Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

An Investigation Of Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) For Applications With Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices, Haydn Thomas Mitchell

Master's Theses

N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide-crosslinked poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), also known as P(NIPAM), was developed as a fluid delivery system for use with microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (microPADs). MicroPADs are postage-stamp-sized devices made out of paper that can be used as platforms for low-cost, simple-to-use point-of-care diagnostic assays. P(NIPAM) is a thermally responsive polymer that absorbs aqueous solutions at room temperature and will expel the solutions to microPADs when heated. The fluid delivery characteristics of P(NIPAM) were assessed, and P(NIPAM) was able to deliver multiple solutions to microPADs in specific sequences or simultaneously in a laminar-flow configuration. P(NIPAM) was then shown to be suitable …

Improving Hybrid Solar Cells: Overcoming Charge Extraction Issues In Bulk Mixtures Of Polythiophenes And Zinc Oxide Nanostructures, Grant T. Olson

Master's Theses

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have received a great deal of focus in recent years as a possible alternative to expensive silicon based solar technology. Current challenges for organic photovoltaics are centered around improving their lifetimes and increasing their power conversion efficiencies. One approach to improving the lifetime of such devices has been the inclusion of inorganic metal oxide layers, but interaction between the metal oxides and common conjugated polymers is not favorable. Here we present two methods by which the interactions between polythiophenes and nanostructured ZnO can be made to be more favorable. Using the first method, direct side on attachment …

Development And Implementation Of Dispersion Phase Diagrams (Dpds) For Four Different Hydrophobically Modified Ethoxylated Urethane (Heur) Based Acrylic Paint Systems, Tyler J. Bell

Master's Theses

Latex polymers serve as binders in a wide range of architectural paints and coatings. A latex is an aqueous colloidal dispersion of polymer particles that when dried above the polymer’s film formation temperature coalesces into a dry polymer film (Dragnevski, Routh, Murray, & Donald, 2010). The other main components of paint include associative thickeners, surfactants, pigments and fillers with the thickener being the primary area of focus for this study.

The relatively simple system of latex, associative thickener and surfactant has been studied extensively. These studies have shown the mechanism of thickening for the associative thickener, and surfactant effects on …