Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Synthesis, Characterization And Ferroelectric Properties Of Ln-Type Znsno3 Nanostructures, Corisa Kons

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

With increasing focus on the ill health and environmental effects of lead there is a greater push to develop Pb-free devices and materials. To this extent, ecofriendly and earth abundant LiNbO₃-type ZnSnO₃, a derivative of the ABO₃ perovskite structure, has a high theoretically predicted polarization making it an excellent choice as a suitable alternative to lead based material such as PZT. In this work we present a novel synthesis procedure for the growth of various ZnSnO₃ nanostructures by combined physical/chemical processes. Various ZnSnO₃ nanostructures of different dimensions were grown from a ZnO:Al template …

Evaluating Corrosion Resistance Of Reinforcing Steel In A Novel Green Concrete, Andrea Carolina Ramirez

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reinforced concrete structures are expected to have a long service life with minimal maintenance. Corrosion of reinforcing steel is a major factor in reducing concrete structure lifespan, as corrosion products occupy a larger volume than that of the consumed steel and generate tensile stresses that crack the concrete cover. Procedures to control corrosion in traditional concrete, which is made with Portland-cement (PC), have been well established. However, in recent years novel concrete materials based on alternatives to normally cured PC have been developed in response to global needs to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. In particular, a promising new cement has …

Integrated Voltage—Current Monitoring And Control Of Gas Metal Arc Weld Magnetic Ball-Jointed Open Source 3-D Printer, Yuenyong Nilsiam, Amberlee S. Haselhuhn, Bas Wijnen, Paul G. Sanders, Joshua M. Pearce

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Publications

To provide process optimization of metal fabricating self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) 3-D printers requires a low-cost sensor and data logger system to measure current (I) and voltage (V) of the gas metal arc welders (GMAW). This paper builds on previous open-source hardware development to provide a real-time measurement of welder I-V where the measuring circuit is connected to two analog inputs of the Arduino that is used to control the 3-D printer itself. Franklin firmware accessed through a web interface that is used to control the printer allows storing the measured values and downloading those stored readings to the user’s …

Chemical Processing Cell With Nanostructured Membranes, Dibakar Bhattacharyya, Scott R. Lewis, Saurav Datta

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A chemical processing cell includes an upstream membrane and a downstream membrane. The upstream membrane generates a first reaction product. The downstream membrane converts the first reaction product to a second reaction product.

Capillary Wall Coupled Whispering Gallery Mode Microresonator, Hai Xiao, Wang Hanzheng

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A microresonator structure comprises a waveguide and a microsphere. The waveguide is of elongated cylindrical shape and includes a first section of optical transmission material and a cavity section axially aligned with the first section. The cavity section includes a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity is adjacent to the first section and includes a first sidewall of optical transmission material with an inner surface that tapers inward to an apex positioned adjacent to the first section. The second cavity is positioned adjacent to the first cavity of hollow cylindrical shape and includes a circumferential second sidewall …

Creep Behavior In Interlaminar Shear Of A Hi-Nicalon™/Sic-B4c Composite At 1200°C In Air And In Steam, Marina B. Ruggles-Wrenn, Matthew T. Pope

Faculty Publications

Creep behavior in interlaminar shear of a non-oxide ceramic composite with a multilayered matrix was investigated at 1200^∘C in laboratory air and in steam environment. The composite was produced via chemical vapor infiltration (CVI). The composite had an oxidation inhibited matrix, which consisted of alternating layers of silicon carbide and boron carbide and was reinforced with laminated Hi-Nicalon^TM fibers woven in a five-harness-satin weave. Fiber preforms had pyrolytic carbon fiber coating with boron carbon overlay applied. The interlaminar shear properties were measured. The creep behavior was examined for interlaminar shear stresses in the 16–22 MPa range. Primary …

Dna-Mediated Excitonic Upconversion Fret Switching, Donald L. Kellis, Sarah M. Rehn, Brittany L. Cannon, Paul H. Davis, Elton Graugnard, Jeunghoon Lee, Bernard Yurke, William B. Knowlton

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Excitonics is a rapidly expanding field of nanophotonics in which the harvesting of photons, ensuing creation and transport of excitons via Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET), and subsequent charge separation or photon emission has led to the demonstration of excitonic wires, switches, Boolean logic and light harvesting antennas for many applications. FRET funnels excitons down an energy gradient resulting in energy loss with each step along the pathway. Conversely, excitonic energy upconversion via upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), although currently inefficient, serves as an energy ratchet to boost the exciton energy. Although FRET-based upconversion has been demonstrated, it suffers from low FRET …

Evolution Of The Statistical Distribution In A Topological Defect Network, Fei Xue, Xueyun Wang, Ion Socolenco, Yijia Gu, Longqing Chen, Sang-Wook Cheong

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The complex networks of numerous topological defects in hexagonal manganites are highly relevant to vastly different phenomena from the birth of our cosmos to superfluidity transition. The topological defects in hexagonal manganites form two types of domain networks: type-I without and type-II with electric self-poling. A combined phase-field simulations and experimental study shows that the frequencies of domains with N-sides, i.e. of N-gons, in a type-I network are fitted by a lognormal distribution, whereas those in type-II display a scale-free power-law distribution with exponent ~ 2. A preferential attachment process that N-gons with a larger N have higher probability of …

A Comparison Of The Bond Behavior Of Pbo-Frcm Composites Determined By Double-Lap And Single-Lap Shear Tests, Lesley Sneed, T. D'Antino, C. Carloni, C. Pellegrino

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents the results of an investigation on the bond behavior and stress-transfer mechanism of polyparaphenylene benzo isoxazole (PBO) fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites bonded to a concrete substrate using double-lap and single-lap shear tests. Results of double-lap shear tests with different composite bonded lengths and widths are presented and compared with those from single-lap shear tests previously reported by the authors. The idealized load response developed from single-lap shear tests is found to characterize the response of the composite in double-lap shear tests, although with a few key differences. With the double-lap shear test, load redistribution among the …

The Decision, Implementation And Assessment Of A Credit-Bearing Activity Class By Faculty In Residence: A Case Study, Janet Callahan, Geoff Harrison, Michael Humphrey, Cala Sielaff, Melissa Wintrow

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This case study reports on a programmatic decision to require a credit-bearing course that was made by Faculty in Residence (FIR), including its implementation and results over a two-year period from 2010-2012. The focus is on FIR and on the impact of their decision upon the students enrolled in their Living Learning Communities (LLCs). The credit-bearing course was a Kinesiology Activities class taken by all seven LLCs at Boise State University. Anonymous feedback from students was obtained via end of semester surveys; results were used to improve the course. Survey feedback was analyzed to assess the value students perceived to …

Tailoring The Pore Environment Of Metal-Organic And Molecular Materials Decorated With Inorganic Anions: Platforms For Highly Selective Carbon Capture, Patrick Stephen Nugent

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Due to their high surface areas and structural tunability, porous metal-organic materials, MOMs, have attracted wide research interest in areas such as carbon capture, as the judicious choice of molecular building block (MBB) and linker facilitates the design of MOMs with myriad topologies and allows for a systematic variation of the pore environment. Families of MOMs with modular components, i.e. MOM platforms, are eminently suitable for targeting the selective adsorption of guest molecules such as CO₂ because their pore size and pore functionality can each be tailored independently. MOMs with saturated metal centers (SMCs) that promote strong yet reversible …

Measuring Polydimethylsiloxane (Pdms) Mechanical Properties Using Flat Punch Nanoindentation Focusing On Obtaining Full Contact, Federico De Paoli

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this research, the materials used were the Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers. PDMS mechanicals properties were measured using a customized version of the nanoindentation test using a flat punch tip. The method is proposed in Chapter 3 and it is used to calculate the elastic modulus of different PDMS samples. The samples tested were both produced specifically for this research and available in the laboratory’s storage. They all present different levels of cross-linking degree.

It is quite common to not have full contact between the cylindrical flat punch and the sample because of the unavoidable tilt. The new method guarantees establishing …

Sulfonated-Graphene/Nafion Composite Membrane For All Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries, Da-Wei Yang, Yan-Qing Dong, Jing-Min Fan, Ming-Sen Zheng, Quan-Feng Dong

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nafion membrane has been widely used in fuel cells due to its good proton conductivity, chemical and mechanical stabilities. However, the well-developed water channels in Nafion membrane have restricted its application in all vanadium redox flow batteries owing to the high permeation of vanadium ions and the cost. In this work, the water adsorption rate, resistivity and transference number of vanadium ions of sulfonated-graphene/Nafion composite membrane were investigated and compared with those of Nafion membrane in an effort to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks. It was found that the area resistivity and permeation rate of sulfonated-graphene/Nafion composite membrane were significantly reduced …

Development Of Proton Conduction Membranes In Application Of Vanadium Flow Battery, Le-Tu Qingge, Wei-Nan Guo, Ping Liu, Bao-Guo Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The polymeric hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions into membrane formation were introduced. A general and straightforward strategy for preparing membranes with nanometer-scale pores was suggested by utilization of hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions to generate phase separation and removal of polyion aggregates through water immersion. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and sodium allyl sulfonate (SAS) serve as the membrane material and pore-generator, respectively, resulting in chemically stable and oxidation-resistant membranes with various potential applications. Following the same procedure invented to produce the laboratory-scale membranes, the scale-up process to manufacture large-area membranes was completed. The obtained membrane exhibited the conductivity of 3.5×10^-2 S•cm^-1, thickness of 100 …

Preparations And Properties Of Polybenzimidazole/Polyvinylbenzyl Crosslinked Composite Membranes For High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Jin-Kai Hao, Yong-Yi Jiang, Zhen Wang, Xiao-Jin Li, Zhi-Gang Shao, Bao-Lian Yi

Journal of Electrochemistry

In order to increase the chemical stability of polybenzimidazole (PBl) membrane, a highly stable polymer, poly vinyl. benzyl chloride (PVBC), was chosen as the macromolecular crosslinker, and 1H-1,2,4-triazol was adopted to prepare the crosslinked PBI-based membranes. The influence of the PVBC amount on membrane characteristic was investigated in detail. The results indi. cated that the crosslinked structure of the membrane effectively improved the chemical stability, and at the same time, the mem. brane presented good mechanical property and proton conductivity. The fuel cell performance for the membrane was tested with hy. drogen and oxygen single cell without humidification at 150 …

Effects Of Microstructures Of Active Material On Performance Of Vrla Battery, Lei Jiang, Shou-Zhong Yi

Journal of Electrochemistry

The structure, morphology and content of the as-prepared and the processed samples were characterized by the means of SEM and XRD. The discharge capacities and cycle life performances of the as-prepared and the processed samples were tested by electrochemical measurements with different rates. The results indicated that the 4BS technology which can affect the plate design, deep cycle capability and cycle life is a basic technology for the VRLA batteries. It was also confirmed that the contents and structures of α-PbO₂ and β-PbO₂ formed with different processing conditions can affect the performance of the VRLA batteries, suggesting that …

Preparation And Performance Of Lithium-Rich Manganese Layered Materialsâ 0.6li[Li1/3Mn2/3]O2·0.4liniXMnYCo1-X-YO2(X < 0.6, Y > 0), Hai-Lan Feng, Ya-Fei Liu, Yan-Bin Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium-rich manganese based cathode materials 0.6Li[Li_1/3Mn_2/3]O₂⋅0.4LiNi_xMn_yCo_1-x-yO₂ (x < 0.6, y > 0) were synthesized by carbonate co-precipitation and high temperature solid-state reaction. The structures and morphologies of the as-prepared materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results of high temperature in-situ XRD test show that the lattice parameters change significantly with increasing temperature and Ni content. The cation mixing gets serious and the spinel phase appears in the high Ni content samples when the temperature is up to 800 oC. Under voltages ranging from 2.0 to …

Impact Of Water Content On The Performance Of Lifepo4 Based Lithium-Ion Battery, Jun-Ting Niu, Lin Sun, Shu-Wen Kang, Zhen-Wei Zhao, Zi-Feng Ma

Journal of Electrochemistry

Through different dry conditions and measuring by moisture test instrument, cathode pole pieces with different water contents of 0.3‰ ~ 0.7‰ were obtained to prepare lithium-ion batteries. Cycling performance and high rate performance at 1C ~ 5C discharge rates were tested. Moreover, ASR performances of LiFePO4 base lithium-ion batteries after 200 cycles with different water contents were investigated by EIS. The results showed that the cycle performance and rate performance were closely related to the water content of the electrode. When the water content went up to 0.6‰ the cycle stability and rate performance fell. Meanwhile, the internal resistance and …

Research Progress Of Secondary Sodium-Air Batteries, San-Pei Zhang, Zhao-Yin Wen, Jun Jin, Xiang-Wei Wu, Ying-Ying Hu, Mei-Fen Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Rechargeable sodium-air batteries have been the focus in the fields of batteries and energy storage recently, owing to their high specific energy density (1600 Wh·kg^-1), an equilibrium discharge potential of 2.3 V and earth-abundant sodium element However, research on sodium-air cells is still in an infant age and presents many scientific issues. Based on recently reported work and our own experience on sodium-based batteries, this review summarizes the research progress related to the critical scientific is sues of secondary sodium-air batteries and the application prospect of sodium-air battery.

Latest Progresses In Vanadium Flow Battery Technologies And Applications, Xiao-Li Wang, Yu Zhang, Hua-Min Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

With virtues of high safety, long cycle life, friend environment and state of charge easy monitoring, vanadium flow battery has become an effective technique for large scale energy storage. United States, Japan, Europe and other developed countries are actively promoting the developments of vanadium flow battery technology and related equipments. In this paper, the performance of containerized vanadium flow battery, which was newly developed by Rongke Power (RKP) and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, was introduced. The operation data of 5 MW/10 MWh vanadium flow battery energy storage station was displayed. Finally, it is pointed out that reducing the cost, …