Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Effect Of The Stacking Sequence And Number Of Ply Orientation In A Quasi-Isotropic Laminated Plate On In-Plane Shear Modulus And Failure Modes, Ann Larson

Master's Theses

Maximizing the shear modulus and strength, as well as predicting failure mode and location, when designing a stacking sequence of quasi-isotropic carbon fiber laminated plates is essential to predict stability, resistance to deformation, and overall stiffness of the structure. This research investigates the effect of the stacking sequence of quasi-isotropic laminated composite plate materials in accordance with ASTM D5379: Standard Test Method for Shear Properties of Composite Materials by the V-Notched Beam Method.

In this research, experimental testing and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) were first used on aluminum to validate the simulation process before applying it to composite materials. The …

Fairlinked: Data Fairification Tools For Materials Data Science, Van D. Tran, Brandon Lee, Ritika Lamba, Henry Dirks, Quynh D. Tran, Balashanmuga Priyan Rajamohan, Ozan Dernek, Laura S. Bruckman, Yinghui Wu, Erika I. Barcelos, Roger H. French

Student Scholarship

FAIRLinked is a software package created to support the FAIRification of materials science data, ensuring proper alignment with FAIR principles: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. It is built to be compatible with MDS-Onto, an ontology designed to capture the semantics of various types of materials data, enabling integration and sharing across different research workflows. The package is subdivided into three subpackages: InterfaceMDS, RDFTableConversion, and QBWorkflow. The first subpackage, InterfaceMDS allows users to search for terms using either string search or various filters, explore different domains and subdomains, and add terms to MDS-Onto. RDFTableConversion is used for serialization and deserialization of …

A Hybrid Mechano-Thermal Route To Synthesize Reactive Pozzolans From Clay Minerals: A Case Of Kaolinite, Oluwadamilare Charles Adesina, Bryan K. Aylas-Paredes, Brian R. Cherry, Luciano A. Gobbo, Aditya Kumar, Narayanan Neithalath

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Aluminosilicate resources from unconventional sources offer promising potential for developing low-carbon supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), yet their activation typically requires energy-intensive thermal processing. Kaolinite is a geographically abundant and highly attractive precursor clay mineral to reduce the clinker factor in concrete. By integrating mechano- and thermo- chemistry sequentially in a novel hybrid mechano-thermal activation (MTA) strategy for clay mineral activation, the dehydroxylation of pure kaolinite polymorphs KGa-1b and KGa-2 for enhanced pozzolanic reactivity is unlocked at temperatures that are lower than those needed for conventional thermal activation (TA). The mechano-chemical activation (MCA) step that induces significant structural defects and disorder …

Effect Of Allocation And Allocation Avoidance Methods On Life-Cycle Impact Results For Tellurium Production From Copper Anode Slimes, Ioanna Paschalidou, Kwame Awuah-Offei, Michael Moats

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The global transition toward green energy has increased demand for metals and intensified the need for sustainable supply sources. Tellurium (Te), an essential metal for photovoltaics technology, is produced primarily as a by-product of copper refinery slimes treatment. This study conducts a life-cycle assessment (LCA) study of Te production to investigate the effect of environmental impact allocation choices on LCA results in multi-product metal systems. A cradle-to-gate LCA model of the Te product system was developed in SimaPro v9.5.0.1 software by combining industrial data, Ecoinvent v3.7.1 datasets, and literature information. Environmental impacts were quantified using the ReCiPe v1.04 Midpoint method …

Eliminating Barriers For The Implementation Of Automation In The Mining Industry, Sefiu O. Adewuyi, Kray Luxbacher, Kanagy David, Miller Ben, Miller Hugh, Michael Moats, Savit Mark

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The integration of new technologies into U.S. mining operations is necessary for achieving continuous improvement in worker health and safety, as well as improving operational efficiency, but many have questioned why uptake of autonomy in the U.S. mining industry has been slow compared to other nations. Despite extensive research on mining automation, there remains a critical gap in understanding and systematically identifying the barriers to its adoption within the U.S. mining industry and globally. To quantify these barriers, a workshop model of data collection was employed. A total of 708 invitations were extended to professionals to participate in nine different …

A Performance-Weighted Environmental Assessment Of Ultra-High-Volume Fly Ash Substitution In Portland Cement Concrete, Youngguk Seo, M.A. Karim, Teddy Tzvetkov, Joshua Hardy

Faculty Articles

Fly ash substitution for cement in Portland cement concrete (PCC) has been regarded as a sustainable solution, but its widespread application remains constrained by concerns over mechanical performance and durability of PCC, especially at higher replacement rates. This study evaluates PCC mixes incorporating fly ash Type C (FA-C) or Type F (FA-F) across cement replacement rates from 10% to 90%, tracking fresh-state workability, compressive strength, and surface electrical resistivity at 7, 14, and 28 curing days. A process-based life cycle assessment (LCA) with the TRACI 2.1 method quantified global warming potential (GWP, kg CO₂/m³) under a …

Quantum And Conventional Informatics Studies Of Synthesis Energetics And Defect Formation In Nitride Crystal Epitaxy, Andrew Steven Messecar

Dissertations

Machine learning is a valuable approach for the processing and analysis of complex information. By estimating relationships from recorded data, machine learning methodologies can be effective strategies for pattern recognition, enabling investigations and technological applications based thereon. The potential for improved understanding of high-dimensional data has drawn interest towards machine learning from across the sciences, including the research and development of new and improved material systems. In the context of experimental materials research, much of the reported efforts to incorporate machine learning into conventional practice have been primarily focused on either the enhanced analysis of characterization experiment data or the …

Thermally Induced Color Changes In Iron Oxide Pigments Used In Architectural Coatings, Han Diep

Master's Theses

The 2025 Palisades Fire was one of the most destructive wildfires in the history of Los Angeles, destroying thousands of structures and severely impacting the communities after. This widespread destruction demonstrated an urgent need for more effective wildfire prevention strategies. Architectural coatings do not only provide aesthetics and protection against environmental conditions but can also function as a thermal indicator when a fire breaks out. This study examines the thermally induced color transformation of iron oxide pigments, commonly used in earthtone paint, to provide information relevant to CAL FIRE for improved analysis of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire behavior and mitigation …

Machine Learning-Driven Prediction And Mechanistic Insight Into Co2 Adsorption On Biomass-Derived Activated Carbons Using Explainable Ai (Xai), Dalia A. Ali Dr.

Chemical Engineering

To improve CO2 uptake in Biomass-Derived Activated Carbon (BDAC), this study develops a multiscale hybrid digital twin framework. By integrating microscopic descriptors from Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics (DFT/MD) with experimental data from 63 chemically diverse biomass precursors, a Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model was developed using the Materń 5/2 Automatic Relevance Determination (ARD) kernel. The framework achieved high internal training accuracy (R2 = 0.968) and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE = 0.2552), while providing a realistic generalization baseline across heterogeneous precursors with a 5-fold Cross Validated (CV) R2 of 0.1567 and CV RMSE of 0.283. Explainable Artificial Intelligence …

A Generative Ai-Driven Computational Framework For Industry-Scale Discovery Of Novel Battery Materials, Joy Datta

Dissertations

The growing demand for sustainable, high-energy-density electrochemical storage has motivated the exploration of multivalent-ion batteries based on earth-abundant elements such as aluminum, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. While multivalent charge carriers offer higher theoretical energy density than lithium, their practical deployment is hindered by sluggish ion transport, strong ion-host interactions, and structural degradation of electrode materials. Identifying host materials that can reversibly accommodate multivalent ions while maintaining structural integrity remains a fundamental challenge. The dissertation develops a scalable, end-to-end computational framework that integrates density functional theory (DFT), machine learning (ML), and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to accelerate the discovery of next-generation …

Glass Transition Temperature Of Plga Nanoparticles And The Application In Drug Delivery, Guangliang Liu

Dissertations

The glass transition temperature (T_g) of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles plays a crucial role in governing molecular mobility, diffusion, and consequently, drug release kinetics. However, the interaction among residual surfactant, drug effect, nanoscale confinement, and release medium on T_g remains insufficiently characterized. This study aims to bridge this gap by correlating the thermal behavior of PLGA nanoparticles with their drug release behavior under physiologically relevant conditions.

In the present study, PLGA nanoparticles were synthesized using both nano-emulsion and surfactant-free nano-precipitation approaches. The influence of residual surfactants - poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DMAB) - was systematically …

Membrane-Engineered Nanotherapeutic Platforms For Drug Delivery: Hollow Fiber Membrane Synthesis Of Lipid Nanoparticles, Biomimetic Nanocarriers, And Nanobubbles, Zhixiang Liu

Dissertations

Lipid-based nanocarriers have emerged as a cornerstone technology for RNA therapeutics, enabling effective intracellular delivery for applications ranging from vaccination to gene regulation. However, current manufacturing approaches, particularly microfluidic-based platforms, face inherent limitations in scalability, throughput, and structural tunability due to their reliance on confined channel geometries and restricted mixing architectures. Addressing these challenges requires fundamentally new strategies that decouple nanoparticle formation from traditional microscale flow constraints while maintaining precise control over physicochemical properties.

This dissertation presents a comprehensive framework for the design, engineering, and application of advanced lipid-based nanocarriers, centered on a hollow fiber membrane (HFM)—assisted nanopore-mediated assembly platform. …

Polarimetric Terahertz Imaging For The Measurement Of Birefringence In Plastic, Rachel Cohen

Theses

Birefringence offers a promising way to observe stress concentration in materials such as glass and plastic, and thereby to identify weaknesses. Polarimetric imaging can be used to measure the birefringence of material, so long as the material is transparent to the light being used for the imaging. In this research, 2D Terahertz imaging was investigated as a means of measuring the birefringence of plastics that are opaque to visible light but transparent to THz radiation, for the eventual purpose of analyzing the residual stress present. In order to do so, two separate terahertz cameras were characterized for potential use in …

Retinomorphic Mid-Wave Infrared In-Sensor Processing Engine: Device-To-Architecture Co-Design, Hemalatha Nagaraju

Theses

Conventional frame-based CMOS image sensors acquire full-frame pixel data at discrete time intervals, resulting in substantial spatial redundancy and loss of temporal information between frames. The repeated conversion and transfer of redundant pixel data increases bandwidth and power consumption in machine vision systems. Retinomorphic sensing architectures address these limitations by enabling programmable, analog-domain processing directly at the sensor interface. A compact behavioral model of the PbSe device is developed in HSPICE based on calibrated TCAD simulation data to capture gate-controlled photocurrent modulation under varying illumination and gate bias conditions. Error analysis is performed to quantify the deviation between TCAD-generated photocurrent …

Modulating Electronic Structure With Linearly Fused Pyrazine Units For High-Voltage And Stable Zinc-Organic Batteries Cathode, Min-Jian Zhao, Li-Bin Zhang, Jin-Tao Wang, Kun Ding, Hai-Mei Liu, Yong-Gang Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

High-voltage n-type organic cathode materials are critical for constructing zinc-organic batteries (ZOBs) with high energy density and long cycle life. However, the intrinsically unfavorable electronic structures and relatively high LUMO energy levels of most n-type materials often lead to sluggish kinetics, high solubility, and suboptimal discharge voltages (< 0.8 V). Here, we design a small molecule, quinoxalino[2’,3’:5,6]pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline (DPQP), as a ZOB cathode by introducing locally electron-deficient motifs into the conjugated backbone of aromatic compounds. The linearly fused pyrazine units extending the pyrazine–benzene framework effectively optimize the electronic structure, thereby significantly enhancing the discharge voltage. Meanwhile, the expanded π-conjugated plane suppresses dissolution and accelerates charge-transfer kinetics. Benefiting from these features, the DPQP electrode exhibits an exceptional increase in average operating voltage from 0.61 V to 1.07 V (vs. Zn²⁺/Zn) at 0.1 A·g^–1, with an overpotential of only 140 mV. Notably, no discernible voltage decay occurs as the current density increases, indicating rapid and highly reversible redox kinetics. Furthermore, the DPQP cathode delivers outstanding cycling stability, maintaining over 2000 h of continuous operation at 0.1 A·g^{–1 …}

(Co,Ni,Mn,Cu,Zn)O High-Entropy Oxide Nanotubes As Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst For Oxygen Evolution And Hydrazine Oxidation Reactions, Pan-Yan Chen, Wan-Wan Wu, Heng Bian, Wei-Wei Li, Xin-Sheng Zhao, Lu Wei

Journal of Electrochemistry

High-entropy oxides (HEOs) present significant scientific challenges in both design and synthesis due to their multielement and high-entropy nature, which involves complex combinations of multiple metal cations and oxygen anions, typically arranged in equimolar ratios to achieve structural stability. Herein, one-dimensional (Co,Ni,Mn,Cu,Zn)O high-entropy oxide nanotubes (HEO-NTs) are fabricated by means of a gradient electrospinning strategy with a tailored polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) molecular weight distribution and controlled pyrolysis. Benefiting from the HEO features and the synergistic effect of multicomponent sites, the as-synthesized (Co,Ni,Mn,Cu,Zn)O HEO-NTs exhibit exceptional bifunctional electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution and hydrazine oxidation reactions (OER/HzOR). This study offers …

Electropulse Annealing: Phase Composition Of Tial6v4, Vaughn Eckhardt, Ethan Croke, Ian Baker, Russ Taylor

Wetterhahn Science Symposium Posters

Titanium alloy TiAl6V4 is the most ubiquitous titanium alloy used for dental care, aerospace manufacturing, and for high performance vehicles. The material typically undergoes a thermal heat  treatment, but electropulse annealing is another process that involves sending current through the material to heat it up at a quicker rate. The rate of post-annealing cooling is high, and around the material's critical point, its two components, alpha and beta phase, change in relative concentration. After testing multiple current densities and temperatures, in general, as the current density that the sample received during electropulse annealing decreased, both the alpha and beta phases …

Integrated Passive Design Strategies For Enhancing Energy Performance Of Hotel Buildings In Hot-Arid Climates: A Simulation-Based Study, Esraa Ebrahiem Abu-Elenain

HBRC Journal

Sustainable architectural design strategies offer effective solutions for enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs in energy-intensive buildings, such as hotels in hot-arid climates. However, limited research has addressed the integrated application of multiple passive design strategies within hotel buildings using a unified simulation-based framework. This study investigates the combined application of wind catchers (Malqaf), adaptive mashrabiya shading systems, and high-performance glazing on a proposed hotel floor in Ras Sedr, Egypt. The design was modeled in Autodesk Revit and analyzed through dynamic simulation using EnergyPlus. A comparative approach was adopted, including a baseline scenario and an improved design scenario. The …

Enhancing Social Activity Through Climate-Adaptive Design In Hot-Humid Campus Open-Spaces: A Case Study Of The University Of Basrah In Iraq, Noor A. Almansor, Farah Ahmed Thiab, Riyam Rajab Fenjan

HBRC Journal

Outdoor open spaces between university buildings support students' community interactions and academic achievements. However, in hot-humid climate zones, some of these spaces lack activity and experience social withdrawal due to thermal discomfort. This is seen on the University of Basrah campus. To address this, the study aimed to identify the most suitable climate-adaptive design pattern to improve thermal comfort and, in turn, enhance students' social presence in the University of Basrah's neglected, peripheral outdoor campus spaces. A convergent mixed-method case study was applied. First, measurable environmental and social factors were identified from related studies. Next, two open spaces in the …

The Impact Of Climate Change On Glass Facades: A Bibliometric Analysis, Pelin Akın, Güneş Mutlu Avinç

HBRC Journal

Climate change has direct impacts on the design and performance of building envelopes, necessitating new approaches in the discipline of architecture. In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted to understand the effects of climate change on glass façade systems. The 612 academic publications obtained from the Web of Science database were analyzed through R Studio Biblioshiny. Within the scope of the study, publication trends, key themes, prominent authors, institutions and geographical distributions were evaluated in detail. According to the findings of the research, it was indicated that research has gained momentum especially after 2016, focusing on themes such as …

Influence Of Polyvinyl Alcohol Content On Starch-Based Bioplastic Reinforced With Chitosan And Microcrystalline Cellulose, Bagus Kharisma Putra, Andoko Andoko, Mochamad Viky Afandy, Muhammad Faizullah Pasha, Riduwan Prasetya

Chimica et Natura Acta

Starch-based bioplastics are promising sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics; however, their limited mechanical strength and stability restrict broader packaging applications. This study investigates the influence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) content on the structural and functional properties of starch-based bioplastic films reinforced with chitosan and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Films prepared by solution casting with varying PVA compositions were characterized in terms of density, mechanical properties, thermal stability, biodegradation behavior, antibacterial activity, and structural features. Increasing PVA content produced denser film structures with improved tensile strength and thermal stability, while elongation at break reached its maximum at the intermediate formulation, indicating a …

Polymer-Derived Silicon Oxycarbide (Sioc) And Silicon Carbonitride (Sicn) Ceramics For Advanced Electrochemical Energy Storage Applications, Saja Al Ajrash, Erick S. Vasquez-Guardado

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Preceramic polymers, especially silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) and silicon carbonitride (SiCN) ceramics, have gained significant attention due to their wide range of applications in many fields, particularly in energy storage devices beyond conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This review focuses on the synthesis, structural characteristics, and properties of SiOC and SiCN ceramics as electrodes for battery applications. Furthermore, their promising applications as electrode materials for energy storage systems are explored, along with the most recent advances in the development of such materials and their use in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs), potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), and supercapacitors. This review …

The Analytic Hierarchy Process As A Tool For Architectural Quality Assessment: A Case Study On Municipal Facades, Gül Şebnem Tutal, Fatma Demet Aykal

HBRC Journal

This study evaluates the façade quality of three municipal buildings using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify strengths, weaknesses, and improvement priorities in public architecture. Although façade design has been widely studied, quantitative and integrated assessment frameworks for municipal building façades remain limited. To address this gap, the study integrates the Design Quality Indicator (DQI) with AHP within a Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) framework, proposing a systematic and replicable evaluation model. The research assesses three main DQI criteria-functionality, building quality, and impact-subdivided into twelve sub-criteria and analyzed through pairwise comparison matrices. Data were collected through structured expert interviews with …

Towards The Integration Of Living Plants In Urban Design For Desert Regions \Fontsize1213\Selectfont\Textcolorblack(A Dynamic Shading Unit Inspired By Plant Movements), Amira Medhat Ibrahim Gouda

HBRC Journal

With the rapid urban expansion of new cities in hot desert climates, the challenge of designing open urban spaces and public squares becomes evident, particularly in providing thermal comfort. These spaces are exposed to intense sunlight and temperatures exceeding 40°C for extended periods, limiting their usability and increasing reliance on traditional, non sustainable shading methods. Addressing this issue, the research explores the potential of bio-dynamic shading units that utilize plants with self-moving responses such as nyctinastic and heliotropic movements as sustainable alternatives that adapt automatically to climatic changes without mechanical systems or energy consumption. The study assumes that integrating plants …

Characterization And Potential Suitability Of Some Egyptian Clays For Ceramic Building Applications, Marwa Askar, Medhat Sobhy El-Mahllawy, Mohamed Hamed Abdel-Aal, Ali Mohamed Ali Abd-Allah, Safia Gaber Al Menoufy

HBRC Journal

This study investigates the suitability of five Egyptian clay deposits—Wadi El-Natrun, Qasr El-Sagha, Kafr Homied, Fayed, and Suez Road—for ceramic building applications. Representative samples were characterized chemically and mineralogically, with grain size distribution and Atterberg limits determined to assess their industrial potential. Mineralogical analysis identified montmorillonite, illite, and kaolinite as the dominant clay minerals. Grain size and plasticity data, plotted on industrial diagrams, revealed that all samples are highly plastic clays with elevated clay fractions and minimal sand content. Such properties, while beneficial for molding, require modification to reduce excessive plasticity. The addition of non-plastic materials is recommended to enhance …

Assessment Of Buildings' Energy-Saving Strategies Resilience To Climate Change: The Case Of Mediterranean Climate, Aya S. Mohamed, Bakr M. Gomaa, Alaa Eldin N. Sarhan

HBRC Journal

The Earth's climate is changing, and projections indicate that global warming will continue throughout this century, leading to increased occurrences of extreme temperatures. This raises critical questions about the performance and resilience of different energy-saving design strategies in buildings under future climatic conditions. To address this, the present study investigates the impact of passive design strategies, including building orientation, window-to-wall ratio, south and east/west shading devices, and thermal insulation on a prototype building's energy performance across four timeframes: 2002, 2020, 2050, and 2080, using validated computer-based thermal simulations. The results indicate that individual strategies vary significantly in their effectiveness, with …

Optimizing Wind Turbine Blades Using Fiber-Reinforced Composites, Rayan A. Akeel

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project explores how fiber-reinforced materials can improve wind turbine blade performance by making them lighter and more durable. It will examine different fiber types, their fabrication methods, and their impact on efficiency and strength.

Optimization And Energy Efficiency Analysis Of An Automatic Feed Mixer With A Rotating Drum Mechanism, Kris Witono, Talifatim Machfuroh, Nurlia Pramita Sari, Lisa Agustriyana, Aini Lostari

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Energy-efficient feed mixer machines are important for improving the productivity and sustainability of small and medium-scale livestock farms. Previous studies primarily focused on either structural performance or mixing efficiency, with limited studies integrating both aspects. Therefore, this study evaluated an automatic rotating-drum feed mixer by combining Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis and energy modeling. The study used FEM simulations for different materials, namely A36 steel alloy, stainless steel 304, aluminium 6061, and galvanized steel, with thicknesses of 3 mm and 4 mm, as well as different drum systems. The FEM results showed that all evaluated materials met the minimum safety …

Influence Of Gas Atmosphere And Deposition Time On Si/Mno₂ Thin Films Properties Deposited By Magnetron Sputtering For Supercapacitor Application, Tansya Trisnatika Dewi, Boon Tong Goh, Reza Akbar Pahlevi, Ishmah Luthfiyah, Markus Diantoro

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

Thin films of MnO₂ were successfully deposited onto Si substrates using the magnetron sputtering technique in various gas atmospheres and deposition times to study their influence on the structural, morphological, electrical, and electrochemical properties for application as supercapacitor electrodes. Structural analysis using XRD showed that deposition under an Ar+O₂ gas atmosphere increased the crystallite size and crystallinity of the Si/MnO₂ films, while shorter deposition times reduced the crystallite size and lowered the crystallinity. Surface morphology observation using SEM showed that the film deposited in an Ar+O₂ gas atmosphere had smaller, more uniform, evenly distributed, and closely …

Influence Of Fiber Loading And Cu/Sio₂ Fillers On Mechanical And Physical Properties Of Sugarcane Bagasse Epoxy Composites, Ansor Salim Siregar, Indra Indra, Agung Fauzi Hanafi, Sunny Ineza Putri

Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST)

The rising worldwide need for lightweight, high-strength, and eco-friendly materials has driven considerable investigation into natural fiber composites. This research offers an extensive examination of the creation and characterization of a new hybrid composite designed for high-performance sports equipment. The composite structure consists of an epoxy matrix strengthened with sugarcane bagasse fibers and synergistic blend of copper and silicon dioxide hybrid particulate fillers. Three unique composite variations were created, with systematically adjusted weight fractions of sugarcane bagasse fiber (35%, 31%, 27%) and hybrid fillers. A thorough assessment of mechanical and physical properties was carried out following ASTM standards. The results …