Processing, microstructure and physical properties development of advanced ceramics in optics, energy storage, automotive and welding
The Advanced Ceramics and Nanomaterials Laboratory is involved in the research and development of a range of ceramic materials and their composites, used in electronics, automotive, welding and energy sectors.
Our expertise includes the development of a new generation of high-intensity phosphor ceramics for application in image projection and LEDs that require an increased level of the colour red.
Another area of expertise concerns supercapacitors and electric energy storage devices capable of storing large amount of electricity. Both solid state and electrolithic supercapacitors are under development with the objective of increasing the capacitance and energy density.
Our laboratory is also involved in the transfer of technology from the laboratory to industry.
High purity ceramic powder synthesis, powder characterization (particle size and size distribution, surface area and morphology), powder forming (uniaxial, slip casting, hot-pressing, HIPing and gel casting), sintering (in air and controlled atmosphere), microstructure development and characterization, physical property testing and evaluation including hardness, fracture strength, fracture toughness, photoluminescence, electrical resitivity/conductivity, capacitance, energy loss, and high-precision machining.
- Automotive
- Chemical industries
- Clean technology
- Defense and security industries
- Energy (renewable and fossil)
- Manufacturing and processing
- Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)
Specialized Labs and Equipment
|
Name of specialized lab |
Name of equipment |
|
Powder Synthesis Lab |
Spray heat reactor, hydrothermal reactor, vacuum/pressure thermal reactor |
|
Powder Characterization Lab |
Horiba laser particle-size analyzer, BET surface-area measurement, Spartan granulator, spray dryer |
|
Powder Forming Lab |
Extruder, automatic mechanical press, cold isostatic press, hot press, manual 100-ton mechanical press, tape caster |
|
Sintering Lab |
High-temperature air furnace (1700oC), vacuum graphite furnace (2200oC), gas-pressure sintering furnace (2200oC), hot isostatic press (180 MPa gas pressure, 2000oC) |
|
Ceramic Machining Lab |
Flat machining, slicing, dicing, outer diameter/inner diameter machining, cutting-tool machining, fine polishing (at a micron level), double-sided lapping, grinding and polishing machine
|
|
Mechanical Properties Testing Lab |
Flexural strength, fracture toughness, hardness, high-temperature mechanical-properties testing, elastic modulus, laser facility |
|
Electrical, Electronic Properties Measurement Lab |
Impedance analyzer “Solartron,” digital multimeter, piezoelectric strain measurements Lvdt |
|
Optical properties |
Colour intensity versus wavelength |
Private and Public Sector Research Partners
- Christie Digital Systems Inc.
- Huys Industries Ltd.
- CenterLine (Windsor) Limited
- T. J. Snow Co. Inc.
- Novelis Inc.
- Worton Manufacturing Co Ltd.
Additional Information
| Title | URL |
| The Complete Engineer, Fall 2012 (page 6) | http://inspiring.engineering.queensu.ca/resources/downloads/TheCompleteEngineer_FW2012.pdf |