Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Correlation Microanalysis Of Localized Molecular Structure And Nano-Mechanical Property Of Pvdf Based Copolymer, Wen Qian, Shuo Sun, Charles Nguyen, Stephen Ducharme, Joesph A. Turner

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Poly (vinylidenefluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers, are well-recognized electroactive polymers. The PVDF polymer can crystallize in a quasi-hexagonal close-packed “β-phase” structure with the dipoles of all chains aligned with maximum spontaneous polarization [1-3]. Due to the limited availability of quantitative methods for nanoscale molecular structure and mechanical analysis, the polymer organization has not been fully optimized. For such ferroelectric polymers, the influence of nanoscale molecular structure on mechanical response is not well understood. In this paper, we demonstrate nanoscale characterization and measurement techniques, by comprehensive integrating atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nano-infrared (nanoIR) spectroscopy, nanoindentation, chemical nanoIR mapping, …

Mechanical Characterizations Of 3d-Printed Plla/Steel Particle Composites, Hozhabr Mozafari, Pengfei Dong, Haitham Hadidi, Michael P. Sealy, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The objective of this study is to characterize the micromechanical properties of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) composites reinforced by grade 420 stainless steel (SS) particles with a specific focus on the interphase properties. The specimens were manufactured using 3D printing techniques due to its many benefits, including high accuracy, cost effectiveness and customized geometry. The adopted fused filament fabrication resulted in a thin interphase layer with an average thickness of 3 μm. The mechanical properties of each phase, as well as the interphase, were characterized by nanoindentation tests. The effect of matrix degradation, i.e., imperfect bonding, on the elastic modulus of …

Hemodynamic Interference Of Serial Stenoses And Its Impact On Ffr And Ifr Measurements, Siyeong Ju, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The hemodynamic interference of serial stenoses poses challenges for identifying the functional severity using the fractional flow reserve (FFR) method. The instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR), i.e., the distal-to-proximal pressure ratio at 75% of diastole, was recently proposed to overcome the disadvantages of the FFR. However, the underlying mechanism remained ambiguous due to the lack of quantitative definition of hemodynamic interference. The objective of this study is to quantitatively define the hemodynamic interference and then examine its role on the FFR and iFR measurements. Pressure distributions, velocity fields, and Q-criterion which identifies vortices, were obtained through the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) …

Hemodynamics And Wall Mechanics After Surgical Repair Of Aortic Arch: Implication For Better Clinical Decisions, Siyeong Ju, Ibrahim Abdullah, Shengmao Lin, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Graft repair of aortic coarctation is commonly used to mimic the physiological aortic arch shape and function. Various graft materials and shapes have been adopted for the surgery. The goal of this work is to quantitatively assess the impact of graft materials and shapes in the hemodynamics and wall mechanics of the restored aortic arch and its correlation with clinical outcomes. A three-dimensional aortic arch model was reconstructed from magnetic resonance images. The fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis was performed to characterize the hemodynamics and solid wall mechanics of the repaired aortic arch. Two graft shapes (i.e., a half-moon shape and …

Interface Facilitated Reorientation Of Mg Nanolayers In Mg-Nb Nanolaminates, Y. Chen, Mingyu Gong, N. A. Mara, Jian Wang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Mg/Nb nanolaminates synthesized through vapor deposition techniques exhibit high flow strength without conventional twinning in Mg. In this work, we investigated the influence of laminated microstructures on deformation mechanisms of Mg nanolayers. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we explored that (0001)-oriented Mg layers transform or re-orient to {10¯10}-oriented Mg layers through nucleation and growth of {10¯12} twins by atomic shuffling, instead of conventional {10¯12} twinning shear. Such a reorientation accommodates in-plane compressive strain and out-of-plane tensile strain when Mg/Nb laminates are subjected to compression parallel to the Mg/Nb interfaces. The nucleation of {10¯12} twins is promoted at the Mg/Nb interface due …

Predictive Peridynamic 3d Models Of Pitting Corrosion In Stainless Steel With Formation Of Lacy Covers, Siavash Jafarzadeh, Florin Bobaru, Ziguang Chen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

In this work, the peridynamic corrosion model is used for 3D simulation of pitting corrosion in stainless steel. Models for passivation and salt layer formation are employed to predict detailed characteristics of pit growth kinetic in stainless steels, such as lacy cover formation on top of the pit, and the diffusion-controlled regime at the pit bottom. The model is validated against an experimentally grown pit on 316L stainless steel in NaCl solution. Lacy covers in this model are formed autonomously during the simulation process. They are remarkably similar to the covers observed on top of the real pits.

Predictive Peridynamic 3d Models Of Pitting Corrosion In Stainless Steel With Formation Of Lacy Covers, Siavash Jafarzadeh, Florin Bobaru, Ziguang Chen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

In this work, the peridynamic corrosion model is used for 3D simulation of pitting corrosion in stainless steel. Models for passivation and salt layer formation are employed to predict detailed characteristics of pit growth kinetic in stainless steels, such as lacy cover formation on top of the pit, and the diffusion-controlled regime at the pit bottom. The model is validated against an experimentally grown pit on 316L stainless steel in NaCl solution. Lacy covers in this model are formed autonomously during the simulation process. They are remarkably similar to the covers observed on top of the real pits.

Studies On Semiconductor Gas Sensors Using Nanostructure Growth Employing Ortho-Glancing Angle Deposition, Dean R. Walters

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

A program of research was undertaken to develop the next generation of metal oxide gas sensors, which, for the purpose of this research, were made from materials using a unique approach of glancing angle deposition (GLAD) that is scalable to large scale production. This research seeks to demonstrate that high-sensitivity sensors can be produced. The sensors were examined in a test system of novel design in which the units underwent performance measurements using analyte gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water.

Gas sensors can be improved by increasing the surface area of the active sensing media, and in this …

Towards The Rational Design And Application Of Polymers For Gene Therapy: Internalization And Intracellular Fate, Landon Alexander Mott

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Gene therapy is an approach for the treatment of acquired cancers, infectious disease, degenerative disease, and inherited genetic indications. Developments in the fields of immunotherapies and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing are revitalizing the efforts to move gene therapy to the forefront of modern medicine. However, slow progress and poor clinical outcomes have plagued the field due to regulatory and safety concerns associated with the flagship delivery vector, the recombinant virus. Immunogenicity and poor transduction in certain cell types severely limits the utility of viruses as a delivery agent of nucleic acids. As a result, significant efforts are being made to develop …

Nanoharvesting And Delivery Of Bioactive Materials Using Engineered Silica Nanoparticles, Md Arif Khan

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) possess large surface areas and ample pore space that can be readily modified with specific functional groups for targeted binding of bioactive materials to be transported through cellular barriers. Engineered silica nanoparticles (ESNP) have been used extensively to deliver bio-active materials to target intracellular sites, including as non-viral vectors for nucleic acid (DNA/RNA) delivery such as for siRNA induced interference. The reverse process guided by the same principles is called “nanoharvesting”, where valuable biomolecules are carried out and separated from living and functioning organisms using nano-carriers. This dissertation focuses on ESNP design principles for both applications. …

The Fabrication And Characterization Of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Employed In Environmental Toxicity And Polymeric Nanocomposite Applications, Matthew Logan Hancock

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

Ceria (cerium oxide) nanomaterials, or nanoceria, have commercial catalysis and energy storage applications. The cerium atoms on the surface of nanoceria can store or release oxygen, cycling between Ce³⁺ and Ce⁴⁺, and can therefore act as a therapeutic to relieve oxidative stress within living systems. Nanoceria dissolution is present in acidic environments in vivo. In order to accurately define the fate of nanoceria in vivo, nanoceria dissolution or stabilization is observed in vitro using acidic aqueous environments.

Nanoceria stabilization is a known problem even during its synthesis; in fact, a carboxylic acid, citric acid, is …

Magnetotransport In Zrte5 Crystals, Maksim Andreevich Sultanov

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

ZrTe5 is a topological material that is predicted to have a strain or temperature induced phase transition from a topological insulator state into a Weyl/Dirac semimetal state. In this study I find that there is insufficient evidence to support the claims for the existence of such a phase transition. I performed magnetoresistivity measurements using a Quantum Design Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) to measure the transverse and longitudinal resistivities at various temperatures and different strengths and orientations of the magnetic field. The measurement results were analyzed using OriginPro to determine the carrier mobility and density and to determine the temperature …

Energy And Exergy Analysis Of A Thermosiphon And Forced-Circulation Flat-Plate Solar Collector Using Mwcnt/Water Nanofluid, Mahmoud Eltaweel, Ahmed A. Abdel-Rehim

Mechanical Engineering

The scientific community has focused on the use of nanofluids to enhance solar collectors' thermal efficiency. Solar energy is considered an extensively available energy resource with a weak effect on the environment. The flat-plate solar collector is considered to be the most common collector used, but the efficiency of the collector has limitations, such as the low effectiveness of the absorber in terms of energy absorption and the transmission of that energy to the working fluid. The flat-plate solar collector can be enhanced by replacing the working fluid with a nanofluid. Nanofluids are considered new media that exhibit thermophysical properties …

Scaleable Nanomanufacturing Of Metasurfaces Using Microsphere Photolithography, Chuang Qu

Doctoral Dissertations

“The cost-effective manufacturing of metasurfaces over large areas is a critical issue that limits their implementations. Microsphere photolithography (MPL) uses a scalable self-assembled microsphere array as an optical element to focus collimated light to nanoscale photonic jets in a photoresist layer. This dissertation investigates the fabrication capabilities, process control, and potential applications of MPL. First, the MPL concept is applied to the fabrication of metasurfaces with engineered IR absorption (e.g. perfect absorption with multiband/broadband and wavelength/polarization dependences). Improving the patterning of the photoresist requires a fundamental understanding the photochemical photonic jet interactions. The dissertation presents a model of the MPL …

Scanning Probe Microscopy Measurements On 2d Materials And Iridates, Armin Ansary

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

In the past two decades, there has been a quest to understand and utilize novel materials such as iridates and two-dimensional (2D) materials. These classes of materials show a lot of interesting properties both in theoretical predictions as well as experimental results. Physical properties of some of these materials have been investigated using scanning probe measurements, along with other techniques.

One-dimensional (1D) catalytic etching was investigated in few-layer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) films. Etching of hBN was shown to share several similarities with that of graphitic films. As in graphitic films, etch tracks in hBN commenced at film edges and …

Rice Granules As Natural Carrier To Encapsulate Drug And Aromatic Oils, Xue Liu

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Rice granules as major energy supply to humanity worldwide are utilized in many fields, such as food, medical, printing and plastic industries. In this thesis work, rice starch/granule is applied as hydrophilic drug (vancomycin) carrier to achieve the release. By confirmation on the stability of rice granules against to various treatments like alkali, acid and heating, as well as a-amylase, trypsin, and lipase, it is possible to use rice granules as 100% natural source to be the capsule and matrix getting the non-core-shell structure of the formation. The success of encapsulation is confirmed by the observations on crystalline, thermal properties …

Au@Tio2 Nanocomposites Synthesized By X-Ray Radiolysis As Potential Radiosensitizers, Maria C. Molina Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

Radiosensitization is a novel targeted therapy strategy where chemical compounds are being explored to enhance the sensitivity of the tissue to the effects of ionizing radiation. Among the different radiosensitizers alternatives, nanomaterials have shown promising results by enhancing tumor injury through the production of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this work, Gold-supported titania (Au@TiO₂) nanocomposites were synthesized through an innovative strategy using X-ray irradiation, and their potential as radiosensitizers was investigated. Radiosensitization of Au@TiO₂ nanocomposites was assessed by monitoring the decomposition of Methylene Blue (MB) under X-ray irradiation in the presence of the nanomaterial. …

Differential Mobility Classifiers In The Non-Ideal Assembly, Thamir Alsharifi

Theses and Dissertations

The differential mobility classifier (DMC) is one of the core components in electrical mobility particle sizers for sizing sub-micrometer particles. Designing the DMC requires knowledge of the geometrical and constructional imperfection (or tolerance). Studying the effects of geometrical imperfection on the performance of the DMC is necessary to provide manufacturing tolerance and it helps to predict the performance of geometrically imperfect classifiers, as well as providing a calibration curve for the DMC. This thesis was accomplished via studying the cylindrical classifier and the parallel plate classifier. The numerical model was built using the most recent versions of COMSOL Multiphysics^{® …}

Mass Spectrometry Analysis Of Contaminants Of Emerging Concern: Nanoparticles, Algal Toxins, And Cyanotoxins In Natural Waters And Their Potential Health Impacts, Ariel R. Donovan

Doctoral Dissertations

“The analysis of contaminants of emerging concern is critical to protecting environmental health. In the presented dissertation, two groups of contaminants of emerging concern were assessed using mass spectrometry methods: nanoparticles and algal and cyanotoxins.

Analysis of metal oxide nanoparticles in environmental matrices has been a challenging issue, as most traditional methods require complicated sample preparation methods or that can alter or destroy the nanoparticles in the system. Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) methods were used to detect metal oxide nanoparticles in surface waters and their removal through drinking water treatment simulations while retaining all information regarding …

Evaluation Of Silver Nanoparticle Encapsulation In Dppc-Based Liposome By Different Methods For Enhanced Cytotoxicity, Azeez O. Yusef, Alan Casey

Articles

Here we carried out a comparative study on two cost and time effective methods of encapsulating silver nanoparticles (AgNP) in dipalmitoyl-phosphatidyl choline (DPPC)/cholesterol-based liposome to enhance nanoparticle cytotoxicity, and evaluated the effect of this on a blood cell line (THP1 monocytes) often involved in uptake of nanoparticles during human exposure. DLS and Zeta potential analyses over a 6-months period showed the extruded Lipo-AgNP (Ex-Lipo-AgNP) exhibited more stable characteristics when compared with the probe-sonicated Lipo-AgNP (PB-Lipo-AgNP). SEM microscopy indicated agglomeration of the PB-Lipo-AgNP which was not observed in Ex-Lipo-AgNP. Ex-Lipo-AgNP also exhibited higher temperature-dependent stability with 35.3% reduction in size from …