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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

New Approaches To Multi-Functional Soft Materials, Seyedali Banisadr May 2018

New Approaches To Multi-Functional Soft Materials, Seyedali Banisadr

Theses and Dissertations

Soft robotics is a relatively new, but fast-developing field of science and technology that utilizes soft materials such as polymers in their body structure. Despite significant progress in soft robotic devices, robots that can sense their environments are still very rare. Although some soft robots have exhibited sensing capabilities, they still have not demonstrated synergistic coupling of sensing and actuation. From our perspective, this type of coupling may take us one step closer to fabricate soft robots with autonomous feedback dynamics. In this work, we present new approaches to soft robotic devices, which are fabricated from responsive soft materials and …


Novel Solar Cells Based On Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials And Recycled Lead Components, Xiaoru Guo May 2018

Novel Solar Cells Based On Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials And Recycled Lead Components, Xiaoru Guo

Theses and Dissertations

To meet the rapidly growing demand for energy and reduce the use of dwindling fossil fuels, the efficient utilization of renewable energy is a constant pursuit globally. Because solar cells convert vastly available sunlight into electricity, developing high-performance and low-cost solar cells is a top strategy for future energy supply. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are the most promising choices. In the meantime, highly concentrated sulfuric acids from retired lead-acid batteries become an environmental concern, and lead contamination in drinking water raises concerns in general public. This study addresses both above-mentioned problems by using two-dimensional (2D) …


Material Thermal Property Estimation Of Fibrous Insulation: Heat Transfer Modeling And The Continuous Genetic Algorithm, Elora Frye Jan 2018

Material Thermal Property Estimation Of Fibrous Insulation: Heat Transfer Modeling And The Continuous Genetic Algorithm, Elora Frye

Theses and Dissertations

Material thermal properties are highly sought after to better understand the performance of a material under particular conditions. As new materials are created, their physical properties will determine their performance for various applications. These properties have been estimated using many techniques including experimental testing, numerical modeling, and a combination of both. Existing methods can be time consuming, thus, a time-efficient and precise method to estimate these thermal properties was desired. A one-dimensional finite difference numerical model was developed to replicate the heat transfer through an experimental apparatus. A combination of this numerical model and the Continuous Genetic Algorithm optimization technique …


Photoluminescence From Gan Co-Doped With C And Si, Mykhailo Vorobiov Jan 2018

Photoluminescence From Gan Co-Doped With C And Si, Mykhailo Vorobiov

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis devoted to the experimental studies of yellow and blue luminescence (YL and BL relatively) bands in Gallium Nitride samples doped with C and Si. The band BLC was at first observed in the steady-state photoluminescence spectrum under high excitation intensities and discerned from BL1 and BL2 bands appearing in the same region of the spectrum. Using the time-resolved photoluminescence spectrum, we were able to determine the shape of the BLC and its position at 2.87 eV. Internal quantum efficiency of the YL band was estimated to be 90\%. The hole capture coefficient of the BLC …


Consuming Digital Debris In The Plasticene, Stephen R. Parks Jan 2018

Consuming Digital Debris In The Plasticene, Stephen R. Parks

Theses and Dissertations

Claims of customization and control by socio-technical industries are altering the role of consumer and producer. These narratives are often misleading attempts to engage consumers with new forms of technology. By addressing capitalist intent, material, and the reproduction limits of 3-D printed objects’, I observe the aspirational promise of becoming a producer of my own belongings through new networks of production. I am interested in gaining a better understanding of the data consumed that perpetuates hyper-consumptive tendencies for new technological apparatuses. My role as a designer focuses on the resolution of not only the surface of the object through 3-D …