Defining The Proper Operating Time For The Septa Extractor,
2023
The University of Akron
Defining The Proper Operating Time For The Septa Extractor, Abigail Jones
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Anionic polymerizations are a common type of reaction used to produce synthetic rubber. During these reactions, it is necessary to charge initiators, modifiers, and other substances, through pressurized containers that are sealed with rubber septa. These septa prevent oxygen and moisture from entering the pressurized container, and the reactor, though they need to be cleaned before use to remove other impurities. Currently a glass Soxhlet Extractor is used to remove such impurities, and though effective, it has a limited capacity, so it has to run frequently. This limitation led to the commissioning of the Septa Extractor, which is an automated …
Architectural Paint Tank Cleaning,
2023
The University of Akron
Architectural Paint Tank Cleaning, Callie Ruppen
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Architectural paint is highly susceptible to bacterial contamination, so material preservative ingredients are added during production to prevent bacterial contamination which can lead to wet-state spoilage of paint. In recent years however, paint formulations have reduced or eliminated volatile organic compounds (VOC) and regulations on the use of material preservative ingredients have been increased, reducing the use of traditional material preservatives. As a result, the coating industry must focus on improving microbial control through manufacturing hygiene programs including process tank cleaning and sanitization. While requirements for tank cleaning are clearly outlined in standard operating procedures (SOPs) and internal standards, there …
Anti-Freeze Double Network Hydrogels,
2023
University of Florida
Anti-Freeze Double Network Hydrogels, William Gross
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Three polyethylene glycol (PEG) based crosslinkers with repeat unit nominal weights of 62.1, 200, and 400 g/mol in agar/PAM double network (DN) hydrogels were used to study the effect of different crosslinkers on thermal and mechanical properties. Using the one-pot synthesis method, hydrogels with the PEG crosslinkers or methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBAA) were made via sol-gel transition for formation of agar network, and photopolymerization of the PAM network using Irgacure 2959 as photo initiator. Tensile and compression tests were performed on as prepared, swollen, and swollen & cooled specimens of each hydrogel. Freezing time and thermal imaging were performed in -20 °C …
Utilizing Computer-Aided Molecular Design With Azido-Ester Plasticizers,
2023
The University of Akron
Utilizing Computer-Aided Molecular Design With Azido-Ester Plasticizers, Justin Ebert
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
The goal of this project was to utilize Computer-Aided Molecular Design (CAMD) using the Signature molecular descriptor to inversely design optimized azido-ester plasticizers. Azido-ester plasticizers are used to modify the mechanical properties of propellant and explosive formulations. With the assistance of quantitative structure-property relationships, QSPRs, and two types of constraint equations, these new, novel plasticizers have the potential to possess optimal physical and chemical properties. Properties investigated in this work were decomposition temperature, heat of formation, glass transition temperature, and molecular weight. These properties were chosen for their importance when formulating propellants or explosives. After the filters were applied to …
Cross-Seeding Of Protegin-1 And Amyloid Beta To Inhibit Amyloid Beta Aggregation,
2023
The University of Akron
Cross-Seeding Of Protegin-1 And Amyloid Beta To Inhibit Amyloid Beta Aggregation, Sarah Robinson
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Amyloid beta (Aβ) is considered a major component in the progression of degenerative disease like Alzheimer’s disease. In an attempt to cure Alzheimer’s before it has presented, this project proposes a study on the effects of protegrin-1 (PG-1) on the aggregation of Aβ. By cross-seeding to form a PG-1- Aβ heterocomplex, it is believed that aggregation of Aβ on the human brain can be inhibited, thus helping to stop the neurodegeneration caused by Alzheimer’s disease. To complete this project, an initial literature review of previous work done by the graduate student leading the project will be completed. After this, experiments …
Computational Investigation Of A Series Of Small Molecules As Potential Compounds For Lysyl Hydroxylase-2 (Lh2) Inhibition,
2023
University of Texas at Dallas
Computational Investigation Of A Series Of Small Molecules As Potential Compounds For Lysyl Hydroxylase-2 (Lh2) Inhibition, Yazdan Maghsoud, Erik Antonio Vázquez-Montelongo, Xudong Yang, Chengwen Liu, Zhifeng Jing, Juhoon Lee, Matthew Harger, Ally K. Smith, Miguel Espinoza, Hou-Fu Guo, Jonathan M. Kurie, Kevin N. Dalby, Pengyu Ren, G. Andrés Cisneros
Markey Cancer Center Faculty Publications
The catalytic function of lysyl hydroxylase-2 (LH2), a member of the Fe(II)/αKG-dependent oxygenase superfamily, is to catalyze the hydroxylation of lysine to hydroxylysine in collagen, resulting in stable hydroxylysine aldehyde-derived collagen cross- links (HLCCs). Reports show that high amounts of LH2 lead to the accumulation of HLCCs, causing fibrosis and specific types of cancer metastasis. Some members of the Fe(II)/αKG-dependent family have also been reported to have intramolecular O2 tunnels, which aid in transporting one of the required cosubstrates into the active site. While LH2 can be a promising target to combat these diseases, efficacious inhibitors are still lacking. We …
Increased Liver Stiffness Promotes Hepatitis B Progression By Impairing Innate Immunity In Ccl4-Induced Fibrotic Hbv+ Transgenic Mice,
2023
VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System Omaha Division
Increased Liver Stiffness Promotes Hepatitis B Progression By Impairing Innate Immunity In Ccl4-Induced Fibrotic Hbv+ Transgenic Mice, Grace Bybee, Youra Moeun, Weimin Wang, Kusum K. Kharbanda, Larisa Y. Poluektova, Srivatsan Kidambi, Natalia A. Osna, Murali Ganesan
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection develops as an acute or chronic liver disease, which progresses from steatosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis to end-stage liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An increased stromal stiffness accompanies fibrosis in chronic liver diseases and is considered a strong predictor for disease progression. The goal of this study was to establish the mechanisms by which enhanced liver stiffness regulates HBV infectivity in the fibrotic liver tissue. Methods: For in vitro studies, HBV-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells were cultured on polydimethylsiloxane gels coated by polyelectrolyte multilayer films of 2 kPa (soft) or 24 kPa (stiff) …
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells And Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Have A Strong Synergy In Modulating Inflammation And Its Resolution,
2023
Pennsylvania State University
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells And Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Have A Strong Synergy In Modulating Inflammation And Its Resolution, Li Han, Xinran Wu, Ou Wang, Xiao Luan, William Velander, Michael Aynardi, E. Scott Halstead, Anthony S. Bonavia, Rong Jin, Guohong Li, Yulong Li, Yong Wang, Cheng Dong, Yuguo Lei
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering: Faculty Publications
Rationale: Trauma, surgery, and infection can cause severe inflammation. Both dysregulated inflammation intensity and duration can lead to significant tissue injuries, organ dysfunction, mortality, and morbidity. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids and immunosuppressants can dampen inflammation intensity, but they derail inflammation resolution, compromise normal immunity, and have significant adverse effects. The natural inflammation regulator mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have high therapeutic potential because of their unique capabilities to mitigate inflammation intensity, enhance normal immunity, and accelerate inflammation resolution and tissue healing. Furthermore, clinical studies have shown that MSCs are safe and effective. However, they are not potent enough, alone, to …
Effects Of Sio2 Coating On Activity Of Ru/Tio2 Catalyst For Co2 Methanation,
2023
Faculty of Engineering
Effects Of Sio2 Coating On Activity Of Ru/Tio2 Catalyst For Co2 Methanation, Fasai Chaisalee
Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)
Hydrogenation of carbondioxide to methane has the potential to effectively decrease the release of excessive CO2 emissions. The Ru/TiO2-rutile catalyst has been previously reported as the best catalytic activity for methane generation under mild operating conditions. However, no catalyst has been developed that approaches the efficiency of this Ru/rutile. This study aims to develop a catalyst that can overcome the performance of the Ru/rutile catalyst. This work investigates Ru catalysts supported on TiO2 and core-shell TiO2@SiO2 catalysts with various phase structures and SiO2 thicknesses were prepared using incipient wetness impregnation of Ru precursor on TiO2 and core-shell TiO2@SiO2 supports. The …
Fugacity-Based Lattice Boltzmann Method For Multicomponent Multiphase Systems,
2023
Old Dominion University
Fugacity-Based Lattice Boltzmann Method For Multicomponent Multiphase Systems, Muzammil Soomro, Luis F. Ayala, Cheng Peng, Orlando M. Ayala
Engineering Technology Faculty Publications
The free-energy model can extend the lattice Boltzmann method to multiphase systems. However, there is a lack of models capable of simulating multicomponent multiphase fluids with partial miscibility. In addition, existing models cannot be generalized to honor thermodynamic information provided by any multicomponent equation of state of choice. In this paper, we introduce a free-energy lattice Boltzmann model where the forcing term is determined by the fugacity of the species, the thermodynamic property that connects species partial pressure to chemical potential calculations. By doing so, we are able to carry out multicomponent multiphase simulations of partially miscible fluids and generalize …
Understanding Failure Mechanisms Using Multi-Scale Analyses To Improve The Performance Of Zinc Metal And Lithium-Ion Batteries,
2023
CUNY City College
Understanding Failure Mechanisms Using Multi-Scale Analyses To Improve The Performance Of Zinc Metal And Lithium-Ion Batteries, Brendan E. Hawkins
Dissertations and Theses
We are beginning a global transition away from the use of fossil fuels for our energy needs toward using renewable energy sources in order to mitigate the effects of climate change. One of the biggest challenges to this transition is that, unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy systems have inherent intermittency and require supporting energy storage systems to enable reliable power distribution and electrified transportation. Rechargeable batteries are an attractive energy storage option because of their high energy efficiency, versatility, modularity, and ease of use. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated the rechargeable battery market for portable electronics for the past two …
Molecular Elucidation Of Reaction Mechanisms In Aluminum & Lithium Metal Batteries By Solid-State Nmr Spectroscopy And Electrochemical Methods,
2023
CUNY City College
Molecular Elucidation Of Reaction Mechanisms In Aluminum & Lithium Metal Batteries By Solid-State Nmr Spectroscopy And Electrochemical Methods, Leo W. Gordon
Dissertations and Theses
As society wrestles with the ever-growing climate consequences of burning fossil fuels, the increased demand for electric vehicles and renewable power generation mandates safe, sustainable, earth-abundant, low cost, and energy dense batteries. Different use cases will necessitate different types of batteries; for example, stationary storage systems prioritize minimal expense, whereas mobile applications like electric vehicles emphasize high energy densities. Aluminum and lithium metal batteries hold great promise for next-generation energy storage due to their large specific capacities (2980 mA h g-1, and 3860 mA h g-1, respectively). In particular, aluminum metal is low cost, has high …
Understanding The Kinetics And Mechanisms Of The Desired And Undesired Reactions During Electrochemical Hydrogenation And Hydrogenolysis Of Furfural On Copper In Acidic Media,
2023
CUNY City College
Understanding The Kinetics And Mechanisms Of The Desired And Undesired Reactions During Electrochemical Hydrogenation And Hydrogenolysis Of Furfural On Copper In Acidic Media, Andrew S. May
Dissertations and Theses
The decarbonization of the chemical industry would have an immense impact on lowering greenhouse gas emissions and assisting in mitigating global warming. To achieve this there is a growing interest in implementing renewable feedstocks like biomass and coupling of chemical processes with renewable energy. Furfural is a biomass derived species that has been identified as a platform molecule. Electrochemical processes are more easily coupled with renewable electricity and can be used to valorize biomass derived species such as furfural. The installation of electrochemical processes is hindered by a smaller knowledge base compared to thermochemical processes. This dissertation investigates the electrochemical …
Shale Wettability Characteristics Via Air/Brines And Air/Oil Contact Angles And Influence Of Controlling Factors: A Case Study Of Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan,
2023
Edith Cowan University
Shale Wettability Characteristics Via Air/Brines And Air/Oil Contact Angles And Influence Of Controlling Factors: A Case Study Of Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, Darya Khan Bhutto, Abdul Majeed Shar, Ghazanfer Raza Abbasi, Ubedullah Ansari
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Wettability is the fundamental parameter that influences the productivity of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The knowledge of this regarding shale formation is yet inadequate; thus, detailed analysis is essential for successful development of such reservoirs. The Early Cretaceous Sembar formations in the Lower Indus Basin, Pakistan, is considered as the key target for energy exploration; however, it exhibits large uncertainties due to the lack of data availability. Sembar shales hold significant hydrocarbon volumes rich in organic content; however, prior to this, no comprehensive research has been conducted to quantify the wetting behavior of these shales. Thus, precise information about the wetting behavior …
Partially Oxidative Torrefaction Of Woody Biomass Pellets: Burning Behaviour And Emission Analysis,
2023
Edith Cowan University
Partially Oxidative Torrefaction Of Woody Biomass Pellets: Burning Behaviour And Emission Analysis, Sajid Riaz, Yasir M. Al-Abdeli, Ibukun Oluwoye
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Non-conventional torrefaction under partially oxidative conditions is an emerging cost-effective thermochemical pre-treatment method to improve the quality of biomass for energy applications. The literature lacks data on the combustion of biomass torrefied under oxygen-deficient atmosphere with actual reactor conditions (inevitable non-uniformities in the thermal environment). In this work, a dual mode fixed-bed biomass (torrefaction) reactor and combustor was operated on Australian biomass pellets, to torrefy the fuels at 275 °C for 30 min using partially oxidative atmosphere (O2: 5 vol %, balance N2) and then to combust them. Combustion behaviour with a particular focus on gaseous …
Using Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles In A Magnetic Field To Enhance Oil Production From Oil-Wet Carbonate Reservoirs,
2023
Edith Cowan University
Using Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles In A Magnetic Field To Enhance Oil Production From Oil-Wet Carbonate Reservoirs, F. Amrouche, M. J. Blunt, Stefan Iglauer, M. Short, T. Crosbie, E. Cordero, D. Xu
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Enhanced oil production can maximise yield from depleted reservoirs, and in the face of dwindling global oil reserves can reduce the need for exploratory drilling during the transition away from fossil fuels. A hybrid technique, merging a magnetic field (MF) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles (NPs), was investigated as a potential method of enhancing oil production from oil-wet carbonate reservoirs. The impact of this hybrid technique on rock wettability, zeta potential, and interfacial tension was also investigated. Displacement experiments were carried out on oil-wet Austin chalk – a laboratory carbonate rock analogue – using MgO NPs in deionized water (DW) …
Splitting Tensile Strength Of Recycled Tire Steel Fiber-Reinforced Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Designed By Taguchi Method,
2023
Edith Cowan University
Splitting Tensile Strength Of Recycled Tire Steel Fiber-Reinforced Alkali-Activated Slag Concrete Designed By Taguchi Method, Milad Eskandarinia, Mina Esmailzade, Farhad Aslani
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Despite offering several benefits in terms of environment and economics, few studies were conducted on the ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) based alkali-activated concrete reinforced with recycled tire steel fibers (RTSFs). Therefore, this paper employed the Taguchi method to investigate and optimize the influence of GGBFS content, the alkaline solution to GGBFS content ratio, sodium hydroxide solution concentration, and RTSF volume fraction on splitting tensile strength (STS) of recycled tire steel fiber-reinforced alkali-activated slag concrete (RTSFR-AASC). The microstructural evaluation was done through scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The results indicated that the fiber content, …
Size Distribution, Elemental Composition And Morphology Of Nanoparticles Separated From Respirable Coal Mine Dust,
2023
University of Utah, College of Mines and Earth Sciences
Size Distribution, Elemental Composition And Morphology Of Nanoparticles Separated From Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Shoeleh Assemi, Lei Pan, Xuming Wang, Titilayo Akinseye, Jan D. Miller
Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1
Nanoparticles, defined as particles with one dimension below 100 nm, contribute little to the total mass concentration in respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) toxicological studies, but they could have a considerable part in the adverse health effects by RCMD inhalation. It has been shown that inhaled nanoparticles can penetrate deep into the lung and could plausibly contribute to acute and chronic pulmonary diseases by triggering oxidative stress formation and inducing inflammation. RCMD nanoparticles from samples collected in an underground mine in the United States were analyzed by a particle separation technique, field-flow fractionation (FFF), for size, morphology, and elemental composition. …
Heterogeneous Microstructure And Mechanical Behaviour Of Al-8.3fe-1.3v-1.8si Alloy Produced By Laser Powder Bed Fusion,
2023
Edith Cowan University
Heterogeneous Microstructure And Mechanical Behaviour Of Al-8.3fe-1.3v-1.8si Alloy Produced By Laser Powder Bed Fusion, S. J. Yu, P. Wang, H. C. Li, R. Setchi, M. W. Wu, Z. Y. Liu, Z. W. Chen, S. Waqar, Lai-Chang Zhang
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
The relationship between processing parameters, microstructure, and mechanical properties of Al-8.3Fe-1.3V-1.8Si alloy processed by laser powder bed fusion is seldom studied. Therefore, fully dense alloys with two parameters were selected to investigate this key issue. The results show that the alloy with low power and scanning speed (S200) shows fan-shell-shaped melt pools and laser tracks while another (S350) shows a deeper and wider melt pool. Both alloys obtain a heterogeneous microstructure without a secondary phase in melt pool (MP) and a nano-sized phase in melt pool boundary (MPB). The difference between solid-solution strengthening and Orowan strengthening in MP and MPB …
Artifacts In Localised Multivariate Uniform Conditioning: A Case Study,
2023
Edith Cowan University
Artifacts In Localised Multivariate Uniform Conditioning: A Case Study, Oscar Rondon, Hassan Talebi
Research outputs 2022 to 2026
Localised Multivariate Uniform Conditioning (LMUC) is a technique designed for spatially locating Selective Mining Unit (SMU) grades derived using Multivariate Uniform Conditioning (MUC) for the assessment of recoverable resources. LMUC has the advantage of producing SMU estimates conforming to the MUC panel-specific grade-tonnage curves while preserving the spatial grade distribution at the selective mining level. However, LMUC results have two severe artifacts. This paper documents both artifacts using four grades from a large nickel–cobalt laterite deposit in Western Australia.
