Polymer and Organic Materials Commons^™

Low Earth Orbit Drag Sail Degradation Due To Atomic Oxygen And Ultraviolet Radiation, Hannah Rost

Master's Theses

As the orbital debris population increases, so does the risk of collisions with operational spacecraft. In response, the Federal Communications Commission has shortened the deorbit requirement from 25 years to five years. While natural atmospheric decay was sufficient under the previous guideline, many objects with low area to mass ratios can no longer passively comply. Smaller, non-propellant-carrying space objects such as CubeSats lack the ability to maneuver and must rely on alternative deorbit methods. One proposed solution is to deploy a drag sail at end of life to increase atmospheric drag and accelerate orbital decay. However, exposure to atomic oxygen …

Investigation Into Silicone-Silicate Conversion Due To Atomic Oxygen In The Low Earth Orbit Environment, Justin T. Self

Master's Theses

Silicones have been widely used over the years in spacecraft for a variety of functions, but atomic oxygen (AO) exposure in Low Earth Orbit causes a silicate (SiO₂) surface layer to rapidly develop on the silicone which results in a permanent change in its thermal and optical properties. Although this silicone to silicate conversion is known to occur, statistical predictions of layer formation as a function of time on orbit are not found in literature. This thesis utilized optical and scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and nonlinear regression statistical techniques after RF plasma asher …

Degradation Characterization Of Nopal-Based Biopolymer Made From Opuntia Sp. Juice, Beeswax, Animal Protein, And Polyvinyl Alcohol, Logan Williams, Mary Elizabeth Holland, Spencer Williams

Materials Engineering

Since the introduction of polymers in the 1960s, there has been an exponential increase in use. Driven by rapidly growing demand, the volume of polymers in the production, application, and end-of-life stages has surged. The widespread use of these materials has led to escalating environmental pollution, which disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to global ecological degradation. While advancements in recycling technologies and infrastructure have shown promise, they have not maintained pace with polymer production and disposal. This imbalance warrants research into sustainable alternatives. Environmentally benign polymers derived from renewable sources and exhibiting minimal ecological impact at the end of their life …

Chemical Recycling Of Pet Plastic Waste, Charlie Parker, Benjamin Puga, Jake Verschoor

Materials Engineering

The growing accumulation of plastic waste, specifically polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has driven the need for more efficient and scalable chemical recycling methods. This study investigated the methanolysis of PET using zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as a catalyst and tetrabutylammonium chloride (NBu₄Cl) as an ionic liquid, aiming to reduce methanol consumption while achieving high PET conversion efficiency. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized via wet chemistry and characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), which showed an average particle size of 13.5 nm with a polydispersity index of 0.1556, indicating a moderately-high monodisperse distribution of particles sufficient for reactions. The main conversion product, dimethyl …

Myceli-Yum: Elucidating Structure-Property Relationships For Polymer Degradation By Mycelial Digestion, Jordan Scott Ford

Master's Theses

Since the industrial entrance of polymer plastic materials, plastic has become ubiquitous in both everyday use and waste. Due to inefficiencies and knowledge gaps, current recycling methods are not able to account for the high scale of plastic waste, resulting in the bulk of this waste being landfilled, mishandled, and deposited in the environment. Mycelium, the microorganism responsible for fruiting mushroom bodies and mold growth, holds potential to reduce plastic waste and can potentially be utilized as a method of industrial recycling. Following a drug-design approach, the active site of mycelial enzymes responsible for natural biopolymer degradation have been assessed …

Multimodal Self-Folding Of Shape Memory Polymer Using Laser Induced Graphene, Liam Harrison Drew

Master's Theses

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) can undergo programmed shape transformations when heated above their glass transition temperature (T_g), enabling actuation through stimuli such as infrared (IR) radiation and Joule heating. These materials are promising for deployable systems and soft robotics due to their lightweight structure and elimination of traditional mechanical components. While IR-based actuation is simple and low-cost, it lacks precision in uncontrolled environments. Joule heating offers improved control but is often limited by conductive ink properties such as thickness, stiffness, or poor adhesion. This work introduces a novel method for multimodal SMP actuation using laser-induced graphene (LIG) transferred …

Fire Fossils: Biomineral Infrastructures In Untangling Climates, Tanmayee More

Masters Theses

Diatoms drift, sediments sink, wildfires generate their own weather. Lightning strikes can blast sand into glass, and microscopic organisms do the same in the cold recesses of the ocean. What alchemies and metabolisms catalyze space, time, and energy? What are the thermodynamics of infrastructure in Climate Change?

Places, materials, and beings are afterimages. Through alchemical experiments, and multi-scalar imaging, I develop simulations of wildfires, and their profound, reverberating effects. In this thesis, a glass-meets-landscape experimental process enters these obscured conditions and renders new material relations for the built environment.

Tailoring The Morphology Of Block Copolymers Via Solvent-Vapor Annealing, Bayleigh Madelin Loving

Honors Theses

Triblock polystyrene-polyisobutylene-polystyrene (PS-PIB-PS) copolymers have widespread applications from thermoplastic elastomers to protective coatings for ballistic applications. The incompatibility between the soft PIB and hard PS phases leads to phase separation and subsequent formation of morphological domains like lamellae and cylinders. The structures are stabilized by physical crosslinks, which can greatly improve the toughness of the triblock systems by preventing chain pullout during tensile deformation. We tailored the morphologies (achieving different morphologies with the same block copolymer) by changing the annealing conditions of the block copolymers. Solvent vapor annealing was used to selectively activate the mobility of a particular block, causing …

Mechanistic Investigation Of Ring-Opening Polymerization Of Polycaprolactone Using Tin(Ii) Catalysts: Ligand Effects And Biomedical Applications, Eva-Larue M. Barber

Honors Scholar Theses

This research explores the mechanistic aspects of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL) to produce polycaprolactone (PCL), a biodegradable polymer widely used in biomedical applications. The study investigates how light exposure and catalyst concentration influence polymerization efficiency, using tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate [Sn(Oct)₂] as the catalyst in a non-polar toluene solvent at 90 °C. Reactions were conducted under either ambient light or black light bulb (BLB) illumination, with monomer-to-catalyst ratios of 1:1 and 200:1.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyze conversion efficiency by tracking the disappearance of monomer signals and appearance of characteristic PCL peaks. Results revealed …

Development And Tribological Characterization Of Uhmwpe-Tin Composite Coatings Deposited By Electrostatic Spraying, Jarrod Keith Perez

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing demand for inert, wear-resistant, cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and low-friction coatings has driven extensive research into polymer-based solutions. Among these, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has emerged as a strong candidate due to its low density, anticorrosion properties, self-lubricating nature, affordability, and ease of processing. However, its low load-bearing capacity limits its widespread use in high-stress tribological applications. To overcome this limitation, this project investigates the development and characterization of UHMWPE composite coatings reinforced with titanium nitride (TiN) particles at varying concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10 wt%) to enhance their mechanical properties and wear resistance.

Mechanistic Insights Into Polymer-Assisted Graphene Exfoliation: The Roles Of Velocity, Adhesion, Cohesion, Temperature, Peeling Mode, And Edge Defect Via Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics, Linjiale Dai

All Theses

Graphene exfoliation is a critical step in the fabrication of high-quality graphene

layers. However, the underlying fracture mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this

work, I employed coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to

investigate how factors such as interfacial binding energy, substrate cohesion, temperature,

peeling mode, and edge defects influence the outcome of the exfoliation process. To model

polymer-assisted mechanical exfoliation, I used a finite-size system in which multilayer

graphene (MLG) is sandwiched between two thin polymer films. Leveraging the

spatiotemporal efficiency of the CG model, I performed fifty simulation iterations per

parameter set and analyzed the results from a …

Incorporating Recycled And Repurposed Plastic Into 100% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement, Basant Bhatt

Graduate Theses and Dissertations (2019 - present)

The increasing awareness of sustainability in the asphalt industry has driven the use of recycled materials like reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and waste plastic. This study examines the incorporation of recycled polypropylene (rPP), recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE), and recycled low-density polyethylene (rLDPE) at 0.3%, 0.6%, and 0.8% dosages into 100% RAP, along with the warm mix asphalt additive Evotherm® P25. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical and durability performance of the modified asphalt mixtures while rutting and fatigue life were evaluated using mechanistic-empirical (ME) analysis in PerRoad software. Both plastic type and dosage had a statistically significant impact …

Multifunctional Pvdf Ionogels With Magnetic Nanoparticles For Electroactive And Magnetic Actuation, Alfredo Carrillo Valverde

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The fast development of compact and multifunctional electronics has driven interest in smart materials capable of responding to multiple stimuli. Ionogels, polymers that have been swollen with ionic liquids (IL), offer several favorable electrochemical and thermal properties due to their intrinsic ion conductivity, wide electrochemical window, non-flammability, and high thermal stability. However, their poor mechanical properties (e.g., modulus and strength) limit their use in applications. In this work, multifunctional PVDF ionogel composites were made by blending magnetically responsive iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) into the polymer matrix. The influence of MNP concentration (9-21 wt%) on composition, ionic …

Tuning The Morphology Of Triblock Copolymers Via Homopolymer Blending, John F. Searles

Honors Theses

Morphology plays an important role in the physical properties of block copolymer (BCP) materials. Depending on the type of morphology and chemical composition of the blocks, BCPs are used in applications ranging from soft biomaterials for biomedical devices to rigid materials for ballistics protection. Due to incompatibility between comonomers and required block weight ratios to achieve targeted morphologies, it is generally necessary to use complex, time-consuming, and expensive synthetic techniques to prepare BCPs. As a result, there is increased interest in the development of new processing methods to tailor block copolymer morphology without the need for additional synthesis. The morphological …

Development And Characterization Of A Pro-Angiogenic Peptide Amphiphile For Deep Dermal Burn Healing Via Spray Delivery, Loria Dimartino

Honors Theses

Severe burns and other dermatological injuries are frequently accompanied by a range of comorbidities and aesthetic challenges that patients must contend with. The complexity of burn care is exacerbated by the lack of a standardized surgical protocol, as treatment strategies are tailored to individual patient factors, including overall health status, wound size and location, as well as the expertise and resources available to the surgical team. Most commonly, deep dermal burns are treated through grafting, which effectively covers the injury site, but requires the creation of a second wound on the body of approximately the same size. This produces a …

Advanced Manufacturing Of Multifunctional Shape Memory Polymer Composites And Self-Healing Systems, John B. Konlan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The need for multifunctional light weight structures for engineering applications is on the rise. Multifunctional composites are desired because of their ability to combine multiple functionalities into one structure. The advantages of a high strength-to-weight ratio of multifunctional composites make them desirable and suitable for use in energy-efficient applications. Shape-memory polymers (SMPs) have attracted interest over the past several decades because of their multifunctional nature. They have found use in many applications such as aerospace, satellites, automobiles, textiles, and biomedical devices, where lightweight and multifunctionality are key. The self-healing nature of most SMPs makes them suitable for use in lightweight …

Innovative Design Methodology For Durable Open-Graded Friction Course Asphalt Mixtures, Anas Abualia

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Open-graded friction course (OGFC) is a thin asphalt mixture surface layer with a high percentage of coarse aggregates and high interconnected air voids, which provides improved skid resistance, visibility, and decreased pavement-tire noise. However, construction personnel at DOTD reported that conventional OGFC mixtures have short service life (raveling distress). Further, their structural contribution to the pavement structure is commonly neglected and designed only for functionality purposes.

The objective of this study was to develop a rational mix design methodology to improve the durability of OGFC asphalt mixtures. Specific objectives are to: (1) conduct a rheological and chemical characterization of polymer-, …

Effects Of High Temperature Compaction On 3d Printed Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites, John D. Barber

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation was to study the effects of hot temperature compaction (HTC) upon the polymorphism and the mechanical behavior of an additively manufactured (AM), carbon fiber reinforced polyamide (PA6). Different pressure and temperature levels during HTC were tested to determine the overall effect upon the mechanical behavior and the material crystalline composition. Treated, carbon fiber reinforced PA6 samples were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, double cantilever beam testing and three-point bending testing. When considered with respect to as-printed samples, an HTC temperature of 190°C combined with 80 psi pressure resulted …

Modern Ir-Spectroscopic Methods For The Analysis Of Hydroxybenzene-Methanal Resin Obtained On The Basis Of 2,5-Furandion, Sherali Anvarovich Umarov, Ravshan Israilovich Ismailov Ismailov

Technical science and innovation

The chemical changes occurring during the synthesis of hydroxybenzene-methanal resins obtained on the basis of 2,5-furandion under various ratios and temperature conditions were investigated using the IR spectroscopic method. Analysis of the compositional changes in the resin during the production of the thermoreactive resin revealed that the content of hydroxyl groups (~3300–3500 cm⁻¹) decreased, while the aldehyde groups (~1700–1750 cm⁻¹) increased; moreover, the presence of ether groups (~1050–1150 cm⁻¹) indicated that the process was successful. The synthesis of resins based on thermoreactive hydroxybenzene-methanal resins was carried out at high temperatures (70°C, 80°C, 95°C). During the identification of the functional groups …

Effect Of Temperature On Physicochemical Properties Of Plasticized Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose K100–Carbopol 934 Films Containing Propylene Glycol As Plasticizer, Braja Bihari Panda, Rudra Narayan Sahoo, Amit Kumar Nayak

Makara Journal of Science

This paper studies the effect of different temperatures on different important physicochemical characteristics of plasti-cized hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) K100-Carbopol 934 films containing propylene glycol (as a plasticizer), such as the rheology, thickness, folding endurance, tensile strength, elongation, and in vitro swelling with diffusion ki-netics. Rheology of HPMC K100-Carbopol 934 blend dispersions containing propylene glycol (before film casting) demonstrates that the flow is shear thinning and pseudoplastic. In the study of in vitro swelling, the relaxation-controlled transport is the predominant process of solvent diffusion into these plasticized HPMC K100–Carbopol 934 blend films under study. The results suggest that the solvent transport …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Determining The Limitations Of Class F Fly Ash Compared To Class G Cement In Hydrocarbon Wells Application, Youssef Helmy

Theses and Dissertations

Cement is a material commonly used in multiple applications in different industries. Among the industries that uses cement is the oil and gas industry. API (American Petroleum Institute) Class G cement that is the most incorporated form of cement used in the cementation of oil and gas wells to provide several forms of protection and stabilization for the casings. However, Class G cement is contested in terms of efficiency, costs, and environmental awareness against Class F fly ash geopolymers by researchers. This research aims to explore the potential limitations that fly ash geopolymer might have for its use in the …

Biobased Acrylate Composites With Enhanced Strength For Additive Manufacturing, Nicole Wagner, Joseph Mcwherter

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

With the expanding use of polymers in additive manufacturing, sustainable resins for use in vat photopolymerization are required to reduce their environmental impact. One promising approach to achieve this is to incorporate biobased fillers that replace the acrylates in photopolymer resins as ‘green’ alternatives. In this study, photopolymer composites consisting of a methacrylate resin with varying calcium carbonate powder content between 0 and 50 wt.% were investigated. A digital light processing technique was used to fabricate tensile test specimens for mechanical testing. Good printability, dimensional accuracy, and good interlayer adhesion were observed for composite resin formulations that incorporated calcium carbonate …

Graphene-Polymer Nanocomposite For Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Ravi Venkata Surya Sai Mogilisetti

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses - Archive

Polymers have widespread usage in most industries, such as aerospace, automotive, telecommunications, and medicine, mainly because they have a positive lightweight nature and excellent mechanical properties. One significant advantage of polymeric materials is their ability to combine nano-fillers, greatly enhancing their mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. In the category of polymer matrices, polypropylene (PP) is notable for its low cost, ease of processing, and balanced mechanical properties. However, its relatively lower modulus and strength limit their applications in high-performance engineering. This research explores the addition of graphene into polypropylene to improve its mechanical properties and establish a conductive network for …

Nanomaterial-Enabled Enhancements In Thylakoid-Based Biofuel Cells, Amit Sarode, Gymama Slaughter

Center for Bioelectronics Publications

Thylakoid-based photosynthetic biofuel cells (TBFCs) harness the inherent light-driven electron transfer pathways of photosynthesis to enable sustainable solar-to-electrical energy conversion. While TBFCs offer a unique route toward biohybrid energy systems, their practical deployment is hindered by sluggish electron transfer kinetics, unstable redox mediators, and inefficient interfacing between biological and electrode components. This review critically examines recent advances in TBFCs, with a focus on three key surface engineering strategies: (i) incorporation of nanostructured materials to enhance electrode conductivity and surface area; (ii) application of redox mediators to facilitate charge transfer between photosynthetic proteins and electrodes; and (iii) functional exploitation of individual …

Effect Of Manufacturing Process On Mechanical Properties Of Polyetheretherketone (Peek) Cranial Implants Produced By Single-Point Incremental Forming (Spif), Elizabeth M. Mamros, Ihab Ragai, Brian Young

Faculty Conference Papers and Presentations

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is one of the most commonly used materials for cranioplasty due to its biocompatibility, relatively high strength, and light weight. Cranial implants manufactured from PEEK sheets using the same manufacturing process, e.g., single point incremental forming (SPIF), will have differing part properties based on the selected polymer forming process. Three fabrication methods for PEEK sheets were investigated: extrusion, modified hot pressing, and injection molding. Material characterization specimens were extracted for tensile, impact, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. The PEEK sheets were also subjected to formability tests at room temperature using SPIF. Slight differences in ultimate tensile strength …

Polymorphism And Mechanical Behavior In Hot-Pressed 3d-Printed Polyamide Composite: Effects Of Pressure And Temperature, John Barber, Patricia Revolinsky, Jimesh Bhagatji, Diego Pedrazzoli, Sergii Kravchenko, Oleksandr Kravchenko

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The aim of this work is to study the effect of high-temperature compaction (HTC) upon the polymorphism and the mechanical behavior of an additively manufactured (AM) carbon fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA6). Different pressure and temperature levels during HTC were tested to determine the overall effect on the mechanical behavior and material crystalline composition. Treated, carbon fiber-reinforced PA6 samples were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and three-point bending testing. When considered with respect to as-printed samples, an HTC temperature of 190 °C combined with 80 psi pressure resulted in an increased flexural modulus and strength …