Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
University of Waterloo
$80,716.00
Opto-Digital Microscope for High Deformation Rate Material Damage and Characterization
FY 2014-15
Summary
Characterization of the mechanical properties of soft or low impedance materials including polymers, elastomers, foams and biological tissues across a range of relevant strain rates is essential to develop predictive human models for occupant safety research and advance important applications such as safety systems and adhesive joining methods for multi-material light weight vehicle structures. A world-class material testing facility has been developed to characterize low impedance materials undergoing large deformations across a wide range of deformation rates (quasi-static to 3,000/s), supported by high-speed data acquisition, imaging and digital image correlation. The data from this facility have enabled the development and validation of advanced numerical models to create a truly unique capability within Canada, and internationally. However, our research has been limited in terms of pre-test (test sample geometry, surface roughness and composition) and post-test (fracture surface morphology, damage) measurements, and in-situ measurements of damage development and propagation. Funding to purchase an opto-digital microscope (ODM) is requested to enable large depth of field for visualization and analysis of complex surfaces. Such imaging will enable quantitative characterization of: (i) microstructural morphology of materials such as structural adhesives, energy absorbing foams and biomaterials; and (ii) evaluate damage nucleation, growth and link-up processes across a range of length scales not accessible using standard microscopy techniques. This equipment will address significant limitations in our current analysis capabilities, and enable ground breaking research to predict material damage and failure. On-site vendor demonstrations have confirmed the suitability of this equipment but it is not otherwise available to us, delaying four student theses and slowing progress in our programs. This equipment is urgently required to provide advanced analysis methods for material characterization and enable detailed models necessary to solve vital research challenges in the field of safety.
Program
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
472508-2015
Name nom
Cronin, Duane
Department département
Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Organization id
33
Institution établissement
University of Waterloo
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2014
Competition year année de concours
2015
Award amount
80716
Program id
EQPEQ
Program name en
Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)
Program name fr
Outils et instruments de recherche - catégorie 1 (<150 000$)
Group en
Discovery grants programs
Group fr
Programmes de subventions à la découverte
Committee code
1512
Committee name en
Mechanical Engineering
Committee name fr
Génie mécanique
Area of application code
602
Area of application group en
Construction, urban and rural planning
Area of application group fr
Construction, urbanisme et aménagement rural
Area of application en
Materials performance
Area of application fr
Performance des matériaux
Research subject code
2001
Research subject group en
Materials science and technology
Research subject group fr
Science et technologie des matériaux
Research subject en
Materials structure, properties and testing
Research subject fr
Structure, propriétés et essais des matériaux
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Opto-Digital Microscope for High Deformation Rate Material Damage and Characterization
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Characterization of the mechanical properties of soft or low impedance materials including polymers, elastomers, foams and biological tissues across a range of relevant strain rates is essential to develop predictive human models for occupant safety research and advance important applications such as safety systems and adhesive joining methods for multi-material light weight vehicle structures. A world-class material testing facility has been developed to characterize low impedance materials undergoing large deformations across a wide range of deformation rates (quasi-static to 3,000/s), supported by high-speed data acquisition, imaging and digital image correlation. The data from this facility have enabled the development and validation of advanced numerical models to create a truly unique capability within Canada, and internationally. However, our research has been limited in terms of pre-test (test sample geometry, surface roughness and composition) and post-test (fracture surface morphology, damage) measurements, and in-situ measurements of damage development and propagation. Funding to purchase an opto-digital microscope (ODM) is requested to enable large depth of field for visualization and analysis of complex surfaces. Such imaging will enable quantitative characterization of: (i) microstructural morphology of materials such as structural adhesives, energy absorbing foams and biomaterials; and (ii) evaluate damage nucleation, growth and link-up processes across a range of length scales not accessible using standard microscopy techniques. This equipment will address significant limitations in our current analysis capabilities, and enable ground breaking research to predict material damage and failure. On-site vendor demonstrations have confirmed the suitability of this equipment but it is not otherwise available to us, delaying four student theses and slowing progress in our programs. This equipment is urgently required to provide advanced analysis methods for material characterization and enable detailed models necessary to solve vital research challenges in the field of safety.
