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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

A Microreactor System For Measuring Size Selectivity In Porous Wo3 Sensor Materials, Meng Lu Dec 2005

A Microreactor System For Measuring Size Selectivity In Porous Wo3 Sensor Materials, Meng Lu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Our interest in studying reactions catalyzed by high surface area W03 powders is based on their potential application as the active material in sensors for low level (ppb) detection of flammable or toxic gases. A series of porous W03 powders with both meso- and micro-porosity have been synthesized by Waghe and Tripp. Preliminary results of the response of sensors fabricated from these materials indicated the possibility of size selectivity on the molecular scale. To provide support for the hypothesis of size selectivity and understand the reaction kinetics of alcohols over the new porous W03 powders for sensor …


Optimal Sampling Of A Chemical Hazard Area, Jennifer R. Plourde Mar 2005

Optimal Sampling Of A Chemical Hazard Area, Jennifer R. Plourde

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis proposes a methodology for optimally sampling a chemical hazard area subsequent to a chemical weapons attack. The objective is to identify the maximum number of areas that no longer require protective gear for safe operations. We model the area as an undirected graph and employ network analysis techniques to provide a methodological framework for identifying an optimal sampling sequence within a fixed time limit. We propose four models that characterize the secondary vapor concentrations: i) static and deterministic, ii) static and stochastic, iii) dynamic and deterministic, and iv) dynamic and stochastic. Comparisons of the static cases and their …


An Investigation Into Palladium-Catalyzed Reduction Of Perchlorate In Water, Eric G. Barney Mar 2005

An Investigation Into Palladium-Catalyzed Reduction Of Perchlorate In Water, Eric G. Barney

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, application of a catalytic reactor to facilitate chemical reduction of perchlorate was investigated. Palladium-coated pellets were used as the catalyst, and formic acid was used as the reductant. Reactor performance was evaluated under a variety of operating conditions (influent pH, reductant concentration, residence time). Very little perchlorate reduction was observed under any operating condition. At best, approximately 8% perchlorate reduction was observed. This small reduction efficiency is clearly not sufficient for environmental treatment applications. Perchlorate strongly adsorbed to the catalyst at low pH (3 - 3.3). At higher pH (4 - 10), little adsorption was observed. This …


Synthesis And Characterization Of Hydrogen-Rich Polyimide Materials For Radiation Shielding, Sha Yang Jan 2005

Synthesis And Characterization Of Hydrogen-Rich Polyimide Materials For Radiation Shielding, Sha Yang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Photochemical Modification Of Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface, Zhengmao Zhu Jan 2005

Photochemical Modification Of Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface, Zhengmao Zhu

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The prospect of obtaining desired surface-mediated characteristics while retaining bulk-mediated physical properties and avoiding potential environmental issues with wet chemical technology lends considerable appeal to photochemical approaches to surface modification.;We undertook a combined experimental and computational approach to investigate the effect of deep UV irradiation on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surface. its response to 172 nm UV from a xenon examiner lamp in the absence of oxygen was characterized with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Time of Flight/Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF/SIMS), transmission infrared spectroscopy (IR), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The surface chemistry details suggested that the primary photochemical reactions …


Characterization Of Ionic, Dipolar And Molecular Mobility In Polymer Systems, Zhenrong Guo Jan 2005

Characterization Of Ionic, Dipolar And Molecular Mobility In Polymer Systems, Zhenrong Guo

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Changes in the ionic and dipolar molecular mobility in a polymer system are the basis for the changes in the dielectric mechanical properties of polymer materials. Frequency Dependent Dielectric Measurements (FDEMS) and Ion Time-of-Flight (ITOF) are two important techniques to investigate ionic and dipolar molecular mobility in polymer systems. The results can be related to the macro- and molecular dielectric, electrical and dynamic properties of polymeric materials. The combination of these two methods provides a full view of electric, dielectric and dynamic behavior for the systems as they undergo chemical and/or physical changes during polymerization crystallization, vitrification, and/or phase separation.;The …


Melting And Solidification Study Of Indium And Bismuth Nanocrystals Using Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction, Mohamed K. Zayed Jan 2005

Melting And Solidification Study Of Indium And Bismuth Nanocrystals Using Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction, Mohamed K. Zayed

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As technology begins to utilize nanocrystals for many chemical, biological, medical, electrical, and optoelectrical applications, there is a growing need for an understanding of their fundamental properties. The study of melting and solidification of nanocrystals is of interest to fundamental understanding of the effect of reduced size and crystal shape on the solid-liquid phase transition. Melting and solidification of as-deposited and recrystallized indium and bismuth nanocrystals were studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). The nanocrystals were thermally deposited on highly oriented 002-graphite substrate at different deposition temperatures. The growth dynamics of the nanocrystals was studied using in situ RHEED …