Physics Commons^™

The Development Of An Integrated Simulation Model On Understandings On The Interaction Between Electromagnetic Waves And Nanoparticles, Xiaojin Wang

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

To investigate the interaction between nanoparticles and electromagnetic waves, a numerical simulation model based on FEM was built in this thesis. Numerical simulation is an important auxiliary research method besides experiments. The optical properties of nanoparticles consist of scattering, absorption, and extinction, and in the case of nanoparticle suspension, the transmission is also involved. This thesis addressed two typical applications based on the established model, one was regarding the nanofluids for solar energy harvesting, and the other was regarding the optical properties of atmospheric soot. In the case of the nanofluids solar energy harvesting, the established model provided a convenient …

Molecular Assembly Of Monolayer-Protected Gold Nanoparticles And Their Chemical, Thermal, And Ultrasonic Stabilities, Steven Ray Isaacs

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Gold monolayer-protected nanoclusters (MPCs) with average diameters of 1-5 nm protected by alkane- and arenethiolates were synthesized. Mixed-monolayer protected nanoparticles (MMPCs) were prepared by functionalizing hexanethiolate-protected MPCs with either 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA-MMPC), 11-mercaptoundecanol (MUO-MMPC), or 4-aminothiophenol (ATP-MMPC) using ligand place exchange. Presentation of various chemical reagents such as nucleophile, acid, or base and change in physical environment through ultrasonic and thermal irradiation resulted in changes to particles and their physical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to measure maximum temperature of the derivated thermogravimetric peaks (Tmax,DTG) as a means of comparing temperature dependence of mass loss. The absorption spectrum within …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Properties Of Graphene-Based Hybrids With Cobalt Oxides For Electrochemical Energy Storage And Electrocatalytic Glucose Sensing, Sara C. Botero Carrizosa

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

A library of graphene-based hybrid materials was synthesized as novel hybrid electrochemical electrodes for electrochemical energy conversion and storage devices and electrocatalytical sensing namely enzymeless glucose sensing. The materials used were supercapacitive graphene-family nanomaterials (multilayer graphene-MLG; graphene oxide-GO, chemically reduced GO-rGO and electrochemical reduced GOErGO) and pseudocapacitive nanostructured transition metal oxides including cobalt oxide polymorphs (CoO and Co3O4) and cobalt nanoparticles (CoNP). These were combined through physisorption, electrodeposition, and hydrothermal syntheses approaches. This project was carried out to enhance electrochemical performance and to develop electrocatalytic platforms by tailoring structural properties and desired interfaces. Particularly, electrodeposition and hydrothermal synthesis facilitate chemically-bridged …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Materials For Thermoelectric Devices, Paige M. Huzyak

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The development of organic-inorganic hybrid materials is of great interest in thermoelectrics for its potential to combine the desirable characteristics of both classes of materials. Thermoelectric materials must combine low thermal conductivity with high electrical conductivity, but in most materials, thermal and electrical conductivity are closely related and positively correlated. By combining the low thermal conductivity, flexibility, facile processing, and low cost of organic components with the high electrical conductivity and stability of inorganic components, materials with beneficial thermoelectric properties may be realized.

Here, we describe the synthesis and characterization of anthracene-containing organic-inorganic hybrid materials for thermoelectric purposes. Specifically, POSS-ANT …

Investigation Of The Addition Of Basalt Fibres Into Cement, Jahi Palme

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Mechanical properties of concrete are most commonly determined using destructive tests including: compression, flexure, and fracture notch specimen tests. However, nondestructive tests exist for evaluating the properties of concrete such as ultrasonic pulse velocity and impact echo tests. One of major issues with concrete (which has cement as its prime ingredient) is that unlike steel it is quasi-brittle material. It tends to want to crack when tensile stresses develop. Fibres have been added to concrete for many years to reduce the amount of and size of cracks cause by temperature changes or shrinkage. In more recent years, significant research has …

Interactive Wireless Sensor For Remote Trace Detection And Recognition Of Hazardous Gases, Audrey Lama

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The interactive wireless sensor detects many hazardous gases such as Hexane, Propane, Carbon monoxide and Hydrogen. These gases are highly toxic and used in different kinds of manufacturing industries, domestic purpose and so on. So, building a sensor that can detect this kind of gases can save the environment; prevent the potential for explosion, and endangering human life. In long term, interactive wireless sensor can also prevent the financial losses that might occur due to the hazardous incident that might occur due to these toxic gases.

Hexane is a colorless, strong gas which inhaled in significant amounts by a person …