Date of Graduation

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Wejinya, Uche

Committee Member/Reader

Leylek, James

Committee Member/Second Reader

Churchill, Hugh

Abstract

Mechanical Exfoliation of Graphene is an often-overlooked portion of the fabrication of quantum devices, and to create more devices quickly, optimizing this process to generate better flakes is critical. In addition, it would be valuable to simulate test pulls quickly, to gain insight on flake quality of various materials and exfoliation conditions. Physical pulls of graphene at various temperatures, pull forces, and pull repetitions were analyzed and compared to the results of ANSYS simulations, solved for similar results. Using ANSYS’ ability to predict trends in exfoliations, flake thickness and coverage using stress and deflection analyses were investigated. Generally, both strongly supported a smaller pulling force and a lower temperature of exfoliation. Using results from both testing methods, suggestions were made for future exfoliator use in the MonArk Quantum Foundry. With ANSYS and experimental results, exfoliations are predicted to provide the best flake thickness and coverage at a 10 N force, 20 °C, and between 10 and 13 pull (experimental) repetitions. In addition, possible applications of ANSYS simulation and further developments in the simulation setup to provide more accurate and realistic results were explored.

Keywords

Mechanical Exfoliation, Two-Dimensional Materials, Graphene, ANSYS, Finite Element Analysis, Simulation

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