Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Development And Structural Origin Of Stretchable Semiconducting Polymers And Composites, Yunfei Wang

Dissertations

Stretchable semiconductors are pivotal in advancing wearable and implantable electronics, with those boasting both high stretchability and self-healing capabilities being especially significant for a myriad of wearable applications. In this dissertation, we developed an extremely soft, highly stretchable, and self-healing elastomer based on H-bonding crosslinked amide-functionalized polyisobutylene (PIB-amide). When blended with a high-performance conjugated diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP-T) polymer, the composite exhibits unprecedented stretchability, exceptionally low elastic modulus, and an innate ability to self-heal at room temperature.

The morphology of conjugated polymer/elastomer semiconducting composites have significant impacts on electrical and mechanical properties Further investigations focused on manipulating the phase separation size in …

Microstructure-Based High Temperature Processing And Failure Analyses Of Engineering Alloys Under Complex Conditions, Dong Han

Doctoral Dissertations

From traditional petrochemical applications to contemporary manufacturing techniques, advanced structural materials are subjected to intricate thermomechanical and environmental conditions. In these engineering domains, high-temperature deformation plays a pivotal role, profoundly influencing the ultimate outcomes of industrial applications. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of this deformation remain elusive, largely due to the absence of a microstructure-based mechanistic understanding of high-temperature processing and failure of materials.

This dissertation endeavors to comprehensively examine these mechanisms through computational methodologies, focusing on three quintessential topics: grain boundary cavitation failures (2 examples: stress relaxation cracking (SRC) and grain size dependence), high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), and additive friction …

Computational Studies Of Charge-Transfer Mechanisms In Electrochemical Materials, Mohammadreza Reza Nouri

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Understanding charge transfer mechanisms of electrochemical reactions is critical for advancing a variety of electrochemical energy storage and conversion technologies such as water electrolysis, fuel cells, and batteries. (Photo)electrochemical water splitting, involving OER at the anode and HER at the cathode, presents an environmentally friendly way of storing energy from renewable sources in the form of pure hydrogen. While a lot of emphasis has been placed on developing highly active and stable OER/HER catalysts, our atomic-level understanding of the underlying charge transfer mechanisms falls behind.

In this work, we focus on both Faradaic and non-Faradaic charge transfer mechanisms to investigate …

Laser Surface Processing For Enhanced Adhesion Between Diamond Coatings And Metallic Substrates, Zhipeng Wu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Application of diamond coatings on metallic substrates endows them with superior properties including mechanical robustness and corrosion resistance, rendering them highly adaptable for diverse industrial and technological applications. However, significant disparities in coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) result in pronounced residual stress near interfaces, causing delamination of the diamond coatings. Moreover, weak chemical bonding poses a concern for certain metallic substrates. Laser surface processing techniques show promise in enhancing adhesion by altering stress distribution and improving mechanical bonding. Therefore, the research efforts described in this dissertation mainly focus on femtosecond (fs) laser texturing for enhanced adhesion of diamond coatings on …

Functional Properties Of Bulk And Meta-Material High Entropy Alloys, Cameron Jorgensen

Doctoral Dissertations

High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) are a class of material which is well-known for their high-temperature mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. In these materials, the entropy of mixing is used to encourage alloying between elements which are typically immiscible, sometimes described as alloying beyond the Hume-Rothery Rules. Specifically, the entropy of mixing is increased by including multiple elements on a single lattice site, increasing the free energy cost associated with phase separation. In the HEA community, this ‘high entropy effect’ is typically associated with alloy containing five or more elements. Achieving alloying between immiscible elements generally means the atomic size and/or …

Studies Of Exotic Electronic, Optical, And Electrochemical Properties In Nanoparticle Assembly And Graphene, Jay Min Lim

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

It is well known that exotic properties and phenomena emerge as structural dimensions shrink to nanoscales. We self-assembled one-dimensional chains of gold nanoparticles in solution and quantified the growth process by monitoring the redshift of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Curiously, the redshift stopped while the chains continued to rearrange as manifested by gradual reduction in the LSPR peak. Using electromagnetic simulations, we quantitatively explained the phenomena as a rapid “addition-polymerization” followed by a sharp transition to “condensation-process.” Next, recognizing the significant electric field enhancement in the interparticle gap, a photoluminescent-active Eu³⁺ ion was used to probe Surface-Enhanced Photoluminescence …

Smart Automatic Modal Hammer Predictor-Corrector Approach For Accurate Excitation Of Dynamical Systems, Mohammad Nasr

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This research introduces an innovative solution that revolutionizes the study of linear and nonlinear dynamical systems—a smart automatic modal hammer. With its affordability and intelligent capabilities, this automatic modal hammer becomes an invaluable tool for research and industry, enabling repeatable strikes with precise force control. This system's significance becomes particularly evident when studying nonlinear systems, which heavily rely on the excitation level for their dynamics. By offering a cost-effective design this proposed system proves to be robust in accelerating research on nonlinear dynamics, providing researchers with an efficient and accessible means to delve deeper into these complex systems. The proposed …

In Situ Direct-Write Materials Processing Methods In Electron Microscopes, John Lasseter

Doctoral Dissertations

Focused beam induced processing holds great promise for advanced nanoscale device design and prototyping but often has severe limitations in material quality, purity and compatibility. In particular focused electron beam induced deposition (FEBID) can create 3D nanostructures of extremely complex geometries, but the deposited material purity is often very low (< 10% metal). Ex situ functionalization processes, such as sputter coating, do not conformally coat the nanostructures but instead apply pure material from the top down. Here, a laser based photothermal coating method leveraging the geometry-dependent thermal transport properties is used to apply high-quality pure material conformally coat the exposed nanostructures and …

Process-Property-Structure Relationships In Advanced Rare Earth Magnet Manufacturing: Towards Enhanced Performance And Developing Application, Kaustubh Vidyadhar Mungale

Doctoral Dissertations

This research aims to study advanced rare earth magnet manufacturing, focusing on the structure-process-property relationships that govern their performance and applications. Rare earth minerals are classified as critical materials because they are essential in manufacturing products across numerous cutting-edge technologies including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and high-performance electronics.

Bonded magnets are composites with permanent magnet powder embedded in a polymer matrix. Finely powdered (3-300 microns) rare earth based intermetallics such as neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) and samarium iron nitride (SmFeN) are blended with engineering polymers such as epoxy, polyamides (PA6/PA12) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), followed by molding the compound …

Cruising Towards Durability: Investigating Degradation In Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells (Pefcs) For Sustainable Vehicle Power, Preetam Sharma

Doctoral Dissertations

Energy production is central to the climate challenge, as a significant portion of greenhouse gases responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere arises from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity and heat. To mitigate the adverse effects of climate change, emissions must be reduced by almost half by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) offer numerous advantages compared to traditional internal combustion engines in vehicles. Fuel cell electric vehicles are known for their exceptional operating efficiency (over 60%), impressive driving range (more than 400 miles), and quick refueling times (under 5 minutes).

Automotive …

Unrefined And Milled Ilmenite As A Cost-Effective Photocatalyst For Uv-Assisted Destruction And Mineralization Of Pfas, Eustace Y. Fernando, Zhiming Zhang

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated and refractory pollutants that are ubiquitous in industrial wastewater. Photocatalytic destruction of such pollutants with catalysts such as TiO2 and ZnO is an attractive avenue for removal of PFAS, but refined forms of such photocatalysts are expensive. This study, for the first time, utilized milled unrefined raw mineral ilmenite, coupled to UV-C irradiation to achieve mineralization of the two model PFAS compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Results obtained using a bench-scale photocatalytic reactor system demonstrated rapid removal kinetics of PFAS compounds (>90% removal in less than 10 …

Growth And Studies Of Novel Quantum Materials, Niloufar Yavarishad

Theses and Dissertations

By harnessing the extraordinary properties of quantum materials, researchers are not just conducting experiments but shaping the future of technology. Quantum materials enable the development of smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic components, potentially surpassing the physical limits of silicon-based devices. This dissertation will delve into quantum materials' electrical, optical, and thermal characteristics, specifically focusing on cadmium arsenide (Cd3As2) crystalline platelets. This topological semimetal, which is a three-dimensional analog of graphene, has potential in applications such as infrared light detection and thermoelectricity. The study also explores the possible uses of a heterojunction formed by combining bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3), a topological …

Understanding The Microstructure And Tribological Performance Of Cocrfeni-Based High Entropy Alloys, Ali Azarmi

All Theses

Due to their higher wear resistance compared to conventional alloys, high entropy alloys (HEAs) are now being considered as candidates for parts undergoing sliding contact during their lifetimes. While the engineering field has built some knowledge related to the performance of selected high entropy alloys, such as the CoCrFeNi alloy, more research is needed to determine if (how) expansions from four to five principal alloying elements alter the performance compared to the initial alloy. In this study, we started this research effort by investigating the relative performance of CoCrFeNiMn and CoCrFeNiTi with respect to CoCrFeNi. The two primary alloying elements …

Local Charge Distortion Due To Cr In Ni-Based Concentrated Alloys, Jacob Fischer

All Theses

Due to the presence of multiple elements consisting of a range of atomic radii, local lattice distortion (LLD) is commonly observed in concentrated (and high entropy) alloys. However, since these elements also have diverse electronegativities, recent works show that atoms can have a range of atomic charges. In this work, using density functional theory (DFT), we investigate electronic charge distribution in face centered cubic (FCC) Ni-based alloys and find significant charge-density distortion in HEAs. Specifically, Cr atoms have large charge density distortion that results in a wide range of bond lengths, atomic charges, and electronic density of states in Cr-containing …

Predicting The Ductility Of Tungsten Based Bcc Refractory High Entropy Alloys: A Computational Science Driven Study, Akshay Korpe

All Theses

Bcc refractory high entropy alloys (HEAs) are a relatively new category of metallic alloys that promise excellent irradiation resistance and strength retention at high temperatures but exhibit brittle behavior at room temperatures limiting their formability. Understanding the deformation mechanisms and predicting their ductility at room temperature is a topic of interest in contemporary research.

In this work, multiple independent ductility criteria for quantifying the ductility of these HEAs were studied, calculated and compared using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations and continuum mechanics frameworks. These ductility parameters were calculated for various W-Ta-Cr-V alloys and the trends were analyzed for each criteria …

Proportioning And Performance Of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (Uhpc) For High Friction Surface Treatment (Hfst) On Pavement And Bridge Decks, Adam R. Biehl

All Theses

High Friction Surface Treatment (HFST) is a roadway remediation technique used to improve pavement’s coefficient of friction, to enhance roadway safety. The application of HFSTs has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce crashes in both wet and dry conditions. Typically, epoxy-resins and calcined bauxite aggregate are used in HFST treatment. However, the high material costs and scarcity of calcined bauxite render this form of HFST an expensive and limited option for roadway rehabilitation. Therefore, the identification of alternative binders and HFST aggregates is needed for broad scale implementation. One potential alternative binder is Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), a specialty cementitious …

Surface Patterning On Zirconia Dental Implants Via Laser-Induced Shockwave Imprinting, Inomjon Majidov

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Zirconia is rapidly becoming a preferred alternative to titanium in dental applications, primarily due to its aesthetic resemblance to natural teeth. This material’s tooth-like color avoids the aesthetic issues associated with the grey metal tint of titanium implants. Additionally, zirconia is hypoallergenic, making it an ideal choice for patients with metal sensitivities or allergies. Despite these advantages, zirconia generally exhibits lower biocompatibility and osseointegration compared to titanium implants. This study investigates laser-assisted, controlled imprinting technique on zirconia surfaces to enhance these properties. Our research used zirconia pellets, produced from powdered monoclinic zirconia pressed in a pellet press machine. Two methods …

Physics-Informed Machine Learning Methods For Inverse Design Of Multi-Phase Materials With Targeted Mechanical Properties, Yunpeng Wu

All Dissertations

Advances in machine learning algorithms and applications have significantly enhanced engineering inverse design capabilities. This work focuses on the machine learning-based inverse design of material microstructures with targeted linear and nonlinear mechanical properties. It involves developing and applying predictive and generative physics-informed neural networks for both 2D and 3D multiphase materials.

The first investigation aims to develop a machine learning method for the inverse design of 2D multiphase materials, particularly porous materials. We first develop machine learning methods to understand the implicit relationship between a material's microstructure and its mechanical behavior. Specifically, we use ResNet-based models to predict the elastic …

Fabrication And Characterization Of Lignin–Pva Hydrogels With Tunable Network Structures, Keturah Bethel

All Dissertations

The ability to directly tune the crosslinked network structure of hydrogels is crucial for their functional applications in various fields, such as water filtration, protein separation, and tissue engineering. By controlling the crosslink density of the hydrogel, one can directly alter the mesh size – i.e., the end-to-end distance between crosslink junctions – and, subsequently, directly alter the hydrogel performance. This work discusses the fabrication and characterization of soft composites containing the biopolymer, lignin, are discussed. Precisely, physically-crosslinked composite lignin–Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hydrogels were fabricated via the freeze-thaw (F/T) pathway, whereby solutions containing specified amounts of PVA and lignin were …

On The Structure, Energy, And Segregation Behavior Of Grain Boundaries In Metallic Systems, Yasir Mahmood

All Dissertations

Nearly all structural metallic systems are multi-component polycrystalline aggregates; their microstructures are composed of crystalline grains that are internally joined at grain boundaries (GBs). This thesis focuses on GB structure, energy, and chemistry, as these greatly influence many material properties and processes, including boundary dynamics during processing treatments or under operating conditions.

Using atomistic simulations, we examine the impact of metastable GB structures on solute segregation. A wide range of GB geometries and metastable structures are used in our study. The Al-Mg alloy is used because it is of interest for light weighting. The atomistic simulation results are used to …