Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

On The Performance Of Imt-2000 Communication Link Based On Stratospheric Platforms, Iskandar Iskandar, Shigeru Shimamoto

Makara Journal of Technology

A new means for providing wireless communication has been currently proposed. It is based on aerial vehicle known as High Altitude Platform or Stratospheric Platforms (SPF). The SPF will be operated at an altitude of 17-22 km above the ground. Therefore, the channel condition may be different compared with those of the conventional terrestrial or satellite wireless channel. In this paper, the channel propagation characteristic of such a system is firstly investigated by means of ray tracing algorithm. We emphasize our investigation in a typical urban environment, in which the mobile users mostly exist. We developed building block model for …

Modification Of Bonding Strength Test Of Wc Hvof Thermal Spray Coating On Rocket Nozzle, Bondan T. Sofyan, Haposan J. Pardede, Marizki Stefano, Edi Sofyan

Makara Journal of Technology

Modification of Bonding Strength Test of WC HVOF Thermal Spray Coating on Rocket Nozzle. One way to reduce structural weight of RX-100 rocket is by modifying the nozzle material and processing. Nozzle is the main target in weight reduction due to the fact that it contributes 30 % to the total weight of the structur. An alternative for this is by substitution of massive graphite, which is currently used as thermal protector in the nozzle, with thin layer of HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) thermal spray layer. This paper presents the characterization of nozzle base material as well as the modification …

Hybrid Identification System With Arx And Fast Fourier Transform In Application Of A Quarter Of Vehicle Half Active Suspension, Noveri Lysbetti M, Antonius R.

Makara Journal of Technology

Hybrid Identification System with ARX and Fast Fourier Transform in Application of a Quarter of Vehicle Half Active Suspension. In a control system problem, identification system mechanism is a absolute thing, especially in adaptation controlling to disturbance changing. For that case, is needed an identification method which can identify the changing of disturbance in that system. The aim of this research is to give an alternative in system/plant identification which is a combination (hybrid) of ARX and Fast Fourier Transform. So, it is needed an algorithm design for identification process. In this case, the designed algorithm will be implemented in …

Analysis Of Photoconductive Properties In Ge2Sb2Te5 (Gst) Chalcogenide Films For Applications In Novel Electronics, John R. V. Chezem

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigated the thermal phase-change properties in Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ (GST) chalcogenide-based films and determined the feasibility of coupling the GST with photosensitive DNA material for novel optical device applications. Modeling and testing of GST were researched with the approach that GST would react as a resistive mechanism through thermal manipulation. A test structure was fabricated with a 2-micronmeter MEMS fabrication process. GST material was deposited (by RF sputtering) on the surface of the test structures. The GST was analyzed primarily in the amorphous to crystalline transition states due to more distinct changes in the resistance …

Millimeter Wave Imaging Of Corrosion Under Paint: Comparison Of Two Probes, Mohammad Tayeb Ahmad Ghasr, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, Matthew O'Keefe, Ajay Padwal, Donald D. Palmer

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Critical aircraft structures are susceptible to harsh environmental conditions that cause corrosion of these structural components. It is of great importance to detect corrosion under paint, particularly in its early stages. Millimeter wave nondestructive evaluation methods have shown great potential for detecting corrosion under paint and evaluating its properties. This paper presents and compares the results of using two distinct millimeter wave detection methods; namely a standard single probe and a newly developed differential probe for detecting corrosion under paint.

Fusion Of Microwave And Eddy Current Data For A Multi-Modal Approach In Evaluating Corrosion Under Paint And In Lap Joints, Kapil Gupta, Mohammad Tayeb Ahmad Ghasr, Sergey Kharkovsky, R. Zoughi, R. Joe Stanley, Ajay Padwal, Matthew O'Keefe, Donald D. Palmer, J. Blackshire, Gary Steffes, N. Wood

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Critical aircraft structures are susceptible to hidden corrosion. Find-it and fix-it approaches are inefficient as it relates to managing the problems associated with corrosion. More comprehensive corrosion information may be obtained using data fusion from several detection and evaluation methods. To this end, microwave, conventional and pulsed eddy current data from a multi-layer corroded panel, representing an aircraft lap joint, are fused and used as inputs to a structural analysis model to obtain a comprehensive snapshot of the corroded environment. This paper presents the data fusion algorithm and the structural analysis model along with a discussion of the results.

Anodic Behaviors Of Pb-Ca-Sn-Re Alloy And Tradditional Pb-Ca-Sn Alloy In Sulfuric Acid Solutions, Dang-Guo Li, Gen-Shu Zhou, Liang Yao, Guan-Fa Lin, Mao-Sheng Zheng

Journal of Electrochemistry

The anodic behaviors of Pb-Ca-Sn-Re and Pb-Ca-Sn alloys were investigated at 1.28 V(vsHg/(H₂SO₄)) in 4.5 mol/L sulfuric acid solution by means of ac voltammetry,ac impedance and cyclic voltammetry.The results showed that the corrosion-resistance property of Pb-Ca-Sn-Re alloy is better than that of tradditional Pb-Ca-Sn alloy,the growth of Pb(Ⅱ) compounds was inhibited in the film of Pb-Ca-Sn-Re alloy,and the film impedance of Pb-Ca-Sn-Re alloy was decreased,indicating that the conductivity of the film was(increased),which is helpful to enhance the deep recycling property for lead acid battery.

Mechanism Of Self Discharge Performance Improvement In The Ni-Mh Batteries With Naoh Electrolyte, Xiao-Feng Li, Tong-Chi Xia, Hui-Chao Dong, Yan-Wei Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

The self-discharge performance and charge efficiency at 60 ℃ for Ni-MH battery can be markedly enhanced by using NaOH electrolyte instead of KOH electrolyte.Both the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry tests indicate that the separation of H₂ from the negative electrode may be partly blocked in the former because of the change of the adsorption/desorption behavior of H on the surface of the negative electrode,thus results in an improvement of self-discharge performance of the battery.

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Glucose On Nano Pt/C Electrode, Cui-Lian Chen, Xiao-Lan Wei, Pei Kang Shen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nano Pt/C electrocatalysts were prepared by intermittent microwave heating method.The electrooxidation of glucose on smooth Pt and～Pt/C electrodes has been studied and compared.The results showed that the electrochemical properties on nano Pt/C were improved due to the reduction of the overpotential and the increase in the kinetic rate.The surface area would be significantly increased when the particle size of the catalyst was reduced to nano-scale,resulting in the increase in the activity.The enhancement in the resistance to poisoning could be explained that the oxygen-containing species are easier to react with poisoning species on nano Pt/C and re-active the electrode.

The Effect Of Solution Concentration On Properties Of Ru-Ti-Ir Oxide Anode Coatings, Ke Wang, Yan Han, Jun-Tao Wang, Xiao-Ling Zhang, Yu-Pu Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

The anode coatings of Ru-Ti-Ir oxide with various solution concentrations were prepared by thermal decomposition.The scanning electron microscope(SEM),energy dispersive X-ray detector(EDX),X-ray diffraction(XRD),accelerated life,polarization curve,cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance.spectroscopy(EIS)tests were carried out.The results showed that there was an obvious effect of solution concentrations on the morphology of the coatings,but little effect on polarization of chlorine evolution.Voltammetric charges and double layer capacitances of anode coatings had a tendency to fall down firstly then increase afterwards as the solution concentration increased.

Electrochemical Reduction Behavior Of Benzaldehyde In The Ionic Liquids, Ning Zhao, Wen-Ju Dong, Qi-Zeng Shi

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper, the electrochemical reduction of benzaldehyde was investigated in C₄MIMBF₄, C₆MIMBF₄  and C₈MIMBF₄ ionic liquids by cyclic linear sweep voltammetry,cyclic square-wave voltammetry and chronocoulometry.Benzaldehyde exhibits two successive one-electron irreversible reduction(E_P1=-1.39 V, E_P2=1.69 V) with GC electrode in C₄MIMBF₄, the voltammetric data for benzaldehyde give diffusion coefficients of 1.5*10^-8cm²/s and 1.3*10⁸cm²/s. There is one current peak in C₆MIMBF₄  and C₈MIMBF₄ ionic liquids due to their stronger alkalinity …

Oxygen Enrichment Effect Of Ceo2 To The Cathode Performance Of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, Xiang-Li Hou, Hong-Feng Xu, Jian-Hua Dong, Xin Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

CeO₂ was added to Pt/C catalyst in the cathode of PEMFC by both sol and impregnation methods.The samples were evaluated by TEM,cyclic voltammogram techniques and proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance test.The addition of CeO₂ obviously improved the performance of PEMFC and represented a notable function of oxygen enrichment in the cathode side.But with the addition of CeO₂,part of the catalyst surface was covered and led to the performance drop of the PEMFC.The best content of CeO₂ is 1% when it is added by impregnation method and 3% when it is added by sol method.

Special Photoelectrochemical Response Of Nano-Crystalline Tio2 Electrode, Bi-Bo Lan, Jian-Zhang Zhou, Yan-Yan Xi, Hong-Xiang Chen, Guang-Hua Yao, Zhong-Hua Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

The nano-crystalline TiO₂ electrodes were prepared by spread method,electrodeposition and sol-gel method.The experimental results show that the nano-crystalline TiO₂ electrodes have special photoelectrochemical response-the photocrrent-potential curves appear peaks.The special photoelectrochemical behaviors of nano-(crystalline) TiO₂  electrodes are ascribed to nano-structure as well as special light induced redox reaction mechanism of nano-crystalline semiconductor electrodes.

Preparation Of Spinel Limn2O4 Cathode Materials For Li-Ion Batteries Based On Sol-Gel Process, Xiang-Ming He, Li Wang, Guo-Yun Zhang, Chang-Yin Jiang, Chun-Rong Wan

Journal of Electrochemistry

Spinel LiMn₂O₄ was prepared from CH₃COOLi·2H₂O,Mn(CH₃COO)₂ and adipic acid based on sol-gel process.XRD analysis showed that when the sintering temperature increased,the crystallinity increased,and the capacity also increased.However,its cycleability reached a maximum value at 750 ℃.The sintering duration also influenced on the capacity.The optimized performance was obtained when the sintering was carried out at 750 ℃ for 20 h.Under these conditions,as-prepared spinel LiMn₂O₄  presented the initial discharge capacity of 130 mAh·g^-1 and 125 mAh·g^-1 at 15^th cycle.

Degradation Of Aniline Wastewater By Electro-Heterogeneous Catalysis Reactor, Wei-Li Liu, Ai-Li Zhang, Ji-Ti Zhou, Bao-Jun Jia, Qun-Li Zhu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The treatment of aniline wastewater was investigated using novel electro-heterogeneous catalysis reactor.The effects of applied cell voltage,electrolysis lime,pH value and the electrolyte on electrolysis were investigated.The experimental results show that the reactor with a cell voltage of 30 V,an electrolysis time of 1 h,pH value of 7 and a salinity of 800 mg/L can achieve the best removal efficiency on aniline,which is more efficient than the sole electrochemical reactor.

Electroless Nickel Plating On Carbon Nanotube With Non-Palladium Activation Procedure, Guang-Hui Hu, Hui-Huang Wu, Fang-Zu Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

A new procedure of surface activation without using palladium salt was proposed for electroless nickel plating on carbon nanotubes.In the procedure,carbon nanotubes were oxidized by nitric acid and then neutralized with NaOH to create carboxyl surface groups which were used to adsorb Ni²⁺ ions,thereafter the adsorbed Ni²⁺ ions were chemically reduced into Ni nano-particles as a catalytic center for electroless nickel deposition,all these were further confirmed by infrared absorption spectra and electron microscopic observations.The results indicate that the procedure is feasible to electroless nickel plating on carbon nanotubes.The different morphology of deposits obtained from electroless plating was also …

Effects Of Srb Biofilm And Corrosion Product Films On Corrosion Behavior Of Carbon Steel, Jing Lin, Yong-Gui Yan, Guang-Zhang Chen, Guang-Zhou Liu, Qing-Fen Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Electrochemical techniques and surface analysis techniques were applied to study corrosion characteristic of A₃ steel.The effects on corrosion behavior of A₃ steel by sulfate-reducing bacteria(SRB)(biotic media)and corrosion product(abiotic media)were studied.The results showed that biofilms and corrosion product films play different role during different stages.Biofilms were easier flaky with increasing of its thickness.Non-uniform biofilms reduced pitting corrosion of the specimens.The corrosion product films formed under abiotic conditions were more adherently to the surface of the metal than those formed in biogenic media.

Nanodot-Based Organic Memory Devices, Zhengchun Liu

Doctoral Dissertations

In this study, resistor-type, diode-type, and transistor-type organic memory devices were investigated, aiming at the low-cost plastic integrated circuit applications. A series of solution-processing techniques including spin-coating, inkjet printing, and self-assembly were employed to fabricate these devices.

The organic resistive memory device is based on a novel molecular complex film composed of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and a soluble methanofullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). It has an Al/molecules/Al sandwich structure. The molecular layer was formed by spin-coating technique instead of expensive vacuum deposition method. The current-voltage characteristics show that the device switches from the initial 'low' conduction state to …

Modeling Of Dielectric Mixtures Containing Conducting Inclusions With Statistically Distributed Aspect Ratio, Marina Koledintseva, Sandeep K. R. Chandra, Richard E. Dubroff, Robert W. Schwartz

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An analytical model of composites made of a dielectric base and randomly oriented metal inclusions in the form of nanorods is presented. This model is based on the generalized Maxwell Garnett (MG) mixing rule. In this model, the nanorod particles are modeled as prolate spheroids with a statistically normal distribution of their aspect ratios. It is shown that parameters of the distribution laws affect the frequency characteristics of the composites both at microwave and optical frequencies. The results of computations are represented.

Combinatorial Study Of Ni-Ti-Pt Ternary Metal Gate Electrodes On Hfo2 For The Advanced Gate Stack, K.-S. Chang, M. L. Green, J. Suehle, E. M. Vogel, H. Xiong, Jason R. Hattrick-Simpers, I. Takeuchi, O. Famodu, K. Ohmori, P. Ahmet, T. Chikyow, P. Majhi, B.-H. Lee, M. Gardner

Faculty Publications

The authors have fabricated combinatorial Ni–Ti–Pt ternary metal gate thin film libraries on HfO₂ using magnetron co-sputtering to investigate flatband voltage shift (ΔV_fb) , work function (Φ_m) , and leakage current density (J_L) variations. A more negative ΔV_fb is observed close to the Ti-rich corner than at the Ni- and Pt-rich corners, implying smaller Φ_m near the Ti-rich corners and higher Φ_m near the Ni- and Pt-rich corners. In addition, measured J_L values can be explained consistently with the observed Φ_m variations. Combinatorial methodologies prove to be useful …

Rf-Generated Ambient-Afterglow Plasma, Shariff Shakir, Bijan Pashaie, Shirshak K. Dhali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Atmospheric pressure plasmas have gained importance due to their potential application in polymer surface treatment, surface cleaning of metals, thin film deposition, and destruction of biological hazards. In this paper a radio-frequency driven atmospheric pressure afterglow plasma source in argon and helium is discussed. The light intensity measurement shows that the radio-frequency discharge is continuous in time unlike the intermittent nature of a low frequency dielectric-barrier discharge. The discharge, under ambient conditions, can be generated in argon, helium, and nitrogen. Spectroscopic measurements show that metastables are capable of producing oxygen atoms and other excited species. The argon afterglow, in particular, …

Melting And Solidification Study Of As-Deposited And Recrystallized Bi Thin Films, M. K. Zayed, H. E. Elsayed-Ali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Melting and solidification of as-deposited and recrystallized Bi crystallites, deposited on highly oriented 002-graphite at 423 K, were studied using reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED). Films with mean thickness between 1.5 and 33 ML (monolayers) were studied. Ex situ atomic force microscopy was used to study the morphology and the size distribution of the formed nanocrystals. The as-deposited films grew in the form of three-dimensional crystallites with different shapes and sizes, while those recrystallized from the melt were formed in nearly similar shapes but different sizes. The change in the RHEED pattern with temperature was used to probe the melting …

Growth Of Ge Quantum Dots On Si(100)-(2×1) By Pulsed Laser Deposition, M. S. Hegazy, H. E. Elsayed-Ali

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Self-assembled germanium quantum dots (QDs) were grown on Si(100)-(2×1) by pulsed laser deposition. In situ reflection-high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and postdeposition atomic force microscopy are used to study the growth of the QDs. Several films of different thicknesses were grown at a substrate temperature of 400 °C using a Q-switched Nd:yttrium aluminum garnet laser (λ= 1064 nm, 40 ns pulse width, 23 J/cm ² fluence, and 10 Hz repetition rate). At low film thicknesses, hut clusters that are faceted by different planes, depending on their height, are observed after the completion of the wetting layer. With increasing film thickness, …

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Fall 2005, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Part of every UNLV engineering student’s academic experience, the senior design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. A capstone to the student’s educational career, the senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge.

The senior design competition helps to focus the senior students in increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects. Judges from local industry evaluate the projects …

The Optimal Sulfonation Conditions Of Self-Doped Polyaniline Obtained By Using Experimental Strategies, Wen-Yar Li, Chi-Chang Hu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The optimal sulfonation condition of self-doped sulfonated polyaniline (prepared from leucoemeraldinebase; denoted as LEB-SPANI) with a high electronic conductivity was obtained by experimental strategies, includingthe fractional factorial design (FFD) and central composite design (CCD). From the FFD experiment, the self-doped LEB-SPANI prepared at a lowtemperature (4℃), a short reaction time (1 h), and a small volume of fumingsulfuric acid (10 mL) showed a better conductivity (ca.127 mS/cm). In the CCD study coupled with a confirmationtest, the highest conductivity (ca.141 mS/cm) of the LEB-SPANI film was obtained under a sulfonation temperatureof 4℃, a sulfonation time of 75 minutes, and a volume …

The Deactivation Mechanism Of Metal Oxide Anodes Under Alternative Current Electrolysis Condition, Jun-Tao Wang, Yan Han, Guang-Zhang Chen, Wen-Fa Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The metal oxide anodes coated on titanium used in seawater electrolysis were prepared by thermal decomposition. Their morphologies, compositions and phase structures were determined by scanning electron microscope(SEM), energy dispersive X-ray detector(EDX) and X-ray diffraction(XRD). The electrochemical properties of the anodes were characterized by accelerated life test, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. SEM, EDX and XRD showed that solid solution structures of (Ru, Ir, Ti)O₂ and (Ir, Ti)O₂ were formed after pyrolysis, the solid solution structures and active components were disappeared after the deactivation of the anodes. Electrochemical results indicated that the active area decreased and the …

A Continuous Operation For Electroreduction Of Oxalic Acid To Glyoxylic Acid, Xiao-Hui Hu, Xiang-Fei Yan, Yu-Zhong Su, Jun Li, Qing-Biao Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

A simulative-continuous-operation approach was proposed to study the continuous operation for electroreduction of oxalic acid to gloxylic acid using a packed bed reactor and a parallel reactor with cooled cathode in order to solve the low productivity problem in current state by using traditional reactor. The effects of the concentration of oxalic acid and temperature on this process were also studied. Results showed that,after 30min of the reaction(residence time), the mass fraction of the produced glyoxylic acid in the catholic solution could reach 3.76% and 3.66% with respect to a saturated oxalic acid method and a step-temperature decreasing method. From …

A Study Of Overcharge Characteristic Of Lithium-Ion Cells, Jing Pang, Shi-Gang Lu, Sha Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The overcharge characteristics and effect factors of lithium-ion cells containing LiMn₂O₄ cathodes were studied in detail. Overcharge testing of Lithium-ion cells with a systematic variation in the cell balance demonstrated that the overcharge characteristics of Lithium-ion cells was affected by the amount of cathode in the cells, which is independent of the amount of anode material. The rate of charge was found to be an important parameter, as electrolyte complete decomposition at low charge rates caused the end of overcharge testing, while high charge rates accelerated the rate of heat generation in the cells and the cell …

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells-Materials And Prospects, Molenda Janina, Marzec Jacek

Journal of Electrochemistry

The paper summarizes and discusses the basic properties of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) components (electrode materials and electrolyte) from the point of view of their essential functional parameters suck as chemicalstability, transport, catalytic and thermomechanical properties under operational conditions in a SOFC. An interrela-tion between the defect structure of these materials related to oxygen nonstoichiometry and their electronic propertiesand catalytic activity was shown. Single-chamber fuel cell concept was also presented.

Silicides And Composites Materials As Anodes For Lithium Ion Batteries, Jun-Mei Yan, Hui-Zhen Huang, Jing Zhang, Yong Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The anode materials of Mg₂Si and MnSi were synthesized by mechanically activated annealing(MAA) techniques in this work and the in electrochemical performances were also studied.A series of composite materials of Mg₂Si and CNTs or CMS were prepared by ball-milling method respectively. The reversible capacities of the composites were higher than that of the pure Mg₂Si and pure carbon materials.The cyclic performances have been improved greatly by ball-milling of the Mg₂Si and carbon materials. Results show that ball-milling method is one kind of method to make alloy materials into practical use.