Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Glucose Level Estimation Based On Invasive Electrochemical, And Non-Invasive Optical Sensing Methods, Sanghamitra Mandal

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to design and fabricate sensors for glucose detection using inexpensive approaches. My first research approach is the fabrication of an amperometric electrochemical glucose sensor, by exploiting the optical properties of semiconductors and structural properties of nanostructures, to enhance the sensor sensitivity and response time. Enzymatic electrochemical sensors are fabricated using two different mechanisms: (1) the low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide nanorods, and (2) the rapid metal-assisted chemical etching of silicon (Si) to synthesize Si nanowires. The concept of gold nano-electrode ensembles is then employed to the sensors in order to boost the current …

Investigation Of Nanomaterial Based Photovoltaic Panel Packaging Materials, Xingeng Yang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this research, nanomaterial-based packaging materials for photovoltaic (PV) panels are investigated. A hydrophobic/anti-reflective surface coating which not only repels water from the top glass of a PV panel but at the same time reduces its light reflectance is investigated. COMSOL simulation results indicate that taller ellipsoid rod (aspect ratio = 5) reflects less light than shorter rod (aspect ratio = 0.5) in the desired spectrum for solar energy harvest from 400nm-700nm. The addition of a polymer layer on these ellipsoid rods broadens the light incident angle from 23° to 34°, from which light can be efficiently absorbed. Based on …

Near Bandgap Two-Photon Excited Luminescence Of Inas Quantum Dots, Xian Hu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) confine carriers in three dimensions, resulting in atomic-like energy levels as well as size-dependent electrical and optical properties. Self-assembled III-V QD is one of the most studied semiconductor QDs thanks to their well-established fabrication techniques and versatile optical properties. This dissertation presents the photoluminescence (PL) study of the InAs/GaAs QDs with both above bandgap continuous-wave excitation (one-photon excitation) and below-bandgap pulse excitation (two-photon excitation). Samples of ensemble QDs, single QD (SQD), and QDs in a micro-cavity, all grown by molecular beam epitaxy, are used in this study. Morphology of these samples was examined using atomic force …

Structure And Property Of Polymers And Biopolymers From Molecular Dynamic Simulations, Xiaoquan Sun

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Natural and synthetic polymers and biopolymers have been studied for a variety of applications in food emulsion, biopharmaceutical purification, tissue engineering, and biosensor. The structure and property of polymers and biopolymers are critically important to determine their functions. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have a unique advantage to explore the structure and property of polymers and biopolymers from the molecular level. In the dissertation, MD simulations were conducted to study the mechanisms of various biological and chemical processes controlled by polymers and biopolymers based on real-world experimental results.

Seven heptapeptides have been screened from a peptide library in our earlier study …

Phase Transitions In Monochalcogenide Monolayers, Mehrshad Mehboudi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Since discovery of graphene in 2004 as a truly one-atom-thick material with extraordinary mechanical and electronic properties, researchers successfully predicted and synthesized many other two-dimensional materials such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) and monochalcogenide monolayers (MMs). Graphene has a non-degenerate structural ground state that is key to its stability at room temperature. However, group IV monochalcogenides such as monolayers of SnSe, and GeSe have a fourfold degenerate ground state. This degeneracy in ground state can lead to structural instability, disorder, and phase transition in finite temperature. The energy that is required to overcome from one degenerate ground state to another …

The Incorporation Of Graphene To Lithium Cobalt Oxide As A Cathode To Improve The Performance Of Lithium Ion Batteries, Kenan Wang

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the objectives of this thesis work was to investigate the cathode performance of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) incorporated with graphene powder in lithium ion batteries (LIBs). Graphene powder was incorporated into cathode materials to enhance the performance of LIBs. The other objective was to impede the construction of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) sheet using graphene sheet coating on its cathode.

The results of this work show that adding graphene powder improved the performance of LiCoO¬2 as a cathode material. With the incorporation of different weight percentages of graphene powder, the LiBs showed distinct changes in their charging …

Understanding The Evolution Of Surface Texture Under Boundary Lubrication, Salil T. Bapat

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to understand the evolution of surface texture under boundary/mixed lubrication (BL). Significant material/energy losses occur during BL because of direct contact between the two surfaces. Traditionally, tribofilms have been studied extensively for BL while textures have been used as a static engineering design parameter to enhance lubricant film properties. However, texture is dynamic at the tribological mating interface, where both physical and chemical interactions are continuously modulated. The evolution and the interplay between the tribofilm and texture is least studied in the literature, which is the focus of this research.

MoS2-based lubricants, known for …

Self-Assembled Barium Titanate Nanoscale Films By Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Timothy Allen Morgan

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One challenge of investigating ferroelectrics at the nanoscale has been controlling the stoichiometry during growth. Historically, the growth of barium titanate (BaTiO3) by molecular beam epitaxy has relied on a growth technique called shuttered RHEED. Shuttered RHEED controls the stoichiometry of barium titanate through the precise deposition of alternating layers of BaO and TiO2. While this approach has achieved 1% control of stoichiometry, finding self-limiting mechanisms to lock-in stoichiometry has been the focus of the growth community. The Goldschmidt tolerance factor predicts an unstable perovskite when barium sits in the titanium lattice site. The BaO-TiO2 phase diagram predicts a low-solubility …

Structural And Elastic Properties Of Degenerate Sno Monolayers At Finite Temperature, Afsana Sharmin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chalcogen-based layered superconductors with a litharge structure such as FeS and FeSe mono-layers undergo structural and superconducting phase transitions that are tunable by doping. Representing another material platform with a litharge structure but without valence d-electrons, SnO monolayers also display a structural ground state with a degenerate rectangular unit cell at zero temperature and a charge-tunable energy barrier that leads to a thermally-controllable structural phase change. Doped SnO monolayers with rectangular degenerate unit cells give rise to two-dimensional multiferroicity. Their two-dimensional elastic energy landscape adopts a basic analytic expression that is employed to discuss this structural transition. The results contained …

Modeling And Simulation Of Iii-Nitride-Based Solar Cells Using Nextnano®, Malak Refaei

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Nextnano³ software is a well-known package for simulating semiconductor band-structures at the nanoscale and predicting the general electronic structure. In this work, it is further demonstrated as a viable tool for the simulation of III-nitride solar cells. In order to prove this feasibility, the generally accepted solar cell simulation package, PC1D, was chosen for comparison. To critique the results from both PC1D and Nextnano3, the fundamental drift-diffusion equations were used to calculate the performance of a simple p-n homojunction solar cell device analytically. Silicon was picked as the material for this comparison between the outputs of the two simulators as …

Deformation Behavior Of Al/A-Si Core-Shell Nanostructures, Robert Andrew Fleming

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Al/a-Si core-shell nanostructures (CSNs), consisting of a hemispherical Al core surrounded by a hard shell of a-Si, have been shown to display unusual mechanical behavior in response to compression loading. Most notably, these nanostructures exhibit substantial deformation recovery, even when loaded much beyond the elastic limit. Nanoindentation measurements revealed a unique mechanical response characterized by discontinuous signatures in the load-displacement data. In conjunction with the indentation signatures, nearly complete deformation recovery is observed. This behavior is attributed to dislocation nucleation and annihilation events enabled by the 3-dimensional confinement of the Al core. As the core confinement is reduced, either through …

Mitigation And Evaluation Of Alkali-Silica Reaction (Asr) And Freezing And Thawing In Concrete Transportation Structures, Richard Albert Deschenes Jr.

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

An evaluation of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) and freezing and thawing (F/T) in concrete transportation structures is presented along with mitigation methods for slowing the rate of deterioration in concrete. A combination of field and laboratory testing confirms ASR deterioration is exacerbated by exposure to F/T. Laboratory testing indicates an aggregate previously deemed inert to ASR, caused ASR deterioration in several concrete pavement and transportation structures. Existing standard test methods deem this aggregate safe for use in concrete. A modified test method shows the concrete can deteriorate rapidly when subjected to cycles of conditions promoting ASR and F/T. Several structures containing …

Optimization Of Concrete Mixtures For Use In Structural Elements, Waleed Almutairi

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Portland cement is an essential ingredient in concrete. The use of cement is to enhance the strength as well as other hardened properties of concrete mixtures. Determining the accurate amount of cement is important because the required strength may not be achieved if not enough cement is used. By contrast, when using too much cement, concrete cracking may occur that leads to reducing durability. Researchers at the University of Arkansas (UA) have shown that many bridge decks achieve their 28 day design strength of 4000 psi by 7 days of age. Bridge decks having high strength may experience cracking, which …

Membranes For Food And Bioproduct Processing, Alexandru Marius Avram

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Modified membranes for process intensification in biomass hydrolysis

Production of biofuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass is one of the leading candidates for replacement of petroleum based fuels and chemicals. However, conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into fuels and chemicals is not cost effective compared to the production of fuels and chemicals from crude oil reserves. Some novel and economically feasible approaches involve the use of ionic liquids as solvents or co-solvents, since these show improved solvation capability of cellulose over simple aqueous systems. Membranes offer unique opportunities for process intensification which involves fractionation of the resulting biomass hydrolysate leading to …

Compositionally Graded Indium Gallium Nitride Solar Cells, Christopher Matthews

Electrical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

For the past several decades, methods to harvest solar energy have been investigated intensively. A majority of the work done in this field has been on solar cells made with silicon – the most mature semiconductor material. Recent developments in material fabrication and processing techniques have enabled other semiconductor materials to attract practical interest and research effort as well. Indium gallium nitride (InGaN) is one such material. The material properties of InGaN indicate that solar cells made with it have the potential to achieve much higher power density than a standard silicon solar cell. High power density InGaN solar cells …

Computer Simulation Of Pore Migration Due To Temperature Gradients In Nuclear Oxide Fuel, Ian Wayne Vance

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A phase-field simulation model is being presented that captures the thermal-gradient-driven migration of pores in oxide fuel associated with fuel restructuring. The model utilizes a Cahn-Hilliard equation supplemented with an advection term to describe the vapor transport of fuel material through the pore interior due to gradients in vapor pressure. In addition, the model also captures changes in a migrating pores’ morphology. Simulations demonstrate that the model successfully predicts pore migration towards the hottest portion of the fuel, the centerline. The simulations also demonstrate changes in pore shape that are in agreement with previous experimental observations. Initially isotropic pores are …

Characterization Of Plastic Deformation Evolution In Single Crystal And Nanocrystalline Cu During Shock By Atomistic Simulations, Mehrdad Mirzaei Sichani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this dissertation is to characterize the evolution of plastic deformation mechanisms in single crystal and nanocrystalline Cu models during shock by atomistic simulations. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed for a range of particle velocities from 0.5 to 1.7 km/s and initial temperatures of 5, 300 and 600 K for single crystal models as well as particle velocities from 1.5 to 3.4 km/s for nanocrystalline models with grain diameters of 6, 11, 16 and 26 nm. For single crystal models, four different shock directions are selected, <100>, <110>, <111> and <321>, and dislocation density behind the shock wave …

Optimization Of Reduced Graphene Oxide Deposition For Hydrogen Sensing Technologies, Matthew Pocta

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Graphene is known to be a key material for improving the performance of hydrogen sensors. High electrical conductivity, maximum possible surface area with respect to volume, and high carrier mobility are a few of the properties that make graphene ideal for hydrogen sensing applications. The problem with utilizing graphene is the difficulty in depositing uniform, thin layers onto substrate surfaces. This study examines a new method of optimizing graphene deposition by utilizing an airbrush to deposit both graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) onto glass substrates. The number of depositions were varied among samples to study the effect …

Controlled Synthesis And Utilization Of Metal And Oxide Hybrid Nanoparticles, Cameron Cowgur Crane

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation reports the development of synthetic methods concerning rationally-designed, hybrid, and multifunctional nanomaterials. These methods are based on a wet chemical, solution phase approach that utilizes the knowledge of synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry to generate building blocks in solution for the growth of nanocrystals and hybrid nanostructures. This work builds on the prior knowledge of shape-controlled synthesis of noble metal nanocrystals and expands into the challenging realm of the more reactive first row transition metals. Specifically, a microemulsion sol-gel method was developed to synthesize Au-SiO2 dimers as precursors for the synthesis of segmented heterostructures of noble metals that …

Infrared Energy Conversion In Plasmonic Fields At Two-Dimensional Semiconductors, Gregory Thomas Forcherio

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Conversion of infrared energy within plasmonic fields at two-dimensional, semiconductive transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) through plasmonic hot electron transport and nonlinear frequency mixing has important implications in next-generation optoelectronics. Drude-Lorentz theory and approximate discrete dipole (DDA) solutions to Maxwell’s equations guided metal nanoantenna design towards strong infrared localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Excitation and damping dynamics of LSPR in heterostructures of noble metal nanoantennas and molybdenum- or tungsten-disulfide (MoS2; WS2) monolayers were examined by parallel synthesis of (i) DDA electrodynamic simulations and (ii) near-field electron energy loss (EELS) and far-field optical transmission UV-vis spectroscopic measurements. Susceptibility to second-order nonlinear frequency …

Plasmon-Mediated Energy Conversion In Metal Nanoparticle-Doped Hybrid Nanomaterials, Jeremy Dunklin

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate change and population growth demand long-term solutions for clean water and energy. Plasmon-active nanomaterials offer a promising route towards improved energetics for efficient chemical separation and light harvesting schemes. Two material platforms featuring highly absorptive plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are advanced herein to maximize photon conversion into thermal or electronic energy. Optical extinction, attributable to diffraction-induced internal reflection, was enhanced up to 1.5-fold in three-dimensional polymer films containing AuNPs at interparticle separations approaching the resonant wavelength. Comprehensive methods developed to characterize heat dissipation following plasmonic absorption was extended beyond conventional optical and heat transfer descriptions, where good agreement was …

Investigation Of Fes2 Nanoparticles For Use In Optoelectronic And Thermoelectric Applications, Rick Tefal Eyi Nkoghe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Iron pyrite (FeS2) is the most abundant sulfide material on earth. This material has been widely investigated by researchers because of its optical properties. However, it has been difficult to produce High efficiency FeS2 based solar cells. This is due to many different impurities that arise when making the materials. The ability to synthesize pure pyrite FeS2 material is therefore critical for applications.

Pure Iron pyrite nanocrystals were synthesized using hot injection by mixing sulfur with an iron precursor in the presence of an amine. To improve the stability, shorter ligands replaced the native amines ligands. The stability of the …

Restrained Shrinkage Of Fly Ash Based Geopolymer Concrete And Analysis Of Long Term Shrinkage Prediction Models, Md R. Islam, Mahbub K. Ahmed, Hosney Ara Begum, Erez N. Allouche

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

The research presented in this manuscript describes the procedure to quantify the restrained shrinkage of geopolymer concrete (GPC) using ring specimen. Massive concrete structures are susceptible to shrinkage and thermal cracking. This cracking can increase the concrete permeability and decrease the strength and design life. This test is comprised of evaluating geopolymer concrete of six different mix designs including different activator solution to fly ash ratio and subjected to both restrained and free shrinkage. Test results obtained from this experimental setup was plotted along with the available empirical equation to observe the shrinkage strain of GPC and a model was …

Influence Of Concrete Compressive Strength On Transfer And Development Lengths Of Prestressed Concrete, Alberto Teodoro Ramirez-Garcia

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the relationship between concrete compressive strength and strand bond. The goal of this research was to develop an equation that relates strand bond to concrete compressive strength at strand release (approximately 1 day of age) and at 28 days of age, and those equations are presented in this investigation. Strand bond is assessed by measuring the transfer length and development length for prestressed beams cast in the laboratory. In the U.S., strand bond is predicted using transfer length and development length equations provided by the American Concrete Institute (ACI-318) Building Code and American Association of State and …

The Effect Of Process Parameters And Surface Condition On Bond Strength Between Additively Manufactured Components And Polymer Substrates, Bharat Bhushan Chivukula

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Additive patching is a process in which printers with multiple axes deposit molten material onto a pre-defined surface to form a bond. Studying the effect of surface roughness and process parameters selected for printing auxiliary part on the bond helps in improving the strength of the final component. Particularly, the influence of surface roughness, as established by adhesion theory, has not been evaluated in the framework of additive manufacturing (AM). A full factorial design of experiments with five replications was conducted on two levels and three factors, viz., layer thickness, surface roughness, and raster angle to examine the underlying effects …

Role Of The Inner Shell Architecture On The Various Blinking States And Decay Dynamics Of Core-Shell And Core-Multishell Quantum Dots, Pooja Bajwa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) have received much attention in recent years due to their uniquely size-tunable properties leading to a number of promising applications. Some of their most popular applications include their use as fluorescent probes in biology, as electro-optical components and in photovoltaic devices. CdSe-based QDs are particularly important because of their ease of synthesis, high photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QYs) across the whole visible spectrum and their photostabilty. Shelling of core QDs is usually carried out to improve their optical properties, minimize outer environmental effects on their properties, and avoid toxic element exposure to the environment. …

Fabrication Of Infrared Photodetectors Utilizing Lead Selenide Nanocrystals, Justin Anthony Hill

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Colloidal lead selenide and lead selenide / lead sulfide core/shell nanocrystals were grown using a wet chemical synthesis procedure. Absorbance and photoluminescence measurements were made to verify the quality of the produced nanocrystals. Absorbance spectra were measured at room temperature, while photoluminescence spectra were measured at 77 K. Organic ligands were exchanged for shorter ligands in order to increase the conductivity of the nanocrystals. Absorption and PL spectra for both core and core/shell nanocrystals were compared. Interdigital photodetector devices with varying channel widths were fabricated by depositing gold onto a glass substrate. Lead selenide nanocrystals were deposited onto these metallic …

Investigation Of The Optical Properties Of Pbse/Pbx Nanocrystals For Photodetector Applications, Haley Ann Morris

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lead selenide and lead selenide/lead sulfide core/shell nanocrystals were investigated for use in near infrared photodetectors. A colloidal synthesis method was used for both the core and core/shell configurations. The lead sulfide shell was examined in order to mitigate oxidation of the nanoparticle surface. Absorbance and photoluminescence spectra were measured at room temperature and 77 K, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images were also obtained to confirm crystallography and size. Bulk lead selenide was simulated in WIEN2k utilizing the linear-augmented plane wave method of solving density functional theory to better understand the electronic structure of PbSe. The crystal structure, electron density, …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Fabrication Of All Inorganic Quantum Dot Leds, Haider Baqer Salman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Quantum Dot LEDs with all inorganic materials are investigated in this thesis. The research was motivated by the potential disruptive technology of core shell quantum dots in lighting and display applications. These devices consisted of three main layers: hole transport layer (HTL), electron transport layer (ETL), and emissive layer where the emission of photons occurs. The latter part was formed of CdSe / ZnS core-shell quantum dots, which were synthesized following hot injection method. The ETL and the HTL were formed of zinc oxide nanocrystals and nickel oxide, respectively. Motivated by the low cost synthesis and deposition, NiO and ZnO …

Interactive Physics And Characteristics Of Photons And Photoelectrons In Hyperbranched Zinc Oxide Nanostructures, Garrett Edward Torix

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

As is commonly known, the world is full of technological wonders, where a multitude of electronic devices and instruments continuously help push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and discovery. These new devices and instruments of science must be utilized at peak efficiency in order to benefit humanity with the most advanced scientific knowledge. In order to attain this level of efficiency, the materials which make up these electronics, or possibly more important, the fundamental characteristics of these materials, must be fully understood. The following research attempted to uncover the properties and characteristics of a selected family of materials. Herein, zinc …