Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 61 - 90 of 137

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

In-Situ Frequency-Dependent Electromagnetic Sensing For Monitoring Physical And Chemical Attributes During Chemical Processing, Jeffrey David Rogozinski Jan 2000

In-Situ Frequency-Dependent Electromagnetic Sensing For Monitoring Physical And Chemical Attributes During Chemical Processing, Jeffrey David Rogozinski

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The objective of this research was to develop an in-situ sensing technique that monitors the molecular-level response of ions and dipoles to an applied electric field in order to characterize the changes in state of a polymer resin during chemical processing. This technique needs to be capable of monitoring the reaction progress not only in the laboratory setting but also in-situ in the processing tool or reaction environment. Frequency Dependent Electromagnetic Sensing (FDEMS) was selected for this task.;This dissertation investigates the applicability of FDEMS to monitoring two types of processing methods: reactive and batch reactor. The reactive processing system examined …


A Study Of The Aging Of Polyamide-11 Based On Molecular Weight Measurements, Yao Lin Jan 2000

A Study Of The Aging Of Polyamide-11 Based On Molecular Weight Measurements, Yao Lin

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Low Damage Processing And Process Characterization, Xianmin Tang Jan 2000

Low Damage Processing And Process Characterization, Xianmin Tang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Two novel plasma sources (one neutral source and one pulsed inductively coupled plasma source) and ashing process characterization were investigated. The primary goal was to characterize these source properties and develop corresponding applications. The study includes process damage assessment with these two sources and another continuous wave (13.56MHz) plasma source. A global average simulation of the pulsed discharges was also included.;The transient plasma density and electron temperature from the double probe analysis were compared with single Langmuir probe results with sheath displacement corrections in pulsed discharges (200Hz--10kHz). The equivalent resistance method can be used effectively to analyze these double probe …


Plasma Source Ion Implantation Of High Voltage Electrodes, Thomas Joseph Venhaus Jan 2000

Plasma Source Ion Implantation Of High Voltage Electrodes, Thomas Joseph Venhaus

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Field emission and breakdown characteristics of high voltage, large area electrodes determine the performance of many vacuum-based electron sources. A corroborative project with the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility involves studying the behavior of such electrodes after nitrogen ion implantation. A Plasma Source Ion Implantation (PSII) facility is designed and constructed at William and Mary, and used to treat stainless steel electrodes. PSII is a novel implantation technique developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A workpiece is submerged in a quiescent plasma of the species to be implanted. A series of high, negative voltages (30--100 kV) is applied to the …


Theoretical And Experimental Study Of Generation Mechanisms For Laser Ultrasound In Woven Graphite /Epoxy Composites With Translaminar Stitching, Adam D. Friedman Jan 2000

Theoretical And Experimental Study Of Generation Mechanisms For Laser Ultrasound In Woven Graphite /Epoxy Composites With Translaminar Stitching, Adam D. Friedman

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The aerospace industry is beginning to use advanced composite materials for primary load bearing structures and their failure mechanisms must be better understood to predict their behavior in service. The Combined Loads Tests (COLTS) facility is being constructed at the NASA Langley Research Center to characterize these failure mechanisms. Laser based ultrasonic NDE can monitor the samples during dynamic loading without interfering with the structural tests. However, the constraints of implementing laser ultrasound in a structures laboratory reduces the efficiency of the technique. The system has to be "eye-safe" because many people will be present during the structural tests. Consequently, …


A Two-Component Aggregation Model, Thomas A. Chisholm Jr Jan 1999

A Two-Component Aggregation Model, Thomas A. Chisholm Jr

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

An aggregation model which allows specification of primary particle size, density, and fractal dimension for two different particle types was written. Three stickiness values are used, the stickiness of each particle type to itself and the stickiness between particle types. Aggregation mechanisms considered include differential settling and turbulent shear. The model is used in three forms. In its simplest form, it operates on a closed system with aggregates breaking up when their size approaches the Kolmogorov scale. If the system begins with two types of primary particles, larger aggregates have uniform composition. A second version of the model includes removal …


Nitrate Reduction At The Groundwater - Salt Marsh Interface, Craig -1967 Tobias Jan 1999

Nitrate Reduction At The Groundwater - Salt Marsh Interface, Craig -1967 Tobias

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The influence of groundwater discharge on the hydrology and biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in a fringing intertidal wetland was studied by characterizing groundwater discharge, determining N-cycling rates in cores, and examining nitrate reduction in situ using 15N enrichment and natural gradient tracer techniques. Groundwater discharge was estimated by three independent methods: Darcy's Law, a water/salt mass balance, and a subsurface tracer test. Seasonal patterns of discharge predicted by Darcy's Law and the mass balance were similar. Discharge maxima and minima occurred in April and September, respectively. The water/salt mass balance provided the more reasonable estimate of groundwater flux at high …


Fabrications And Characterizations Of Boron Containing Polyimides For Radiation Shielding, Christopher Scott Pugh Jan 1999

Fabrications And Characterizations Of Boron Containing Polyimides For Radiation Shielding, Christopher Scott Pugh

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Thermoelastic And Photoelastic Full-Field Stress Measurement, Deonna Faye Woolard Jan 1999

Thermoelastic And Photoelastic Full-Field Stress Measurement, Deonna Faye Woolard

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Photoelasticity is an optical technique that measures the difference of the principal stresses plus the principal stress direction. A complementary technique is thermoelasticity which measures the sum of the principal stresses. Combining these two full-field, non-contact nondestructive evaluation techniques allows the individual stress components to be measured. One of the main difficulties in merging these two measurement systems is in identifying an appropriate surface coating. Thermoelasticity demands a highly emissive surface, while photoelasticity requires a thick, stress-birefringent, transparent coating with a retro-reflective backing. Two coatings have been identified that can be used for combined thermoelastic and photoelastic stress measurements: PMMA …


Ecosystem Analysis Of Water Column Processes In The York River Estuary, Virginia: Historical Records, Field Studies And Modeling Analysis, Yongsik Sin Jan 1998

Ecosystem Analysis Of Water Column Processes In The York River Estuary, Virginia: Historical Records, Field Studies And Modeling Analysis, Yongsik Sin

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Analyses of EPA long-term datasets (1985--1994) combined with field studies and ecosystem model development were used to investigate phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics in the York River estuary. Analysis of the EPA dataset showed that algal blooms occurred during winter-spring followed by smaller summer blooms. Peak phytoplankton biomass during the winter-spring blooms occurred in the mid reach of the mesohaline zone whereas during the summer bloom it occurred in the tidal fresh-mesolialine transition zone. River discharge appears to be the major factor controlling the location and timing of the winter-spring blooms and the relative degree of potential nitrogen (N) and phosphorus …


Platinized Tin Oxide: A Low-Temperature Oxidation Catalyst, Erik Joshua Kielin Jan 1998

Platinized Tin Oxide: A Low-Temperature Oxidation Catalyst, Erik Joshua Kielin

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Some combinations of noble metal and reducible metal oxide possess a synergistic level of activity for the catalytic oxidation of CO at lower temperatures and partial pressures of O2 than can be obtained by either component alone. The most promising candidates, Au on MnO2 and Pt on SnO 2, were investigated for the effects on activity of noble metal loading, of reductive pretreatment at elevated temperature, and of reaction gas mixture composition. Optimum activity was obtained at a noble metal loading of 28% Au/MnO2 and 17% Pt/SnO2. Both catalysts benefitted from reductive CO pretreatment at 125??C. Both catalysts showed enhanced …


The Role Of Adsorbed Oxygen In Secondary Emission From Metallic Substrates, Scott Gregory Walton Jan 1998

The Role Of Adsorbed Oxygen In Secondary Emission From Metallic Substrates, Scott Gregory Walton

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Low energy, ion- and photon-induced secondary electron and anion emission from metallic substrates has been investigated as a function of adsorbate coverage. Sodium positive ions (Na+), with kinetic energies up to 500 eV, and photons, with energies up to 23 eV, are utilized to initiate secondary emission. The principal adsorbate is oxygen with coverages ranging from none to a few monolayers.;For ion-induced emission, the secondary electron and negative ion absolute and relative yields from 302 stainless steel and polycrystalline tungsten (W) have been measured as a function of both impact energy and oxygen coverage. Additionally, the yields from a "technical" …


Wavelet-Based Digital Image Restoration, Viviana Sandor Jan 1998

Wavelet-Based Digital Image Restoration, Viviana Sandor

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Digital image restoration is a fundamental image processing problem with underlying physical motivations. A digital imaging system is unable to generate a continuum of ideal pointwise measurements of the input scene. Instead, the acquired digital image is an array of measured values. Generally, algorithms can be developed to remove a significant part of the error associated with these measure image values provided a proper model of the image acquisition system is used as the basis for the algorithm development. The continuous/discrete/continuous (C/D/C) model has proven to be a better alternative compared to the relatively incomplete image acquisition models commonly used …


Chemical Interaction Of "Declorane Plus" With Antimony Trioxide In Nylon 66, Yum Min Kang Jan 1998

Chemical Interaction Of "Declorane Plus" With Antimony Trioxide In Nylon 66, Yum Min Kang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Correlation Of Dynamic Dielectric Properties To Reaction Kinetics And Changing Mechanical Properties Of Epoxy Resins During Cure, Yunfei Wang Jan 1997

Correlation Of Dynamic Dielectric Properties To Reaction Kinetics And Changing Mechanical Properties Of Epoxy Resins During Cure, Yunfei Wang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The principal objective of this paper is to describe how complex impedance, obtained from frequency dependent dielectric sensing technique, can be used as an effective diagnostic tool for in situ real-time investigation in the fabrication of thermoset structures.;Two epoxy systems (Pr500 from 3M and My720 from Ciba Geigy) with different functionality are characterized in terms of their dielectric, thermal, and rheological behavior. It is observed that there is a one to one relationship between Tg and conversion which is independent of cure temperature. The chemical kinetics of the reaction is satisfactorily described by an autocatalyzed reaction mechanism. The chemical rate …


The Thermal Cure Of Phenylethynyl-Terminated Polyimides And Selected Model Compounds, Karen H. Wood Jan 1997

The Thermal Cure Of Phenylethynyl-Terminated Polyimides And Selected Model Compounds, Karen H. Wood

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The ability to process high performance polymers into useful adhesives and high quality composites has been significantly advanced by synthetic techniques in which oligomers terminated with reactive groups cure or crosslink at elevated temperature after the article has been fabricated. Several matrix resin systems of considerable interest to the aerospace community utilize phenylethynyl terminated imide (PETI) technology developed at the Langley Research Center to achieve this advantage. This work addresses the cure chemistry of PETI oligomers.;The thermal cure of selected oligomers and model compounds was studied using a variety of analytical techniques including differential scanning calorimetry, high pressure liquid chromatography, …


The Promotion Of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Depolymerization By Metal-Based Initiators, Jason Andrew Macko Jan 1997

The Promotion Of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Depolymerization By Metal-Based Initiators, Jason Andrew Macko

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Characterization Of Epoxy-Amine Systems And Nylon-11 And Pvdf Degradation, Wendy Raquel Mahler Jan 1997

Characterization Of Epoxy-Amine Systems And Nylon-11 And Pvdf Degradation, Wendy Raquel Mahler

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Propagation Of Rayleigh Waves In Thin Films, Agus A. Ananda Jan 1997

Propagation Of Rayleigh Waves In Thin Films, Agus A. Ananda

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

With the advent of thin film technology and more recently its applications in microelectronics and control of surface properties, the interest in mechanical properties of thin films has grown tremendously. Mechanical defects such as creep, fracture and adhesion loss, play a very important role in physical instabilities of thin film materials. An acoustic microscope has been built to study mechanical properties of thin-films. The microscope operates at a nominal frequency of 50 MHz. Rayleigh surface waves velocities on the surface of film-substrate systems were measured from V(z) curves generated by the acoustic microscope. V(z) curves are produced from interference between …


The Synthesis, Characterization, And Molecular Modeling Of Cyclic Arylene Ether Oligomers, Sheeba Ahmed Jan 1997

The Synthesis, Characterization, And Molecular Modeling Of Cyclic Arylene Ether Oligomers, Sheeba Ahmed

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Cyclophanes are a family of bridged cyclic aromatic compounds that have found extensive applications in host-guest chemistry, molecular recognition, biomimetics and most recently as precursors in ring-opening polymerizations.;This research presents the synthesis of several novel cyclic arylene ether oligomers, based on 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl) benzene and 3,3{dollar}\sp\prime{dollar}-methylene diphenol and 3,3{dollar}\sp\prime{dollar}-(ethylene dioxy) diphenol, and their characterization by LC-MS/MS, 1-D {dollar}\sp1{dollar}H-NMR and x-ray crystallography. Electrospray ionization (ES) along with MS/MS was used to characterize cyclic oligomers of molecular weight up to 1600 Da. The thermal properties of these cyclic oligomers were studied by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA).;These cyclic oligomers …


Discrete-Time Linear And Nonlinear Aerodynamic Impulse Responses For Efficient Cfd Analyses, Walter A. Silva Jan 1997

Discrete-Time Linear And Nonlinear Aerodynamic Impulse Responses For Efficient Cfd Analyses, Walter A. Silva

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

This dissertation discusses the mathematical existence and the numerical identification of linear and nonlinear aerodynamic impulse response functions. Differences between continuous-time and discrete-time system theories, which permit the identification and efficient use of these functions, will be detailed. Important input/output definitions and the concept of linear and nonlinear systems with memory will also be discussed. It will be shown that indicial (step or steady) responses (such as Wagner's function), forced harmonic responses (such as Theodorsen's function or those from doublet lattice theory), and responses to random inputs (such as gusts) can all be obtained from an aerodynamic impulse response function. …


On-Line System Identification For Control System Applications In Particle Accelerators, Mahesh Chowdhary Jan 1997

On-Line System Identification For Control System Applications In Particle Accelerators, Mahesh Chowdhary

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Particle accelerators require a number of feedback systems in order to stabilize a variety of parameters. The Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility presents a unique set of control and identification problems. This accelerator produces a continuous electron beam with energies between 0.5 and 4.0 GeV to be delivered to the experimental halls. In order to meet stringent beam quality requirements specified by the experimental halls, the position and the energy of the electron beam needs to stabilized at various locations in the accelerator.;A number of noise measurement tests were conducted at various locations in the …


The Influence Of Microstructure On The Thermal Degradation Behavior Of Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Hoang Vi Tran Jan 1997

The Influence Of Microstructure On The Thermal Degradation Behavior Of Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Hoang Vi Tran

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


The Synthesis Of Reflective And Electrically Conductive Polyimide Films Via An In Situ Self-Metallization Procedure Using Silver(I) Complexes, Robin Elaine Southward Jan 1997

The Synthesis Of Reflective And Electrically Conductive Polyimide Films Via An In Situ Self-Metallization Procedure Using Silver(I) Complexes, Robin Elaine Southward

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Optically reflective polyimide films have been prepared by the incorporation of silver(I) acetate and a {dollar}\beta{dollar}-diketone solubilizing agent, hexafluoroacetylacetone (HFAH), into a dimethylacetamide solution of the poly(amic acid) formed from {dollar}3,3\sp\prime,4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dianhydride (BTDA) and {dollar}4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-oxydianiline {dollar}(4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-ODA). Optically reflective and conductive polyimide films have been prepared by replacing the {dollar}\beta{dollar}-diketone (HFAH), with the less substituted {dollar}\beta{dollar}-diketone, trifluoroacetylacetone (TFAH). The former system has been both cast directly from the poly(amic acid) resin and cast from the poly(amic acid) resin onto a fully imidized {dollar}\rm BTDA/4,4\sp\prime{dollar}-ODA base (forming a metallized topcoat). Thermal curing of the silver(I)-containing poly(amic acid) leads to imidization with …


Water Quality Modeling As An Inverse Problem, Jian Shen Jan 1996

Water Quality Modeling As An Inverse Problem, Jian Shen

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

An inverse mathematical estuarine eutrophication model has been developed. The model provides a framework to estimate unknown parameters by assimilation of the concentration data of those state variables. The inverse model developed is a laterally integrated, two-dimensional, real-time model which consists of a hydrodynamic model, an eutrophication model and an adjoint model. The hydrodynamic model provides the dynamic fields for both the eutrophication model and the adjoint model. The eutrophication model simulates eight water quality state variables which are phytoplankton, organic nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrite-nitrate nitrogen, organic phosphorus, inorganic (ortho) phosphorus, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand and dissolved oxygen. The adjoint …


Synthesis And Characterization Of Boron-Containing Polymeric Materials For Neutron Shielding Applications, Michael B. Glasgow Jan 1996

Synthesis And Characterization Of Boron-Containing Polymeric Materials For Neutron Shielding Applications, Michael B. Glasgow

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

The development of boron-containing polymeric materials for neutron shielding applications was undertaken. Three types of materials were characterized for physical and thermal properties: boron powder-filled epoxy composites, carborane polyamides having boron chemically bonded into the polymer, and boron-loaded polyimide thin films. Addition of amorphous submicron boron powder did not affect significantly the thermal performance of the epoxy. The 17% boron loading produced a 26% increase in compressive failure strength and a 68% increase in the compressive modulus. 0.125 inch thick specimens containing 17% boron absorbed 92% of incident neutrons from a 5-Curie Pu/Be source compared with {dollar}<{dollar}1% for the neat epoxy. Dispersion of the boron in the epoxy was improved with the addition of larger size crystalline boron powders. Carborane polyamides containing up to 35% boron were thermally stable up to 400{dollar}\sp\circ{dollar}C in air. The polymers had hydrogen/boron ratios from 2.0 to 3.8 and were soluble in several organic solvents. Polymer solutions were processed into clear, colored thin films. Boron-filled polyamic acid solutions of a PMDA-ODA polyimide containing up to 10% boron were processed into thin films. Neutron absorption of the opaque films measured in a 5-Curie Pu/Be neutron source was linear with boron concentration and film thickness. The fraction of neutrons absorbed varied linearly with boron concentration and film thickness. The applicability of boron-containing materials to the aerospace, nuclear power and accelerator industries was investigated.


Gaseous Flux And Distribution Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Across The Air-Water Interface Of Southern Chesapeake Bay, Kurt E. Gustafson Jan 1996

Gaseous Flux And Distribution Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Across The Air-Water Interface Of Southern Chesapeake Bay, Kurt E. Gustafson

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Gaseous fluxes of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) across the air-water interface of Southern Chesapeake Bay were calculated for the period January 1994 through May 1995 using a modified two-film model. Additionally, the distributions of PAHs between the vapor and aerosol phase in the atmosphere, and between the freely dissolved and suspended particulate phase in the water column were investigated. Net instantaneous gaseous fluxes of PAHs were determined to vary in direction and magnitude both spatially and temporally across the air-water interface of Southern Chesapeake Bay at four sites ranging from remote to urban and highly industrialized. The magnitude of gas …


Surface Reflection Hyperthermal Neutral Stream Source, Christopher A. Nichols Jan 1996

Surface Reflection Hyperthermal Neutral Stream Source, Christopher A. Nichols

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

A novel source of hyperthermal (1-30 eV) reactive neutrals based on the surface-reflection-neutralization technique is described. This source is potentially capable of minimizing the charge-induced damage associated with plasma based semiconductor processing steps. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the issues involved in scale-up of this technology for processing of 8{dollar}\sp{lcub}\prime\prime{rcub}{dollar} diameter wafers used today in the semiconductor industry. This includes modeling the plasma ion source and trajectory simulations of the reflected neutral flux. A prototype source was constructed for experimental verification of the plasma model.;An inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source is used to provide a source of …


Characterizing The Degradation Of Nylon-11 And Pvdf In A Flexible Oil Pipe And Cure Monitoring Of Chemflake Vinylester, John Chen Yang Jan 1996

Characterizing The Degradation Of Nylon-11 And Pvdf In A Flexible Oil Pipe And Cure Monitoring Of Chemflake Vinylester, John Chen Yang

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.


Low-Valent Metal Complexes As Reductive Coupling Agents For Smoke Suppression In Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Panagiotis Ioannou Kourtesis Jan 1996

Low-Valent Metal Complexes As Reductive Coupling Agents For Smoke Suppression In Poly(Vinyl Chloride), Panagiotis Ioannou Kourtesis

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.