Method and device for quantitative control of force in mechanochemical reactions

A mechanochemical reactor, comprising:

• an outer shell;
• a first plate slidably disposed within the outer shell at a first end of the outer shell;
• a second plate slidably disposed within the outer shell at a second end of the outer shell, the second end being opposite the first end;
• a linearly-reciprocating mill disposed within the outer shell between the first plate and the second plate;
• a first force sensor coupled to the first plate;
• and
• a second force sensor coupled to the second plate.

A method of inducing a mechanochemical reaction, the method comprising:

• injecting reactants into a tubular outer shell between a first plate and a second plate;
• tuning a first electromagnet that is operatively coupled to the first plate to establish a maximum contact force supported by the first plate;
• tuning a second electromagnet that is operatively coupled to the second plate to establish a maximum contact force supported by the second plate;
• reciprocating a mill in a linear fashion between the first plate and the second plate;
• and
• measuring a contact force between the mill and at least one of the first plate and the second plate sufficient to induce a chemical reaction between the reactants.