Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Discrimination Of Temperature And Strain By Characterizing Two Femtosecond Laser-Written Coincident Sapphire Fiber Bragg Gratings For Harsh Environment Applications, Farhan Mumtaz, Bohong Zhang, Koustav Dey, Jeffrey D. Smith, Ronald J. O'Malley, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, two co-incident sapphire fiber Bragg gratings (SFBGs) were successfully inscribed utilizing a femtosecond (fs) laser to achieve a high fringe contrast interferogram. These two SFBGs employ a unique configuration, one parallel to the center axis, called p-SFBG, and the other forming an angle from the center-axis, called a-SFBG, allowing for simultaneous strain and temperature measurements with low crosstalk. As a proof of concept, p-SFBG and a-SFBG using line-by-line method are characterized, which are shorter in length (i.e., 1.5 mm), producing reflectivity of ~3dB. This effort demonstrates the use of two coincident SFBGs forming an angle of 2.29° …

Characterization And Deportment Of Anode Impurities In Copper Electrorefining, Charles Michael Campbell

Doctoral Dissertations

The objective of this research was to study the deportment of the group 15 elements, arsenic, antimony and bismuth during copper electrorefining. Samples were collected from six industrial copper anodes with different compositions. Specimens were physically characterized and electro refined to understand the differences in the behavior of selected impurities. Inclusions in the cast metal structures were characterized using automated scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to measure and correlate their size, shape and composition. Arsenic and lead were found to have a positive correlation between concentration and size of inclusions. Using wavelength dispersive spectroscopy, multiphase inclusions were examined, …

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 …

Iron Ore Tailings Reprocessing By Electrostatic Separation Plus Two Stages Froth Flotation, Vincent Bailey Arohunmolase

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The reprocessing of tailings is crucial for recovering valuable iron and reducing the environmental impact associated with tailings disposal. This study investigates the practicality of reprocessing tailings to enhance iron oxide content, combining electrostatic separation with a two-stage froth flotation process using oleic acid (direct flotation) and amine (reverse flotation). The primary goal is to efficiently recover valuable iron from tailings, thereby reducing waste and promoting sustainable resource utilization. The process aims to upgrade the iron oxide content to around 93-99% Fe₂O₃, making the recovered material suitable for the production of direct-reduced iron.

Electrostatic separation was …

Bayesian Alloy Design With Additive Synthesis, Michael R. Sulwer

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

To reduce carbon emissions and increase power out, steam powerplants need to increase the operating temperatures and pressures of steam turbines to improve efficiency. This necessitates the development of high temperature alloys with superior strength and stability. This research aims to design a class of solid solution High Entropy Alloys (HEAs) to exceed the high temperature performance of commercial alloys like Haynes 230 while maintaining comparable costs for Advanced Ultra Supercritical (A-USC) steam cycles. This project integrates Bayesian optimization and Calculation of Phase Diagrams (CALPHAD) within an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) framework to predict and optimize key material properties: …

Molecular Modeling Methods And Applications For Accelerating Polymerization And Pyrolysis Studies, Joshua D. Kemppainen

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Polymer matrix composites and carbon-carbon composites play critical roles in the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. Different matrix materials and processing conditions can lead to a large variety of composite materials and composite properties. Integrated computational materials engineering has been used to tailor PMC matrix materials and processing conditions to specific properties and manufacturing techniques. The integrated computational materials engineering process modeling framework uses molecular dynamics at the nanometer length scale to characterize the evolving thermo-mechanical properties of the polymer as it cures. Then finite element analysis is used at the micrometer length scale to adjust cure cycles to tailor …

Effect Of Thermomechanical Processing And Heat Treatment On The Microstructure And Mechanical Properties Of Ultra-High Strength Steels, Rogerio Antao Cardoso

Doctoral Dissertations

"A martensite-based and an austenite-based Fe-Mn-Al steels were investigated aiming the pilot-scale production of steels that meet military specifications for Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) and High-hardness Armor (HHA) plates. Each material underwent specific thermomechanical processes and the following hardness, Charpy V-notch (CVN) impact toughness at -40 °C and room-temperature tensile properties were correlated with the resulting microstructures.

Specimens of the martensitic steel were austenitized at 1010 °C, quenched and tempered at 150, 175, 200, 225 and 250 °C for times up to four hours. As for the Fe-Mn-Al steel, its hot rolling schedule was design to promote strain accumulation in …

Processing And Densification Of Multi-Phase High-Entropy Ceramics, Steven Smith

Doctoral Dissertations

"This work focuses on the processing and densification of multiphase, high-entropy ceramics to promote their use in friction stir welding technologies. Several high-entropy systems including high-entropy borides, carbides, and their composites were produced. Boro/carbothermal and carbothermal synthesis were used to produce high-entropy powders from oxide powder mixtures. Composites of high-entropy borides and high-entropy carbides were produced using a sequential approach to produce both phases. The carbide was first produced using carbothermal reduction, then ZrH2 and B4C were added to the carbide powder to produce the high-entropy boride phase. The resulting powder was densified by spark plasma sintering and pressureless sintering, …

The Structure, Properties And Dissolution Behaviors Of Phosphate Glasses, Han Zhang

Doctoral Dissertations

The poor chemical durability remains a critical challenge for the application of phosphate glasses. This study investigates the compositional influences on the structure, properties and chemical durability of Li2O-ZnO-P₂O₅ glasses. Their structural characteristics were analyzed utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The incorporation of (Li2O+ZnO) in LZeq glasses depolymerizes the phosphate network. In LZ40P and LZ45P glasses, Li⁺ initially replaces Zn²⁺ associated with non-bridging oxygens (NBOs) in Q² tetrahedra. Once the substitution in Q² is complete, further Li⁺ incorporation leads to the replacement of Zn²⁺ in Q^{1 …}

Investigating The Effects Of Fly Ash On The Properties Of Silica-Deficient High Alumina Materials, Sai Akshay Ponduru

Doctoral Dissertations

This research is made up of five studies mainly focused on attaining sustainability in high alumina cements like calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and calcium sulfoaluminate belite cements (CSAB) by partially replacing them with additives and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash (FA). The first study focused on understanding the reaction kinetics of CAC and FA binders at different replacement levels (i.e. between 10%-to-50% by mass) and their effect on mechanical properties. It was also shown that the reactive nature of FAs can be determined by calculating a single parameter called number of constraints (nc) derived from topological constraint theory. …

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 …

Exploration And Synthesis Of Tin Intermetallic Single Crystals, Jared L. Shortt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis presents the synthesis and characterization of two tin-based intermetallic compounds: Mn₄.₁₂Sn and Ni₆Sn₈Ge₀.₄₇. Single crystals were grown using a high-temperature self-flux method, allowing for the formation of phase-pure samples suitable for structural and physical property analysis. The crystalline phases were identified and refined using powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), while scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was employed to verify stoichiometry and homogeneity. Magnetization measurements performed using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer revealed distinct magnetic behavior in the manganese-rich compound, while the nickel-based compound was explored for potential magnetic features arising from …

Distributed Sapphire Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Thermal Profiling Of Submerged Entry Nozzles, Farhan Mumtaz, Hanok W. Tekle, Bohong Zhang, Xiaodong Li, Sunday Abraham, Bryant Mathis, Jeffrey D. Smith, Ronald J. O'Malley, Jie Huang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article focuses on the application of sapphire fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) for instrumentation in submerged entry nozzles (SENs) within the steelmaking industry. The SEN is pivotal for transferring molten steel from a tundish to a mold, while preventing the infiltration of oxygen and nitrogen from the surrounding environment. Maintaining optimal flow conditions in the mold is crucial for ensuring casting process stability and maintaining high-quality steel. Sapphire FBG sensors have been instrumented in SENs to enable distributed thermal mapping for monitoring the health of the SEN. The optical sensor comprises three cascaded sapphire FBGs inscribed using femtosecond (FS) laser …

Laser-Induced Graphene For Early Disease Detection: A Review, Sri Ramulu Torati, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Electrochemical biosensors have been instrumental in early disease detection, facilitating effective monitoring and treatment. The emergence of graphene has significantly advanced sensor technology in various fields, including biomedicine, electronics, and energy. In this landscape, laser‐induced graphene (LIG) has emerged as a superior alternative to conventional graphene synthesis methods. Its straightforward fabrication process and compatibility with wearable devices boost its practicality and potential for real‐world applications. This review highlights the transformative potential of LIG in biosensing, showcasing its contributions to the development of next‐generation diagnostic tools for early disease detection. An overview of the LIG synthesis process and its applications in …

Effect Of Aging Duration On The Microstructure And Corrosion Characteristics Of 17-4 Ph Stainless Steel, G. Narasinga Rao, Subrat Kumar Baral, Y. Madhavi, Sriram Vijayan, Ravikumar Dumpala

Michigan Tech Publications

Heat treatment plays a critical role in inducing key microstructural changes necessary to enhance corrosion resistance of 17-4 PH stainless steel (SS). During the process, precipitates form within the metal matrix, contributing to the strength of the martensitic steel. Inconsistencies in the literature concerning the response of 17-4PH SS to heat treatment have been noted. Therefore, this study examines the impact of aging duration on microstructural characteristics, microhardness, and corrosion resistance of material. The solution heat-treatment process consisted of heating the material to 1040 °C for one hour and rapid cooling in water. Subsequently, aging treatment was carried out at …

Semi-Quantitative Elemental Imaging Of Corrosion Products From Bioabsorbable Mg Vascular Implants In Vivo, Weilue He, Keith W. Macrenaris, Adam Griebel, Maria P. Kwesiga, Erico Freitas, Amani Gillette, Jeremy Schaffer, Thomas V. O'Halloran, Roger J. Guillory Ii

Michigan Tech Publications

While metal materials historically have served as permanent implants and were designed to avoid degradation, next generation bioabsorbable metals for medical devices such as vascular stents are under development, which would elute metal ions and corrosion byproducts into tissues. The fate of these eluted products and their local distribution in vascular tissue largely under studied. In this study, we employ a high spatial resolution spectrometric imaging modality, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-TOF-MS) to map the metal distribution, (herein refered to as laser ablation mapping, or LAM) from Mg alloys within the mouse vascular system and approximate …

Design And Development Of A Rapid Tensile Quench Rig, Tyler Jewell, Justin Naylor

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report outlines the design process and implantation of a tensile quenching rig that incorporated forced convection and a frequency generator. When any metal is quenched, a vapor barrier forms around it. When this happens, it limits the heat flux that may occur until the barrier turns into just nucleate boiling. The vapor barrier acts as an insulator and causes the heat flux to fluctuate, causing uneven hardening which would limit the use of some materials. To combat this effect, we are trying to use forced convection, and something new, which is adding high frequency waves into the quenching process. …

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 …

Optimizing Superconducting Nb Film Cavities By Mitigating Medium-Field Q-Slope Through Annealing, B. Abdisatarov, G. Eremeev, H. E. Elsayed-Ali, D. Bafia, A. Murthy, Z. Sung, A. Netepenko, A. Romanenko, C. P.A. Carlos, G. J. Rosaz, S. Calatroni, S. Leith, A. Grassellino

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Niobium films are of interest in applications in various superconducting devices, such as superconducting radiofrequency cavities for particle accelerators and superconducting qubits for quantum computing. In this study, we address the persistent medium-field Q-slope issue in Nb film cavities, which, despite their high-quality factor at low RF fields, exhibit a significant Q-slope at medium RF fields compared to bulk Nb cavities. Traditional heat treatments, effective in reducing surface resistance and mitigating the Q-slope in bulk Nb cavities, are challenging for Nb-coated copper cavities. To overcome this challenge, we employed DC bias high-power impulse magnetron sputtering to deposit …

Potential Of Lidar And Hyperspectral Sensing For Overcoming Challenges In Current Maritime Ballast Tank Corrosion Inspection, Sergio Pallas Enguita, Jiajun Jiang, Chung-Hao Chen, Samuel Kovacic, Richard Lebel

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Corrosion in maritime ballast tanks is a major driver of maintenance costs and operational risks for maritime assets. Inspections are hampered by complex geometries, hazardous conditions, and the limitations of conventional methods, particularly visual assessment, which struggles with subjectivity, accessibility, and early detection, especially under coatings. This paper critically examines these challenges and explores the potential of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) to form the basis of improved inspection approaches. We discuss LiDAR’s utility for accurate 3D mapping and providing a spatial framework and HSI’s potential for objective material identification and surface characterization based on spectral …

Quantifying Trapped Magnetic Vortex Losses In Niobium Resonators At Mk Temperatures, D. Bafia, B. Abdisatarov, R. Pilipenko, Y. Lu, G. Eremeev, A. Romanenko, A. Grassellino

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Trapped magnetic vortices in niobium introduce microwave losses that degrade the performance of superconducting resonators. While such losses have been extensively studied above 1 K, we report here their direct quantification in the millikelvin and low-photon regime relevant to quantum devices. Using a high-quality factor 3D niobium cavity cooled through its superconducting transition in controlled magnetic fields, we isolate vortex-induced losses and find the resistive component of the sensitivity to trapped flux S to be approximately 2 n Ω/mG at 10 mK and 6 GHz. The decay rate is initially dominated by two-level system (TLS) losses from the native niobium …

Flexural Post-Cracking Performance Of Macro Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Super Workable Concrete Influenced By Shrinkage-Reducing Admixture, Jingjie Wei, Nima Farzadnia, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Most literature has focused on the effect of shrinkage-reducing admixture (SRA) in shrinkage mitigation resistance of concrete. This study aims to examine the impact of SRA on the efficiency of macro synthetic fibers (MSF) in enhancing the flexural post-cracking behavior of fiber-reinforced super workable concrete (FR-SWC). A comparative analysis of the influence of fiber combinations on the flexural post-cracking behavior of beams is also included. Results showed that a higher dosage of SRA, particularly at 5 % by mass of binder, had a noticeable negative impact on flexural post-cracking performance of beams while exhibiting positive effect on workability and shrinkage …

First-Principles Study Of Ferroelectric Properties And Co2 Reduction Reaction Capabilities In Two-Dimensional Monolayers And Heterostructures, Mo Li

Dissertations

Two-dimensional (2D) materials hold significant potential for CO₂ reduction reactions (CO₂RR) due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. However, achieving high selectivity for desired products and overcoming limitations posed by scaling relationships remain challenging. Recent studies suggest that ferroelectric (FE) materials with switchable out-of-plane polarization (OOP) can effectively tune the adsorption behavior, thermodynamics, and kinetics of CO₂RR, offering promising solutions to these challenges. Using density functional theory (DFT) and the Berry phase approach, this work expands the family of 2D ferroelectrics by theoretically identifying Y₂CO₂, Y₂CS₂, and Sc …

Determination Of Electrochemical Parameters For Predicting Reaction Mechanism And Algorithmic Approaches To Pain Assessment, Huize Xue

Dissertations

This dissertation introduces novel advancements in electrochemical kinetics and pain assessment, structured into two main parts. The first part focuses on the comprehensive analysis of the kinetic and mechanistic aspects of electrochemical reactions, utilizing a combination of experimental techniques and simulation methods. A new software tool, Envismetrics, was developed using Python to facilitate the analysis of complex electrochemical data, including cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA), and hydrodynamic voltammetry (HDV). The software was rigorously tested and validated with well-characterized redox systems such as the ferricyanide/ferrocyanide couple, dimethylamine borane (DMAB), and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). It was successfully used to determine …

Gas-Generating Reactive Materials: Design, Evaluation And Effect Of Morphology On Their Ignition And Combustion, Purvam Mehulkumar Gandhi

Dissertations

This work investigates optimizing gas-generating reactive materials, focusing on particle morphology's effect on ignition and combustion behavior. Metal-based gas-generating energetic materials (EMs) are promising alternatives to replace traditional CHNO compounds. Design of advanced metal-based EMs requires consistent ways of evaluating how their characteristics affect their ignition and combustion. Many relevant evaluation approaches exist; however, the results may be difficult to compare directly across different studies. Commonly, experimentalists ignite metal-based EMs in enclosed chambers and report pressures, P. However, direct comparison of these pressures is hindered by variations in the chamber volume, V, and the EM mass, m. To standardize the …

Decomposition Of Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate (Dimp) Exposed To Elevated Temperatures And Combustion Products Of Reactive Materials, Elif Irem Senyurt

Dissertations

The safe and efficient destruction of chemical weapon agents (CWAs) stockpiles remains a critical global challenge. Understanding the thermophysical properties, decomposition mechanisms, and interactions of CWAs with their environment is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their threats. Diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) and Dimethyl methylphosphonate are commonly used nerve agent surrogates. This dissertation focuses on DIMP and DMMP, investigates their properties and behavior under conditions relevant to prompt defeat scenarios.

The thermophysical properties of DIMP and DMMP were experimentally characterized, including vapor-liquid surface tension (3-60 °C) and viscosities of neat and aqueous solutions. Results revealed significant non-ideal behavior in aqueous …

Single-Step Synthesis Of Activated Carbon From Arabica Spent Coffee Ground Using K2co3 As Activator Agent, Ghina Ivana Mieldan, Yuliusman Yuliusman

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Activated carbon is a nanomaterial that is often used as an effective adsorbent. Activated carbon raw materials can use biomass, such as coffee grounds, which can be found along with the growth of public interest in coffee drinks. Chemical activators are used for activation to increase biomass carbon's adsorption capacity. Using K₂CO₃ activator to increase the specific surface area of activated carbon is more harmless than KOH. The use of spent coffee grounds as carbon source and food additive K₂CO₃ as an activator can make food-grade activated carbon that can be used for food. …

Effect Of Alkyd And Polyester Resin Compositions On Corrosion Resistance, Blistering, And Adhesion In Utilization Of Oily Sludge As Anti-Rust Coating Material, Gerets Land Kakalang, Yohanes David Kristianto, Johny Wahyuadi Mudaryoto

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Oil sludge is a waste derived from upstream and downstream activities of the oil and gas industry which is estimated at 10,000 tonnes generated from all PERTAMINA downstream activities spread across various fields, processing units and depots throughout Indonesia. Oil sludge has the same characteristics as asphalt, where asphalt in previous studies can be used as an anti-rust coating, so that the handling of oily sludge can be topped up by reusing and having its own added value. The purpose of this research is to utilise waste oily sludge as an alternative anti-rust coating material and compare alkyd resin and …

A Comparative Study Of Conventional And Statistically Active Corrosion Methods For Corrosion Growth Assessment Of A 24-Inch Gas Pipeline, Rudi Rinaldi, Jaka Fajar Fatriansyah

Journal of Materials Exploration and Findings

Component failures in oil and gas pipelines can have fatal consequences, leading to operational downtimes and environmental damage. Knowledge of the corrosion growth rate is fundamental to pipeline integrity management, as it is essential for risk assessment and decisions related to asset management. This article aimed to compare two approaches for the corrosion growth estimation of the 24-inch offshore gas pipeline: the conventional method versus the Statistically Active Corrosion (SAC) method. This article is based on the in-line inspection (ILI) results of two consecutive assessments from 2020 to 2023 of the entire 73 km of the pipeline. The results show …