Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Design And Simulation Evaluation Of Converged Toll Collection Schemes For Senegalese Highways, Lai Zengcheng, Zhang Ning, Yang Shichun, Ding Xueqi, Ji Yanjie

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The Senegalese highway toll collection system is inefficient,and significant congestion and delays frequently occur at toll stations in the face of sudden traffic surges during holidays.This paper examined the limitations of the existing toll collection methods on Senegalese highways and combined the image detection algorithm and electronic license plate recognition technology with the existing MTC and ETC toll collection methods to construct a converged toll collection method based on vehicle information recognition.The paper aimed to optimize the Senegalese highway toll collection system,reduce its cost of use,and improve the efficiency of toll collection.The BPV Thiès toll station in Senegal was selected …

Parametric Analysis Of Composite Slab With Steel Bar Trusses At Construction Stages, Zhang Junhao, He Jun, Tan Chao, Feng Sidong, Wang Zitong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To clarify the structural behavior of composite slab with steel bar trusses at key construction stages including hoisting and concrete post-pouring,a composite beam bridge with a main span of 60 m in Georgia ’s E60 Highway was investigated.A finite element model was developed by using ABAQUS to simulate the construction process and analyze the influence of parameters such as prefabricated bottom slab material,number of hoisting points,slab thickness,and number of steel bar trusses on the principal stress of concrete and mid-span deflection.The results indicate that ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC ) prefabricated bottom slabs prevent plastic damage and enhance slab stiffness.Normal concrete (NC) …

Biobased Acrylate Composites With Enhanced Strength For Additive Manufacturing, Nicole Wagner, Joseph Mcwherter

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

With the expanding use of polymers in additive manufacturing, sustainable resins for use in vat photopolymerization are required to reduce their environmental impact. One promising approach to achieve this is to incorporate biobased fillers that replace the acrylates in photopolymer resins as ‘green’ alternatives. In this study, photopolymer composites consisting of a methacrylate resin with varying calcium carbonate powder content between 0 and 50 wt.% were investigated. A digital light processing technique was used to fabricate tensile test specimens for mechanical testing. Good printability, dimensional accuracy, and good interlayer adhesion were observed for composite resin formulations that incorporated calcium carbonate …

Nanostructured Graphitic Carbon Nitride For Photocatalytic And Electrochemical Applications, Muhammad Abdul Qadeer, Iqra Fareed, Asif Hussaine, Muhammad Asim Farid, Sadia Nazir, Faheem K. Butt, Ji-Jun Zou, Muhammad Tahir, Shang-Feng Du

Journal of Electrochemistry

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) exhibits great mechanical as well as thermal characteristics, making it a valuable material for use in photoelectric conversion devices, an accelerator for synthesis of organic compounds, an electrolyte for fuel cell applications or power sources, and a hydrogen storage substance and a fluorescence detector. It is fabricated using different methods, and there is a variety of morphologies and nanostructures such as zero to three dimensions that have been designed for different purposes. There are many reports about g-C₃N₄ in recent years, but a comprehensive review which covers nanostructure dimensions …

A Cnt Intercalated Co Porphyrin-Based Metal Organic Framework Catalyst For Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Pei-Pei He, Jin-Hua Shi, Xiao-Yu Li, Ming-Jie Liu, Zhou Fang, Jing He, Zhong-Jian Li, Xin-Sheng Peng, Qing-Gang He

Journal of Electrochemistry

The poor electronic conductivity of metal-organic framework (MOF) materials hinders their direct application in the field of electrocatalysis in fuel cells. Herein, we proposed a strategy of embedding carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during the growth process of MOF crystals, synthesizing a metalloporphyrin-based MOF catalyst TCPPCo-MOF-CNT with a unique CNT-intercalated MOF structure. Physical characterization revealed that the CNTs enhance the overall conductivity while retaining the original characteristics of the MOF and metalloporphyrin. Simultaneously, the insertion of CNTs generated adequate mesopores and created a hierarchical porous structure that enhances mass transfer efficiency. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis confirmed that the C atom in CNT …

New Insights Into Controlling The Functional Properties Of Tin Oxide-Based Materials, Alexandra Kuriganova, Nina Smirnova

Journal of Electrochemistry

Development of methodologies for fabrications of nanostructured materials that provide control over their microstructural features and compositions represents a fundamental step in the advancement of technologies for productions of materials with well-defined functional properties. Pulse electrolysis, a top-down electrochemical approach, has been demonstrated to be a viable method for producing nanostructured materials with a particular efficacy in the synthesis of tin oxides. This method allows for significant control over the composition and shape of the resulting tin oxides particles by modifying the anionic composition of the aqueous electrolyte, obviating the need for additional capping agents in the synthesis process and …

Novel Approach For The Micro Cracks Detection Of Solar Wafers And Cells, Mohd Israil, Arvind Kumar Sharma, Ekta Gupta

Al-Bahir

This paper deals with the review of various existing technique for the microcracks detection in silicon solar cell and wafer. In addition to this, we proposed a novel approach for the machine learning technique for the inspection of the cracks those are existed in the solar cell and wafer and not able to detect by the naked eyes. There are many techniques have been developed by the various researchers around the world to inspect solar cells for defect. All the techniques discussed in this article having some features and some weakness too. This paper present here gives the two-fold solution …

Identifying The Effect Of Architecture Morphology On Wind Fields And Pm2.5 Dispersion At The Urban Block Scale Via A Combined Scheme, Bin Guo, Lu Li, Xiaowei Zhu, Zheng Wang, Miaoyi Chen, Lin Pei, Tengyue Guo

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explores the potential of architecture morphology to mitigate PM2.5 pollution through enhanced urban ventilation. Despite the recognized influence of building designs on wind and air pollution distribution at the urban block scale, specific mechanisms remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we have developed an integrative approach combining in-situ observations, Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and statistical modeling. Here, CFD simulates the flow field and PM2.5 dispersion, using in-situ observations for turbulence model selection. GIS quantify architecture morphology parameters to establish accurate CFD boundary conditions, ensuring simulations reflect real-world conditions and precise …

Fabrication Of Microscale Oxide Architectures On Silicon Via A Cmos-Compatible, Deposition-Last Process, Jamal A. Brown

Material Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

This work explores the feasibility of integrating complex oxide devices on silicon using a CMOS-compatible, deposition-last approach. While previous demonstrations of this method have succeeded at larger scales, this study focuses on extending the process to microscale features, with lateral dimensions as small as two microns. The fabrication sequence begins with photolithographic patterning and reactive ion etching of the silicon substrate, followed by the deposition of a silicon nitride mask to delineate device regions. We then epitaxially grew SrTiO3 and La-doped SrTiO3 layers on top of the nitride mask via molecular beam epitaxy. Electrical transport measurements of the La:STO layer …

Reducing Friction In Machine Oil Via Cesium-Hybridized Graphene Oxide Quantum Dot Additives, Islam Gomaa, Sherief Elsoudy, Maryam Galal, Ahmed Azim

Nanotechnology Research Centre

Friction and wear are among the most common causes of energy loss and component failure in mechanical systems, accounting for around 20–30% of total global energy consumption. Conventional lubricants fail to provide consistent performance in harsh conditions due to inadequate additive dispersion, agglomeration, and restricted surface reactivity. Recent advances in nanomaterial-based lubricants have shown promise, but it remains difficult to achieve significant friction and wear reduction at low additive concentrations while preserving stability. In this study, we synthesized and tested cesium-hybridized graphene oxide quantum dots (Cs-GOQDs) as novel lubricant additives. When incorporated into machine oil at 0.1 wt%, Cs-GOQDs reduced …

Characterization And Leaching Feasibility Studies Of Copper Flue Dust For The Recovery Of Main And Trace Metals, Fardis Nakhaei, Marek Locmelis, Lana Alagha, Michael S. Moats, Carlos Eyzaguirre, Cory Smith

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Although copper smelter dust (CSD) is classified as hazardous waste, it also serves as a valuable secondary resource, offering potential for the recovery of critical elements. In this study, CSD samples were collected from the waste heat boiler (WHB) and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) units connected to the flash smelting furnace at a copper smelter. The representative samples were extensively characterized by particle size, and chemical and mineralogical analyses. Following sample characterization, leaching experiments were performed to evaluate the potential extraction of Cu, Fe, As, Zn, Pb, In, Ga, and Ge from the flue dusts. Distilled water, H2SO4, and HCl were …

A Comparison Of Microcrystal Electron Diffraction And X-Ray Powder Diffraction For The Structural Analysis Of Metal-Organic Frameworks, Erik Biehler, Silvana Pagola, Daniel Stam, Johannes Merkelbach, Christian Jandl, Tarek M. Abdel-Fattah

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

This study successfully implemented microcrystal electron diffraction (microED) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) for the crystal structure determination of a new phase, TAF-CNU-1, Ni(C₈H₄O₄)·3H₂O, solved by microED from single microcrystals in the powder and refined at the kinematic and dynamic electron diffraction theory levels. This nickel metal–organic framework (MOF), together with its cobalt and manganese analogues with formula M (C₈H₄O₄)·2H₂O with M = Mn ^II or Co^II, were synthesized in aqueous media as one-pot preparations from the corresponding hydrated metal chlorides and sodium terephthalate, as a promising `green' synthetic route to moisture-stable MOFs. The crystal structures of the …

Metathesis Or Isomerization: Counteranion Directed Reactivity Of Grubbs I, Paul D. Miller, Joe B. Calkins, Craig A. Bayse, Trandon A. Bender

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Catalytic isomerization of alkenes has garnered interest for many years, but there are remaining challenges when it comes to thermodynamic selectivity and uncontrolled isomerization. Nonbiased substrates, be it sterically or thermodynamically, remain challenging for many catalysts, with a few examples available in the more modern literature. Herein, we present the controlled isomerization of linear alkenes with a cocatalytic mixture of commercially available catalyst and reagents: Grubbs I, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, and triethylsilane. DFT calculations indicate that an observed alkylidyne hydride intermediate is in rapid equilibrium with an alkylidene that binds the alkene substrate. This combination results in a pi-acidic metal and a …

Amphiphilic Tripodal Metalloligands: Synthesis, Coordination Chemistry And Preliminary Catalysis, Austin W. Medley, Paul D. Miller, Craig A. Bayse, Robert D. Pike, Trandon A. Bender

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Triscatecholate binding has been widely studied in the context of biological systems, supramolecular chemistry, and weak aggregate interactions. However, the utilization of the triscatecholate binding motif for the preparation of metalloligands remains unexplored. Herein, we report the synthesis, structural characterization, and functional studies of a triscatecholate ligand with an appended pyridyl residue as a candidate for such applications. Our findings reveal that the selective formation of cis-triscatecholate-based metalloligands is influenced by electronic effects on the catecholate anions, enabling the targeted synthesis of Al(III), Ga(III), and In(III) triscatecholate metalloligands capable of binding Zn(II) and Ru(II) at the appended pyridyl moiety for …

Beyond The Phonon Gas Model (Pgm): Unraveling The Unique Mechanistic Processes Dictating Thermal Transport In Highly Anharmonic And Disordered Materials, Sandip Thakur

Open Access Dissertations

Thermal transport in nonmetallic solids has traditionally been described by the phonon gas model (PGM), in which heat is carried by weakly interacting phonon quasiparticles in an ordered crystalline lattice. However, this model breaks down in materials characterized by strong anharmonicity, dynamic disorder, or structural complexity, features prevalent in many next-generation materials used in energy conversion, optoelectronics, and thermal management. This dissertation investigates thermal transport in such complex materials, including metal halide perovskites (MHPs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), metal organic frameworks (MOFs), and 2D-3D heterostructures, through large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and frequency-resolved spectral analyses.

In MHPs, the work reveals …

Effects Of Chain Length, Saturation, And Bases On Saponification, Sarah Fenik

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will analyze the effects of chain length and saturation of fatty acids on saponification processes, as well as the effects of the base used in the reaction. Stearic acid, lauric acid, and oleic acid will be used for the fatty acid comparisons, and sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide will be used for the base comparisons. Stearic acid is considered a long chain fatty acid, while lauric acid is considered a short chain fatty acid. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid. Five soap products are be made: sodium stearate, sodium laurate, sodium oleate, potassium stearate, and potassium oleate. …

Mechanical And Thermal Characterization Of Additively Manufactured Carbon/Nylon 12 And Carbon/Peek Composites, Matik Heskin, Bradley Deuser, Thomas P. Schuman, K. Chandrashekhara, John Bayldon, Jeff Degrange, Steven Patterson, Neiko Levenhagen

Chemistry Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study explores additive manufacturing of carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites using the Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing (CBAM) process. Carbon/Nylon 12 and Carbon/PEEK composites were fabricated and evaluated through mechanical (compression, tensile, flexural, and impact) and thermal (DSC and TGA) tests. Carbon/PEEK exhibited superior mechanical performance, with 97.5% higher tensile strength, 79.8% higher elastic modulus, and 59.6% higher flexural strength compared to Carbon/Nylon 12. Thermal testing showed that Carbon/PEEK had higher thermal stability, beginning degradation at 350 °C versus 298 °C for Carbon/Nylon. These results indicate that CBAM-fabricated Carbon/PEEK composites are suitable for applications requiring high strength and temperature resistance.

Thermo-Rheological And Tribological Properties Of Low- And High-Oleic Vegetable Oils As Sustainable Bio-Based Lubricants, Abiodun Saka, Tobechukwu K. Abor, Anthony C. Okafor, Monday U. Okoronkwo

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Vegetable oil-based lubricants have attracted increased research attention in recent decades as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based lubricants in metal machining. However, more studies are required to fully elucidate the thermo-rheological and tribological properties. This study presents an investigation of the thermo-rheological and tribological properties of different vegetable oils, including low- and high-oleic soybean oil, high-oleic sunflower, safflower, and canola oils. The lubricity, and evolution of viscosity and thermodynamic properties as a function of temperature were investigated to obtain important parameters including the viscosity index, flow behavior index, flow activation energy, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, coefficient of friction, contact …

Characterization And Optimization Of Sand And Tung Oil-Based Resins For Binder-Jet 3d Printing, Daniel I. Ajiola

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Binder-jet 3D printing as a transformative technology in additive manufacturing, offers the ability to fabricate complex structures with diverse materials. This thesis investigates the use of a sustainable tung oil-based resin to create composites, exploring the potential for an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic binders.

The aim of this research is to develop and characterize a bio-based resin formulation, using tung oil as the primary binder, for application in binder-jet 3D printing with sand as the reinforcement. The resin formulation was prepared by combining tung oil, n-butyl methacrylate, divinylbenzene, and di-tert-butyl peroxide in precise proportions, ensuring a balanced mixture that supports …

Development, Synthesis And Characterization Of Advanced Low- Cobalt And High-Nickel Cathode Materials For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Arjun Patel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the improvement of structural and electrochemical stability of active materials for lithium-ion batteries. It explores the modification strategies to mitigate the issues related to Ni-rich cathode materials, along with the continuous production of cathode precursors using a slug flow reactor to improve the quality of the product.

The First part of the dissertation examines the effect of substitution of cobalt with aluminum and iron on the electrochemical stability of Ni-rich lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) materials. This study investigates how Al and Fe doping work and how they impact the performance and stability of these …

A Fault-Tolerant Exchange-Coupled Spin-Ensemble Qubit At Elevated-Temperatures, Aniruddha Chakraborty

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a novel qubit architecture: the ferromagnetic exchange-coupled spin ensemble qubit (E-qubit), designed to address the noise-induced instability. In this work, the time evolution of the ensemble’s density matrix is studied using the Liouville–von Neumann equation. To benchmark against a single-spin qubit, the gate fidelity of an E-qubit is computed in the presence of thermal noise. Coherence time is also analyzed under identical thermal condition and a linear scaling is observed with qubit size . The results show that, at 6 K , the gate fidelity error (0.7 % ) of the seven- spin ensemble is an order …

Monte Carlo Modeling Of Spin Polarized Photoemission From Gaas At Low Temperatures And Positive Electron Affinity Surfaces, John Rison Callahan

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Research and development of new photocathode materials are essential to the continuing success and productivity of accelerator technology. High-quality photocathodes characterized by high quantum efficiencies, long lifetimes, low mean transverse energies, and robustness to vacuum environments and operation loads are becoming increasingly essential to the successful operation of the next generation of high brightness accelerator applications. For nuclear and high-energy physics experiments and other applications that rely on spin-polarized electron beams, photocathodes must also demonstrate high electron spin polarizations. The development of state of-the-art spin-polarized photocathodes will require both development of methods to improve the quality of already existing cathode …

Development Of Group Iii-V Quantum Confinement-Enabled Detectors: Bias-Tunable Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (Qwip) And Quantum Dot Scintillation Detector (Qdsd), Gyana R. Biswal

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

This dissertation discloses the physics, fabrication, characterization, and analysis of two novel types of group III-V semiconductor detectors relying on quantum confinement of carriers, namely voltage-tunable quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) and a high-yield ultrafast quantum dot scintillation detector (QDSD). Both QWIP and QDSD heterostructures presented here were grown on 3” GaAs (001) substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).

A major part of the dissertation focuses on development of the voltage-tunable QWIPs targeting detection in the mid-wave infrared region (MWIR) (3μm -5μm) and long-wave infrared region (LWIR) (8μm -12μm) with control of sensitivity by the applied bias. The QWIPs utilize …

Re-Crosslinkable Particle For Conformance Control And Temporary Plugging, Yifu Long, Bowen Yu, Baojun Bai, Thomas P. Schuman

Patents

The present invention generally relates to the composition of particle gels for conformance control, well drilling and well treatments. More particularly, this invention relates to swellable polymer particle gels that can re-crosslink, i.e., reassociate and self-heal, at subterranean conditions. These particle gels can be deployed to improve the conformance of water flooding of especially matrix bypass events (MBEs), that are also known as void space conduits. Moreover, these particle gels can be deployed for controlling the water production and increasing of petroleum recovery. The inventive particles can also be deployed as diverter for well stimulation.

Coating Compositions And Methods For Using The Same, Fateme Razaei, Thomas P. Schuman, Glenn C. Morrison

Patents

Coating compositions and methods for using the same are disclosed. The coating compositions can include an aminosilica adsorbent. The coating compositions can adsorb CO2 .

Nontoxic High Temperature Resistant Hydrogels, Thomas P. Schuman, Baujun Bai, Buddhabhushan Pundlik Salunkhe

Patents

Compositions of swellable non-toxic hydro gels and their use in conformance control are described herein. More specifically, the present invention generally relates to the hydro gels compositions that can be used to treat the oil reservoirs having high temperature and high salinity conditions. The compositions generally comprise a plurality of swellable particles having one or more crosslinkers interspersed within a polymer matrix. The compositions can also be used in biomedical, agricultural, fracking and similar applications wherein thermally-stable, nontoxic hydrogels are required.

Mxene-Based Materials For Enhanced Water Quality: Advances In Remediation Strategies, Ali Mohammad Amani, Milad Abbasi, Atena Najdian, Farzaneh Mohamadpour, Seyed Reza Kasaee, Hesam Kamyab, Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan, Mostafa Shafiee, Lobat Tayebi, Ahmad Vaez, Atefeh Najafian, Ehsan Vafa, Sareh Mosleh-Shirazi

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Two-dimensional MXenes are promising candidates for water treatment because of their large surface area (e.g., exceeding 1000 m²/g for certain structures), high electrical conductivity (e.g., >1000 S/m), hydrophilicity, and chemical stability. Their strong sorption selectivity and effective reduction capacity, exemplified by heavy metal adsorption efficiencies exceeding 95 % in several studies, coupled with facile surface modification, make them suitable for removing diverse contaminants. Applications include the removal of heavy metals (e.g., achieving >90 % removal of Pb(II)), dye removal (e.g., demonstrating >80 % removal of methylene blue), and radioactive waste elimination. Furthermore, 3D MXene architecture exhibit enhanced performance in antibacterial …

Investigating The Roles Of Intrinsic Point Defects And Transition Metal Doping In Monolayer And Bulk Tis2, Patrick J. Keeney

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Within this thesis, the magnetic and electronic properties of various 1T-TiS₂ systems are thoroughly examined using density functional theory (DFT) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Formation energies and electronic implications of intrinsic point defects in bulk TiS₂ and monolayer TiS₂ are analyzed by approximating a computational monolayer of TiS₂ as the surface layer of a bulk sample. This approximation is validated given that intralayer covalent bonding dominates interlayer van der Waals interactions. We conclude that the most energetically favorable intrinsic defects are Ti atoms settling above the outermost S plane and S vacancies. In addition, the …

Frustrated Quantum Magnetism: The Interplay Of Isotropic And Anisotropic Interactions With Application To Α-Rucl3, Evan M. Wilson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

We investigate how anisotropic spin interactions, including Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya and Kitaev terms, manifest across quantum spin systems ranging from a single S = 1/2 dimer to molecular spin clusters and layered magnetic materials. Beginning with an exact analysis of the spin dimer, we demonstrate how singlet–triplet mixing induced by Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction directly influences both thermodynamic observables and inelastic neutron scattering spectra. These microscopic fingerprints are then extended to trimer, tetramer, and tetrahedron geometries, where field-induced phase transitions and heat capacity anomalies reveal the interplay between isotropic Heisenberg and anisotropic Kitaev exchanges. In the frustrated zigzag honeycomb lattice, we show that a …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Doped Rare-Earth Zinc Alloys, Partha Das

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Rare-Earth-Zinc (RE-Zn) alloys doped with manganese represent a promising class of materials with diverse applications in magnetic, electronic, and thermoelectric devices. These alloys hold significant potential owing to the unique combination of rare-earth elements' properties with the versatility of zinc, augmented by manganese doping. In this study, I present the successful synthesis of ErMn_0.2Zn_11.8 alloys, achieved through self-flux method. The synthesized crystals were characterized using electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). Additionally, magnetic measurements were performed to investigate the magnetic properties. Future plans include DFT calculations and comparison study between Rare-Earth-Zinc alloys with …