Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Highly Coercive Rapidly Solidified Sm–Co Alloys, Shampa Aich, V.K. Ravindran, Jeffrey E. Shield

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Highly coercive (H_c up to 37 kOe at 300 K), high remanent permanent magnets have been achieved by rapid solidification of binary Sm–Co alloys and Sm–Co alloys modified with Nb and C. Rapidly solidified SmCo_x alloys with x ranging from 5 to 11.5 formed predominantly a solid solution TbCu7-type SmCo7 phase, although hcp Co was observed for x>7.3. A coercivity value of 10 kOe was observed for xx, as primary dendrites. Additions of 3 at. % Nb or 3 and 5 at. % C profoundly affected the coercivity values. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations revealed …

Magnetic Behavior Of Rapidly Solidified Pr–Co Alloys With The Tbcu7-Type Structure, J. Kostogorova, Jeffrey E. Shield

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Rapid solidification has been utilized to produce a series of Pr–Co alloys between the Pr₂Co₁₇ and PrCo₅ stoichiometries. In this system, PrCo₅ has easy axis magnetization while Pr₂Co₁₇ has easy-plane magnetization. Alloys of the form (Pr_xCo_1-x)₉₄Ti₃C₃ with x ranging from 0.105 corresponding to the Pr₂Co₁₇ compound tox=0.167 corresponding to the PrCo₅ compound were produced by melt spinning at a tangential wheel speed of 40 m/ s. The rapid solidification and alloying additions were found to suppress …

Structural And Magnetic Properties Of Laves Compounds Dy1-XPrX(Fe0.35Co0.55B0.1)2 (0≤X≤1), W.J. Ren, D. Li, Yucheng Sui, W. Liu, X.G. Zhao, J.J. Liu, J. Li, Z.D. Zhang

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

Dy_1-xPr_x(Fe_0.35Co_0.55B_0.1)₂ (0≤x≤1) Laves compounds with a cubic MgCu₂-type structure were synthesized by arc melting and subsequent annealing. The lattice parameter of the Laves compounds linearly increases, while the Curie temperature T_c decreases with increasing Pr content. The saturation magnetization M₅ at 5 K or 295 K for the Dy_1-xPr_x(Fe_0.35Co_0.55B_0.1)₂ alloys decreases to reach a minimum, then increases with increasing Pr content. The composition for magnetic moment compensation is about x …

Multicomponent Patterning Of Nanocomposite Polymer And Nanoparticle Films Using Photolithography And Layer-By-Layer Self -Assembly, Javeed Shaikh Mohammed

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, the fabrication, characterization, and application examples of 3D multicomponent nanocomposite micropatterns (MNMs) with precise spatial arrangements are described. The ability to produce such small-scale 3D structures with versatility in composition and structure is a new development based on the integration of nanoscale layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly and microscale photolithographic patterning, enabling construction of surfaces with microscale patterns that possess nanotopographies. The techniques used here are analogous to surface micromachining, except that the deposition materials are polymers, biological materials, and colloidal nanoparticles used to produce 3D MNMs. A key feature of the resulting 3D MNMs is that the physical …

Interfaces, Volume 8, Issue 1 - Spring 2006

INTERFACES: Newsletter of the Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience

CONTENTS
From the Director
UNL Team Wins $3M DoD Grant
Recent Achievements of Center Researchers
Nanocomposite Permanent Magnets (by Jeff Shield)
NCMN Welcomes Mathias Schubert
Research Spotlight: Evgeny Tsymbal
Ion Beam Assisted Deposition at UNMC (by Fereydoon Namavar)
For the Ages - Book Projects at NCMN (by Ralph Skomski)

Flexible Tools For Specifying Design Variation, Trichy Pasupathy, Xiaoping Zhao, Robert Wilhelm

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

This paper describes flexible tools for specifying design variations that are based on nonuniform profile tolerance definitions. These tools specify bounds of design performance that can be used for negotiation among engineers in a collaborative design process. These specification methods allow for the capture of many different design functions that are not easily described with current tool designs. In addition, these specification methods lend themselves to efficient verification methods. Profile tolerance definitions provide the most general variation controls for complex mechanical surfaces. Common design practices and engineering standards for profile tolerances exhibit many weaknesses and limitations. We present a rationale …

Comment On ‘‘Destructive Effect Of Disorder And Bias Voltage On Interface Resonance Transmission In Symmetric Tunnel Junctions’’, Julian P. Velev, Kirill D. Belashchenko, Evgeny Y. Tsymbal

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

In a recent Letter Tusche et al. [1] showed that a complete and coherent FeO layer forms on both interfaces of a FejMgOjFe|001| magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) when using oxygen-assisted growth. Their ab initio model for these MTJs predicted tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) of several thousand percent due to the contribution from interface resonances (IRs) perfectly matched at the two interfaces. In this Comment, we show that in practice the predicted giant TMR is unfeasible because the IRs are mismatched by structural disorder and/or by applied bias voltage resulting in a moderate TMR.

In Vitro Toxicity Of Aluminum Nanoparticles In Rat Alveolar Macrophages, Andrew J. Wagner

Theses and Dissertations

Nanomaterials, which are by definition in the 1 - 100 nanometer range, have numerous possible benefits to society, but currently there is a lack of data that characterizes these materials effects on human health and environment. In general nanomaterials are of interest to the Air Force because of their applications in electronics, sensors, munitions and energetic/reactive systems. Nanoparticles such as aluminum have been considered for enhancing propulsion in solid rocket fuel. To date, only a few studies have looked at the toxicological effects of direct exposure to nanoparticles, none with aluminum. It is important to increase the understanding of the …

Classification Characteristics Of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composite Chemical Vapor Detectors, Huynh A. Hinshaw

Theses and Dissertations

The first step in combating a chemical weapons threat is contamination avoidance. This is accomplished by the detection and identification of chemical agents. The Air Force has several instruments to detect chemical vapors, but is always looking for lighter, faster, and more accurate technology for a better capability. This research is focused on using carbon nanotube polymer composite sensors for chemical detection. More specifically, models are developed to classify three sets of sensor data according to vapor using various multivariate techniques. Also, prediction models of a mixed sensor output are developed using neural networks and regression analysis. The classifiers developed …

Characterization Of The Field Emission Properties Of Carbon Nanotubes Formed On Silicon Carbide Substrates By Surface Decomposition, Michael C. Pochet

Theses and Dissertations

Dense arrays of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) form on the surface of silicon carbide wafers during high temperature anneals under moderate vacuum conditions. The novelty of this growth method is that the CNTs form without the aid of a metal catalyst, allowing for potentially impurity-free CNTs to form. In this study, CNT films were grown by the surface decomposition of silicon carbide substrates. The associated field emission characteristics were investigated to determine if films grown using this method possessed advantages over films grown using metal-catalyzed methods. The associated turn-on and threshold voltages, maximum current density, and emission current stability …

Electroless Nickel Plating On Carbon Nanotube With Non-Palladium Activation Procedure, Guang-Hui Hu, Hui-Huang Wu, Fang-Zu Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

A new procedure of surface activation without using palladium salt was proposed for electroless nickel plating on carbon nanotubes.In the procedure,carbon nanotubes were oxidized by nitric acid and then neutralized with NaOH to create carboxyl surface groups which were used to adsorb Ni²⁺ ions,thereafter the adsorbed Ni²⁺ ions were chemically reduced into Ni nano-particles as a catalytic center for electroless nickel deposition,all these were further confirmed by infrared absorption spectra and electron microscopic observations.The results indicate that the procedure is feasible to electroless nickel plating on carbon nanotubes.The different morphology of deposits obtained from electroless plating was also …

Electrochemistry And Structures Of Silicon Surface, Gregory X.Zhang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Accurate control and fabrication of silicon surface structures from atomic scale to micrometer scale,which may be randomly associated with surface roughness or have well defined patterns,is critical for the per-formance and reliability of electronic devices.Electrochemical reactions of silicon in solutions involved in wetcleaning and etching of silicon wafer play an importantrole in determining the structures of silicon surface.Atre-mendous amount of researches have been done in the last several decades to understand and control a range ofcomplex electrochemical reactions at silicon/solution interface and their relations to the resulted surface struc-tures.The findings generated from these research efforts have been compiled and integrated …

Development On Hydriding/Dehydriding Kinetics Of Mg Nano-Materials For Hydrogen Storage, Wei Mo, Hong-Liang Sun, Hai-Chang Zhang, Hua-Bin Yang, Zuo-Xiang Zhou

Journal of Electrochemistry

The development of Mg nano-materials for hydrogen storage in the recent decade has been reviewed in this paper.It was shown the Mg nano-powders prepared by high-energy ball milling showed promising hydriding and dehydriding performance with the transition metal oxides and other types of hydrogen storage alloys(ABx)as the catalysts.

Electrocatalytic Oxidation Of Glucose On Nano Pt/C Electrode, Cui-Lian Chen, Xiao-Lan Wei, Pei Kang Shen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Nano Pt/C electrocatalysts were prepared by intermittent microwave heating method.The electrooxidation of glucose on smooth Pt and～Pt/C electrodes has been studied and compared.The results showed that the electrochemical properties on nano Pt/C were improved due to the reduction of the overpotential and the increase in the kinetic rate.The surface area would be significantly increased when the particle size of the catalyst was reduced to nano-scale,resulting in the increase in the activity.The enhancement in the resistance to poisoning could be explained that the oxygen-containing species are easier to react with poisoning species on nano Pt/C and re-active the electrode.

Special Photoelectrochemical Response Of Nano-Crystalline Tio2 Electrode, Bi-Bo Lan, Jian-Zhang Zhou, Yan-Yan Xi, Hong-Xiang Chen, Guang-Hua Yao, Zhong-Hua Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

The nano-crystalline TiO₂ electrodes were prepared by spread method,electrodeposition and sol-gel method.The experimental results show that the nano-crystalline TiO₂ electrodes have special photoelectrochemical response-the photocrrent-potential curves appear peaks.The special photoelectrochemical behaviors of nano-(crystalline) TiO₂  electrodes are ascribed to nano-structure as well as special light induced redox reaction mechanism of nano-crystalline semiconductor electrodes.

The Effective Magnetoelectroelastic Moduli Of Matrix-Based Multiferroic Composites, Shashidhar Srinivas, Jiangyu Li, Y.C. Zhou, A.K. Soh

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

In this paper, we develop a mean field Mori-Tanaka model [T. Mori and K. Tanaka, Acta. Metall. 21, 571 (1973)] to calculate the effective magnetoelectroelastic moduli of matrix-based multiferroic composites, emphasizing the effects of shape and orientation distribution of second phase particles that have not been investigated before. Through a systematic study, it is observed that laminated composites are optimal for magnetoelectric coefficient a₁₁, while fibrous composites are optimal for a₃₃. In addition, these coupling coefficients are maximum when the second phase particles are aligned. It is also postulated that the large discrepancy between theoretical predictions …

Self-Consistent Local Gw Method: Application To 3D And 4D Metals, Kirill D. Belashchenko, Vladimir P. Antropov, N.E. Zein

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

The spectral densities for 3d and 4d transition metals are calculated using the simplified version of the self-consistent GW method employing the local (one-site) approximation and the self-consistent quasiparticle basis set. The results are compared with those given by the traditional local density approximation (LDA) and also with experimental x-ray photoemission and inverse photoemission spectra. While no systematic improvements over LDA are observed, this fully self-consistent many-body technique generates quite reasonable results and can serve as a practical prototype for further development of the many-body electronic structure theory.

Nanoparticle-Induced Negative Differential Resistance And Memory Effect In Polymer Bistable Light-Emitting Device, Ricky J. Tseng, Jianyong Ouyang, Chih-Wei Chu, Jinsong Huang, Yang Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Recently, electrical bistability was demonstrated in polymer thin films incorporated with metal nanoparticles [J. Ouyang, C. W. Chu, C. R. Szmanda, L. P. Ma, and Y. Yang, Nat. Mater. 3, 918 (2004)]. In this letter, we show the evidence that electrons are the dominant charge carriers in these bistable devices. Direct integration of bistable polymer layer with a light-emitting polymer layer shows a unique light-emitting property modulated by the electrical bistability. A unique negative differential resistance induced by the charged gold nanoparticles is observed due to the charge trapping effect from the nanoparticles when interfaced with the light-emitting layer.

In Vivo Laparoscopic Robotics, Mark E. Rentschler, Stephen R. Platt, Jason Dumpert, Shane M. Farritor, Dmitry Oleynikov

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Robotic laparoscopic surgery is evolving to include in vivo robotic assistants. The impetus for the development of this technology is to provide surgeons with additional viewpoints and unconstrained manipulators that improve safety and reduce patient trauma. A family of these robots have been developed to provide vision and task assistance. Fixed-base and mobile robots have been designed and tested in animal models with much success. A cholecystectomy, prostatectomy, and nephrectomy have all been performed with the assistance of these robots. These early successful tests show how in vivo laparoscopic robotics may be part of the next advancement in surgical technology.

The Role Of Electrospinning In The Emerging Field Of Nanomedicine, S. Y. Chew, Y. Wen, Yuris A. Dzenis, K. W. Leong

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The fact that in vivo the extracellular matrix or substratum with which cells interact often includes topography at the nanoscale underscores the importance of investigating cell-substrate interactions and performing cell culture at the submicron scale. An important and exciting direction of research in nanomedicine would be to gain an understanding and exploit the cellular response to nanostructures. Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique that can produce a macroporous scaffold comprising randomly oriented or aligned nanofibers. It can also accommodate the incorporation of drug delivery function into the fibrous scaffold. Endowed with both topographical and biochemical signals such electrospun nanofibrous …

Image-Based Nanocrystallography With Online Database Support, Peter Moeck, Ján Zahornadsky, Boris Dusek

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

The crystallographic phase and morphology of many materials change with the crystal size so that new needs arise to determine the crystallography of nanocrystals. Direct space high-resolution phase-contrast transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and atomic resolution scanning TEM (STEM) when combined with tools for image-based nanocrystallography in two (2D) and three (3D) dimensions possess the capacity to meet these needs. After a concise discussion of lattice-fringe visibility spheres and maps, this paper discusses lattice-fringe fingerprinting in 2D and tilt protocol applications. On-line database developments at Portland State University (PSU) that support image-based nanocrystallography are also mentioned.

Efficient Inverted Polymer Solar Cells, G. Li, C.-W. Chu, V. Shrotriya, Jinsong Huang, Y. Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We investigate the effect of interfacial buffer layers—vanadium oxide (V₂O₅) and cesium carbonate (Cs₂CO₃)—on the performance of polymer solar cells based on regioregular poly-(3-hexylthiophene) and [6,6]-phenyl C₆₀ butyric acid methyl ester blend. The polarity of solar cells can be controlled by the relative positions of these two interfacial layers. Efficient inverted polymer solar cells were fabricated with the structure of indium tin oxide (ITO)/Cs₂CO₃/polymer blend/vanadium oxide (V₂O₅)/aluminum (Al). Short-circuit current of 8.42 mA/cm2, open-circuit voltage of 0.56 V, and power conversion efficiency of …

Improving The Power Efficiency Of White Light-Emitting Diode By Doping Electron Transport Material, Jinsong Huang, Wei-Jen Hou, Juo-Hao Li, Gang Li, Yang Yang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Highly efficient white light emission was realized via the partial energy transfer from blue host polyfluorene (PF) to orange light emission dopant rubrene. A more balanced charge transport was achieved by adding an electron transport material, 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tertbutylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), into the PF-rubrene system to enhance the electron transportation. Efficiency improvement by as much as a factor of 2 has been observed through the addition of PBD. These devices can easily reach high luminance at low driving voltages, thus achieving high power efficiency at high luminance (14.8, 13.5, and 12.0 lm/W at the luminances of 1000, 2000, and 4000 cd/m², …

Piezoelectromagnetic Waves In A Ceramic Plate Between Two Ceramic Half-Spaces, S. N. Jiang, Q. Jiang, X. F. Li, S. H. Guo, H. G. Zhou, J. S. Chang

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We analyze the propagation of piezoelectromagnetic waves guided by a plate of polarized ceramics between two ceramic half-spaces. An exact dispersion relation is obtained, which reduces to a few known elastic, electromagnetic, and quasistatic piezoelectric wave solutions in the literature as special cases. Numerical solutions to the equation that determines the dispersion relation show the existence of guided waves. The results are useful for acoustic wave and microwave devices.

Conduction-Band Electron Effective Mass In Zn0.87Mn0.13Se Measured By Terahertz And Far-Infrared Magnetooptic Ellipsometry, Tino Hofmann, U. Schade, K.C. Agarwal, B. Daniel, C. Klingshirn, M. Hetterich, C.M. Herzinger, Mathias Schubert

Nebraska Center for Materials and Nanoscience: Faculty Publications

We determine the electron effective mass parameter m^*=0.086±0.004 m₀ of thin-film n-type low-chlorine-doped Zn_0.87Mn_0.13Se with free-charge-carrier concentration N=4.5x10¹⁷ cm^-3 and optical mobility ) =300±20 cm² / (V s) using magneto-optic generalized ellipsometry in the terahertz and far-infrared spectral domain for wave numbers from ω =30–650 cm^-1. The room-temperature measurements were carried out with magnetic fields up to 3 T. We employ synchrotron and black-body radiation sources for the terahertz and far-infrared spectral regions, respectively. Comparison with previous experimental results from samples with considerably higher free electron …

Corrosion Barrier Development For Lbe Corrosion Resistance: Quarterly Report (April 2006), Biswajit Das

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

As reported in the last quarterly report, synthesis of Cr nanowires was found to be problematic in terms of uniform coverage. Hence Ni was identified as the alternative metal to form the nanowires. The purpose of the metal nanowires is to provide structural integrity to the nanoporous alumina, as well as a second defense mechanism against corrosion by oxidizing in case the top alumina layer is compromised. Nickel was selected due to its established electrochemical synthesis procedure. While Ni can provide very good structural integrity to the porous alumina, one potential problem is its higher dissolution rate in LBE. However, …

Development Of Nanostructure Based Corrosion-Barrier Coatings On Steel For Transmutation Applications, Biswajit Das

Transmutation Sciences Materials (TRP)

Advanced transmutation systems require structural materials that are able to withstand high neutron fluxes, high thermal cycling, and high resistance to chemical corrosion. The current candidate materials for such structures are ferritic and ferritic-martensitic steels due to their strong resistance to swelling, good microstructural stability under irradiation, and the retention of adequate ductility at typical reactor operating temperatures.

In parallel, lead bismuth eutectic (LBE) has emerged as a potential spallation target material for efficient production of neutrons, as well as a coolant in the accelerator system. While LBE has excellent properties as a nuclear coolant, it is also highly corrosive …

Lattice Fringe Fingerprinting In Two Dimensions With Database Support, Peter Moeck, B. Seipel, R. Bjorge, P. Fraundorf

Physics Faculty Publications and Presentations

A brief introduction to lattice fringe fingerprinting in two dimensions (2D) with database support is given. The method is employed for the identification of the crystal phase of a small ensemble of nanocrystals. The enhanced viability of this method in aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) and scanning TEMs (STEMs) is also illustrated.