Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Influence Of Sonication Parameters On The Morphology Of Nanocellulose Aerogels, Dexter Cox, Tim Kidd

Research in the Capitol

Nanocellulose is a renewable and biocompatible material that has a tensile strength similar to aluminum, is stiffer than Kevlar, and has a strength to weight ratio eight times that of stainless steel. There has been a range of studies on nanocellulose materials for potential use as a low-calorie food substitute, biomedical wound dressings, and as a structural component for buildings. Throughout this research experiment, nanocellulose aerogels of different mass compositions were created through a mechanical process using an ultrasonic processor with a titanium probe attachment. The purpose of this study was to develop a method that reduces the amount titanium …

Effect Of Fe Substitution On Structural, Magnetic And Electron-Transport Properties Of Half-Metallic Co2tisi, Juliana Herran, Parashu Kharel, Pavel Lukashev

Research in the Capitol

In recent years, research on magnetic materials has been one of the most technologically appealing developments in materials science. Among other applications, magnetic materials are essential components of data storage and information processing in computer hardware elements, such as hard drives and random access memories. Here, we present a theoretical study of structural, magnetic and electronic properties of ferrimagnetic Co₂Ti_1−xFe_xSi (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5), using density functional calculations. We show that the magnetic moment of Co₂Ti_1−xFe_xSi increases when Ti is substituted with Fe, consistent with experimental findings. …

Analysis Of Vibrational Modes Of Chemically Modified Tone Wood, Madison Flesch

Honors Program Theses

It is generally accepted that every violin has different tone quality in terms of intonation and the depth of the harmonics produced. The best violins are made by experienced luthiers that craft each with precision to produce the best possible tonal quality. The quality of the finished violin is dependent upon both the specific shape and the vibrational response of the wood used in its construction. Because the hard wood used in violin construction is inhomogeneous, the composition and structure of material used is critical to the final product.¹ Luthiers would initially rely on their experience to feel the …

Magnetic Behavior Of Bulk And Nanostructured Mnxtas2, Lucas Paul Beving

Honors Program Theses

At its base, material science research aims to categorize specific materials by their various attributes, such as structure, integrity, electronic properties, magnetic properties, and others. By categorizing materials in this way, it becomes easier to generalize the application of a specific material to those within a broader category. The interest in materials that exhibit useful characteristics at small scales derives directly from the technology industry’s need for smaller and smaller devices. Two-dimensional materials are of great interest for this reason.

Two-dimensional materials are comprised of many single layers, or planes, stacked together to create a crystal. Each layer may be …

Growth And Characterization Of Nanoscale Thin Films, Erik Thomas Wolter

Honors Program Theses

Thin manganese films were grown by thermal evaporation in high vacuum. The growth rate was varied to determine how the growth rate affects the continuity of ultra-thin films. The resistance was measured with the two-point method in situ and the data was recorded digitally. The resistance was converted to resistivity and this was plotted against thickness. It was found that resistivity decreases exponentially as the film begins to form in islands. The film reaches a critical thickness as the islands coalesce and the data can then be fitted with Fuchs’ equation. The resistivity continues to decrease but the minimum resistivity …

Synthesis And Characterization Of A [Ru(Bpy)2(Ncs)2] Derivative For Use As A Dye-Sensitizer In Nanocrystalline Solar Cells, Joel Thomas Kirner

Honors Program Theses

After extensive review of the field of dye-sensitized solar cells, the molecule [Ru(4,4’- dicarboxy-2,2’-bipyridine)(4,4’-di-(2-(2-pyridyl)ethenyl)-2,2’-bipyridine)(NCS)2] has been designed as an original contribution to the field. This dye sensitizer was chosen by derivatizing upon the structure of the standard sensitizer, cis-diisothiocyanatobis(4,4’-dicarboxylic acid-2,2’- bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (N3), by extending the conjugation of one bipyridine ligand. This structural derivatization should enhance light harvesting by red-shifting the dye’s absorbance and increasing the dye’s molar absorptivity, which should result in a dye-sensitized solar cell with higher efficiency. The Density Functional Theory (DFT) molecular orbital calculations of the new dye complex indicate that the HOMO is highly localized …

The Corrosive Effects Of Salt Spray On Electrolytic Zinc Plated Mechanical Fasteners: The Case Of Clear Chromate And Yellow Dichromate Coatings On Medium Carbon Plated Bolts, Souleymane Boukari

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between plating thickness and corrosion resistance of zinc coated medium carbon steel bolts under salt spray moisture conditions. Two types of zinc coatings were chosen for the study: the clear chromate zinc and the yellow dichromate zinc. One hundred and eighty 3/8-16 x 5 3/4 inch medium carbon steel bolts were selected for the test and divided into groups of 18. Two types of salt solution were used in the study: the low salt and the high salt. Bolts with various coatings tested with low salt concentration were composed of …