Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Simulation Of Electrospun Nanofiber Deposition On Stationary And Moving Substrates, Linhua Liu, Yuris A. Dzenis

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Electrospinning produces continuous fibers with diameters from single nanometers to microns by jetting polymer solutions in high electric fields. Electrospun non-woven filamentary materials attract rapidly growing interest for broad range of applications. Properties of these materials depend on their nano- and microstructure that is determined in turn by the electric field and nanofiber collector. Despite critical importance, deposition of electrospun fibers on substrates has not yet been extensively studied theoretically and new methods of nanofiber collection continue to be developed mostly empirically. The objective of this Letter was to develop and demonstrate numerical simulation of electrospun nanofiber deposition on moving …

Modeling Of Solvent Evaporation From Polymer Jets In Electrospinning, Xiang-Fa Wu, Yury Salkovskiy, Yuris A. Dzenis

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Solvent evaporation plays a critical role in nanofiber formation in electrospinning. Here, we present a nonlinear mass diffusion-transfer model describing the drying process in dilute polymer solution jets. The model is used to predict transient solvent concentration profiles in polyacrylonitrile/ N,N-dimethylformamide (PAN/DMF) jets with the initial radii ranging from 50µm down to 100 nm. Numerical simulations demonstrate high transient inhomogeneity of solvent concentration over the jet cross-section in microscopic jets. The degree of inhomogeneity decreases for finer, submicron jets. The simulated jet drying time decreases rapidly with the decreasing initial jet radius, from seconds for microjets to single milliseconds for …

Intermediate Layers In Tandem Organic Solar Cells, Yongbo Yuan, Jinsong Huang, Gang Li

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Tandem structures can boost the efficiency of organic solar cell to more than 15%, compared to the 10% limit of single layer bulk heterojunction devices. Design and fabricating of intermediate layers plays a very important role to achieve high device performance. This article will review the main experimental progresses of tandem organic solar cells, and focus on the intermediate layers (charge recombination layers) in both thermal evaporated and solution processed organic tandem solar cell devices.

A Model Of Giant Vacuole Dynamics In Human Schlemm’S Canal Endothelial Cells, Ryan M. Pedrigi, David Simon, Ashley Reed, W. Daniel Stamer, Darryl R. Overby

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Aqueous humour transport across the inner wall endothelium of Schlemm’s canal likely involves flow through giant vacuoles and pores, but the mechanics of how these structures form and how they influence the regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) are not well understood. In this study, we developed an in vitro model of giant vacuole formation in human Schlemm’s canal endothelial cells (HSCECs) perfused in the basal-to-apical direction (i.e., the direction that flow crosses the inner wall in vivo) under controlled pressure drops (2 or 6 mmHg). The system was mounted on a confocal microscope for time-lapse en face imaging, and cells …

Achieving High Efficiency Laminated Polymer Solar Cell With Interfacial Modified Metallic Electrode And Pressure Induced Crystallization, Yongbo Yuan, Yu Bi, Jinsong Huang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We report efficient laminated organic photovoltaic device with efficiency approach the optimized device by regular method based on Poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) and [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). The high efficiency is mainly attributed to the formation of a concrete polymer/metal interface mechanically and electrically by the use of electronic-glue, and using the highly conductive and flexible silver film as anode to reduce photovoltage loss and modifying its work function for efficiency hole extraction by ultraviolet/ozone treatment, and the pressure induced crystallization of PCBM.

In Vitro Models For Glaucoma Research: Effects Of Hydrostatic Pressure, Yuan Lei, Shadi Rajabi, Ryan M. Pedrigi, Darryl R. Overby, A. Thomas Read, C. Ross Ethier

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

PURPOSE. The response of cells (e.g., optic nerve head [ONH] cells) to mechanical stress is important in glaucoma. Studies have reported the biological effects of hydrostatic pressure on ONH cells cultured on a rigid substrate. An apparatus, designed to independently vary hydrostatic pressure and gas tension (including oxygen tension) in culture medium, was used to evaluate the effects of pressure and tension on cell migration, shape, and α-tubulin architecture in a transformed cell line (DITNC1 rat cortical astrocytes).

METHODS. During the assay period, cells were exposed to one of four experimental configurations: (1) control pressure and control gas tension; (2) …

Impact Of Elliptical Trainer Ergonomic Modifications On Perceptions Of Safety, Comfort, Workout, And Usability For People With Physical Disabilities And Chronic Conditions, Judith M. Burnfield, Yu Shu, Thad W. Buster, Adam P. Taylor, Carl A. Nelson

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Background The popularity of elliptical training has grown in rehabilitation, fitness, and home settings as a means for improving fitness and walking, yet many people with physical disabilities and chronic conditions experience difficulties when trying to use elliptical trainers.

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare, for people with disabilities and chronic conditions, perceptions of safety, comfort, workout, and usability of 4 elliptical trainers before and after the development of a set of low-cost adaptations.

Design This study was a quasi-experimental repeated-measures investigation.

Methods Twenty adults with diverse medical conditions and functional abilities evaluated 4 elliptical trainers for …

Use Of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy For In Situ Observation Of Interaction Of Cells With Micro- And Nanoprobes, Alexander Goponenko, B. J. Boyle, K. I. Jahan, Maxim V. Gerashchenko, Dmitri E. Fomenko, Vadim N. Gladyshev, Yuris A. Dzenis

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Precision intracellular sensing, probing and manipulation offer unprecedented opportunities for advances in biological sciences. Next-generation ultra-fine probes will be capable of targeting individual cell organelles. Development of such probes as well as probes capable of penetrating through tough cell walls requires detailed knowledge of cell-probe interaction. This Letter evaluated the applicability of environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) for cell and cell-probe interaction imaging. Several types of cells (plant and yeast cells as well as mouse spermatozoa) were successfully imaged in their natural state, with mouse spermatozoa observed by ESEM for the first time. Computerized stage applied to image was tough …

Nanomechanical Analysis Of Insulinoma Cells After Glucose And Capsaicin Stimulation Using Atomic Force Microscopy, Ruiguo Yang, Ning Xi, King Wai-Chu Lai, Bei-Hua Zhong, Carmen Kar-Man Fung, Chen-Geng Qu, Donna H. Wang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Aim: Glucose stimulates insulin secretion from pancreatic islet β cells by altering ion channel activity and membrane potential in the β cells. TRPV1 channel is expressed in the β cells and capsaicin induces insulin secretion similarly to glucose. This study aims to investigate the biophysical properties of the β cells upon stimulation of membrane channels using an atomic force microscopic (AFM) nanoindentation system.

Methods: ATCC insulinoma cell line was used. Cell stiffness, a marker of reorganization of cell membrane and cytoskeleton due to ion channel activation, was measured in real time using an integrated AFM nanoindentation system. Cell height that …

Generalized Ellipsometry On Sculptured Thin Films Made By Glancing Angle Deposition, Daniel Schmidt

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In this thesis, physical properties of highly optically and magnetically anisotropic metal sculptured thin films made by glancing angle deposition are presented. Predominantly, the determination of optical and magneto-optical properties with spectroscopic generalized Mueller matrix ellipsometry and homogenization approaches is discussed. Nomenclatures are proposed to unambiguously identify the sculptured thin film geometry.

Generalized ellipsometry, a non-destructive optical characterization technique, is employed to determine geometrical structure and anisotropic dielectric properties of highly spatially coherent three-dimensionally nanostructured thin films in the spectral range from 400 to 1700 nm. The analysis of metal slanted columnar thin films (F1-STFs) deposited at glancing angle ( …

Time Dependence Of Self-Assembly Process For The Formation Of Inorganic–Organic Hybrid Nanolayers, Alexandre Dhôtel

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There is increasing interest in self-assembled materials for energy storage, flexible electronics and hydrophobic barriers. Inorganic/organic hybrid thin films and especially organosilane-based coatings already have demonstrated their ability to achieve those goals. However, some fundamental points of their formation process by molecular self-assembly remain unexplained. Although the literature widely reports the effect of temperature on the final nanostructure, until now, no one has taken into account the importance of time during their synthesis.

The main objective of this study was to improve and complete the understanding of mechanisms responsible for the self-organization of organic/inorganic molecules into a highly ordered, layered …

Boron Carbide Based Solid State Neutron Detectors: The Effects Of Bias And Time Constant On Detection Efficiency, Nina Hong, John Mullins, Keith Foreman, Shireen Adenwalla

Shireen Adenwalla Papers

Neutron detection in thick boron carbide(BC)/n-type Si heterojunction diodes shows a threefold increase in efficiency with applied bias and longer time constants. The improved efficiencies resulting from long time constants have been conclusively linked to the much longer charge collection times in the BC layer. Neutron detection signals from both the p-type BC layer and the n-type Si side of the heterojunction diode are observed, with comparable efficiencies. Collectively, these provide strong evidence that the semiconducting BC layer plays an active role in neutron detection, both in neutron capture and in charge generation and collection.

Pced2.0—A Computer Program For The Simulation Of Polycrystalline Electron Diffraction Pattern, Xingzhong Li

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

A computer program for the simulation of polycrystalline electron diffraction patterns is described. PCED2.0, an upgraded version of the previous JECP/PCED, can be used as a teaching aid and research tool for phase identification, microstructure texture analysis, and phase fraction determination. In addition to kinematical theory for diffraction intensity calculation of polycrystalline samples, Blackman two-beam dynamical correction is included. March model is used for out-of-plane and in-plane texture simulation. A pseudo-Voigt function is used for the peak profile fitting of diffraction rings. User-friendly interface is improved in the handling of experimental diffraction data and the flexibility of indexing. Application of …

Luminescence Enhancement Of Cdte Nanostructures In Laf3:Ce/Cdte Nanocomposites, Mingzhen Yao, Xing Zhang, Lun Ma, Wei Chen, Alan G. Joly, Jinsong Huang, Qingwu Wang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Radiation detection demands new scintillators with high quantum efficiency, high energy resolution, and short luminescence lifetimes. Nanocomposites consisting of quantum dots and Ce³⁺ doped nanophosphors may be able to meet these requirements. Here, we report the luminescence enhancement of LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites which were synthesized by a wet chemistry method. CdTe quantum dots in LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites are converted into nanowires, while in LaF₃ /CdTe nanocomposites no such conversion is observed. As a result, the CdTe luminescence in LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites is enhanced about five times, while in LaF₃ /CdTe nanocomposites no enhancement was …

Method Of Transferring Strained Semiconductor Structure, Michael Nastasi

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The transfer of strained semiconductor layers from one substrate to another substrate involves depositing a multilayer structure on a substrate having surface contaminants. An interface that includes the contaminants if formed in between the deposited layer and the substrate. Hydrogen atoms are introduced into the structure and allowed to diffuse to the interface. Afterward, the deposited multilayer structure is bonded to a second substrate and is separated away at the interface, which results in transferring a multilayer structure from one substrate at least one strained semiconductor layer and at least one strain-induced seed layer. The strain-induced seed layer can be …

Imprinting Polymerfilm On Patterned Substrate, Li Tan, Yen-Peng Kong, Stella W. Pang, Albert F. Yee

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A method of applying a pattern on a topography includes first applying a polymer film to an elastormer member, such as PDMS, to form a pad. The pad is then applied to a substrate having a varying topography under pressure. The polymer film is transferred to the substrate due to the plastic deformation of the polymer film under pressure compared to the elastic deformation of the PDMS member pulls away from the polymer layer, thereby depositing the polymer layer, thereby depositing the polymer layer upon the substrate.

Flexible Electronics Using Ion Implantation To Adhere Polymer Substrate To Single Crystal Silicon Substrate, Terry L. Alford, Douglas C. Thompson Jr., Hyunchul Kim, Michael A. Nastasi, James W. Mayer, Daniel Adams

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

An electronic apparatus uses a single crystalline silicon Substrate disposed adjacent to a flexible substrate. The electronic apparatus may be a flexible flat panel display, or a flexible printed circuit board. The flexible substrate can be made from polymer, plastic, paper, flexible glass, and stainless steel. The flexible substrate is bonded to the single crystalline substrate using an ion implantation process. The ion implantation process involves the use of a noble gas Such as hydrogen, helium, Xenon, and krypton. A plurality of semiconductor devices are formed on the single crystalline silicon Substrate. The semi conductor devices may be thin film …

Annealing Effects On The Optical Properties Of Semiconducting Boron Carbide, R. B. Billa, Tino Hofmann, Mathias Schubert, Brian W. Robertson

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Infrared vibrations of as-deposited and annealed semiconducting boron carbide thin films were investigated by midinfrared spectroscopic ellipsometry. The strong boron-hydrogen resonance at ~2560 cm⁻¹ in as-deposited films reveals considerable hydrogen incorporation during plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Extended annealing at 600 °C caused significant reduction in film thickness, substantial reduction of boron-hydrogen bond resonance absorption, and development of distinct blue-shifted boron-carbon and icosahedral vibration mode resonances. Our findings suggest that annealing results in substantial loss of hydrogen and in development of icosahedral structure, accompanied by strain relaxation and densification.

Electrical Properties Of Zno–Batio3–Zno Heterostructures With Asymmetric Interface Charge Distribution, V. M. Voora, Tino Hofmann, M. Brandt, M. Lorenz, N. Ashkenov, M. Grundmann, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We report on capacitance-voltage, current-voltage, Sawyer–Tower, and transient current switching measurements for a ZnO–BaTiO₃–ZnO heterostructure deposited on (001) silicon by using pulsed laser deposition. The triple-layer structure reveals asymmetric capacitance- and current-voltage hysteresis and cycling-voltage dependent Sawyer–Tower polarization drift. We explain our findings by coupling of the ferroelectric (BaTiO₃) and piezoelectric (ZnO) interface charges and parallel polarization orientation of the ZnO layers causing asymmetric space charge region formation under positive and negative bias. The transient current characteristics suggest use of this structure as nonvolatile memory device.

Rapidly Solidified Sm–Co–V Nanocomposite Permanent Magnets, R. S. K. Valiveti, A. Ingmire, Jeffrey E. Shield

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Alloys around the Sm–Co eutectic composition provide an opportunity to form two-phase nanocomposite permanent magnets consisting of nanoscale Co fibers embedded in Sm₂Co₁₇.While ternary alloying elements may refine the scale of the structure, they may also disrupt the eutectic growth and lead to the formation of primary Co. Thus, microstructural selection maps were constructed for conventionally solidified Sm–Co–V alloys. It was found that V additions enlarged the primary Sm₂Co₁₇-forming region and, at (Sm_0.09Co_0.91)₉₇ V₃, resulted in a eutectic structure. Upon rapid solidification, this alloy was …

Free Electron Behavior In Inn: On The Role Of Dislocations And Surface Electron Accumulation, V. Darakchieva, Tino Hofmann, Mathias Schubert, B. E. Sernelius, B. Monemar, P. O. A. Persson, F. Giuliani, E. Alves, H. Lu, W. J. Schaff

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The free electron behavior in InN is studied on the basis of decoupled bulk and surface accumulation electron densities in InN films measured by contactless optical Hall effect. It is shown that the variation in the bulk electron density with film thickness does not follow the models of free electrons generated by dislocation-associated nitrogen vacancies. This finding, further supported by transmission electron microscopy results, indicates the existence of a different thickness-dependent doping mechanism. Furthermore, we observe a noticeable dependence of the surface electron density on the bulk density, which can be exploited for tuning the surface charge in future InN …

Hole Diffusion Profile In A P-P+ Silicon Homojunction Determined By Terahertz And Midinfrared Spectroscopic Ellipsometry, Tino Hofmann, C. M. Herzinger, T. E. Tiwald, John A. Woollam, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The noncontact and nondestructive optical determination of spatial distributions of free-charge-carriers in low-doped semiconductor homo- and heterojunctions addresses fundamental physical properties of device related structures. For low-density free-charge-carriers, particularly for hole densities with their intrinsically lower mobility parameters than electron densities, optical characterization is a challenge. The carrier density plasma frequencies are located at long wavelength equivalents within the terahertz spectral region.

Resistive Hysteresis And Interface Charge Coupling In Batio3-Zno Heterostructures, V. M. Voora, Tino Hofmann, M. Brandt, M. Lorenz, M. Grundmann, N. Ashkenov, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We report on temperature, time, and voltage dependent resistive hysteresis measurements of BaTiO₃-ZnO heterostructures grown on (001) Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition. We observe a diodelike behavior and cycling-voltage dependent hysteresis formation under forward bias. We explain these effects with depletion layer formation between the ZnO and BaTiO₃ layers, an additional barrier due to the spontaneous polarization of ZnO and the ferroelectric nature of BaTiO₃. The disappearance of the resistive hysteresis above the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition temperature of BaTiO₃ conformed that the hysteresis is related to the ferroelectricity of BaTiO₃. Time …

Computational Model For Predicting Nonlinear Viscoelastic Damage Evolution In Materials Subjected To Dynamic Loading, Flavio V. Souza, Yong-Rak Kim, George A. Gazonas, David H. Allen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Many inelastic solids accumulate numerous cracks before failure due to impact loading, thus rendering any exact solution of the IBVP untenable. It is therefore useful to construct computational models that can accurately predict the evolution of damage during actual impact/dynamic events in order to develop design tools for assessing performance characteristics. This paper presents a computational model for predicting the evolution of cracking in structures subjected to dynamic loading. Fracture is modeled via a nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone model. Two example problems are shown: one for model validation through comparison with a one-dimensional analytical solution for dynamic viscoelastic debonding, and …

Effects Of Aggregate Structure On Hot-Mix Asphalt Rutting Performance In Low Traffic Volume Local Pavements, Yong-Rak Kim, Hee Mun Park, Francisco Thiago Sacramento Aragão, Jamilla Emi Sudo Lutif

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of mix gradations associated with the Superpave restricted zone on rutting potential specifically for low traffic volume roadways. Although the elim-ination of the restricted zone requirement in Superpave mix design is highly recommended, some questions still remain unanswered as the research conclusions supporting the elimination of the re-stricted zone were largely made for medium to high traffic volume roadways, where aggregates are highly crushed and of good quality. The applicability of such research conclusions based on high traffic volume mixes needs to be verified for low volume mixes because many …

Monoclinic Optical Constants, Birefringence, And Dichroism Of Slanted Titanium Nanocolumns Determined By Generalized Ellipsometry, Daniel Schmidt, Benjamin Booso, Tino Hofmann, Eva Schubert, Andrew Sarangan, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Generalized spectroscopic ellipsometry determines the principal monoclinic optical constants of thin films consisting of slanted titanium nanocolumns deposited by glancing angle deposition under 85° incidence and tilted from the surface normal by 47°. Form birefringence measured for wavelengths from 500 to 1000 nm renders the Ti nanocolumns monoclinic absorbing crystals with c-axis along the nanocolumns, b-axis parallel to the film interface, and 67.5° monoclinic angle between the a- and c-axes. The columnar thin film reveals anomalous optical dispersion, extreme birefringence, strong dichroism, and differs completely from bulk titanium. Characteristic bulk interband transitions are absent in the spectral range investigated.

Comparison Of Fuzzy Clustering Methods And Their Applications To Geophysics Data, David J. Miller, Carl A. Nelson, Molly Boeka Cannon, Kenneth P. Cannon

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Fuzzy clustering algorithms are helpful when there exists a dataset with subgroupings of points having indistinct boundaries and overlap between the clusters. Traditional methods have been extensively studied and used on real-world data, but require users to have some knowledge of the outcome a priori in order to determine howmany clusters to look for. Additionally, iterative algorithms choose the optimal number of clusters based on one of several performance measures. In this study, the authors compare the performance of three algorithms (fuzzy c-means, Gustafson-Kessel, and an iterative version of Gustafson-Kessel) when clustering a traditional data set as well as real-world …

Optical, Structural, And Magnetic Properties Of Cobalt Nanostructure Thin Films, D. Schmidt, A. C. Kjerstad, Tino Hofmann, Ralph Skomski, Eva Schubert, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We report on optical, structural, and magnetic properties of two substantially different cobalt nanostructure thin films deposited at an oblique angle of incidence of 85° away from the substrate normal. Comparison is made between an achiral columnar thin film grown without substrate rotation and a chiral nanocoil sculptured thin film by glancing angle deposition with substrate rotation. Generalized spectroscopic ellipsometry is employed to determine geometrical structure properties and the anisotropic optical constants of the films in the spectral range from 400 to 1000 nm. The magnetic properties are analyzed with a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. Both nanostructure thin films …

Experimental Investigation Of A Novel Blast Wave Mitigation Device, Zhenbi Su, Wen Peng, Zhaoyan Zhang, George Gogos, Reed Skaggs, Bryan Cheeseman, Chian Fong Yen

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

A novel blast wave mitigation device was investigated experimentally in this paper. The device consists of a pistoncylinder assembly. A shock wave is induced within the cylinder when a blast wave impacts on the piston. The shock wave propagates inside the device and is reflected repeatedly. The shock wave propagation process inside the device lengthens the duration of the force on the base of the device to several orders of magnitude of the duration of the blast wave, while it decreases the maximum pressure over an order of magnitude. Two types of experiments were carried out to study the blast …

Structural Nanocomposites, Yuris A. Dzenis

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Materials scientists predict that composites made with nanoscale reinforcing materials such as nanotubes, platelets, and nanofibers will have exceptional mechanical properties. However, the results obtained so far are disappointing, particularly when compared to advanced composites reinforced with high-performance continuous fibers (1–4). The reasons include inadequate dispersion and alignment of the nanoreinforcement, low nanoreinforcement volume fraction, and poor bonding and load transfer at interfaces. Intensive work is under way, but the prospect of bulk structural supernanocomposites appears more remote now than it did just a few years ago. However, recent work shows that some applications in reinforcement of small structures may …