Engineering Commons^™

Damage Tolerance Of Buckling-Critical Unidirectional Carbon, Glass,And Basalt Fiber Composites In Co-Cured Aramid Sleeves, Michael D. Embley

Theses and Dissertations

Compression strength after impact tests were conducted on unidirectional composite rods with sleeves. These elements represent local members of open three-dimensional composite lattice structures (e.g., based on isogrid or IsoTruss® technologies). The unidirectional cores composed of carbon, glass, or basalt fiber/epoxy composites were co-cured in aramid sleeves. Sleeve patterns included both bi-directional (unsymmetric) braids and unidirectional spiral wraps with sleeve coverage ranging from nominally half to full. The diameters were nominally 8 and 11 mm (5/16 and 7/16 in). The larger diameter had nominally twice the cross-sectional area, to quantify the effects of scaling. The specimens were long enough to …

Determination Of Freshwater Algal Biomass And Sulfolipid Content As Functions Of Inorganic Carbon Treatment, Melissa Morella

All Theses

Cultures of mixed freshwater algae were grown in open batch reactors made up of modified BG-11 media that contained 0, 25, 50 or 100% of the suggested inorganic carbon content (0, 0.5, 0.1 and 0.2 g/L Na₂CO₃) to assess the subsequent production of the high-value product, sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG). After 25 days of growth, the reactors were composed of primarily Oscillatoria growth. All four reactors exhibited a trend of increasing biomass and alkalinity with time, and an initial increase then decrease in pH. The total inorganic carbon (TIC) in all reactors exhibited a mirrored, opposite trend …

Slides: Long-Term Augmentation Of The Water Supply Of The Colorado River System, Les Lampe

Navigating the Future of the Colorado River (Martz Summer Conference, June 8-10)

Presenter: Les Lampe, Colorado River Water Consultants, Las Vegas, Nevada

29 slides

Investigation Of Electrical Transport In Hydrogenated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Adam L. Friedman, Hyunkyung Chun, Don Heiman, Yung Joon Jung, Latika Menon

Yung Joon Jung

Highly disordered multiwalled carbon nanotubes of large outer diameter (~60 nm) fabricated by means of chemical vapor deposition process inside porous alumina templates exhibit ferromagnetism when annealed in a H2/Ar atmosphere. In the presence of an applied magnetic field, there is a transition from positive to negative magnetoresistance. The transition may be explained in terms of the Bright model for ordered and disordered carbon structures. Additionally, temperature dependent electrical transport experiments exhibit a zero-bias anomaly at low temperature.

Investigation Of Electrical Transport In Hydrogenated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Adam Friedman, Hyunkyung Chun, Don Heiman, Yung Jung, Latika Menon

Latika Menon

Highly disordered multiwalled carbon nanotubes of large outer diameter (~60 nm) fabricated by means of chemical vapor deposition process inside porous alumina templates exhibit ferromagnetism when annealed in a H2/Ar atmosphere. In the presence of an applied magnetic field, there is a transition from positive to negative magnetoresistance. The transition may be explained in terms of the Bright model for ordered and disordered carbon structures. Additionally, temperature dependent electrical transport experiments exhibit a zero-bias anomaly at low temperature.

Method For Hydraulically Separating Carbon And Classifying Coal Combustion Ash, Thomas L. Robl, John Groppo

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A method for selective separation of particles from a particle-containing material includes preparing a slurry of the particle-containing material and a dispersant, passing the slurry through a hydraulic classifier in a first direction, establishing a particle flow in a direction that is different from the first direction, and recovering particles having a mean particle size of about 2-7 μm. The flow of particles defines a cross-current flow relative to the slurry feed direction. The method further includes providing the classifier with an interior divider assembly defining at least one inclined channel. The divider assembly typically includes a plurality of substantially …

The Composition And Distribution Of Coal-Ash Deposits Under Reducing And Oxidizing Conditions From A Suite Of Eight Coals, David R. Brunner

Theses and Dissertations

Eighteen elements, including: carbon, oxygen, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, titanium, chromium, manganese, iron, nickel, strontium, and barium were measured using a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive spectroscopy from deposits. The deposits were collected by burning eight different coals in a 160 kWth, staged, down-fired, swirl-stabilized combustor. Both up-stream and down-stream deposits from an oxidizing region (equivalence ratio 0.86) and reducing region (equivalence ratio 1.15) were collected. Within the deposits, the particle size and morphology were studied. The average particle cross-sectional area from the up-stream deposits ranged from 10 - 75 µm2 and had a …

Investigation Of Electrical Transport In Hydrogenated Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes, Adam L. Friedman, Hyunkyung Chun, Don Heiman, Yung Joon Jung, Latika Menon

U.S. Navy Research

Highly disordered multiwalled carbon nanotubes of large outer diameter (~60 nm) fabricated by means of chemical vapor deposition process inside porous alumina templates exhibit ferromagnetism when annealed in a H₂/Ar atmosphere. In the presence of an applied magnetic field, there is a transition from positive to negative magnetoresistance. The transition may be explained in terms of the Bright model for ordered and disordered carbon structures. Additionally, temperature dependent electrical transport experiments exhibit a zero-bias anomaly at low temperature.

Improving The Adsorption Of Heavy Metals From Water Using Commercial Carbons Modified With Egg Shell Wastes, Alejandro Guijarro-Aldaco, Virginia Hernandez-Montoya, Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet, Miguel A. Montes-Moran, Didilia I. Mendoza-Castillo

Adrian Bonilla-Petriciolet

We introduce the application of hen egg shell waste to improve the adsorption capacities of heavy-metal ions using commercial carbons via the modification of their surface chemistry. Specifically, a calcium solution extracted from egg shell waste has been used as a low-cost activation agent to improve the adsorption properties of three commercial carbons. An orthogonal array of the Taguchi method has been applied to identify the optimal conditions for the adsorbent modification process using the Zn batch adsorption, at 30 °C and pH 5, as the response variable. Our results show that maximum adsorption capacities of Cd, Ni, and Zn …

Compact-Designed Supercapacitors Using Free-Standing Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Films, Zhiqiang Niu, Weiya Zhou, Jun Chen, Guoxing Feng, Hong Li, Wenjun Ma, Jinzhu Li, Haibo Dong, Yan Ren, Duan Zhao, Sishen Xie

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

We reported the realization of assembling compact-designed supercapacitors using large-scaled freestanding and flexible single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) films as both anode and cathode. A prototype of the processing procedures was developed to obtain the uniform spreading of the SWCNT films onto the separators serving as both electrodes and charge collectors without metallic current collectors, leading to a simplified and lightweight architecture. The area of SWCNT film on a separator can be scaled up and its thickness can be extended. High energy and power densities (43.7 Wh kg^-1 and 197.3 kW kg^-1, respectively) were achieved from the prepared …

Effect Of The Carbon Nanotube Surface Characteristics On The Conductivity And Dielectric Constant Of Carbon Nanotube/Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) Composites, S A. Carabineiro, Manuel F. Pereira, J Nunes-Pereira, Cristina Caparrós, Vitor Sencadas, Senentxu Lanceros-Méndez

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

Commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) were functionalized by oxidation with HNO3, to introduce oxygen-containing surface groups, and by thermal treatments at different temperatures for their selective removal. The obtained samples were characterized by adsorption of N2 at -196°C, temperature-programmed desorption and determination of pH at the point of zero charge. CNT/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites were prepared using the above CNT samples, with different filler fractions up to 1 wt%. It was found that oxidation reduced composite conductivity for a given concentration, shifted the percolation threshold to higher concentrations, and had no significant effect in the dielectric response.

Hardness And Microstructural Gradients In The Heat Affected Zone Of Welded Low-Carbon Quenched And Tempered Steels, W Pang, N Ahmed, D Dunne

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

This paper concentrates on the form of the hardness gradient in the heat affected zones (HAZs) produced by submerged arc welding of two low-carbon Q & T steels. The results show unequivocally that the gradient differs from that found in steels of lower carbon equivalent in that the peak HAZ hardness is displaced from the grain coarsened heat affected zone (GCHAZ) into the grain refined heat affected zone (GRHAZ). Weld thermal cycle simulation has been used to confirm the results obtained from actual welds and to clarify the cause of this unexpected phenomenon.

Tio2(B)@Carbon Composite Nanowires As Anode For Lithium Ion Batteries With Enhanced Reversible Capacity And Cyclic Performance, Zunxian Yang, Guodong Du, Zaiping Guo, Xuebin Yu, Zhixin Chen, Tailiang Guo, Hua-Kun Liu

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Novel TiO₂(B)@carbon composite nanowires were simply prepared by a two-step hydrothermal process with subsequent heat treatment in argon. The nanostructures exhibit the unique feature of having TiO₂(B) encapsulated inside and an amorphous carbon layer coating the outside. The unique core/shell structure and chemical composition is likely to lead to perfect performance in many applications. In this paper, the results of Li-ion battery testing are presented to demonstrate the superior cyclic performance and rate capability of the TiO₂(B)@carbon nanowires. The composite nanowires exhibit a high reversible capacity of 560 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles …

The Behaviour Of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer Confined Concrete Cylinders Under High Temperature Exposure, Butje Alfonsius Louk Fanggi, Muhammad N. S Hadi

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

This study investigates the effect of temperature on the behaviour of concrete cylinders wrapped with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP). The study used nine concrete cylinders in three groups; the first group was exposed to room temperature of approximately 20ºC, the second group was exposed to a cyclic temperature with a temperature range of 20ºC to 70ºC, and the third group was exposed to a prolonged temperature of 70ºC. All cylinders were then tested to failure. The study indicated that ultimate strength of cylinders wrapped with one and two layers of CFRP are significantly unchanged after being exposed to 20ºC …

Simultaneous Activated Carbon Adsorption Within A Membrane Bioreactor For An Enhanced Micropollutant Removal, Xueqing Li, Faisal I. Hai, Long Nghiem

Faculty of Engineering - Papers (Archive)

Significant adsorption of sulfamethoxazole and carbamazepine to powdered activated carbon (PAC) was confirmed by a series of adsorption tests. In contrast, adsorption of these micropollutants to the sludge was negligible. The removal of these compounds in membrane bioreactor (MBR) was dependent on their hydrophobicity and loading as well as the PAC dosage. Sulfamethoxazole exhibited better removal rate during operation under no or low (0.1 g/L) PAC dosage. When the PAC concentration in MBR was raised to 1.0 g/L, a sustainable and significantly improved performance in the removal of both compounds was observed – the removal efficiencies of sulfamethoxazole and carbamazepine …

Australia Should Delay A Carbon Tax Until The Rest Of The World Acts, Henry Ergas

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences - Papers: Part A

The big question about the carbon tax is not whether it's a good or a bad idea in theory. The major issue is whether it makes sense for Australia to implement it at a time of great uncertainty, both in terms of economic outlook and the extent and nature of international action. To my mind a carbon tax is not desirable. Australia's prosperity is based on a resource endowment that is carbon intensive, both in terms of our mineral and our agricultural sector. Moreover, much of that carbon intensity is not amenable to technological quick-fixes. For instance, there is little …

Show Us Your (Carbon Nanotube Artificial) Muscles!, Geoffrey M. Spinks

Australian Institute for Innovative Materials - Papers

The idea of doctors deploying miniscule robots in your body to diagnose and treat medical conditions is closer to reality today with the development of artificial muscles small and strong enough to push such tiny "nano-bots" along.

Diamond Based-Materials: Synthesis, Characterization And Applications, Qiang Hu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The studies covered in this dissertation concentrate on the various forms of diamond films synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, including microwave CVD and hot filament CVD. According to crystallinity and grain size, a variety of diamond forms primarily including microcrystalline (most commonly referred to as polycrystalline) and nanocrystalline diamond films, diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were successfully synthesized. The as-grown diamond films were optimized by changing deposition pressure, volume of reactant gas hydrogen (H2) and carrier gas argon (Ar) in order to get high-quality diamond films with a smooth surface, low roughness, preferred growth orientation and high sp3 bond …

Investigation Of Reactively Sputtered Boron Carbon Nitride Thin Films, Vinit O. Todi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research efforts have been focused in the development of hard and wear resistant coatings over the last few decades. These protective coatings find applications in the industry such as cutting tools, automobile and machine part etc. Various ceramic thin films like TiN, TiAlN, TiC, SiC and diamond-like carbon (DLC) are examples of the films used in above applications. However, increasing technological and industrial demands request thin films with more complicated and advanced properties. For this purpose, B-C-N ternary system which is based on carbon, boron and nitrogen which exhibit exceptional properties and attract much attention from mechanical, optical and electronic …

Oxygen Diffusion Characterization Of Frp Composites Used In Concrete Repair And Rehabilitation, Chandra K. Khoe

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many independent studies have conclusively demonstrated that fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) slow down chloride-induced corrosion of steel in concrete. The mechanism for this slow down is not well understood but it has been hypothesized that FRP serves as a barrier to the ingress of chloride, moisture, and oxygen that sustain electrochemical corrosion of steel.

This dissertation presents results from an experimental study that determined the oxygen permeation rates of materials used in infrastructure repair. In the study, the oxygen permeation constants for epoxy, carbon and glass fiber laminates, concrete, epoxy-concrete and FRP-concrete systems were determined and a method developed to …