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Past and Current     KSEF R&D Excellence Award Recipients

Round  (#Awards) Date
RDE-012 (14) 07-1-09
RDE-011 (17) 07-1-08
RDE-010 (31) 10-24-07
RDE-009 (16) 12-12-06
RDE-008 (31) 10-25-05
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Kentucky Comm Fund

Round  (#Awards) Date
COMM-010  (2)  12-11-09
 COMM-009  (2)  10-1-09
 COMM-008  (4)   1-1-09
 COMM-007  (8)   4-1-08
 COMM-006  (10) 4-1-07

Past and Current  SBIR/STTR Phase Zero and Double Zero Award Recipients
 158 awards totaling $527,070 have been awarded to date.
 


Microstructure-Property Relations in Osmium-Ruthenium Coatings for Porous Tungsten Dispenser Cathodes

PI: Thomas John Balk

University of Kentucky

The research objective of this project is an improved understanding of the microstructure-property relationships in osmium-ruthenium (OsRu) coatings that are used in porous tungsten dispenser cathodes for high-density electron emission. By systematically investigating the effects of microstructure (including OsRu film thickness, texture and grain size) on the composition and performance of actual cathodes, the PI will provide a microstructure-based understanding of OsRu film coatings. A specific outcome of this research project is a new set of parameters for the deposition of improved OsRu coatings.

Semicon Associates, located in Lexington, KY, is the world leader in cathode production for military and space applications. They manufacture over 20,000 cathodes annually at their Lexington facility, thereby representing 75% of the world market share in cathodes, and generating over $9M in annual sales. The dispenser cathodes manufactured by Semicon operate at a brightness temperature (this is the temperature measured by an optical pyrometer, assuming black-body radiation) of 1050?CB and must provide reliable electron emission over lifetimes that can reach tens of thousands of hours. Because reliability is of paramount importance, especially in military and space-based applications where repair is not an option, designers "over-engineer" their cathodes to insure reliable operation. However, there is little understanding as to why cathodes ultimately fail and little knowledge of microstructure-property relationships in the cathode materials.

A systematic study of the effects of film thickness, grain size and texture on the composition and emission characteristics of annealed OsRu coatings is needed to develop scientific guidelines for further advancement in cathode performance. This work will be performed in close collaboration with Semicon Associates, who will provide materials and technological guidance, and will also test dispenser cathodes coated with OsRu according to the optimized conditions identified in this project.