The NanoTest Vantage is featured in many medical, scientific and engineering journals and magazines. The following is a selection of recent articles that outline some of the key developments and features of Micro Material’s NanoTest Vantage.
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29/06/2011
The third edition of the newsletter headlines with the unveiling of the NanoTest Vantage, with a look into the research and development history of the platforms in the centre pages. This history is encompassed by the International Distributor Meeting, where the international MML community attended a 'first look' conference centred aroung the new NanoTest Vantage. The newsletter also features the announcement of the 11th European User Meeting taking place at the end of September this year. The front page headlines also includes the launch of a new website as well as new marketing literature to support the launch and more clearly dissect the technical and application information related to our service, that is available. The technical backpage looks into in-vivo test conditions and how the liquid cell module of the NanoTest can be used to closely mimic these conditions accurately. This is supported by recent work done at MML, using the liquid cell, in 'the response of PAA hydrogels under dry and wet conditions', the results of which are striking.
View article20/05/2011
Researchers at Georgia Tech recently published NanoTest data describing the mechanical properties of solid oxide fuel cell glass-ceramic seal material, G18. Hardness, modulus and creep properties were investigated via depth-sensing nanoindentation carried out at room temperature, and then at temperatures of 550, 650 and 750°C.
View article02/05/2011
This recent publication describes work carried out to optimise coatings used to increase the lifetime of cutting tools used in high speed machining of aerospace alloys. These hard-to-cut alloys pose a challenge for tool coatings, as significant heat is generated by friction in the cutting zone, potentially compromising the performance of the coating. High temperature nanoindentation and high strain rate nano-impact were used to replicate the in-service conditions experienced by the coatings.
View article31/01/2011
The second edition of the MML newsletter, with articles on the usefulness of using H/E ratios for wear prediction, nanopositioning for precise indent placement, a review of the 2010 European user meeting and details of our new US service centre and representation in India.
View article11/01/2011
This innovative work by a group at Loughborough University, UK investigates how the mechanical properties of stereolithography (SL) resins are affected by the level of moisture in the environment.
View article29/10/2010
The first edition of the new Micro Materials newsletter, with information on our new owners, the platform 3 operating system, micro-pillar compression, lead-free solder joints, and nano-impact testing.
View article14/10/2010
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have published work on nanoindentation and creep studies of polypropylene acquired using their NanoTest system. Measurements were carried out over a range of temperatures, from room temperature (25°C), through the glass transition temperature (-18°C), right down to -30°C.
View article10/10/2010
This seminal paper from the Van Vliet research group at MIT describes work carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of tissue surrogates under ballistics energy densities. A selection of synthetic surrogates were investigated, and their peoperties were compared to those of biological tissues. The paper states that 'Although the velocities investigated here are still low compared to ballistic tests (mm/s compared to ~m/s), the impact strain energy densities are high (0.4–20 kJ/m3) and comparable with macroscale impact tests such as pneumatic gun and falling weight impacts designed to replicate ballistic conditions'
View article20/05/2010
This paper describes micropillar compression tests carried out by Dr Sandra Korte and Prof Bill Clegg at the University of Cambridge, UK. Using a flat punch indenter mounted on an MML NanoTest system, tests were carried out on MgAl2O4 spinel, at a range of temperatures from room temperature to 400°C. The spinel deformed plastically at 200°C and above without a confining pressure. The yield stresses measured were consistent with those obtained elsewhere by compressing larger crystals under a high confining pressure, suggesting that micropillar compression has the potential to be a useful technique for studying plastic flow in brittle materials.
View article10/02/2010
This paper gives an excellent review of the nanomechanical techniques available for the characterisation and optimisation of surface engineered materials. It covers the full range of techniques, from indentation to impact, scratch and wear to fretting. Alongside the basic theory and principles of operation, it offers case studies from a range of application areas including biomedical and automotive.
View article16/07/2009
The wide range of capability offered by the MML NanoTest system means that the system is active in a wide range of application areas. The following are examples of recent work published by the MML user base. Full references for each paper discussed are given at the end of the article. Article includes: Micropillar compression at high temperature, indentation of gels and tissues in liquids, nano-wear of amorphous Carbon coatings, optimisation of coatings for high speed machining.
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