Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Single Molecule Super-Resolution Microscopy Study On The Precision With Which Dna Nanostructures Can Orient Fluorescent Dyes, Brett Michael Ward

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

DNA nanotechnology enables the rapid, programmable self-assembly of novel structures and devices at the nanoscale. Utilizing the simplicity of Watson-Crick base pairing, DNA nanostructures are capable of assembling a variety of nanoparticles in arbitrary configurations with relative ease. Several emerging opto-electronic systems require a high degree of control of both the position and orientation of component fluorescent molecules, and while DNA nanostructures have demonstrated these capabilities, the precision with which DNA can orient fluorescent molecules is not well understood. Determining these bounds is critical in establishing the viability of DNA nanotechnology as a method of assembling fluorescent molecular networks.

In …

Mxenes As Flow Electrodes For Capacitive Deionization Of Wastewater, Naqsh E. Mansoor

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The energy-water nexus poses an integrated research challenge, while opening up an opportunity space for the development of energy efficient technologies for water remediation. Capacitive Deionization (CDI) is an upcoming reclamation technology that uses a small applied voltage applied across electrodes to electrophoretically remove dissolved ionic impurities from wastewater streams. Similar to a supercapacitor, the ions are stored in the electric double layer of the electrodes. Reversing the polarity of applied voltage enables recovery of the removed ionic impurities, allowing for recycling and reuse. Simultaneous materials recovery and water reclamation makes CDI energy efficient and resource conservative, with potential to …

An All-Optical Excitonic Switch Templated On A Dna Scaffold Operated In The Liquid And Solid Phases, Donald L. Kellis

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The natural excitonic circuitry of photosynthetic organisms, including light harvesting antennas, provides a distinctive example of a highly attractive bio-inspired alternative to electronic circuits. Excitonics, which capitalizes on spatially arranged optically active molecules ability to capture and transfer light energy below the diffraction limit of light has garnered recognition as a potential disruptive replacement for electronic circuits. However, assembly of optically active molecules to construct even simple excitonic devices has been impeded by the limited maturity of suitable molecular scale assembly technologies.

An example of nanophotonic circuitry, natural light harvesting antennas employ proteins as scaffolds to organize and self-assemble light-active …

Nanoscale Optical And Correlative Microscopies For Quantitative Characterization Of Dna Nanostructures, Christopher Michael Green

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Methods to engineer nanomaterials and devices with uniquely tailored properties are highly sought after in fields such as manufacturing, medicine, energy, and the environment. The macromolecule deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) enables programmable self-assembly of nanostructures with near arbitrary shape and size and with unprecedented precision and accuracy. Additionally, DNA can be chemically modified to attach molecules and nanoparticles, providing a means to organize active materials into devices with unique or enhanced properties. One particularly powerful form of DNA-based self-assembly, DNA origami, provides robust structures with the potential for nanometer-scale resolution of addressable sites. DNA origami are assembled from one large DNA …

Effects Of Magnetic Domain And Twin Boundary Interactions On Magneto-Mechanical Properties Of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys, Medha Veligatla

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloys deform substantially when exposed to a magnetic field. This recoverable plastic deformation occurs through crystallographic twinning. Thereby the internal magnetic domain structure modulates the deformation mechanisms through the interaction of magnetic domains with twin boundaries. We study the meso scale magneto-structural interactions that affect the macroscopic material properties of MSM alloys. The study at the meso length scale is most effective as it allows for resolving interactions at magnetic domain wall width resolution with reasonable computing cost. We apply micromagnetics simulations to evaluate the evolution of magnetic domains, their interaction with twin boundaries, the distribution …

Additive Manufacturing Of High Performance Flexible Thermoelectric Generators Using Nanoparticle Inks, Tony Valayil Varghese

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Flexible thermoelectric devices are attractive power sources for the growing demand of flexible electronics and sensors. Thermoelectric generators have an advantage due to no moving parts, silent operation and constant power production with a thermal gradient.

Conventional thermoelectric devices are rigid and fabricated using complex and relatively costly manufacturing processes, presenting a barrier to increase the market share of this technology. To overcome such barriers, this work focuses on developing near ambient-temperature flexible thermoelectric generators using relatively low-cost additive manufacturing processes. A screen printable ink was developed for transforming nanoparticle ink into high-performance flexible thermoelectric generators with a peak thermoelectric …

The Effects Of Atmospheric Heat Treatments On Tio2 Nanotube Anodes For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Andreas Savva

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The effects of various heat treatments on the physical and electrochemical properties of anatase TiO₂ nanotubes were studied in this work. Well-ordered TiO₂ nanotubes were grown via electrochemical anodization and annealed at 450°C to induce a phase transformation to anatase. The heat treatments were conducted under atmospheres of O₂, Ar, N₂, and water vapor (WV) to create different point defects. The oxygen-deficient atmospheres were used to generate oxygen vacancies in the TiO₂ nanotubes, while the water vapor treatment was used to create Ti vacancies by stabilizing them via the protonation of O sites. …

Optically Active Dye-Based Systems Templated By Dna Exhibiting Excitonic Delocalization, Brittany Lynn Cannon

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The concept of quantum computing was first developed in the early 1980’s. The attraction of quantum computers is their potential capacity to solve extremely complex problems, such as factorization, on a timescale far faster than that of classical computers. However, realization of quantum computation is currently in its infancy, and recent implementations possess serious drawbacks that reduce their appeal. Some challenges of current designs include the necessity to cool the systems using liquid helium to near absolute zero temperatures (15 mK) in order to maintain sufficiently long-lifetimes of the Qbits (i.e., unit of quantum information), difficulty with scaling up the …

Effects Of The Internal Magnetic Field On The Magneto-Mechanical Properties Of Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys, Anthony Hobza

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Shape memory alloys are a class of functional material which recover from large strains without permanent deformation. The strain is accommodated by the displacement of twin boundaries in the martensite phase. The shape memory alloy Ni-Mn-Ga is also ferromagnetic. Ni-Mn-Ga preferentially magnetizes along a certain crystallographic axis. This direction of easy magnetization changes across twin boundaries, such that the directions in neighboring twin domains are nearly perpendicular.

The interaction of magnetic moments and interfaces including the crystal surface and twin boundary interfaces has a large role in the magnetization process of the material. The goal of this study is to …

Thermodynamics And Kinetics Of Dna Origami Cross-Tile Array Formation, Brett Michael Ward

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

As the cost to continue scaling photolithography to pattern smaller semiconducting devices increases exponentially, new materials and fabrication approaches are being sought to extend and enhance current capabilities. DNA nanostructures have been identified as a promising material for patterning nanoscale devices, and several studies have demonstrated the ability to program DNA nanostructures to self-assemble into large scale arrays. These DNA arrays can be designed to create the patterns necessary for fabricating semiconductor device features. However, these structures are far from ideal and contain a number of defects that limit the adoption of this approach for manufacturing. In order to create …

The Mechanism Of Radiation-Induced Nanocluster Evolution In Oxide Dispersion Strengthened And Ferritic-Martensitic Alloys, Matthew John Swenson

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanism of irradiation-induced nanoparticle evolution in a model Fe-9%Cr oxide dispersion strengthened steel and commercial ferritic-martensitic alloys HCM12A and HT9. Each alloy is irradiated with Fe²⁺ ions, protons, or neutrons to doses ranging from 1-100 displacements per atoms at 500°C. The morphology of nanoclusters are characterized using atom probe tomography. The evolution of clusters in each alloy are notably different with each irradiating particle, and the competing effects of ballistic dissolution and radiation-enhanced, diffusion-driven growth are attributed to the respective differences in cluster evolution. A phase evolution model, originally theorized …

Thermoelectric Half-Heuslers: Synthesis, Processing, And Performance, Joseph Robert Croteau

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Thermoelectric half-Heusler compounds have potential to convert the heat wasted from industrial and transportation processes to useful electricity. Among the highest performing half-Heusler compounds are nano-structured bulk materials which have been arc-melted, pulverized into a nano-powder, and sintered by DC-hot press. High performing n- and p-type half-Heusler compounds with nominal composition of Hf_0.25Zr_0.75NiSn_0.99Sb_0.01 and Nb_0.75Ti_0.25FeSb, respectively, have been provided to us in both dense and powder form by our collaborators at the University of Houston. We consolidate these powders by SPS, refine these powders to improve both particle size …

Electrolyte Optimization Study For Tio2 Nanotube Electrode In Sodium Ion Batteries, Richard Wendel Cutler

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Batteries are ubiquitous in daily life. Sodium-ion batteries have the potential to become inexpensive alternatives to the current market products such as Lithium-ion batteries. TiO₂ nanotubes have proven potential as an anode for Na-ion batteries. Electrolytes made by NaClO₄ salt and carbonate-based solvents make up commonly used electrolytes in sodium ion battery research. We used electrochemical and physical characterization tests to evaluate the optimum electrolyte for this anode material in the Na system. We determined that the ClO₄^- ion decomposes at the TiO₂ surface and promotes the formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interphase. A …

Investigation Of Fatigue Life And Fracture Mechanics Of Unconstrained Ni-Mn-Ga Single Crystals, Theodore Bryson Lawrence

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Ni-Mn-Ga is a magnetic shape memory alloy (MSMA) that exhibits large recoverable strains. The magnetic field induced strain (MFIS) occurs through twin boundary motion resulting in reorientation of the crystal structure, which is coupled to the magnetic moment of the material. The shape memory capabilities of the material make it promising for applications including microactuators, sensors, microfluid pumps, refrigeration, energy harvesting, and data storage.

In order for Ni-Mn-Ga to become a viable option for use in commercial applications the performance and reliability must be on par with industry standards. Ni‑Mn-Ga has been shown to achieve high cycles at low strains, …

Effects Of Grain Boundary Character On Dynamic Recrystallization Using A Modified Monte Carlo Method, Michael B. Morse

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is the recrystallization that occurs during high temperature deformation of metals and alloys. While DRX has been observed experimentally, the parameters that affect the microstructure are still being explored. For example, the effects of temperature, strain rate, and initial grain size have already been studied, yet the effect of initial special boundary fraction is still unknown. Special boundaries are high-angle, low-energy grain boundaries. It is believed that higher initial fractions of special boundaries will lead to a delay in the onset of recrystallization and a higher peak stress.

Experimentation has shown that triple junctions are preferred nucleation …