The Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics (CDP) is an internationally recognized research center dedicated to improving the science and technology of dielectric and piezoelectric materials and their integration into components and devices. This class of materials underpins the functionality of a broad array of electronic and electromechanical systems that are enabling for the transportation, energy, aerospace and defense, communications, and medical sectors of the economy. In response to the needs and opportunities for academic-focused research to support these technology areas, the CDP was established in 2013 as a joint center between North Carolina State University (NCSU) and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and became an official NSF I/UCRC in 2014. The center attracts companies across the supply chain from raw materials suppliers, to component/subsystems manufacturers, to test equipment suppliers, to device and systems integrators.

The proposed research program aims to measure surface exchange and diffusion kinetics of OH- and H+ in commercially relevant ceramics: BaTiO3 for multilayer ceramic capacitors, KNN for lead-free piezoelectric actuators and Ta2O5 for electrolytic capacitors as a function of electrode chemistry and electrical potential. The work will focus on tracer diffusion studies using deuterated water, and in some cases 18O-enriched water, to study incorporation pathways, mechanisms and kinetics of H+ and OH- in dielectric devices. The role of electrode-enhanced surface/interface water incorporation will be explored, as some electrode materials are known to catalyze the dissociation kinetics of H2 and H2O. Moreover, the electrode potential can drive the electrolysis reaction and modify the driving force for incorporation of ion species into/out of the dielectric. Thus, the research will focus on the role of the electrode (composition and potential) on moisture degradation mechanisms and kinetics.

The mission of the CDP is to serve as a leading international research and education Center dedicated to improving the science and technology of dielectric and piezoelectric materials and their integration into various devices. The CDP will support major industries based on capacitor and piezoelectric materials and devices through the development of new materials, processing strategies, electrical characterization, and nanoscale structural characterization methodologies.

This program intends to develop lead-free relaxor ferroelectrics with high recoverable energy densities and conversion efficiencies that may be translated to multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) technologies. In particular, the program will study ceramic compositions of the SrTiO3- BaTiO3-BiFeO3 (STO-BTO-BFO) pseudo-ternary solid solution that show promise for high energy-density capacitors up to, and possibly exceeding, 150���������C. The enabling objectives that will be pursued during the 2-year program include: 1. Synthesize compounds and study/optimize the sintering behavior of relaxor ferroelectrics in the BaTiO3- SrTiO3-BiFeO3 system that are predicted to have relatively high energy densities. 2. Measure polarization and conductivity properties of the densified materials up to 250���������C 3. Develop doping strategies to minimize conduction losses. 4. Perform complementary x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies, to measure phase stability as a function of temperature and electric field. The program will be collaborative between the NCSU and Sheffield groups, wherein the ceramic materials will be processed and characterized at NCSU and information transferred to Sheffield for prototype MLCC fabrication in a complementary program. The NCSU student will spend summer months in Sheffield at the end of years one and two to assist with this translation

The proposed research program leverages expertise of an interdisciplinary group of scientists to develop fundamental synthesis-structure-property-function relationships for metal oxide nanomaterials for efficacy in inactivating surrogate viruses for COVID-19. The knowledge gained will enable accelerated and rational design of TiO2 nanoparticles for the production of specific reaction oxygen species that are important for the photodynamic inactivation of the COVID viruses. Such materials could be implemented into personal protective equipment and antiviral coatings.

The RTNN is a consortium of three North Carolina (NC) institutions and is proposed as a site in the National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) network. NC State, Duke, and UNC-Chapel Hill are all located in close geographical proximity within North Carolina������������������s Research Triangle. The RTNN currently offers fabrication and characterization services and education to a diverse range of users from colleges, universities, industry, non-profits, and individuals. The RTNN will bring specialized technical expertise and facilities to the National NNCI in areas that include wide bandgap semiconductors, soft materials (animal, vegetative, textile, polymer), functional nanomaterials, in situ nanomaterials characterization and environmental impact, nanofluidics, heterogeneous integration, photovoltaics, and positron annihilation spectroscopy. The RTNN strengthens the National NNCI in the areas of social and ethical implications of nanotechnology, environmental impacts of nanotechnology, and education/workforce development through interaction with industry and community colleges in the Research Triangle. All facilities engaged in this consortium have established track records of facilitating industrial research and technology transfer, strengths that further leverage the proposed site within the Research Triangle.

The PIs propose to acquire a multi-ion-source focused ion beam (FIB)/scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an inductively coupled plasma ion source outfitted with advanced detectors and automation tools. The increased angular intensity of a plasma source is optimal for rapid high-current milling while minimizing specimen damage and ion implantation. This instrument is equipped specifically for statistically meaningful quantitative characterization of material microstructures in three dimensions across dimensions from nm to mm and advanced nanolithography. The coupling of automation tools with the rapid sputtering rates and multiple ion sources unlocks the ability to: 1) study material properties governed by microstructurally rare events, 2) enable hierarchical material property models by providing input microstructures, and 3) create and study three dimensional nanostructures in materials that would be susceptible to ion implantation using conventional Ga ion sources. The location of the instrument within the Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network, a node of the NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI), provides access to researchers across the nation, impacting local universities, not-for-profit institutions and industries. Workshops and training modules will be developed to broaden participation from minority institutions and to educate a new generation of researchers at the intersection of statistics and materials science. The instrument will be integrated into the undergraduate curriculum (MSE 370: Microstructure of Inorganic Materials) and the graduate curriculum being developed under an NSF-funded National Research Traineeship program, which brings together the materials science, statistics and machine learning communities at NC State and NC Central to develop new approaches to materials informatics research. The participation of underrepresented groups at the K-12 levels will be enriched by showcasing the unique and highly-visual 3D microstructural images generated using the PFIB at the NanoDays program (which has an attendance of over 2000 students, parents and teachers). Short courses and full-day advanced workshops will be specifically designed to attract industry and external users. Finally, the diverse range of research topics that will be enabled by the PFIB will have a significant impact on regional industries keenly interested in the three-dimensional multi-modal characterization of microstructures.

The International Research Experiences for Students (IRES) program supports international research and research-related activities for U.S. science and engineering students. The IRES program contributes to development of a diverse, globally-engaged workforce with world-class skills. IRES focuses on active research participation by undergraduate or graduate students in high quality international research, education and professional development experiences in NSF-funded research areas. The overarching, long-term goal of the IRES program is to enhance U.S. leadership in research and education and to strengthen economic competitiveness through training the next generation of research leaders.

The mission of the CDP is to serve as a leading international research and education Center dedicated to improving the science and technology of dielectric and piezoelectric materials and their integration into various devices. The CDP will support major industries based on capacitor and piezoelectric materials and devices through the development of new materials, processing strategies, electrical characterization, and nanoscale structural characterization methodologies.

The overall program goal is to evaluate nucleation and growth of poly(3,4- ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) via oxidative Molecular Layer Deposition (oMLD) as a route to improve all-solid-state, high-surface-area, mesoporous electrolytic capacitors. The work will extend successful demonstration in our laboratory this past year on PEDOT growth to include: 1) forming and characterizing PEDOT thin films on planar silicon oxide as a control; 2)evaluating nucleation and growth of PEDOT on planar oxidized Ta layers; and 3) infiltrating PEDOT into mesoporous oxidized Ta anodes and performing basic electrical characterization and breakdown tests in collaboration with CDP companies. Successful completion of this project will result in new understanding of PEDOT film nucleation and growth on oxide surfaces and the ability to coat conformal layers of high-conductivity PEDOT in mesoporous architectures as found in high-surface area electrolytic capacitors.