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Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Nanoscience At Interfaces And Surfaces: From Jamming To Electrode Texturing, Mengmeng Cui
Nanoscience At Interfaces And Surfaces: From Jamming To Electrode Texturing, Mengmeng Cui
Doctoral Dissertations
This dissertation focuses on the nanoparticle self-assembly on the liquid/liquid interface and the nanomaterial modification on surface. The self-assembly of nanoparticles at the liquid/liquid interface was utilized to trap non-equilibrium morphology when the nanoparticles reach jamming state. The dynamics of jammed systems were further studied by X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. For the surface part, the nanomaterials were modified on the electrodes to improve the performance of microbial electrosynthesis. Also, a novel and simple method was developed to prepare nanomaterials including nanoparticle surfactants and carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
Cell Modulation Using Functionalized Nanoparticles, Rui Tang
Cell Modulation Using Functionalized Nanoparticles, Rui Tang
Doctoral Dissertations
Monolayer functionalized ultra-small gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) provide a versatile platform for applications in cell research. Through rational design of surface ligands, the chemistry of AuNPs are precisely regulated at atomic level. In this dissertation, applications of AuNPs in cell modulation are discussed. The topics are split into two categories. In the first category, functionalized AuNPs are harnessed to generate a robust monolayer on cell culture surface for cell modulation. The proliferation and behavior of different types of cancer cells and normal cells are modulated by tuning the surface ligands of AuNPs. Fate decision of mesenchymal stem cells are also modulated …
Refractive Index Engineering And Optical Properties Enhancement By Polymer Nanocomposites, Cheng Li
Refractive Index Engineering And Optical Properties Enhancement By Polymer Nanocomposites, Cheng Li
Doctoral Dissertations
The major part of this dissertation discusses the engineering of the refractive index of materials using solution-processable polymer nanocomposites and their applications in building optical components and devices. Three particular polymer nanocomposites have been introduced to achieve materials with tunable refractive indices and enhanced optical properties, which can be used to manipulate the behavior of light or electromagnetic radiations. In the first system, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)/polymer nanocomposites are developed. Thin films with tunable, low refractive indicies were fabricated from the composites. The mechanical strength of these films was characterized, and their application in antireflective coatings is discussed. In the …
Controlling The Assembly Of Nanoparticles In Polymer Blends, Kyle C. Bryson
Controlling The Assembly Of Nanoparticles In Polymer Blends, Kyle C. Bryson
Doctoral Dissertations
While many novel methods have been devised for directing the assembly of nanoparticles in block copolymers, the topic has not reached the same level of sophistication for polymer blends. The assembly of particles at the interface between phase-separated domains can serve as a means to compatibilize polymer blends, reducing domain sizes and enhancing interdomain adhesion by impeding coalescence and decreasing interfacial tension. Compatibilization optimizes the performance of blended materials in applications where the properties of both components must be expressed synergistically, such as in plastics requiring both high strength and high toughness and in photovoltaic films. Thus, approaches to robustly …