Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

A Study Of Synthesis And Characterization Of Naxmno2-Δ As A Cathode Material For Sodium-Ion Battery, Zia Uddin Mahmud

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The proliferation of renewable energy sources and the promising market for net-scale battery applications immediately increases the need for electrochemical energy storage technology. Sodium (Na) components are more accessible and less expensive than lithium. Being a sodium-based material with a high-power density provided by Na-ion diffusion, Na_xMnO_{2- δ} is a strong contender for large-scale Sodium-ion-battery (SIB) applications. In the current study, Na_xMnO_{2- δ} is created using a solid-state reaction technique, and investigated structural, electrical, and electrochemical properties of materials were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-VIS spectroscopy, and …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Application Of Chitosan Nanoparticles For In Vitro Studies On Hela Cancer Cells, Rejeena Jha

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Chitosan is a fibrous substance that is derived from chitin, a natural substance in the shells of crustaceans. It possesses all the necessary qualities for being used as carrier for the transport of drugs and genes into tumor, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and non-toxicity and cationic in nature. Ionic gelation method was used to synthesize chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs). Ionic gelation is a very benign process chemically that requires mixing a CS aqueous solution with a sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) aqueous solution at room temperature. In addition, a surfactant polyethylene oxide (PEO) alone and a diblock copolymer of PEO and …

Exploration And Synthesis Of Half-Heusler And Disordered Ternary Intermetallic Single Crystals, Md Fahel Bin Noor

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Due to their distinct physical and chemical characteristics, half-Heusler compounds are intermetallic materials that have undergone substantial research. The general formula for these compounds is XYZ, where X and Y are transition metals and Z is a p-block element. Thermoelectricity is among the half-Heusler compounds' most exciting potential uses, but additional possible applications include spintronics, magnetic refrigeration, and superconductivity, among others. Recently, half-Heuslers (and Heuslers) have emerged as candidates for catalysts for hydrogenation. The CoNbSn half-Heusler compound, as well as another unique intermetallic ternary compound, the disordered Mn_4-xCr_xAl₁₁, were successfully grown as single crystals …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Cage-Structured Compounds As Promising Thermoelectric Materials, Nusrat Yasmin

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The development of new thermoelectric materials is of great interest due to their potential to convert waste heat into useful electricity. The primary problem is that the physical factors that are utilized to assess thermoelectric performance conflict with one another. One way to improve their performance is to hinder the lattice from conducting heat through its vibrations while maintaining the heat conduction via the electrons. This can be done by creating cage structures that allow heavy atoms to jiggle. In this study, we report the synthesis of a group of such compounds, using the self-flux method. They all belong to …

Classifying Sidewalk Materials Using Multi-Modal Data, Jiawei Liu

Dissertations and Theses

Navigating safely and independently presents considerable challenges for people who are blind or have low vision (BLV), as it requires a comprehensive understanding of their neighborhood environment. Our user study reveals that materials and objects on sidewalks play a crucial role in navigation tasks. Unfortunately, current methods for assessing sidewalk materials are suboptimal, often relying on labor-intensive and expensive manual assessments that fail to capture the full range of sidewalk features critical to individuals with BLV.

In response to this problem, this master’s thesis investigates deep learning approaches specifically designed for the classification of multi-modal sidewalk materials. The proposed framework …

Mechanical Design Of A Microwave Imaging Device For Breast Cancer Detection In Mri Scanners, Grace M. Player

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This project seeks to develop an updated version of a microwave imaging device for use in conjunction with breast MRI, improving upon existing technology and developing novel concepts for the device. It posits three primary redesign targets for updating the previous system: resizing the system height, making the device more iteration- friendly, and improving the overall manufacturability of the device by replacing custom components with commercially available alternatives. All three of these redesign targets are met in the new design, V2.0. The height is reduced by reducing antenna travel and height, embedding some components, and shortening the tank wall, resulting …

Characterization Of Virgin, Re-Used, And Oxygen-Reduced Copper Powders Processed By The Plasma Spheroidization Process, M. Hossein Sehhat, David Perez-Palomino, Connor Wiedemeier, Tristan Cullom, Joseph William Newkirk

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

Fabrication of parts with high mechanical properties heavily depend on the quality of powder deployed in the fabrication process. Copper powder in three different powder types were spheroidized using radio-frequency inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spheroidization process (TekSphero-15 system). The characterized powders include virgin powder as purchased from the powder manufacturer, powder used in electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) process, and reconditioned powder, which was used powder that underwent an oxygen-reduction treatment. The goal of spheroidizing these powder types was to evaluate the change in powder morphology, the possibility of enhancing the powder properties back to their as-received conditions, and …

Predicting Dissolution Kinetics Of Tricalcium Silicate Using Deep Learning And Analytical Models, Taihao Han, Sai Akshay Ponduru, Arianit Reka, Jie Huang, Gaurav Sant, Aditya Kumar

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The dissolution kinetics of Portland cement is a critical factor in controlling the hydration reaction and improving the performance of concrete. Tricalcium silicate (C₃S), the primary phase in Portland cement, is known to have complex dissolution mechanisms that involve multiple reactions and changes to particle surfaces. As a result, current analytical models are unable to accurately predict the dissolution kinetics of C₃S in various solvents when it is undersaturated with respect to the solvent. This paper employs the deep forest (DF) model to predict the dissolution rate of C₃S in the undersaturated solvent. The …

High Figure Of Merit Spin Polarized Electron Sources Grown Via Mocvd, Benjamin Belfore, Adam Masters, Deewakar Poudel, Greg Blume, Stephen Polly, Erdong Wang, Seth M. Hubbard, Marcy Stutzman, Joseph M. Grames, Matt Poelker, Matt Grau, Sylvain Marsillac

Electrical & Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

Spin polarized photocathodes are key to the future operation of electron accelerators such as the ones at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Currently, these photocathodes come in short supply due to limited production by molecular beam epitaxy. By developing a process to implement similar structures using metal organic chemical vapor deposition, the availability of these devices can be increased. In this paper, we detail the implementation of recent photocathode advancements via metal organic chemical vapor deposition process and show an improvement in both polarization and quantum efficiency of our devices compared to those fabricated via molecular …

Hydrogen-Wettability Alteration Of Indiana Limestone In The Presence Of Organic Acids And Nanofluid, Mirhasan Hosseini, Rossen Sedev, Mujahid Ali, Muhammad Ali, Jalal Fahimpour, Alireza Keshavarz, Sefan Iglauer

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study focuses on the wettability alteration (changing from a hydrophobic state to a hydrophilic state) of Indiana limestone for hydrogen (H₂) geological storage. We examine the effect of hexanoic acid C₆, lauric acid C₁₂, and stearic acid C₁₈, on the wettability of Indiana limestone at ambient (298 K and 0.1 MPa) and reservoir (323 K and 8.27 MPa) conditions. The effects of silica nanofluids (silica with deionized water) at various concentrations (0.1 wt%, 0.25 wt%, and 0.5 wt%) on the wettability reversal of stearic-aged samples were tested at ambient and reservoir …

Crosslinking Enhancement Of Natural Rubber By Electron Beam, Mili Purbaya

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Vulcanization is a crucial process that transforms raw rubber into a durable and useful material. During vulcanization, crosslinking points are created between rubber molecules, which convert them into a thermosetting substance. The conventional vulcanization method is carried out by the addition of some chemicals accompanied by the application of thermal energy. This study explored the possibility of using electron beam irradiation which is an environmentally friendly and short-time method for vulcanizing natural rubber. The research was divided into two parts. In the first part, the efficacy of electron beam vulcanization was compared to that of thermal vulcanization. Natural rubber containing …

Cellulose Nanofiber/Poly(Acrylic Acid)-Based Hydrogel For Colorimetric Biomarker Sensors, Nichaphat Passornraprasit

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This dissertation develops innovative CNF/PAA hydrogel-based colorimetric sensors for non-invasive biomarker detection, focusing on urea for chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sarcosine for prostate cancer (PCa). Hydrogels serve as a matrix for enzyme and indicator encapsulation due to their high absorption capacity and unique three-dimensional network, with CNF enhancing mechanical properties. The research is divided into two parts. Part I involves preparing a GO/CNF/PAA hydrogel via non-toxic radiation crosslinking, featuring high swelling capacity and enhanced laser absorptivity due to GO. This hydrogel, used as a patch for on-skin detection, shows vivid color changes to distinguish CKD patients from healthy individuals, …

Higher-Order Effects In Biaxial Flexure Of Gfrp I-Section Beams, Zia Razzaq, Faridoon Z. Razzaq

Civil & Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

A theoretical study of Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) beams subjected to biaxial bending moments is presented with a focus on the influence of higher-order effects on maximum normal stresses. It is shown that the biaxial bending type of loading causes a dramatic increase in the maximum normal stress for a GFRP beam when induced torsional effects are included. The study demonstrates that the traditional first-order theory can grossly underestimate the maximum normal stress in a GFRP beam. Based on the numerical results presented using a higher-order theory which also accounts for induced warping normal stresses, the maximum normal stress …

Size Distribution, Elemental Composition And Morphology Of Nanoparticles Separated From Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Shoeleh Assemi, Lei Pan, Xuming Wang, Titilayo Akinseye, Jan D. Miller

Michigan Tech Publications, Part 1

Nanoparticles, defined as particles with one dimension below 100 nm, contribute little to the total mass concentration in respirable coal mine dust (RCMD) toxicological studies, but they could have a considerable part in the adverse health effects by RCMD inhalation. It has been shown that inhaled nanoparticles can penetrate deep into the lung and could plausibly contribute to acute and chronic pulmonary diseases by triggering oxidative stress formation and inducing inflammation. RCMD nanoparticles from samples collected in an underground mine in the United States were analyzed by a particle separation technique, field-flow fractionation (FFF), for size, morphology, and elemental composition. …

Effect Of Sc On Recrystallization Resistance Of Aa7050, Keaton Schmidt

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The extrusion process involves high temperatures and strains that can result in undesirable microstructures, especially along the surface. Extruded alloys tend to exhibit surface recrystallization during heat treating at regions of higher strains, which can lead to reduced fatigue strength and corrosion resistance. By adding Sc to AA7050, nano-sized dispersoids are formed with Sc cores and Zr shells that restrict recrystallization more than the base alloy that only utilizes Zr. Billets with varying Sc content and a control with only Zr were cast, and extrusions were made in order to compare surface microstructures at varying strains in the as-extruded and …

Quantifying The Evolution Of Strengthening Mechanisms For Commercially Produced Niobium And Titanium Hsla Steel Sheet, Isabella M.W. Jaszczak

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Strength uniformity along the coil length of commercially produced high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steel hot-rolled sheet is crucial to avoid the downgrading of product that does not meet strength specifications. In addition to contributing to precipitation strengthening through the growth of niobium-titanium carbides ((Nb,Ti)-C), niobium hinders austenite recrystallization and refines ferrite grain size. The potency of these strengthening mechanisms relies heavily on the austenite to ferrite transformation kinetics of the hot-rolling process. While niobium’s effect on precipitation strengthening, Hall-Petch strengthening, dislocation strengthening, and solute strengthening have all been studied in literature independently, the interactions of these mechanisms with each other and …

Optimizing The Extrudability Of 6082 Aluminum By Varying The Magnesium And Silicon Concentration, Eli A. Harma

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Alloy 6082 aluminum is used for high-volume manufacturing in the automotive industry due to its high strength, impact performance, and corrosion resistance. However, given these improved properties, the alloy has decreased formability compared to other 6xxx series alloys, especially in the extrusion process. Controlling the dynamic recovery and recrystallization properties by changing the additions of Mg and Si can improve the hot deformation properties. Five alloys of varying Mg and Si concentrations between 0.6 to 1.2wt% Mg and 0.7 to 1.3wt% Si were made with constant concentrations of Cr, Fe, and Mn and the same homogenization heat treatment. The proposed …

Nanomaterials For Cardiovascular Engineering, Roya Bagheri

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Cardiovascular diseases and disorders (i.e., those related to heart and blood vessels) are the main reasons for mortality worldwide. Nanomaterials, with their unique morphologies and properties, have a great potential for advancing cardiovascular engineering to treat diseases and disorders. In this dissertation, several cardiovascular applications of conductive nanomaterials were investigated. First, a conductive nanomaterial was explored to fabricate biohybrid nanomaterial-cardiomyocyte (CM – heart muscle cell) systems. Using Carbon Nanotube (CNT) forest as a 3D porous and conductive scaffold was investigated. The influence of the CNT forest on the viability, attachment, and spreading of CMs and their genetic information was …

Molecular Dynamics Modeling Of Polymers For Aerospace Composites, Swapnil Sambhaji Bamane

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Polymer matrix composite materials are widely used as structural materials in aerospace and aeronautical vehicles. Resin/reinforcement wetting and the effect of polymerization on the thermo-mechanical properties of the resin are key parameters in the manufacturing of aerospace composite materials. Determining the contact angle between combinations of liquid resin and reinforcement surfaces is a common method for quantifying wettability. It is challenging to determine contact angle values experimentally of high-performance resins on CNT materials such as CNT, graphene, bundles or yarns, and BNNT surfaces. It is also experimentally difficult to determine the effect of polymerization reaction on material properties of a …

Development Of Corn Kernel-Based Biocomposite Films For Food Packaging Applications, Swastika Bera

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Most of the current and active food packaging resources and methods are nonbiodegradable and nonrenewable therefore harmful to the environment. Due to this, alternate sources of food packaging materials are in high demand. In this study, a bio-composite film has been developed, with Corn kernel powder as fiber reinforcement which is mixed with gelatin, and lignin two biopolymers as the matrix. The effect of Corn Kernel (CK) reinforcement on the Gelatin/Lignin (G/L) matrix on mechanical and barrier properties has been studied. CK has shown great potential as reinforcement to natural polymer, gelatin, and lignin (G/L) for food packaging applications as …

Investigation Of Oxidation And Corrosion Resistance Of Ni-Based Alloys And Stainless Steels Under Co2 Environments At Elevated Temperatures, Spencer Roy Fultineer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

High mechanical strength integrity, high robustness towards oxidation, and high resistance to carburization under CO2 environments at elevated temperatures are usually required for metallic systems that are employed for power generation. INCONEL 625 is a nickel-based superalloy that started development in the 1950s. This material was designed with the distinct purpose of use in high-temperature and high-pressure systems. While various materials possess the physical properties to handle these conditions, the creation of IN625 addresses the need for a material to withstand the highly corrosive properties of these kinds of environments. In order to evaluate the oxidation and corrosion resistance of …

Development Of Inconel 718f And Inconel 718e Powders For Parts Manufacturing Utilizing Binder Jet Three-Dimensional Printing And Compressed Pellet Methods, Duncan Eric Manor Ii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Alloy Inconel 718 is a Ni based superalloy used for high temperature applications including turbine blades, turbocharger rotors and nuclear reactors. Inconel 718 is a popular commercial atomized powder that has limitations in performance for use in additive manufacturing applications due to poor part quality and efficiency of current fabrication methods. Developing new compositions and additive manufacturing (AM) methodologies of IN718 is critical to improve the quality and the efficiency of IN718 parts manufacturing. Developing new additive manufacturing methodology that produces higher quality parts made of IN718 as compared to current methods has the potential to greatly impact industry, academia, …

Material Characterization Of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (Tpu) And Thermoplastic Elastomers (Tpe) For Development Of 3d-Printed Surrogate Organs For Medical Training, Anastasia Elizabeth Lucci

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cadaveric specimens are a necessary, albeit limited, resource for training medical students on basic surgical skills. The availability of surrogate 3D-printed organs would readily allow access to resources that could reduce or potentially eliminate the need for cadaveric specimens or, at a minimum, provide students the opportunity to practice with 3D-printed surrogates before transitioning to those specimens. This research focuses on determining which thermoplastic material most closely mimics mechanical properties such as hardness and stiffness of human organs and allows 3D printing surrogate organs to be used as safe, educational tools. Relatively “soft” materials such as thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) and …

Elastic Properties Of The Non-Mixing Copper Donor Assisted Material In Friction Stir Welding Of Aluminum Alloys Using Nanoindentation, M. Ojha, A. H. Al-Allaq, Y. S. Mohammed, S. N. Bhukya, Z. Wu, A. A. Elmustafa

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Friction stir welding of high-strength materials such as steels is the impeded by the lack of the vast heat input needed to start the process. Contact friction is considered the most dominant source of heat generation for FSW steels which tends to cause severe wear conditions of the tool hear. To relieve the extreme wear conditions that occur on the tool heads because of FSW steels, we introduce the non-mixing Cu donor stir material to friction stir welding of aluminum alloys. The elastic properties of the Cu donor assisted friction stir welded aluminum alloys are measured using nanoindentation. The hardness …

A Partial Discharge Inception Voltage Modeling Approach, Shilpi Mukherjee, Tristan Mark Evans, David Huitink, H. Alan Mantooth

Electrical Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A partial discharge inception voltage modeling approach promoting design-for-reliability considerations in advanced power modules is presented. As power modules are being operated at higher voltages and become more compact to meet power density demands, there is an increased risk of partial discharge, the silent precursor to electrical breakdown that degrades insulation material. The trade-off between voltage class and module compaction must be quantified. This work presents a methodology to model the tradeoff for any substrate and encapsulant material. A surface charge density-based partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) model was developed to overcome the challenges in electric field-based models. The model …

Developing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle-Based Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarriers For Delivery Of Small Molecule Therapeutics Against Colon Cancer Cells, Nisitha Lakmal Wellala Wijewantha

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation delves into the innovative application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for targeted drug delivery in colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer worldwide. The initial focus of the research is on developing enzyme-responsive MSNs loaded with veratridine (VTD), an alkaloid derived from natural sources that demonstrates potent anticancer activity. The nanoparticles have been engineered to deliver VTD selectively to CRC cells, releasing the payload upon being exposed to specific enzymes primarily secreted by these cells. This strategy has dual advantages of amplifying the anticancer effects while minimizing potential side effects on healthy …

High Energy Blue Light Induces Oxidative Stress And Retinal Cell Apoptosis, Jessica Malinsky

Capstone Showcase

Blue light (BL) is a high energy, short wavelength spanning 400 to 500 nm. Found in technological and environmental forms, BL has been shown to induce photochemical damage of the retina by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Excess ROS leads to oxidative stress, which disrupts retinal mitochondrial structure and function. As mitochondria amply occupy photoreceptors, they also contribute to oxidative stress due to their selectively significant absorption of BL at 400 to 500 nm. ROS generation that induces oxidative stress subsequently promotes retinal mitochondrial apoptosis. BL filtering and preventative mechanisms have been suggested to improve or repair BL-induced retinal damage, …

Solid-State Shear Pulverization: A Comprehensive Study On Polymer Processing Technology From A Systematic Innovation Perspective, Tyler A. Will

Master’s Theses

Solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) is a continuous and scalable processing technique that imposes mechanochemical changes in polymer-based materials. It has been shown to impart beneficial properties onto homopolymers or create copolymers and composites through continuous fragmentation and fusion. The unique technology employs cold temperature to keep the polymer in the solid state. This thesis investigates industrial polymer processing in the context of real-world applications. This thesis analyzes SSSP using an organized methodology called systematic innovation (SI). SI facilitates problem solving by assisting engineers in conducting root cause analysis around a material and studying the physical setup of the equipment.

This …

Temperature-Dependent Diffusion In Block Copolymer Organogels, Ridwana Bashar

Master’s Theses

Organogels are often considered for transport-based applications such as transdermal drug delivery vehicles and gel actuators due to their unique properties. Recent consideration of styrenic block copolymer based organogels’ application in transdermal drug delivery requires an extensive investigation of drug diffusion behavior through these gels to assess their applicability. Temperature is a major influencing parameter on diffusion. The goal of this research is to better understand the impact of temperature on diffusion in styrenic triblock copolymer organogels. To accomplish this goal, we focused on three specific objectives: (i) accurately measure the diffusivities of a solute – AOT reverse micelles – …

An Updated Analytical Method For Predicting The Bracing Behavior Of Z-Purlin Supported Standing Seam Diaphragm Systems, Michael W. Seek

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Roof systems utilizing Z-purlins as a secondary member supporting a standing seam panel system are used extensively by the metal building industry. The Z-purlins rely on the diaphragm action in the standing seam panel system to provide lateral support and transfer forces to anchorages. The behavior of the standing seam system is highly nonlinear making prediction of the interaction between the Z-purlin and the standing seam system difficult. To better understand the behavior of the interaction between the purlins and the panel system, a series of non-linear shell finite element models were developed based on the test results of simple …