Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Solid-State Crystallization Of Zeolites And Their Use In Plastic Upcycling Applications, Yixin Liao

Doctoral Dissertations

Plastics have been an irreplaceable component of modern technology as well as everyday life. They have brought much convenience to us with their characteristics of great malleability, durability, and stability. The versatile and low-cost nature of plastics also enables their wide engagement in many modern industries including automobile, medical, communication as well as aerospace. Polyethylene (“PE”), made from polymerization of ethylene, is one of the most widely used plastics in the world. Being cheap, flexible, and long-lasting, they are extensively used in the packaging industry, especially for plastic bags and other sorts of containers. However, the durability of plastics, on …

Development Of Ex-Situ Accelerated Chemical Stress Test Protocol For Common Anionic Exchange Membrane Chemistries, Michael D. Friend, Michael D. Friend

Master's Theses

The development of sustainably produced hydrogen fuel (“green hydrogen”) is key for the transition to clean energy sources. Green hydrogen is produced via water electrolysis. As with many clean energy sources, one of the major barriers for scaling water electrolysis is cost. A newer category of water electrolysis is Anionic Exchange Membrane (AEM) water electrolysis. AEM electrolysis systems have the potential to cost less as they do not require the expensive precious metal catalysts the current high preforming Proton Exchange Membrane water electrolysis technologies do. However, AEM lifetimes must be long enough to be cost competitive and AEM chemical durability …

Design And Function Of Thermoresponsive-Ultrafast Stiffening Suspension Formulations For 3d Printing, Sharu Bhagavathi Kandy, Sebastian Remke, Thiyagarajan Ranganathan, Shubham Kiran Wani, Xiaodi Dai, Narayanan Neithalath, Aditya Kumar, Mathieu Bauchy, Edward Garboczi, Torben Gädt, Samanvaya Srivastava, Gaurav Sant

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

An inability to accurately control the rate and extent of solidification of cementitious suspensions is a major impediment to creating geometrically complex structural shapes via 3D printing. In this work, we have developed a thermoresponsive rapid stiffening system that will stiffen suspensions of minerals such as quartz, limestone, portlandite, and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) over a wide pH range. When exposed to trigger temperatures between 40 °C and 70 °C, the polymer binder system undergoes a thermally triggered free radical polymerization (FRP) reaction, leading to an ultrafast stiffening of the suspension at an average rate on the order of 1 …

Refining Chlorosulfonation Methods For The Synthesis Of A Perfluoroalkyl Arylsulfonimide (Pfsi) Monomer, Ainsley P. Foster, Ben Varney, Hua Mei

SPARK Symposium Presentations

Proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are sources of energy that are clean, quiet, and highly responsive to changes in power needs, making them promising for use in automobiles and other portable power devices. The electrolyte of a PEM cell–the layer responsible for conductivity–is a polymer membrane, commonly consisting of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid (PFSA) polymers. In place of the PFSA polymers, perfluoroalkyl arylsulfonimide (PFSI) polymers are expected to improve the efficiency of PEM fuel cells with better stability and proton conductivity. The trifluovinylether (TFVE) aryl perfluorosulfonamide monomer is a new PFSI monomer proposed to fulfill these benefits once polymerized. The previous …

Development Of Planetary Drive System For Formula Sae Electric Race Car, Brian Wong, Bradley Maruoka, Joshua Charles Fine, Madison Kai

Mechanical Engineering

Hub motors are compact electric motors mounted directly on each outboard wheel hub. Utilized in Formula SAE and Formula Student vehicles, this configuration offers several advantages over traditional drivetrains, including packaging optimization within the chassis, vehicle traction, and improved efficiency. Although hub motors are not yet common in 4WD vehicles, they are being explored for use in EVs and may become more common in the future. Every year, Cal Poly Racing FSAE designs and builds a formula-style race car. To improve drivetrain performance, the team is investigating the achievability of a hub motor 4WD drivetrain, requiring extensive research, development, and …

Material Classification With Spectropolarimetric Lidar, Alexander J. Watson

Theses and Dissertations

A method for characterizing unknown targets using a hyperspectral polarimetric light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system is presented. Light reflected from manmade objects tends to be more polarized than light reflected from objects in the natural world. As such, polarization measurements can be used in remote sensing applications to differentiate artificial and natural objects. Previous works have attempted to characterize objects through passive polarimetric imagery. Methods developed by Cain and Lemaster and Cunningham facilitate reconstruction of the Stokes Vector from returning light. Martin used multispectral polarimetry to classify targets when the angle of incidence (AOI) is close to 0º. Here, …

Transfer Efficiencies Of Surface-To-Surface Transport Of Micron-Sized Actinide Surrogate Particles, Austin R. Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Particle effluent of varying sizes is released during routine activities within laboratory environments and these particles can come in contact with a wide range of surfaces. Particles of micron size or smaller can be especially pervasive and can transfer between multiple subsequent surfaces, leading to the progressive contamination of a laboratory. Understanding the transport dynamics of micron sized particles will help inform facility personnel of the possibility of contamination by these potentially hazardous materials of interest. In this research, the transfer efficiency of micron sized surrogate actinide particles (Europium-doped Gadolinium Oxysulfide (EGOS)) is measured for multiple materials, between two particle …

Improvement Of Microcracking And Mechanical Properties Of Tungsten Fabricated Via Laser Powder Bed Fusion Through Alloying With Reactive Secondary Constituents, William S. Mockel

Theses and Dissertations

Tungsten (W), a Group VI transition metal, possesses a number of advantageous properties, most notably its impressive mechanical performance at extreme temperatures. While tungsten's nature render traditional manufacturing methods difficult, additive manufacturing through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) presents a promising avenue for fabricating tungsten components. However, the material’s high ductile-to-brittle transition temperature combined with the embrittling effect of impurities mean that the residual stresses imparted by LPBF result in microcracking in tungsten, degrading its usefulness. This study sought to improve the characteristics of LPBF-W through the removal of embrittling oxygen content via alloying with low concentrations of reactive elements, …

Compositionally Complex Alb2-Type Diborides In Dissociated Air Plasma, F. Monteverde, C. Pellegrini, M. Balat-Pichelin, William Fahrenholtz, Greg Hilmas

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Multi-metal compositionally complex (CC) AlB2-type diboride solid solutions (SS) containing IV-V-VI group elements are garnering a steadily growing research interest. The present work explores the composition dependence of oxidation resistance on nominally equiatomic (Hf,Me,Ta,Ti,Zr)B2 SS, Me = Nb or Cr, exposed to a dissociated air plasma (total pressure of about 1 kPa): specimens were exposed for 5 min at some selected set points between 1800 K and 2500 K using a solar furnace. The CC diboride with Nb showed superior resistance to oxidation compared to that with Cr. The experimental results showed good agreement with predictions based on a thermodynamic …

The Effect Of Mold Flux Wetting Conditions With Varying Crucible Materials On Crystallization, Muhammad Anwarul Nazim, Arezoo Emdadi, Todd Sander, Ronald O'Malley

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Understanding mold flux crystallization is essential for assessing heat transfer during steel casting. The complexity of the mold gap presents challenges in identifying the optimal testing method and nucleation type. This study investigates how variations in wetting properties influence nucleation dynamics, in particular the wetting behaviors of mold flux in platinum and graphite crucibles and how they affect crystallization temperatures and solidification mechanisms. Advanced analytical techniques, including confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to analyze nucleation under different conditions, with calibration using synthetic slag, Li2SO4, and thermodynamic equilibrium simulations. The findings highlight the crucial …

Local Chemical Ordering Of A Neutron-Irradiated Crfemnni Compositionally Complex Alloy, Nathan Curtis, Sohail Shah, Mukesh Bachhav, Kaustubh Bawane, Fei Teng, Calvin Parkin, Tiankai Yao, Haiming Wen, Adrien Couet

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

While ion-irradiation studies are a critical first step in studying compositionally complex alloys (CCAs) for nuclear applications, they do not capture all the microstructural changes occurring under the low irradiation dose rates and different particles' scattering patterns experienced in a nuclear reactor setting. To explore these phenomena in reactor-relevant conditions for the first time in CCA, the single-phase solid-solution Cr10Fe30Mn30Ni30 was neutron irradiated up to 6.61 displacements per atom at 395 and 579 °C. Irradiation-enhanced local chemical ordering (LCO) well beyond the range of short range ordering was observed, and is predicted to be the precursor to the precipitation of …

A Low-Carbon Approach For Lime Production Using Self-Propagating High Temperature Synthesis-Driven Limestone Calcination, Shubham Agrawal, Sayee Srikarah Volaity, Srinivas Kilambi, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Limestone calcination produces calcium oxide (or lime), that forms the basis for the manufacturing of many critical engineering materials such as cement and iron-and-steel. Limestone calcination—an endothermic reaction—is regarded as one of the most energy-and-CO₂ intensive industrial chemical reactions, and is facilitated by fossil fuels, since the high temperature requirement (∼900 °C) renders it less conducive to electrification through renewable energy sources. In this study, a novel, low-temperature (∼450 °C) pathway for ultrafast calcination of limestone using combustion synthesis or self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) is developed. SHS leverages exothermic heat from the combustion of lignin or biomass—as low-carbon fuels—mixed …

Overview Of Porous Magnesium-Based Scaffolds: Development, Properties And Biomedical Applications, Amir Motaharinia, Jaroslaw Drelich, Safian Sharif, Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, Farid Naeimi, Alexandra G. Glover, Mahshid Ebrahiminejad, Hamid Reza Bakhsheshi-Rad

Michigan Tech Publications

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are revolutionizing the field of interventional surgeries in the medical industry. Their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and a similar elastic modulus to natural bone make porous Mg-based structures potential candidates for orthopedic implants and tissue engineering scaffolding. However, fabricating and machining porous Mg-based structures is challenging due to their complexity and difficulties in achieving uniform or gradient porosity. This review aims to thoroughly explore various fabrication procedures used to create metallic scaffolds, with a specific focus on those made from Mg-based alloys. Both traditional manufacturing techniques, including the directional solidification of metal-gas eutectic technique, pattern casting, …

Structure-Property Relations Of Binary Ferrite Melts, C. J. Benmore, C. Shi, O. L.G. Alderman, J. P. Harvey, D. Lipke, J. K.R. Weber

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Molten ferrite systems are used in the smelting and refining processes in steelmaking, to reduce the loss of metals in slags and to accelerate reaction rates. Here, high-energy x-ray diffraction experiments have been performed on aerodynamically levitated molten spheres of 43BaO-57FeOX and 43SrO-57FeOX at 1873 K using laser beam heating. The composition was varied within the range of x = 1-1.5 by changing the oxygen partial pressure of the levitation gas. The corresponding x-ray pair distribution functions have been interpreted using empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR) modeling. In oxygen-rich melts (x = 1.5), our EPSR models indicate very similar structures …

Metal Nitrides As Cathode Hosts For Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Hai-Ji Xiong, Cheng-Wei Zhu, Ding-Rong Deng, Qi-Hui Wu

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium-sulfur batteries are considered as one of the potential solutions as integrating renewable energy systems for large-scale energy storage because of their high theoretical energy density (2600 Wh·kg^–1) and specific capacity (1675 mAh·g^–1). Currently, various strategies have been proposed to overcome the technical barriers, e.g., “shuttle effect”, capacity decay and volumetric change, which impede the successful commercialization of lithium-sulfur batteries. This paper reviews the applications of metal nitrides as the cathode hosts for high-performance lithium-sulfur batteries, summarizes the design strategies of different host materials, and discusses the relationship between the properties of metal nitrides and their …

Sno2 Particles Embedded Into Carbon Coated Mesoporous SioX Rod As High Volumetric Capacity Anode For Lithium-Ion Batteries, Jia-Lin Guo, Ni-Ni Li, Peng Zheng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Due to the high capacity and moderate volume expansion of silicon protoxide SiO_x (160%) compared with that of Si (300%), reducing silicon dioxide SiO₂ into SiO_x while maintaining its special nano-morphology makes it attractive as an anode of Li-ion batteries. Herein, through a one-pot facile high-temperature annealing route, using SBA15 as the silicon source, and embedding tin dioxide SnO₂ particles into carbon coated SiO_x, the mesoporous SiO_x-SnO₂@C rod composite was prepared and tested as the anode material. The results revealed that the SnO₂ particles were distributed uniformly in the …

Enhancing Cycle Life Of Graphite ‖ Lifepo4 Batteries Via Copper Substituted Li2Ni1-XCuXO2 Cathode Prelithiation Additive, Jian-Ming Zheng, Jing-Wen Zhang, Tian-Peng Jiao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Lithium nickel oxide (Li₂NiO₂), as a sacrificial cathode prelithiation additive, has been used to compensate for the lithium loss for improving the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, high-cost Li₂NiO₂ suffers from inferior delithiation kinetics during the first cycle. Herein, we investigate the effects of the cost-effective Cu substitution of Li₂Ni_1-xCu_xO₂ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7) synthesized by high-temperature solid-phase method on the structure, morphology, electrochemical performance of graphite‖LiFePO₄ battery. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) refinement result demonstrates that Cu substitution strategy is favorable …

Fatigue Behaviour Of Al 6063 Alloy In Heat Treated, Deep Cryogenic Treated And Equal Channel Angular Pressing (Ecap) Processed Conditions, Sreearravind M

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on improving the Low Cycle Fatigue (LCF) life of Al6063 using three different processing techniques – Heat Treatment (HT), Deep Cryogenic Treatment (DCT), and Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP). Al 6063, widely used in structural applications, has limited fatigue performance, necessitating the exploration of advanced processing techniques to enhance its LCF life.

In HT phase, Al 6063 T5 samples were subjected to solid solution HT followed by air and water quenching. The air-quenched (T6A) and water-quenched (T6W) samples were subjected to precipitation hardening. The Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of the T6A sample increased to 188 MPa from …

In-Situ Thermal Measurement Of Polymers, Carson Powers, Jungkyu Park, Dal Hyung Kim, Fahim Dorsey, Peter Bearden

Symposium of Student Scholars

In this research, we conducted a detailed experimental

investigation into how strain affects the thermal conductivity of

Ecoflex elastomer, utilizing a newly developed method for

measuring thermal conductivity under mechanical strain for the

first time. In situ thermal conductivity measurement apparatus

was developed by combining the KLA T150 nanoscale tensile tester

and a custom-fabricated thermal measurement sensor. The

development of an experimental method for measuring the thermal

conductivity of nanomaterials under mechanical testing

simultaneously will contribute to the development of novel

materials for flexible electronics by helping us to better

understand the strain effect on their thermal performance.

Interestingly, the …

A Comparative Mathematical Analysis Of Ice Modulation Measurement Techniques: Unifying Thermal Hysteresis, Freezing Point Depression, And Colligative Effects, Hayden Calvert Barry

Engineering Undergraduate Senior Theses

Thermal hysteresis (TH) measurement techniques for ice binding proteins (IBPs) have historically lacked standardization, making cross-study comparisons challenging and potentially impeding development of these materials for practical applications. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of three measurement techniques: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), microlitre osmometry, and cryostage microscopy. Through systematic experimentation with Wild Type III Antifreeze Protein (AFP) at varying concentrations (10μM, 100μM, 1mM), along with cell lysate AFP and Pseudomonas syringe ice nucleating protein (INP), mathematical relationships were established between measurement techniques, and cryostage microscopy was identified as the most reproducible and reliable method. Regression analysis revealed strong relationships between …

Mechanism Of Mud Pumping On Plateau Highway Under Traffic Loads And Its Treatment Strategy, Zhang Junhui, Chen Zhide, Gao Feng, Na Qicai, Ma Pengfei, Xiao Lin

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The dynamic hydraulic response and particle migration of subgrade structures under traffic loads are fundamental to reveal the formation and development mechanisms of mud pumping.The driving mechanism of fine particle migration in the mud pumping state was explored by conducting laboratory tests on layered gravel-sandy silt columns under dynamic loads.The results show that the slurry sloshing causes alternating positive and negative pressure gradients within the gravel layer.This oscillating pressure gradient enhances the pore permeability in the underlying sandy silt layer,providing the necessary hydrodynamic conditions for fine particle migration.Fine particle migration increases the slurry turbidity to a stable value.Upon the removal …

Risk Zoning Of Hazards Along Highways To Xizang Based On Information Model, Liu Weimin, Guo Guanmiao, Cai Qing ’E, Yu Xueyong, Dong Xiaobo, Chen Peicong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

The frequent occurrence of hazards along the highways in the Qinghai ‒ Xizang Plateau seriously affects road traffic and threatens the security of lives and property of the people.Conducting a risk zoning assessment of hazards along the highways to Xizang is crucial to enhancing hazard prevention and mitigation.This paper summarized the regional geological environment and development patterns of hazards along the highways to Xizang and analyzed the overall performance of highway traffic operations.On this basis,the Xinjiang‒Xizang Highway was taken as the research object,and the evaluation factors were selected based on the regional geological environment and the main controlling factors of …

Seismic Performance Of Bridge Pile Foundation Considering Effects Of Material Freeze-Thaw Deterioration And Permafrost Degradation, Zhang Xiyin, Yu Shengsheng, Wang Wanping, Wen Hairong

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In cold and high-seismic regions,such as the Qinghai‒Xizang Plateau in China,the deterioration of material properties caused by freeze-thaw cycles and permafrost degradation due to climate change have become increasingly severe,posing significant challenges for the seismic performance assessment of bridge pile foundations.To systematically investigate the impact of permafrost degradation and material freeze-thaw deterioration on the seismic performance of bridge pile foundations and ensure proper seismic design,a finite element model was established,considering the dual effects of permafrost degradation and material freeze-thaw deterioration.A comparative analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence mechanisms of various factors on the seismic performance of bridge pile foundations …

Cracking Characteristics Of Cement-Stabilized Macadam With Early Strength Agent Under Variable Temperature And Humidity Curing Conditions, Ge Dongdong, Liu Dingyuan, Lyu Songtao, Jiang Xiangyang, Xue Yanhua, Yu Yang

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In environments with large temperature variations and low humidity,the curing conditions of cement-stabilized macadam fail to meet the specifications,leading to slow early strength development and increased susceptibility to cracking.This study aimed to investigate the effects of actual environmental temperature,humidity,curing age,and addition of early strength agents on the cracking characteristics of cement-stabilized macadam.Variable temperature conditions were determined based on actual environmental temperature data.Four curing conditions were set by combining temperatures (variable temperature and standard temperature ) with relative humidity of 95%,80%,and 65%,respectively.Three types of specimens were prepared with 0%,10%,and 15% early strength agent contents and cured for 14 and 28 days,respectively.The …

Identification And Prediction Model For Traffic Blockage State Of Highways To Xizang, Wu Ling, Liu Jianbei, Zhang Zhiwei, Shan Donghui, Chi Gandu

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To identify the traffic blockage state on highways to Xizang in extreme environments,comprehensive evaluation indicators for traffic blockage state based on the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method were proposed by using the traffic blockage event parameters observed on four major highways to Xizang:Sichuan ‒ Xizang Highway,Yunnan ‒ Xizang Highway,Qinghai ‒ Xizang Highway,and Xinjiang ‒ Xizang Highway.The K-Medoids clustering algorithm was used to categorize the traffic blockage state into different levels.By considering factors such as hazard types,road types,traffic volume,and vehicle type ratios,a classification model for the traffic blockage state on highways to Xizang was constructed based on machine learning algorithms.The results show that …

Influence Of Urease-Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation On Frost Heave Characteristics Of Saline Soil, Li Jue, Wen Zili, Liu Zhengnan

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

This study investigated the impact of the soybean urease-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (SICP ) technique on frost heave characteristics of saline soil,specifically addressing the frost heave in saline soil used as a subgrade.The relationships between compaction degree,moisture content,volume ratio of the reaction liquid,and curing temperature with the frost heave rate of treated soil were explored.The results show that SICP significantly reduces the frost heave rate of soil samples by over 28%,with the most noticeable improvement occurring under conditions of higher compaction degree and lower moisture content.Additionally,the increased volume ratio of reaction liquid enhances reaction efficiency,while lower curing temperatures are crucial …

Prediction And Evaluation Of Road Service Performance In Cold Regions Based On Uncertainty Quantification Theory, Liu Yuanyuan, Si Junling, Zheng Hao, Ren Daoju, Fan Shaobing, Quan Lei

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In cold regions,road service performance is influenced by various nonlinear dynamic factors under complex hydrothermal environments and freeze-thaw cycles.Traditional empirical and mechanical models exhibit significant limitations in comprehensively considering the impacts of complex environments and conducting quantitative analyses.This study proposed a method to predict and assess the service performance of constructed roads in cold regions.The method integrated deep neural networks with uncertainty quantification theory,addressing the inadequacies of existing models in adapting to complex environments and analyzing multiple influencing factors.By utilizing data from Montana road sections in the LTPP database,the study employed deep neural networks to predict the international roughness index …

Permanent Deformation Prediction Model Of Subgrade Soil Under Freeze-Thaw Cycles Based On Lstm And Transformer, Zhang Anshun

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To accurately predict the permanent deformation of subgrade soil under the coupling effect of freeze-thaw cycles and traffic loads,a hybrid neural network model based on long short-term memory (LSTM ) and Transformer was proposed,building upon the results of dynamic triaxial tests.This model effectively captured the temporal dependencies and complex interactive effects among input variables,thereby significantly enhancing the accuracy and generalization ability of permanent deformation prediction of subgrade soil.The results indicate that higher confining pressure improves the resistance of subgrade soil to deformation,but its permanent deformation behavior is still significantly influenced by the magnitude of cyclic loading and the number of …

Analysis Of Joint Load Transfer Performanc E Of Prefabricated Steel‑Concrete Hollow Pavement Slab, Zhu Guangshan, Dong Zihao, Yang Ye, Wang Jinshan

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

In order to study the joint load transfer capacity of a prefabricated steel-concrete hollow pavement slab,a finite element model was established with ABAQUS to carry out numerical analysis.The variation laws of the maximum deflection value and joint load transfer coefficient of the pavement slab with and without cavitation were compared to analyze the load transfer capacity.The results show that when cavitation occurs in the slab,the load transfer coefficient of the slab decreases with the increase in the cavitation area,but the load transfer coefficient of the slab does not change significantly when the cavitation depth reaches a certain level.When there is …

Preparation And Performance Of Emulsified Asphalt With High-Temperature Resistant And Wheel Sticking-Free Effects, Yan Han, Zha Xudong, Kang Xiaogang, Gong Yan, Zhang Zhengji, Zhang Wenshuai

Journal of China & Foreign Highway

To address the problem of wheel sticking at high temperatures in the construction process of existing wheel sticking-free emulsified asphalt of tack coat,this paper adopted the composite modification method of 70# and 15# matrix asphalt and waterborne polyurethane resin (WPR ) to prepare hard asphalt-WPR (HA-WPR )-modified emulsified asphalt in accordance with the high-temperature resistant and wheel sticking-free requirements.Through a series of laboratory tests,the technical performance,wheel sticking-free performance,and interlayer bonding performance of the emulsified asphalt were researched and compared with ordinary wheel sticking-free emulsified asphalt and ordinary emulsified asphalt tack coat oil.The results show that the technical performance of the …