Engineering Commons^™

Contributions Of Carbon Content And Cooling Rate On Phase Transformations And Mechanical Properties Of Sintered Fe-1.5cr-0.2mo-Xc Alloys, Mantana Yaruan, Wantana Koetniyom, Thanyaporn Yotkaew, Nattaya Tosangthum, Ruangdaj Tongsri

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Microstructural development in sintered Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-xC alloys, produced under different cooling rates of 0.1℃∙s‒1 and 5.4℃∙s‒1, was investigated. It was found that, in slowly sintered Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-xC alloys, the microstructure changed from hypoeutectoid to eutectoid and to hypereutectoid steel microstructural features with increasing carbon content. Under the fast-cooling rate of 5.4℃∙s‒1, the microstructural change with respect to the increase of carbon content involved the competition between the formation of ferrite + carbide mixture and that of martensite-austenite constituent. The increase of tensile strength of slowly cooled sintered Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo-xC alloys with increasing carbon content was attributed to …

Synergy Of Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag And Limestone Powder In Ternary Cement: Effects On Heat Of Hydration And Strength Development, Pailyn Thongsanitgarn, Watcharapong Wongkeo, Thanongsak Nochaiya, Arnon Chaipanich

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study explores the synergistic effect of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) and limestone powder (LS) on the hydration behavior and mechanical performance of ternary cement systems. Calorimetry revealed that 30GGBS mix showed a significantly lower peak of about 2.3 mW∙g‒1 and a delayed response. In contrast, the incorporation of LS enhanced early hydration, with the 30LS mix reaching a peak of approximately 2.8 mW∙g‒1 around 6 h. Among ternary blends, 15GGBS–15LS exhibited the highest and earliest heat flow peak (about 2.55 mW∙g‒1 around 7.5 h), while 25GGBS–5LS showed a slower response (about 2.45 mW∙g‒1 around 9.5 h). Despite differences …

Effect Of Garnet Incorporation On The Functional Properties Of Sunscreens, Parinya Chakartnarodom, Kanyarat Munmani, Sureerat Polsilapa, Duangrudee Chaysuwan, Wichit Prakaypan, Passakorn Sonprasarn, Edward Laitila, Nuntaporn Kongkajun

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Garnet, a silicate mineral, was investigated as a replacement for the TiO2-based compound in sunscreen formulations. Samples containing garnet were evaluated for color shade, viscosity, sun protection factor (SPF), and water resistance. Substituting the TiO2-based compound with garnet reduced both viscosity and SPF but markedly enhanced water resistance. This improvement is attributed to the physical reinforcement provided by garnet particles, which strengthen the sunscreen film and reduce wash-off under water exposure. Garnet incorporation also altered the product’s appearance from white to a darker brownish-beige tone, improving visual compatibility with a wider range of skin tones.

Synthesis And Photoluminescence Properties Of Graphene Quantum Dots Prepared Via Carbonization Under Pressure Reduction, Sutthipoj Wongrerkdee, Pichitchai Pimpang

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study reports the synthesis of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) via a bottom-up carbonization approach using citric acid as a precursor under various reduced pressure conditions. The carbonization process was carried out at 250℃ in an ethanol medium, with atmospheric pressures ranging from normal to 20 inHg below atmospheric pressure. The effects of pressure reduction on the size and optical properties of GQDs were systematically investigated. Dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV–Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that pressure reduction during synthesis decreased GQDs size and induced a blue-shift in both absorption and emission spectra. The optical bandgap of GQDs was …

Effects Of Welding Currents On Microstructure And Corrosion Behaviors Of Inconel 625 Cladding On 2.25cr-1mo Steel By Hot-Wire Tig, Supparat Saeheng, Hein Zaw Oo, Prapas Muangjunburee

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Hot-wire tungsten inert gas (HW-TIG) cladding has been applied to the steam turbine rotor welding repair. This study investigated the effects of welding currents on microstructure, hardness, and corrosion behavior. The experiments were conducted using four different welding currents applied to bead-on-plate Inconel 625 welds on a 2.25Cr-1Mo steel substrate as the steam turbine rotor material. The selected welding currents were 125 A, 150 A, 175 A, and 200 A. The percentages of weld dilution for different welding currents were also evaluated. Higher welding currents increased weld dilution, weld bead width, and HAZ size. As the welding current increased, the …

Development Of 4-Vinylbenzyl Chloride (Vbc) Grafted Onto Branched Polyethylenimine (Pei) Onto Bacterial Cellulose Sheet By Gamma-Induced Irradiation Technique For Cu Ion Adsorption, Methinee Wongwai, Supitchaya Kulratkitiwong, Thitirat Rattanawongwiboon, Sarute Ummartyotin

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Bacterial cellulose extracted and purified from Nata de coco was employed as a platform for Cu2+ ion adsorption. 4-vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC) was successfully grafted at the hydroxyl position by using gamma irradiation. The optimum was typically related to VBC concentration of 2% (v/v) and a radiation dose of 50 kGy. FTIR significantly reported the functional group of C-Cl related to VBC. No change of crystallinity and morphology was observed. The thermal decomposition was stable up to 200℃. The modification of branched polyethylenimine (PEI) was prepared in order to change the functionality to N‒H stretching. This was expected to adsorb Cu2+ …

High Temperature Storage Reliability Of Cu Pillar Flip Chip Interconnects, Kachain Worapakdee, Anusara Srisrual

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The Cu pillar flip chip is currently designed and used in the optic communication device that it has exhibited low reliability at high temperature. This paper aims to report the reliability of Cu pillar flip chip assembled on electronics board for a new optoelectronic product subjected to high temperature storage testing. The test was performed at 150℃ isothermal condition with the various storage times up to 2000 h. The aged samples were characterized with scanning acoustics microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Two types of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) were found at beside of the Cu pillar i.e. …

Degradation Of Wastewater By Advanced Oxidation Processes Using Green Synthesised Cuo Nanoparticles, Srinivasan Vishal, Anand Sarvesvaron, Muralidharan Keerthana, Hemanth Sanjay Reddy, A Babu Ponnusami

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study highlights the green synthesis of CuO nanoparticles using coconut coir extract and evaluates their photocatalytic performance in the degradation of the Brown G dye. The CuO nano-particles were synthesised through sol-gel method, and the biomolecules like polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids acted as reducing agents to stabilise the nanoparticles. The characterisation of these nanoparticles was carried out through XRD, FTIR and FESEM methods. The nanoparticles were used to degrade the dye Brown G under UV irradiation.  Response surface methodology was used to optimise the operating parameter with Box-Behnken design, which is the most suitable for varying 3 or more …

Dual-Functional Activated Carbon From Coffee Grounds For Crystal Violet Dye Removal And Subsequent Application As An Electrode Material In Energy Storage Devices, Sirikorn Khaophong, Tawatchai Kangkamano, Sonchai Intachai, Panita Kongsune

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The conversion of agricultural waste into high-value functional materials offers a sustainable strategy to address environmental concerns. In this study, activated carbon was synthesized from spent coffee grounds (CGAC) via KOH activation and used for crystal violet (CV) dye adsorption. Under optimal conditions (0.5 g dosage, 300 mg∙L‒1 CV, 30°C, 120 min), CGAC achieved 91.41% removal efficiency, with adsorption behavior fitting pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Freundlich isotherm. Thermo-dynamic parameters confirmed a spontaneous and endothermic process. Moreover, the reusability study revealed that CGAC maintained a high removal efficiency above 88% after seven adsorption–desorption cycles, demonstrating its structural stability and potential for …

Investigation On The Tribological Properties Of Al2o3-Tic Substrates In Fixed Abrasive Lapping For Data Storage Applications, Benjie Locsing Fernandez, Thanakrit Srisuwan, Duangamol Tungasmita, Sukkaneste Tungasmita

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Alumina titanium-carbide (Al2O3-TiC) or simply AlTiC substrates were widely used in the magnetic recording industry for their superior mechanical and tribological properties. This study investigated the effect of AlTiC substrate crystal structure, chemical bonding and grain size in slider fix abrasive lapping tribology. Two types of AlTiC substrates, Type-A AlTiC and Type-B AlTiC equipped with an electro lapping guide (ELG), fully functional reader and writer devices were used in the study. The type-B lower material removal rate resulting to rougher surface finish was mainly due weakening caused by the titanium oxycarbide phase, which was the dominant factor, outweighing the minimal …

Surface Properties And In-Vitro Bioactivity Studies Of Tio2 Nanowire Doped Transition Metal (M=Fe, Co, And Mn), Misriyani Misriyani, Enayah Enayah, Z. Ryan Tian, Andi Meutiah Ilhamjaya

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

This study investigates the influence of transition metal (Fe, Co, Mn) doping on the surface properties and in-vitro bioactivity of TiO2 nanowires. It aims to elucidate how transition-metal doping alters the surface behavior and biological response of TiO2 nanowires, enabling their potential use in biocompatible and magnetically responsive materials. Magnetic TiO2 nanowires doped with transition metals (Mx+/TiO2) were successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method using titanium dioxide in alkaline solution. Cations were added with Ti/Mx+ molar ratios of 5 to produce Fe/TNW, Co/TNW, and Mn/TNW. Characterization using SEM and XRD determine their surface properties. In-vitro bioactivity tests were conducted by …

Properties And Printability Of Polylactic Acid Films : An Effect Of Polyglutamate Coated Natto As A Bio-Plasticizer, Natrata Thitinardwong, Thira Chavarnakul, Kawee Srikulkit

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Polylactic acid (PLA) film, a biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, has gained significant attention for sustainable packaging applications. However, its limited screen-printability remains a barrier to broader commercial use. This study aims to enhance the screen-printability of PLA film by incorporating a polyglutamate coated natto (designated as Nat-M). PLA/Nat-M films having 1%, 3%, and 5% Nat-M were prepared and evaluated for their key performance indicators, including ink adhesion (ASTM D3359), tone reproduction accuracy, and printing resolution. The screen-printing resolution was optimized between 400 DPI and 500 DPI (dots per inch) to achieve optimal tone reproduction and edge sharpness. Additionally, ink …

A Top-Electrode-Based Liquid-Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator For Energy Harvesting And Ethanol Detection, Subrat Bhol, Nakul Charan Sahu, Sunit Gaurav Mohanty, Vicky Raj Maddala, Basanta Kumar Panigrahi, Premkumar Bhosale

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Liquid-solid triboelectric nanogenerators (LS-TENGs) offer a promising avenue for self-powered energy harvesting and sensing by exploiting contact electrification at fluid-dielectric interfaces, where droplet dynamics drive charge separation for electrical output without external power. In this work, a top-electrode LS-TENG was fabricated using a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film on a PMMA substrate with deionised water droplets, achieving an open-circuit voltage of ‒3.4 V, short-circuit current of 3.6 μA, and peak power of 1.48 nW at 100 MΩ under optimised conditions of 2 cm drop height, 45° tilt, and 50 μL volume. Performance scaled with droplet kinetics and volume due to enhanced contact …

Ansys Discovery And Fluent Files For Modeling A Hydrocyclone With Scco2 And Coal Fly Ash, Isaiah Morones, Catherine Brewer

Chemical & Materials Engineering: Datasets

No abstract provided.

The Efficacy Of Hybrid Manufacturing For High Stress Automotive Parts, Logan Trimmer

Harrisburg University Other Works

Presentation covering the broad strokes of the project. The goal was to prove the viability of hybrid/additive manufacturing for high stress automotive applications. This project focused on recreating a piston from an old engine to examine if hybrid manufacturing could be used for such applications. On a small scale, hybrid manufacturing was able to be more cost effective if the costs of the equipment and electricity were ignored. The decision to ignore those costs came from the inability to find accurate prices for industrial casting.

Thermal Transformations And Mechanical Properties Of All-D-Metal Mn2fecu Heusler-Type Shape Memory Alloy, Choji J. Daches, Joseph W. Newkirk, Mario Buchely

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

All-d-metal Heusler alloys are emerging functional materials in which magnetic ordering, lattice distortion, and mechanical behavior are strongly coupled through d–d electronic interactions. This study systematically investigates the structural, thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties of Mn₂FeCu synthesized within a Heusler-type compositional framework. SEM/EDS revealed a dual-phase FCC-based microstructure consisting of Mn–Fe–rich and Mn–Cu–rich domains, while XRD confirmed FCC symmetry with compositional partitioning rather than full L2₁ ordering. Differential scanning calorimetry identified partial melting of the Cu-rich phase near ~ 900 °C. Dilatometry showed a thermoelastic FCC → FCT transformation at ~ 770–780 °C with a recoverable strain of ~ 0.067%. …

Modeling Of Transformation Temperatures In Cast Martensitic Stainless Steels-Ca6nm: Effects Of Composition, Heating Rate, And Grain Size, Ugochukwu Agbedo, Mario Buchely, Laura Bartlett, Caelan Kennedy

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Accurate prediction of the critical transformation temperatures Ac1 and Ac3 is one of the essential factors in the heat treatment of CA6NM cast martensitic stainless steel. In this study, the influence of alloy composition, heating rate, and prior austenite grain size on the critical temperatures was quantified using dilatometric measurements and statistical modeling. Six heat treatment conditions produced prior austenite grain sizes ranging from ~75 to 247 µm. Experimental results showed that grain size variations produced only minor changes in Ac1 and Ac3, indicating a weak dependence of transformation temperatures on prior austenite grain size within the investigated range. In …

The Effects Of Mold Flux Contamination On Oxide Scale Formation And Hydro-Descaling Efficiency During Steel Processing, Tochukwu Princewill Ojiako, Richard Osei, Mario Buchely, Haiming Wen, Simon Lekakh, Ronald O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oxide scale formation during thin-slab continuous casting has a complex structure, which is influenced by mold flux contamination, that modifies interfacial reactions during solidification, subsequent reheating, and descaling. While individual aspects of the oxidation behavior of carbon steel have been previously examined, the synergetic effects of mold flux contamination during continuous casting and subsequent reheating on scale modification and the efficiency of hydraulic descaling remain inadequately studied. This study quantitatively examines the effect of flux composition on oxide scale evolution, adhesion, and hydraulic removal in low-carbon steel under simulated industrial conditions. Slab samples with as-cast, cleaned, and flux-coated surfaces were …

Made On Mars: Design And Manufacturing Of Structural Polymer-Regolith Composites, Pailey M. Vitale

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Human exploration of Mars is constrained by harsh environmental conditions and the prohibitive cost of transporting materials from Earth. Long-term sustainability requires the local production of mechanical and structural components using resources available on Mars, thereby minimizing payload mass. This project investigates polymer–regolith composites derived from atmospheric CO₂ and mineral-rich regolith as a pathway toward in-situ manufacturing. These composites, when compatible with additive manufacturing, could replace imported plastics, enable on-demand fabrication, and support closed-loop recycling systems. The objective is to design and evaluate polymer–regolith composites that maintain mechanical integrity and environmental resistance under Martian conditions, including extreme temperature swings, radiation …

Akron Soap Box Derby Super Kids Car, Alexis Schultz, Cooper Sites, Sean Stevenson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to redesign the All-American Soap Box Derby Super Kids vehicle to enhance safety, accessibility, and performance while maintaining full compliance with official regulations. The Super Kids program enables children with physical and cognitive disabilities to race alongside a co-pilot, but the current vehicle design presents challenges in stability, entry/exit accessibility, and control—especially following recent regulation changes that increased vehicle speed. The redesigned car will focus on improved ergonomics, lightweight construction, and structural integrity within a $1,000 budget and a 165 lb weight limit.

An iterative engineering design process will guide the project through research, CAD modeling, FEA …

Development Of Stronger, More Extrudable 6xxx Series Alloys For Automotive Applications, Eli A. Harma

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

6xxx alloys are widely used in automotive extrusion structures for their high specific strength and formability. Advanced designs require greater formability and strength, creating an opportunity for high-strength, formable alloys. The 6xxx series forms β”-Mg₅Si₆ precipitates during age hardening and develops a fibrous microstructure during extrusion, both strengthening the alloy. Increasing Mg and Si to form more β” decreases formability. Thus, modifying texture can increase strength without reducing formability. Current alloys like 6005A add Mn and Cr to form dispersoids that inhibit recrystallization and promote strengthening textures; however, high Mn and Cr concentrations reduce formability. Replacing Mn …

Enhanced Hydrophilicity And Self-Cleaning Properties Of Tio₂ Thin Films On Glass For Photovoltaic Applications: Influence Of Precursor Concentration And Light Irradiation, Fatma Refaat, Hany Hashem, Mohamed Mahmoud Gouda, Ibrahim Ahmed, Khaled Abdelwahed, Ahmed Bakr El Basaty

Trends in advanced sciences and technology

This study investigates the modification of glass substrates with TiO₂ thin films to enhance surface hydrophilicity and self-cleaning behavior. The films were deposited on glass by spin coating using different precursor concentrations, followed by thermal treatment. Structural and optical properties were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy, while surface wettability was evaluated through water contact angle measurements. XRD confirmed the formation of pure anatase TiO₂, while FTIR spectra verified the presence of Ti–O and Ti–O–Ti bonds. Wettability analysis showed that films prepared with the lowest precursor concentration exhibited the …

Critical Parameters Controlling Oxide Scale Formation And Hydro-Descaling Efficiency During Steelmaking, Tochukwu Princewill Ojiako

Doctoral Dissertations

In modern steelmaking, cast slabs are exposed to high-temperature oxidizing environments during secondary cooling, reheating, and hot rolling, resulting in the formation of multilayer oxide scales on the steel surface. These scales interact with mold-flux residues originating from the casting process (CC). The morphology, chemistry, and adhesion of oxide scale strongly influence its removability during high-pressure hydraulic descaling and ultimately determine the surface quality of hot-rolled products. However, the mechanistic relationship between oxide scale evolution, scale-steel interfacial structure, and hydraulic descaling performance remains poorly understood.

This dissertation investigates oxide scale formation, modification, and removal in low-carbon thin-slab steels produced by …

Security-Oriented Voice Authentication Using Machine Learning, Ifeoluwa Stella Elegbe

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study develops and evaluates a machine learning and deep learning-based voice authentication system for secure identity verification. As traditional authentication methods such as passwords, PINs, and security tokens continue to face challenges, including identity theft, forgetting, and unauthorized access, voice biometrics offers a more secure, convenient, and user-friendly alternative, especially for remote, hands-free, and accessibility-focused applications. The study adopts a closed-set speaker identification framework, where the system determines the most likely speaker from a predefined group of enrolled users. A structured methodology is implemented, beginning with audio preprocessing and feature extraction. Key acoustic features, including Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs), …

Automation And Habitat Development For A Space Based Marine Life Environment, Logan Trimmer, Alexander Hang

Harrisburg University Other Works

This project was a cross-collaboration between the Environmental Sciences and Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics programs for the company Monolith Space.

The goal of this project was to design an autonomous system to be able to track qualities of water in an aquaculture system designed to be sent to space.

The Efficacy Of Hybrid Manufacturing For High Stress Automotive Components, Logan Trimmer

Harrisburg University Other Works

The goal of this research was to establish the viability of using hybrid manufacturing for automotive applications. By verifying that high-stress components can be created, it can be assumed that any other lower stress part could be made to match the strength requirements. A limiting factor of adoption for hybrid manufacturing is how new the technology is. Studies on time and cost were performed allowing for comparisons with traditional manufacturing technologies (casting, forging, milling) used in automotive applications. This research utilized a Haas Automation UMC750 5-axis CNC mill with a Meltio laser wire direct energy deposition attachment. Fusion 360 was …

Discrete Element Modeling Of Granular Soils: Critical State Behavior Applied To Impact Pile Driving, Esteban Patino Marin

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This thesis investigates the use of the Discrete Element Method (DEM) to study two complementary aspects of granular soil mechanics: critical state behavior of granular materials and dynamic response of driven piles in sand, both of which are governed by the same particle-scale mechanisms of dilation, contraction, and fabric evolution.

The first examines the critical state behavior and fabric anisotropy of granular soils through DEM simulations of direct shear, direct simple shear, and true triaxial tests. Sphere-cluster particles representative of a uniform sand are used in two assemblages of approximately twenty-five thousand and one hundred twenty-five thousand spheres to evaluate …

Entropic Forces Near Fluctuating Surfaces, Rubayet Hassan

Dissertations

Nanoscale structures are inherently dynamic due to persistent thermal fluctuations. Even in solid materials, these random deformations, driven by ambient thermal energy, can become significant when their characteristic scale approaches that of the structure itself and strongly influence their overall mechanical behavior. Examples of such structures include crystalline membranes, appearing in diverse forms such as nanotubes, nanoribbons, and kirigami/origami structures. Similarly, biological nanostructures, including lipid membranes, microtubules, actin filaments, and DNA, exhibit extreme flexibility and responsiveness due to their low bending rigidity. Numerous physiological processes are intrinsically linked to these thermal fluctuations, including exocytosis and endocytosis, membrane fusion, pore formation, …

Material Degradation And Analysis Of N-Doped Graphene/Mof Nanocatalysts For Orr In Electrochemical Energy Systems, Niladri Talukder

Dissertations

The development of advanced electrochemical energy conversion and storage systems is crucial for achieving sustainable energy security. As alternatives to precious metal-based catalysts in electrochemical systems, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), Nitrogen-doped Graphene with Metal-organic Frameworks (N-G/MOF) nanocatalysts have shown exceptional promise in recent years. This research advances the understanding of N-G/MOF nanocatalysts by systematically examining their structural features, degradation traits, correlated performance losses, and other aspects related to catalytic activities.

First, nitrogen-doped graphene (N-G) nanocatalysts were thoroughly investigated, resolving their physical properties, the influence of synthesis parameters, molecular-level material structures, and chemical and electronic structural details of …

Utilization Of Biochar From Date Palm For Wastewater Treatment Technologies: Mini-Review, Atheel Alwash, Emad Yousif, Salam Mohammed

Al-Mustaqbal Journal of Sustainability in Engineering Sciences

Recently, recycling agricultural waste has gained great importance in the field of the biochar industry, as it is a sustainable and inexpensive material that can be used to get rid of environmentally polluting materials. Dates are one of the major agricultural wastes in Iraq and the Gulf countries, which include fronds, seeds, and trunks. The challenge of obtaining a green and clean environment is represented by the safe disposal of these residues. These wastes are promising materials for producing biochar products as efficient adsorbents with improved characteristic properties. The present article revises the synthesis of biochar derived from date palm …