Other Engineering Science and Materials Commons^™

Development Of Lignin Carbon Fiber And Reinforced Composites, Nathan Kieran Meek

Masters Theses

The aim of this work is to develop lignin carbon fiber for composite applications. This included mechanical testing of single lignin carbon fiber (LCF), interfacial shear strength determination for LCF-resin systems using single fiber fragmentation, x-ray diffraction for the evaluation of microstructural parameters, and finally composite manufacturing and testing. Through these focused areas of analysis, the carbon fiber is thoroughly characterized and composite performance is evaluated. This effort was a collaboration with the Center for Renewable Carbon (CRC) and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. LCF produced by the CRC resulted in fibers having tensile strength of 250-800 MPa and …

Radiation-Induced Radicals In Polyurea-Crosslinked Silica Aerogel, Benjamin Michael Walters

Masters Theses

Free radicals are atoms or molecules with an odd number of electrons in an outer shell. Since electrons typically occur in pairs, this leaves one electron that is unpaired. In seek of another electron to pair with, free radicals react with and steal electrons from neighboring molecules, which then become free radicals themselves. This can start a chain reaction, cascading into large scale damage.

Ionizing radiation can tear through molecules, just as bullets can tear through things that we see. If free radicals can be detected, and seen to increase in a material upon radiation exposure, this can indicate molecular …