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The Effect Of Plant Source On Lignin-Based Polyurethanes And The Interdiffusion Dynamics Of Semi-Rigid Polymers, Jason Michael Lang

Masters Theses

The work reported in this thesis increases our understanding of the effect of lignin plant source on the mechanical and morphological properties of lignin-based polyurethanes and the interdiffusion of glassy/liquid bilayer thin films. The interdiffusion of glassy/liquid polymer pairs has received much less attention than liquid/liquid bilayers, leading to conflicting results and unresolved discrepancies. Therefore, the reported study of interdiffusion between polysulfone glassy/liquid polymer layers provides insight into the dynamics of these systems.

This thesis first reports the correlation between the mechanical properties of lignin-based polyurethanes and the lignin plant source. Lignin is a molecule that can be used as …

Development Of Nuclear Underground Engineered Test Surrogates For Technical Nuclear Forensics Exploitation, Robert Boone Gilbreath

Masters Theses

A method for formulation and production of Nuclear UnderGround Engineered Test Surrogates (NUGETS) based on notional improvised nuclear device (IND) detonations in an underground environment analogous to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) is presented. Extensive statistical analyses of precursory geochemical and geophysical characteristics are combined with an augmented surrogate debris cooling technique and predictive IND contributions from the ORIGEN Fallout Analysis Tool. Precursory and resultant elemental compositions, cooling curve calculations, and visual comparison of NUGETS to genuine underground debris are reported. Application of NUGETS methodology to future studies in urban, underground post-detonation technical nuclear forensic (TNF) analysis is suggested.