Education

Research Description

Dr. Dow's long-term goal is to improve how we make and measure devices that require tolerances of 1 part in 105 of the feature size to operate correctly. This means for a telescope measuring 1.5 meters (like the Hubbel Telescope), the shape tolerance is 15 micrometers.

Publications

Direct analysis of textile dyes from trace fibers by automated microfluidics extraction system coupled with Q-TOF mass spectrometer for forensic applications

Sultana, N., Gunning, S., Furst, S. J., Garrard, K. P., Dow, T. A., & Vinueza, N. R. (2018), Forensic Science International, 289, 67–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FORSCIINT.2018.05.020

Surface Finish and Diamond Tool Wear when machining PMMA and PC Optics

Bodlapati, C., Dow, T., Wong, A., & Garrard, K. (2018), OPTICAL MANUFACTURING AND TESTING XII, 10742. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2319683

Design and validation of the mounting structure for BETTII balloon-based telescope with thin-walled optics

Furst, S., Dow, T., Garrard, K., Sohn, A., Fixsen, D., Rinehart, S., … Dhabal, A. (2016), Journal of Astronomical Telescopes Instruments and Systems, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.jatis.2.2.024001

Design of elliptically-vibrating ultrasonic actuator for nanocoining

Dow, T. A., Nowak, J., & Kessing, J. R. (2016), Precision Engineering, 45, 301–310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2016.03.007

Optics of balloon experimental twin telescope for infrared interferometry (BETTII): delay lines and alignment

Dhabal, A., Rinehart, S. A., Rizzo, M. J., Mundy, L., Fixsen, D., Sampler, H., … Tucker, C. (2016), Optical and infrared interferometry and imaging v, 9907. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2230218

Nanostructure fabrication on germanium and silicon by nanocoining imprint technique

Zdanowicz, E., Dow, T. A., Scattergood, R. O., & Youssef, K. (2013), Precision Engineering, 37(4), 871–879. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precisioneng.2013.05.004

Thermo-chemical wear model and worn tool shapes for single-crystal diamond tools cutting steel

Lane, B. M., Dow, T. A., & Scattergood, R. (2013), Wear, 300(1-2), 216–224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2013.02.012

Rapid fabrication of nanostructured surfaces using nanocoining

Zdanowicz, E., Dow, T. A., & Scattergood, R. O. (2012), Nanotechnology, 23(41). https://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/23/41/415303

Design, modeling, fabrication, and evaluation of the air amplifier for improved detection of biomolecules by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Robichaud, G., Dixon, R. B., Potturi, A. S., Cassidy, D., Edwards, J. R., Sohn, A., … Muddiman, D. C. (2011), International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 300(2-3), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2010.04.006

Automated part centering with impulse actuation

Furst, S. J., Dow, T. A., Garrard, K., & Sohn, A. (2010), Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 132(1). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4000681

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Precision Path Motion for Dynamic Actuation, PEC Core Project 7

PE CONSORTIUM(10/01/19 - 12/31/21)

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Precision Path Motion for Dynamic Actuation, PEC Core Project 7

Sponsor: PE CONSORTIUM

Start Date: 10/01/19

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

Develop a platform for studying the motion control of a fast tool servo on an XYZ stage. Investigate the dynamics and control of the system as applied to a step and repeat indentation process.

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Microindentation, PEC Core Project 6

PE CONSORTIUM(7/01/19 - 12/31/21)

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Microindentation, PEC Core Project 6

Sponsor: PE CONSORTIUM

Start Date: 7/01/19

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

This project focuses on developing a process to deliver the best form and finish on a mold for making arrays of microscale lenses. The envisioned process will use plastic deformation to replicate lens-like features on a diamond die in the mold. The die will be made with a focused ion beam milling process.

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Develop Machining Processes to Produce Optimal Surface Finish in Pure Metals, PEC Core Project 8

PE CONSORTIUM(10/01/19 - 12/31/21)

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Develop Machining Processes to Produce Optimal Surface Finish in Pure Metals, PEC Core Project 8

Sponsor: PE CONSORTIUM

Start Date: 10/01/19

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

Investigate the cycle of chip seizure when turning pure aluminum with both carbide and diamond tools.

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Indentation of µm Lens Molds on Aluminum and Si Substrates, PEC Enhancement Project

Facebook Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus VR, LLC)(7/01/19 - 6/30/21)

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Indentation of µm Lens Molds on Aluminum and Si Substrates, PEC Enhancement Project

Sponsor: Facebook Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus VR, LLC)

Start Date: 7/01/19

End Date: 6/30/21

Abstract

This project explores the fabrication of microscale lens arrays molds using an indentation process. The work will focus on how to achieve the best form and surface finish in the mold. Ductile and brittle mold materials will also be investigated.

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Sub-Aperture Polishing of mm-Sized Plastic Optics, PEC Enhancement Project

Facebook Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus VR, LLC)(7/01/19 - 12/31/21)

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Sub-Aperture Polishing of mm-Sized Plastic Optics, PEC Enhancement Project

Sponsor: Facebook Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus VR, LLC)

Start Date: 7/01/19

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

The goal is to develop a system that can polish a 2 mm square plastic lens using sub-aperture techniques to create 50 nm PV figure error and 1 nm RMS surface finish with no edge roll-off within 50 µm of the periphery of the lens. The workpiece materials of interest are PMMA and Polycarbonate and the abrasive is diamond, alumina and other abrasives designed for polishing plastics such as those available from Western Abrasives.

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Develop Machining Processes to Produce Optimal Surface Finish and Minimal Tool Wear, PEC Core Project 2019-2020

PE CONSORTIUM(7/01/19 - 12/31/21)

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Develop Machining Processes to Produce Optimal Surface Finish and Minimal Tool Wear, PEC Core Project 2019-2020

Sponsor: PE CONSORTIUM

Start Date: 7/01/19

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

The three foundations of precision engineering are fabrication, metrology and control. The first is the creation of a surface or mechanism, the second measuring its shape or motion and the third is finding a way to improve the result with feedback control. The support of the PEC by the technical community will improve the ability to make and measure new mechanisms and surfaces leading to innovative solutions.

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Membership in PE Consortium, Associate Member

Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc. (1/01/19 - 12/31/20)

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Membership in PE Consortium, Associate Member

Sponsor: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.

Start Date: 1/01/19

End Date: 12/31/20

Abstract

This Agreement is made by and between North Carolina State University at Raleigh, North Carolina and Saint-Gobain High Performance Materials. The parties to this Agreement intend to join together in a cooperative effort to support a University/Industry Precision Engineering Center at UNIVERSITY such that the UNIVERSITY environment can be used to develop a better understanding of Precision Engineering, stimulate industrial innovation; and provide UNIVERSITY with strengthened educational capability in these fields, and MEMBER with the latest advances in technology.

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PE Consortium Administrative Account

PE CONSORTIUM(1/01/18 - 12/31/21)

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PE Consortium Administrative Account

Sponsor: PE CONSORTIUM

Start Date: 1/01/18

End Date: 12/31/21

Abstract

PEC Administrative Account

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Develop Machining Processes to Produce Optimal Surface Finish and Minimal Tool Wear, PEC Core Project 4

PE CONSORTIUM(1/01/18 - 6/30/19)

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Develop Machining Processes to Produce Optimal Surface Finish and Minimal Tool Wear, PEC Core Project 4

Sponsor: PE CONSORTIUM

Start Date: 1/01/18

End Date: 6/30/19

Abstract

The three foundations of precision engineering are fabrication, metrology and control. The first is the creation of a surface or mechanism, the second measuring its shape or motion and the third is finding a way to improve the result with feedback control. The support of the PEC by the technical community will improve the ability to make and measure new mechanisms and surfaces leading to innovative solutions.

Close

Multi-Lens Array, PEC Enhancement Project

Facebook Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus VR, LLC)(3/01/17 - 12/31/18)

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Multi-Lens Array, PEC Enhancement Project

Sponsor: Facebook Technologies, LLC (formerly Oculus VR, LLC)

Start Date: 3/01/17

End Date: 12/31/18

Abstract

The purpose of this work is study concepts needed to rapidly create molds for multi-lens arrays of small plastic optics. This project will build on previous work in the PEC sponsored by PEC Affiliates and NSF that led to a NCSU/PEC patent on Nano-coining of sub wave-length plastic features. Because the size of the features for this proposal are 100x larger than in the previous work, the concepts will need to be refined to achieve the larger size. In addition, the details of the shape of the individual lenses may need to be modified to create the desired geometry in the replicated lenses.

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