Engineering Science and Materials Commons^™

Made On Mars: Design And Manufacturing Of Structural Polymer-Regolith Composites, Pailey M. Vitale

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Human exploration of Mars is constrained by harsh environmental conditions and the prohibitive cost of transporting materials from Earth. Long-term sustainability requires the local production of mechanical and structural components using resources available on Mars, thereby minimizing payload mass. This project investigates polymer–regolith composites derived from atmospheric CO₂ and mineral-rich regolith as a pathway toward in-situ manufacturing. These composites, when compatible with additive manufacturing, could replace imported plastics, enable on-demand fabrication, and support closed-loop recycling systems. The objective is to design and evaluate polymer–regolith composites that maintain mechanical integrity and environmental resistance under Martian conditions, including extreme temperature swings, radiation …

Akron Soap Box Derby Super Kids Car, Alexis Schultz, Cooper Sites, Sean Stevenson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to redesign the All-American Soap Box Derby Super Kids vehicle to enhance safety, accessibility, and performance while maintaining full compliance with official regulations. The Super Kids program enables children with physical and cognitive disabilities to race alongside a co-pilot, but the current vehicle design presents challenges in stability, entry/exit accessibility, and control—especially following recent regulation changes that increased vehicle speed. The redesigned car will focus on improved ergonomics, lightweight construction, and structural integrity within a $1,000 budget and a 165 lb weight limit.

An iterative engineering design process will guide the project through research, CAD modeling, FEA …

High-Efficiency And Compact Virtual Reality Displays, Zhenyi Luo

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are revolutionizing the way humans interact with digital information. However, current near-eye display systems still face critical challenges regarding optical efficiency, image quality, and device weight. This dissertation focuses on addressing these limitations through innovative liquid-crystal (LC) optics and system-level design strategies to achieve high-efficiency and compact VR displays.

First, to solve the longstanding problem of severe chromatic aberrations in ultrathin LC optics, I proposed an achromatic diffractive LC device. By stacking three LC layers with specifically designed spectral responses and polarization selectivity, I successfully reduced the chromatic aberrations. This idea enables …

A Review On Biomass-Derived Hard Carbon Anodes For Sodium-Ion Batteries : From Carbon Precursors To Storage Mechanisms, Anqi Lu, Jiaqian Qin

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The rapid development of sustainable energy technologies has intensified the demand for cost-effective and high-performance energy storage systems. Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are regarded as one of the most promising alternatives to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their low cost, abundant sodium resources, and similar electrochemical mechanisms to LIBs. Hard carbon (HC) has attracted significant attention as the predominant anode material for SIBs due to its low cost, structural tunability, and availability from diverse precursors. Nevertheless, challenges remain, including the unclear Na+ storage mechanism, limited rate capability, and strong dependence on precursor type. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in HC …

Mechanical Properties And Crystallization Of Polybutylene Terephthalate Reinforced With Glass Flakes And Aluminum Powder, Nattakarn Hongsriphan, Pajaera Patanathabutr

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This research investigated mechanical properties and crystallization of poly(butylene terephthalate) composites by adding glass flakes (GF) and aluminum particles (Al). The concentration of the GF was 3 wt% or 5 wt%, and the Al was 0.5 wt% or 1.0 wt%. The stress-strain curves of the PBT-based composites showed yielding and necking. The PBT/GF/Al composites with GF/Al ratios of 3/0.5 wt/wt%, 3/1.0 wt/wt%, 5/0.5 wt/wt%, and 5/1.0 wt/wt% had Young’s moduli of 11.44%, 11.70%, 16.81%, and 19.31% higher than that of neat PBT, respectively. In the presence of Al at 1.0 wt%, the flexural modulus of the PBT/GF/Al composites increased to …

Synthesis, Structure, And Electrochemical Properties Of The Ni(Oh)2/Nimoo4 Composite On The Rgo/Nf Template For Hybrid Battery-Supercapacitor Electrodes, Retno Asih, Haniffudin Nurdiansah, Rogabe Sianipar, Ida Ayu Gayatri, Lukman Noerochim, Diah Susanti, Isao Watanabe, Darminto Darminto

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The growing demand for renewable and sustainable energy has intensified research on advanced energy-storage systems that can deliver both high energy and power densities. In this study, a Ni(OH)2/ NiMoO4 composite on a reduced graphene oxide/nickel foam (rGO/NF) template was synthesized through a hydrothermal and electrodeposition route to construct a hybrid battery-supercapacitor electrode. The unique hierarchical design combines the pseudocapacitive activity of Ni(OH)2/NiMoO4 with the excellent conductivity of rGO and the high surface area of NF, enabling efficient electron and ion transport. Structural and morphological analyses confirm the successful formation of the Ni(OH)2/NiMoO4/rGO/NF architecture. The electrode exhibits a specific capacitance …

Development Of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer/Cellulose Composites Using Cellulose Extracted From Hemp Biomass For Plastic Packaging Applications, Supanicha Alapon, Natthanich Thongmee, Wikoramet Teeka, Pattara Somnuake, Sirirat Wacharawichanant

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Poly(lactic acid)/ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM)/cellulose composites using cellulose derived from hemp biomass (CHB) were investigated in this research. Morphology, chemical structures, functional groups, and crystallinity of CHB were characterized, observing a size of 135 ± 32 μm from SEM images with high purity and crystallinity from FT-IR and XRD spectroscopy. The optimized CHB was incorporated at 1 phr, 3 phr, and 5 phr into PLA/EPDM blends at 90/10 w/w. The polymer composites were prepared using an internal mixer, and samples were produced by compression molding for mechanical and thermal testing. The results indicated that the EPDM phase dispersed as droplets in …

Effect Of Cu Content On Microstructure, Morphology, And Antibacterial Properties Of Ti-Cu Alloy Thin Films, Chittra Kedkaew, Phalakorn Khwansungnoen, Tanattha Rattana

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Ti-Cu alloy thin films exhibit considerable potential for the development of advanced antibacterial surfaces, particularly for biomedical applications. In this research, Ti-Cu binary alloy thin films with a wide range of Cu content from 25.8 at% to 77.8 at% were deposited using magnetron co-sputtering with pure Ti and Cu as the targets. The composition of Cu in the films can be controlled by the applied power of Cu targets. This study investigated the effect of Cu content on the microstructural, morphological, and antibacterial properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron …

Contributions Of Carbon Content And Cooling Rate On Phase Transformations And Mechanical Properties Of Sintered Fe-1.5cr-0.2mo-Xc Alloys, Mantana Yaruan, Wantana Koetniyom, Thanyaporn Yotkaew, Nattaya Tosangthum, Ruangdaj Tongsri

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Microstructural development in sintered Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-xC alloys, produced under different cooling rates of 0.1℃∙s‒1 and 5.4℃∙s‒1, was investigated. It was found that, in slowly sintered Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-xC alloys, the microstructure changed from hypoeutectoid to eutectoid and to hypereutectoid steel microstructural features with increasing carbon content. Under the fast-cooling rate of 5.4℃∙s‒1, the microstructural change with respect to the increase of carbon content involved the competition between the formation of ferrite + carbide mixture and that of martensite-austenite constituent. The increase of tensile strength of slowly cooled sintered Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-xC alloys with increasing carbon content was attributed to …

Effect Of Garnet Incorporation On The Functional Properties Of Sunscreens, Parinya Chakartnarodom, Kanyarat Munmani, Sureerat Polsilapa, Duangrudee Chaysuwan, Wichit Prakaypan, Passakorn Sonprasarn, Edward Laitila, Nuntaporn Kongkajun

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Garnet, a silicate mineral, was investigated as a replacement for the TiO2-based compound in sunscreen formulations. Samples containing garnet were evaluated for color shade, viscosity, sun protection factor (SPF), and water resistance. Substituting the TiO2-based compound with garnet reduced both viscosity and SPF but markedly enhanced water resistance. This improvement is attributed to the physical reinforcement provided by garnet particles, which strengthen the sunscreen film and reduce wash-off under water exposure. Garnet incorporation also altered the product’s appearance from white to a darker brownish-beige tone, improving visual compatibility with a wider range of skin tones.

Effects Of Welding Currents On Microstructure And Corrosion Behaviors Of Inconel 625 Cladding On 2.25cr-1mo Steel By Hot-Wire Tig, Supparat Saeheng, Hein Zaw Oo, Prapas Muangjunburee

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Hot-wire tungsten inert gas (HW-TIG) cladding has been applied to the steam turbine rotor welding repair. This study investigated the effects of welding currents on microstructure, hardness, and corrosion behavior. The experiments were conducted using four different welding currents applied to bead-on-plate Inconel 625 welds on a 2.25Cr-1Mo steel substrate as the steam turbine rotor material. The selected welding currents were 125 A, 150 A, 175 A, and 200 A. The percentages of weld dilution for different welding currents were also evaluated. Higher welding currents increased weld dilution, weld bead width, and HAZ size. As the welding current increased, the …

Properties And Printability Of Polylactic Acid Films : An Effect Of Polyglutamate Coated Natto As A Bio-Plasticizer, Natrata Thitinardwong, Thira Chavarnakul, Kawee Srikulkit

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Polylactic acid (PLA) film, a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, has gained significant attention for sustainable packaging applications. However, its limited screen-printability remains a barrier to broader commercial use. This study aims to enhance the screen-printability of PLA film by incorporating a polyglutamate coated natto (designated as Nat-M). PLA/Nat-M films having 1%, 3%, and 5% Nat-M were prepared and evaluated for their key performance indicators, including ink adhesion (ASTM D3359), tone reproduction accuracy, and printing resolution. The screen-printing resolution was optimized between 400 DPI and 500 DPI (dots per inch) to achieve optimal tone reproduction and edge sharpness. Additionally, ink …

A Top-Electrode-Based Liquid-Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator For Energy Harvesting And Ethanol Detection, Subrat Bhol, Nakul Charan Sahu, Sunit Gaurav Mohanty, Vicky Raj Maddala, Basanta Kumar Panigrahi, Premkumar Bhosale

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Liquid-solid triboelectric nanogenerators (LS-TENGs) offer a promising avenue for self-powered energy harvesting and sensing by exploiting contact electrification at fluid-dielectric interfaces, where droplet dynamics drive charge separation for electrical output without external power. In this work, a top-electrode LS-TENG was fabricated using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film on a PMMA substrate with deionised water droplets, achieving an open-circuit voltage of ‒3.4 V, short-circuit current of 3.6 μA, and peak power of 1.48 nW at 100 MΩ under optimised conditions of 2 cm drop height, 45° tilt, and 50 μL volume. Performance scaled with droplet kinetics and volume due to enhanced contact …

Strategic Optimization Of Plasticizers, Fillers, And Blend Ratios For Enhanced Performance Of Dynamically Cured Epoxidized Natural Rubber (Enr)/Polypropylene (Pp) Thermoplastic Vulcanizates, Azizon Kaesaman, Anuwat Worlee, Charoen Nakason

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study introduces an innovative methodology for optimizing oil, plasticizer, filler, and blend proportions in epoxidized natural rubber with 20 mol% epoxide (ENR-20) and polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs), aiming to achieve superior rheological, mechanical, morphological, and thermal performance. By leveraging paraffinic oil, epoxidized soybean oil, and phthalate-based plasticizers, the research investigates their influence on tensile strength, elasticity, and processability. Among the oils and plasticizers evaluated, paraffinic oil demonstrated the most effective plasticizing performance, offering superior flexibility and elasticity. Various paraffinic oil loadings (15 phr, 25 phr, 30 phr, 35 phr, 40 phr, 45 phr, 50 phr, and 75 phr) …

Impact Of Chromium Substitution On Structural And Magnetic Properties Of Mnbi-Based Melt-Spun Ribbons, Anh Kha Vuong, Triet Minh Dang, Truong Xuan Nguyen, Duy Anh Vo Nguyen, Hai Van Pham, Nam Hoai Nguyen, Nam Hong Pham, Oanh Kim Thi Vuong, Tan Nhut Nguyen Le, Tuan Van Dinh, Nam Thanh Tran Nguyen, Nhan Thi Tran, Trung Quoc Nguyen, Nhan Thi Tran, Trung Quoc Nguyen, Lu Wei, Vuong Van Nguyen

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

MnBi-based magnetic materials and magnets are of significant interest due to their magnetism without rare earth elements and their ability to replace Nd-Fe-B in high-temperature magnet applications due to its unique feature of enhancing coercivity in the range of 100℃ to 250℃, enabling their energy product (BH)max comparable to NdFeB magnets despite their moderate spontaneous magnetization Msp. To adjust the magnetic properties of MnBi magnets, various elements have been doped to regulate magnetic interactions among the atoms, which subsequently alters Msp and the magneto-crystalline anisotropy energy. In this work, we investigate the effects of chromium doping on the magnetic properties …

Cold Sintering-Assisted Low Temperature Fabrication Of Dense Ba5 Nb4 O15 Ceramics, Usa Sukkha, Apichayaporn Teandam, Phakkhananan Pakawanit, Phitsamai Kamonpha, Wanwilai Vittayakorn, Phieraya Pulphol, Naratip Vittayakorn

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study presents a novel approach for fabricating Ba5Nb4O15 (BNO) ceramics at low sintering temperatures via the cold sintering process (CSP), using Ba(OH)2∙8H2O (BOH) as a transient liquid phase. CSP was performed under an external pressure of 10 MPa with a sintering temperature range of 150℃ to 300℃. Optimally, BNO-BOH ceramics achieved a relative density of 93.7 ± 0.43% when sintered at 250℃ for 1 h. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggested that particle densification occurred via a dissolution-precipitation process, which filled pores and formed necks between particles. The study demonstrates that the residual liquid content is crucial for ceramic densification. …

Fabrication Of A Chitosan‒Fe3o4/Activated Carbon/Tio2 Nanocomposite As A Pb(Ii) Heavy Metal Adsorbent, Berliantty Warim Putri, Arif Hidayat, Lya Rizka Herawati, Poppy Puspitasari, Nandang Mufti, Yap Wing Fen, Muhammad Safwan Abdul Aziz, Tahta Amrillah, Ahmad Taufiq

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Nowadays, water pollution by heavy metal Pb(II) is a significant issue in many countries, including Indonesia. To overcome this problem, a suitable and efficient waste treatment method is necessary. Therefore, in this work, Fe3O4/AC/TiO2 nanocomposite modified with chitosan (CS) for the treatment of Pb (II) waste were investigated. CS was used due to its OH and NH2 functional groups, which enable the formation of a new hybrid nanocomposite that can be used repeatedly. To reduce production costs, environmentally friendly, raw natural materials, such as iron sand, coconut shells, and shrimp shells, were employed. The XRD characterization results indicate that the …

Advanced Hemp-Based Hybrid Composites: A Study On The Influence Of Various Nanofillers On Mechanical And Morphological Properties, Velmurugan Ganesan, Jasgurpreet Singh Chohan, Muthukumar V., Nagaraj M., Lakshmi Narayana S.

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study investigates the mechanical and microstructural attributes of epoxy composites with hemp fiber reinforcements and incorporated aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles at different weight fractions of 0.5 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 1.5 wt%. Nano-fillers remarkably improved the composite performance, as indicated by tensile and flexural tests conducted by ASTM D3039 and ASTM D790 standards. The composite containing 1.5 wt% Al2O3 outperformed other nano filled composites with a tensile strength of 64 MPa and tensile modulus of 3.6 GPa, versus 52 MPa and 3.0 GPa for the unfilled hemp/epoxy composite. In parallel, flexural strength …

Sintering Behavior And Mechanical Properties Of Ha-Ysz-Ti Composite Sintered By Spark Plasma Sintering, Seyed Mohsen Fatemi, Iman Mobasherpour, Leila Nikzad, Mansour Razavi

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This research is aimed to determine the best composition of composite fabricated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to produce a suitable substituent for bone. The applied powder was prepared by the SPS method and comprises hydroxyapatite (HA), yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and titanium (Ti). Different percentages of components were used to fabricate the composite samples. X-ray diffraction was used to determine the structural phase of the sintered samples while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was employed for microstructural analysis of the specimens. The behavior of the samples was investigated during sintering. The gas release, displacements, and porosity percentage of the …

Antibacterial Characterization Of Ciprofloxacin-Doped Electrospun Of Low Molecular Weight Polyethylene Oxide (Peo) And Sodium Alginate (Naalg) Nanofibers, Phuphinee Niyomchon, Treesukon Treebupachatsakul, Kasama Srirussamee

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Producing nanofibers using the electrospinning technique is a developed method that is widely used and of significant interest nowadays. This technique can be applied using various types of polymers. This research aimed to investigate the antibacterial PEO-NaAlg nanofiber fabrication. The fiber fabrication was examined under various viscosities of electrospinning solution. The electrospun nanofiber fabrication focuses on blending polyethylene oxide (PEO) with a molecular weight of 200-300 kDa, mixed with sodium alginate (NaAlg) of three different viscosities: 150 cP, 300 cP, and 730 cP to study how the viscosity of the solution affects the morphology of electrospun nanofibers. The PEO-NaAlg electrospun …