Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Electrochemical Deposition Of Zinc Oxide Crystal Whiskers, Peng-Zeng Lu, Su Li, Jin-Qian Jia, Zhen-Hai Liang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Pine needle ZnO crystal whiskers were electrodeposited by anodization of zinc foil.The crystal whiskers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) spectroscopy.The results show that the lengths and diameters of ZnO crystal whiskers are 200~300 nm and 20~50 nm,respectively,with the ratio of the length to diameter ranging from 10~15.The whiskers belong to wurtzite ZnO(JCPDS 36-1451) with good crystallinity and high purity.The crystalization behavior of ZnO was studied by cyclic voltammetry.The effects of the surface oxide layer at the zinc substrates and the [Zn(OH)₄]^2-concentration of the aqueous electrolyte on the formation of zinc oxide whiskers …

Creep In Photovoltaic Modules: Examining The Stability Of Polymeric Materials And Components, David C. Miller, Michael D. Kempe, Stephen H. Glick, Sarah R. Kurtz

Publications (E)

Interest in renewable energy has motivated the implementation of new polymeric materials in photovoltaic modules. Some of these are non-cross-linked thermoplastics, in which there is a potential for new behaviors to occur, including phase transformation and visco-elastic flow. Differential scanning calorimetry and rheometry data were obtained and then combined with existing site-specific time-temperature information in a theoretical analysis to estimate the displacement expected to occur during module service life. The analysis identified that, depending on the installation location, module configuration and/or mounting configuration, some of the thermoplastics are expected to undergo unacceptable physical displacement. While the examples here focus on …

Measuring Degradation Rates Without Irradiance Data, Steve Pulver, Daniel Cormode, Alex Cronin, Dirk C. Jordan, Ryan Smith, Sarah R. Kurtz

Publications (E)

A method to report PV system degradation rates without using irradiance data is demonstrated. First, a set of relative degradation rates are determined by comparing daily AC final yields from a group of PV systems relative to the average final yield of all the PV systems. Then, the difference between relative and absolute degradation rates is found from a statistical analysis. This approach is verified by comparing to methods that utilize irradiance data. This approach is significant because PV systems are often deployed without irradiance sensors, so the analysis method described here may enable measurements of degradation using data that …

Study Of Mechanisms Of Phytotoxicity Of Alumina Nanoparticles, Anthony Elijius

Dissertations

Plant growth inhibitory effect of alumina nanoparticles has recently been reported (Ling Y, Watts D, 2004) but the mechanisms of such an effect are yet to be established. The phytotoxicity of aluminum and some of its compounds is well known, but the rapid expansion of nanotechnology resulting in the introduction of new sets of materials in the nanometer range has led to the development of new approaches, experimental methods and modes of investigation.

In this study, the observed phytotoxic effects of alumina nanoparticles suspension on five plant species (Zea mays, Cucumis sativus, Daucus carota, Brassica oleracea, Lactuca sativa) …

Mixing Of Nanosize Particles By Magnetically Assisted Impaction Techniques, James V. Scicolone

Dissertations

Nanoparticles and nanocomposites offer unique properties that arise from their small size, large surface area, and the interactions of phases at their interfaces, and are attractive for their potential to improve performance of drugs, biomaterials, catalysts and other highvalue- added materials. However, a major problem in utilizing nanoparticles is that they often lose their high surface area due to grain growth. Creating nanostructured composites where two or more nanosized constituents are intimately mixed can prevent this loss in surface area, but in order to obtain homogeneous mixing, de-agglomeration of the individual nanoparticle constituents is necessary.

Due to high surface area, …

Dielectrophoresis Aligned Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes As Ph Sensors, P. Li, C. M. Martin, K. K. Yeung, Wei Xue

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

Here we report the fabrication and characterization of pH sensors using aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The SWNTs are dispersed in deionized (DI) water after chemical functionalization and filtration. They are deposited and organized on silicon substrates with the dielectrophoresis process. Electrodes with “teeth”-like patterns—fabricated with photolithography and wet etching—are used to generate concentrated electric fields and strong dielectrophoretic forces for the SWNTs to deposit and align in desired locations. The device fabrication is inexpensive, solution-based, and conducted at room temperature. The devices are used as pH sensors with the electrodes as the testing pads and the dielectrophoretically captured SWNTs …

Operation Of A Dna-Based Autocatalytic Network In Serum, Elton Graugnard, Amber Cox, Jeunghoon Lee, Cheryl Jorcyk, Bernard Yurke, William L. Hughes

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The potential for inferring the presence of cancer by the detection of miRNA in human blood has motivated research into the design and operation of DNA-based chemical amplifiers that can operate in bodily fluids. As a first step toward this goal, we have tested the operation of a DNA-based autocatalytic network in human serum and mouse serum. With the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate to prevent degradation by nuclease activity, the network was found to operate successfully with both DNA and RNA catalysts.

Conference Program, Engineering Conferences International

Functional Glasses: Properties And Applications for Energy and Information

No abstract provided.

Electrochemical Investigation Of Chromium Nanocarbide Coated Ti-6al-4v And Co-Cr-Mo Alloy Substrates, Viswanathan Swaminathan, Haitong Zeng, Daniel Lawrynowicz, Zongtao Zhang, Jeremy L. Gilbert

Biomedical and Chemical Engineering - All Scholarship

This study investigated the electrochemical behavior of chromium nano-carbide cermet coating applied on Ti–6Al–4V and Co–Cr–Mo alloys for potential application as wear and corrosion resistant bearing surfaces. The cermet coating consisted of a highly heterogeneous combination of carbides embedded in a metal matrix. The main factors studied were the effect of substrate (Ti–6Al–4V vs. Co–Cr–Mo), solution conditions (physiological vs. 1 M H₂O₂ of pH 2), time of immersion (1 vs. 24 h) and post coating treatments (passivation and gamma sterilization). The coatings were produced with high velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray technique at atmospheric conditions to …

Modeling Diverse Physics Of Nanoparticle Self-Assembly In Pulsed Laser-Irradiated Metallic Films, Mikhail Khenner

Mathematics Faculty Publications

Presents physics behind dewetting of thin liquid films and mathematical/computational modeling tools (Educational/Research presentation for senior physics majors).

Stability Of A Strongly Anisotropic Thin Epitaxial Film In A Wetting Interaction With Elastic Substrate, Mikhail Khenner, Wondimu T. Tekalign, Margo S. Levine

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The linear dispersion relation for longwave surface perturbations, as derived by Levine et al. Phys. Rev. B 75, 205312 (2007) is extended to include a smooth surface energy anisotropy function with a variable anisotropy strength (from weak to strong, such that sharp corners and slightly curved facets occur on the corresponding Wulff shape). Through detailed parametric studies it is shown that a combination of a wetting interaction and strong anisotropy, and even a wetting interaction alone results in complicated linear stability characteristics of strained and unstrained films.

Stability Of A Strongly Anisotropic Thin Epitaxial Film In A Wetting Interaction With Elastic Substrate, Mikhail Khenner, Wondimu Tekalign, Margo Levine

Mathematics Faculty Publications

The linear dispersion relation for longwave surface perturbations, as derived by Levine et al. Phys. Rev. B 75, 205312 (2007) is extended to include a smooth surface energy anisotropy function with a variable anisotropy strength (from weak to strong, such that sharp corners and slightly curved facets occur on the corresponding Wulff shape). Through detailed parametric studies it is shown that a combination of a wetting interaction and strong anisotropy, and even a wetting interaction alone results in complicated linear stability characteristics of strained and unstrained films.

Development Of A Friction Testing Apparatus For Demoulding Force Prediction, Kevin Delaney, David Kennedy, G. Bissacco

Conference Papers

Friction between replication tools and replicated parts determines the force required to demould the part and also the stresses which develop in both the tool and the part during the demoulding process. Standardized equipment and procedures have been developed which strive to improve the repeatability and reproducibility of friction tests. Specific test standards, describing sled-type tests, include JIS K 7125, ISO 8295 and ASTM D1894. However these tests do not produce results which are representative of the conditions typically found within replication tools such as injection moulds or embossing tools. This paper reviews how this challenge has been addressed by …

High Frequency Thermally Actuated Single Crystalline Silicon Micromechanical Resonators With Piezoresistive Readout, Amir Rahafrooz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decades there has been a great deal of research on developing high frequency micromechanical resonators. As the two most common and conventional MEMS resonators, piezoelectric and electrostatic resonators have been at the center of attention despite having some drawbacks. Piezoelectric resonators provide low impedances that make them compatible with other low impedance electronic components, however they have low quality factors and complicated fabrication processes. In case of electrostatic resonators, they have higher quality factors but the need for smaller transductions gaps complicates their fabrication process and causes squeezed film damping in Air. In addition, the operation of …

Reinforced Chitosan-Based Heart Valve Scaffold And Utility Of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells For Cardiovascular Tissue Engineering, Mohammad Z. Albanna

Wayne State University Dissertations

Recent research has demonstrated a strong correlation between the differentiation profile of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and scaffold stiffness. Chitosan is being widely studied for tissue engineering applications due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, its use in load-bearing applications is limited due to moderate to low mechanical properties. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of a fiber reinforcement method for enhancing the mechanical properties of chitosan scaffolds. Chitosan fibers were fabricated using a solution extrusion and neutralization method and incorporated into porous chitosan scaffolds. The effects of different fiber/scaffold mass ratios, fiber mechanical properties and fiber lengths on …

Scanning Capacitance Spectroscopy On N+-P Asymmetrical Junctions In Multicrystalline Si Solar Cells, Chun-Sheng Jiang, Jennifer T. Heath, Helio R. Moutinho, Mowafak M. Al-Jassim

Faculty Publications

We report on a scanning capacitance spectroscopy (SCS) study on the n⁺-p junction of multicrystalline silicon solar cells. We found that the spectra taken at space intervals of ∼10 nm exhibit characteristic features that depend strongly on the location relative to the junction. The capacitance-voltage spectra exhibit a local minimum capacitance value at the electrical junction, which allows the junction to be identified with ∼10-nm resolution. The spectra also show complicated transitions from the junction to the n-region with two local capacitance minima on the capacitance-voltage curves; similar spectra to that have not been previously reported in …

Extension Of A Progressive Failure, Energy Dissipation, Composite Tailoring Concept To A Healing Configuration, Shailesh Jayant Divey

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

A composite failure tailoring concept that results in a yield type response under tension has been proposed, modeled, and experimentally verified in prior research. The concept capitalizes upon a sequential, progressive failure of a set of redundant load paths of tailored strength and length. It has been shown in prior publications that the concept is functional and by comparison with experimental results that the analytical models of response developed are accurate. The limits of performance of the proposed tailoring concept have recently been investigated via a parametric study using one of the response models developed and significant improvements have been …

Xanes And Ftir Study On Dried And Calcined Bones, Jayapradhi Rajendran

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

The animal bones are common archeological finds and are helpful in understanding the human past. The bones undergo transformation when they are calcined. The cooked and cremated bones undergo different transformation, because of their difference in their temperatures. Various techniques are employed to characterize the bone. In this study, XANES and FTIR are used to characterize the dried and calcined bones of different species. The calcined bones are prepared at two different temperatures, which helps in understanding the difference between the cooked and cremated bones. The objective of this research is to comprehend the chemical property of the bone material …

Electrodeposition Of Nickel Sulfide And Its Thermal Oxidation For Photovoltaic Applications, Munteha Pac

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Alternative photovoltaic materials that feature natural abundance, low extraction and processing costs, and reasonable efficiency have to be found. In this respect, transition metal chalcogenides such as oxide and sulfide compounds of Ni; is studied because in addition to the features like abundance and cost, its electronic and optical properties vary dramatically by modifications in its stoichiometry. In addition to its low cost, and mature technology, electrochemical deposition method has many advantages over other methods since it allows direct deposition on conducting substrate and achieves good electrical contact and precise control of film thickness. Process of manufacturing Nickel Oxysulfide compound …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Platinum Based Catalysts For Fuel Cells, Sonam Patel

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Platinum (Pt) and platinum alloys have attracted wide attention as catalysts to attain high performance to increase the power density and reduce the component cost of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Extensive research has been conducted in the areas of new alloy development and understanding of mechanisms of electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The durability of PEMFCs is also a major barrier to the commercialization of these fuel cells. Recent studies have suggested that potential cycling can gradually lead to loss of active surface area due to Pt dissolution and nanoparticle grain growth [1]. In this thesis we report …