Shiny Object Panacea? Beneath the Surface Science

Abstract: It has long been common practice to assess the qualities of materials based upon outward appearance. In materials science, even when bulk material properties are the functional goal, it remains common to assess properties through looking at the surface. Surface properties are the interface to the surroundings, at the least, and can have passive (passivating?) influence on engineering design – for example in corrosion of structural members. Surfaces can also ascribe many functional qualities in many applications, ranging from friction and wear to materials compatibility. Los Alamos has an industrial scale surface finishing facility and is unique in that it is adjacent to both world-class materials manufacturing and characterization tools, and a nanotechnology facility. We thus have the ability to understand a process at the nano-scale and then scale it up to industrial relevance.  The finishing facility was recently renovated after 60 years, and this capability will be described. Several examples of research will be described based upon work at the surface finishing facility. These include (1) surface indentation and visualization to ascribe subsurface and intergranular mechanics, (2) design, characterization, and manufacture of ultra-black coatings for space applications, (3) new approaches to bring previously impossible coatings to practical reality, and (4) developing methods to achieve expected surface properties from additively manufactured metals – which is a severe challenge in creating a shiny object.

Bio: Dan Hooks has been a scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory in various roles for 23 years. After a post-doc in bioscience, he spent ~15 years in explosives research and development. He has been focused on electrochemistry, surfaces, and coatings for the past 6 years, applying previous industrial experience in electroplating to rebuild the team and capability for manufacturing research and development in this area. He is also an affiliate scientist with the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, performing research on highly diverse projects. Dan has >100 publications on a variety of topics with >3000 citations. Actively involved in collaborative and student programs throughout his career, he was formerly an Adjunct Professor at Washington State University, is currently an Adjunct Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and advisory committee member at Georgetown University. He has BS and PhD degrees in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota, respectively.