Near-Field Radiative Transfer: Thermal Radiation, Thermophotovoltaic Power Generation And Optical Characterization,
2010
University of Kentucky
Near-Field Radiative Transfer: Thermal Radiation, Thermophotovoltaic Power Generation And Optical Characterization, Mathieu Francoeur
University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations
This dissertation focuses on near-field radiative transfer, which can be defined as the discipline concerned with energy transfer via electromagnetic waves at sub-wavelength distances. Three specific subjects related to this discipline are investigated, namely nearfield thermal radiation, nanoscale-gap thermophotovoltaic (nano-TPV) power generation and optical characterization. An algorithm for the solution of near-field thermal radiation problems in one-dimensional layered media is developed, and several tests are performed showing the accuracy, consistency and versatility of the procedure. The possibility of tuning near-field radiative heat transfer via thin films supporting surface phononpolaritons (SPhPs) in the infrared is afterwards investigated via the computation of …
A Novel Far-Field Nanoscopic Velocimetry For Nanofluidics,
2010
University of South Carolina - Columbia
A Novel Far-Field Nanoscopic Velocimetry For Nanofluidics, C. Kuang, Guiren Wang
Faculty Publications
For the first time we have been able to measure the flow velocity profile for nanofluidics with a spatial resolution better than 70 nm. Due to the diffraction resolution barrier, traditional optical methods have so far failed in measuring the velocity profile in a nanocapillary or a closed nanochannel without an opened sidewall. A novel optical point measurement method is presented which applies stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy to laser induced fluorescence photobleaching anemometer (LIFPA) techniques to measure flow velocity. Herein we demonstrate this far-field nanoscopic velocimetry method by measuring the velocity profile in a nanocapillary with an inner diameter …
Structural Health Monitoring With Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors--Predictive Modeling And Simulation,
2010
University of South Carolina - Columbia
Structural Health Monitoring With Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors--Predictive Modeling And Simulation, Victor Giurgiutiu
Faculty Publications
This paper starts a review of the state of the art in structural health monitoring with piezoelectric wafer active sensors and follows with highlighting the limitations of the current approaches which are predominantly experimental. Subsequently, the paper examines the needs for developing a predictive modeling methodology that would allow to perform extensive parameter studies to determine the sensing method’s sensitivity to damage and insensitivity to confounding factors such as environmental changes, vibrations, and structural manufacturing variability. The thesis is made that such a predictive methodology should be multi-scale and multi-domain, thus encompassing the modeling of structure, sensors, electronics, and power …
