Engineering Science and Materials Commons^™

Novel Thermal Coating For High-Speed Airplanes, Abinash Satapathy, Lakshay Battu, Liam Watson, Nazanin Rajabi

Symposium of Student Scholars

In comparison to various other materials, Carbon Fiber, specifically Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), is pre-eminent amongst other materials for use on aeronautical systems. Due to its high specific strength (strength-to-weight ratio), CFRP is prominent for carrying heavy loads while maintaining a lightweight build. However, when influenced by heat resulting from air resistance, CFRP is known to undergo serious degradation that would significantly decrease the effectiveness of the polymers. To prevent this degradation and maintain the strength of the CFRP, thermal protective layers (TPLs) are designed to shield the CFRP from heat exposure. This research is focused on the examination …

Method Of Embedded Imperfections For The Direct Simulation Of Deformation Instabilities In Film-Substrate Structures, Siavash Nikravesh Kazeroni

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

In this dissertation, a novel finite-element methodology called “embedded imperfections” is proposed and employed for computationally simulating various types of deformation instabilities observed in film-substrate structures subjected to mechanical loading. The approach involves the incorporation of elements having distinctive material properties within the film-substrate interface. One can interpret this practice as a deliberate distribution of material defects within the numerical model. It has been shown that embedded imperfections not only can trigger the onset of instability, but also can lead to “direct” simulation of deformation instability problems in that primary and subsequent instability modes can all be captured in a …

Machine Learning Assisted Discovery Of Shape Memory Polymers And Their Thermomechanical Modeling, Cheng Yan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As a new class of smart materials, shape memory polymer (SMP) is gaining great attention in both academia and industry. One challenge is that the chemical space is huge, while the human intelligence is limited, so that discovery of new SMPs becomes more and more difficult. In this dissertation, by adopting a series of machine learning (ML) methods, two frameworks are established for discovering new thermoset shape memory polymers (TSMPs). Specifically, one of them is performed by a combination of four methods, i.e., the most recently proposed linear notation BigSMILES, supplementing existing dataset by reasonable approximation, a mixed dimension (1D …

Method Of Making Hinged Self-Referencing Fabry–Pérot Cavity Sensors, Jeremiah C. Williams, Hengky Chandrahalim

AFIT Patents

A method is provided for fabricating a passive optical sensor on a tip of an optical fiber. The method includes perpendicularly cleaving a tip of an optical fiber and mounting the tip of the optical fiber in a specimen holder of a photosensitive polymer three-dimensional micromachining machine. The method includes forming a three-dimensional microscopic optical structure within the photosensitive polymer that comprises a two cavity Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) having a hinged optical layer that is pivotally coupled to a suspended structure. The method includes removing an uncured portion of the photosensitive polymer using a solvent. The method includes depositing a …

In Situ Characterization Of Electrode Structure And Catalytic Processes In The Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Ya-Chen Feng, Xiang Wang, Yu-Qi Wang, Hui-Juan Yan, Dong Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

As an electrochemical energy conversion system, fuel cell has the advantages of high energy conversion efficiency and high cleanliness. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), as an important cathode reaction in fuel cells, has received extensive attention. At present, the electrocatalysts are still one of the key materials restricting the further commercialization of fuel cells. The fundamental understanding on the catalytic mechanism of ORR is conducive to the development of electrocatalysts with the enhanced activity and high selectivity. This review aims to summarize the in situ characterization techniques used to study ORR. From this perspective, we first briefly introduce the advantages of …

In-Situ/Operando57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopic Technique And Its Applications In Nife-Based Electrocatalysts For Oxygen Evolution Reaction, Jafar Hussain Shah, Qi-Xian Xie, Zhi-Chong Kuang, Ri-Le Ge, Wen-Hui Zhou, Duo-Rong Liu, Alexandre I. Rykov, Xu-Ning Li, Jing-Shan Luo, Jun-Hu Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The development of highly efficient and cost-effective electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a significant barrier to establish effective utilization of renewable energy storage systems and water splitting to produce clean fuel. The current status of the research in developing OER catalysts shows that NiFe-based oxygen evolution catalysts (OECs) have been proven as excellent and remarkable candidates for this purpose. But it is critically important to understand the factors that influence their activity and underlying mechanism for the development of state-of-the-art OER catalysts. Therefore, the development of in-situ/operando characterizations is urgently required to detect key intermediates along …

An Additive Incorporated Non-Nucleophilic Electrolyte For Stable Magnesium Ion Batteries, Mao-Ling Xie, Jun Wang, Chen-Ji Hu, Lei Zheng, Hua-Bin Kong, Yan-Bin Shen, Hong-Wei Chen, Li-Wei Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Non-nucleophilic electrolytes are promising next-generation highly stable electrolytes for magnesium-ion batteries (MIBs). However, a passivation layer on Mg metal anode usually blocks Mg²⁺ diffusion, leading to poor reaction kinetics and low Coulombic efficiency of the Mg plating/stripping in these electrolytes. Here we explore the utilization of phenyl disulfide (PDF) as a film-forming additive for non-nucleophilic electrolytes to regulate the interfacial chemistry on Mg metal anode. Phenyl-thiolate generated from the PDF additive was found to suppress the unfavorable surface blocking layer, resulted in a high Coulombic efficiency of up to 99.5% for the Mg plating/stripping process as well as a …

Synchrotron X-Rays Characterizations Of Metal-Air Batteries, Ya-Jie Song, Xue Sun, Li-Ping Ren, Lei Zhao, Fan-Peng Kong, Jia-Jun Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The rapid development of electric vehicles urgently requires high-energy-density batteries. Recently, metal-air batteries have attracted much attention in industry and academia for their ultra-high theoretical energy densities. However, the practical application of metal-air batteries is severely impeded by multiple drawbacks, including severe side reactions, low energy efficiency, and limited cycle life. Understanding the reaction mechanism of the cell and further developing effective strategies are beneficial for the practical application of metal-air batteries. In the past decade, advanced characterization techniques have accelerated the development of metal-air batteries. In particular, synchrotron radiation-based characterization techniques have been widely applied to the mechanistic study …

Facet Dependent Oxygen Evolution Activity Of Spinel Cobalt Oxides, Li-Hua Zhang, Hong-Yuan Chuai, Hai Liu, Qun Fan, Si-Yu Kuang, Sheng Zhang, Xin-Bin Ma

Journal of Electrochemistry

Water splitting is a promising technology to produce clean hydrogen if powered by renewable energies, where oxygen evolution is the rate determining step at an anode. Here we adjust the different crystal planes of the cobalt oxides catalyst to expose more effective active sites through a hydrothermal process, so as to improve the reaction activity for oxygen evolution. The samples were well characterized by TEM, SEM and XRD. Among the three synthetic crystal planes (100), (111) and (110) of spinel cobalt oxides, the (100) crystal plane has the highest intrinsic activity. Combining in-situ infrared and DFT calculations, we …

Structural Degradation Of Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode For Li-Ion Batteries, Jia-Yi Wang, Sheng-Nan Guo, Xin Wang, Lin Gu, Dong Su

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nickel(Ni)-rich layered oxide has been regarded as one of the most important cathode materials for the lithium-ion batteries because of its low cost and high energy density. However, the concerns in safety and durability of this compound are still challenging for its further development. On this account, the in-depth understanding in the structural factors determining its capacity attenuation is essential. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the degradation mechanisms of Ni-rich layered oxide cathode. Progresses in the structure evolution of Ni-rich oxide are carefully combed in terms of inner evolution, surface evolution, and the property under thermal …

Recent Advances In Structural Regulation On Non-Precious Metal Catalysts For Oxygen Reduction Reaction In Alkaline Electrolytes, Xue Wang, Li Zhang, Chang-Peng Liu, Jun-Jie Ge, Jian-Bing Zhu, Wei Xing

Journal of Electrochemistry

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in alkaline electrolytes is an important electrochemical process for metal-air batteries and anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). However, the sluggish kinetics spurs intensive research on searching robust electrocatalysts. Non-precious metal catalysts (NPMCs) that can circumvent the cost and scarcity issues associated with platinum (Pt)-based materials have been pursued and the challenges lie in the performance improvement to rival Pt-based benchmarks. As the composition and structure of the NPMCs have a significant impact on the catalytic performance, precise regulation on the catalyst structure holds great promise to bridge the activity gap between NPMCs and Pt-based benchmarks. …

Selective Co2 Reduction To Formate On Heterostructured Sn/Sno2 Nanoparticles Promoted By Carbon Layer Networks, Xue Teng, Yanli Niu, Shuaiqi Gong, Xuan Liu, Zuofeng Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Tin (Sn)-based materials have emerged as promising electrocatalysts for selective reduction of CO₂ to formate, but their overall performances are still limited by electrode structures which govern the accessibility to active sites, the electron transfer kinetics, and the catalytic stability. In this study, the heterostructured Sn/SnO₂ nanoparticles dispersed by N-doped carbon layer networks (Sn/SnO₂@NC) were synthesized by a melt-recrystallization method taking the low melting point of Sn (m.p. 232^oC). The N-doped carbon layer networks derived from polydopamine could attract more electrons on the electrocatalyst, serve as conductive agents and protect the ultrafine nanoparticles from …

Mass Loading Optimization For Ethylene Glycol Oxidation At Different Potential Regions, Sheng-Nan Sun, Zhi-Chuan Xu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Designing and fabricating the electrocatalysts is attracting more and more attention in recent years due to a global interest in developing techniques for electrochemical energy conversion and storage, as well as elelectro-synthesis of valuable chemicals. The activity is one of the key performance parameters for electrocatalysts, while the observed activity can be affected by mass loading of electrocatalysts. Here, we take cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄)/graphite paper electrode (Co₃O₄/GPE) as a model electrode to demon-strate how the mass loading of Co₃O₄ catalyst influences ethylene glycol (EG) oxidation in alkaline (KOH) by …

Recent Advances In Electrochemical Kinetics Simulations And Their Applications In Pt-Based Fuel Cells, Ji-Li Li, Ye-Fei Li, Zhi-Pan Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Theoretical simulations of electrocatalysis are vital for understanding the mechanism of the electrochemical process at the atomic level. It can help to reveal the in-situ structures of electrode surfaces and establish the microscopic mechanism of electrocatalysis, thereby solving the problems such as electrode oxidation and corrosion. However, there are still many problems in the theoretical electrochemical simulations, including the solvation effects, the electric double layer, and the structural transformation of electrodes. Here we review recent advances of theoretical methods in electrochemical modeling, in particular, the double reference approach, the periodic continuum solvation model based on the modified Poisson-Boltzmann …

Magnetic Resonance In Metal-Ion Batteries: From Nmr (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) To Epr (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance), Bing-Wen Hu, Chao Li, Fu-Shan Geng, Ming Shen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Metal-ion batteries have changed our quotidian lives. The research on the electrode materials for metal-ion battery is the key to improve the performance of the battery. Therefore, understanding the structure-performance relationship of the electrode materials can help to improve the energy density and power density of the materials. Magnetic resonance, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), has been continuously improved during the past three decades, and has gradually become one of the important technologies to study the structure-performance relationship of electrode materials. This paper summarizes the progress of magnetic resonance research from our group on several …

A Flexible Enzymeless Glucose Sensor Via Electrodepositing 3d Flower-Like Cos Onto Self-Supporting Graphene Tape Electrode, Jiang Li, Zuo-Peng Li, Yun-Feng Bai, Su-Xing Luo, Yong Guo, Ya-Yan Bao, Rong Li, Hai-Yan Liu, Feng Feng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Three-dimensional (3D) nanostructural Flower-like cobalt sulfide (CoS) on flexible self-supporting graphene tape electrode (GTE) with remarkably electrocatalytic activity toward glucose was successfully prepared by electrodeposition. Structural characterizations revealed that the electrodeposited CoS was highly dispersed on GTE as an active material. The fabricated binder-free and self-standing CoS/GTE shows a good linear response in the range of 0.025 ~ 1.0 mmol·L^-1, reaching a high glucose sensitivity value of 323.3 μA·(mmol·L ^-1)^-1·cm^-2 and a low detection limit of 8.5 μmol·L ^-1 (S/N = 3). Moreover, the as-prepared sensor was well applied for glucose …

Acetate Solutions With 3.9 V Electrochemical Stability Window As An Electrolyte For Low-Cost And High-Performance Aqueous Sodium-Ion Batteries, Dao-Yun Lan, Xiao-Feng Qu, Yu-Ting Tang, Li-Ying Liu, Jun Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Low-cost and high-safety aqueous sodium-ion batteries have received widespread attention in the field of large-scale energy storage, but the narrow electrochemical stability window (1.23 V) of water limits the energy density of aqueous sodium-ion batteries. The “water-in-salt” strategy which uses the interaction between cations and water molecules in the solution can inhibit water decomposition and broaden the electrochemical stability window of water. In this work, two types of low-cost salts, namely, ammonium acetate (NH₄CH₃COOH) and sodium acetate (NaCH₃COOH), were used to configure a mixed aqueous electrolyte for aqueous sodium-ion batteries. The solution consisted of …

Synthesis Of Lithium-Rich Manganese-Based Layered Cathode Materials And Study On Its Structural Evolution Of First Cycle Overcharge, Chen-Xu Luo, Chen-Guang Shi, Zhi-Yuan Yu, Ling Huang, Shi-Gang Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials have become one of promising cathode materials due to their low cost and large discharge specific capacity exceeding 250 mAh·g^-1. However, their problems such as low coulombic efficiency of first cycle and apparent voltage decay influence commercialization process. The high charging voltage will cause instability of structure and increase the hidden danger of the battery. Therefore, structural evolution of first cycle at higher voltage needs to be further studied. In this work, the precursor was synthesized by the co-precipitation method, and the lithium-rich manganese-based layered cathode materials were prepared by lithium-mixed and high-temperature sintering, …

Progress Of Pt-Based Catalysts In Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review, Long Huang, Hai-Chao Xu, Bi Jing, Qiu-Xia Li, Wei Yi, Shi-Gang Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that convert chemical energy directly into electricity. It has the advantages of high energy density, high utilization efficiency of fuel, clean and noiseless during working. Among all kinds of fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are most popular since PEMFCs function at near ambient temperature, while their power densities are higher than those of other fuel cells. Currently, Pt-based nanomaterials are still the unreplaceable catalysts in commercialized PEMFCs. The lack of low-cost and high-performance cathode catalysts is still one of key factors that hampers the commercialization of PEMFCs. In this review, the …

Advances Of Phosphide Promoter Assisted Pt Based Catalyst For Electrooxidation Of Methanol, Meng Li, Li-Gang Feng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Transition metal phosphide (TMP), as an ideal catalytic promoter in methanol fuel oxidation, has received increased attention because of its multifunctional active sites, tunable structure and composition, as well as unique physical and chemical properties and efficient multi-composition synergistic effect. Some advances have been made for this catalyst system recently. In the current review, the research progresses of transition metal phosphides (TMPs) in the assisted electrooxidation of methanol including the catalysts fabrication and their performance evaluation for methanol oxidation are reviewed. The promotion effect of TMPs has been firstly presented and the catalyst systems based on the different metal centers …

A High-Performance Continuous-Flow Mea Reactor For Electroreduction Co2 To Formate, Pei-Xuan Liu, Lu-Wei Peng, Rui-Nan He, Lu-Lu Li, Jin-Li Qiao

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is a promising approach to produce liquid fuels and industrial chemicals by utilizing intermittent renewable electricity for mitigating environmental problems. However, the traditional H-type reactor seriously limits the electrochemical performance of CO₂RR due to the low CO₂ solubility in electrolyte, and high ohmic resistance caused by the large distance between two electrodes, which is unbeneficial for industrial application. Herein, we demonstrated a high-performance continuous flow membranes electrode assembly (MEA) reactor based on a self-growing Cu/Sn bimetallic electrocatalyst in 0.5 mol·L^-1 KHCO₃ for converting CO₂ to …

Oxidative Efficiency Of Ozonation Coupled With Electrolysis For Treatment Of Acid Wastewater, Ze-You Hu, Feng-Yun Xiang, Ji-Qiang Mao, Ya-Lei Ding, Shao-Ping Tong

Journal of Electrochemistry

Establishment of an ozone-based advanced oxidation process (AOPs-O₃) for effective treatment of acid wastewater is an important and difficult task. The process of ozonation coupled with electrolysis (electrolysis-ozonation, E-O₃) has been reported to effectively degrade pollutants in neutral solution. We studied the efficiency of E-O₃ for degradation of acetic acid (HAc, an ozone inert chemical) in acid solution and found that E-O₃ had high oxidative efficiency at pH less than 3. For example, 52.2% of 100 mg·L^-1 HAc could be removed by E-O₃ in 120 min at pH 1.0, but only 2.2% …

Effect Of The Extended Rigid Flapping Trailing Edge Fringe On An S833 Airfoil, Hongtao Yu, Zifeng Yang

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

A 2D numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the effect of an extended rigid trailing edge fringe with a flapping motion on the S833 airfoil and its wake flow field, as an analogy of an owl’s wing. This study aims to characterize the influence of the extended flapping fringe on the aerodynamic performance and the wake flow characteristics downstream of the airfoil. The length (Le) and flapping frequencies (fe) of the fringe are the key parameters that dominate the impact on the airfoil and the flow field, given that the oscillation angular amplitude is fixed at 5◦. The simulation results …

Rational Design Of Flexible And Stretchable Electronics Based On 3d Printing, Yuanhang Yang

Theses and Dissertations

Flexible and stretchable electronics have been considered as the key component for the next generation of flexible devices. There are many approaches to prepare the devices, such as dip coating, spin coating, Mayer bar coating, filtration and transfer, and printing, etc. The effectiveness of these methods has been proven, but some drawbacks cannot be ignored, such as lacking pattern control, labor consuming, requiring complex pretreatment, wasting conductive materials, etc.

In this investigation, we propose to adopt 3D printing technology to design flexible and stretchable electronics. The objective is to rationally design flexible and stretchable sensors, simplify the preparation process, form …

Evaluation Of Static Recrystallization And Grain Growth Kinetics Of Hot-Rolled Az31 Alloy, Salaheddine Sadi, Abdelkader Hanna, Thierr Baudin, Anne-Laure Helbert, François Brisset, Djamel Bradai, Hiba Azzeddine

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

The static recrystallization/grain growth kinetics of the AZ31 (Mg-3Al-1Zn, wt%) alloy were investigated employing Vickers microhardness and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) measurements. The AZ31 alloy was subject to a hot-rolling for 70% of thickness reduction and then annealed at various temperatures (150°C, 250°C, and 350°C) from 5 min to 24 h. First, the static recrystallization kinetics were analysed by means of the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) model. The results showed that the recrystallization occurred under two regimes both involving their own Avrami exponent/ activation energy. In regime I, the Avrami exponent was found in the range of 1.5-0.35 depending on the annealing …

Effect Of Al Addition On Crystal Structure Of Algan/Gan On Gaas (001) Substrate Grown By Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy, Nattamon Suwannaharn, Sakuntam Sanorpim, Suphakan Kijamnajsuk, Visittapong Yordsri, Noppadon Nuntawong, Kentaro Onabe

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Effects of Al addition on a structural phase modification in AlGaN/GaN films on GaAs  substrate grown by MOVPE have been investigated. To examine the effect of Al addition, AlGaN/GaN films were grown with varied a molar flow ratio of TMAl to the total group-III elements of 0, 0.15, and 0.30. Quantity of hexagonal phase incorporation was evaluated by the ratios of integrated XRD intensity of hexagonal  plane to cubic  plane from reciprocal space mappings. The diffraction geometry factor was considered in the calculation. The results suggest that GaN primarily contains a hexagonal phase with a small fraction of a cubic …

Facile Synthesis Of Heterostructured G-C3n4/Ag -Tio2 Photocatalysts With Enhanced Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance, Chonnipha Tangwongputti, Prasert Reubroycharoen, Pornapa Sujaridworakun

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

In this study, the g-C3N4/Ag-TiO2 composite photocatalysts were prepared to enhance the efficient utilization of solar energy. The g-C3N4 was synthesized by facile heat treatment of urea at 600℃ for 4 h, and 0.05 wt% to 3 wt% Ag-TiO2 were obtained through the chemical reduction method. The composite photocatalysts were prepared by mixing the g-C3N4 and Ag-TiO2 with a weight ratio of 50:50 at room temperature. The photocatalytic efficiency was carried out by using 0.05 g of photocatalysts with 10 mg·L-1 of rhodamine B 120 mL under 60 min of visible light irradiation. The experimental results indicated that a sample …

Effect Of Pre-Carbonization Temperature On The Porous Structure And Electrochemical Properties Of Activated Carbon Fibers Derived From Kapok For Supercapacitor Applications, Nu Myat Thazin, Nattapat Chaiammart, Myo Myo Thu, Gasidit Panomsuwan

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were successfully synthesized from kapok via a two-step process: (i) pre-carbonization and (ii) chemical activation. The pre-carbonization temperature was varied at 300℃, 400℃, and 500℃. The mixing ratio of the pre-carbonized product and potassium hydroxide (KOH) was 3:1, while the activation temperature was 800℃. The effect of pre-carbonization temperature on the morphology, surface area and porosity, chemical functional group, and phase structure of ACFs was investigated and discussed. The characterization results showed that ACFs exhibited an amorphous carbon structure with a hollow fiber shape resembling the kapok. The specific surface area decreased from 487 m2×g-1 to …

Effects Of Milling Time On Sintering Properties And Formation Of Interface Al4c3 On Graphite Reinforced Al-4.5cu-1.5mg Nanocomposite, Angga Khairul Fahmi, Haris Rudianto, Agus Sukarto Wismogroho, Wahyu Bambang Widayatno, Didik Aryanto, Bambang Hermanto

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

Aluminum-based metal matrix nanocomposites have been extensively researched and developed for aerospace and automotive applications. Al-4.5Cu-1.5Mg with 0.5 wt% graphite were milled for 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h using shaker mill under argon gas. The phenomena of deformation, fracturing, and cold welding during shaker mill were investigated to observe how the shaker mill effects on their morphology and formation of intermetallic phases due to its very high speed. Sintering under ultra-high purity argon gas for 99.9999% was done to produce high density materials. Intermetallic phase Al4C3 was found as a result reaction between aluminum and graphite …

Influence Of Six-Step Heat Treatment On Microstructures And Mechanical Properties Of 5160 Alloy Steel, Pattama Apichai

Journal of Metals, Materials and Minerals

AISI 5160 alloy steel grade with complete martensite structure to get the high-strength steel sheets quenched at 900 (Q1), 870 (Q2), 840 (Q3) and 810°C (Q4), respectively and temped at 780°C (Q5) and 680°C (Q6), respectively. The results show ferrite and pearlite microstructural appeared in as-sheet conditions. The strengthening rarely increased with increasing heat treatment steps, while the percentage elongation gradually decreased. The hardness change was secure with that of strengthening for the quenched martensite. In contrast, differences between the initial martensite hardness were no noticeable changes. The Q4 hardening involved the peak hardness and maximum ultimate tensile strength due …