Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Dataless Neural Networks For Boolean Satisfiability And Network Optimization, Andrew Evan Gautier

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Combinatorial optimization problems (COPs) require searching over a finite solution space subject to constraints, with the goal of satisfying an objective function. They arise in operations research, scheduling, resource allocation, circuit design, and many other fields. Many problems in combinatorial optimization (including satisfiability and network design) are NP-hard. Traditionally, researchers have built approximate solvers that return near- optimal solutions efficiently by developing increasingly sophisticated heuristics and meta- heuristics. Deep learning has provided new opportunities for improving combinatorial solvers by leveraging neural guidance to prune the search space. Traditional neural networks have distinct drawbacks in this context: separate training and …

A Study In The Advanced Manufacturing Of Full Solids Oxide Fuel Cells (Sofcs) Via Aerosol Deposition (Ad) Methods With Macro- And Microstructural Defect Characterization, Davis A. Warmuth

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The goal of this work is to 3D print a full SOFC layer-by-layer using aerosol deposition (AD) at a resolution of 5 μm. To achieve this goal, several studies were undertaken to develop and optimize an AD system to use ceramic inks. A 130 kHz AD system was developed with 4 material pumps to allow for depositions of individual compositions of the in-situ mixture of multiple solutions to allow for the fabrication of functional gradients in three dimensions. This system was then programmed to deposit air electrode layers containing different material ratios and porous microstructures, comparing their electrochemical performance to …

Bridging Physics-Based Modeling And Machine Learning To Predict Material Behavior: Applications In Fatigue Crack Growth And Dielectric Property Characterization, Ansan Pokharel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation integrates physics-based modeling with machine learning (ML) to predict how materials behave under complex thermal and mechanical conditions. A key innovation of this work is the use of finite element analysis (FEA) to supplement experimental data. This approach creates more diverse and representative synthetic datasets, helping to reduce the limitations and biases that arise when training ML models solely on experimental measurements. The research focuses on two applications: improving the prediction of fatigue properties in superalloys and estimating temperature-dependent, high-frequency dielectric properties relevant to microwave-based chemical processing.

In the first study, low-cycle fatigue experiments were performed on the …

Development And Additive Manufacturing Of Uv And Dual-Curable Elastomers For Soft Robotic Actuators And Embedded Sensors Via Direct Ink Writing, Emrah Demirkal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The advancement of soft robotics requires materials and manufacturing methods that combine large deformation, structural stability, and integrated sensing within a single soft system. Conventional fabrication techniques often limit design flexibility and the incorporation of functional materials into soft structures. This dissertation addresses these challenges through the development of UV-curable and dual-curable silicone elastomers for the direct ink writing (DIW) of soft robotic actuators and embedded sensors.

UV-curable elastomers were first synthesized through thiol-ene click chemistry using poly(mercaptopropylmethylsiloxane) (MMPS) and vinyl-terminated polysiloxane (VPS). Their curing behavior, rheological response, printability, and mechanical properties were evaluated for DIW. These materials enabled rapid …

Using A Record Player Inspired Probe System To Investigate Adhesion And Friction Of Tire Rubber At Micrometer Length Scales, Kyle J. Galigher, Brendan Schmitt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

We will be using the principles behind how a record player turns physical grooves into electrical signals to develop a device that can be used to measure the surface of tires. The device will be capable of measuring the surface roughness of rubber samples from both new and worn tires, in order to compare the differences between them. It will be operable at varying speeds, and will produce electrical signals that correspond to the bumps along the surface of the rubber. The design will be carried out and optimized with the use of SolidWorks modeling, finite element analysis, motion analysis, …

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 …

Microscopic Insights On Shear Rheology Of Polyampholyte Ionomers Via Molecular Simulations, Kyle Vonscio

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Ionomers are polymers that contain a small fraction of charged groups. The ionic attraction of charged groups allows ionomers to act similarly to crosslinked polymers. Depending on the strength of electrostatic interactions and structure of the ionomers, different dynamics and rheological responses can be observed. With moderate attraction between ions, these noncovalent crosslinks can be broken when heated, allowing ionomers to flow and show the strength of a crosslinked network at low temperatures. Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulations will be performed under shear in the xy-plane and the macroscopic rheology and conformation of the polyampholyte ionomer will be determined. The …

Design New Stage For Vacuum Pin On Disk, Miranda Boyd

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For my senior design project, I am redesigning the moving stage for the vacuum pin-on-disk test used in the Akron Engineering Tribology Lab. This system is used to evaluate bearings and lubricants for aerospace applications under controlled vacuum conditions. The current stage design limits flexibility when adjusting for different testing parameters, so my goal is to develop a new movable stage that allows for varying weights and loads to be applied accurately and safely. The redesigned stage will improve test efficiency, adaptability, and precision, ensuring the system can accommodate a wider range of experimental conditions and materials while maintaining compatibility …

Surface Immobilization Of Stimuli-Responsive Polymers Using A Network Of Aminopropyltriethoxysilane, Walter Bungard, Ryan Nixon

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this honors project is to develop a cost-effective and accessible method for entrapping stimuli-responsive polymers onto solid substrates using aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES). The entrapment network process will first be replicated on glass or silicon using APTES and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), involving spin coating and thermal annealing to chemically bond the polymer to the substrate. Once validated, the method will be applied to other stimuli-responsive polymers, including thermo-responsive, electroactive, and pH-sensitive types, with APTES as a control. For each sample, film stability, responsiveness, and surface behavior will be evaluated using contact angles, optical microscopy, and spectroscopic analysis, followed by statistical evaluation. …

Breaking The Vapor Barrier And Scale: Revolutionizing Steel Quenching With Ultrasound Technology, Anthony O. Santos

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The quenching process is a fundamental heat treatment used to enhance material properties by heating steel to its austenitizing temperature and rapidly cooling it to form high-strength martensite. However, this process is often hindered by two surface barriers: the Leidenfrost effect (vapor blanket) and oxide scale. These cooling limitations restrict the use of steel in high-performance aerospace applications due to inconsistent material properties and unpredictable engineering properties. This research investigates the use of fully submersible, 50-watt 40 kHz ultrasound technology to improve cooling rates in a Jominy test [4]. Through numerical simulations and experimental validation, the study demonstrates that acoustic …

Optimization Of Post-Processing Methods For Additively Manufactured Metals, Julia R. Carano

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (UNSM) is a process used to change the surface hardness of flat-faced materials. It is a machining process using a high-powered laser and a blunt-tipped tool at high speeds which aims to improve the uniformity of the surface on most metals. By heating and pressing the surface of the workpiece, the grains of the material become less rounded and more cohesive on a microscopic level. This, ideally, results in a workpiece with improved material properties. The changes were previously observed through hardness testing.

Physics-Based Multi-Hazard Fragility Modeling Of Low-Rise Wood-Frame Buildings Under Hurricane-Induced Wind And Surge, Mumtasirun Nahar, Abdullah M. Braik, Mohammad Syed, Maria Koliou, Petros Sideris

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Coastal buildings are exposed to concurrent hurricane-induced wind and storm surge, yet their vulnerability is commonly assessed using separate single-hazard models that neglect hazard interaction. This study developed a physics-based finite element framework to evaluate the performance of a low-rise light wood-frame building under simultaneous wind and surge-wave loading. A detailed three-dimensional model was constructed using a sub-assembly strategy that explicitly represented framing members, sheathing systems, and critical connections. Structural response was evaluated across a hazard space defined by wind speed, still-water depth, and flow velocity, and component- and system-level fragility functions were derived using Monte Carlo simulation and generalized …

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 …