Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Multi-Agent Control System And Method, Piyush Grover, Karthik Elamvazhuthi

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Motion of multiple agents with identical non - linear dynamics is controlled to change density of the agents from the initial to the final density . A first control problem is formulated for optimizing a control cost of changing density of the agents from the initial density to the final density subject to dynamics of the agents in a density space . The first control problem , which is a non - linear non - convex problem over a multi - agent control and a density of the agents , is trans formed into a second control problem over the …

3d Printing Of Silk Fibroin-Based Hybrid Scaffold Treated With Platelet Rich Plasma For Bone Tissue Engineering, Liang Wei, Shaohua Wu, Mitchell Kuss, Xiping Jiang, Runjun Sun, Reid Patrick, Xiaohong Qin, Bin Duan

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

3D printing/bioprinting are promising techniques to fabricate scaffolds with well controlled and patient-specific structures and architectures for bone tissue engineering. In this study, we developed a composite bioink consisting of silk fibroin (SF), gelatin (GEL), hyaluronic acid (HA), and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and 3D bioprinted the silk fibroin-based hybrid scaffolds. The 3D bioprinted scaffolds with dual crosslinking were further treated with human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to generate PRP coated scaffolds. Live/Dead and MTT assays demonstrated that PRP treatment could obviously promote the cell growth and proliferation of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (HADMSC). In addition, the treatment of PRP …

3d Printing Of Silk Fibroin-Based Hybrid Scaffold Treated With Platelet Rich Plasma For Bone Tissue Engineering, Liang Wei, Shaohua Wu, Mitchell Kuss, Xiping Jiang, Runjun Sun, Reid Patrick, Xiaohong Qin, Bin Duan

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

3D printing/bioprinting are promising techniques to fabricate scaffolds with well controlled and patient-specific structures and architectures for bone tissue engineering. In this study, we developed a composite bioink consisting of silk fibroin (SF), gelatin (GEL), hyaluronic acid (HA), and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and 3D bioprinted the silk fibroin-based hybrid scaffolds. The 3D bioprinted scaffolds with dual crosslinking were further treated with human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to generate PRP coated scaffolds. Live/Dead and MTT assays demonstrated that PRP treatment could obviously promote the cell growth and proliferation of human adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (HADMSC). In addition, the treatment of PRP …

Evaluating The Rheological And Tribological Behaviors Of Coconut Oil Modified With Nanoparticles As Lubricant Additives, Vicente Cortes, Javier A. Ortega

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

In metal-forming processes, the use of lubricants for providing desirable tribological conditions at the tool–workpiece interface is critical to increase the material formability and prolonging tool life. Nowadays, the depletion of crude oil reserves in the world and the global concern in protecting the environment from contamination have renewed interest in developing environmentally-friendly lubricants derived from alternative sources such as vegetable oils. In the present study, the rheological and tribological behavior of coconut oil modified with nanoparticle additives was experimentally evaluated. Two different nanoparticle additives were investigated: Silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and copper oxide (CuO). For the two conditions, …

Experimental Evaluation Of Self-Expandable Metallic Tracheobronchial Stents, Yanli Wang, Pengfei Dong, Jingyao Ke, Xiang Shen, Zongming Li, Kewei Ren, Xinwei Han, Linxia Gu

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The self-expandable metallic stents have been widely used in tracheobronchial obstruction or fistulation, including the J-shaped and Y-shaped stents, named after the shape of the branch-stem junction of the stent. However, there is scarce data on the mechanical performance of these tracheobronchial stents, which is essential for optimal stent implantation. In this work, eight self-expandable metallic tracheobronchial stents in three types (i.e., straight, J-shaped, and Y-shaped), with or without cover, were characterized. The compression resistance of the stems was investigated through both compression and indentation tests. The bending resistance of the branches in the J-shaped and Y-shaped stents was assessed …

Interface Effects On He Ion Irradiation In Nanostructured Materials, Wenfan Yang, Jingyu Pang, Shijian Zheng, Jian Wang, Xinghang Zhang, Xiuliang Ma

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

In advanced fission and fusion reactors, structural materials suffer from high dose irradiation by energetic particles and are subject to severe microstructure damage. He atoms, as a byproduct of the (n) transmutation reaction, could accumulate to form deleterious cavities, which accelerate radiation-induced embrittlement, swelling and surface deterioration, ultimately degrade the service lifetime of reactor materials. Extensive studies have been performed to explore the strategies that can mitigate He ion irradiation damage. Recently, nanostructured materials have received broad attention because they contain abundant interfaces that are efficient sinks for radiation-induced defects. In this review, we summarize and analyze the current understandings …

The Linc Complex, Mechanotransduction, And Mesenchymal Stem Cell Function And Fate, Tasneem Bouzid, Eunju Kim, Brandon D. Riehl, Amir Monemian Esfahani, Jordan Rosebohm, Ruiguo Yang, Bin Duan, Jung Yul Lim

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show tremendous promise as a cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and are understood to be mechanosensitive to external mechanical environments. In recent years, increasing evidence points to nuclear envelope proteins as a key player in sensing and relaying mechanical signals in MSCs to modulate cellular form, function, and differentiation. Of particular interest is the Linker of Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) complex that includes nesprin and SUN. In this review, the way in which cells can sense external mechanical environments through an intact nuclear envelope and LINC complex proteins will be briefly described. Then, …

On The Measurement Of Energy Dissipation Of Adhered Cells With The Quartz Microbalance With Dissipation Monitoring, Amir Monemian Esfahani, Weiwei Zhao, Jennifer Y. Chen, Changjin Huang, Ning Xi, Jun Xi, Ruiguo Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We previously reported the finding of a linear correlation between the change of energy dissipation (ΔD) of adhered cells measured with the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) and the level of focal adhesions of the cells. To account for this correlation, we have developed a theoretical framework for assessing the ΔD-response of adhered cells. We rationalized that the mechanical energy of an oscillating QCM-D sensor coupled with a cell monolayer is dissipated through three main processes: the interfacial friction through the dynamic restructuring (formation and rupture) of cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) bonds, the interfacial viscous damping by the liquid …

Observations Of Shear Stress Effects On Staphylococcus Aureus Biofilm Formation, Erica Sherman, Kenneth W. Bayles, Derek Moormeir, Jennifer Endres, Timothy Wei

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Staphylococcus aureus bacteria form biofilms and distinctive microcolony or “tower” structures that facilitate their ability to tolerate antibiotic treatment and to spread within the human body. The formation of microcolonies, which break off, get carried downstream, and serve to initiate biofilms in other parts of the body, is of particular interest here. It is known that flow conditions play a role in the development, dispersion, and propagation of biofilms in general. The influence of flow on microcolony formation and, ultimately, what factors lead to microcolony development are, however, not well understood. The hypothesis being examined is that microcolony structures form …

Modeling Thermal And Mechanical Cancellation Of Residual Stress From Hybrid Additive Manufacturing By Laser Peening, Guru Madireddy, Chao Li, Jingfu Liu, Michael P. Sealy

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Additive manufacturing (AM) of metals often results in parts with unfavorable mechanical properties. Laser peening (LP) is a high strain rate mechanical surface treatment that hammers a workpiece and induces favorable mechanical properties. Peening strain hardens a surface and imparts compressive residual stresses improving the mechanical properties of a material. This work investigates the role of LP on layer-by-layer processing of 3D printed metals using finite element analysis. The objective is to understand temporal and spatial residual stress development after thermal and mechanical cancellation caused by cyclically coupling printing and peening. Results indicate layer peening frequency is a critical process …

Method For Fabrication Of A Soft-Matter Printed Circuit Board, Carmel Majidi, Tong Lu, Eric J. Markvicka

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A fabrication process for soft - matter printed circuit boards is disclosed in which traces of liquid - phase Ga - In eutectic ( eGaIn ) are patterned with UV laser micromachining ( UVLM ) . The terminals of the elastomer - sealed LM circuit connect to the surface mounted chips through vertically aligned columns of eGaIn - coated ferromagnetic micro spheres that are embedded within an interfacial elastomer layer .

Nano Fab Lab 63, Brian K. Deemer, Josh Clemons, Nick Brodine, Delaney Fitzsimmons

Mechanical Engineering

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories (LLNL) has several steps in the production process for ceramic nanofiber tubes that they would like to improve - electrospinning, cutting, rolling, sealing and heat treating. We undertook the challenge to deliver LLNL with a semi-automated process that efficiently integrates the steps of cutting, rolling, and sealing to save time and improve control over end dimensions. In this document, we discuss the technical background of the manufacturing steps currently followed to create nanofiber tubes, identify which steps are incorporated in our prototype and explain how they will interface with one another, define the design requirements, present …

Surface Engineering Solutions For Immersion Phase Change Cooling Of Electronics, Brendon M. Doran

Master's Theses

Micro- and nano-scale surface modifications have been a subject of great interest for enhancing the pool boiling heat transfer performance of immersion cooling systems due to their ability to augment surface area, improve wickability, and increase nucleation site density. However, many of the surface modification technologies that have been previously demonstrated show a lack of evidence concerning scalability for use at an industrial level. In this work, the pool boiling heat transfer performance of nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) films, copper oxide (CuO) nanostructure coatings, and 1D roll-molded microfin arrays has been studied. Each of these technologies possess scalability in …

Wearable Devices For Single-Cell Sensing And Transfection, Lingqian Chang, Yu-Chieh Wang, Faheem Ershad, Ruiguo Yang, Cunjiang Yu, Yubo Fan

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Wearable healthcare devices are mainly used for biosensing and transdermal delivery. Recent advances in wearable biosensors allow for long-term and real-time monitoring of physiological conditions at a cellular resolution. Transdermal drug delivery systems have been further scaled down, enabling wide selections of cargo, from natural molecules (e.g., insulin and glucose) to bioengineered molecules (e.g., nanoparticles). Some emerging nanopatches show promise for precise single-cell gene transfection in vivo and have advantages over conventional tools in terms of delivery efficiency, safety, and controllability of delivered dose. In this review, we discuss recent technical advances in wearable micro/nano devices with unique capabilities or …

The Role Of Inter-Particle Behavior In Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Induction Heating, Hayden Seth Carlton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Due to their multi-functional nature, iron oxide nanoparticles present themselves in a myriad of scientific disciplines, but perhaps the most interesting property of these nanomaterials can be seen in their immense thermal response under the influence of alternating magnetic fields. Currently popularized as an alternative cancer treatment through localized hyperthermia, iron oxide nanoparticle induction heating presents an interesting physical phenomenon that distinguishes itself from macroscopic induction heating. Understanding how a single spherical particle behaves is relatively simple and remains well documented; however, magnetic interactions of a single particle often extend over many length scales, affecting numerous neighboring particles in the …

Modelling Palladium Decorated Graphene Using Density Functional Theory To Analyze Hydrogen Sensing Application, Sameer Kulkarni

Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Graphene is an exciting new material with many promising applications. One such application of graphene is gas sensing, when adsorbed with transition metals, notably Palladium. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to have appropriate ab initio calculations to calculate the various properties of graphene under different adsorbates and gasses. The first step in these calculations is to have a functioning base Density Functional Theory (DFT) model of pristine graphene decorated with Palladium. The computational methods described in this paper has yielded results for pristine graphene that have been confirmed many times in previous experimental and theoretical studies. Future work needs …

Additive Manufacturing Of High Performance Flexible Thermoelectric Generators Using Nanoparticle Inks, Tony Valayil Varghese

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Flexible thermoelectric devices are attractive power sources for the growing demand of flexible electronics and sensors. Thermoelectric generators have an advantage due to no moving parts, silent operation and constant power production with a thermal gradient.

Conventional thermoelectric devices are rigid and fabricated using complex and relatively costly manufacturing processes, presenting a barrier to increase the market share of this technology. To overcome such barriers, this work focuses on developing near ambient-temperature flexible thermoelectric generators using relatively low-cost additive manufacturing processes. A screen printable ink was developed for transforming nanoparticle ink into high-performance flexible thermoelectric generators with a peak thermoelectric …

Influence Of Metal Additives On Microstructure And Properties Of Amorphous Metal–Sioc Composites, Kaisheng Ming, Qing Su, Chao Gu, Dongyue Xie, Yongqiang Wang, Michael Nastasi, Jian Wang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Strong, ductile, and irradiation-tolerant structural materials are in urgent demand for improving the safety and efficiency of advanced nuclear reactors. Amorphous ceramics could be promising candidates for high irradiation tolerance due to thermal stability and lack of crystal defects. However, they are very brittle due to plastic flow instability. Here, we realized enhanced plasticity of amorphous ceramics through compositional and microstructural engineering. Two metal–amorphous ceramic composites, Fe-SiOC and Cu-SiOC, were fabricated by magnetron sputtering. Iron atoms are preferred to form uniformly distributed nano-sized Fe-rich amorphous clusters, while copper atoms grow non-uniformly distributed nano-crystalline Cu particles. The Fe-SiOC composite exhibits high …

Biomechanical Foot Guidance Linkage, Carl Nelson, Cale J. Stolle, Judith M. Burnfield

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A gait replication apparatus can include a scalable mechanical mechanism configured to replicate different gaits . The scalable mechanical mechanism can include , for example , a four - bar linkage , a pantograph , a cam / Scotch - yoke mechanism , and so forth . In some embodiments , the mechanical mechanism includes a beam rotating about an axis passing proximate to its center , with a foot pedal slidably coupled with the beam , and a timing chain / belt or cable pulley - pair coupled with the foot pedal and looped about the beam . A …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Molybdenum Disulfide/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposite Materials For Supercapacitor Applications, Turki S. Alamro

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The needs for energy storage devices have kindled researchers desire to explore and synthesize nanocomposite materials. Storing energy efficiently, effectively and sustainably are the science and engineering communities’ highest priorities to develop electrochemical energy storage devices. Supercapacitors have become power solution not only because supercapacitors can bridge the gap between the traditional capacitors and rechargeable batteries but also because of many other advantages which include extraordinary electrochemical properties, wide working-temperature range, cost effective, safe operation and long/stable cycle life. They have higher current pules than batteries due to the mechanism of charging and discharging. Batteries charging and discharging via chemical …

Numerical Simulation Of Viscoelastic Flow In Micro/Nanochannels, Lanju Mei

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Micro/Nanofluidic devices often involve use of biological fluids or polymeric solutions that cannot be simply treated as Newtonian fluids. The numerical simulation for the complex fluids at micro/nanoscale presents a significant computational challenge, and the inclusion of electrokinetic body force further increases the complexity. Specifically, the well-known High Weissenberg Number Problem (HWNP) has become a challenge for the numerical simulation of viscoelastic fluid. This dissertation is aimed to develop a numerical tool to simulate the behavior of viscoelastic fluid in the micro/nanochannel. The most popular log-conformation reformulation to solve the HWNP is presented and implemented in a finite volume scheme. …

Soft , Multilayered Electronics For Wearable Devices And Methods To Produce The Same, Carmel Majidi, Michael D. Bartlett, Eric J. Markvicka

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Disclosed herein is an efficient fabrication approach to create highly customizable wearable electronics through rapid laser machining and adhesion - controlled soft materials assembly . Well - aligned , multi - layered materials can be created from 2D and 3D elements that stretch and bend while seamlessly integrating with rigid components such as micro chip integrated circuits ( IC ) , discrete electrical components , and interconnects . These techniques are applied using commercially available materials . These materials and methods enable custom wearable electronics while offering versatility in design and functionality for a variety of bio - monitor ing …

Analysis Of Dynamic Behaviour Of A Tensioned Carbon Nanotube In Thermal And Pressurized Environments, Ahmed Yinusa, Gbeminiyi Sobamowo

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

In this paper, the dynamic behaviour of a tensioned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) in thermal and pressurized environments is investigated analytically. With the applications of Bernoulli-Euler and thermal elasticity mechanics theories, the governing equation of motion are developed and solved using Laplace and Fourier transforms. The results of the close form solution in this work are in excellent agreements with past results in literature. From the parametric studies, it is established that as the magnitude of the pressure distribution at the surface increases, the deflection associated with the nanotube increases at any mode of vibration. However, a corresponding increase in …

Gastrointestinal Sensor Implantation System, Benjamin Terry, Weston Lewis, Wanchuan Xie, Pengbo Li, Alfred Tsubaki

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A gastrointestinal ( GI ) sensor deployment device is dis closed . In implementations , the sensor deployment device includes an orally - administrable capsule with a tissue cap ture device removably coupled to the orally - administrable capsule . The tissue capture device includes a plurality of fasteners for connecting the tissue capture device to GI tissue within a body . A biometric sensor is coupled to the tissue capture device for continuous or periodic monitoring of the GI tract of the body at the GI tissue attachment location . A chamber within the orally - administrable capsule is …

Interactions Between Dislocations And Three-Dimensional Annealing Twins In Face Centered Cubic Metals, Yanxiang Liang, Xiaofang Yang, Mingyu Gong, Guisen Liu, Qing Liu, Jian Wang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Annealing twins often form in metals with a face centered cubic structure during thermal and mechanical processing. Here, we conducted molecular dynamic (MD) simulations for copper and aluminum to study the interaction processes between {1 1 1}1/2 <1 1 0> dislocations and a three-dimensional annealing twin. Twin boundaries are characterized with Σ3{1 1 1} coherent twin boundaries (CTBs) and Σ3{1 1 2} incoherent twin boundaries (ITBs). MD results revealed that dislocation-ITB interactions affect slip transmission for a dislocation crossing CTBs, facilitating the nucleation of Lomer dislocation.

Development Of A Counter-Flow Thermal Gradient Microfluidic Device, Shayan Davani

Doctoral Dissertations

This work presents a novel counter-flow design for thermal stabilization of microfluidic thermal reactors. In these reactors, precise control of temperature of the liquid sample is achieved by moving the liquid sample through the thermal zones established ideally through the conduction in the solid material of the device. The goal here is to establish a linear thermal distribution when there is no flow and to minimize the temperature change at flow condition. External convection as well as internal flowinduced effects influence the prescribed thermal distribution. The counter-flow thermal gradient device developed in this study is capable of both stabilizing the …

Electrical Properties And Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness Of Interlayered Systems Composed By Carbon Nanotube Filled Carbon Nanofiber Mats And Polymer Composites, Claudia A. Ramirez-Herrera, Homero Gonzalez, Felipe De La Torre, Laura Benitez, Jose G. Cabanas-Moreno, Karen Lozano

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

The demand for multifunctional requirements in aerospace, military, automobile, sports, and energy applications has encouraged the investigation of new composite materials. This study focuses on the development of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) filled polypropylene composites and carbon nanofiber composite mats. The developed systems were then used to prepare interlayered composites that exhibited improved electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency. MWCNT-carbon nanofiber composite mats were developed by centrifugally spinning mixtures of MWCNT suspended in aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solutions. The developed nanofibers were then dehydrated under sulfuric acid vapors and then heat treated. Interlayered samples were fabricated using a nanoreinforced …

Deep Learning Segmentation Of Coronary Calcified Plaque From Intravascular Optical Coherence Tomography (Ivoct) Images With Application To Finite Element Modeling Of Stent Deployment, Yazan Gharaibeh, Pengfei Dong, David Prabhu, Chaitanya Kolluru, Juhwan Lee, Vlad Zimin, Hozhabr Mozafari, Hiram Bizzera, Linxia Gu, David Wilson

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Because coronary artery calcified plaques can hinder or eliminate stent deployment, interventional cardiologists need a better way to plan interventions, which might include one of the many methods for calcification modification (e.g., atherectomy). We are imaging calcifications with intravascular optical coherence tomography (IVOCT), which is the lone intravascular imaging technique with the ability to image the extent of a calcification, and using results to build vessel-specific finite element models for stent deployment. We applied methods to a large set of image data (>45 lesions and > 2,600 image frames) of calcified plaques, manually segmented by experts into calcified, lumen and …

Strength And Plasticity Of Amorphous Silicon Oxycarbide, Kaisheng Ming, Chao Gu, Qing Su, Yongqiang Wang, Arezoo Zare, Don A. Lucca, Michael Nastasi, Jian Wang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Amorphous SiOC films were synthesized by magnetron sputtering at room temperature with/without radio frequency (RF) bias and further improved in terms of mechanical properties by ion irradiation. As-deposited SiOC films without RF bias exhibit catastrophic failure at a low stress and strain, which is ascribed to microstructural heterogeneities associated with the formation of voids during deposition, as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy. Ion irradiation unifies microstructure accompanied with eliminating the voids, resulting in a simultaneously increase in strength and plasticity (ultimate strength of 5–7 GPa and the strain to shear instability of over 20%). Homogeneous microstructures are demonstrated to ensure …

Robotic Devicewith Compact Joint Design And Related Systems And Methods, Tom Frederick, Eric Markvicka, Shane Michael Farritor, Dmitry Oleynikov

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to various robotic and/or in vivo medical devices having compact joint configurations. Other embodiments relate to various medical device components, including forearms having grasper or cautery end effectors, that can be incorporated into certain robotic and/or in vivo medical devices.