Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Control Of Pore Nucleation And Rearrangement Kinetics During Aluminium Anodizing In Phosphoric Acid Electrolyte, Ilya V. Roslyakov, Nikita A. Shirin, Dmitry M. Tsymbarenko, Sergei N. Pavlov, Sergey E. Kushnir, Nikolay V. Lyskov, Kirill S. Napolskii

Journal of Electrochemistry

Anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) porous films with an interpore distance of several hundred nanometers are of great interest due to their unique interaction with visible and near-infrared light, and high thermal stability up to 1500 °C. These porous films are prepared by aluminium anodizing at high voltages in weak acids, leading to a slow kinetics of initial stages of porous structure formation. Here, we propose an approach to accelerate AAO formation in electrolytes based on weak acids such as phosphoric acid. Aluminium foils, pre-patterned using first anodizing under different conditions and subsequent selective dissolution of a sacrificial AAO layer, were …

Balancing Carbon Emissions In Façade Of Residential Buildings Through Bim-Lca: A Comparative Analysis Of Insulation Materials, Mehran Alipour

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Thermal insulation materials play a significant role in balancing buildings' total carbon emissions. Balancing involves applying the optimized amount of insulation materials to avoid excessive emissions in either the operational or embodied phases. Due to the wide range of insulation materials and variations of their specifications, it is vital to analyse them individually. The focus of this study is to optimize the amount of insulation materials in the facades of Residential Buildings (RB) to balance the amount of Operational Carbon Emissions (OCE) and Embodied Carbon Emissions (ECE) by applying the Building Information Modelling-Life Cycle Assessment (BIM-LCA) integration method. The Life …

Integrating Sustainable Material Procurement In Construction Waste Management: A Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis For The Libyan Construction Sector, Ramzi Fouzi Hamad Abdullah, Safaa N Saud Al-Humairi, Zunirah Binti Mohd Talib

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Integrating sustainable material procurement with construction waste management is essential to reduce construction and demolition waste in Libya, where current practices remain largely reactive and disposal-oriented. This narrative review aims to develop a conceptual framework linking procurement decisions to waste-generation pathways in Libyan construction projects, clarifying how proactive, sustainability-driven purchasing can serve as a primary driver of waste prevention. Using a PRISMA-guided systematic search of Web of Science, Scopus, and IEEE Xplore for 2001–2026, and a bibliometric analysis via VOSviewer, 956 high-quality studies were synthesized to map global knowledge and to expose the paucity of integrated SMP–CWM studies in developing …

Sound Insulation Performance Of Sustainable Lc3 Mortars With Barite And Waste Rubber Aggregates, Begüm Söyek Abay, Leyla Tanaçan

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study investigates the potential of limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) as a sustainable binder for developing a single-layer composite material incorporating barite and rubber aggregates, hypothesized to achieve enhanced sound insulation performance compared to conventional multi-layered wall systems. Mortars were prepared using LC3 with 55% clinker, 30% metakaolin, 15% limestone, substituting 45% of cement clinker. Hybrid mixtures of barite and rubber aggregates (barite-to-rubber volume ratios of 2:1 and 1:2) were tested at aggregate-to-binder ratios of 2.0, 2.75, and 3.5 to evaluate their combined mass and damping effects on acoustic performance. Experiments were conducted to determine physical, mechanical, and acoustic …

From Lime To Geopolymers: Emerging Trends And Advances In Sustainable Soil Stabilization, Favour Chukwuebuka Egwu, Amin Eisazadeh

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Soil stabilization remains a critical challenge in geotechnical engineering, particularly for weak and expansive soils that compromise the safety and serviceability of infrastructure. Traditional stabilizers such as lime and cement have been widely applied; however, their limitations in terms of long-term durability, carbon footprint, and performance under aggressive environmental conditions necessitate alternative approaches. In recent years, geopolymer-based stabilizers derived from industrial by-products such as fly ash (FA), slag, and bottom ash (BA) have emerged as promising substitutes. This review critically examines the comparative performance of lime and geopolymer stabilization with respect to strength development, durability, compressibility, environmental impact, and economic …

Investigating The Behavior Of Self-Compacting Concrete Containing Scms And Recycled Fine Aggregates, Sachin Tiwari, Mahakavi P

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

This study addresses the unresolved gap in quantifying how recycled fine aggregates (RFA) and metakaolin (MK) interact synergistically in self-compacting concrete (SCC), a relationship that previous works have studied only in isolation or without mechanistic justification. Twenty-five SCC mixtures containing MK (0–25%) and RFA (0–100%) were evaluated to generate a unified understanding of fresh behaviour, strength development, pore refinement, interfacial transition zone (ITZ) characteristics, and sustainability indicators. Results show that RFA alone increases water demand and reduces strength, while MK compensates for these losses by densifying the matrix and improving ITZ bonding, as confirmed through SEM analysis. An optimum synergy …

Controlling Of Monopile Seismic Response Using Concrete Skirt, M. Mancy, T. Sorour, M. Abdel-Motaal

HBRC Journal

Bridges are considered one of the major infrastructure projects that pose many challenges for design and construction. This is because they require highly efficient structural systems that last for many years, require minimal maintenance, and provide a short construction period. Monopiles are the most common foundation system concept in wind turbines, but they have also proven to be an economically sound foundation solution in bridge foundation systems (as seen in monorails, railway bridges, bridges extensions and ramps) owing to their simple design, easy construction, low manufacturing costs, and minimal excavation work. However, the durability of bridges resting on monopiles …

Model Verification With Experimental Tests Data Of Slender Pipe Steel Columns Strengthened With Filling Of Eps Concrete, M. S. Hasaneen, M. E. Abdel-Ghaffar, M. Ragaee

HBRC Journal

Thin-walled steel circular hollow sections (CHS) with concrete infill have been widely investigated in previous research. The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of axially loaded thin-walled CHS tubes filled with lightweight concrete, with the goal of achieving the lightest possible column weight while providing optimal axial capacity. Three concrete mixes incorporating Expanded Poly-Styrene (EPS) aggregates instead of conventional gravel were used. The dry densities of the mixes were 1000, 1100, and 1400 kg/m$^3$, and their compressive strengths were 3.8, 6.3, and 13 MPa, respectively. A comparison was conducted between bare steel columns and EPS-filled columns to …

Harnessing Higher Education For Regional Transformation: Case Of King Salman International University, South Sinai, Egypt, Ashraf S. Hussein, Dalia A. Elsorady

HBRC Journal

As the globe becomes more urbanised, anchor Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are becoming increasingly crucial to the well-being of cities and communities. Egypt's Vision 2030 positions universities as key pillars of national development, aiming to transform them into fourth-generation universities that foster innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and community service. The plan aligns education with economic needs, promotes a knowledge economy, and improves quality of life through digital transformation and specialized institutions to meet rising demand and accomplish Sustainable Development Goals. This paper explores the role of fourth-generation universities as anchor institutions in promoting regional development, considering various aspects, including education, urban, …

Leaching Of Manganese Using Bio-Solubilized Iron Reductant To Prevent Manganese Carbonate Formation, Palas Kamlakar Borkar, Neha Sharma, Atharva Rane, Kwabena Boafo, Timothy Eisele

Michigan Tech Publications

A mixed culture of metal-reducing microorganisms was used to dissolve iron, which was then utilized as a reductant to extract manganese in a 250 mL two-stage bioleaching system. In this two-stage configuration, CO2 generation associated with microbial metabolism occurs in the iron-reduction stage, while MnO2 reduction is confined to a separate manganese-leaching stage, thereby minimizing manganese carbonate formation. The results demonstrated that the two-stage system effectively maintained Fe²⁺ availability, enhancing manganese dissolution while mitigating loss of manganese through manganese carbonate (MnCO3) formation. In contrast, a single-stage bioleaching approach, where microorganisms directly reduced manganese oxides, led to significant MnCO3 precipitation, …

Hardness Of (Hf,Ti,W,Zr)B2/(Hf,Ti,W,Zr)C-Based Ceramics With Varying Wb Content, Suzana Filipović, William G. Fahrenholtz, Gregory E. Hilmas, Nina Obradović, Stefano Curtarolo

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Compositionally complex (Hf,Ti,Zr,W)B₂/(Hf,Ti,Zr,W)C-based ceramics were produced with different boride and carbide phase contents by varying the C/B₄C molar ratio used in boro/carbothermal reduction. A monoboride phase based on WB was detected in all compositions. As the C/B₄C ratio was varied, the WB content decreased from 23.7 vol% for a C/B₄C ratio of 6.0–15.3 vol% for a C/B₄C ratio of 10.3. Further increases in the C/B₄C ratio increased the WB content. The monoboride phase contained mainly W and Ti in a solid solution with the nominal composition of (W …

Development Of A Novel Innovative Umbrella Falsework System For Concrete Slabs, Abdelazem Hashim

Theses and Dissertations

Formwork is one of the major elements that contribute to the cost and duration of concrete building projects. This is why optimizing such an element can lead to huge savings to all parties involved in the construction projects. With contractors facing huge challenges in such a competitive industry and employers seeking the least price and least duration for their projects, contractors are constantly under the obligations of finding the best alternatives to deliver their projects in terms of both time and money. Therefore, the main aim of this research project is to develop a falsework system, where the falsework system …

Metal-Free Nitrogen-Enriched Graphitic Carbon Nitride Architectures For Advanced Supercapacitor Energy Storage: Design, Synthesis, And Electrochemical Performance Optimization, Loujain Gamal Mohamed

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This thesis addresses the urgent global requirement for efficient energy storage materials by developing and characterizing advanced graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4)-based electrode materials for supercapacitors. A facile, low-cost thermal polymerization method produces 2D nitrogen-rich GCN nanosheets exhibiting excellent electrochemical stability and wide voltage windows, enabling symmetric devices with 19.33 Wh/kg energy density and remarkable cycling stability over 21,000 cycles. To overcome intrinsic limitations of pristine GCN, a 3D/2D metal free composite with bio-derived carbon (Bio-Cx) is synthesized, delivering high capacitance, wide potential windows, and ultrahigh energy density of 53.72 Wh/kg in asymmetric configurations paired with mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon (MPNDC). …

Characterizing Indoor Surface Voc Contamination After The 2025 Los Angeles Fires, Brett W. Stinson, Emily Lei, Elliott T. Gall

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

We quantify volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from indoor surface swabs and portable air cleaner (PAC) filters collected in a home 30 days after the 2025 Los Angeles wildland-urban interface (WUI) fires. We calculate emissions for 17 fire-relevant compounds. Surface emissions exceeded those of clean controls, and emissions from a windowsill in a room without a PAC were ∼15× and ∼2× higher for benzene and toluene, respectively, than rates reported in the literature for comparable materials unaffected by smoke/soot. Particle filters installed in PACs at the start of the fire emitted aromatics at rates comparable to those reported in a …

Emulating Camera Parameters For A Digital Twin Lunar Terrain Simulation, Samuil Nikolov

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Digital twin simulations play an integral role in the design, validation and implementation of a plethora of systems in any industry - including aerospace. EagleCam 2 presents a great technical challenge, where we need to evaluate how our systems will do data acquisition best - image capturing in particular. In order to assist with the design and validation of our systems, a digital twin that emulates the Lunar environment as we expect it to be during the lifecycle of the mission is a crucial component. Such digital twin system allows us to simulate all the parameters that are considered variable …

Print, Pattern, Stick: Low–Cost Gecko–Inspired Adhesives Using Embedded Diffraction Structures, Motaz Hassan, Oluwafemi Fayomi, Ajay Mahajan, Joshua Faust

University Research

Gecko-inspired adhesives offer strong, reversible, and directionally tunable adhesion, yet fabrication methods often depend on cleanroom lithography or proprietary molds, limiting scalability and accessibility. This study presents a low-cost, modular fabrication strategy combining high-resolution digital light processing 3D printing with 1000 lines/mm optical diffraction gratings to create hierarchical elastomeric adhesives. The resulting structures feature macroscale micropillars and embedded sub-micron surface topography, enabling effective contact splitting without advanced microfabrication. Mechanical testing reveals a nonlinear increase in shear performance with contact area, with maximum shear forces exceeding 80 N at 103.2 cm2. Peel testing across varied angles and surface areas demonstrates anisotropic …

Advances And Challenges In Nano-Modified Cementitious Composites: Mechanisms, Dispersion Strategies, And Impact On Mechanical Properties, Fatemeh Mohammadi Ghahsareh, Pengwei Guo, Nusrath Jaha, Yi Bao, Kamal H. Khayat, Weina Meng

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Nanomaterials are increasingly utilized to enhance the mechanical properties, durability, and functionality of concrete materials but face challenges such as agglomeration and uneven dispersion in cementitious systems, which can offset the intended improvements. This paper reviews the advances and challenges associated with nano-modified cementitious composites, elucidating fundamental mechanisms and highlighting strategies for overcoming the challenges through experimental and computing techniques. The reviewed contents include (1) the classification of nanomaterials commonly used in cementitious systems and the mechanisms through which they enhance the mechanical properties of cementitious composites; (2) challenges of nanomaterials such as agglomeration in water, re-agglomeration in cementitious systems, …

Integrated Computational And Experimental Investigation Of Groups V And Vi Metals In (M,Hf,Ti,Zr)B2-(M,Hf,Ti,Zr)C Ceramics, Ana C. Feltrin, Simon Divilov, Gregory E. Hilmas, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Dual-phase compositionally complex ultra-high temperature ceramics were formulated by incorporating different Groups V and VI metals such as V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, or W into a base composition containing the Group IV elements, Hf, Ti, and Zr. Metal distribution was predicted using first-principles-based thermodynamics simulations and compared with experimental results. Moreover, phase stability, microstructure, and mechanical properties were evaluated for all of the ceramics. Compositions containing Cr, V, Nb, or Ta formed dual-phase ceramics containing only one boride and one carbide phase, while compositions containing Mo or W developed an additional third phase. The experimental metal distribution trends generally …

Zirconium And Hafnium Interdiffusion Study In Zrb2–Hfb2 System, Yue Zhou, Ana C. Feltrin, William G. Fahrenholtz, Gregory E. Hilmas

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Interdiffusion of Zr and Hf in the diboride system was investigated. High-purity zirconium diboride (ZrB₂) and hafnium diboride (HfB₂) were prepared by a combination of boro-/carbothermal reduction synthesis and densification by spark plasma sintering. The bulk ceramics had relative densities of 99.3% for ZrB₂ and 99.7% for HfB₂, and both ceramics were phase-pure by x-ray diffraction analysis. Diffusion couples of ZrB₂ and HfB₂ were annealed at temperatures ranging from 2000°C to 2200°C for times from 4 to 12 h. Zr and Hf elemental concentration profiles were measured using energy dispersive spectroscopy …

Co-Calcination Of Limestone And Clay Enhances The Performance Of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (Lc3), Oluwadamilare Charles Adesina, Sahil Surehali, Avinaya Tripathi, Kayla Lauren Lee, Bryan K. Aylas-Paredes, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Limestone-calcined clay cements (LC³) reduce the environmental impact of cement production and accelerate the industry transition toward carbon neutrality. While conventional LC³ with 50% clinker replacement (LC³-50) demonstrate long-term performance comparable to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in concrete, early-age performance is generally compromised. This study explores for the first time, joint thermal treatment—that is, co-calcination—of limestone (LS) and bulk kaolinitic clay in mass ratios of 1:1 to 1:4 under a calcination regime specifically designed to ensure activation of the clay mineral. The co-calcination converts a small fraction of LS to metastable CaO, thus providing an …