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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Chemical And Polymer Characterization Of The Potential Modes Of Degradation Of An Injectable Nucleus Pulposus Replacement Device, Antonio G. Abbondandolo Jun 2023

Chemical And Polymer Characterization Of The Potential Modes Of Degradation Of An Injectable Nucleus Pulposus Replacement Device, Antonio G. Abbondandolo

Theses and Dissertations

HYDRAFIL™ is a poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol)-based hydrogel nucleus pulposus replacement device that is injected in situ and has demonstrated efficacy in lowering the prevalence and pain associated with back. In this work, we developed a method to analyze HYDRAFIL™ polymer composition using (TGA) and characterized intermolecular bonding interactions within the hydrogel through (FTIR). To function as a permanent implant for nucleus pulposus replacement, HYDRAFIL™ must be stable when exposed to a multitude of degradation pathways, namely, thermal, chemical, and mechanical. We subjected HYDRAFIL™ to accelerated thermal and chemical degradation pathways and described compositional, physical and chemical property changes using a …


Enhancement Of Electrospun Nanofiber Properties Via Automated Track Post-Draw Processing, David Anthony Brennan Mar 2021

Enhancement Of Electrospun Nanofiber Properties Via Automated Track Post-Draw Processing, David Anthony Brennan

Theses and Dissertations

Electrospinning is an alternative manufacturing method, capable of producing fibers with nanoscale diameters from a wide range of different polymers in a process which is relatively simple and inexpensive in comparison to other forms of nanofiber production. This has made electrospinning the subject a great deal of research as a method of producing nanofibers for various high-performance applications. However, electrospun nanofiber tensile strength is weak in comparison to conventional fibers of the same material, preventing widespread use and marketization. This disparity in mechanical strength is attributed to poor polymer chain alignment in individual fibers, caused by the absence of a …


Evaluating Cracking Performance Of Polymer Enhanced And Fiber Reinforced Microsurface Mixtures Using Asphalt Laboratory Testing, George Joseph Shackil Jun 2020

Evaluating Cracking Performance Of Polymer Enhanced And Fiber Reinforced Microsurface Mixtures Using Asphalt Laboratory Testing, George Joseph Shackil

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents a method to improve and evaluate the cracking resistance of microsurfacing mixtures using common asphalt laboratory testing. A preliminary optimal timing study and a study to evaluate improvements to cracking performance were conducted. The control mixture was based on NJDOT standard mix design specifications. Three mixtures were tested in this study: a fiber reinforced mixture using one-quarter inch glass fibers, an emulsion with increased SBR (polymer) contents, and a mixture using the one-quarter inch glass fibers combined with the increased polymer contents. Three laboratory tests were used to evaluate three different cracking resistance parameters: crack initiation (Semi-Circular …