Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Commons^™

Polyethersulfone Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membrane Embedded With Amine-Functionalized Graphene Oxide For Desalination Applications, Ahmed Bahaeldin

Theses and Dissertations

Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) desalination membranes were prepared based on a polyethersulfone (PES) support, where the polyamide (PA) layer was embedded with amine-functionalized graphene oxide (GO). The effect of adding various concentrations of functionalized and un-functionalized GO on the desalination performance, hydrophilicity, and morphology of the membranes was additionally assessed throughout this work. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements were used to assess the morphology of the membranes in combination with Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Contact angle measurements were used to gauge the hydrophilicity of the synthesized membranes. The membrane with the best desalination performance contained 1x10^-3 wt/vol% of functionalized GO in …

Research Progress In Cucurbit[N]Uril-Based Metal Nanomaterials For Electrocatalytic Applications, Zong-Nan Wei, Min-Na Cao, Rong Cao

Journal of Electrochemistry

Metal nanomaterials have exhibited excellent performance in electrocatalytic applications, but they still face the problems of poor stability and limited regulation strategies. It is an efficient strategy for greatly enhanced catalytic activity and stability by introducing a second component. In this review, we provide the sketch for the combination of metal nanomaterials and cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) in electrocatalytic applications. CB[n]s are a series of macrocycles with rigid structure, high stability, and function groups for coordinating with metal sites, which make them promising to stabilize and modulate the metal nanomaterials for ideal performance. The discussion classifies the roles of CB[n]s, involving CB[n]s …

Non-Equilibrium Colloidal Phenomena In Magnetic Fields And Photoillumination: From Controlling Living Microbots To Understanding Microplastics, Ahmed Al Harraq

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Colloids are a ubiquitous class of materials composed of microscopic particles suspended in a continuous phase which are found in everyday products and in nature. Colloids are also useful models for studying the spontaneous arrangement of matter from individual building blocks to mesophases. Standard treatment of colloid science is based on the assumption of equilibrium conditions, as defined in traditional thermodynamics. However, novel assembly mechanisms and motility are unlocked by pushing colloids away from equilibrium using external energy. In addition, many colloids in nature and in industrial applications exchange energy and mass with the surrounding environment thus behaving in a …

Interfaces In Dynamic Brittle Fracture Of Pmma: A Peridynamic Analysis, Longzhen Wang, Javad Mehrmashhadi, Florin Bobaru

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Recent experiments in bonded PMMA layers have shown dramatic changes in dynamic crack growth characteristics depending on the interface location and toughness. In this paper we present a peridynamic (PD) analysis of this phenomenon and determine three elements that are essential in a model reproducing the observed fracture behavior: (1) softening near the crack tip to account for changes in PMMA due to heat-generation induced by the high strain rates reached around the crack tip in dynamic fracture; (2) independent extension (mode I) and shear (mode II) modes of fracture; (3) a two-parameter fracture model, which matches both strength and …

Locally Resonant Metasurface For Low-Frequency Transmissive Underwater Acoustic Waves, Zhong Chen, Shenghong Guan, Qiang Xie, Zheng Li, Zhongmei Gao, Mehrdad Negahban

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Acoustic metasurfaces for underwater wave manipulation have great potential use, but the strong solid-fluid interaction caused by impedance closeness between the structure and water brings design difficulty, especially in the low-frequency range.

Methods: Here a locally resonant metasurface for transmissive underwater acoustic waves is proposed using finite element method for which each metasurface unit consists of one channel and three subunits. Each subunit has one plate and two rubber spacers to form a resonator. By changing the height ratio of the plate over the subunit, arbitrary phase shifts within the full 2π coverage can be obtained at …

Solar-Light-Responsive Nanomaterials For The Photoelectrocatalytic Degradation Of Stubborn Pollutants, Benjamin O. Orimolade, Azeez O. Idris, Seyi Philemon Akanji, Folahan A. Adekola, Shohreh Azizi, Malik Maaza, Bhekie Mamba

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Due to the ever increasing demand for cleaner water, a remarkable focus has been on the use of nanomaterials in wastewater treatment application. Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) degradation, an advanced oxidation process which combines light and electrical energy, has been identified as a suitable technique capable of achieving total mineralisation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in wastewater. PEC degradation is non-selective, environmentally friendly and possesses great efficiency. The efficiency of PEC degradation has been enhanced by fabricating the photoanodes on a nanoscale with distinct morphologies. These nanostructured photoanodes have been extensively used for the removal of pharmaceuticals, dyes and phenolic water from wastewater. …

Architecture Of Heptagonal Metallo-Macrocycles Via Embedding Metal Nodes Into Its Rigid Backbone, A.M.Shashika D. Wijerathna, He Zhao, Qiangqiang Dong, Qixia Bai, Zhiyuan Jiang, Jie Yuan, Jun Wang, Mingzhao Chen, Markus Zirnheld, Rockwell T. Li, Yuan Zhang, Yiming Li, Pingshan Wang

College of Sciences Posters

Metal-organic macrocycles have received increasing attention not only due to their versatile applications such as molecular recognition, compounds encapsulation, anti-bacteria and others, but also for their important role in the study of structure-property relationship at nano scale. However, most of the constructions utilize benzene ring as the backbone, which restricts the ligand arm angle in the range of 60, 120 and 180 degrees. Thus, the topologies of most metallo-macrocycles are limited as triangles and hexagons, and explorations of using other backbones with large angles and the construction of metallo-macrocycles with more than six edges are very rare.

In this study, …

An Efficient And Low-Cost Method To Create High-Density Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers In Cvd Diamond For Sensing Applications., Prem Bahadur Karki, Rupak Timalsina, Mohammadjavad Dowran, Ayodimeji E. Aregbesola, Abdelghani Laraoui, Kapildeb Ambal

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

The negatively charged Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV^-) center in diamond is one of the most versatile and robust quantum sensors suitable for quantum technologies, including magnetic field and temperature sensors. For precision sensing applications, densely packed NV^- centers within a small volume are preferable due to benefiting from 1/√𝑁 sensitivity enhancement (N is the number of sensing NV centers) and efficient excitation of NV centers. However, methods for quickly and efficiently forming high concentrations of NV^- centers are in development stage. We report an efficient, low-cost method for creating high-density NV^- centers production from a relatively …

Correction: Nanoscale Imaging Of Antiferromagnetic Domains In Epitaxial Films Of Cr2o3 Via Scanning Diamond Magnetic Probe Microscopy, Adam Erickson, Syed Qamar Abbas Shah, Ather Mahmood, Ilja Fescenko, Rupak Timalsina, Christian H. Binek, Abdelghani Laraoui

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Correction for ‘Nanoscale imaging of antiferromagnetic domains in epitaxial films of Cr2O3 via scanning diamond magnetic probe microscopy’ by Adam Erickson et al., RSC Adv., 2023, 13, 178–185, https:// doi.org/10.1039/D2RA06440E

Traversing With Quantitative Fidelity Through The Glass Transition Of Amorphous Polymers: Modeling The Thermodynamic Dilatational Flow Of Polycarbonate, Mehrdad Negahban, Wenlong Li, Jean-Marc Saiter, Laurent Delbreilh, Kyle Strabala, Zheng Li

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

We follow the assumption that the dilatational response of glassy polymers can be characterized by a back-stress type analog that includes a thermal expansion for each elastic component, and with a viscosity that is dependent on the expansion of the elastic back stress component. To this, we add the assumption of an unloaded equilibrium temperature that correlates to the past processing through the viscous flow. After setting this in a thermodynamically consistent structure, the elastic, elastic backstress, thermal expansion, back-stress thermal expansion, heat capacity and viscous damping are evaluated using existing experiments for the response of polycarbonate over the glassy …

Novel Development Of A Low-Cost, Micrometer-Scale Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy System, John Yates

Theses and Dissertations

Modern scientific instruments are significant capital investments for universities. These investments can be outside of the funding capabilities of some smaller universities or departments and can be a significant barrier in the pursuit of scientific breakthroughs. This project aims to provide a template for universities or research groups to upgrade, at a reasonable price, an existing Raman spectroscopy system to a Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) system. This system can serve as a permanent upgrade to an existing system or as a bridge necessary to prove the viability of a research path before significant capital investment in a commercial TERS system. …

Inventions In The Area Of Nanotechnologies And Nanomaterials. Part I, Leonid A. Ivanov, Li Da Xu, Zhanna V. Pisarenko, Svetlana R. Muminova, Nadezda G. Miloradova

Information Technology & Decision Sciences Faculty Publications

Introduction. Advanced technologies inspire people by demonstrating the latest achievements (materials, methods, systems, technologies, devices etc.) that dramatically change the world. This, first of all, concerns nanotechnological inventions designed by scientists, engineers and specialists from different countries. Main part. The article provides an abstract overview of inventions of scientists, engineers and specialists from different countries: Germany, Russia, China, USA et al. The results of the creative activity of scientists, engineers and specialists, including inventions in the field of nanotechnology and nanomaterials allow, when introduced to industry, achieving a significant effect in construction, housing and communal services, and related sectors of …

Peridynamic Simulation Of Elastic Wave Propagation By Applying The Boundary Conditions With The Surface Node Method, Francesco Scabbia, Mirco Zaccariotto, Ugo Galvanetto, Florin Bobaru

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering: Faculty Publications

Peridynamics is a novel nonlocal theory able to deal with discontinuities, such as crack initiation and propagation. Near the boundaries, due to the incomplete nonlocal region, the peridynamic surface effect is present, and its reduction relies on using a very small horizon, which ends up being expensive computationally. Furthermore, the imposition of nonlocal boundary conditions in a local way is often required. The surface node method has been proposed to solve both the aforementioned issues, providing enhanced accuracy near the boundaries of the body. This method has been verified in the cases of quasi-static elastic problems and diffusion problems evolving …

Exploring Strategies To Protect Nonprofit Organizations’ Assets From Fraud, Georjean W. Trinkle

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Community action agencies serve low-income individuals, families, and communities. Community action agencies may be at risk of fraud if they do not have board members with the knowledge to implement effective governance strategies to protect the organization's assets from fraud. Grounded in agency theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore effective governance strategies that some community action board members use to protect their organization's assets from fraud. The participants were three board members of two community action agencies in New Jersey who implemented effective governance strategies to protect the organization's assets from fraud. Data were …

Superconductivity In 2d Janus Monolayers And Bilayers, M Munib Ul Hassan Noor Ul Taqi

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Janus transition metal dichalcogenides (J-TMDCs) is a new class of materials which shares the same honey-comb structure as graphene and conventional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) in monolayer. They have versatile physical and chemical properties which mainly feature out from their broken out of plane symmetry. This asymmetry results in an intrinsic electric field orthogonal to their plan. The presence of an intrinsic electric field gives rise to many novel properties like the Rashba effect, increased charge carrier concentration, Schottky barrier, excitons, and superconductivity. Also, they exist in multiple structural phases like, 2H, 1T, 1T' with the electrical properties shifting from …

Value-Added Natural Fiber As A Biocompatible Substrate For Chemical Sensor Applications, Wisarttra Phamonpon

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This dissertation focuses on the improvement and value added of natural fiber extracted from the UHT milk carton waste, and raw silk cocoon to fabricate the biocompatible substrate for chemical sensors, principally in colorimetric and electrochemical sensors, which is allocated in 3 main parts. Initially, the background studying of the surface modification and the function of natural fiber based chemical sensor for food quality control and clinical diagnosis will be explained in a review article. Subsequently, the development of recycled cellulose from UHT milk carton waste as a novel substrate of dual lactate sensor for milk spoilage indication will be …

Synthesis, Characterization, And Application Of Chitosan Nanoparticles For In Vitro Studies On Hela Cancer Cells, Rejeena Jha

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Chitosan is a fibrous substance that is derived from chitin, a natural substance in the shells of crustaceans. It possesses all the necessary qualities for being used as carrier for the transport of drugs and genes into tumor, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and non-toxicity and cationic in nature. Ionic gelation method was used to synthesize chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs). Ionic gelation is a very benign process chemically that requires mixing a CS aqueous solution with a sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) aqueous solution at room temperature. In addition, a surfactant polyethylene oxide (PEO) alone and a diblock copolymer of PEO and …

Numerical Study Of The Time-Periodic Electroosmotic Flow Of Viscoelastic Fluid Through A Short Constriction Microchannel, Jianyu Ji, Shizhi Qian, Armani Marie Parker, Xiaoyu Zhang

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Electroosmotic flow (EOF) is of utmost significance due to its numerous practical uses in controlling flow at micro/nanoscales. In the present study, the time-periodic EOF of a viscoelastic fluid is statistically analyzed using a short 10:1 constriction microfluidic channel joining two reservoirs on either side. The flow is modeled using the Oldroyd-B (OB) model and the Poisson-Boltzmann model. The EOF of a highly concentrated polyacrylamide (PAA) aqueous solution is investigated under the combined effects of an alternating current (AC) electric field and a direct current (DC) electric field. Power-law degradation is visible in the energy spectra of the velocity fluctuations …

Developing Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticle-Based Stimuli-Responsive Nanocarriers For Delivery Of Small Molecule Therapeutics Against Colon Cancer Cells, Nisitha Lakmal Wellala Wijewantha

Dissertations and Theses

This dissertation delves into the innovative application of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for targeted drug delivery in colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer worldwide. The initial focus of the research is on developing enzyme-responsive MSNs loaded with veratridine (VTD), an alkaloid derived from natural sources that demonstrates potent anticancer activity. The nanoparticles have been engineered to deliver VTD selectively to CRC cells, releasing the payload upon being exposed to specific enzymes primarily secreted by these cells. This strategy has dual advantages of amplifying the anticancer effects while minimizing potential side effects on healthy …

Effect Of Decorating Super Paramagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles With Silver Nanoparticles On Their Magneto-Photo Thermal Heating Efficiency, Anthony Joseph Afful

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Cancer treatment is rather dangerous to the body, often involving many secondary effects, including nausea, hair loss, and weight fluctuations. The search for non-invasive, highly efficient, and targetable treatments ameliorates these issues. Super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONS) have been used for other medical purposes such as magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent and is being extensively studied as a potential candidate for many cancer therapeutic and diagnostic approaches due to its biocompatibility and superior magnetic properties. When subjected to an external alternating magnetic field SPIONS generate heat mainly due to the friction of the SPIONS against the fluid it is …

Application Of Multi-Scale Computational Techniques To Complex Materials Systems, Mujan N. Seif

Theses and Dissertations--Chemical and Materials Engineering

The applications of computational materials science are ever-increasing, connecting fields far beyond traditional subfields in materials science. This dissertation demonstrates the broad scope of multi-scale computational techniques by investigating multiple unrelated complex material systems, namely scandate thermionic cathodes and the metallic foam component of micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding. Sc-containing "scandate" cathodes have been widely reported to exhibit superior properties compared to previous thermionic cathodes; however, knowledge of their precise operating mechanism remains elusive. Here, quantum mechanical calculations were utilized to map the phase space of stable, highly-faceted and chemically-complex W nanoparticles, accounting for both finite temperature and chemical …

Electrolyte Synthesis And Engineering For Alkali Metal Batteries, Yiwen Zhang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Batteries have been in increasing demand over the last decade for portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, and grid-scale energy storage systems. While the electrode materials define the characteristic features of a battery system, the composition of the electrolyte is of critical importance and needs to be engineered for different battery systems to ensure superior electrochemical performance. In this thesis, the basic functionality and fundamental mechanism of the electrolytes in battery systems are first introduced. Then, three major electrolyte engineering strategies are demonstrated, including electrolyte composition formulation, electrolyte-electrode component modification, and function-oriented electrolyte design. Firstly, the low-temperature capacity restraint of lithium …

Development Of High Kinetic Inductance Superconducting Nanowire Devices On High Permittivity Strontium Titanate Substrates, Jamie Timmons

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis involves the fabrication and characterization of devices made from two different superconducting materials: yttrium barium copper oxide (YBCO), a high-TC complex oxide, and niobium nitride (NbN), a low-TC transition metal nitride. Both types of devices are fabricated on strontium titanate substrates, which provides a good lattice match to YBCO and also an extremely large permittivity at low temperature. We demonstrate that wet etching of YBCO thin films via bromine can be a viable microfrabriation technique for the material. Using approximately 35 nm thick epitaxially grown YBCO on an STO substrate, we were able to fabricate YBCO “microwires” with …

Superheating Field In Superconductors With Nanostructured Surfaces, W. P. M. R. Pathirana, A. Gurevich

Physics Faculty Publications

We report calculations of a dc superheating field H_sh in superconductors with nanostructured surfaces. Numerical simulations of the Ginzburg-Landau (GL) equations were performed for a superconductor with an inhomogeneous impurity concentration, a thin superconducting layer on top of another superconductor, and superconductor-insulator-superconductor (S-I-S) multilayers.The superheating field was calculated taking into account the instability of the Meissner state with a nonzero wavelength along the surface, which is essential for realistic values of the GL parameter κ. Simulations were done for the materials parameters of Nb and Nb₃Sn at different values of κ and the mean free paths. We …

Synthesis Of Quasi-Freestanding Graphene Films Using Radical Species Formed In Cold Plasmas, Michael A. Mathews Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For over a decade, the Stinespring laboratory has investigated scalable, plasma assisted synthesis (PAS) methods for the growth of graphene films on silicon carbide (SiC). These typically utilized CF₄-based inductively coupled plasma (ICP) with reactive ion etching (RIE) to selectively etch silicon from the SiC lattice. This yielded a halogenated carbon-rich surface layer which was then annealed to produce the graphene layers. The thickness of the films was controlled by the plasma parameters, and overall, the process was readily scalable to the diameter of the SiC wafer.

The PAS process reproducibly yielded two- to three-layer thick graphene films …