Nanograin Ceramic Optical Composite Window

The proposed project will demonstrate the feasibility of making nanocomposite materials with microstructures having grains <50nm that are suitable for use in IR windows. MetaMateria Partners and the Particulate Materials Center (PMC) at The Pennsylvania State University have developed methods to make concentrated colloids of nano-particles, including alumina and zirconia with grain sizes <15nm. Uniform colloid mixtures of the alumina and zirconia nanoparticles will be cast into 2.5cm discs using a pressure filtration technique that was previously used to cast zirconia and yttria nanoparticles. It is expected that these immiscible nanoparticles will separate the phases and prevent or limit grain growth during sintering. The project will utilize extensive characterization and processing facilities at the PMC. Methods for drying, organic removal and densification with minimum grain growth will be developed, with the goal to make fully dense nanocomposites with grains <50nm.