Polymer and Organic Materials Commons^™

Molybdenum Disulfide (Mos₂) As A Nanocellulose Substrate, Mariana Torres, Dylan Seiffert, Elise Hong-Miller, T. E. Kidd

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Cellulose is a substance abundant in nature, found in fruits and vegetables, plant cell walls (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2023), and wood (Sjostrom, 1993). The abundance of cellulose is attributable to its linear chemical structure, as it is composed of long strands of glucose molecules linked together by hydrogen atoms, which enable the substance to withstand significant pressure without breaking (Rongpipi et al., 2019). This property—known as high tensile strength—is joined by its non-toxicity and sustainability, given cellulose may be degraded and renewed naturally (Kaur, 2021). These various properties indicate versatility, and its resultant current and desired uses—such as …

Flow Through Processing Of Nanocellulose For Space Exploration Applications, Dylan Seiffert, T. E. Kidd

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Nanocellulose is synthesized from cellulose, which is the most abundant organic molecule found in nature. Nanocellulose solids are biodegradable and have a strength-to-weight ratio eight times that of steel¹. The production of nanocellulose solids is challenging due to the large volume loss that occurs during the curing process as well as the time and cost associated with ultrasonic processing. The loss of volume during curing often results in cracking and deformation of the cured solid. The issues caused by the large volume loss can be mitigated using additives that do not compromise the strength, shape, or machineability of …

Impacts And Applications Of Vegetable Glycerin On Nanocellulose, Elise Hong-Miller, Dylan Seiffert, T. E. Kidd

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Nanocellulose is created by breaking down cellulose, the most common organic molecule found in nature. Nanocellulose has attractive properties, such as a very high strength-to-weight ratio, for many different applications. A major challenge is that nanocellulose has a very high shrinkage % (~90%) when it is dried, as well as a strong probability to crack. Different additives can be added in varying amounts to either mitigate or intensify these aspects, as well as affect its drying conditions. This investigation is helping the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the U.S. Army to find a use for this highly renewable …

Influence Of Sonication Parameters On The Morphology Of Nanocellulose Aerogels, Dexter Cox, Tim Kidd

Research in the Capitol

Nanocellulose is a renewable and biocompatible material that has a tensile strength similar to aluminum, is stiffer than Kevlar, and has a strength to weight ratio eight times that of stainless steel. There has been a range of studies on nanocellulose materials for potential use as a low-calorie food substitute, biomedical wound dressings, and as a structural component for buildings. Throughout this research experiment, nanocellulose aerogels of different mass compositions were created through a mechanical process using an ultrasonic processor with a titanium probe attachment. The purpose of this study was to develop a method that reduces the amount titanium …

Process And Apparatus For Manufacturing Grease, Lou A. T. Honary, James E. Wesley

Patents (University of Northern Iowa)

A process and corresponding apparatus and system for use in preparing soaps from fatty acid containing oil compositions, and in turn, for preparing greases by the use of such soaps in combination with one or more base oils.

Humic Substances-Based Polymer System, Gerard R. Thiel

Patents (University of Northern Iowa)

A system for use in forming polymer compositions, including as a replacement for phenolic based resin systems, for instance, in preparing foundry molds. In a preferred embodiment, the system includes the use of a) a polyermizable hydroxyl-containing component comprising a humic substance (as can be provided by lignite), b) an isocyanate component, and c) a catalyst, and preferably amine catalyst, component adapted to catalyze the polymerization of a) and b). The system is optionally used as binder system in the presence of a filler, such as, in combination with a foundry aggregate such as sand. A polymer system of this …

Modeling And Simulation To Investigate Effects Of Static Mixer, Carrier Gas, Temperature And Pressure On The Mixing Ratio Of Carbon Nanotubes Growth Reactors, David Addie Noye

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem of this study was to investigate the effects of static mixer, carrier gas, carrier gas inlet pressures, and reactor operating temperatures on the mixing ratio of carbon nanotube synthesizing reactor. The methodology included design of static mixers, mathematical modeling, and computer modeling and simulation experiments.

The simulation experiment was performed based on single phase carrier gas modeling due to difficulty and time for three phase fluid modeling. First only nitrogen carrier gas in addition to the other three factors under constant inlet flow velocity and inlet temperature was simulated. Secondly, the same procedure was applied to argon carrier …

Effect Of Agricultural Fiber Reinforcement On The Mechanical Properties Of A Recycled Polyethylene Plastic Composite Material, Michael E. Courbat

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study determined the effect of certain agricultural fiber reinforcements on the tensile and impact mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic composite material. The purpose of the study was to provide information on certain mechanical properties of a recycled polyethylene plastic material as part of a coordinated materials application process.

A prototype product run of the plastic composite material was done and test specimens were selected from this material. Notch impact, tensile, and flexure tests were conducted on test specimens. Test procedures complied with accepted standards from The American Society For Testing and Materials (ASTM). Tests were conducted on …

Structural Materials From Recycled High Density Polyethylene And Herbaceous Fibers, And Method For Production, Barton L. Bergquist, Mohammed F. Fahmy

Patents (University of Northern Iowa)

A composite useful for structural components comprised of recycled high density polyethylene and herbaceous fibrous materials and a method to produce composites based on recycled high density polyethylene and chopped herbaceous fibers. An alternative structural composite is disclosed which is comprised of recycled low density polyethylene and chopped herbaceous fibrous material.

Wood Finishing For Tree Samples Of Five Honduran Species, Amilcar A. Cruz

Graduate Research Papers

This research report will study the application of four wood finishing techniques to samples of each of five species of Honduran hardwood.

These four wood finishing methods are: The varnish-method, the lacquer method, the antiquing method and the oil-rub method. The researcher will attempt to determine which is the best method for each of the five species.

Classroom Analysis Of Various Plastics, Paul D. Harrington

Graduate Research Papers

In the junior high plastics course this writer. teaches, the students display more interest in the manipulative activities of the laboratory than in the sit-down classroom activities. The results of this tend to be a once-over-lightly treatment of the technical aspects of plastics and more hands on craft type activities in the laboratory. To bring more balance to the program, an activity needs to be devised which will have more industrial relevance. Such an activity should allow the students a certain amount of freedom and still provide them with technical information and acquaint them with the properties of various plastics. …

Electrostatic Fluidized Bed Plastic Powder Coating Process, Richard H. Florer

Graduate Research Papers

The overall objective is the fabrication of a functional electrostatic fluidized bed dry plastic powder coating apparatus which can be utilized in an Industrial Arts laboratory.