Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering Commons^™

Toughening Of Poly(L-Lactic Acid) With Cu3Btc2 Metal Organic Framework Crystals, Ajay Kathuria, Mohamad G. Abiad, Rafael Auras

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and metal organic framework (MOF) composites were prepared by melt extrusion of PLLA with 5, 10 and 20% w/w of activated Cu₃(BTC)₂ MOF. The morphology and stability of injection-molded samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The composites showed improved toughness during the tensile tests as compared to the neat PLLA matrix. Toughness mechanism of the composites was studied using SEM and rheological studies. SEM images indicated that cavitation induced by debonding at the interface of PLLA and MOF particles during …

The Effects Of Football Helmet Pressure On The Shock Taken During A Controlled Impact, Sullivan Grosz

Industrial Technology and Packaging

College and NFL football teams are focusing their efforts on protecting players more than ever before. With the recent attention on concussions and the troubling long-term effects of head injuries, more research is needed to find ways to ensure players have the adequate protection. The helmets being used have a hard polycarbonate shell with four inner pads that fit tight to the player’s head. These pads are filled with air.

The purpose of the testing and project is to find an ideal air pressure that helmets need to maintain in order to protect the player to the best of its …

The Effect Of Distribution On Product Temperature Profile In Thermally Insulated Containers For Express Shipments, Jay Singh, Sanjiv Jaggia, Koushik Saha

Industrial Technology and Packaging

An uninterrupted cold chain is a continual series of storage and distribution activities that maintain a specific temperature or temperature range. Cold chain solutions typically involve excessive packaging to ensure that the desired product temperature is maintained through the distribution process, thereby increasing the logistics-related costs. There is a myriad of solutions available for shipping temperature-sensitive products, including those constructed with a variety of packaging materials as well as refrigerants. Although static characteristics for thermally insulated packaging solutions such as the R-values of package systems as well as the melting points and heat absorption rates of various refrigerants have been …

Detachable Point Of Sale Material For Asparagus Shipper, Michael Thomas

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Gourmet Trading Company is a fresh fruit and vegetable distributor specializing in asparagus, blueberries, and blackberries. The company currently mails a 7” by 11” sign to be displayed with their asparagus which arrives in a 28 pound shipper. The signs are intended to be displayed in stores to give consumers information about the asparagus. Unfortunately, many of the signs do not get displayed since they are shipped separately. The purpose of the project is to redesign the 28 pound asparagus shipper to include a detachable point of sale sign.

A literature search was conducted to further understand the needs of …

Csp Desalination/Water Purification Unit, Sean Goodison

Industrial Technology and Packaging

An estimated 3.4 million people die each year from unsanitary water or inaccessible water supply. Most of these deaths take place in the developing, third world (99%). There is a dilemma arising on the world stage as well. The water demand/supply deficit is expected to increase significantly over the next 37 years if preemptive action isn’t taken. 97% of the world water supply is oceanic, making it an attractive solution to the water deficit. Providing autonomous, “deploy and watch” systems for utilizing sustainable energy to provide purified water for unitized low pricing has the potential to penetrate a large world …

Deterioration Of Metal–Organic Framework Crystal Structure During Fabrication Of Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Mixed-Matrix Membranes, Ajay Kathuria, Mohamad G. Abiad, Rafael Auras

Industrial Technology and Packaging

Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and metal–organic framework (MOF) mixed-matrix membranes were prepared by melt extrusion of PLLA with 5% (w/w) of either activated or water-saturated Cu₃(BTC)₂ (Cu₃(C₉H₃O₆)₂(H₂O)₃·xH₂O, HKUST-1). The morphology and the stability of injection-molded samples were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of activated and saturated MOF crystals increased the cold crystallization onset temperature as compared to neat PLLA. This can be attributed to the …