With the advent of the Internet of Things (IoTs) and Industrie 4.0, the development of miniature and reliable devices will be far-reaching in the enhancement of quality of life and economic growth.

Smart polymeric nanocomposites are promising new materials applicable as media for nano-patterned surfaces. Much attention is being paid to carbon-based nanoparticles as fillers in polymer matrices, due to their outstanding mechanical, electrical and thermal properties. In particular, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphenes are effective in the fabrication of electrically and thermally conductive polymer composites compared to metallic particles or carbon black, mainly due to their high aspect ratios (i.e. ~100-1000).

The sensors consisted of polymer reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/graphenes using a variety of manufacturing techniques. The sensors were electrically poled to generate piezoelectric phases. Both the piezoresistive and piezoelectric characteristics of the nanocomposite were utilized for improved performance of the sensors.

Another important aspect is cost effective manufacturing of conductive electrode patterns onto flexible substrates is vital for multifunctional and flexible systems. Conventional chemical etching, vacuum deposition and electrodeless plating are expensive and potentially hazardous to flexible substrates. Others have used metallic nanoparticle inks, such as silver nanoparticles, through inkjet printing, but the high cost of silver nanoparticles prevents mass production. We have recently developed a simple method to prepare hybrid copper-silver conductive tracks through flash light sintering. We demonstrate some of examples of the sensors and hybrid copper electrodes developments.

Biography: Currently Simon S. Park is a professor at the Schulich School of Engineering, Dept. of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary. He is a professional engineer in Alberta, and is an associate member of CIRP (Int. Academy of Production Engineers) from Canada. Dr. Park received bachelor and masters degrees from the University of Toronto, Canada. He then continued his PhD at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He has worked in several companies including IBM manufacturing where he was a procurement engineer for printed circuit boards and Mass Prototyping Inc. dealing with rapid prototyping systems. In 2004, Dr. Park formed the Micro Engineering, Dynamics, and Automation Laboratory (MEDAL, www.ucalgary.ca/medal) to investigate the synergistic integration of both subtractive and additive processes that uniquely provide productivity, flexibility and accuracy to the processing of complex components. His research interests include micro machining, nano engineering, CNT nanocomposites, and alternative energy applications. He has also founded several start-up companies in sensing and oil extractions. He held a strategic chair position in AITF Sensing and monitoring. He is also an associate editor of the Journal of Manufacturing Processes, SME (Elsevier) and International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology (Springer). Currently, he is directly supervising 40 students and scholars.

Host: AME Department

More Info: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/

Webcast: https://usc.zoom.us/j/98775609685?pwd=a2lSd01oY0o2KzA4VWphbGxjWk5Qdz09

Location: Virtual Seminar

WebCast Link: https://usc.zoom.us/j/98775609685?pwd=a2lSd01oY0o2KzA4VWphbGxjWk5Qdz09

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Tessa Yao

Event Link: https://ame.usc.edu/seminars/