Session: 03-01-01: Annual Conference-Wide Symposium on Additive Manufacturing

Paper Number: 144300

144300 - Characterization of Silicon-Based, Polymer-Derived Ceramic Microchannel Plates Fabricated From a Vat Photopolymerization Approach 

Recent developments in the research of micro-channel plates (MCP) used in large-area photodetectors have led to a search for innovative materials that could be used in their fabrication. Electrically resistive materials that are typically used to fabricate MCPs include either lead silicate glass or borosilicate glass. However, other materials could be considered for use in the fabrication of MCPs as long as they satisfy the dimensional, mechanical, and electrical characteristics required by the specified application. Also, by expanding the range of materials that could be considered, the methodological approach towards fabrication of these MCPs could be expanded to include non-traditional fabrication processes as well. With this in mind, our investigation has considered a series of silicon-based SiO₂ceramic samples that could be viable candidates for use as materials in the fabrication of MCPs. These materials are experimentally tested and characterized for their dimensional and mechanical properties, with their results compared to accepted values for lead silicate and borosilicate glass. The MCPs were fabricated using a commercially available, LCD-type, vat photopolymerization 3D printing system. An investigation into the methodological approach towards the 3D printing process is performed to assess the effect of various process parameters (layer height, exposure time, etc.) on dimensional and mechanical properties. Finally, a cumulative assessment is performed on both the overall costs associated with this approach (material and fabrication process) and its potential for high-throughput scalability.

Presenting Author: Soka Suliman Northern Illinois University

Presenting Author Biography: Soka Suliman is a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northern Illinois University.

Authors:

Soka Suliman Northern Illinois University
John Shelton Northern Illinois University
Camden Ertley Southwest Research Institute
Neal Sullivan Angstrom Research