Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

In Vacuo Fabrication And Electronic Structure Characterization Of Atomic Layer Deposition Thin Films, Michael Schaefer

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Improvement of novel electronic devices is possible by tailor-designing the electronic structure at device interfaces. Common problems observed at interfaces are related to unwanted band alignment caused by the chemical diversity of interface partners, influencing device performance negatively. One way to address this problem is by introducing ultra-thin interfacial dipole layers, steering the band alignment in a desired direction. The requirements are strict in terms of thickness, conformity and low density of defects, making sophisticated deposition techniques necessary. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) with its Ångstrom-precise thickness control can fulfill those requirements.

The work presented here encompasses the implementation of an …

Spectrally-Selective All-Inorganic Scattering Luminophores For Solar Energy-Harvesting Clear Glass Windows, Ramzy Alghamedi, Mikhail Vasiliev, Mohammad Alam, Kamal Alameh

Mikhail Vasiliev

All-inorganic visibly-transparent energy-harvesting clear laminated glass windows are the most practical solution to boosting building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) energy outputs significantly while reducing cooling- and heating-related energy consumption in buildings. By incorporating luminophore materials into lamination interlayers and using spectrally-selective thin-film coatings in conjunction with CuInSe2 solar cells, most of the visible solar radiation can be transmitted through the glass window with minimum attenuation while ultraviolet (UV) radiation is down-converted and routed together with a significant part of infrared radiation to the edges for collection by solar cells. Experimental results demonstrate a 10 cm × 10 cm vertically-placed energy-harvesting clear glass …

In Vitro Studies Of Gold And Gold Silica Nanoparticle Radiosensitization With Kilovoltage X-Rays, Gregory Colarch

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Technological advances in the ability to construct and manipulate nanoscale particles have opened up the possibility of using solid metallic nanoparticles and mixed metal nanoshells as a means to increase dose enhancement and treatment efficacy to tumors. In order for nanoparticles to be an effective form of treatment, they must be delivered to tumors in sufficient concentrations so that there is a dose enhancement factor due to ionizing radiation, as well as being essentially non-toxic to healthy cells. Gold nanoparticles and silica-gold nanoshells fit these requirements. Gold has a high atomic number (Z=79), which gives a larger cross section for …

Nanoparticle Plasmonics: Going Practical With Transition Metal Nitrides, U. Guler, V. M. Shalaev, A. Boltasseva

U. Guler

Promising designs and experimental realizations of devices with unusual properties in the field of plasmonics have attracted a great deal of attention over the past few decades. However, the high expectations for realized technology products have not been met so far. The main complication is the absence of robust, high performance, low cost plasmonic materials that can be easily integrated into already established technologies such as microelectronics. This review provides a brief discussion on alternative plasmonic materials for localized surface plasmon applications and focuses on transition metal nitrides, in particular, titanium nitride, which has recently been shown to be a …

Probing The Enzymatic Activity Of Alkaline Phosphatase Within Quantum Dot Bioconjugates, Jonathan C. Claussen, Anthony Malanoski, Joyce C. Breger, Eunkeu Oh, Scott A. Walper, Kimihiro Susumu, Ramasis Goswami, Jeffrey R. Deschamps, Igor L. Medintz

Jonathan C. Claussen

Enzymes provide the critical means by which to catalyze almost all biological reactions in a controlled manner. Methods to harness and exploit their properties are of strong current interest to the growing field of biotechnology. In contrast to depending upon recombinant genetic approaches, a growing body of evidence suggests that apparent enzymatic activity can be enhanced when located at a nanoparticle interface. We use semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) as a well-defined and easily bioconjugated nanoparticle along with Escherichia coli-derived alkaline phosphatase (AP) as a prototypical enzyme to seek evidence for this process in a de novo model system. We began …

On Thermal Aging Prevention In Polymer Core Composite Conductor Rods, Joe D. Hoffman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increased energy usage in the United States and worldwide is driving the demand for new technologies to transmit electrical power in greater quantities and with reliable, safe, and more efficient methods. One recent innovation is to replace the standard Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced electrical transmission conductor with a new conductor design that utilizes a fiber reinforced polymer core rod to support a fully annealed aluminum conductor. This new technology that includes a hybrid carbon fiber/epoxy and glass fiber/epoxy support core allows for better efficiency and for greater current to be transmitted in the same size and weight line. These new …

Enhanced Magnetoimpedance And Microwave Absorption Responses Of Soft Ferromagnetic Materials For Biodetection And Energy Sensing, Jagannath Devkota

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A combination of magnetic sensors with magnetic nanoparticles offers a promising approach for highly sensitive, simple, and rapid detection of cancer cells and biomolecules. The challenge facing the field of magnetic biosensing is the development of low-cost devices capable of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-like field sensitivity at room temperature. In another area of interest, improving the sensitivity of existing electromagnetic field sensors for microwave energy sensing applications is an important and challenging task. In this dissertation, we have explored the excellent magnetoimpedance and microwave absorption responses of soft ferromagnetic amorphous ribbons and microwires for the development of high-performance magnetic …

Characterization Of Metallic And Semimetallic Oxide Nanoparticles In Industrial Wastewater And Associated Toxicity, Gary Roth

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) play an increasing role in manufacturing and consumer products. Currently, there is no standard approach to studying ENM toxicity, and a growing body of literature suggests that ENMs may have toxicity differing from similar compounds in bulk or dissolved form. I examined ENMs used in the semiconductor manufacturing process called chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP) for their properties, removal in the wastewater treatment system (WWT), in-vitro toxicity, and location post-inhalation in-vivo. It was found that ENMs in CMP slurries have morphology determined by their elemental composition, but assessment of size and concentration can differ substantially between accepted techniques. Particles …