Analyzing The Acoustical Properties Of Alternative Materials In Guitar Soundboards To Reduce Deforestation,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Analyzing The Acoustical Properties Of Alternative Materials In Guitar Soundboards To Reduce Deforestation, Chris Dunn
Materials Engineering
To mitigate the effects of deforestation, man-made alternative materials were analyzed and tested for potential use in the soundboards of acoustic guitars. The materials evaluated included 0.06 in. foamed polycarbonate, 0.12 in. single-ply honeycomb fiberglass, and 0.04 in. epoxy fiberglass. The properties of Sitka spruce, the most common tonewood, were used as a benchmark. The Young’s modulus to density ratio found in Sitka spruce is relatively high, making its properties ideal for soundboard applications. Both Young’s modulus and density were necessary to calculate the acoustic constant of each material that was tested. The samples were subject to the impact of …
Interactive Museum Exhibit To Introduce K-6 Grade Students To Circuits And The Electric Conductivity Of Various Materials,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Interactive Museum Exhibit To Introduce K-6 Grade Students To Circuits And The Electric Conductivity Of Various Materials, Thien Vu-Nguyen
Materials Engineering
The SciTechatorium (SciTech) is a museum filled with interactive exhibits for visitors to learn science informally. A new exhibit was developed to explore electric conductivity and circuits. The design was made based on the size of the material sample the students will use and to allow interactions with multiple users. The materials the students will use were selected using Cambridge Engineering Selector (CES) to sort the materials by resistivity, the inverse of conductivity. After sorting the materials by resistivity, five different materials (balsa wood, polystyrene, polyester, stainless steel, and copper) were chosen for the exhibit. The target size of the …
Development Of A High Precision Quantum Dot Synthysis Method Utilizing A Microfluidic Reactor And In-Line Fluorescence Cell,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Development Of A High Precision Quantum Dot Synthysis Method Utilizing A Microfluidic Reactor And In-Line Fluorescence Cell, Harry Lafferty, Jonny Hoadley
Materials Engineering
Quantum dots show great potential for use as spectral converters in solar cells, lighting applications and biological imaging. These applications require precise control of quantum dot size to maximize performance. The fluorescence profile of quantum dots in solution correlates directly with particle size. An alternative, high precision process was developed for the synthesis of cadmium-selenide quantum dots using a microfluidic reactor and fluorescence flow through cell. The process required creating separate cadmium and selenium precursors that were then mixed in a nitrogen environment at 17± 1°C. Using an NE-300® syringe pump, the solution was pumped through a microfluidic reactor …
Comparison Of Polyurethane And Polysiloxane Coating Systems In Marine Environments,
2013
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Comparison Of Polyurethane And Polysiloxane Coating Systems In Marine Environments, Jake Jarman, Jessica Salvatin
Materials Engineering
This project investigates the performance benefits of polysiloxane and polyurethane coating systems for corrosion protection in marine environments. PPG Industries Amercoat 450H and International Paint Interthane 990HS were the polyurethane topcoats tested. PPG Industries Ameron PSX 700 (New Blend) and International Paint Interfine 878 were the polysiloxane topcoats tested. Each coating was sprayed onto carbon steel panels that were prepared through hand blasting with glass beads. Scribed and unscribed panels were tested in a salt fog chamber for 1,200 hours according to ASTM Standard B0117-11 and in a UV/Humidifier for 1,650 hours according to ASTM Standard D4587-11. Panels were tested …
Effect Of Carbon On Primary Alpha Percentage In Ti-6al-4v As Temperature Approaches The Beta Transus,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Effect Of Carbon On Primary Alpha Percentage In Ti-6al-4v As Temperature Approaches The Beta Transus, Kyle Savage
Materials Engineering
Some Ti-6Al-4V forgings require a specific amount of α phase known as primary α in the finished product. The percentage of primary α is dependent on how close to the beta transus temperature forging is conducted. The beta transus temperature is affected by certain alloying elements. Carbon is one of the elements known to increase the beta transus temperature. Since each Ti-6Al-4V ingot contains varying amounts of carbon, testing on a variety of chemistries needs to be conducted. Cubes approximately 0.5 inches from low, medium, and high carbon chemistries were heat treated at temperatures below the beta transus in 18 …
The Optimization And Packaging Of Materials Safari Science Educational Tool For K-4 Grade Levels,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
The Optimization And Packaging Of Materials Safari Science Educational Tool For K-4 Grade Levels, Elizabeth Chandy
Materials Engineering
An interactive materials-based learning kit for K-4 grade levels was refined to effectively be used in outreach and after-school programs. Different safari animals made of different materials are packaged in the kit, along with different activities to explore physical properties. An optimized number and variety of animals and materials were determined. The volume and weight of the Materials Safari learning kit was optimized to meet the user’s needs. One way the product was optimized was reducing the number of animal pieces in the product. Also, two of the testing stations were reduced in size by about fifty percent to fit …
Characterization And Modeling Of An O-Band 1310 Nm Sampled-Grating Distributed Bragg Reflector (Sg-Dbr) Laser For Optical Coherence Tomography (Oct) Applications,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Characterization And Modeling Of An O-Band 1310 Nm Sampled-Grating Distributed Bragg Reflector (Sg-Dbr) Laser For Optical Coherence Tomography (Oct) Applications, Desmond Charles Talkington
Master's Theses
In this project, the performance aspects of a new early generation 1310 nm Sampled-Grating Distributed Bragg Reflector (SG-DBR) semiconductor laser are investigated. SG-DBR lasers are ideal for Source Swept Optical Coherence Tomography (SS-OCT), a Fourier-Domain based approach for OCT, necessitating a tunable wavelength source. Three internal sections control the frequency output for tuning, along with two amplifiers for amplitude control. These O-band SG-DBR devices are now being produced in research quantities. SG-DBR lasers have been produced at 1550 and 1600 nm for some times. Fundamental questions regarding the performance of the 1310 nm devices must be quantified. Standard metrics including …
Application Of Quantum Dots Onto Glass Wafers As A Feasibility Test For The Spectral Down Conversion Of Uv Light For Solar Cells,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Application Of Quantum Dots Onto Glass Wafers As A Feasibility Test For The Spectral Down Conversion Of Uv Light For Solar Cells, Anthony Fong
Materials Engineering
Quantum dots have the ability to convert high energy photons into multiple lower energy photons. Down conversion of such high energy photons from sources such as UV light can be beneficial for applications on solar cells which waste much of the energy in the form of thermalization. To test this theory, a solar cell was hooked up to an Amprobe Solar Analyzer and tests were run to compare power output with and without the presence of quantum dots. Additionally, quantum dots were spin coated onto a glass wafer to determine its adhesion ability. Spectrometer readings were taken of the wafer …
Surfactant Formulations For Water-Based Processing Of A Polythiophene Derivative,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Surfactant Formulations For Water-Based Processing Of A Polythiophene Derivative, Cameron Dean Danesh
Master's Theses
Conjugated polymers are semiconducting materials that are currently being researched for numerous applications from chemical and biological sensors to electronic devices, including photovoltaics and transistors. Much of the novel research on conjugated polymers is performed in academic settings, where scientists are working to prepare conjugated polymers for commercially viable applications. By offering numerous advantages, inherent in macromolecular materials, conjugated polymers may hold the key to cheap and environmentally friendly manufacturing of future electronic devices. Mechanical flexibility, and solvent-based coating processes are two commonly cited advantages. Transitions in the backbone conformation of polythiophenes (PT) in organic solvents have been widely observed …
Electrospun Plant Protein Scaffolds With Fibers Oriented
Randomly And Evenly In Three-Dimensions For Soft Tissue
Engineering Applications,
2013
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Electrospun Plant Protein Scaffolds With Fibers Oriented Randomly And Evenly In Three-Dimensions For Soft Tissue Engineering Applications, Shaobo Cai
Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
In this work, electrospinnable and water stable soyprotein was extracted by using a reducing agent in mild alkaline condition, and novel 3D zein and 3D pure soyprotein electrospun scaffolds with three-dimensionally and randomly oriented fibers and large interconnected pores were successfully fabricated by reducing surface resistivity of materials. This unique structure is different from most electrospun scaffolds with fibers oriented mainly in one direction. The structure of novel 3D scaffolds could more closely mimic the 3D randomly oriented fibrous architectures in many native extracellular matrixes (ECM). Confocal laser scanning microscope shows that instead of becoming flattened cells when cultured in …
Structural Health Monitoring Data Transmission For Composite Hydrokinetic Turbine Blades,
2013
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Structural Health Monitoring Data Transmission For Composite Hydrokinetic Turbine Blades, A. Heckman, Joshua L. Rovey, K. Chandrashekhara, Steve Eugene Watkins, Daniel S. Stutts, Arindam Banerjee, Rajiv S. Mishra
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works
No abstract provided.
An Investigation Of Arabinan And Cellulose Based Nano-Composite Fabrication Methods,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
An Investigation Of Arabinan And Cellulose Based Nano-Composite Fabrication Methods, Marianne Smithfield, Carl Petterson, Robert Miller
Materials Engineering
Microcrystalline cellulose was converted into nanocrystalline cellulose via an acid hydrolysis procedure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to measure the particle size and thus the effectiveness of acid hydrolysis. The nanocrystalline cellulose was poured through a 0.2μm filter to isolate the particles of ideal size. The nanocrystalline cellulose samples were stored in dimethylformamide (DMF) to prevent mold growth and agglomeration upon drying. Numerous composite samples were created by dissolving the arabinan in a solvent, suspending cellulose in the arabinan solution, and then drying the sample. Casting was performed in a silicon mold to allow sample removal without damage. Initial …
Evaluation Of Forging Strain For Maximum Grain Size In Open-Die Forged 6061 Aluminum,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Evaluation Of Forging Strain For Maximum Grain Size In Open-Die Forged 6061 Aluminum, Eric Strehl
Materials Engineering
In an effort to maximize grain growth of open-die forged 6061 aluminum alloy parts, samples from three of Weber Metals’s suppliers (Hidal Co-Almex USA Inc., TST Inc., and Vista Metals Corp.; to be called Supplier H, Supplier T, Supplier V respectively) were cut into cylinders with diameters of 0.75˝ and heights of 2˝, and put through a simulated forging process and heat treatment. It is possible that additional alloying elements may be promoting or inhibiting grain growth in the final part. Maximizing grain growth for aluminum alloy parts results in improved resistance to intergranular corrosion. Samples from each vendor had …
Atmospheric Pressure He-Air Plasma Jet: Breakdown Process And Propagation Phenomenon,
2013
Old Dominion University
Atmospheric Pressure He-Air Plasma Jet: Breakdown Process And Propagation Phenomenon, Asma Begum, Mounir Laroussi, Mohammad Rasel Pervez
Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications
In this paper He-discharge (plasma jet/bullet) in atmospheric pressure air and its progression phenomenon has been studied experimentally using ICCD camera, optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and calibrated dielectric probe measurements. The repetitive nanosecond pulse has applied to a plasma pencil to generate discharge in the helium gas channel. The discharge propagation speed was measured from the ICCD images. The axial electric field distribution in the plasma jet is inferred from the optical emission spectroscopic data and from the probe measurement. The correlation between the jet velocities, jet length with the pulse duration is established. It shows that the plasma jet …
Shelf Life Study Of Electrospun Plga Copolymers,
2013
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Shelf Life Study Of Electrospun Plga Copolymers, Sean Youra, Nick Hudson
Biomedical Engineering
Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is one of the most commonly used copolymers for electrospinning in tissue engineering applications. However, most research has not focused on the copolymer itself in regards to how long it can be used effectively and if varying the concentrations of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) affect the resulting properties. Electrospinning is the method we use to create the three-dimensional constructs, or “scaffolds”, for the blood vessel mimic (BVM) in the tissue engineering lab. The aim of our project was to investigate if the morphology and mechanical properties of the scaffolds changed over time when they …
The Relationship Of Barcol Hardness And Interlaminar Shear Strength In Glass Reinforced Polyester Composite Laminates,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
The Relationship Of Barcol Hardness And Interlaminar Shear Strength In Glass Reinforced Polyester Composite Laminates, Ann E. Livingston-Peters
Materials Engineering
Chopped strand mat E-glass layers were impregnated with isophthalic marine laminating resin by hand lay-up techniques. Once the primary laminate reached the desired Barcol hardness value, the secondary laminate was applied and allowed to cure. These samples were bonded together at hardness values of 10, 30, 50, 70, and 90 Barcol. Lamination was conducted at 70°F with 35% glass fibers and 65% polyester resin catalyzed with 1.5% methyl ethyl ketone peroxide. The target thickness of each laminate was 6mm for short-beam shear testing requiring eight layers of glass and resin. Using the procedures outlined in ASTM D-2344, each sample set …
Low Velocity Impact Tower Feasibility, Setup, And Impact Testing Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Thermoset And Peek Thermoplastic Matrix Composites,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Low Velocity Impact Tower Feasibility, Setup, And Impact Testing Of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Thermoset And Peek Thermoplastic Matrix Composites, Brent Plehn
Materials Engineering
A low velocity impact tower was donated to Cal Poly's Materials Engineering Department along with four fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites. The tower was set up in building 192 in the Mechanical Testing Laboratory. Improvements were made to the tower including adding velocity detection capabilities, making loose hardware inclusive, adding an extra tower arm for better consistency, adding a double jawed clamp for faster testing, and rerouting the tower's compressed air system to improve performance. A standard operating procedure was drafted, tested, and redrafted for impact testing composite panels. The four composite panels consisted of two quasi-isotropic 16 ply AS-1 …
A Design Methodology For Buoyant Prescription Sunglasses,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
A Design Methodology For Buoyant Prescription Sunglasses, Katherine Burzynski
Materials Engineering
As a means to develop fashionable, buoyant prescription sunglasses, this project focused on identifying a system of lens and frame materials that yield sunglasses that float in water. There was an emphasis on developing a product that could be integrated into the current sunglass market. The term fashionable is used to define a sleek frame style that does not require attaching additional floatation. This methodology relies on the relationships between the strength of the user’s prescription and the volume of the desired sunglass frame style. This relationship was verified through buoyancy testing. This testing included varying the lens material in …
Grain Size Control In Post-Forged C263 Seamless Rolled Rings,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Grain Size Control In Post-Forged C263 Seamless Rolled Rings, Christopher Smith
Materials Engineering
Seamless rolled rings of C263 superalloy were forged by Carlton Forge Works in Paramount, CA and sectioned for mechanical testing. The as-forged ring sections were then machined into tensile samples. To simulate cold working done after Carlton’s forging process, the C263 tensile samples were strained using an Instron tensile tester to 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9% plastic strain. These tensile samples were then solution treated at 2100°F for 30 minutes and water quenched before being aged at 1470°F for 8 hours and air cooled, following Carlton Forge Works’ heat treatment process. The gauge length sections were metallographically prepared and …
Design And Implementation Of A Micro Force Displacement System,
2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Design And Implementation Of A Micro Force Displacement System, Evan Cate
Materials Engineering
The design and implementation of a micro-force displacement system was completed to test various Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices including silicon diaphragms and cantilevers. The system utilizes a World Precision Instruments Fort 10g force transducer attached to a World Precession Instruments TBM4M amplifier. A Keithley 2400 source meter provided data acquisition of the force component of the system. A micro prober tip was utilized as the testing probe attached to the force transducer with a tip radius of 5um. The displacement of samples was measured using a Newport M433 linear stage driven by a Newport ESP300 motion controller (force readings at …
