Improving dielectric properties of BaTiO3/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites by employing core-shell structured BaTiO3@Poly(methylmethacrylate) and BaTiO3@Poly(trifluoroethyl methacrylate) nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xianhong; Zhao, Sidi; Wang, Fang; Ma, Yuhong; Wang, Li; Chen, Dong; Zhao, Changwen; Yang, Wantai

2017-05-01

Polymer based dielectric composites were fabricated through incorporation of core-shell structured BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticles into PVDF matrix by means of solution blending. Core-shell structured BT nanoparticles with different shell composition and shell thickness were prepared by grafting methacrylate monomer (MMA or TFEMA) onto the surface of BT nanoparticles via surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The content of the grafted polymer and the micro-morphology of the core-shell structured BT nanoparticles were investigated by thermo gravimetric analyses (TGA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The dielectric properties were measured by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The results showed that high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss are successfully realized in the polymer based composites. Moreover, the type of the grafted polymer and its content had different effect on the dielectric constant. In detail, the attenuation of dielectric constant was 16.6% for BT@PMMA1/PVDF and 10.7% for BT@PMMA2/PVDF composite in the range of 10 Hz to 100 kHz, in which the grafted content of PMMA was 5.5% and 8.0%, respectively. However, the attenuation of dielectric constant was 5.5% for BT@PTFEMA1/PVDF and 4.0% for BT@PTFEMA2/PVDF composite, in which the grafted content of PTFEMA was 1.5% and 2.0%, respectively. These attractive features of BT@PTFEMA/PVDF composites suggested that dielectric ceramic fillers modified with fluorinated polymer can be used to prepare high performance composites, especially those with low dielectric loss and high dielectric constant.

Progressive Fracture of Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos C.; Minnetyan, Levon

2008-01-01

A new approach is described for evaluating fracture in composite structures. This approach is independent of classical fracture mechanics parameters like fracture toughness. It relies on computational simulation and is programmed in a stand-alone integrated computer code. It is multiscale, multifunctional because it includes composite mechanics for the composite behavior and finite element analysis for predicting the structural response. It contains seven modules; layered composite mechanics (micro, macro, laminate), finite element, updating scheme, local fracture, global fracture, stress based failure modes, and fracture progression. The computer code is called CODSTRAN (Composite Durability Structural ANalysis). It is used in the present paper to evaluate the global fracture of four composite shell problems and one composite built-up structure. Results show that the composite shells and the built-up composite structure global fracture are enhanced when internal pressure is combined with shear loads.

Modeling delamination growth in composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Reedy, E.D. Jr.; Mello, F.J.

1996-12-01

A method for modeling the initiation and growth of discrete delaminations in shell-like composite structures is presented. The laminate is divided into two or more sublaminates, with each sublaminate modeled with four-noded quadrilateral shell elements. A special, eight-noded hex constraint element connects opposing sublaminate shell elements. It supplies the nodal forces and moments needed to make the two opposing shell elements act as a single shell element until a prescribed failure criterion is satisfied. Once the failure criterion is attained, the connection is broken, creating or growing a discrete delamination. This approach has been implemented in a 3D finite elementmore » code. This code uses explicit time integration, and can analyze shell-like structures subjected to large deformations and complex contact conditions. The shell elements can use existing composite material models that include in-plane laminate failure modes. This analysis capability was developed to perform crashworthiness studies of composite structures, and is useful whenever there is a need to estimate peak loads, energy absorption, or the final shape of a highly deformed composite structure. This paper describes the eight-noded hex constraint element used to model the initiation and growth of a delamination, and discusses associated implementation issues. Particular attention is focused on the delamination growth criterion, and it is verified that calculated results do not depend on element size. In addition, results for double cantilever beam and end notched flexure specimens are presented and compared to measured data to assess the ability of the present approach to model a growing delamination.« less

Composites Based on Core-Shell Structured HBCuPc@CNTs-Fe3O4 and Polyarylene Ether Nitriles with Excellent Dielectric and Mechanical Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pu, Zejun; Zhong, Jiachun; Liu, Xiaobo

2017-10-01

Core-shell structured magnetic carbon nanotubes (CNTs-Fe3O4) coated with hyperbranched copper phthalocyanine (HBCuPc) (HBCuPc@CNTs-Fe3O4) hybrids were prepared by the solvent-thermal method. The results indicated that the HBCuPc molecules were decorated on the surface of CNTs-Fe3O4 through coordination behavior of phthalocyanines, and the CNTs-Fe3O4 core was completely coaxial wrapped by a functional intermediate HBCuPc shell. Then, polymer-based composites with a relatively high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss were fabricated by using core-shell structured HBCuPc@CNTs-Fe3O4 hybrids as fillers and polyarylene ether nitriles (PEN) as the polymer matrix. The cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of composites showed that there is almost no agglomeration and internal delamination. In addition, the rheological analysis reveals that the core-shell structured HBCuPc@CNTs-Fe3O4 hybrids present better dispersion and stronger interface adhesion with the PEN matrix than CNTs-Fe3O4, thus resulting in significant improvement of the mechanical, thermal and dielectric properties of polymer-based composites.

Assuring Life in Composite Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos c.

2008-01-01

A computational simulation method is presented to assure life in composite systems by using dynamic buckling of smart composite shells as an example. The combined use of composite mechanics, finite element computer codes, and probabilistic analysis enable the effective assessment of the dynamic buckling load of smart composite shells. A universal plot is generated to estimate the dynamic buckling load of composite shells at various load rates and probabilities. The shell structure is also evaluated with smart fibers embedded in the plies right below the outer plies. The results show that, on the average, the use of smart fibers improved the shell buckling resistance by about 9% at different probabilities and delayed the buckling occurrence time. The probabilistic sensitivities results indicate that uncertainties in the fiber volume ratio and ply thickness have major effects on the buckling load. The uncertainties in the electric field strength and smart material volume fraction have moderate effects and thereby in the assured life of the shell.

Multi-Scale Analyses of Three Dimensional Woven Composite 3D Shell With a Cut Out Circle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Duc Hai; Wang, Hu

2018-06-01

A composite material are made by combining two or more constituent materials to obtain the desired material properties of each product type. The matrix material which can be polymer and fiber is used as reinforcing material. Currently, the polymer matrix is widely used in many different fields with differently designed structures such as automotive structures and aviation, aerospace, marine, etc. because of their excellent mechanical properties; in addition, they possess the high level of hardness and durability together with a significant reduction in weight compared to traditional materials. However, during design process of structure, there will be many interruptions created for the purpose of assembling the structures together or for many other design purposes. Therefore, when this structure is subject to load-bearing, its failure occurs at these interruptions due to stress concentration. This paper proposes multi-scale modeling and optimization strategies in evaluation of the effectiveness of fiber orientation in an E-glass/Epoxy woven composite 3D shell with circular holes at the center investigated by FEA results. A multi-scale model approach was developed to predict the mechanical behavior of woven composite 3D shell with circular holes at the center with different designs of material and structural parameters. Based on the analysis result of laminae, we have found that the 3D shell with fiber direction of 450 shows the best stress and strain bearing capacity. Thus combining several layers of 450 fiber direction in a multi-layer composite 3D shell reduces the stresses concentrated on the cuts of the structures.

Silica-Coated Core-Shell Structured Polystyrene Nanospheres and Their Size-Dependent Mechanical Properties.

PubMed

Cao, Xu; Pan, Guoshun; Huang, Peng; Guo, Dan; Xie, Guoxin

2017-08-22

The core-shell structured PS/SiO 2 composite nanospheres were synthesized on the basis of a modified Stöber method. The mechanical properties of monodisperse nanospheres were characterized with nanoindentation on the basis of the atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface morphologies of PS/SiO 2 composite nanospheres was scanned with the tapping mode of AFM, and the force-distance curves were measured with the contact mode of AFM. Different contact models were compared for the analyses of experimental data. The elastic moduli of PS/SiO 2 composite nanosphere (4-40 GPa) and PS nanosphere (∼3.4 GPa) were obtained with the Hertz and Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) models, respectively, and the JKR model was proven to be more appropriate for calculating the elastic modulus of PS/SiO 2 nanospheres. The elastic modulus of SiO 2 shell gradually approached a constant value (∼46 GPa) with the increase of SiO 2 shell thickness. A core-shell model was proposed for describing the relationship between PS/SiO 2 composite nanosphere's elastic modulus and shell thickness. The mechanical properties of the composite nanospheres were reasonably explained on the basis of the growth mechanism of PS/SiO 2 composite nanospheres, in particular the SiO 2 shell's formation process. Available research data of PS/SiO 2 composite nanospheres in this work can provide valuable guidance for their effective application in surface engineering, micro/nanomanufacturing, lubrication, and so on.

High ink absorption performance of inkjet printing based on SiO2@Al13 core-shell composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, YiFan; Jiang, Bo; Liu, Li; Du, Yunzhe; Zhang, Tong; Zhao, LiWei; Huang, YuDong

2018-04-01

The increasing growth of the inkjet market makes the inkjet printing more necessary. A composite material based on core-shell structure has been developed and applied to prepare inkjet printing layer. In this contribution, the ink printing record layers based on SiO2@Al13 core-shell composite was elaborated. The prepared core-shell composite materials were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), zeta potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results proved the presence of electrostatic adsorption between SiO2 molecules and Al13 molecules with the formation of the well-dispersed system. In addition, based on the adsorption and the liquid permeability analysis, SiO2@Al13 ink printing record layer achieved a relatively high ink uptake (2.5 gmm-1) and permeability (87%), respectively. The smoothness and glossiness of SiO2@Al13 record layers were higher than SiO2 record layers. The core-shell structure facilitated the dispersion of the silica, thereby improved its ink absorption performance and made the clear printed image. Thus, the proposed procedure based on SiO2@Al13 core-shell structure of dye particles could be applied as a promising strategy for inkjet printing.

Structural biological composites: An overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyers, Marc A.; Lin, Albert Y. M.; Seki, Yasuaki; Chen, Po-Yu; Kad, Bimal K.; Bodde, Sara

2006-07-01

Biological materials are complex composites that are hierarchically structured and multifunctional. Their mechanical properties are often outstanding, considering the weak constituents from which they are assembled. They are for the most part composed of brittle (often, mineral) and ductile (organic) components. These complex structures, which have risen from millions of years of evolution, are inspiring materials scientists in the design of novel materials. This paper discusses the overall design principles in biological structural composites and illustrates them for five examples; sea spicules, the abalone shell, the conch shell, the toucan and hornbill beaks, and the sheep crab exoskeleton.

Deployment of Large-Size Shell Constructions by Internal Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pestrenin, V. M.; Pestrenina, I. V.; Rusakov, S. V.; Kondyurin, A. V.

2015-11-01

A numerical study on the deployment pressure (the minimum internal pressure bringing a construction from the packed state to the operational one) of large laminated CFRP shell structures is performed using the ANSYS engineering package. The shell resists both membrane and bending deformations. Structures composed of shell elements whose median surface has an involute are considered. In the packed (natural) states of constituent elements, the median surfaces coincide with their involutes. Criteria for the termination of stepwise solution of the geometrically nonlinear problem on determination of the deployment pressure are formulated, and the deployment of cylindrical, conical (full and truncated cones), and large-size composite shells is studied. The results obtained are shown by graphs illustrating the deployment pressure in relation to the geometric and material parameters of the structure. These studies show that large pneumatic composite shells can be used as space and building structures, because the deployment pressure in them only slightly differs from the excess pressure in pneumatic articles made from films and soft materials.

A coarse grained molecular dynamics simulation study on the structural properties of carbon nanotube-dendrimer composites.

PubMed

Kavyani, Sajjad; Dadvar, Mitra; Modarress, Hamid; Amjad-Iranagh, Sepideh

2018-04-25

By employing coarse grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, the effect of the size and hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties of the interior/exterior structures of the dendrimers in carbon nanotube (CNT)-dendrimer composites has been studied, to find a stable composite with high solubility in water and the capability to be used in drug delivery applications. For this purpose, composites consisting of core-shell dendrimer complexes including: [PPI{core}-PAMAM{shell}], [PAMAM{core}-polyethyleneglycol (PEG){shell}] and [PAMAM{core}-fattyacid (FTA){shell}] were constructed. A new CG model for the fatty acid (FTA) molecules as functionalized to the dendrimer was developed, which, unlike the previous models, could generate the structural conformations of the FTA properly. The obtained results indicated that the dendrimer complexes with short FTA chains can form stable composites with the CNT. Also, it was found that the pristine PAMAM and PPI-PAMAM with small PPI, and PAMAM-PEG dendrimers with short PEG chains, can distribute their chains into the water medium and interact with the CNT efficiently, to form a stable water-soluble CNT-dendrimer composite. The results demonstrated that the structural difference between the interior and exterior of a core-shell dendrimer complex can prevent the core and the interior layers of the dendrimer complex from interacting with the CNT. An overall analysis of the results manifested that the CNT-PAMAM:4-PEG:4 is the most stable composite, due to strong binding of the dendrimer with the CNT while also having high solubility in water, and its core retains its structure properly and unchanged, suitable for encapsulating drugs in the targeted delivery applications.

Better Finite-Element Analysis of Composite Shell Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clarke, Gregory

2007-01-01

A computer program implements a finite-element-based method of predicting the deformations of thin aerospace structures made of isotropic materials or anisotropic fiber-reinforced composite materials. The technique and corresponding software are applicable to thin shell structures in general and are particularly useful for analysis of thin beamlike members having open cross-sections (e.g. I-beams and C-channels) in which significant warping can occur.

Synthesis of core-shell structured FAU/SBA-15 composite molecular sieves and their performance in catalytic cracking of polystyrene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Jinlong; Shi, Chunwei; Wu, Wenyuan; Bian, Xue; Chen, Ping; Cui, Qingzhu; Cui, Zhixuan

2017-12-01

Composite molecular sieves, FAU/SBA-15, having core-shell structure were synthesized. The synthesized composite sieves were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), pyrolysis fourier transform infrared (Py-FTIR) spectroscopy, temperature programmed desorption spectra (NH3-TPD), UV Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and other techniques. XRD, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption, mass spectrometry, NMR and EDS results showed that the composite molecular sieve contained two pore channels. Py-FTIR results showed that the addition of HY molecular sieves improved the acidity of the composite zeolite. The crystallization mechanism during the growth of FAU/SBA-15 shell was deduced from the influence of crystallization time on the synthesis of FAU/SBA-15 core-shell structured composite molecular sieve. HY dissociated partially in H2SO4 solution, and consisted of secondary structural units. This framework structure was more stable than its presence in the isolated form on the same ring or in the absence of Al. Thus it played a guiding role and connected with SBA-15 closely through the Si-O bond. This resulted in the gradual covering of the exterior surface of FAU phase by SBA-15 molecular sieves. The presence of SBA-15 restricted the formation of the other high mass components and increased the selectivity towards ethylbenzene.

Controlled Synthesis of Pd/Pt Core Shell Nanoparticles Using Area-selective Atomic Layer Deposition

PubMed Central

Cao, Kun; Zhu, Qianqian; Shan, Bin; Chen, Rong

2015-01-01

We report an atomic scale controllable synthesis of Pd/Pt core shell nanoparticles (NPs) via area-selective atomic layer deposition (ALD) on a modified surface. The method involves utilizing octadecyltrichlorosilane (ODTS) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to modify the surface. Take the usage of pinholes on SAMs as active sites for the initial core nucleation, and subsequent selective deposition of the second metal as the shell layer. Since new nucleation sites can be effectively blocked by surface ODTS SAMs in the second deposition stage, we demonstrate the successful growth of Pd/Pt and Pt/Pd NPs with uniform core shell structures and narrow size distribution. The size, shell thickness and composition of the NPs can be controlled precisely by varying the ALD cycles. Such core shell structures can be realized by using regular ALD recipes without special adjustment. This SAMs assisted area-selective ALD method of core shell structure fabrication greatly expands the applicability of ALD in fabricating novel structures and can be readily applied to the growth of NPs with other compositions. PMID:25683469

Curved Thermopiezoelectric Shell Structures Modeled by Finite Element Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Ho-Jun

2000-01-01

"Smart" structures composed of piezoelectric materials may significantly improve the performance of aeropropulsion systems through a variety of vibration, noise, and shape-control applications. The development of analytical models for piezoelectric smart structures is an ongoing, in-house activity at the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field focused toward the experimental characterization of these materials. Research efforts have been directed toward developing analytical models that account for the coupled mechanical, electrical, and thermal response of piezoelectric composite materials. Current work revolves around implementing thermal effects into a curvilinear-shell finite element code. This enhances capabilities to analyze curved structures and to account for coupling effects arising from thermal effects and the curved geometry. The current analytical model implements a unique mixed multi-field laminate theory to improve computational efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. The mechanics can model both the sensory and active behavior of piezoelectric composite shell structures. Finite element equations are being implemented for an eight-node curvilinear shell element, and numerical studies are being conducted to demonstrate capabilities to model the response of curved piezoelectric composite structures (see the figure).

Structural Performance of Advanced Composite Tow-Steered Shells With Cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, K. Chauncey; Turpin, Jason D.; Stanford, Bret K.; Martin, Robert A.

2014-01-01

The structural performance of two advanced composite tow-steered shells with cutouts, manufactured using an automated fiber placement system, is assessed using both experimental and analytical methods. The shells' fiber orientation angles vary continuously around their circumference from +/-10 degrees on the crown and keel, to +/-45 degrees on the sides. The raised surface features on one shell result from application of all 24 tows during each fiber placement system pass, while the second shell uses the system's tow drop/add capability to achieve a more uniform wall thickness. These unstiffened shells were previously tested in axial compression and buckled elastically. A single cutout, scaled to represent a passenger door on a commercial aircraft, is then machined into one side of each shell. The prebuckling axial stiffnesses and bifurcation buckling loads of the shells with cutouts are also computed using linear finite element structural analyses for initial comparisons with test data. When retested, large deflections were observed around the cutouts, but the shells carried an average of 92 percent of the axial stiffness, and 86 percent of the buckling loads, of the shells without cutouts. These relatively small reductions in performance demonstrate the potential for using tow steering to mitigate the adverse effects of typical design features on the overall structural performance.

Multiscale Multifunctional Progressive Fracture of Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, C. C.; Minnetyan, L.

2012-01-01

A new approach is described for evaluating fracture in composite structures. This approach is independent of classical fracture mechanics parameters like fracture toughness. It relies on computational simulation and is programmed in a stand-alone integrated computer code. It is multiscale, multifunctional because it includes composite mechanics for the composite behavior and finite element analysis for predicting the structural response. It contains seven modules; layered composite mechanics (micro, macro, laminate), finite element, updating scheme, local fracture, global fracture, stress based failure modes, and fracture progression. The computer code is called CODSTRAN (Composite Durability Structural ANalysis). It is used in the present paper to evaluate the global fracture of four composite shell problems and one composite built-up structure. Results show that the composite shells. Global fracture is enhanced when internal pressure is combined with shear loads. The old reference denotes that nothing has been added to this comprehensive report since then.

Free Vibration of Fiber Composite Thin Shells in a Hot Environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gotsis, Pascal K.; Guptill, James D.

1995-01-01

Results are presented of parametric studies to assess the effects of various parameters on the free vibration behavior (natural frequencies) of (plus or minus theta)2, angle-ply fiber composite thin shells in a hot environment. These results were obtained by using a three-dimensional finite element structural analysis computer code. The fiber composite shell is assumed to be cylindrical and made from T-300 graphite fibers embedded in an intermediate-modulus high-strength matrix (IMHS). The residual stresses induced into the laminated structure during curing are taken into account. The following parameters are investigated: the length and the thickness of the shell, the fiber orientations, the fiber volume fraction, the temperature profile through the thickness of the laminate and the different ply thicknesses. Results obtained indicate that: the fiber orientations and the length of the laminated shell had significant effect on the natural frequencies. The fiber volume fraction, the laminate thickness and the temperature profile through the shell thickness had a weak effect on the natural frequencies. Finally, the laminates with different ply thicknesses had insignificant influence on the behavior of the vibrated laminated shell.

Facile synthesis of core-shell Cu2O@ ZnO structure with enhanced photocatalytic H2 production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yong-Hui; Jiu, Bei-Bei; Gong, Fei-Long; Lu, Kuan; Jiang, Nan; Zhang, Hao-Li; Chen, Jun-Li

2018-05-01

Core-shell Cu2O@ZnO composites were synthesized successfully based on a one-pot hydrothermal method in the presence of dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT) surfactant. The Cu2O can be converted to rough core-shell Cu2O@ZnO structure by adjusting the amount of zinc powder added. The as-synthesized Cu2O@ZnO composites exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and the amount of H2 generated using these composites was 4.5-fold more than that produced with Cu2O cubes. A possible photocatalytic mechanism for the Cu2O@ZnO composites with enhanced photocatalytic activity could be the separation by ZnO of the effective charge carriers.

Two emissive-magnetic composite platforms for Hg(II) sensing and removal: The combination of magnetic core, silica molecular sieve and rhodamine chemosensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Hanping; Liu, Zhongshou

2018-01-01

In this paper, a composite sensing platform for Hg(II) optical sensing and removal was designed and reported. A core-shell structure was adopted, using magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles as the core, silica molecular sieve MCM-41 as the shell, respectively. Two rhodamine derivatives were synthesized as chemosensor and covalently immobilized into MCM-41 tunnels. Corresponding composite samples were characterized with SEM/TEM images, XRD analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetry and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis, which confirmed their core-shell structure. Their emission was increased by Hg(II), showing emission turn on effect. High selectivity, linear working curves and recyclability were obtained from these composite samples.

Probabilistic Dynamic Buckling of Smart Composite Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abumeri, Galib H.; Chamis, Christos C.

2003-01-01

A computational simulation method is presented to evaluate the deterministic and nondeterministic dynamic buckling of smart composite shells. The combined use of composite mechanics, finite element computer codes, and probabilistic analysis enable the effective assessment of the dynamic buckling load of smart composite shells. A universal plot is generated to estimate the dynamic buckling load of composite shells at various load rates and probabilities. The shell structure is also evaluated with smart fibers embedded in the plies right below the outer plies. The results show that, on the average, the use of smart fibers improved the shell buckling resistance by about 10 percent at different probabilities and delayed the buckling occurrence time. The probabilistic sensitivities results indicate that uncertainties in the fiber volume ratio and ply thickness have major effects on the buckling load while uncertainties in the electric field strength and smart material volume fraction have moderate effects. For the specific shell considered in this evaluation, the use of smart composite material is not recommended because the shell buckling resistance can be improved by simply re-arranging the orientation of the outer plies, as shown in the dynamic buckling analysis results presented in this report.

Probabilistic Dynamic Buckling of Smart Composite Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos C.; Abumeri, Galib H.

2007-01-01

A computational simulation method is presented to evaluate the deterministic and nondeterministic dynamic buckling of smart composite shells. The combined use of intraply hybrid composite mechanics, finite element computer codes, and probabilistic analysis enable the effective assessment of the dynamic buckling load of smart composite shells. A universal plot is generated to estimate the dynamic buckling load of composite shells at various load rates and probabilities. The shell structure is also evaluated with smart fibers embedded in the plies right next to the outer plies. The results show that, on the average, the use of smart fibers improved the shell buckling resistance by about 10% at different probabilities and delayed the buckling occurrence time. The probabilistic sensitivities results indicate that uncertainties in the fiber volume ratio and ply thickness have major effects on the buckling load while uncertainties in the electric field strength and smart material volume fraction have moderate effects. For the specific shell considered in this evaluation, the use of smart composite material is not recommended because the shell buckling resistance can be improved by simply re-arranging the orientation of the outer plies, as shown in the dynamic buckling analysis results presented in this report.

Parameterized Finite Element Modeling and Buckling Analysis of Six Typical Composite Grid Cylindrical Shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lai, Changliang; Wang, Junbiao; Liu, Chuang

2014-10-01

Six typical composite grid cylindrical shells are constructed by superimposing three basic types of ribs. Then buckling behavior and structural efficiency of these shells are analyzed under axial compression, pure bending, torsion and transverse bending by finite element (FE) models. The FE models are created by a parametrical FE modeling approach that defines FE models with original natural twisted geometry and orients cross-sections of beam elements exactly. And the approach is parameterized and coded by Patran Command Language (PCL). The demonstrations of FE modeling indicate the program enables efficient generation of FE models and facilitates parametric studies and design of grid shells. Using the program, the effects of helical angles on the buckling behavior of six typical grid cylindrical shells are determined. The results of these studies indicate that the triangle grid and rotated triangle grid cylindrical shell are more efficient than others under axial compression and pure bending, whereas under torsion and transverse bending, the hexagon grid cylindrical shell is most efficient. Additionally, buckling mode shapes are compared and provide an understanding of composite grid cylindrical shells that is useful in preliminary design of such structures.

Development of pressure containment and damage tolerance technology for composite fuselage structures in large transport aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, P. J.; Thomson, L. W.; Wilson, R. D.

1986-01-01

NASA sponsored composites research and development programs were set in place to develop the critical engineering technologies in large transport aircraft structures. This NASA-Boeing program focused on the critical issues of damage tolerance and pressure containment generic to the fuselage structure of large pressurized aircraft. Skin-stringer and honeycomb sandwich composite fuselage shell designs were evaluated to resolve these issues. Analyses were developed to model the structural response of the fuselage shell designs, and a development test program evaluated the selected design configurations to appropriate load conditions.

Heat transport system, method and material

DOEpatents

Musinski, Donald L.

1987-01-01

A heat transport system, method and composite material in which a plurality of hollow spherical shells or microspheres having an outside diameter of less than or equal to 500 microns are encapsulated or embedded within a bulk material. Each shell has captured therein a volatile working fluid, such that each shell operates as a microsized heat pipe for conducting heat through the composite structure.

Material with core-shell structure

DOEpatents

Luhrs, Claudia [Rio Rancho, NM; Richard, Monique N [Ann Arbor, MI; Dehne, Aaron [Maumee, OH; Phillips, Jonathan [Rio Rancho, NM; Stamm, Kimber L [Ann Arbor, MI; Fanson, Paul T [Brighton, MI

2011-11-15

Disclosed is a material having a composite particle, the composite particle including an outer shell and a core. The core is made from a lithium alloying material and the outer shell has an inner volume that is greater in size than the core of the lithium alloying material. In some instances, the outer mean diameter of the outer shell is less than 500 nanometers and the core occupies between 5 and 99% of the inner volume. In addition, the outer shell can have an average wall thickness of less than 100 nanometers.

Test and Analysis of a Buckling-Critical Large-Scale Sandwich Composite Cylinder

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schultz, Marc R.; Sleight, David W.; Gardner, Nathaniel W.; Rudd, Michelle T.; Hilburger, Mark W.; Palm, Tod E.; Oldfield, Nathan J.

2018-01-01

Structural stability is an important design consideration for launch-vehicle shell structures and it is well known that the buckling response of such shell structures can be very sensitive to small geometric imperfections. As part of an effort to develop new buckling design guidelines for sandwich composite cylindrical shells, an 8-ft-diameter honeycomb-core sandwich composite cylinder was tested under pure axial compression to failure. The results from this test are compared with finite-element-analysis predictions and overall agreement was very good. In particular, the predicted buckling load was within 1% of the test and the character of the response matched well. However, it was found that the agreement could be improved by including composite material nonlinearity in the analysis, and that the predicted buckling initiation site was sensitive to the addition of small bending loads to the primary axial load in analyses.

Synthesis of core–shell structured FAU/SBA-15 composite molecular sieves and their performance in catalytic cracking of polystyrene

PubMed Central

Du, Jinlong; Shi, Chunwei; Wu, Wenyuan; Bian, Xue; Chen, Ping; Cui, Qingzhu; Cui, Zhixuan

2017-01-01

Abstract Composite molecular sieves, FAU/SBA-15, having core-shell structure were synthesized. The synthesized composite sieves were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), pyrolysis fourier transform infrared (Py-FTIR) spectroscopy, temperature programmed desorption spectra (NH3-TPD), UV Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and other techniques. XRD, SEM, TEM, N2 adsorption-desorption, mass spectrometry, NMR and EDS results showed that the composite molecular sieve contained two pore channels. Py-FTIR results showed that the addition of HY molecular sieves improved the acidity of the composite zeolite. The crystallization mechanism during the growth of FAU/SBA-15 shell was deduced from the influence of crystallization time on the synthesis of FAU/SBA-15 core-shell structured composite molecular sieve. HY dissociated partially in H2SO4 solution, and consisted of secondary structural units. This framework structure was more stable than its presence in the isolated form on the same ring or in the absence of Al. Thus it played a guiding role and connected with SBA-15 closely through the Si-O bond. This resulted in the gradual covering of the exterior surface of FAU phase by SBA-15 molecular sieves. The presence of SBA-15 restricted the formation of the other high mass components and increased the selectivity towards ethylbenzene. PMID:29383044

The effects of the chemical composition and strain on the electronic properties of GaSb/InAs core-shell nanowires

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ning, Feng; Wang, Dan; Tang, Li-Ming, E-mail: lmtang@hnu.edu.cn

2014-09-07

The effects of the chemical composition and strain on the electronic properties of [111] zinc-blende (ZB) and [0001] wurtzite (WZ) GaSb/InAs core-shell nanowires (NWs) with different core diameters and shell thicknesses are studied using first-principles methods. The band structures of the [111] ZB GaSb/InAs core-shell NWs underwent a noticeable type-I/II band alignment transition, associated with a direct-to-indirect band gap transition under a compressive uniaxial strain. The band structures of the [0001] WZ GaSb/InAs core-shell NWs preserved the direct band gap under either compressive or tensile uniaxial strains. In addition, the band gaps and the effective masses of the carriers couldmore » be tuned by their composition. For the core-shell NWs with a fixed GaSb-core size, the band gaps decreased linearly with an increasing InAs-shell thickness, caused by the significant downshift of the conduction bands. For the [111] ZB GaSb/InAs core-shell NWs, the calculated effective masses indicated that the transport properties could be changed from hole-dominated conduction to electron-dominated conduction by changing the InAs-shell thickness.« less

Factors affecting the microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti-Al3Ti core-shell-structured particle-reinforced Al matrix composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Baisong; Yi, Jianhong; Ni, Song; Shen, Rujuan; Song, Min

2016-04-01

This work studied the effects of matrix powder and sintering temperature on the microstructure and mechanical properties of in situ formed Ti-Al3Ti core-shell-structured particle-reinforced pure Al-based composites. It has been shown that both factors have significant effects on the morphology of the reinforcements and densification behaviour of the composites. Due to the strong interfacial bonding and the limitation of the crack propagation in the intermetallic shell during deformation by soft Al matrix and Ti core, the composite fabricated using fine spherical-shaped Al powder and sintered at 570 °C for 5 h has the optimal combination of the overall mechanical properties. The study provides a direction for the optimum combination of high strength and ductility of the composites by adjusting the fabrication parameters.

Free vibration of laminated composite stiffened hyperbolic paraboloid shell panel with cutout

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahoo, Sarmila

2016-08-01

Composite shell structures are extensively used in aerospace, civil, marine and other engineering applications. In practical civil engineering applications, the necessity of covering large column free open areas is often an issue and hyperbolic paraboloid shells are used as roofing units. Quite often, to save weight and also to provide a facility for inspection, cutouts are provided in shell panels. The paper considers free vibration characteristics of stiffened composite hyperbolic paraboloid shell panel with cutout in terms of natural frequency and mode shapes. A finite element code is developed for the purpose by combining an eight noded curved shell element with a three noded curved beam element. The size of the cutouts and their positions with respect to the shell centre are varied for different edge conditions to arrive at a set of inferences of practical engineering significances.

Structural Characterization of Advanced Composite Tow-Steered Shells with Large Cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, K. Chauncey; Turpin, Jason D.; Gardner, Nathaniel W.; Stanford, Bret K.; Martin, Robert A.

2015-01-01

The structural performance of two advanced composite tow-steered shells with large cutouts, manufactured using an automated fiber placement system, is assessed using both experimental and analytical methods. The fiber orientation angles of the shells vary continuously around their circumference from +/- 10 degrees on the crown and keel, to +/- 45 degrees on the sides. The raised surface features on one shell result from application of all 24 tows during each fiber placement system pass, while the second shell uses the tow drop/add capability of the system to achieve a more uniform wall thickness. These unstiffened shells, both without and with small cutouts, were previously tested in axial compression and buckled elastically. In this study, a single unreinforced cutout, scaled to represent a cargo door on a commercial aircraft, is machined into one side of each shell. The prebuckling axial stiffnesses and bifurcation buckling loads of these shells with large cutouts are also computed using linear finite element structural analyses for preliminary comparisons with test data. During testing, large displacements are observed around the large cutouts, but the shells maintain an average of 91 percent of the axial stiffness, and also carry 85 percent of the buckling loads, when compared to the pristine shells without cutouts. These relatively small reductions indicate that there is great potential for using tow steering to mitigate the adverse effects of large cutouts on the overall structural performance.

Nitrite sensing composite systems based on a core-shell emissive-superamagnetic structure: Construction, characterization and sensing behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yan; Liu, Liang; Zha, Jianhua; Yuan, Ningyi

2017-04-01

Two recyclable nitrite sensing composite samples were designed and constructed through a core-shell structure, with Fe3O4 nanoparticles as core, silica molecular sieve MCM-41 as shell and two rhodamine derivatives as chemosensors, respectively. These samples and their structure were identified with their electron microscopy images, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, magnetic response, IR spectra and thermogravimetric analysis. Their nitrite sensing behavior was discussed based on emission intensity quenching, their limit of detection was found as low as 1.2 μM. Further analysis suggested a static sensing mechanism between nitrite and chemosensors through an additive reaction between NO+ and chemosensors. After finishing their nitrite sensing, these composite samples and their emission could be recycled and recovered by sulphamic acid.

Constructing Repairable Meta-Structures of Ultra-Broad-Band Electromagnetic Absorption from Three-Dimensional Printed Patterned Shells.

PubMed

Song, Wei-Li; Zhou, Zhili; Wang, Li-Chen; Cheng, Xiao-Dong; Chen, Mingji; He, Rujie; Chen, Haosen; Yang, Yazheng; Fang, Daining

2017-12-13

Ultra-broad-band electromagnetic absorption materials and structures are increasingly attractive for their critical role in competing with the advanced broad-band electromagnetic detection systems. Mechanically soft and weak wax-based materials composites are known to be insufficient to serve in practical electromagnetic absorption applications. To break through such barriers, here we developed an innovative strategy to enable the wax-based composites to be robust and repairable meta-structures by employing a three-dimensional (3D) printed polymeric patterned shell. Because of the integrated merits from both the dielectric loss wax-based composites and mechanically robust 3D printed shells, the as-fabricated meta-structures enable bear mechanical collision and compression, coupled with ultra-broad-band absorption (7-40 and 75-110 GHz, reflection loss  smaller than -10 dB) approaching state-of-the-art electromagnetic absorption materials. With the assistance of experiment and simulation methods, the design advantages and mechanism of employing such 3D printed shells for substantially promoting the electromagnetic absorption performance have been demonstrated. Therefore, such universal strategy that could be widely extended to other categories of wax-based composites highlights a smart stage on which high-performance practical multifunction meta-structures with ultra-broad-band electromagnetic absorption could be envisaged.

Passively Damped Laminated Piezoelectric Shell Structures with Integrated Electric Networks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saravanos, Dimitris A.

1999-01-01

Multi-field mechanics are presented for curvilinear piezoelectric laminates interfaced with distributed passive electric components. The equations of motion for laminated piezoelectric shell structures with embedded passive electric networks are directly formulated and solved using a finite element methodology. The modal damping and frequencies of the piezoelectric shell are calculated from the poles of the system. Experimental and numerical results are presented for the modal damping and frequency of composite beams with a resistively shunted piezoceramic patch. The modal damping and frequency of plates, cylindrical shells and cylindrical composite blades with piezoelectric-resistor layers are predicted. Both analytical and experimental studies illustrate a unique dependence of modal damping and frequencies on the shunting resistance and show the effect of structural shape and curvature on piezoelectric damping.

Fast synthesis, formation mechanism, and control of shell thickness of CuS–polystyrene core–shell microspheres

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhao, Li-min, E-mail: zhaolimin@lcu.ecu.cn; Shao, Xin; Yin, Yi-bin

2012-09-15

Graphical abstract: Core–shell structure PSt/CuS were prepared using polystyrene which were modified by 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane as template. The coating thickness of CuS can be controlled by the amount of 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and the UV–vis absorption intensity of PSt/CuS composite also changed with the coating thickness of CuS. Highlights: ► Core–shell structure PSt/CuS were prepared using silanol-modified polystyrene microspheres as template. ► The coating thickness of core–shell structure PSt/CuS can be controlled by a simple method. ► The UV–vis absorption intensity of PSt/CuS composite also changed with the coating thickness of CuS. -- Abstract: The silanol-modified polystyrene microspheres were prepared through dispersion polymerization.more » Then copper sulfide particles were grown on silanol-modified polystyrene through sonochemical deposition in an aqueous bath containing copper acetate and sulfide, released through the hydrolysis of thioacetamide. The resulting particles were continuous and uniform as characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure and properties of core–shell particles. The results showed the coating thickness of CuS shell can be controlled by the amount of silanol and the UV–vis absorption intensity of PSt/CuS composite also changed with the coating thickness of CuS.« less

Heat transport system, method and material

DOEpatents

Musinski, D.L.

1987-04-28

A heat transport system, method and composite material are disclosed in which a plurality of hollow spherical shells or microspheres having an outside diameter of less than or equal to 500 microns are encapsulated or embedded within a bulk material. Each shell has captured therein a volatile working fluid, such that each shell operates as a microsized heat pipe for conducting heat through the composite structure. 1 fig.

Two emissive-magnetic composite platforms for Hg(II) sensing and removal: The combination of magnetic core, silica molecular sieve and rhodamine chemosensors.

PubMed

Mao, Hanping; Liu, Zhongshou

2018-01-15

In this paper, a composite sensing platform for Hg(II) optical sensing and removal was designed and reported. A core-shell structure was adopted, using magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles as the core, silica molecular sieve MCM-41 as the shell, respectively. Two rhodamine derivatives were synthesized as chemosensor and covalently immobilized into MCM-41 tunnels. Corresponding composite samples were characterized with SEM/TEM images, XRD analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetry and N 2 adsorption/desorption analysis, which confirmed their core-shell structure. Their emission was increased by Hg(II), showing emission turn on effect. High selectivity, linear working curves and recyclability were obtained from these composite samples. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design and Manufacturing of Tow-Steered Composite Shells Using Fiber Placement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, K. Chauncey; Tatting, Brian F.; Smith, Brett H.; Stevens, Randy S.; Occhipiniti, Gina P.; Swift, Jonathan B.; Achary, David C.; Thornburgh, Robert P.

2009-01-01

Advanced composite shells that may offer the potential to improve the structural performance of future aircraft fuselage structures were developed under this joint NASA-industry collaborative effort. Two cylindrical shells with tailored, tow-steered layups and continuously varying fiber angle orientations were designed and built at the National Center for Advanced Manufacturing - Louisiana Partnership. The shells were fabricated from unidirectional IM7/8552 graphite-epoxy pre-preg slit tape material fiber-placed on a constant-diameter mandrel. Each shell had the same nominal 8-ply [plus or minus 45/plus or minus Theta]s layup, where the nominal fiber angle in the tow-steered plies varied continuously from 10 degrees along the crown to 45 degrees on each side, then back to 10 degrees on the keel. One shell was fabricated with all 24 tows placed during each pass of the fiber placement machine, resulting in many tow overlaps on the shell surface. The fiber placement machine's individual tow cut/restart capability was also used to manufacture a second shell with tow drops and a more uniform laminate thickness. This paper presents an overview of the detailed design and manufacturing processes for these shells, and discusses issues encountered during their fabrication and post-cure evaluation. Future plans for structural testing and analyses of the shells are also discussed.

Fabrication of bifunctional core-shell Fe3O4 particles coated with ultrathin phosphor layer

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Bifunctional monodispersed Fe3O4 particles coated with an ultrathin Y2O3:Tb3+ shell layer were fabricated using a facile urea-based homogeneous precipitation method. The obtained composite particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), quantum design vibrating sample magnetometry, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. TEM revealed uniform spherical core-shell-structured composites ranging in size from 306 to 330 nm with a shell thickness of approximately 25 nm. PL spectroscopy confirmed that the synthesized composites displayed a strong eye-visible green light emission. Magnetic measurements indicated that the composite particles obtained also exhibited strong superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Therefore, the inner Fe3O4 core and outer Y2O3:Tb3+ shell layer endow the composites with both robust magnetic properties and strong eye-visible luminescent properties. These composite materials have potential use in magnetic targeting and bioseparation, simultaneously coupled with luminescent imaging. PMID:23962025

Fabrication of bifunctional core-shell Fe3O4 particles coated with ultrathin phosphor layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atabaev, Timur Sh; Kim, Hyung-Kook; Hwang, Yoon-Hwae

2013-08-01

Bifunctional monodispersed Fe3O4 particles coated with an ultrathin Y2O3:Tb3+ shell layer were fabricated using a facile urea-based homogeneous precipitation method. The obtained composite particles were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), quantum design vibrating sample magnetometry, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. TEM revealed uniform spherical core-shell-structured composites ranging in size from 306 to 330 nm with a shell thickness of approximately 25 nm. PL spectroscopy confirmed that the synthesized composites displayed a strong eye-visible green light emission. Magnetic measurements indicated that the composite particles obtained also exhibited strong superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature. Therefore, the inner Fe3O4 core and outer Y2O3:Tb3+ shell layer endow the composites with both robust magnetic properties and strong eye-visible luminescent properties. These composite materials have potential use in magnetic targeting and bioseparation, simultaneously coupled with luminescent imaging.

Transport composite fuselage technology: Impact dynamics and acoustic transmission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, A. C.; Balena, F. J.; Labarge, W. L.; Pei, G.; Pitman, W. A.; Wittlin, G.

1986-01-01

A program was performed to develop and demonstrate the impact dynamics and acoustic transmission technology for a composite fuselage which meets the design requirements of a 1990 large transport aircraft without substantial weight and cost penalties. The program developed the analytical methodology for the prediction of acoustic transmission behavior of advanced composite stiffened shell structures. The methodology predicted that the interior noise level in a composite fuselage due to turbulent boundary layer will be less than in a comparable aluminum fuselage. The verification of these analyses will be performed by NASA Langley Research Center using a composite fuselage shell fabricated by filament winding. The program also developed analytical methodology for the prediction of the impact dynamics behavior of lower fuselage structure constructed with composite materials. Development tests were performed to demonstrate that the composite structure designed to the same operating load requirement can have at least the same energy absorption capability as aluminum structure.

Material, process, and product design of thermoplastic composite materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Heming

Thermoplastic composites made of polypropylene (PP) and E-glass fibers were investigated experimentally as well as theoretically for two new classes of product designs. The first application was for reinforcement of wood. Commingled PP/glass yarn was consolidated and bonded on wood panel using a tie layer. The processing parameters, including temperature, pressure, heating time, cooling time, bonding strength, and bending strength were tested experimentally and evaluated analytically. The thermoplastic adhesive interface was investigated with environmental scanning electron microscopy. The wood/composite structural design was optimized and evaluated using a Graphic Method. In the second application, we evaluated use of thermoplastic composites for explosion containment in an arrester. PP/glass yarn was fabricated in a sleeve form and wrapped around the arrester. After consolidation, the flexible composite sleeve forms a solid composite shell. The composite shell acts as a protection layer in a surge test to contain the fragments of the arrester. The manufacturing process for forming the composite shell was designed. Woven, knitted, and braided textile composite shells made of commingled PP/glass yarn were tested and evaluated. Mechanical performance of the woven, knitted, and braided composite shells was examined analytically. The theoretical predictions were used to verify the experimental results.

Core-Shell Structuring of Pure Metallic Aerogels towards Highly Efficient Platinum Utilization for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cai, Bin; Hübner, René; Sasaki, Kotaro

The development of core–shell structures remains a fundamental challenge for pure metallic aerogels. Here we report the synthesis of Pd xAu-Pt core–shell aerogels composed of an ultrathin Pt shell and a composition-tunable Pd xAu alloy core. The universality of this strategy ensures the extension of core compositions to Pd transition-metal alloys. The core–shell aerogels exhibited largely improved Pt utilization efficiencies for the oxygen reduction reaction and their activities show a volcano-type relationship as a function of the lattice parameter of the core substrate. The maximum mass and specific activities are 5.25 A mg Pt -1 and 2.53 mA cm -2,more » which are 18.7 and 4.1 times higher than those of Pt/C, respectively, demonstrating the superiority of the core–shell metallic aerogels. The proposed core-based activity descriptor provides a new possible strategy for the design of future core–shell electrocatalysts.« less

Facile synthesis of nanorod-assembled multi-shelled Co3O4 hollow microspheres for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yaping; Pan, Anqiang; Zhu, Qinyu; Nie, Zhiwei; Zhang, Yifang; Tang, Yan; Liang, Shuquan; Cao, Guozhong

2014-12-01

In this work, we report a novel strategy for the controlled synthesis of nanorod assembled multi-shelled cobalt oxide (Co3O4) hollow microspheres (HSs). The Co2CO3(OH)2 NRs are first vertically grown on the carbon microspheres (CS) to form the core-shelled composites by a low-temperature solution route. The multi-shelled hollow interiors within the Co3O4 microspheres are unconventionally obtained by annealing the as-prepared core-shell structured CS@Co2CO3(OH)2 composite in air. When evaluated for supercapacitive performance, the multi-shelled Co3O4 hollow microspheres exhibit high capacitance of 394.4 and 360 F g-1 at the current densities of 2 A g-1 and 10 A g-1, respectively. The superior electrochemical performance can be attributed to the multi-shelled hollow structures, which facilitate the electrolyte penetration and provide more active sites for the electrochemical reactions.

Core-Shell Structuring of Pure Metallic Aerogels towards Highly Efficient Platinum Utilization for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

DOE PAGES

Cai, Bin; Hübner, René; Sasaki, Kotaro; ...

2018-02-08

The development of core–shell structures remains a fundamental challenge for pure metallic aerogels. Here we report the synthesis of Pd xAu-Pt core–shell aerogels composed of an ultrathin Pt shell and a composition-tunable Pd xAu alloy core. The universality of this strategy ensures the extension of core compositions to Pd transition-metal alloys. The core–shell aerogels exhibited largely improved Pt utilization efficiencies for the oxygen reduction reaction and their activities show a volcano-type relationship as a function of the lattice parameter of the core substrate. The maximum mass and specific activities are 5.25 A mg Pt -1 and 2.53 mA cm -2,more » which are 18.7 and 4.1 times higher than those of Pt/C, respectively, demonstrating the superiority of the core–shell metallic aerogels. The proposed core-based activity descriptor provides a new possible strategy for the design of future core–shell electrocatalysts.« less

In situ distribution and characterization of the organic content of the oyster shell Crassostrea gigas (Mollusca, Bivalvia).

PubMed

Dauphin, Yannicke; Ball, Alexander D; Castillo-Michel, Hiram; Chevallard, Corinne; Cuif, Jean-Pierre; Farre, Bastien; Pouvreau, Stéphane; Salomé, Murielle

2013-01-01

Cultivation of commercial oysters is now facing the possible influence of global change in sea water composition, commonly referred to as "ocean acidification". In order to test the potential consequence of the predicted environmental changes, a cultivation experiment was carried out. The left and right valves of the oyster shell Crassostrea gigas differ in their structure; moreover, lenses of non compact layers are irregular. The shell layers of juvenile C. gigas are studied using a variety of highly spatially resolved techniques to establish their composition and structure. Our results confirm the presence of three different calcitic structural types. The role of the lenses of chalky layers is not yet deciplered. Despite a common mineralogy, the elemental composition of the layers differs. The sulphur aminoacids and sulphated polysaccharide contents of the intracrystalline and intercrystalline matrices differ, as well as those of the structural types. The possible different sensitivity of these structures to environmental changes is still unknown. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic Stiffness Modeling of Composite Plate and Shell Assemblies

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-12-09

FA8655-10-1-3084 Report 6 Dynamic Stiffness Modelling of Plate and Shell Assemblies 4 Introduction Aerospace structures are generally made up of thin ...Sound and Vibration, 294(1- 2):131–161, 2006. [23] Y. F. Xing and B. Liu. New exact solutions for free vibrations of thin orthotropic rectangular plates ...Structures, 89(5–6):467–475, 2011. [80] A.Y.T. Leung. Dynamic stiffness analysis of laminated composite plates . Thin - Walled Structures, 25:109–133, 1996

The sustained-release behavior and in vitro and in vivo transfection of pEGFP-loaded core-shell-structured chitosan-based composite particles

PubMed Central

Wang, Yun; Lin, Fu-xing; Zhao, Yu; Wang, Mo-zhen; Ge, Xue-wu; Gong, Zheng-xing; Bao, Dan-dan; Gu, Yu-fang

2014-01-01

Novel submicron core-shell-structured chitosan-based composite particles encapsulated with enhanced green fluorescent protein plasmids (pEGFP) were prepared by complex coacervation method. The core was pEGFP-loaded thiolated N-alkylated chitosan (TACS) and the shell was pH- and temperature-responsive hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC). pEGFP-loaded TACS-HBC composite particles were spherical, and had a mean diameter of approximately 120 nm, as measured by transmission electron microscopy and particle size analyzer. pEGFP showed sustained release in vitro for >15 days. Furthermore, in vitro transfection in human embryonic kidney 293T and human cervix epithelial cells, and in vivo transfection in mice skeletal muscle of loaded pEGFP, were investigated. Results showed that the expression of loaded pEGFP, both in vitro and in vivo, was slow but could be sustained over a long period. pEGFP expression in mice skeletal muscle was sustained for >60 days. This work indicates that these submicron core-shell-structured chitosan-based composite particles could potentially be used as a gene vector for in vivo controlled gene transfection. PMID:25364253

The sustained-release behavior and in vitro and in vivo transfection of pEGFP-loaded core-shell-structured chitosan-based composite particles.

PubMed

Wang, Yun; Lin, Fu-xing; Zhao, Yu; Wang, Mo-zhen; Ge, Xue-wu; Gong, Zheng-xing; Bao, Dan-dan; Gu, Yu-fang

2014-01-01

Novel submicron core-shell-structured chitosan-based composite particles encapsulated with enhanced green fluorescent protein plasmids (pEGFP) were prepared by complex coacervation method. The core was pEGFP-loaded thiolated N-alkylated chitosan (TACS) and the shell was pH- and temperature-responsive hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC). pEGFP-loaded TACS-HBC composite particles were spherical, and had a mean diameter of approximately 120 nm, as measured by transmission electron microscopy and particle size analyzer. pEGFP showed sustained release in vitro for >15 days. Furthermore, in vitro transfection in human embryonic kidney 293T and human cervix epithelial cells, and in vivo transfection in mice skeletal muscle of loaded pEGFP, were investigated. Results showed that the expression of loaded pEGFP, both in vitro and in vivo, was slow but could be sustained over a long period. pEGFP expression in mice skeletal muscle was sustained for >60 days. This work indicates that these submicron core-shell-structured chitosan-based composite particles could potentially be used as a gene vector for in vivo controlled gene transfection.

Study on the Mechanical Properties of Bionic Coupling Layered B4C/5083Al Composite Materials

PubMed Central

Zhao, Qian; Liang, Yunhong; Liu, Qingping; Zhang, Zhihui; Yu, Zhenglei; Ren, Luquan

2018-01-01

Based on microstructure characteristics of Meretrix lusoria shell and Rapana venosa shell, bionic coupling layered B4C/5083Al composites with different layered structures and hard/soft combination models were fabricated via hot pressed sintering. The simplified bionic coupling models with hard and soft layers were similar to layered structure and hardness tendency of shells, guiding the bionic design and fabrication. B4C/5083Al composites with various B4C contents and pure 5083Al were treated as hard and soft layers, respectively. Hot pressed sintering maintained the designed bionic structure and enhanced high bonding strength between ceramics and matrix. Compared with B4C/5083Al composites, bionic layered composites exhibited high mechanical properties including flexural strength, fracture toughness, compressive strength and impact toughness. The hard layers absorbed applied loads in the form of intergranular fracture. Besides connection role, soft layers restrained slabbing phenomenon and reset extension direction of cracks among layers. The coupling functions of bionic composites proved the feasibility and practicability of bionic fabrication, providing a new method for improvement of ceramic/Al composite with properties of being lightweight and high mechanical strength. PMID:29701707

Characterization of core–shell MOF particles by depth profiling experiments using on-line single particle mass spectrometry

DOE PAGES

Cahill, J. F.; Fei, H.; Cohen, S. M.; ...

2015-01-05

Materials with core-shell structures have distinct properties that lend themselves to a variety of potential applications. Characterization of small particle core-shell materials presents a unique analytical challenge. Herein, single particles of solid-state materials with core-shell structures were measured using on-line aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS). Laser 'depth profiling' experiments verified the core-shell nature of two known core-shell particle configurations (< 2 mu m diameter) that possessed inverted, complimentary core-shell compositions (ZrO2@SiO2 versus SiO2@ZrO2). The average peak area ratios of Si and Zr ions were calculated to definitively show their core-shell composition. These ratio curves acted as a calibrant for anmore » uncharacterized sample - a metal-organic framework (MOF) material surround by silica (UiO-66(Zr)@SiO2; UiO = University of Oslo). ATOFMS depth profiling was used to show that these particles did indeed exhibit a core-shell architecture. The results presented here show that ATOFMS can provide unique insights into core-shell solid-state materials with particle diameters between 0.2-3 mu m.« less

Microstructure and mechanical properties of a hot-extruded Al-based composite reinforced with core-shell-structured Ti/Al3Ti

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Li; Wu, Bao-lin; Liu, Yu-lin

2017-12-01

An Al-based composite reinforced with core-shell-structured Ti/Al3Ti was fabricated through a powder metallurgy route followed by hot extrusion and was found to exhibit promising mechanical properties. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the composite sintered at 620°C for 5 h and extruded at a mass ratio of 12.75:1 reached 304 MPa and 14%, respectively, and its compressive deformation reached 60%. The promising mechanical properties are due to the core-shell-structured reinforcement, which is mainly composed of Al3Ti and Ti and is bonded strongly with the Al matrix, and to the reduced crack sensitivity of Al3Ti. The refined grains after hot extrusion also contribute to the mechanical properties of this composite. The mechanical properties might be further improved through regulating the relative thickness of Al-Ti intermetallics and Ti metal layers by adjusting the sintering time and the subsequent extrusion process.

Synthesis, characterization and nitrite ion sensing performance of reclaimable composite samples through a core-shell structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Xiao; Yuqing, Zhao; Cui, Jiantao; Zheng, Qian; Bo, Wang

2018-02-01

The following paper reported and discussed a nitrite ion optical sensing platform based on a core-shell structure, using superamagnetic nanoparticles as the core, a silica molecular sieve MCM-41 as the shell and two rhodamine derivatives as probe, respectively. This superamagnetic core made this sensing platform reclaimable after finishing nitrite ion sensing procedure. This sensing platform was carefully characterized by means of electron microscopy images, porous structure analysis, magnetic response, IR spectra and thermal stability analysis. Detailed analysis suggested that the emission of these composite samples was quenchable by nitrite ion, showing emission turn off effect. A static sensing mechanism based on an additive reaction between chemosensors and nitrite ion was proposed. These composite samples followed Demas quenching equation against different nitrite ion concentrations. Limit of detection value was obtained as low as 0.4 μM. It was found that, after being quenched by nitrite ion, these composite samples could be reclaimed and recovered by sulphamic acid, confirming their recyclability.

Core-Shell Composite Fibers for High-Performance Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes.

PubMed

Lu, Xiaoyan; Shen, Chen; Zhang, Zeyang; Barrios, Elizabeth; Zhai, Lei

2018-01-31

Core-shell nanofibers containing poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and manganese oxide nanoparticles as the core and polypyrrole (PPy) as the shell were fabricated through electrospinning the solution of PAA and manganese ions (PAA/Mn 2+ ). The obtained nanofibers were stabilized by Fe 3+ through the interaction between Fe 3+ ions and carboxylate groups. Subsequent oxidation of Mn 2+ by KMnO 4 produced uniform manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) nanoparticles in the fibers. A PPy shell was created on the fibers by immersing the fibers in a pyrrole solution where the Fe 3+ ions in the fiber polymerized the pyrrole on the fiber surfaces. In the MnO 2 @PAA/PPy core-shell composite fibers, MnO 2 nanoparticles function as high-capacity materials, while the PPy shell prevents the loss of MnO 2 during the charge/discharge process. Such a unique structure makes the composite fibers efficient electrode materials for supercapacitors. The gravimetric specific capacity of the MnO 2 @PAA/PPy core-shell composite fibers was 564 F/g based on cyclic voltammetry curves at 10 mV/s and 580 F/g based on galvanostatic charge/discharge studies at 5 A/g. The MnO 2 @PAA/PPy core-shell composite fibers also present stable cycling performance with 100% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles.

Shell thickness-dependent microwave absorption of core-shell Fe3O4@C composites.

PubMed

Du, Yunchen; Liu, Wenwen; Qiang, Rong; Wang, Ying; Han, Xijiang; Ma, Jun; Xu, Ping

2014-08-13

Core-shell composites, Fe3O4@C, with 500 nm Fe3O4 microspheres as cores have been successfully prepared through in situ polymerization of phenolic resin on the Fe3O4 surface and subsequent high-temperature carbonization. The thickness of carbon shell, from 20 to 70 nm, can be well controlled by modulating the weight ratio of resorcinol and Fe3O4 microspheres. Carbothermic reduction has not been triggered at present conditions, thus the crystalline phase and magnetic property of Fe3O4 micropsheres can be well preserved during the carbonization process. Although carbon shells display amorphous nature, Raman spectra reveal that the presence of Fe3O4 micropsheres can promote their graphitization degree to a certain extent. Coating Fe3O4 microspheres with carbon shells will not only increase the complex permittivity but also improve characteristic impedance, leading to multiple relaxation processes in these composites, thus the microwave absorption properties of these composites are greatly enhanced. Very interestingly, a critical thickness of carbon shells leads to an unusual dielectric behavior of the core-shell structure, which endows these composites with strong reflection loss, especially in the high frequency range. By considering good chemical homogeneity and microwave absorption, we believe the as-fabricated Fe3O4@C composites can be promising candidates as highly effective microwave absorbers.

Optimization of wall thickness and lay-up for the shell-like composite structure loaded by non-uniform pressure field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevtsov, S.; Zhilyaev, I.; Oganesyan, P.; Axenov, V.

2017-01-01

The glass/carbon fiber composites are widely used in the design of various aircraft and rotorcraft components such as fairings and cowlings, which have predominantly a shell-like geometry and are made of quasi-isotropic laminates. The main requirements to such the composite parts are the specified mechanical stiffness to withstand the non-uniform air pressure at the different flight conditions and reduce a level of noise caused by the airflow-induced vibrations at the constrained weight of the part. The main objective of present study is the optimization of wall thickness and lay-up of composite shell-like cowling. The present approach assumes conversion of the CAD model of the cowling surface to finite element (FE) representation, then its wind tunnel testing simulation at the different orientation of airflow to find the most stressed mode of flight. Numerical solutions of the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations supplemented by k-w turbulence model provide the spatial distributions of air pressure applied to the shell surface. At the formulation of optimization problem the global strain energy calculated within the optimized shell was assumed as the objective. A wall thickness of the shell had to change over its surface to minimize the objective at the constrained weight. We used a parameterization of the problem that assumes an initiation of auxiliary sphere with varied radius and coordinates of the center, which were the design variables. Curve that formed by the intersection of the shell with sphere defined boundary of area, which should be reinforced by local thickening the shell wall. To eliminate a local stress concentration this increment was defined as the smooth function defined on the shell surface. As a result of structural optimization we obtained the thickness of shell's wall distribution, which then was used to design the draping and lay-up of composite prepreg layers. The global strain energy in the optimized cowling was reduced in2.5 times at the weight growth up to 15%, whereas the eigenfrequencies at the 6 first natural vibration modes have been increased by 5-15%. The present approach and developed programming tools that demonstrated a good efficiency and stability at the acceptable computational costs can be used to optimize a wide range of shell-like structures made of quasi-isotropic laminates.

Effect of Hybrid Talc-Basalt Fillers in the Shell Layer on Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Co-Extruded Wood Plastic Composites

PubMed Central

Huang, Runzhou; Mei, Changtong; Xu, Xinwu; Kärki, Timo; Lee, Sunyoung; Wu, Qinglin

2015-01-01

Hybrid basalt fiber (BF) and Talc filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and co-extruded wood-plastic composites (WPCs) with different BF/Talc/HDPE composition levels in the shell were prepared and their mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were characterized. Incorporating BFs into the HDPE-Talc composite substantially enhanced the thermal expansion property, flexural, tensile and dynamic modulus without causing a significant decrease in the tensile and impact strength of the composites. Strain energy estimation suggested positive and better interfacial interactions of HDPE with BFs than that with talc. The co-extruded structure design improved the mechanical properties of WPC due to the protective shell layer. The composite flexural and impact strength properties increased, and the thermal expansion decreased as BF content increased in the hybrid BF/Talc filled shells. The cone calorimetry data demonstrated that flame resistance of co-extruded WPCs was improved with the use of combined fillers in the shell layer, especially with increased loading of BFs. The combined shell filler system with BFs and Talc could offer a balance between cost and performance for co-extruded WPCs. PMID:28793726

Effect of Hybrid Talc-Basalt Fillers in the Shell Layer on Thermal and Mechanical Performance of Co-Extruded Wood Plastic Composites.

PubMed

Huang, Runzhou; Mei, Changtong; Xu, Xinwu; Kärki, Timo; Lee, Sunyoung; Wu, Qinglin

2015-12-08

Hybrid basalt fiber (BF) and Talc filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) and co-extruded wood-plastic composites (WPCs) with different BF/Talc/HDPE composition levels in the shell were prepared and their mechanical, morphological and thermal properties were characterized. Incorporating BFs into the HDPE-Talc composite substantially enhanced the thermal expansion property, flexural, tensile and dynamic modulus without causing a significant decrease in the tensile and impact strength of the composites. Strain energy estimation suggested positive and better interfacial interactions of HDPE with BFs than that with talc. The co-extruded structure design improved the mechanical properties of WPC due to the protective shell layer. The composite flexural and impact strength properties increased, and the thermal expansion decreased as BF content increased in the hybrid BF/Talc filled shells. The cone calorimetry data demonstrated that flame resistance of co-extruded WPCs was improved with the use of combined fillers in the shell layer, especially with increased loading of BFs. The combined shell filler system with BFs and Talc could offer a balance between cost and performance for co-extruded WPCs.

Synthesis of parallel and antiparallel core-shell triangular nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharjee, Gourab; Satpati, Biswarup

2018-04-01

Core-shell triangular nanoparticles were synthesized by seed mediated growth. Using triangular gold (Au) nanoparticle as template, we have grown silver (Ag) shellto get core-shell nanoparticle. Here by changing the chemistry we have grown two types of core-shell structures where core and shell is having same symmetry and also having opposite symmetry. Both core and core-shell nanoparticles were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to know the crystal structure and composition of these synthesized core-shell nanoparticles. From diffraction pattern analysis and energy filtered TEM (EFTEM) we have confirmed the crystal facet in core is responsible for such two dimensional growth of core-shell nanostructures.

Reduction of the Radiating Sound of a Submerged Finite Cylindrical Shell Structure by Active Vibration Control

PubMed Central

Kim, Heung Soo; Sohn, Jung Woo; Jeon, Juncheol; Choi, Seung-Bok

2013-01-01

In this work, active vibration control of an underwater cylindrical shell structure was investigated, to suppress structural vibration and structure-borne noise in water. Finite element modeling of the submerged cylindrical shell structure was developed, and experimentally evaluated. Modal reduction was conducted to obtain the reduced system equation for the active feedback control algorithm. Three Macro Fiber Composites (MFCs) were used as actuators and sensors. One MFC was used as an exciter. The optimum control algorithm was designed based on the reduced system equations. The active control performance was then evaluated using the lab scale underwater cylindrical shell structure. Structural vibration and structure-borne noise of the underwater cylindrical shell structure were reduced significantly by activating the optimal controller associated with the MFC actuators. The results provide that active vibration control of the underwater structure is a useful means to reduce structure-borne noise in water. PMID:23389344

Reduction of the radiating sound of a submerged finite cylindrical shell structure by active vibration control.

PubMed

Kim, Heung Soo; Sohn, Jung Woo; Jeon, Juncheol; Choi, Seung-Bok

2013-02-06

In this work, active vibration control of an underwater cylindrical shell structure was investigated, to suppress structural vibration and structure-borne noise in water. Finite element modeling of the submerged cylindrical shell structure was developed, and experimentally evaluated. Modal reduction was conducted to obtain the reduced system equation for the active feedback control algorithm. Three Macro Fiber Composites (MFCs) were used as actuators and sensors. One MFC was used as an exciter. The optimum control algorithm was designed based on the reduced system equations. The active control performance was then evaluated using the lab scale underwater cylindrical shell structure. Structural vibration and structure-borne noise of the underwater cylindrical shell structure were reduced significantly by activating the optimal controller associated with the MFC actuators. The results provide that active vibration control of the underwater structure is a useful means to reduce structure-borne noise in water.

Structural and electronic properties of CdSe/ZnS and ZnS/CdSe core/shell nanowires via first principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rehman, Shafiq Ur; Li, H. M.; Ding, Z. J.

2018-05-01

First principles calculations have been performed to predict the structural stability and electronic structures of hydrogen passivated wurtzite CdSe/ZnS and ZnS/CdSe core/shell nanowires (CSNWs) in the [0001] direction. The calculated binding energy shows that ZnS/CdSe CSNWs are more stable than CdSe/ZnS CSNWs and the stability of ZnS/CdSe CSNWs increases with increasing the thickness of ZnS shell. The modulated electronic band gap demonstrates an increase when the size of both CSNWs is reduced, as a result of the quantum confinement effect. The core-to-shell chemical composition of atoms shows that a strong composition effect also exists in these CSNWs, which in turn affects their electronic properties. Our simulated results show that the photoemission spectra of the CSNWs can be significantly improved by tuning the energy gap of CSNWs.

Enhanced exchange bias and improved ferromagnetic properties in Permalloy-BiFe0.95Co0.05O3 core-shell nanostructures.

PubMed

Javed, K; Li, W J; Ali, S S; Shi, D W; Khan, U; Riaz, S; Han, X F

2015-12-14

Hybrid core-shell nanostructures consisting of permalloy (Ni80Fe20) and multiferroic(BiFeO3, BFO/BiFe0.95Co0.05O3, BFC) materials were synthesized by a two-step method, based on wet chemical impregnation and subsequent electrodeposition within porous alumina membranes. Structural and magnetic characterizations have been done to investigate doping effect on magnetic properties and exchange bias. The magnetometry analysis revealed significant enhancements of the exchange bias and coercivity in NiFe-BFC core-shell nanostructures as compared with NiFe-BFO core-shell nanostructures. The enhancements can be attributed to the effective reduction of ferromagnet domain sizes between adjacent layers of core-shell structure. It indicates that it is possible to improve properties of multiferroic composites by site-engineering method. Our approach opens a pathway to obtain optimized nanostructured multiferroic composites exhibiting tunable magnetic properties.

Enhanced exchange bias and improved ferromagnetic properties in Permalloy–BiFe0.95Co0.05O3 core–shell nanostructures

PubMed Central

Javed, K.; Li, W. J.; Ali, S. S.; Shi, D. W.; Khan, U.; Riaz, S.; Han, X. F.

2015-01-01

Hybrid core–shell nanostructures consisting of permalloy (Ni80Fe20) and multiferroic(BiFeO3, BFO/BiFe0.95Co0.05O3, BFC) materials were synthesized by a two-step method, based on wet chemical impregnation and subsequent electrodeposition within porous alumina membranes. Structural and magnetic characterizations have been done to investigate doping effect on magnetic properties and exchange bias. The magnetometry analysis revealed significant enhancements of the exchange bias and coercivity in NiFe-BFC core-shell nanostructures as compared with NiFe-BFO core-shell nanostructures. The enhancements can be attributed to the effective reduction of ferromagnet domain sizes between adjacent layers of core-shell structure. It indicates that it is possible to improve properties of multiferroic composites by site-engineering method. Our approach opens a pathway to obtain optimized nanostructured multiferroic composites exhibiting tunable magnetic properties. PMID:26658956

Facile fabrication and characterization of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)@polypyrrole/nano-silver composite membranes with conducting and antibacterial property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Zhiquan; Zhou, Hui; Qing, Xutang; Dai, Tingyang; Lu, Yun

2012-06-01

Porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membranes play an important role in air purification and separation engineering. To achieve the bi-functionality of conducting and antibacterial property, two kinds of poly(tetrafluoroethylene)@ polypyrrole/nano-silver composite membranes have been prepared. One involves hydrophobic polypyrrole/nano-silver composite with hollow capsule nanostructures immobilized on the surface of the PTFE membranes. The other is a type of composite membranes with polypyrrole/nano-silver composite wholly packed on the fibrils of the expand PTFE membrane to form core/shell coaxial cable structures. The structure and morphology of the two kinds of composite membranes have been characterized by FTIR, UV-vis, XRD, TGA and SEM measurements. Possible formation mechanisms of the hollow capsules and the core/shell nanocable structures have been discussed in detail. The antibacterial effects of composite membranes are also briefly investigated.

Composite Materials for Maxillofacial Prostheses.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-08-01

projected composite systems are elastomeric-shelled, liquid-filled * microcapsules . Experiments continued on the interfacial polymerization process with...filled microcapsules . Experiments continued on the interfacial polymerization process, with spherical, sealed, capsules achieved. Needs identified are...consists of liquid-filled, elastomeric-shelled microcapsules held together to form a deformable mass; this is to simulate the semi-liquid cellular structure

Progressive Fracture of Fiber Composite Thin Shell Structures Under Internal Pressure and Axial Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gotsis, Pascal K.; Chamis, Christos C.; Minnetyan, Levon

1996-01-01

Graphite/epoxy composite thin shell structures were simulated to investigate damage and fracture progression due to internal pressure and axial loading. Defective and defect-free structures (thin cylinders) were examined. The three different laminates examined had fiber orientations of (90/0/+/-0)(sub s), where 0 is 45, 60, and 75 deg. CODSTRAN, an integrated computer code that scales up constituent level properties to the structural level and accounts for all possible failure modes, was used to simulate composite degradation under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to fracture were included in the simulation. Burst pressures for defective and defect-free shells were compared to evaluate damage tolerance. The results showed that damage initiation began with matrix failure whereas damage and/or fracture progression occurred as a result of additional matrix failure and fiber fracture. In both thin cylinder cases examined (defective and defect-free), the optimum layup configuration was (90/0/+/-60)(sub s) because it had the best damage tolerance with respect to the burst pressure.

Nonlinear probabilistic finite element models of laminated composite shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Engelstad, S. P.; Reddy, J. N.

1993-01-01

A probabilistic finite element analysis procedure for laminated composite shells has been developed. A total Lagrangian finite element formulation, employing a degenerated 3-D laminated composite shell with the full Green-Lagrange strains and first-order shear deformable kinematics, forms the modeling foundation. The first-order second-moment technique for probabilistic finite element analysis of random fields is employed and results are presented in the form of mean and variance of the structural response. The effects of material nonlinearity are included through the use of a rate-independent anisotropic plasticity formulation with the macroscopic point of view. Both ply-level and micromechanics-level random variables can be selected, the latter by means of the Aboudi micromechanics model. A number of sample problems are solved to verify the accuracy of the procedures developed and to quantify the variability of certain material type/structure combinations. Experimental data is compared in many cases, and the Monte Carlo simulation method is used to check the probabilistic results. In general, the procedure is quite effective in modeling the mean and variance response of the linear and nonlinear behavior of laminated composite shells.

Bandgap Engineering of InP QDs Through Shell Thickness and Composition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dennis, Allison M.; Mangum, Benjamin D.; Piryatinski, Andrei

2012-06-21

Fields as diverse as biological imaging and telecommunications utilize the unique photophysical and electronic properties of nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs). The development of new NQD compositions promises material properties optimized for specific applications, while addressing material toxicity. Indium phosphide (InP) offers a 'green' alternative to the traditional cadmium-based NQDs, but suffers from extreme susceptibility to oxidation. Coating InP cores with more stable shell materials significantly improves nanocrystal resistance to oxidation and photostability. We have investigated several new InP-based core-shell compositions, correlating our results with theoretical predictions of their optical and electronic properties. Specifically, we can tailor the InP core-shell QDsmore » to a type-I, quasi-type-II, or type-II bandgap structure with emission wavelengths ranging from 500-1300 nm depending on the shell material used (ZnS, ZnSe, CdS, or CdSe) and the thickness of the shell. Single molecule microscopy assessments of photobleaching and blinking are used to correlate NQD properties with shell thickness.« less

A comparative study of a (0-3) connectivity type composite and core-shell structure of CoFe2O4 - BaTiO3 based on microstructure and magnetic property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Avisek; Gorige, Venkataiah

2018-04-01

In this work CoFe2O4 (CFO)-BaTiO3 (BTO) composite and core-shell CFO-BTO have been prepared to investigate the effect of microstructure on the magnetic properties. Detailed microstructure analysis has been carried out using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. Although uniform distribution of CFO is found in BTO matrix for the composite sample, magnetization and coercivity values are more enhanced in core-shell CFO-BTO.

Fe-N co-doped SiO2@TiO2 yolk-shell hollow nanospheres with enhanced visible light photocatalytic degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Hengcheng; Yao, Weitang; Zhu, Wenkun; Tang, Yi; Ge, Huilin; Shi, Xiaozhong; Duan, Tao

2018-06-01

SiO2@TiO2 yolk@shell hollow nanospheres (STNSs) is considered as an outstanding photocatalyst due to its tunable structure and composition. Based on this point, we present an unprecedentedly excellent photocatalytic property of STNSs toward tannic acid via a Fe-N co-doped strategy. Their morphologies, compositions, structure and properties are characterized. The Fe-N co-doped STNSs formed good hollow yolk@shell structure. The results show that the energy gap of the composites can be downgraded to 2.82 eV (pure TiO2 = 3.2 eV). Photocatalytic degradation of tannic acid (TA, 30 mg L-1) under visible light (380 nm < λ < 780 nm) irradiation is used to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of the composites. Compared with pure TiO2 nanospheres, non-doped STNSs and N-doped STNSs, the Fe-N co-doped STNSs exhibits the highest activity, which can degrade 99.5% TA into CO2 and H2O in 80 min. The probable degradation mechanism of the composites is simultaneously proposed, the band gap of STNSs becomes narrow by co-doping Fe-N, so that the TiO2 shell can stimulate electrons under visible light exposure, generate the ions of radOH and radO2- with a strong oxidizing property. Therefore this approach works is much desired for radioactive organic wastewater photocatalytic degradation.

Multifunctional Composite Nanofibers for Smart Structures

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-10-13

low cost. It is coated onto the surface of CNF to use as a supercapacitor cathode. The high porosity and surface area of nanofiber composite...SiNP fusion, pulverization, and capacity loss can be minimized during electrochemical cycling. Carbon is also ductile in absorbing the mechanical...b) Figure 2 Core-shell CNF/Si composite with a thin layer of carbon shell coating on SiNP (a) and the capacity of both

Degradation of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures during lithiation and delithiation at 0.8 and 20 A g-1.

PubMed

Kim, Dongheun; Li, Nan; Sheehan, Chris J; Yoo, Jinkyoung

2018-04-26

Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures have been expected to provide high energy and power densities for lithium ion battery anodes due to the large capacity of Si and the high electrical and ionic conductivities of Ge. Although the battery anode performances of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures have been characterized, the degradation of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we report the compositional and structural changes of the Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructure over cycling of lithiation and delithiation at different charging rates. The Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructure holds the core and shell structure at a charging rate of 0.8 A g-1 up to 50 cycles. On the other hand, compositional intermixing and loss of Si occur at a charging rate of 20 A g-1 within 50 cycles. The operation condition-dependent degradation provides a new aspect of materials research for the development of high performance lithium ion battery anodes with a long cycle life.

Core-Shell Structuring of Pure Metallic Aerogels towards Highly Efficient Platinum Utilization for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

PubMed

Cai, Bin; Hübner, René; Sasaki, Kotaro; Zhang, Yuanzhe; Su, Dong; Ziegler, Christoph; Vukmirovic, Miomir B; Rellinghaus, Bernd; Adzic, Radoslav R; Eychmüller, Alexander

2018-03-05

The development of core-shell structures remains a fundamental challenge for pure metallic aerogels. Here we report the synthesis of Pd x Au-Pt core-shell aerogels composed of an ultrathin Pt shell and a composition-tunable Pd x Au alloy core. The universality of this strategy ensures the extension of core compositions to Pd transition-metal alloys. The core-shell aerogels exhibited largely improved Pt utilization efficiencies for the oxygen reduction reaction and their activities show a volcano-type relationship as a function of the lattice parameter of the core substrate. The maximum mass and specific activities are 5.25 A mg Pt -1 and 2.53 mA cm -2 , which are 18.7 and 4.1 times higher than those of Pt/C, respectively, demonstrating the superiority of the core-shell metallic aerogels. The proposed core-based activity descriptor provides a new possible strategy for the design of future core-shell electrocatalysts. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Efficient tungsten oxide/bismuth oxyiodide core/shell photoanode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Haipeng; Zhang, Jing; Liu, Zhifeng

2017-11-01

The novel WO3 nanorods (NRs)/BiOI core/shell structure composite is used as an efficient photoanode applied in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for the first time. It is synthesized via facile hydrothermal method and, successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) process. This facile synthesis route can achieve uniform WO3/BiOI core/shell composite nanostructures and obtain varied BiOI morphologies simultaneously. The WO3 NRs/BiOI-20 composite exhibits enhanced PEC activity compared to pristine WO3 with a photocurrent density of 0.79 mA cm-2 measured at 0.8 V vs. RHE under AM 1.5G. This excellent performance benefits from the broader absorption spectrum and suppressed electron-hole recombination. This novel core/shell composite may provide insight in developing more efficient solar driven photoelectrodes.

A high-performance ternary Si composite anode material with crystal graphite core and amorphous carbon shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sui, Dong; Xie, Yuqing; Zhao, Weimin; Zhang, Hongtao; Zhou, Ying; Qin, Xiting; Ma, Yanfeng; Yang, Yong; Chen, Yongsheng

2018-04-01

Si is a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries, but suffers from sophisticated engineering structures and complex fabrication processes that pose challenges for commercial application. Herein, a ternary Si/graphite/pyrolytic carbon (SiGC) anode material with a structure of crystal core and amorphous shell using low-cost raw materials is developed. In this ternary SiGC composite, Si component exists as nanoparticles and is spread on the surface of the core graphite flakes while the sucrose-derived pyrolytic carbon further covers the graphite/Si components as the amorphous shell. With this structure, Si together with the graphite contributes to the high specific capacity of this Si ternary material. Also the graphite serves as the supporting and conducting matrix and the amorphous shell carbon could accommodate the volume change effect of Si, reinforces the integrity of the composite architecture, and prevents the graphite and Si from direct exposing to the electrolyte. The optimized ternary SiGC composite displays high reversible specific capacity of 818 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1, initial Coulombic efficiency (CE) over 80%, and excellent cycling stability at 0.5 A g-1 with 83.6% capacity retention (∼610 mAh g-1) after 300 cycles.

Experimental Approach on the Behavior of Composite Laminated Shell under Transverse Impact Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Y. N.; Im, K. H.; Lee, K. S.; Cho, Y. J.; Kim, S. H.; Yang, I. Y.

2005-04-01

Composites are to be considered for many structural applications structural weight. These materials have high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. However, they are susceptible to impact loading because they are laminar systems with weak interfaces. Matrix cracking and delamination are the most common damage mechanisms of low velocity impact and are dependent on each other. This paper is to study the behavior of composite shell under transverse impact loading. In this study, carbon-epoxy composite laminates with various curvatures was used. Low velocity impact tests were performed using a drop weight testing machine. The 100mm×100mm shells were clamped in order to produce a central circular area (φ=80mm). An hemispherical impactor (m=0.1kg and φ=10mm) was used and the tests were done with velocities ranging from 2.8 to 4.8 m/s. The real curve force/time was registered in order to obtain the maximum contact force and contact time. And then, we know that contact force and delamination area of flat-plate is higher than cylindrical shell panel in the same kinetic energy level, and flat-plate is easily penetrated than cylindrical shell panel. And contact force, deflection and delamination area decrease as the curvature increase.

Implementation of Fiber Optic Sensing System on Sandwich Composite Cylinder Buckling Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pena, Francisco; Richards, W. Lance; Parker, Allen R.; Piazza, Anthony; Schultz, Marc R.; Rudd, Michelle T.; Gardner, Nathaniel W.; Hilburger, Mark W.

2018-01-01

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Engineering and Safety Center Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project is a multicenter project tasked with developing new analysis-based shell buckling design guidelines and design factors (i.e., knockdown factors) through high-fidelity buckling simulations and advanced test technologies. To validate these new buckling knockdown factors for future launch vehicles, the Shell Buckling Knockdown Factor Project is carrying out structural testing on a series of large-scale metallic and composite cylindrical shells at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama). A fiber optic sensor system was used to measure strain on a large-scale sandwich composite cylinder that was tested under multiple axial compressive loads up to more than 850,000 lb, and equivalent bending loads over 22 million in-lb. During the structural testing of the composite cylinder, strain data were collected from optical cables containing distributed fiber Bragg gratings using a custom fiber optic sensor system interrogator developed at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center. A total of 16 fiber-optic strands, each containing nearly 1,000 fiber Bragg gratings, measuring strain, were installed on the inner and outer cylinder surfaces to monitor the test article global structural response through high-density real-time and post test strain measurements. The distributed sensing system provided evidence of local epoxy failure at the attachment-ring-to-barrel interface that would not have been detected with conventional instrumentation. Results from the fiber optic sensor system were used to further refine and validate structural models for buckling of the large-scale composite structures. This paper discusses the techniques employed for real-time structural monitoring of the composite cylinder for structural load introduction and distributed bending-strain measurements over a large section of the cylinder by utilizing unique sensing capabilities of fiber optic sensors.

Mathematical modeling of shell configurations made of homogeneous and composite materials experiencing intensive short actions and large displacements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairnasov, K. Z.

2018-04-01

The paper presents a mathematical model for solving the problem of behavior of shell configurations under the action of static and dynamic impacts. The problem is solved in geometrically nonlinear statement with regard to the finite element method. The composite structures with different material layers are considered. The obtained equations are used to study the behavior of shell configurations under the action of dynamic loads. The results agree well with the experimental data.

Ni@Ru and NiCo@Ru Core-Shell Hexagonal Nanosandwiches with a Compositionally Tunable Core and a Regioselectively Grown Shell.

PubMed

Hwang, Hyeyoun; Kwon, Taehyun; Kim, Ho Young; Park, Jongsik; Oh, Aram; Kim, Byeongyoon; Baik, Hionsuck; Joo, Sang Hoon; Lee, Kwangyeol

2018-01-01

The development of highly active electrocatalysts is crucial for the advancement of renewable energy conversion devices. The design of core-shell nanoparticle catalysts represents a promising approach to boost catalytic activity as well as save the use of expensive precious metals. Here, a simple, one-step synthetic route is reported to prepare hexagonal nanosandwich-shaped Ni@Ru core-shell nanoparticles (Ni@Ru HNS), in which Ru shell layers are overgrown in a regioselective manner on the top and bottom, and around the center section of a hexagonal Ni nanoplate core. Notably, the synthesis can be extended to NiCo@Ru core-shell nanoparticles with tunable core compositions (Ni 3 Co x @Ru HNS). Core-shell HNS structures show superior electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to a commercial RuO 2 black catalyst, with their OER activity being dependent on their core compositions. The observed trend in OER activity is correlated to the population of Ru oxide (Ru 4+ ) species, which can be modulated by the core compositions. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Understanding the Thermal Stability of Palladium–Platinum Core–Shell Nanocrystals by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and Density Functional Theory

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vara, Madeline; Roling, Luke T.; Wang, Xue

Core–shell nanocrystals offer many advantages for heterogeneous catalysis, including precise control over both the surface structure and composition, as well as reduction in loading for rare and costly metals. Although many catalytic processes are operated at elevated temperatures, the adverse impacts of heating on the shape and structure of core–shell nanocrystals are yet to be understood. In this work, we used ex situ heating experiments to demonstrate that Pd@Pt 4L core–shell nanoscale cubes and octahedra are promising for catalytic applications at temperatures up to 400 °C. We also used in situ transmission electron microscopy to monitor the thermal stability ofmore » the core–shell nanocrystals in real time. Our results demonstrate a facet dependence for the thermal stability in terms of shape and composition. Specifically, the cubes enclosed by {100} facets readily deform shape at a temperature 300 °C lower than that of the octahedral counterparts enclosed by {111} facets. A reversed trend is observed for composition, as alloying between the Pd core and the Pt shell of an octahedron occurs at a temperature 200 °C lower than that for the cubic counterpart. Density functional theory calculations provide atomic-level explanations for the experimentally observed behaviors, demonstrating that the barriers for edge reconstruction determine the relative ease of shape deformation for cubes compared to octahedra. Furthermore, the opposite trend for alloying of the core–shell structure can be attributed to a higher propensity for subsurface Pt vacancy formation in octahedra than in cubes.« less

Understanding the Thermal Stability of Palladium–Platinum Core–Shell Nanocrystals by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and Density Functional Theory

DOE PAGES

Vara, Madeline; Roling, Luke T.; Wang, Xue; ...

2017-05-09

Core–shell nanocrystals offer many advantages for heterogeneous catalysis, including precise control over both the surface structure and composition, as well as reduction in loading for rare and costly metals. Although many catalytic processes are operated at elevated temperatures, the adverse impacts of heating on the shape and structure of core–shell nanocrystals are yet to be understood. In this work, we used ex situ heating experiments to demonstrate that Pd@Pt 4L core–shell nanoscale cubes and octahedra are promising for catalytic applications at temperatures up to 400 °C. We also used in situ transmission electron microscopy to monitor the thermal stability ofmore » the core–shell nanocrystals in real time. Our results demonstrate a facet dependence for the thermal stability in terms of shape and composition. Specifically, the cubes enclosed by {100} facets readily deform shape at a temperature 300 °C lower than that of the octahedral counterparts enclosed by {111} facets. A reversed trend is observed for composition, as alloying between the Pd core and the Pt shell of an octahedron occurs at a temperature 200 °C lower than that for the cubic counterpart. Density functional theory calculations provide atomic-level explanations for the experimentally observed behaviors, demonstrating that the barriers for edge reconstruction determine the relative ease of shape deformation for cubes compared to octahedra. Furthermore, the opposite trend for alloying of the core–shell structure can be attributed to a higher propensity for subsurface Pt vacancy formation in octahedra than in cubes.« less

Understanding the Thermal Stability of Palladium-Platinum Core-Shell Nanocrystals by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and Density Functional Theory.

PubMed

Vara, Madeline; Roling, Luke T; Wang, Xue; Elnabawy, Ahmed O; Hood, Zachary D; Chi, Miaofang; Mavrikakis, Manos; Xia, Younan

2017-05-23

Core-shell nanocrystals offer many advantages for heterogeneous catalysis, including precise control over both the surface structure and composition, as well as reduction in loading for rare and costly metals. Although many catalytic processes are operated at elevated temperatures, the adverse impacts of heating on the shape and structure of core-shell nanocrystals are yet to be understood. In this work, we used ex situ heating experiments to demonstrate that Pd@Pt 4L core-shell nanoscale cubes and octahedra are promising for catalytic applications at temperatures up to 400 °C. We also used in situ transmission electron microscopy to monitor the thermal stability of the core-shell nanocrystals in real time. Our results demonstrate a facet dependence for the thermal stability in terms of shape and composition. Specifically, the cubes enclosed by {100} facets readily deform shape at a temperature 300 °C lower than that of the octahedral counterparts enclosed by {111} facets. A reversed trend is observed for composition, as alloying between the Pd core and the Pt shell of an octahedron occurs at a temperature 200 °C lower than that for the cubic counterpart. Density functional theory calculations provide atomic-level explanations for the experimentally observed behaviors, demonstrating that the barriers for edge reconstruction determine the relative ease of shape deformation for cubes compared to octahedra. The opposite trend for alloying of the core-shell structure can be attributed to a higher propensity for subsurface Pt vacancy formation in octahedra than in cubes.

PbSe-Based Colloidal Core/Shell Heterostructures for Optoelectronic Applications

PubMed Central

Zaiats, Gary; Yanover, Diana; Vaxenburg, Roman; Tilchin, Jenya; Sashchiuk, Aldona; Lifshitz, Efrat

2014-01-01

Lead-based (IV–VI) colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are of widespread scientific and technological interest owing to their size-tunable band-gap energy in the near-infrared optical region. This article reviews the synthesis of PbSe-based heterostructures and their structural and optical investigations at various temperatures. The review focuses on the structures consisting of a PbSe core coated with a PbSexS1–x (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) or CdSe shell. The former-type shells were epitaxially grown on the PbSe core, while the latter-type shells were synthesized using partial cation-exchange. The influence of the QD composition and the ambient conditions, i.e., exposure to oxygen, on the QD optical properties, such as radiative lifetime, Stokes shift, and other temperature-dependent characteristics, was investigated. The study revealed unique properties of core/shell heterostructures of various compositions, which offer the opportunity of fine-tuning the QD electronic structure by changing their architecture. A theoretical model of the QD electronic band structure was developed and correlated with the results of the optical studies. The review also outlines the challenges related to potential applications of colloidal PbSe-based heterostructures. PMID:28788244

Structural Acoustic Physics Based Modeling of Curved Composite Shells

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-09-19

Results show that the finite element computational models accurately match analytical calculations, and that the composite material studied in this...products. 15. SUBJECT TERMS Finite Element Analysis, Structural Acoustics, Fiber-Reinforced Composites, Physics-Based Modeling 16. SECURITY...2 4 FINITE ELEMENT MODEL DESCRIPTION

Hierarchical Mesoporous Organosilica-Silica Core-Shell Nanoparticles Capable of Controlled Fungicide Release.

PubMed

Luo, Leilei; Liang, Yucang; Erichsen, Egil Severin; Anwander, Reiner

2018-05-17

A new class of hierarchically structured mesoporous silica core-shell nanoparticles (HSMSCSNs) with a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO) core and a mesoporous silica (MS) shell is reported. The applied one-pot, two-step strategy allows rational control over the core/shell chemical composition, topology, and pore/particle size, simply by adjusting the reaction conditions in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as structure-directing agent under basic conditions. The spherical, ethylene- or methylene-bridged PMO cores feature hexagonal (p6mm) or cage-like cubic symmetry (Pm3‾ n) depending on the organosilica precursor. The hexagonal MS shell was obtained by n-hexane-induced controlled hydrolysis of TEOS followed by directional co-assembly/condensation of silicate/CTAB composites at the PMO cores. The HSMSCSNs feature a hierarchical pore structure with pore diameters of about 2.7 and 5.6 nm in the core and shell domains, respectively. The core sizes and shell thicknesses are adjustable in the ranges of 90-275 and 15-50 nm, respectively, and the surface areas (max. 1300 m 2  g -1 ) and pore volumes (max. 1.83 cm 3  g -1 ) are among the highest reported for core-shell nanoparticles. The adsorption and controlled release of the fungicide propiconazole by the HSMSCSNs showed a three-stage release profile. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Fabrication, structure, and properties of Fe3O4@C encapsulated with YVO4:Eu3+ composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Jianhui; Tong, Lizhu; Liu, Deming; Yang, Hua

2012-03-01

The use of carbon shells offers many advantages in surface coating or surface modification due to their surface with activated carboxyl and carbonyl groups. In this study, the Fe3O4@C@YVO4:Eu3+ composites were prepared through a simple sol-gel process. Reactive carbon interlayer was introduced as a key component, which separates lanthanide-based luminescent component from the magnetite, more importantly, it effectively prevent oxidation of the Fe3O4 core during the whole preparation process. The morphology, structure, magnetic, and luminescent properties of the composites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectra, VSM, and photoluminescent spectrophotometer. As a result, the Fe3O4@C/YVO4:Eu3+ composites with well-crystallized and core-shell structure were prepared and the YVO4:Eu3+ luminescent layer decorating the Fe3O4@C core-shell microspheres are about 10 nm. In addition, the Fe3O4@C@YVO4:Eu3+ composites have the excellent magnetic and luminescent properties, which allow them great potential for bioapplications such as magnetic bioseparation, magnetic resonance imaging, and drug/gene delivery.

Microstructure of In x Ga1-x N nanorods grown by molecular beam epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Webster, R. F.; Soundararajah, Q. Y.; Griffiths, I. J.; Cherns, D.; Novikov, S. V.; Foxon, C. T.

2015-11-01

Transmission electron microscopy is used to examine the structure and composition of In x Ga1-x N nanorods grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The results confirm a core-shell structure with an In-rich core and In-poor shell resulting from axial and lateral growth sectors respectively. Atomic resolution mapping by energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis and high angle annular dark field imaging show that both the core and the shell are decomposed into Ga-rich and In-rich platelets parallel to their respective growth surfaces. It is argued that platelet formation occurs at the surfaces, through the lateral expansion of surface steps. Studies of nanorods with graded composition show that decomposition ceases for x ≥ 0.8 and the ratio of growth rates, shell:core, decreases with increasing In concentration.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence properties of core-shell ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)•L

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Yang-Yang; Li, Wen-Xian; Zheng, Yu-Shan; Bao, Jin-Rong; Li, Yi-Lian; Feng, Li-Na; Yang, Kui-Suo; Qiao, Yan; Wu, An-Ping

2018-03-01

Two novel core-shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)·L(L:dipy/phen) nanometre luminescence materials were prepared by ternary terbium complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L2·(ClO4)3·2H2O shell grafted onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres. And corresponding ternary terbium complexes were synthesized using (CONH(CH2)3Si(OCH2CH3)3)2 (denoted as MABA-Si) as first ligand and L as second ligand coordinated with terbium perchlorate. The as-synthesized products were characterized by means of IR spectra, 1HNMR, element analysis, molar conductivity, SEM and TEM. It was found that the first ligand MABA-Si of terbium ternary complex hydrolysed to generate the Si-OH and the Si-OH condensate with the Si-OH on the surface of SiO2 microspheres; then ligand MABA-Si grafted onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres. The diameter of SiO2 core of SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)·L was approximately 600 nm. Interestingly, the luminescence properties demonstrate that the two core-shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)Tb(MABA-Si)·L(dipy/phen) exhibit strong emission intensities, which are 2.49 and 3.35 times higher than that of the corresponding complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L2·(ClO4)3·2H2O, respectively. Luminescence decay curves show that core-shell structure ternary terbium composites have longer lifetime. Excellent luminescence properties enable the core-shell materials to have potential applications in medicine, industry, luminescent fibres and various biomaterials fields.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence properties of core-shell ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)•L.

PubMed

Ma, Yang-Yang; Li, Wen-Xian; Zheng, Yu-Shan; Bao, Jin-Rong; Li, Yi-Lian; Feng, Li-Na; Yang, Kui-Suo; Qiao, Yan; Wu, An-Ping

2018-03-01

Two novel core-shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO 2(600) @Tb(MABA-Si)·L(L:dipy/phen) nanometre luminescence materials were prepared by ternary terbium complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L 2 ·(ClO 4 ) 3 ·2H 2 O shell grafted onto the surface of SiO 2 microspheres. And corresponding ternary terbium complexes were synthesized using (CONH(CH 2 ) 3 Si(OCH 2 CH 3 ) 3 ) 2 (denoted as MABA-Si) as first ligand and L as second ligand coordinated with terbium perchlorate. The as-synthesized products were characterized by means of IR spectra, 1 HNMR, element analysis, molar conductivity, SEM and TEM. It was found that the first ligand MABA-Si of terbium ternary complex hydrolysed to generate the Si-OH and the Si-OH condensate with the Si-OH on the surface of SiO 2 microspheres; then ligand MABA-Si grafted onto the surface of SiO 2 microspheres. The diameter of SiO 2 core of SiO 2(600) @Tb(MABA-Si)·L was approximately 600 nm. Interestingly, the luminescence properties demonstrate that the two core-shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO 2(600) Tb(MABA-Si)·L(dipy/phen) exhibit strong emission intensities, which are 2.49 and 3.35 times higher than that of the corresponding complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L 2 ·(ClO 4 ) 3 ·2H 2 O, respectively. Luminescence decay curves show that core-shell structure ternary terbium composites have longer lifetime. Excellent luminescence properties enable the core-shell materials to have potential applications in medicine, industry, luminescent fibres and various biomaterials fields.

Preparation, characterization and luminescence properties of core–shell ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)•L

PubMed Central

Ma, Yang-Yang; Zheng, Yu-Shan; Bao, Jin-Rong; Li, Yi-Lian; Feng, Li-Na; Yang, Kui-Suo; Qiao, Yan; Wu, An-Ping

2018-01-01

Two novel core–shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)·L(L:dipy/phen) nanometre luminescence materials were prepared by ternary terbium complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L2·(ClO4)3·2H2O shell grafted onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres. And corresponding ternary terbium complexes were synthesized using (CONH(CH2)3Si(OCH2CH3)3)2 (denoted as MABA-Si) as first ligand and L as second ligand coordinated with terbium perchlorate. The as-synthesized products were characterized by means of IR spectra, 1HNMR, element analysis, molar conductivity, SEM and TEM. It was found that the first ligand MABA-Si of terbium ternary complex hydrolysed to generate the Si–OH and the Si–OH condensate with the Si–OH on the surface of SiO2 microspheres; then ligand MABA-Si grafted onto the surface of SiO2 microspheres. The diameter of SiO2 core of SiO2(600)@Tb(MABA-Si)·L was approximately 600 nm. Interestingly, the luminescence properties demonstrate that the two core–shell structure ternary terbium composites SiO2(600)Tb(MABA-Si)·L(dipy/phen) exhibit strong emission intensities, which are 2.49 and 3.35 times higher than that of the corresponding complexes Tb(MABA-Si)·L2·(ClO4)3·2H2O, respectively. Luminescence decay curves show that core–shell structure ternary terbium composites have longer lifetime. Excellent luminescence properties enable the core–shell materials to have potential applications in medicine, industry, luminescent fibres and various biomaterials fields. PMID:29657773

Toughening mechanisms in laminated composites: A biomimetic study in mollusk shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamat, Shekhar Shripad

2000-10-01

Mollusk shells can be described as structural biocomposite materials composed of a mineral (aragonite) and a continuous, albeit minor, organic (protein) component. The conch shell, Strombus Gigas, has intermediate strength and high fracture toughness. The high fracture toughness is a result of enhanced energy dissipation during crack propagation due to delamination, crack bridging, frictional sliding etc. A theoretical and experimental study was conducted on the crack bridging mechanisms operative in the shell. Four-point bend tests were conducted. Acoustic emission and post-mortem dye penetrants were used to characterize the crack propagation, together with conventional fractography. A two layer composite configuration is seen in the shells, with the tough and weak layers having a toughness ratio of ˜4 (Ktough = 2.2MPam1/2). This toughness ratio is a requisite for multiple cracking in the weak layer. A theoretical shear lag analysis of the crack bridging phenomena in the tough layer is shown to lead to a bridging law for the crack wake of the form of p = betau1/2 (p is the bridging traction for a crack opening u, with beta, being a constant of proportionality). Finite element analysis yielded a value of beta = 630 Nmm-5/2 and ucritical = 5 mum for the bridging law parameters. In a nonlinear fracture mechanics phenomenology, these values are relevant material parameters, rather than a critical stress intensity factor. The work of fracture for unnotched specimens is three orders of magnitude higher than mineral aragonite, and is demonstrated numerically incorporating the toughening mechanisms in the shell. Similar structural adaptations have been observed and studied in the red abalone shell, haliotis rufescens and the spines of the sea urchin, Heterocentrotus trigonarius. The toughening mechanisms seen in these shells give insight into structural design needs of brittle matrix composites (BMC) as well as conventional structural ceramics.

Improvement of Progressive Damage Model to Predicting Crashworthy Composite Corrugated Plate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Yiru; Jiang, Hongyong; Ji, Wenyuan; Zhang, Hanyu; Xiang, Jinwu; Yuan, Fuh-Gwo

2018-02-01

To predict the crashworthy composite corrugated plate, different single and stacked shell models are evaluated and compared, and a stacked shell progressive damage model combined with continuum damage mechanics is proposed and investigated. To simulate and predict the failure behavior, both of the intra- and inter- laminar failure behavior are considered. The tiebreak contact method, 1D spot weld element and cohesive element are adopted in stacked shell model, and a surface-based cohesive behavior is used to capture delamination in the proposed model. The impact load and failure behavior of purposed and conventional progressive damage models are demonstrated. Results show that the single shell could simulate the impact load curve without the delamination simulation ability. The general stacked shell model could simulate the interlaminar failure behavior. The improved stacked shell model with continuum damage mechanics and cohesive element not only agree well with the impact load, but also capture the fiber, matrix debonding, and interlaminar failure of composite structure.

Soft template synthesis of yolk/silica shell particles.

PubMed

Wu, Xue-Jun; Xu, Dongsheng

2010-04-06

Yolk/shell particles possess a unique structure that is composed of hollow shells that encapsulate other particles but with an interstitial space between them. These structures are different from core/shell particles in that the core particles are freely movable in the shell. Yolk/shell particles combine the properties of each component, and can find potential applications in catalysis, lithium ion batteries, and biosensors. In this Research News article, a soft-template-assisted method for the preparation of yolk/silica shell particles is presented. The demonstrated method is simple and general, and can produce hollow silica spheres incorporated with different particles independent of their diameters, geometry, and composition. Furthermore, yolk/mesoporous silica shell particles and multishelled particles are also prepared through optimization of the experimental conditions. Finally, potential applications of these particles are discussed.

Variational finite-difference methods in linear and nonlinear problems of the deformation of metallic and composite shells (review)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maksimyuk, V. A.; Storozhuk, E. A.; Chernyshenko, I. S.

2012-11-01

Variational finite-difference methods of solving linear and nonlinear problems for thin and nonthin shells (plates) made of homogeneous isotropic (metallic) and orthotropic (composite) materials are analyzed and their classification principles and structure are discussed. Scalar and vector variational finite-difference methods that implement the Kirchhoff-Love hypotheses analytically or algorithmically using Lagrange multipliers are outlined. The Timoshenko hypotheses are implemented in a traditional way, i.e., analytically. The stress-strain state of metallic and composite shells of complex geometry is analyzed numerically. The numerical results are presented in the form of graphs and tables and used to assess the efficiency of using the variational finite-difference methods to solve linear and nonlinear problems of the statics of shells (plates)

Understanding to Hierarchical Microstructures of Crab (Chinese hairy) Shell as a Natural Architecture

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chuanqiang, Zhou; Xiangxiang, Gong; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou

This work was done to better understand the microstructures, composition and mechanical properties of Chinese hairy crab shell. For fully revealing its hierarchical microstructure, the crab shell was observed with electron microscope under different magnifications from different facets. XRD, EDS, FTIR and TGA techniques have been used to characterize the untreated and chemically-treated crab shells, which provided enough information to determine the species and relative content of components in this biomaterial. Combined the microstructures with constituents analysis, the structural principles of crab shell was detailedly realized from different structural levels beyond former reports. To explore the relationship between structure andmore » function, the mechanical properties of shell have been measured through performing tensile tests. The contributions of organics and minerals in shell to the mechanical properties were also discussed by measuring the tensile strength of de-calcification samples treated with HCl solution.« less

Ultrasonic approach to the synthesis of HMX@TATB core-shell microparticles with improved mechanical sensitivity.

PubMed

Huang, Bing; Hao, Xiaofei; Zhang, Haobin; Yang, Zhijian; Ma, Zhigang; Li, Hongzhen; Nie, Fude; Huang, Hui

2014-07-01

To improve the safety of sensitive explosive HMX while maintaining explosion performance, a moderately powerful but insensitive explosive TATB was used to coat HMX microparticles via a facile ultrasonic method. By using Estane as surface modifier and nano-sized TATB as the shell layer, the HMX@TATB core-shell microparticles with a monodisperse size and compact shell structure were successfully constructed. Both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the formation of perfect core-shell structured composites. Based on a systematic and comparative study of the effect of experimental conditions, a possible formation mechanism of core-shell structure was proposed in detail. Moreover, the perfect core-shell HMX@TATB microparticles exhibited a unique thermal behavior and significantly improved mechanical sensitivity compared with that of the physical mixture. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Buckling and Damage Resistance of Transversely-Loaded Composite Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wardle, Brian L.

1998-01-01

Experimental and numerical work was conducted to better understand composite shell response to transverse loadings which simulate damage-causing impact events. The quasi-static, centered, transverse loading response of laminated graphite/epoxy shells in a [+/-45(sub n)/O(sub n)](sub s) layup having geometric characteristics of a commercial fuselage are studied. The singly-curved composite shell structures are hinged along the straight circumferential edges and are either free or simply supported along the curved axial edges. Key components of the shell response are response instabilities due to limit-point and/or bifurcation buckling. Experimentally, deflection-controlled shell response is characterized via load-deflection data, deformation-shape evolutions, and the resulting damage state. Finite element models are used to study the kinematically nonlinear shell response, including bifurcation, limit-points, and postbuckling. A novel technique is developed for evaluating bifurcation from nonlinear prebuckling states utilizing asymmetric spatial discretization to introduce numerical perturbations. Advantages of the asymmetric meshing technique (AMT) over traditional techniques include efficiency, robustness, ease of application, and solution of the actual (not modified) problems. The AMT is validated by comparison to traditional numerical analysis of a benchmark problem and verified by comparison to experimental data. Applying the technique, bifurcation in a benchmark shell-buckling problem is correctly identified. Excellent agreement between the numerical and experimental results are obtained for a number of composite shells although predictive capability decreases for stiffer (thicker) specimens which is attributed to compliance of the test fixture. Restraining the axial edge (simple support) has the effect of creating a more complex response which involves unstable bifurcation, limit-point buckling, and dynamic collapse. Such shells were noted to bifurcate into asymmetric deformation modes but were undamaged during testing. Shells in this study which were damaged were not observed to bifurcate. Thus, a direct link between bifurcation and atypical damage could not be established although the mechanism (bifurcation) was identified. Recommendations for further work in these related areas are provided and include extensions of the AMT to other shell geometries and structural problems.

Optimal design of geodesically stiffened composite cylindrical shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gendron, G.; Guerdal, Z.

1992-01-01

An optimization system based on the finite element code Computations Structural Mechanics (CSM) Testbed and the optimization program, Automated Design Synthesis (ADS), is described. The optimization system can be used to obtain minimum-weight designs of composite stiffened structures. Ply thickness, ply orientations, and stiffener heights can be used as design variables. Buckling, displacement, and material failure constraints can be imposed on the design. The system is used to conduct a design study of geodesically stiffened shells. For comparison purposes, optimal designs of unstiffened shells and shells stiffened by rings and stingers are also obtained. Trends in the design of geodesically stiffened shells are identified. An approach to include local stress concentrations during the design optimization process is then presented. The method is based on a global/local analysis technique. It employs spline interpolation functions to determine displacements and rotations from a global model which are used as 'boundary conditions' for the local model. The organization of the strategy in the context of an optimization process is described. The method is validated with an example.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of sulfur/polyacrylonitrile composite by carbon coating for lithium/sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Huifen; Wang, Xiaoran; Zhao, Yan; Tan, Taizhe; Mentbayeva, Almagul; Bakenov, Zhumabay; Zhang, Yongguang

2017-10-01

A carbon-coated sulfur/polyacrylonitrile (C@S/PAN) core-shell structured composite is successfully prepared via a novel solution processing method. The sulfur/polyacrylonitrile (S/PAN) core particle has a diameter of 100 nm, whereas the carbon shell is about 2 nm thick. The as-prepared C@S/PAN composite shows outstanding electrochemical performance in lithium/sulfur (Li/S) batteries delivering a high initial discharge capacity of 1416 mAh g-1. Furthermore, it exhibits 89% retention of the initial reversible capacity over 200 cycles at a constant current rate of 0.1 C. The improved performance contributed by the unique composition and the core-shell structure, wherein carbon matrix can also withstand the volume change of sulfur during the process of charging and discharging as well as provide channels for electron transport. In addition, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix suppresses the shuttle effect by the covalent bonding between sulfur (S) and carbon (C) in the PAN matrix. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Dynamic Probabilistic Instability of Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos C.

2009-01-01

A computationally effective method is described to evaluate the non-deterministic dynamic instability (probabilistic dynamic buckling) of thin composite shells. The method is a judicious combination of available computer codes for finite element, composite mechanics and probabilistic structural analysis. The solution method is incrementally updated Lagrangian. It is illustrated by applying it to thin composite cylindrical shell subjected to dynamic loads. Both deterministic and probabilistic buckling loads are evaluated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. A universal plot is obtained for the specific shell that can be used to approximate buckling loads for different load rates and different probability levels. Results from this plot show that the faster the rate, the higher the buckling load and the shorter the time. The lower the probability, the lower is the buckling load for a specific time. Probabilistic sensitivity results show that the ply thickness, the fiber volume ratio and the fiber longitudinal modulus, dynamic load and loading rate are the dominant uncertainties in that order.

Highly stable multi-wall carbon nanotubes@poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrene sulfonate) core-shell composites with three-dimensional porous nano-network for electrochemical capacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Haihan; Han, Gaoyi; Chang, Yunzhen; Fu, Dongying; Xiao, Yaoming

2015-01-01

A facile and feasible electrochemical polymerization method has been used to construct the multi-wall carbon nanotubes@poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly(styrene sulfonate) (MWCNTs@PEDOT/PSS) core-shell composites with three-dimensional (3D) porous nano-network microstructure. The composites are characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy. This special core-shell nanostructure can significantly reduce the ions diffusion distance and the 3D porous nano-network microstructure effectively enlarges the electrode/electrolyte interface. The electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests are performed, the results manifest the MWCNTs@PEDOT/PSS core-shell composites have superior capacitive behaviors and excellent cyclic stability, and a high areal capacitance of 98.1 mF cm-2 is achieved at 5 mV s-1 cyclic voltammetry scan. Furthermore, the MWCNTs@PEDOT/PSS composites exhibit obviously superior capacitive performance than that of PEDOT/PSS and PEDOT/Cl electrodes, indicating the effective composite of MWCNTs and PEDOT noticeably boosts the capacitive performance of PEDOT-based electrodes for electrochemical energy storage. Such a highly stable core-shell 3D network structural composite is very promising to be used as electrode materials for the high-performance electrochemical capacitors.

Variational asymptotic modeling of composite dimensionally reducible structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Wenbin

A general framework to construct accurate reduced models for composite dimensionally reducible structures (beams, plates and shells) was formulated based on two theoretical foundations: decomposition of the rotation tensor and the variational asymptotic method. Two engineering software systems, Variational Asymptotic Beam Sectional Analysis (VABS, new version) and Variational Asymptotic Plate and Shell Analysis (VAPAS), were developed. Several restrictions found in previous work on beam modeling were removed in the present effort. A general formulation of Timoshenko-like cross-sectional analysis was developed, through which the shear center coordinates and a consistent Vlasov model can be obtained. Recovery relations are given to recover the asymptotic approximations for the three-dimensional field variables. A new version of VABS has been developed, which is a much improved program in comparison to the old one. Numerous examples are given for validation. A Reissner-like model being as asymptotically correct as possible was obtained for composite plates and shells. After formulating the three-dimensional elasticity problem in intrinsic form, the variational asymptotic method was used to systematically reduce the dimensionality of the problem by taking advantage of the smallness of the thickness. The through-the-thickness analysis is solved by a one-dimensional finite element method to provide the stiffnesses as input for the two-dimensional nonlinear plate or shell analysis as well as recovery relations to approximately express the three-dimensional results. The known fact that there exists more than one theory that is asymptotically correct to a given order is adopted to cast the refined energy into a Reissner-like form. A two-dimensional nonlinear shell theory consistent with the present modeling process was developed. The engineering computer code VAPAS was developed and inserted into DYMORE to provide an efficient and accurate analysis of composite plates and shells. Numerical results are compared with the exact solutions, and the excellent agreement proves that one can use VAPAS to analyze composite plates and shells efficiently and accurately. In conclusion, rigorous modeling approaches were developed for composite beams, plates and shells within a general framework. No such consistent and general treatment is found in the literature. The associated computer programs VABS and VAPAS are envisioned to have many applications in industry.

Research advances in polymer emulsion based on "core-shell" structure particle design.

PubMed

Ma, Jian-zhong; Liu, Yi-hong; Bao, Yan; Liu, Jun-li; Zhang, Jing

2013-09-01

In recent years, quite many studies on polymer emulsions with unique core-shell structure have emerged at the frontier between material chemistry and many other fields because of their singular morphology, properties and wide range of potential applications. Organic substance as a coating material onto either inorganic or organic internal core materials promises an unparalleled opportunity for enhancement of final functions through rational designs. This contribution provides a brief overview of recent progress in the synthesis, characterization, and applications of both inorganic-organic and organic-organic polymer emulsions with core-shell structure. In addition, future research trends in polymer composites with core-shell structure are also discussed in this review. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rhythmic patterns in ancient shells: Can we reconstruct sub-annual cyclicity in trace element and stable isotope profiles from rudist bivalves?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Winter, N.; Sinnesael, M.; Vansteenberge, S.; Goderis, S.; Snoeck, C.; Van Malderen, S. J. M.; Vanhaecke, F. F.; Claeys, P.

2017-12-01

Well-preserved shells of Torreites rudists from the Late Campanian Saiwan Formation in Oman exhibit fine internal layering. These fine (±20 µm) laminae are rhythmically bundled (±400 µm) and subdivide the shells' larger scale annual lamination (±15 mm), suggesting the presence of several interfering cycles in shell growth rate. The aim of the present study is to determine the duration and chemical signature of these rhythmic variations in shell composition. To achieve this, a range of micro-analytical techniques is applied on cross sections through the shells. Firstly, microscopy-based layer counting and colorimetric analysis are carried out on thin sections of shell calcite. Secondly, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) mapping of cross sections of the shells reveal chemical and structural differences between laminae in 2D. Thirdly, high-resolution XRF (25 µm) and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS; 10 µm) trace element profiles are used to quantify variations in chemical composition between shell laminae. Fourthly, annual chronology is established based on micro-sampled stable carbon and oxygen stable isotope measurements (250 µm) along the growth axis of the shells. Finally, spectral analysis routines are applied to extract rhythmic patterns matched to the shell laminae from the structural, chemical and colorimetric data. Combining these methods allows for a full evaluation of the structural and chemical characteristics as well as the timing of sub-annual lamination in rudist shells. The results of this study shed light on the external factors that influenced growth rates in rudist bivalves. A better understanding of the timing of deposition of these laminae allows them to be used to improve age models of geochemical records in rudist shells. Characterization of small scale variations in shell composition will characterize the uncertainties contained within lower resolution proxy records from these fossil bivalves. Finally, the study of these laminae enables the reconstruction of sub-annual cyclicity in the environment of Late Cretaceous rudist bivalves. This may in turn shed light on the mechanics of climate in this shallow marine hothouse setting, which provide an analogue of future climate in the light of anthropogenic climate change.

Design and Analysis of Tow-Steered Composite Shells Using Fiber Placement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, K. Chauncey

2008-01-01

In this study, a sub-scale advanced composite shell design is evaluated to determine its potential for use on a future aircraft fuselage. Two composite shells with the same nominal 8-ply [+/-45/+/-Theta](sub s) layup are evaluated, where Theta indicates a tow-steered ply. To build this shell, a fiber placement machine would be used to steer unidirectional prepreg tows as they are placed around the circumference of a 17-inch diameter right circular cylinder. The fiber orientation angle varies continuously from 10 degrees (with respect to the shell axis of revolution) at the crown, to 45 degrees on the side, and back to 10 degrees on the keel. All 24 tows are placed at each point on every fiber path in one structure designated as the shell with overlaps. The resulting pattern of tow overlaps causes the laminate thickness to vary between 8 and 16 plies. The second shell without tow overlaps uses the capability of the fiber placement machine to cut and add tows at any point along the fiber paths to fabricate a shell with a nearly uniform 8-ply laminate thickness. Issues encountered during the design and analysis of these shells are presented and discussed. Static stiffness and buckling loads of shells with tow-steered layups are compared with the performance of a baseline quasi-isotropic shell using both finite element analyses and classical strength of materials theory.

Long-period seismology on Europa: 1. Physically consistent interior models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cammarano, F.; Lekic, V.; Manga, M.; Panning, M.; Romanowicz, B.

2006-12-01

In order to examine the potential of seismology to determine the interior structure and properties of Europa, it is essential to calculate seismic velocities and attenuation for the range of plausible interiors. We calculate a range of models for the physical structure of Europa, as constrained by the satellite's composition, mass, and moment of inertia. We assume a water-ice shell, a pyrolitic or a chondritic mantle, and a core composed of pure iron or iron plus 20 weight percent of sulfur. We consider two extreme mantle thermal states: hot and cold. Given a temperature and composition, we determine density, seismic velocities, and attenuation using thermodynamical models. While anelastic effects will be negligible in a cold mantle and the brittle part of the ice shell, strong dispersion and dissipation are expected in a hot convective mantle and the bulk of the ice shell. There is a strong relationship between different thermal structures and compositions. The ``hot'' mantle may maintain temperatures consistent with a liquid core made of iron plus light elements. For the ``cold scenarios,'' the possibility of a solid iron core cannot be excluded, and it may even be favored. The depths of the ocean and core-mantle boundary are determined with high precision, 10 km and 40 km, respectively, once we assume a composition and thermal structure. Furthermore, the depth of the ocean is relatively insensitive (4 km) to the core composition used.

Core/shell structure NiCo2O4@MnCo2O4 nanofibers fabricated by different temperatures for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qing; Qin, Xuefeng; Jiang, Pengcheng; Dai, Jianfeng; Li, Weixue; Gao, Haoran

2018-03-01

Core/shell structure NiCo2O4@MnCo2O4 nanofibers (NiCo2O4@MnCo2O4 NFs) were prepared by a facile co-electrospinning method and heat treatment. The composites annealed at 500 °C have a complete, continuously obvious core/shell structure, and clear interface of composites with good morphology, while annealed at 600 °C were stacked on each other and were unable to sustain three-dimensional network structures and 700 °C calcination have completely lost one-dimensional structure. The core NiCo2O4 is about 70 nm in diameter and the MnCo2O4 shell behaves a thickness about 60 nm. When investigated as an electrode material for supercapacitors, the NiCo2O4@MnCo2O4 NFs annealed at 500 °C exihibited the specific capacitance of 463 F g-1 (0.926 F cm-2) at 1 A g-1, higher than that annealed at 600 °C 362 F g-1, 1 A g-1 (0.724 F cm-2, 1 A g-1) and 700 °C 283 F g-1, 1 A g-1 (0.566 F cm-2, 1 A g-1). These results suggest that core/shell NiCo2O4@MnCo2O4 NFs annealed at 500 °C have formed a good morphology with continuously complete core/shell structure which lead to good properties would be potential electrodes for supercapacitors.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Lidong; Zhou, Lu; Ould-Chikh, Samy

Surface composition and structure are of vital importance for heterogeneous catalysts, especially for bimetallic catalysts, which often vary as a function of reaction conditions (known as surface segregation). The preparation of bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure is very challenging. In this study, we synthesize a series of Ni/Pt bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure using a method derived from surface organometallic chemistry. The evolution of the surface composition and structure of the obtained bimetallic catalysts under simulated reaction conditions is investigated by various techniques, which include CO-probe IR spectroscopy, high-angle annular dark-field scanningmore » transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis, XRD, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the structure of the bimetallic catalyst is evolved from Pt monolayer island-modified Ni nanoparticles to core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles composed of a Ni-rich core and a Ni/Pt alloy shell upon thermal treatment. As a result, these catalysts are active for the dry reforming of methane, and their catalytic activities, stabilities, and carbon formation vary with their surface composition and structure.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Lidong; Zhou, Lu; Ould-Chikh, Samy

The surface composition and structure are of vital importance for heterogeneous catalysts, especially for bimetallic catalysts, which often vary as a function of reaction conditions (known as surface segregation). The preparation of bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure is very challenging. In this study, we synthesize a series of Ni/Pt bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure using a method derived from surface organometallic chemistry. Moreover, the evolution of the surface composition and structure of the obtained bimetallic catalysts under simulated reaction conditions is investigated by various techniques, which include CO-probe IR spectroscopy, high-angle annularmore » dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis, XRD, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the structure of the bimetallic catalyst is evolved from Pt monolayer island-modified Ni nanoparticles to core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles composed of a Ni-rich core and a Ni/Pt alloy shell upon thermal treatment. The catalysts are active for the dry reforming of methane, and their catalytic activities, stabilities, and carbon formation vary with their surface composition and structure.« less

Core-shell SrTiO3/graphene structure by chemical vapor deposition for enhanced photocatalytic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Chenye; Bu, Xiuming; Yang, Siwei; He, Peng; Ding, Guqiao; Xie, Xiaoming

2018-04-01

Direct growth of high quality graphene on the surface of SrTiO3 (STO) was realized through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), to construct few-layer 'graphene shell' on every STO nanoparticle. The STO/graphene composite shows significantly enhanced UV light photocatalytic activity compared with the STO/rGO reference. Mechanism analysis confirms the role of special core-shell structure and chemical bond (Tisbnd C) for rapid interfacial electron transfer and effective electron-hole separation.

Process to make core-shell structured nanoparticles

DOEpatents

Luhrs, Claudia; Phillips, Jonathan; Richard, Monique N

2014-01-07

Disclosed is a process for making a composite material that contains core-shell structured nanoparticles. The process includes providing a precursor in the form of a powder a liquid and/or a vapor of a liquid that contains a core material and a shell material, and suspending the precursor in an aerosol gas to produce an aerosol containing the precursor. In addition, the process includes providing a plasma that has a hot zone and passing the aerosol through the hot zone of the plasma. As the aerosol passes through the hot zone of the plasma, at least part of the core material and at least part of the shell material in the aerosol is vaporized. Vapor that contains the core material and the shell material that has been vaporized is removed from the hot zone of the plasma and allowed to condense into core-shell structured nanoparticles.

Novel highly ordered core–shell nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Dey, Sonal; Hossain, Mohammad D.; Mayanovic, Robert A.

2016-10-26

Core–shell nanoparticles have potential for a wide range of applications due to the tunability of their magnetic, catalytic, electronic, optical, and other physicochemical properties. A frequent drawback in the design of core–shell nanoparticles and nanocrystals is the lack of control over an extensive, disordered, and compositionally distinct interface that occurs due to the dissimilarity of structural and compositional phases of the core and shell. In this work, we demonstrate a new hydrothermal nanophase epitaxy (HNE) technique to synthesize highly structurally ordered α-Cr 2O 3@α-Co 0.38Cr 1.62O 2.92 inverted core–shell nanoparticles (CSNs) with evidence for the nanoscale growth of corundum structuremore » beginning from the core and extending completely into the shell of the CSNs with minimal defects at the interface. The high-resolution TEM results show a sharp interface exhibiting epitaxial atomic registry of shell atoms over highly ordered core atoms. The XPS and Co K-edge XANES analyses indicate the +2 oxidation state of cobalt is incorporated in the shell of the CSNs. Our XPS and EXAFS results are consistent with oxygen vacancy formation in order to maintain charge neutrality upon substitution of the Co 2+ ion for the Cr 3+ ion in the α-Co 0.38Cr 1.62O 2.92 shell. Furthermore, the CSNs exhibit the magnetic exchange bias effect, which is attributed to the exchange anisotropy at the interface made possible by the nanophase epitaxial growth of the α-Co 0.38Cr 1.62O 2.92 shell on the α-Cr 2O 3 core of the nanoparticles. The combination of a well-structured, sharp interface and novel nanophase characteristics is highly desirable for nanostructures having enhanced magnetic properties.« less

Computational Simulation of Damage Progression of Composite Thin Shells Subjected to Mechanical Loads

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gotsis, P. K.; Chamis, C. C.; Minnetyan, L.

1996-01-01

Defect-free and defected composite thin shells with ply orientation (90/0/+/-75) made of graphite/epoxy are simulated for damage progression and fracture due to internal pressure and axial loading. The thin shells have a cylindrical geometry with one end fixed and the other free. The applied load consists of an internal pressure in conjunction with an axial load at the free end, the cure temperature was 177 C (350 F) and the operational temperature was 21 C (70 F). The residual stresses due to the processing are taken into account. Shells with defect and without defects were examined by using CODSTRAN an integrated computer code that couples composite mechanics, finite element and account for all possible failure modes inherent in composites. CODSTRAN traces damage initiation, growth, accumulation, damage propagation and the final fracture of the structure. The results show that damage initiation started with matrix failure while damage/fracture progression occurred due to additional matrix failure and fiber fracture. The burst pressure of the (90/0/+/- 75) defected shell was 0.092% of that of the free defect. Finally the results of the damage progression of the (90/0/+/- 75), defective composite shell was compared with the (90/0/+/- theta, where theta = 45 and 60, layup configurations. It was shown that the examined laminate (90/0/+/- 75) has the least damage tolerant of the two compared defective shells with the (90/0/+/- theta), theta = 45 and 60 laminates.

Non-Deterministic Dynamic Instability of Composite Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, Christos C.; Abumeri, Galib H.

2004-01-01

A computationally effective method is described to evaluate the non-deterministic dynamic instability (probabilistic dynamic buckling) of thin composite shells. The method is a judicious combination of available computer codes for finite element, composite mechanics, and probabilistic structural analysis. The solution method is incrementally updated Lagrangian. It is illustrated by applying it to thin composite cylindrical shell subjected to dynamic loads. Both deterministic and probabilistic buckling loads are evaluated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. A universal plot is obtained for the specific shell that can be used to approximate buckling loads for different load rates and different probability levels. Results from this plot show that the faster the rate, the higher the buckling load and the shorter the time. The lower the probability, the lower is the buckling load for a specific time. Probabilistic sensitivity results show that the ply thickness, the fiber volume ratio and the fiber longitudinal modulus, dynamic load and loading rate are the dominant uncertainties, in that order.

He-Ion Microscopy as a High-Resolution Probe for Complex Quantum Heterostructures in Core-Shell Nanowires.

PubMed

Pöpsel, Christian; Becker, Jonathan; Jeon, Nari; Döblinger, Markus; Stettner, Thomas; Gottschalk, Yeanitza Trujillo; Loitsch, Bernhard; Matich, Sonja; Altzschner, Marcus; Holleitner, Alexander W; Finley, Jonathan J; Lauhon, Lincoln J; Koblmüller, Gregor

2018-06-13

Core-shell semiconductor nanowires (NW) with internal quantum heterostructures are amongst the most complex nanostructured materials to be explored for assessing the ultimate capabilities of diverse ultrahigh-resolution imaging techniques. To probe the structure and composition of these materials in their native environment with minimal damage and sample preparation calls for high-resolution electron or ion microscopy methods, which have not yet been tested on such classes of ultrasmall quantum nanostructures. Here, we demonstrate that scanning helium ion microscopy (SHeIM) provides a powerful and straightforward method to map quantum heterostructures embedded in complex III-V semiconductor NWs with unique material contrast at ∼1 nm resolution. By probing the cross sections of GaAs-Al(Ga)As core-shell NWs with coaxial GaAs quantum wells as well as short-period GaAs/AlAs superlattice (SL) structures in the shell, the Al-rich and Ga-rich layers are accurately discriminated by their image contrast in excellent agreement with correlated, yet destructive, scanning transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography analysis. Most interestingly, quantitative He-ion dose-dependent SHeIM analysis of the ternary AlGaAs shell layers and of compositionally nonuniform GaAs/AlAs SLs reveals distinct alloy composition fluctuations in the form of Al-rich clusters with size distributions between ∼1-10 nm. In the GaAs/AlAs SLs the alloy clustering vanishes with increasing SL-period (>5 nm-GaAs/4 nm-AlAs), providing insights into critical size dimensions for atomic intermixing effects in short-period SLs within a NW geometry. The straightforward SHeIM technique therefore provides unique benefits in imaging the tiniest nanoscale features in topography, structure and composition of a multitude of diverse complex semiconductor nanostructures.

Numerical Simulation of the Layer-Bylayer Destruction of Cylindrical Shells Under Explosive Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abrosimov, N. A.; Novoseltseva, N. A.

2015-09-01

A technique of numerical analysis of the influence of reinforcement structure on the nature of the dynamic response and the process of layer-by-layer destruction of layered fiberglass cylindrical shells under an axisymmetric internal explosive loading is elaborated. The kinematic model of deformation of the laminate package is based on a nonclassical theory of shells. The geometric dependences are based on simple quadratic relations of the nonlinear theory of elasticity. The relationship between the stress and strain tensors are established by using Hooke's law for orthotropic bodies with account of degradation of stiffness characteristics of the multilayer composite due to the local destruction of some its elementary layers. An energetically consistent system of dynamic equations for composite cylindrical shells is obtained by minimizing the functional of total energy of the shell as a three-dimensional body. The numerical method for solving the formulated initial boundary-value problem is based on an explicit variational-difference scheme. Results confirming the reliability of the method used to analyze the influence of reinforcement structure on the character of destruction and the bearing capacity of pulse-loaded cylindrical shells are presented.

Control of the shell structural properties and cavity diameter of hollow magnesium fluoride particles.

PubMed

Nandiyanto, Asep Bayu Dani; Ogi, Takashi; Okuyama, Kikuo

2014-03-26

Control of the shell structural properties [i.e., thickness (8-25 nm) and morphology (dense and raspberry)] and cavity diameter (100-350 nm) of hollow particles was investigated experimentally, and the results were qualitatively explained based on the available theory. We found that the selective deposition size and formation of the shell component on the surface of a core template played important roles in controlling the structure of the resulting shell. To achieve the selective deposition size and formation of the shell component, various process parameters (i.e., reaction temperature and charge, size, and composition of the core template and shell components) were tested. Magnesium fluoride (MgF2) and polystyrene spheres were used as models for shell and core components, respectively. MgF2 was selected because, to the best of our knowledge, the current reported approaches to date were limited to synthesis of MgF2 in film and particle forms only. Therefore, understanding how to control the formation of MgF2 with various structures (both the thickness and morphology) is a prospective for advanced lens synthesis and applications.

SiO2-Ag-SiO2 core/shell structure with a high density of Ag nanoparticles for CO oxidation catalysis.

PubMed

Feng, Xiaoqian; Li, Hongmo; Zhang, Qing; Zhang, Peng; Song, Xuefeng; Liu, Jing; Zhao, Liping; Gao, Lian

2016-11-11

SiO 2 -Ag-SiO 2 , a sandwiched core/shell structure with a layer of Ag nanoparticles (∼4 nm) encapsulated between a shallow SiO 2 surface layer and a SiO 2 submicrosphere substrate (∼200 nm), has been synthesized from [Formula: see text] and SiO 2 spheres by a facile one-pot hydrothermal method. The composite is proposed to result from the dynamic balance between the [Formula: see text] reduction and the dissolution-redeposition of SiO 2 in mild basic media. The synthetic mechanism and the roles of the reaction time, temperature, and the amount of ammonia in the formation of this unique structure are investigated and discussed. The composite structure shows superior catalytic performance in CO oxidation to the control Ag/SiO 2 structure prepared by impregnation. Pre-treatment by O 2 at 600 °C significantly improves the catalytic performance of the composite structure and preserves the nanocomposite structure well.

A Leonard-Sanders-Budiansky-Koiter-Type Nonlinear Shell Theory with a Hierarchy of Transverse-Shearing Deformations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.

2013-01-01

A detailed exposition on a refined nonlinear shell theory suitable for nonlinear buckling analyses of laminated-composite shell structures is presented. This shell theory includes the classical nonlinear shell theory attributed to Leonard, Sanders, Koiter, and Budiansky as an explicit proper subset. This approach is used in order to leverage the exisiting experience base and to make the theory attractive to industry. In addition, the formalism of general tensors is avoided in order to expose the details needed to fully understand and use the theory. The shell theory is based on "small" strains and "moderate" rotations, and no shell-thinness approximations are used. As a result, the strain-displacement relations are exact within the presumptions of "small" strains and "moderate" rotations. The effects of transverse-shearing deformations are included in the theory by using analyst-defined functions to describe the through-the-thickness distributions of transverse-shearing strains. Constitutive equations for laminated-composite shells are derived without using any shell-thinness approximations, and simplified forms and special cases are presented.

Exciton antennas and concentrators from core-shell and corrugated carbon nanotube filaments of homogeneous composition.

PubMed

Han, Jae-Hee; Paulus, Geraldine L C; Maruyama, Ryuichiro; Heller, Daniel A; Kim, Woo-Jae; Barone, Paul W; Lee, Chang Young; Choi, Jong Hyun; Ham, Moon-Ho; Song, Changsik; Fantini, C; Strano, Michael S

2010-10-01

There has been renewed interest in solar concentrators and optical antennas for improvements in photovoltaic energy harvesting and new optoelectronic devices. In this work, we dielectrophoretically assemble single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) of homogeneous composition into aligned filaments that can exchange excitation energy, concentrating it to the centre of core-shell structures with radial gradients in the optical bandgap. We find an unusually sharp, reversible decay in photoemission that occurs as such filaments are cycled from ambient temperature to only 357 K, attributed to the strongly temperature-dependent second-order Auger process. Core-shell structures consisting of annular shells of mostly (6,5) SWNTs (E(g)=1.21 eV) and cores with bandgaps smaller than those of the shell (E(g)=1.17 eV (7,5)-0.98 eV (8,7)) demonstrate the concentration concept: broadband absorption in the ultraviolet-near-infrared wavelength regime provides quasi-singular photoemission at the (8,7) SWNTs. This approach demonstrates the potential of specifically designed collections of nanotubes to manipulate and concentrate excitons in unique ways.

Nanodiamond-Based Composite Structures for Biomedical Imaging and Drug Delivery.

PubMed

Rosenholm, Jessica M; Vlasov, Igor I; Burikov, Sergey A; Dolenko, Tatiana A; Shenderova, Olga A

2015-02-01

Nanodiamond particles are widely recognized candidates for biomedical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility, bright photoluminescence based on color centers and outstanding photostability. Recently, more complex architectures with a nanodiamond core and an external shell or nanostructure which provides synergistic benefits have been developed, and their feasibility for biomedical applications has been demonstrated. This review is aimed at summarizing recent achievements in the fabrication and functional demonstrations of nanodiamond-based composite structures, along with critical considerations that should be taken into account in the design of such structures from a biomedical point of view. A particular focus of the review is core/shell structures of nanodiamond surrounded by porous silica shells, which demonstrate a remarkable increase in drug loading efficiency; as well as nanodiamonds decorated with carbon dots, which have excellent potential as bioimaging probes. Other combinations are also considered, relying on the discussed inherent properties of the inorganic materials being integrated in a way to advance inorganic nanomedicine in the quest for better health-related nanotechnology.

Optimization of Adaptive Intraply Hybrid Fiber Composites with Reliability Considerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shiao, Michael C.; Chamis, Christos C.

1994-01-01

The reliability with bounded distribution parameters (mean, standard deviation) was maximized and the reliability-based cost was minimized for adaptive intra-ply hybrid fiber composites by using a probabilistic method. The probabilistic method accounts for all naturally occurring uncertainties including those in constituent material properties, fabrication variables, structure geometry, and control-related parameters. Probabilistic sensitivity factors were computed and used in the optimization procedures. For actuated change in the angle of attack of an airfoil-like composite shell structure with an adaptive torque plate, the reliability was maximized to 0.9999 probability, with constraints on the mean and standard deviation of the actuation material volume ratio (percentage of actuation composite material in a ply) and the actuation strain coefficient. The reliability-based cost was minimized for an airfoil-like composite shell structure with an adaptive skin and a mean actuation material volume ratio as the design parameter. At a O.9-mean actuation material volume ratio, the minimum cost was obtained.

Use of principle velocity patterns in the analysis of structural acoustic optimization.

PubMed

Johnson, Wayne M; Cunefare, Kenneth A

2007-02-01

This work presents an application of principle velocity patterns in the analysis of the structural acoustic design optimization of an eight ply composite cylindrical shell. The approach consists of performing structural acoustic optimizations of a composite cylindrical shell subject to external harmonic monopole excitation. The ply angles are used as the design variables in the optimization. The results of the ply angle design variable formulation are interpreted using the singular value decomposition of the interior acoustic potential energy. The decomposition of the acoustic potential energy provides surface velocity patterns associated with lower levels of interior noise. These surface velocity patterns are shown to correspond to those from the structural acoustic optimization results. Thus, it is demonstrated that the capacity to design multi-ply composite cylinders for quiet interiors is determined by how well the cylinder be can designed to exhibit particular surface velocity patterns associated with lower noise levels.

Structural design criteria for filament-wound composite shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hahn, H. T.; Jensen, D. W.; Claus, S. J.; Pai, S. P.; Hipp, P. A.

1994-01-01

Advanced composite cylinders, manufactured by filament winding, provide a cost effective solution to many present structural applications; however, the compressive performance of filament-wound cylinders is lower than comparable shells fabricated from unidirectional tape. The objective of this study was to determine the cause of this reduction in thin filament-wound cylinders by relating the manufacturing procedures to the quality of the cylinder and to its compressive performance. The experiments on cylinder buckling were complemented by eigenvalue buckling analysis using a detailed geometric model in a finite element analysis. The applicability of classical buckling analyses was also investigated as a design tool.

Active Structural Fibers for Multifunctional Composite Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-05-06

capacitors. Lastly, a cathodic electrolytic deposition process has been investigated for the coating of carbon fibers with a PZT shell. The...results have demonstrated the ability to use the process to coat fibers with a thin shell of PZT . The results thus far have demonstrated the feasibility...Journal of Composite Materials, In Review. 2. Zhou, Z., Lin, Y. and Sodano, H.A., Synthesis and Characterization of Textured BaTiO3 Thin Films

A novel durable double-conductive core-shell structure applying to the synthesis of silicon anode for lithium ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Yan; Shen, Tong; Guo, Ting; Wang, Xiuli; Xia, Xinhui; Gu, Changdong; Tu, Jiangping

2018-04-01

Si/C composites are currently the most commercially viable next-generation lithium-ion battery anode materials due to their high specific capacity. However, there are still many obstacles need to be overcome such as short cycle life and poor conductivity. In this work, we design and successfully synthesis an excellent durable double-conductive core-shell structure p-Si-Ag/C composites. Interestingly, this well-designed structure offers remarkable conductivity (both internal and external) due to the introduction of silver particles and carbon layer. The carbon layer acts as a protective layer to maintain the integrity of the structure as well as avoids the direct contact of silicon with electrolyte. As a result, the durable double-conductive core-shell structure p-Si-Ag/C composites exhibit outstanding cycling stability of roughly 1000 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 0.2 A g-1 and retain 765 mAh g-1 even at a high current density of 2 A g-1, indicating a great improvement in electrochemical performance compared with traditional silicon electrode. Our research results provide a novel pathway for production of high-performance Si-based anodes to extending the cycle life and specific capacity of commercial lithium ion batteries.

Monolithic photonic crystals created by partial coalescence of core-shell particles.

PubMed

Lee, Joon-Seok; Lim, Che Ho; Yang, Seung-Man; Kim, Shin-Hyun

2014-03-11

Colloidal crystals and their derivatives have been intensively studied and developed during the past two decades due to their unique photonic band gap properties. However, complex fabrication procedures and low mechanical stability severely limit their practical uses. Here, we report stable photonic structures created by using colloidal building blocks composed of an inorganic core and an organic shell. The core-shell particles are convectively assembled into an opal structure, which is then subjected to thermal annealing. During the heat treatment, the inorganic cores, which are insensitive to heat, retain their regular arrangement in a face-centered cubic lattice, while the organic shells are partially fused with their neighbors; this forms a monolithic structure with high mechanical stability. The interparticle distance and therefore stop band position are precisely controlled by the annealing time; the distance decreases and the stop band blue shifts during the annealing. The composite films can be further treated to give a high contrast in the refractive index. The inorganic cores are selectively removed from the composite by wet etching, thereby providing an organic film containing regular arrays of air cavities. The high refractive index contrast of the porous structure gives rise to pronounced structural colors and high reflectivity at the stop band position.

Composite nanoparticles containing rare earth metal and methods of preparation thereof

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kandapallil, Binil Itty Ipe; Krishnan, Lakshmi; Johnson, Francis

The present invention is directed to composite nanoparticles comprising a metal, a rare earth element, and, optionally, a complexing ligand. The invention is also directed to composite nanoparticles having a core-shell structure and to processes for preparation of composite nanoparticles of the invention.

Mechanical properties and structure of Haliotis discus hannai Ino and Hemifusus tuba conch shells: a comparative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jie; Chen, Chen; Liang, Yan; Wang, Jian

2010-03-01

Haliotis discus hannai Ino (abalone shell) and Hemifusus tuba conch shell have been studied for the purpose to comparatively investigate the mechanisms by which nature designs composites. It is shown that both shells are composed of aragonite and a small amount of proteins while the conch shell shows finer microstructure but lower strength than abalone shell. It is also shown that the fresh shells exhibits better property than those after heat-treatments. It is therefore supposed that the size of inorganic substance is not a dominant factor to improve strength, while both proteins in shells and the microstructure of inorganic matter also play important roles.

Controlled surface segregation leads to efficient coke-resistant nickel/platinum bimetallic catalysts for the dry reforming of methane

DOE PAGES

Li, Lidong; Zhou, Lu; Ould-Chikh, Samy; ...

2015-02-03

Surface composition and structure are of vital importance for heterogeneous catalysts, especially for bimetallic catalysts, which often vary as a function of reaction conditions (known as surface segregation). The preparation of bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure is very challenging. In this study, we synthesize a series of Ni/Pt bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure using a method derived from surface organometallic chemistry. The evolution of the surface composition and structure of the obtained bimetallic catalysts under simulated reaction conditions is investigated by various techniques, which include CO-probe IR spectroscopy, high-angle annular dark-field scanningmore » transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis, XRD, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the structure of the bimetallic catalyst is evolved from Pt monolayer island-modified Ni nanoparticles to core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles composed of a Ni-rich core and a Ni/Pt alloy shell upon thermal treatment. As a result, these catalysts are active for the dry reforming of methane, and their catalytic activities, stabilities, and carbon formation vary with their surface composition and structure.« less

Modeling of composite coupling technology for oil-gas pipeline section resource-saving repair

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donkova, Irina; Yakubovskiy, Yuriy; Kruglov, Mikhail

2017-10-01

The article presents a variant of modeling and calculation of a main pipeline repair section with a composite coupling installation. This section is presented in a shape of a composite cylindrical shell. The aim of this work is mathematical modeling and study of main pipeline reconstruction section stress-strain state (SSS). There has been given a description of a structure deformation mathematical model. Based on physical relations of elasticity, integral characteristics of rigidity for each layer of a two-layer pipe section have been obtained. With the help of the systems of forces and moments which affect the layers differential equations for the first and second layer (pipeline and coupling) have been obtained. The study of the SSS has been conducted using the statements and hypotheses of the composite structures deformation theory with consideration of interlayer joint stresses. The relations to describe the work of the joint have been stated. Boundary conditions for each layer have been formulated. To describe the deformation of the composite coupling with consideration of the composite cylindrical shells theory a mathematical model in the form of a system of differential equations in displacements and boundary conditions has been obtained. Calculation of a two-layer cylindrical shell under the action of an axisymmetric load has been accomplished.

Alginate/nanohydroxyapatite scaffolds with designed core/shell structures fabricated by 3D plotting and in situ mineralization for bone tissue engineering.

PubMed

Luo, Yongxiang; Lode, Anja; Wu, Chengtie; Chang, Jiang; Gelinsky, Michael

2015-04-01

Composite scaffolds, especially polymer/hydroxyapatite (HAP) composite scaffolds with predesigned structures, are promising materials for bone tissue engineering. Various methods including direct mixing of HAP powder with polymers or incubating polymer scaffolds in simulated body fluid for preparing polymer/HAP composite scaffolds are either uncontrolled or require long times of incubation. In this work, alginate/nano-HAP composite scaffolds with designed pore parameters and core/shell structures were fabricated using 3D plotting technique and in situ mineralization under mild conditions (at room temperature and without the use of any organic solvents). Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, microcomputer tomography, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied to characterize the fabricated scaffolds. Mechanical properties and protein delivery of the scaffolds were evaluated, as well as the cell response to the scaffolds by culturing human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSC). The obtained data indicate that this method is suitable to fabricate alginate/nano-HAP composite scaffolds with a layer of nano-HAP, coating the surface of the alginate strands homogeneously and completely. The surface mineralization enhanced the mechanical properties and improved the cell attachment and spreading, as well as supported sustaining protein release, compared to pure alginate scaffolds without nano-HAP shell layer. The results demonstrated that the method provides an interesting option for bone tissue engineering application.

Magnetic self-assembly for the synthesis of magnetically exchange coupled MnBi/Fe–Co composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Xia; Hong, Yang-Ki, E-mail: ykhong@eng.ua.edu; Park, Jihoon

2015-11-15

Exchange coupled hard/soft MnBi/Fe–Co core/shell structured composites were synthesized using a magnetic self-assembly process. MnBi particles were prepared by arc-melting, and Fe–Co nanoparticles were synthesized by an oleic acid assisted chemical reduction method. Grinding a mixture of micron-sized MnBi and Fe–Co nanoparticles in hexane resulted in MnBi/Fe–Co core/shell structured composites. The MnBi/Fe–Co (95/5 wt%) composites showed smooth magnetic hysteresis loops, enhanced remanent magnetization, and positive values in the ΔM curve, indicating exchange coupling between MnBi and Fe–Co particles. - Graphical abstract: Both MnBi and Fe–Co particles were dispersed in hexane for grinding. Because of the oleic acid used during themore » Fe–Co nanoparticle synthesis, they could be well dispersed in hexane. During the grinding, the size of MnBi particles was decreased, hexane was evaporated, and the Fe–Co nanoparticles were concentrated in the solvent and magnetically attracted by MnBi particles, forming a core/shell structure. - Highlights: • Exchange coupled MnBi/Fe–Co composites are synthesized through magnetic selfassembly. • Magnetic exchange coupling is demonstrated by smooth magnetic hysteresis loops, enhanced remanent magnetization, and dominant positive peak in the ΔM curve. • The experimental results in magnetic properties are close to the theoretical calculation results.« less

Facet-Dependent Deposition of Highly Strained Alloyed Shells on Intermetallic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Chenyu; Sang, Xiahan; Gamler, Jocelyn T. L.

Compressive surface strains can enhance the performance of platinum-based core@shell electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Bimetallic core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) are widely studied nanocatalysts but often have limited lattice mismatch and surface compositions; investigations of core@shell NPs with greater compositional complexity and lattice misfit are in their infancy. Here, a new class of multimetallic NPs composed of intermetallic cores and random alloy shells is reported. Specifically, face-centered cubic (fcc) Pt- Cu random alloy shells were deposited non-epitaxially on PdCu B2 intermetallic seeds, giving rise to faceted core@shell NPs with highly strained surfaces. In fact, high resolution transmission electron microscopymore » (HRTEM) revealed orientation-dependent surface strains, where the compressive strains were minimal on Pt-Cu {111} facets but greater on {200} facets. These core@shell NPs provide higher specific and mass activities for the ORR when compared to conventional Pt-Cu NPs. Moreover, these intermetallic@random alloy NPs displayed high endurance, undergoing 10,000 cycles with only a slight decay in activity and no apparent structural changes.« less

Facet-Dependent Deposition of Highly Strained Alloyed Shells on Intermetallic Nanoparticles for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

DOE PAGES

Wang, Chenyu; Sang, Xiahan; Gamler, Jocelyn T. L.; ...

2017-08-25

Compressive surface strains can enhance the performance of platinum-based core@shell electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Bimetallic core@shell nanoparticles (NPs) are widely studied nanocatalysts but often have limited lattice mismatch and surface compositions; investigations of core@shell NPs with greater compositional complexity and lattice misfit are in their infancy. Here, a new class of multimetallic NPs composed of intermetallic cores and random alloy shells is reported. Specifically, face-centered cubic (fcc) Pt- Cu random alloy shells were deposited non-epitaxially on PdCu B2 intermetallic seeds, giving rise to faceted core@shell NPs with highly strained surfaces. In fact, high resolution transmission electron microscopymore » (HRTEM) revealed orientation-dependent surface strains, where the compressive strains were minimal on Pt-Cu {111} facets but greater on {200} facets. These core@shell NPs provide higher specific and mass activities for the ORR when compared to conventional Pt-Cu NPs. Moreover, these intermetallic@random alloy NPs displayed high endurance, undergoing 10,000 cycles with only a slight decay in activity and no apparent structural changes.« less

Shell Layer Thickness-Dependent Photocatalytic Activity of Sputtering Synthesized Hexagonally Structured ZnO-ZnS Composite Nanorods

PubMed Central

Liang, Yuan-Chang; Lo, Ya-Ru; Wang, Chein-Chung; Xu, Nian-Cih

2018-01-01

ZnO-ZnS core-shell nanorods are synthesized by combining the hydrothermal method and vacuum sputtering. The core-shell nanorods with variable ZnS shell thickness (7–46 nm) are synthesized by varying ZnS sputtering duration. Structural analyses demonstrated that the as-grown ZnS shell layers are well crystallized with preferring growth direction of ZnS (002). The sputtering-assisted synthesized ZnO-ZnS core-shell nanorods are in a wurtzite structure. Moreover, photoluminance spectral analysis indicated that the introduction of a ZnS shell layer improved the photoexcited electron and hole separation efficiency of the ZnO nanorods. A strong correlation between effective charge separation and the shell thickness aids the photocatalytic behavior of the nanorods and improves their photoresponsive nature. The results of comparative degradation efficiency toward methylene blue showed that the ZnO-ZnS nanorods with the shell thickness of approximately 17 nm have the highest photocatalytic performance than the ZnO-ZnS nanorods with other shell layer thicknesses. The highly reusable catalytic efficiency and superior photocatalytic performance of the ZnO-ZnS nanorods with 17 nm-thick ZnS shell layer supports their potential for environmental applications. PMID:29316671

Progressive Damage and Fracture of Unstiffened and Stiffened Composite Pressure Vessels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon; Gotsis, Pascal K.; Chamis, Christos C.

1997-01-01

Structural durability and damage tolerance characteristics of pressurized graphite/epoxy laminated thin composite cylinders are investigated via computational simulation. Both unstiffened and integral hoop stiffened cylinders are considered. A computer code is utilized for the simulation of composite structural degradation under loading. Damage initiation, growth, accumulation, and propagation to structural fracture are included in the simulation. The increase of burst pressure due to hoop stiffening is quantified. Results demonstrate the significance of the type and size of local defects on the structural durability of pressurized composite cylindrical shells.

STRUCTURAL TEST ARTICLE

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-04-06

FROM RIGHT, KATHRYN GUELDE AND ASHLEY HOLLADAY OF AERIE AEROSPACE LLC IN HUNTSVILLE, INSTALL THE STRUCTURAL TEST ARTICLE FOR THE FIRST SERIES OF COMPOSITE TESTS FOR THE SHELL BUCKLING KNOCKDOWN FACTOR PROJECT.

Quasi-hexagonal Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 nanoplates decorated on hollow CuO by Kirkendall effect for enhancing lithium storage performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Peng; Xia, Xifeng; Lei, Wu; Jiao, Xinyan; Lu, Lei; Ouyang, Yu; Hao, Qingli

2018-07-01

Constructing a hierarchical heterogeneous composite is deemed as an effective way to solve the current problems of metal oxides as lithium ion batteries' anodes. In this work, we simultaneously designed the heterogeneous component and structure of the novel hybrid based on Kirkendall effect. The composite was composed of quasi-hexagonal Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 nanoplates as a shell and CuO with voids as a core. The hybrids were characterized by using XRD, FTIR, TEM and SEM. It was found that the heating rate greatly influences the combination form of Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 and CuO. The quasi-hexagonal Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 nanoplates were assembled into branch-like shell decorated on the CuO surface under the low heating rate. However, the high heating rate led to a compact Cu1.5Mn1.5O4 shell, although the shell was also assembled by quasi-hexagonal nanoplates. The reasonable formation mechanism of the unique component and structure was proposed. Such a hybrid with the branch-like shell exhibited the best lithium storage performance. The improved electrochemical performance can be attributed to the unique component and structure. Typically, the inside voids can alleviate the volume change and the hierarchical shell can provide much contact and reaction sites. This work not only opens a new view in constructing heterogeneous hybrid with unique structure by Kirkendall effect, but also can be expanded for many other structure-based applications, such as energy storage, sensors, and heterogeneous catalysts.

Compositional analysis and structural elucidation of glycosaminoglycans in chicken eggs

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhangguo; Zhang, Fuming; Li, Lingyun; Li, Guoyun; He, Wenqing; Linhardt, Robert J.

2014-01-01

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have numerous applications in the fields of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and foods. GAGs are also critically important in the developmental biology of all multicellular animals. GAGs were isolated from chicken egg components including yolk, thick egg white, thin egg white, membrane, calcified shell matrix supernatant, and shell matrix deposit. Disaccharide compositional analysis was performed using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results of these analyses showed that all four families of GAGs were detected in all egg components. Keratan sulfate was found in egg whites (thick and thin) and shell matrix (calcified shell matrix supernatant and deposit) with high level. Chondroitin sulfates were much more plentiful in both shell matrix components and membrane. Hyaluronan was plentiful in both shell matrix components and membrane, but were only present in a trace of quantities in the yolk. Heparan sulfate was plentiful in the shell matrix deposit but was present in a trace of quantities in the egg content components (yolk, thick and thin egg whites). Most of the chondroitin and heparan sulfate disaccharides were present in the GAGs found in chicken eggs with the exception of chondroitin and heparan sulfate 2,6-disulfated disaccharides. Both CS and HS in the shell matrix deposit contained the most diverse chondroitin and heparan sulfate disaccharide compositions. Eggs might provide a potential new source of GAGs. PMID:25218438

CVD graphene sheets electrochemically decorated with "core-shell" Co/CoO nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayev, V. G.; Fedotova, J. A.; Kasiuk, J. V.; Vorobyova, S. A.; Sohor, A. A.; Komissarov, I. V.; Kovalchuk, N. G.; Prischepa, S. L.; Kargin, N. I.; Andrulevičius, M.; Przewoznik, J.; Kapusta, Cz.; Ivashkevich, O. A.; Tyutyunnikov, S. I.; Kolobylina, N. N.; Guryeva, P. V.

2018-05-01

The paper reports on the first successful fabrication of Co-graphene composites by electrochemical deposition of Co nanoparticles (NPs) on the sheets of twisted graphene. Characterization of the surface morphology and element mapping of twisted graphene decorated with Co NPs by transmission and scanning electron microscopy in combination with the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals the formation of isolated quasi-spherical oxidized Co NPs with the mean diameter 〈 d〉 ≈ 220 nm and core-shell structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that the core of deposited NPs consists of metal Co while the shell is CoO. Composite Co-graphene samples containing core-shell NPs reveal an exchange bias field up to 160 Oe at 4 K as detected by vibrating sample magnetometry after the field cooling procedure.

Molecular and isotopic composition of lipids in modern and fossil bivalve shells: Records of paleoenvironmental change?

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

CoBabe, E.A.

1995-12-31

Suites of lipids residing in situ in modern and fossil bivalve shells offer new possibilities for the study of paleoecology and paleoclimatology. Distributions of carbon isotopic compositions of modem shell lipids suggests that many of these compounds, including alkanes, sterols, fatty acids, ketones and phytadienes, are derived from the bivalves and not directly from the surrounding environment. The occurrence of fatty acids in modem and fossil shell material opens up the possibility that saturation levels of these compounds may be used as paleothermometers. To date, the utility of fatty acids in paleoclimate studies has been limited because of the swiftmore » breakdown of these compounds in sediment. However, initial results indicate that fatty acids in bivalve shells retain their original structure for at least several million years. Comparison of modem bivalve shell fatty acids from tropical, temperate and polar nearshore marine systems will be presented, along with analogous fossil data.« less

Incorporation of Copper Enhances the Anti-Ageing Property of Flame-Sprayed High-Density Polyethylene Coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Zhengmei; Huang, Jing; Gong, Yongfeng; Jin, Peipeng; Suo, Xinkun; Li, Hua

2017-02-01

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)-copper (Cu) composite coatings were prepared through depositing HDPE-Cu core-shell particles by flame spraying. The HDPE-Cu composite coatings and the HDPE coatings were aged in xenon lamp ageing testing chamber. The variations of chemical compositions and surface morphology of the coatings before and after the ageing testing were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. Results show that there is no chemical composition variation in the HDPE-Cu coatings. Cracks were found on the surfaces of the HDPE coatings, while the HDPE-Cu coating shows almost intact surface morphology. These results suggest that the HDPE-Cu coatings present better anti-ageing performances than the HDPE coatings. Further assessment of the function of Cu shells on the anti-ageing property reveals that Cu shells not only enhanced the absorption of the coatings to ultraviolet, but also increased their reflectivity to visible light. Additionally, the Cu shells enhanced the decomposition temperature and thermal stability of HDPE in the composite coatings. These results give bright insight into potential anti-ageing applications of the polymer-based structures.

Shell Biorefinery: Dream or Reality?

PubMed

Chen, Xi; Yang, Huiying; Yan, Ning

2016-09-12

Shell biorefinery, referring to the fractionation of crustacean shells into their major components and the transformation of each component into value-added chemicals and materials, has attracted growing attention in recent years. Since the large quantities of waste shells remain underexploited, their valorization can potentially bring both ecological and economic benefits. This Review provides an overview of the current status of shell biorefinery. It first describes the structural features of crustacean shells, including their composition and their interactions. Then, various fractionation methods for the shells are introduced. The last section is dedicated to the valorization of chitin and its derivatives for chemicals, porous carbon materials and functional polymers. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Coupled structural/thermal/electromagnetic analysis/tailoring of graded composite structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcknight, R. L.; Chen, P. C.; Dame, L. T.; Huang, H.

1992-01-01

Accomplishments are described for the first year effort of a 5-year program to develop a methodology for coupled structural/thermal/electromagnetic analysis/tailoring of graded composite structures. These accomplishments include: (1) the results of the selective literature survey; (2) 8-, 16-, and 20-noded isoparametric plate and shell elements; (3) large deformation structural analysis; (4) eigenanalysis; (5) anisotropic heat transfer analysis; and (6) anisotropic electromagnetic analysis.

The Packaging Technology Study on Smart Composite Structure Based on The Embedded FBG Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Youhong; Chang, Xinlong; Zhang, Xiaojun; He, Xiangyong

2018-03-01

It is convenient to carry out the health monitoring of the solid rocket engine composite shell based on the embedded FBG sensor. In this paper, the packaging technology using one-way fiber layer of prepreg fiberglass/epoxy resin was proposed. The proposed packaging process is simple, and the packaged sensor structure size is flexible and convenient to use, at the mean time, the packaged structure has little effect on the pristine composite material structure.

Structural and thermodynamic properties of the Cm III ion solvated by water and methanol

DOE PAGES

Kelley, Morgan P.; Yang, Ping; Clark, Sue B.; ...

2016-04-27

The geometric and electronic structures of the 9-coordinate Cm 3+ ion solvated with both water and methanol are systematically investigated in the gas phase at each possible solvent-shell composition and configuration using density functional theory and second-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are employed to assess the effects of second and third solvent shells on the gas-phase structure. The ion–solvent dissociation energy for methanol is greater than that of water, potentially because of increased charge donation to the ion made possible by the electron-rich methyl group. Further, the ion–solvent dissociation energy and the ion–solvent distance are shownmore » to be dependent on the solvent-shell composition. Furthermore, this has implications for solvent exchange, which is generally the rate-limiting step in complexation reactions utilized in the separation of curium from complex metal mixtures that derive from the advanced nuclear fuel cycle.« less

Review on the preparation and modified technologies of microencapsulated red phosphorus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Chen; Du, Shiguo; Yan, Jun

2017-10-01

Coated by a compact shell structure, pristine red phosphorus transforms into microcapsule red phosphorus (MCRP) with lower PH3 emission and improved compatibility with polymer matrix. Diverse kinds of microcapsule red phosphorus are classified by shell material, i.e.organic shell material MCRP, inorganic shell material MCRP and composite shell material MCRP. Furthermore, the modified technology to make up deficiencies of MCRP is also introduced in the lecture. Aiming at the existing microencapsulation craft, a more harmless and high-efficiency process should be presented, and ultrafine MCRP is also urgent to be prepared.

Design and Synthesis of Spherical Multicomponent Aggregates Composed of Core-Shell, Yolk-Shell, and Hollow Nanospheres and Their Lithium-Ion Storage Performances.

PubMed

Park, Gi Dae; Kang, Yun Chan

2018-03-01

Micrometer-sized spherical aggregates of Sn and Co components containing core-shell, yolk-shell, hollow nanospheres are synthesized by applying nanoscale Kirkendall diffusion in the large-scale spray drying process. The Sn 2 Co 3 -Co 3 SnC 0.7 -C composite microspheres uniformly dispersed with Sn 2 Co 3 -Co 3 SnC 0.7 mixed nanocrystals are formed by the first-step reduction of spray-dried precursor powders at 900 °C. The second-step oxidation process transforms the Sn 2 Co 3 -Co 3 SnC 0.7 -C composite into the porous microsphere composed of Sn-Sn 2 Co 3 @CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 core-shell, Sn-Sn 2 Co 3 @CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 yolk-shell, and CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 hollow nanospheres at 300, 400, and 500 °C, respectively. The discharge capacity of the microspheres with Sn-Sn 2 Co 3 @CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 core-shell, Sn-Sn 2 Co 3 @CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 yolk-shell, and CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 hollow nanospheres for the 200 th cycle at a current density of 1 A g -1 is 1265, 987, and 569 mA h g -1 , respectively. The ultrafine primary nanoparticles with a core-shell structure improve the structural stability of the porous-structured microspheres during repeated lithium insertion and desertion processes. The porous Sn-Sn 2 Co 3 @CoSnO 3 -Co 3 O 4 microspheres with core-shell primary nanoparticles show excellent cycling and rate performances as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Preparation and characterization of WO3 nanoparticles, WO3/TiO2 core/shell nanocomposites and PEDOT:PSS/WO3 composite thin films for photocatalytic and electrochromic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyadjiev, Stefan I.; Santos, Gustavo dos Lopes; Szżcs, Júlia; Szilágyi, Imre M.

2016-03-01

In this study, monoclinic WO3 nanoparticles were obtained by thermal decomposition of (NH4)xWO3 in air at 600 °C. On them by atomic layer deposition (ALD) TiO2 films were deposited, and thus core/shell WO3/TiO2 nanocomposites were prepared. We prepared composites of WO3 nanoparticles with conductive polymer as PEDOT:PSS, and deposited thin films of them on glass and ITO substrates by spin coating. The formation, morphology, composition and structure of the as-prepared pure and composite nanoparticles, as well thin films, were studied by TEM, SEM-EDX and XRD. The photocatalytic activity of both the WO3 and core/shell WO3/TiO2 nanoparticles was studied by decomposing methyl orange in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. Cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed on the composite PEDOT:PSS/WO3 thin films, and the coloring and bleaching states were studied.

Nonlinear thermo-mechanical analysis of stiffened composite laminates by a new finite element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barut, Atila

A new stiffened shell element combining shallow beam and shallow shell elements is developed for geometrically nonlinear analysis of stiffened composite laminates under thermal and/or mechanical loading. The formulation of this element is based on the principal of virtual displacements in conjunction with the co-rotational form of the total Lagrangian description of motion. In the finite element formulation, both the shell and the beam (stiffener) elements account for transverse shear deformations and material anisotropy. The cross-section of the stiffener (beam) can be arbitrary in geometry and lamination. In order to combine the stiffener with the shell element, constraint conditions are applied to the displacement and rotation fields of the stiffener. These constraint conditions ensure that the cross-section of the stiffener remains co-planar with the shell section after deformation. The resulting expressions for the displacement and rotation fields of the stiffener involve only the nodal unknowns of the shell element, thus reducing the total number of degrees of freedom. Also, the discretization of the entire stiffened shell structure becomes more flexible.

A Novel Polyaniline-Coated Bagasse Fiber Composite with Core-Shell Heterostructure Provides Effective Electromagnetic Shielding Performance.

PubMed

Zhang, Yang; Qiu, Munan; Yu, Ying; Wen, Bianying; Cheng, Lele

2017-01-11

A facile route was proposed to synthesize polyaniline (PANI) uniformly deposited on bagasse fiber (BF) via a one-step in situ polymerization of aniline in the dispersed system of BF. Correlations between the structural, electrical, and electromagnetic properties were extensively investigated. Scanning electron microscopy images confirm that the PANI was coated dominantly on the BF surface, indicating that the as-prepared BF/PANI composite adopted the natural and inexpensive BF as its core and the PANI as the shell. Fourier transform infrared spectra suggest significant interactions between the BF and PANI shell, and a high degree of doping in the PANI shell was achieved. X-ray diffraction results reveal that the crystallization of the PANI shell was improved. The dielectric behaviors are analyzed with respect to dielectric constant, loss tangent, and Cole-Cole plots. The BF/PANI composite exhibits superior electrical conductivity (2.01 ± 0.29 S·cm -1 ), which is higher than that of the pristine PANI with 1.35 ± 0.15 S·cm -1 . The complex permittivity, electromagnetic interference (EMI), shielding effectiveness (SE) values, and attenuation constants of the BF/PANI composite were larger than those of the pristine PANI. The EMI shielding mechanisms of the composite were experimentally and theoretically analyzed. The absorption-dominated total EMI SE of 28.8 dB at a thickness of 0.4 mm indicates the usefulness of the composite for electromagnetic shielding. Moreover, detailed comparison of electrical and EMI shielding properties with respect to the BF/PANI, dedoped BF/PANI composite, and the pristine PANI indicate that the enhancement of electromagnetic properties for the BF/PANI composite was due to the improved conductivity and the core-shell architecture. Thus, the composite has potential commercial applications for high-performance electromagnetic shielding materials and also could be used as a conductive filler to endow polymers with electromagnetic shielding ability.

Folding and unfolding of large-size shell construction for application in Earth orbit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kondyurin, Alexey; Pestrenina, Irena; Pestrenin, Valery; Rusakov, Sergey

2016-07-01

A future exploration of space requires a technology of large module for biological, technological, logistic and other applications in Earth orbits [1-3]. This report describes the possibility of using large-sized shell structures deployable in space. Structure is delivered to the orbit in the spaceship container. The shell is folded for the transportation. The shell material is either rigid plastic or multilayer prepreg comprising rigid reinforcements (such as reinforcing fibers). The unfolding process (bringing a construction to the unfolded state by loading the internal pressure) needs be considered at the presence of both stretching and bending deformations. An analysis of the deployment conditions (the minimum internal pressure bringing a construction from the folded state to the unfolded state) of large laminated CFRP shell structures is formulated in this report. Solution of this mechanics of deformable solids (MDS) problem of the shell structure is based on the following assumptions: the shell is made of components whose median surface has a reamer; in the separate structural element relaxed state (not stressed and not deformed) its median surface coincides with its reamer (this assumption allows choose the relaxed state of the structure correctly); structural elements are joined (sewn together) by a seam that does not resist rotation around the tangent to the seam line. The ways of large shell structures folding, whose median surface has a reamer, are suggested. Unfolding of cylindrical, conical (full and truncated cones), and large-size composite shells (cylinder-cones, cones-cones) is considered. These results show that the unfolding pressure of such large-size structures (0.01-0.2 atm.) is comparable to the deploying pressure of pneumatic parts (0.001-0.1 atm.) [3]. It would be possible to extend this approach to investigate the unfolding process of large-sized shells with ruled median surface or for non-developable surfaces. This research was financially supported by the Russian Fund for Basic Research (grants No. 15-01-07946_a and 14-08-96011_r_ural_a). 1. Briskman V., A.Kondyurin, K.Kostarev, V.Leontyev, M.Levkovich, A.Mashinsky, G.Nechitailo, T.Yudina, Polymerization in microgravity as a new process in space technology, Paper No IAA-97-IAA.12.1.07, 48th International Astronautical Congress, October 6-10, 1997, Turin Italy. 2. Kondyurin A., Pestrenina I., Pestrenin V., Kashin N., Naymushin A. Large-size deployable construction heated by solar irradiation free space, 40th COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2014. 3. V. M. Pestrenin, I. V. Pestrenina, S. V. Rusakov, and A. V. Kondyurin Deployment of large-size shell constructions by internal pressure, Mechanics of Composite Materials, 2015, Vol. 51, No 5, p. 629-636.

Vibrations and structureborne noise in space station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaicaitis, R.; Lyrintzis, C. S.; Bofilios, D. A.

1987-01-01

Analytical models were developed to predict vibrations and structureborne noise generation of cylindrical and rectangular acoustic enclosures. These models are then used to determine structural vibration levels and interior noise to random point input forces. The guidelines developed could provide preliminary information on acoustical and vibrational environments in space station habitability modules under orbital operations. The structural models include single wall monocoque shell, double wall shell, stiffened orthotropic shell, descretely stiffened flat panels, and a coupled system composed of a cantilever beam structure and a stiffened sidewall. Aluminum and fiber reinforced composite materials are considered for single and double wall shells. The end caps of the cylindrical enclosures are modeled either as single or double wall circular plates. Sound generation in the interior space is calculated by coupling the structural vibrations to the acoustic field in the enclosure. Modal methods and transfer matrix techniques are used to obtain structural vibrations. Parametric studies are performed to determine the sensitivity of interior noise environment to changes in input, geometric and structural conditions.

Ni3Si(Al)/a-SiOx core shell nanoparticles: characterization, shell formation, and stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pigozzi, G.; Mukherji, D.; Gilles, R.; Barbier, B.; Kostorz, G.

2006-08-01

We have used an electrochemical selective phase dissolution method to extract nanoprecipitates of the Ni3Si-type intermetallic phase from two-phase Ni-Si and Ni-Si-Al alloys by dissolving the matrix phase. The extracted nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry, x-ray powder diffraction, and electron powder diffraction. It is found that the Ni3Si-type nanoparticles have a core-shell structure. The core maintains the size, the shape, and the crystal structure of the precipitates that existed in the bulk alloys, while the shell is an amorphous phase, containing only Si and O (SiOx). The shell forms around the precipitates during the extraction process. After annealing the nanoparticles in nitrogen at 700 °C, the tridymite phase recrystallizes within the shell, which remains partially amorphous. In contrast, on annealing in air at 1000 °C, no changes in the composition or the structure of the nanoparticles occur. It is suggested that the shell forms after dealloying of the matrix phase, where Si atoms, the main constituents of the shell, migrate to the surface of the precipitates.

Ni(3)Si(Al)/a-SiO(x) core-shell nanoparticles: characterization, shell formation, and stability.

PubMed

Pigozzi, G; Mukherji, D; Gilles, R; Barbier, B; Kostorz, G

2006-08-28

We have used an electrochemical selective phase dissolution method to extract nanoprecipitates of the Ni(3)Si-type intermetallic phase from two-phase Ni-Si and Ni-Si-Al alloys by dissolving the matrix phase. The extracted nanoparticles are characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry, x-ray powder diffraction, and electron powder diffraction. It is found that the Ni(3)Si-type nanoparticles have a core-shell structure. The core maintains the size, the shape, and the crystal structure of the precipitates that existed in the bulk alloys, while the shell is an amorphous phase, containing only Si and O (SiO(x)). The shell forms around the precipitates during the extraction process. After annealing the nanoparticles in nitrogen at 700 °C, the tridymite phase recrystallizes within the shell, which remains partially amorphous. In contrast, on annealing in air at 1000 °C, no changes in the composition or the structure of the nanoparticles occur. It is suggested that the shell forms after dealloying of the matrix phase, where Si atoms, the main constituents of the shell, migrate to the surface of the precipitates.

Rigid Biological Systems as Models for Synthetic Composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mayer, George

2005-11-01

Advances that have been made in understanding the mechanisms underlying the mechanical behavior of a number of biological materials (namely mollusk shells and sponge spicules) are discussed here. Attempts at biomimicry of the structure of a nacreous layer of a mollusk shell have shown reasonable success. However, they have revealed additional issues that must be addressed if new synthetic composite materials that are based on natural systems are to be constructed. Some of the important advantages and limitations of copying from nature are also described here.

Structural Evolution of Sub-10 nm Octahedral Platinum$-$Nickel Bimetallic Nanocrystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, Qiaowan; Xu, Yuan; Duan, Zhiyuan

Octahedral Pt alloy nanocrystals (NCs) have shown excellent activities as electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). As the activity and stability of NCs are highly dependent on their structure and the elemental distribution, it is of great importance to understand the formation mechanism of octahedral NCs and to rationally synthesize shape-controlled alloy catalysts with optimized ORR activity and stability. However, the factors controlling the structural and compositional evolution during the synthesis have not been well understood yet. Here in this paper, we systematically investigated the structure and composition evolution pathways of Pt–Ni octahedra synthesized with the assistance of W(CO) 6more » and revealed a unique core–shell structure consisting of a Pt core and a Pt–Ni alloy shell. Below 140 °C, sphere-like pure Pt NCs with the diameter of 3–4 nm first nucleated, followed by the isotropic growth of Pt–Ni alloy on the seeds at temperatures between 170 and 230 °C forming Pt@Pt–Ni core–shell octahedra with {111} facets. Owing to its unique structure, the Pt@Pt–Ni octahedra show an unparalleled stability during potential cycling, that is, no activity drop after 10 000 cycles between 0.6 and 1.0 V. This work proposes the Pt@Pt–Ni octahedra as a high profile electrocatalyst for ORR and reveals the structural and composition evolution pathways of Pt-based bimetallic NCs.« less

Structural Evolution of Sub-10 nm Octahedral Platinum$-$Nickel Bimetallic Nanocrystals

DOE PAGES

Chang, Qiaowan; Xu, Yuan; Duan, Zhiyuan; ...

2017-05-11

Octahedral Pt alloy nanocrystals (NCs) have shown excellent activities as electrocatalysts toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). As the activity and stability of NCs are highly dependent on their structure and the elemental distribution, it is of great importance to understand the formation mechanism of octahedral NCs and to rationally synthesize shape-controlled alloy catalysts with optimized ORR activity and stability. However, the factors controlling the structural and compositional evolution during the synthesis have not been well understood yet. Here in this paper, we systematically investigated the structure and composition evolution pathways of Pt–Ni octahedra synthesized with the assistance of W(CO) 6more » and revealed a unique core–shell structure consisting of a Pt core and a Pt–Ni alloy shell. Below 140 °C, sphere-like pure Pt NCs with the diameter of 3–4 nm first nucleated, followed by the isotropic growth of Pt–Ni alloy on the seeds at temperatures between 170 and 230 °C forming Pt@Pt–Ni core–shell octahedra with {111} facets. Owing to its unique structure, the Pt@Pt–Ni octahedra show an unparalleled stability during potential cycling, that is, no activity drop after 10 000 cycles between 0.6 and 1.0 V. This work proposes the Pt@Pt–Ni octahedra as a high profile electrocatalyst for ORR and reveals the structural and composition evolution pathways of Pt-based bimetallic NCs.« less

Significantly improved dielectric performances of nanocomposites via loading two-dimensional core-shell structure Bi2Te3@SiO2 nanosheets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Jianwen; Wang, Xiucai; Yu, Xinmei; Fan, Yun; Duan, Zhikui; Jiang, Yewen; Yang, Faquan; Zhou, Yuexia

2018-07-01

Polymer/semiconductor-insulator nanocomposites can display high dielectric constants with a relatively low dissipation factor under low electric fields, and thus seem to promising for high energy density capacitors. Here, a novel nanocomposite films is developed by loading two-dimensional (2D) core-shell structure Bi2Te3@SiO2 nanosheets in the poly (vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoro propylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) polymer matrix. The 2D Bi2Te3 nanosheets were prepared through simple microwave-assisted method. The experimental results suggesting that the SiO2 shell layer between the fillers and polymer matrix could effectively improve the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, AC conductivity, and breakdown strength of composites films. The composite films load with 10 vol.% 2D Bi2Te3@SiO2 nanosheets exhibits a high dielectric constant of 70.3 at 1 kHz and relatively low dielectric loss of 0.058 at 1 kHz. The finite element simulation of electric field and electric current density distribution revealed that the SiO2 shell layer between the fillers and polymer matrix could effectively improve the energy loss, local electric field strength, and breakdown strength of composite films. Therefore, this work will provide a promising route to achieve high-performance capacitors.

Degradation of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures during lithiation and delithiation at 0.8 and 20 A g −1

DOE PAGES

Kim, Dongheun; Li, Nan; Sheehan, Chris J.; ...

2018-01-01

The charging rate-dependent degradation of lithium ion battery anodes based on Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructure was observed. Si/Ge core/shell structure was preserved at the charging rate of 0.8 A g −1 . On the other hand, compositional intermixing and loss of Si occurs at the charging rate of 20 A g −1 .

Degradation of Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructures during lithiation and delithiation at 0.8 and 20 A g −1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kim, Dongheun; Li, Nan; Sheehan, Chris J.

The charging rate-dependent degradation of lithium ion battery anodes based on Si/Ge core/shell nanowire heterostructure was observed. Si/Ge core/shell structure was preserved at the charging rate of 0.8 A g −1 . On the other hand, compositional intermixing and loss of Si occurs at the charging rate of 20 A g −1 .

Methanol oxidation reaction on core-shell structured Ruthenium-Palladium nanoparticles: Relationship between structure and electrochemical behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kübler, Markus; Jurzinsky, Tilman; Ziegenbalg, Dirk; Cremers, Carsten

2018-01-01

In this work the relationship between structural composition and electrochemical characteristics of Palladium(Pd)-Ruthenium(Ru) nanoparticles during alkaline methanol oxidation reaction is investigated. The comparative study of a standard alloyed and a precisely Ru-core-Pd-shell structured catalyst allows for a distinct investigation of the electronic effect and the bifunctional mechanism. Core-shell catalysts benefit from a strong electronic effect and an efficient Pd utilization. It is found that core-shell nanoparticles are highly active towards methanol oxidation reaction for potentials ≥0.6 V, whereas alloyed catalysts show higher current outputs in the lower potential range. However, differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) experiments reveal that the methanol oxidation reaction on core-shell structured catalysts proceeds via the incomplete oxidation pathway yielding formaldehyde, formic acid or methyl formate. Contrary, the alloyed catalyst benefits from the Ru atoms at its surface. Those are found to be responsible for high methanol oxidation activity at lower potentials as well as for complete oxidation of CH3OH to CO2 via the bifunctional mechanism. Based on these findings a new Ru-core-Pd-shell-Ru-terrace catalyst was synthesized, which combines the advantages of the core-shell structure and the alloy. This novel catalyst shows high methanol electrooxidation activity as well as excellent selectivity for the complete oxidation pathway.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Degenhardt, R.; PFH, Private University of Applied Sciences Goettingen, Composite Engineering Campus Stade; Araujo, F. C. de

European aircraft industry demands for reduced development and operating costs. Structural weight reduction by exploitation of structural reserves in composite aerospace structures contributes to this aim, however, it requires accurate and experimentally validated stability analysis of real structures under realistic loading conditions. This paper presents different advances from the area of computational stability analysis of composite aerospace structures which contribute to that field. For stringer stiffened panels main results of the finished EU project COCOMAT are given. It investigated the exploitation of reserves in primary fibre composite fuselage structures through an accurate and reliable simulation of postbuckling and collapse. Formore » unstiffened cylindrical composite shells a proposal for a new design method is presented.« less

Predictable Particle Engineering: Programming the Energy Level, Carrier Generation, and Conductivity of Core-Shell Particles.

PubMed

Yuan, Conghui; Wu, Tong; Mao, Jie; Chen, Ting; Li, Yuntong; Li, Min; Xu, Yiting; Zeng, Birong; Luo, Weiang; Yu, Lingke; Zheng, Gaofeng; Dai, Lizong

2018-06-20

Core-shell structures are of particular interest in the development of advanced composite materials as they can efficiently bring different components together at nanoscale. The advantage of this structure greatly relies on the crucial design of both core and shell, thus achieving an intercomponent synergistic effect. In this report, we show that decorating semiconductor nanocrystals with a boronate polymer shell can easily achieve programmable core-shell interactions. Taking ZnO and anatase TiO 2 nanocrystals as inner core examples, the effective core-shell interactions can narrow the band gap of semiconductor nanocrystals, change the HOMO and LUMO levels of boronate polymer shell, and significantly improve the carrier density of core-shell particles. The hole mobility of core-shell particles can be improved by almost 9 orders of magnitude in comparison with net boronate polymer, while the conductivity of core-shell particles is at most 30-fold of nanocrystals. The particle engineering strategy is based on two driving forces: catechol-surface binding and B-N dative bonding and having a high ability to control and predict the shell thickness. Also, this approach is applicable to various inorganic nanoparticles with different components, sizes, and shapes.

Multicore-shell nanofiber architecture of polyimide/polyvinylidene fluoride blend for thermal and long-term stability of lithium ion battery separator.

PubMed

Park, Sejoon; Son, Chung Woo; Lee, Sungho; Kim, Dong Young; Park, Cheolmin; Eom, Kwang Sup; Fuller, Thomas F; Joh, Han-Ik; Jo, Seong Mu

2016-11-11

Li-ion battery, separator, multicoreshell structure, thermal stability, long-term stability. A nanofibrous membrane with multiple cores of polyimide (PI) in the shell of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) was prepared using a facile one-pot electrospinning technique with a single nozzle. Unique multicore-shell (MCS) structure of the electrospun composite fibers was obtained, which resulted from electrospinning a phase-separated polymer composite solution. Multiple PI core fibrils with high molecular orientation were well-embedded across the cross-section and contributed remarkable thermal stabilities to the MCS membrane. Thus, no outbreaks were found in its dimension and ionic resistance up to 200 and 250 °C, respectively. Moreover, the MCS membrane (at ~200 °C), as a lithium ion battery (LIB) separator, showed superior thermal and electrochemical stabilities compared with a widely used commercial separator (~120 °C). The average capacity decay rate of LIB for 500 cycles was calculated to be approximately 0.030 mAh/g/cycle. This value demonstrated exceptional long-term stability compared with commercial LIBs and with two other types (single core-shell and co-electrospun separators incorporating with functionalized TiO 2 ) of PI/PVdF composite separators. The proper architecture and synergy effects of multiple PI nanofibrils as a thermally stable polymer in the PVdF shell as electrolyte compatible polymers are responsible for the superior thermal performance and long-term stability of the LIB.

Multicore-shell nanofiber architecture of polyimide/polyvinylidene fluoride blend for thermal and long-term stability of lithium ion battery separator

PubMed Central

Park, Sejoon; Son, Chung Woo; Lee, Sungho; Kim, Dong Young; Park, Cheolmin; Eom, Kwang Sup; Fuller, Thomas F.; Joh, Han-Ik; Jo, Seong Mu

2016-01-01

Li-ion battery, separator, multicoreshell structure, thermal stability, long-term stability. A nanofibrous membrane with multiple cores of polyimide (PI) in the shell of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF) was prepared using a facile one-pot electrospinning technique with a single nozzle. Unique multicore-shell (MCS) structure of the electrospun composite fibers was obtained, which resulted from electrospinning a phase-separated polymer composite solution. Multiple PI core fibrils with high molecular orientation were well-embedded across the cross-section and contributed remarkable thermal stabilities to the MCS membrane. Thus, no outbreaks were found in its dimension and ionic resistance up to 200 and 250 °C, respectively. Moreover, the MCS membrane (at ~200 °C), as a lithium ion battery (LIB) separator, showed superior thermal and electrochemical stabilities compared with a widely used commercial separator (~120 °C). The average capacity decay rate of LIB for 500 cycles was calculated to be approximately 0.030 mAh/g/cycle. This value demonstrated exceptional long-term stability compared with commercial LIBs and with two other types (single core-shell and co-electrospun separators incorporating with functionalized TiO2) of PI/PVdF composite separators. The proper architecture and synergy effects of multiple PI nanofibrils as a thermally stable polymer in the PVdF shell as electrolyte compatible polymers are responsible for the superior thermal performance and long-term stability of the LIB. PMID:27833132

A new multi-layer approach for progressive damage simulation in composite laminates based on isogeometric analysis and Kirchhoff-Love shells. Part II: impact modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pigazzini, M. S.; Bazilevs, Y.; Ellison, A.; Kim, H.

2017-11-01

In this two-part paper we introduce a new formulation for modeling progressive damage in laminated composite structures. We adopt a multi-layer modeling approach, based on isogeometric analysis, where each ply or lamina is represented by a spline surface, and modeled as a Kirchhoff-Love thin shell. Continuum damage mechanics is used to model intralaminar damage, and a new zero-thickness cohesive-interface formulation is introduced to model delamination as well as permitting laminate-level transverse shear compliance. In Part I of this series we focus on the presentation of the modeling framework, validation of the framework using standard Mode I and Mode II delamination tests, and assessment of its suitability for modeling thick laminates. In Part II of this series we focus on the application of the proposed framework to modeling and simulation of damage in composite laminates resulting from impact. The proposed approach has significant accuracy and efficiency advantages over existing methods for modeling impact damage. These stem from the use of IGA-based Kirchhoff-Love shells to represent the individual plies of the composite laminate, while the compliant cohesive interfaces enable transverse shear deformation of the laminate. Kirchhoff-Love shells give a faithful representation of the ply deformation behavior, and, unlike solids or traditional shear-deformable shells, do not suffer from transverse-shear locking in the limit of vanishing thickness. This, in combination with higher-order accurate and smooth representation of the shell midsurface displacement field, allows us to adopt relatively coarse in-plane discretizations without sacrificing solution accuracy. Furthermore, the thin-shell formulation employed does not use rotational degrees of freedom, which gives additional efficiency benefits relative to more standard shell formulations.

A new multi-layer approach for progressive damage simulation in composite laminates based on isogeometric analysis and Kirchhoff-Love shells. Part I: basic theory and modeling of delamination and transverse shear

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bazilevs, Y.; Pigazzini, M. S.; Ellison, A.; Kim, H.

2017-11-01

In this two-part paper we introduce a new formulation for modeling progressive damage in laminated composite structures. We adopt a multi-layer modeling approach, based on Isogeometric Analysis (IGA), where each ply or lamina is represented by a spline surface, and modeled as a Kirchhoff-Love thin shell. Continuum Damage Mechanics is used to model intralaminar damage, and a new zero-thickness cohesive-interface formulation is introduced to model delamination as well as permitting laminate-level transverse shear compliance. In Part I of this series we focus on the presentation of the modeling framework, validation of the framework using standard Mode I and Mode II delamination tests, and assessment of its suitability for modeling thick laminates. In Part II of this series we focus on the application of the proposed framework to modeling and simulation of damage in composite laminates resulting from impact. The proposed approach has significant accuracy and efficiency advantages over existing methods for modeling impact damage. These stem from the use of IGA-based Kirchhoff-Love shells to represent the individual plies of the composite laminate, while the compliant cohesive interfaces enable transverse shear deformation of the laminate. Kirchhoff-Love shells give a faithful representation of the ply deformation behavior, and, unlike solids or traditional shear-deformable shells, do not suffer from transverse-shear locking in the limit of vanishing thickness. This, in combination with higher-order accurate and smooth representation of the shell midsurface displacement field, allows us to adopt relatively coarse in-plane discretizations without sacrificing solution accuracy. Furthermore, the thin-shell formulation employed does not use rotational degrees of freedom, which gives additional efficiency benefits relative to more standard shell formulations.

Material Distribution Optimization for the Shell Aircraft Composite Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shevtsov, S.; Zhilyaev, I.; Oganesyan, P.; Axenov, V.

2016-09-01

One of the main goal in aircraft structures designing isweight decreasing and stiffness increasing. Composite structures recently became popular in aircraft because of their mechanical properties and wide range of optimization possibilities.Weight distribution and lay-up are keys to creating lightweight stiff strictures. In this paperwe discuss optimization of specific structure that undergoes the non-uniform air pressure at the different flight conditions and reduce a level of noise caused by the airflowinduced vibrations at the constrained weight of the part. Initial model was created with CAD tool Siemens NX, finite element analysis and post processing were performed with COMSOL Multiphysicsr and MATLABr. Numerical solutions of the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations supplemented by k-w turbulence model provide the spatial distributions of air pressure applied to the shell surface. At the formulation of optimization problem the global strain energy calculated within the optimized shell was assumed as the objective. Wall thickness has been changed using parametric approach by an initiation of auxiliary sphere with varied radius and coordinates of the center, which were the design variables. To avoid a local stress concentration, wall thickness increment was defined as smooth function on the shell surface dependent of auxiliary sphere position and size. Our study consists of multiple steps: CAD/CAE transformation of the model, determining wind pressure for different flow angles, optimizing wall thickness distribution for specific flow angles, designing a lay-up for optimal material distribution. The studied structure was improved in terms of maximum and average strain energy at the constrained expense ofweight growth. Developed methods and tools can be applied to wide range of shell-like structures made of multilayered quasi-isotropic laminates.

Light-stimulated cargo release from a core–shell structured nanocomposite for site-specific delivery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cai, Yun; Ling, Li; Li, Xiaofang

This paper reported a core–shell structured site-specific delivery system with a light switch triggered by low energy light (λ=510 nm). Its core was composed of supermagnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} nanoparticles for magnetic guiding and targeting. Its outer shell consisted of mesoporous silica molecular sieve MCM-41 which offered highly ordered hexagonal tunnels for cargo capacity. A light switch N1-(4aH-cyclopenta[1,2-b:5,4-b′]dipyridin-5(5aH)-ylidene)benzene-1, 4-diamine (CBD) was covalently grafted into these hexagonal tunnels, serving as light stimuli acceptor with loading content of 1.1 μM/g. This composite was fully characterized and confirmed by SEM, TEM, XRD patterns, N{sub 2} adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis, IR, UV–vis absorption and emissionmore » spectra. Experimental data suggested that this composite had a core as wide as 150 nm and could be magnetically guided to specific sites. Its hexagonal tunnels were as long as 180 nm. Upon light stimuli of “on” and “off” states, controllable release was observed with short release time of ~900 s (90% capacity). - Graphical abstract: A core–shell structured site-specific delivery system with a light switch triggered by yellow light was constructed. Controllable release was observed with short release time of ~900 s (90% capacity). - Highlights: • A core–shell structured site-specific delivery system was constructed. • It consisted of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core and MCM-41 shell grafted with light switch. • This delivery system was triggered by low energy light. • Controllable release was observed with short release time of ~900 s.« less

Research on soundproof properties of cylindrical shells of generalized phononic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Ru; Shu, Haisheng; Wang, Xingguo

2017-04-01

Based on the previous studies, the concept of generalized phononic crystals (GPCs) is further introduced into the cylindrical shell structures in this paper. And a type of cylindrical shells of generalized phononic crystals (CS-GPCs) is constructed, the structural field and acoustic-structural coupled field of the composite cylindrical shells are examined respectively. For the structural field, the transfer matrix method of mechanical state vector is adopted to build the transfer matrix of radial waves propagating from inside to outside. For the acoustic-structural coupled field, the expressions of the acoustic transmission/reflection coefficients and the sound insulation of acoustic waves with the excitation of center line sound source are set up. And the acoustic transmission coefficient and the frequency response of sound insulation in this mode were numerical calculated. Furthermore, the theoretical analysis results are verified by using the method of combining the numerical calculation and finite element simulation. Finally, the effects of inner and outer fluid parameters on the transmission/reflection coefficients of CS-GPCs are analyzed in detail.

Composite Structures Materials Testing for the Orion Crew Vehicle Heat Shield

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khemani, Farah N.

2011-01-01

As research is being performed for the new heat shield for the Orion capsule, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is developing the first composite heat shield. As an intern of the Structures Branch in the Engineering Directorate (ES 2), my main task was to set up a test plan to determine the material properties of the honeycomb that will be used on the Orion Crew Module heat shield to verify that the composite is suitable for the capsule. Before conducting composite shell tests, which are performed to simulate the crush performance of the heat shield on the capsule, it is necessary to determine the compression and shear properties of the composite used on the shell. During this internship, I was responsible for developing a test plan, designing parts for the test fixtures as well as getting them fabricated for the honeycomb shear and compression testing. This involved work in Pro/Engineer as well as coordinating with Fab Express, the Building 9 Composite Shop and the Structures Test Laboratory (STL). The research and work executed for this project will be used for composite sandwich panel testing in the future as well. As a part of the Structures Branch, my main focus was to research composite structures. This involves system engineering and integration (SE&I) integration, manufacturing, and preliminary testing. The procedures for these projects that were executed during this internship included design work, conducting tests and performing analysis.

Tailoring characteristic thermal stability of Ni-Au binary nanocrystals via structure and composition engineering: theoretical insights into structural evolution and atomic inter-diffusion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Bangquan; Wang, Hailong; Xing, Guozhong

We report on the structural evolution and atomic inter-diffusion characteristics of the bimetallic Ni-Au nanocrystals (NCs) by molecular dynamics simulations studies. Our results reveal that the thermal stability dynamics of Ni-Au NCs strongly depends on the atomic configurations. By engineering the structural construction with Ni:Au = 1:1 atomic composition, compared with core-shell Au@Ni and alloy NCs, the melting point of core-shell Ni@Au NCs is significantly enhanced up to 1215 K. Unexpectedly, with atomic ratio of Au:Ni= 1:9, the melting process initiates from the atoms in the shell of Ni@Au and alloy NCs, while starts from the core of Au@Ni NCs.more » The corresponding features and evolution process of structural motifs, mixing and segregation are illustrated via a series of dynamic simulations videos. Moreover, our results revealed that the face centered cubic phase Au{sub 0.75}Ni{sub 0.25} favorably stabilizes in NCs form but does not exist in the bulk counterpart, which elucidates the anomalies of previously reported experimental results on such bimetallic NCs.« less

Determination of the structure and composition of Au-Ag bimetallic spherical nanoparticles using single particle ICP-MS measurements performed with normal and high temporal resolution.

PubMed

Kéri, Albert; Kálomista, Ildikó; Ungor, Ditta; Bélteki, Ádám; Csapó, Edit; Dékány, Imre; Prohaska, Thomas; Galbács, Gábor

2018-03-01

In this study, the information that can be obtained by combining normal and high resolution single particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS) measurements for spherical bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs) was assessed. One commercial certified core-shell Au-Ag nanoparticle and three newly synthesized and fully characterized homogenous alloy Au-Ag nanoparticle batches of different composition were used in the experiments as BNP samples. By scrutinizing the high resolution spICP-MS signal time profiles, it was revealed that the width of the signal peak linearly correlates with the diameter of nanoparticles. It was also observed that the width of the peak for same-size nanoparticles is always significantly larger for Au than for Ag. It was also found that it can be reliably determined whether a BNP is of homogeneus alloy or core-shell structure and that, in the case of the latter, the core comprises of which element. We also assessed the performance of several ICP-MS based analytical methods in the analysis of the quantitative composition of bimetallic nanoparticles. Out of the three methods (normal resolution spICP-MS, direct NP nebulization with solution-mode ICP-MS, and solution-mode ICP-MS after the acid dissolution of the nanoparticles), the best accuracy and precision was achieved by spICP-MS. This method allows the determination of the composition with less than 10% relative inaccuracy and better than 3% precision. The analysis is fast and only requires the usual standard colloids for size calibration. Combining the results from both quantitative and structural analyses, the core diameter and shell thickness of core-shell particles can also be calculated. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and thermal stability of W/WS{sub 2} inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles with core-shell structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang Lianxia; Yang Haibin; Fu Wuyou

W/WS{sub 2} inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles with core-shell structure are synthesized by the reaction of tungsten nanospheres and sulfur at relatively low temperatures (380-600 deg. C) under hydrogen atmosphere, in which tungsten nanospheres were prepared by wire electrical explosion method. Images of transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy show that the composite particles are of core-shell structure with spherical shape and the shell thickness is about 10 nm. X-ray powder diffraction results indicate that the interlayer spacing of IF-WS{sub 2} shell decreases and approaches that of 2H-WS{sub 2} with increasing annealing temperatures, representing an expansion of 3.3-1.6%. Amore » mechanism of IF-WS{sub 2} formation via sulfur diffusion into fullerene nanoparticles is discussed. Thermal analysis shows that the nanoparticles obtained at different temperatures exhibit similar thermal stability and the onset temperature of oxidization is about 410 deg. C. Encapsulating hard tungsten core into IF-WS{sub 2} and the spherical shape of the core-shell structures may enhance their performance in tribological applications.« less

Rational Construction of Uniform CoNi-Based Core-Shell Microspheres with Tunable Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties.

PubMed

Chen, Na; Jiang, Jian-Tang; Xu, Cheng-Yan; Yan, Shao-Jiu; Zhen, Liang

2018-02-16

Core-shell particles with integration of ferromagnetic core and dielectric shell are attracting extensive attention for promising microwave absorption applications. In this work, CoNi microspheres with conical bulges were synthesized by a simple and scalable liquid-phase reduction method. Subsequent coating of dielectric materials was conducted to acquire core-shell structured CoNi@TiO 2 composite particles, in which the thickness of TiO 2 is about 40 nm. The coating of TiO 2 enables the absorption band of CoNi to effectively shift from K u to S band, and endows CoNi@TiO 2 microspheres with outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption performance along with a maximum reflection loss of 76.6 dB at 3.3 GHz, much better than that of bare CoNi microspheres (54.4 dB at 17.8 GHz). The enhanced EMA performance is attributed to the unique core-shell structures, which can induce dipole polarization and interfacial polarization, and tune the dielectric properties to achieve good impedance matching. Impressively, TiO 2 coating endows the composites with better microwave absorption capability than CoNi@SiO 2 microspheres. Compared with SiO 2 , TiO 2 dielectric shells could protect CoNi microspheres from merger and agglomeration during annealed. These results indicate that CoNi@TiO 2 core-shell microspheres can serve as high-performance absorbers for electromagnetic wave absorbing application.

Synthesis of Engineered Zeolitic Materials: From Classical Zeolites to Hierarchical Core-Shell Materials.

PubMed

Masoumifard, Nima; Guillet-Nicolas, Rémy; Kleitz, Freddy

2018-04-01

The term "engineered zeolitic materials" refers to a class of materials with a rationally designed pore system and active-sites distribution. They are primarily made of crystalline microporous zeolites as the main building blocks, which can be accompanied by other secondary components to form composite materials. These materials are of potential importance in many industrial fields like catalysis or selective adsorption. Herein, critical aspects related to the synthesis and modification of such materials are discussed. The first section provides a short introduction on classical zeolite structures and properties, and their conventional synthesis methods. Then, the motivating rationale behind the growing demand for structural alteration of these zeolitic materials is discussed, with an emphasis on the ongoing struggles regarding mass-transfer issues. The state-of-the-art techniques that are currently available for overcoming these hurdles are reviewed. Following this, the focus is set on core-shell composites as one of the promising pathways toward the creation of a new generation of highly versatile and efficient engineered zeolitic substances. The synthesis approaches developed thus far to make zeolitic core-shell materials and their analogues, yolk-shell, and hollow materials, are also examined and summarized. Finally, the last section concisely reviews the performance of novel core-shell, yolk-shell, and hollow zeolitic materials for some important industrial applications. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Investigation of Y/SBA Composite Molecular Sieves Morphology Control and Catalytic Performance for n-Pentane Aromatization

PubMed Central

Shi, Chun-Wei; Wu, Wen-Yuan; Li, Shuai; Bian, Xue; Zhao, Shan-lin; Pei, Ming-Yuan

2016-01-01

Using Y molecular sieve as the core, Y/SBA-15 composite molecular sieves were prepared by different crystallization methods in the paper. The growth process and morphologies of the composite molecular sieves were controlled by adjusting the synthesis factors. The structures and acidity of two kinds of composite molecular sieves were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and NH3-TPD. The catalysis performances of the composite molecular sieves were investigated in the aromatization reaction of n-pentane. The results indicated that the desired core-shell composite molecular sieves were obtained when the crystallization conditions were 36 hours, 100 °C and secondary crystallization. The aromatization results showed that core-shell composite molecular sieves had better selectivity for producing high application value xylenes compared to mixed-crystal composite molecular sieves. PMID:27029526

Characterization of multifunctional structural capacitors for embedded energy storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Yirong; Sodano, Henry A.

2009-12-01

Multifunctional composites are a class of materials that combine structural and other functionalities such as sensing, actuation, energy harvesting, and vibration control in order to maximize structural performance while minimizing weight and complexity. Among all the multifunctional composites developed so far, piezoelectric composites have been widely studied due to the high coupling of energy between the electrical and mechanical domains and the inherently high dielectric constant. Several piezoelectric fiber composites have been developed for sensing and actuation applications; however, none of the previously studied composites fully embed all components of an energy storage device as load bearing members of the structure. A multifunctional fiber that can be embedded in a composite material to perform sensing and actuation has been recently developed [Y. Lin and H. A. Sodano, Adv. Funct. Mater. 18, 592 (2008)], in addition to providing load bearing functionality. The design was achieved by coating a common structural fiber, silicon carbide, with a barium titanate piezoelectric shell, and poling the active material radically by employing the structural fiber as one of the electrodes. The silicon carbide core fiber also carries external mechanical loading to protect the brittle barium titanate shell from fracture. The excellent piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the barium titanate material make the active structural fiber an outstanding candidate for converting and storing ambient mechanical energy into electrical energy to power other electric devices in the system. This paper focuses on the characterization of energy storage capability of the multifunctional fiber provided by the dielectric properties of the barium titanate shell. The capacitances of the multifunctional fibers with four different aspect ratios are tested and compared with the theoretical expressions for the cylindrical capacitor, while the breakdown voltages of the multifunctional fibers are tested according to American Society for Testing and Materials standards (ASTM D 149-97a). The stored energy is calculated from the testing results and the best aspect ratio for energy storage application can be determined. The resulting capacitive fiber is shown to have an energy density approximately two orders of magnitude higher than structural capacitors in the literature.

In situ passivation of GaAsP nanowires.

PubMed

Himwas, C; Collin, S; Rale, P; Chauvin, N; Patriarche, G; Oehler, F; Julien, F H; Travers, L; Harmand, J-C; Tchernycheva, M

2017-12-08

We report on the structural and optical properties of GaAsP nanowires (NWs) grown by molecular-beam epitaxy. By adjusting the alloy composition in the NWs, the transition energy was tuned to the optimal value required for tandem III-V/silicon solar cells. We discovered that an unintentional shell was also formed during the GaAsP NW growth. The NW surface was passivated by an in situ deposition of a radial Ga(As)P shell. Different shell compositions and thicknesses were investigated. We demonstrate that the optimal passivation conditions for GaAsP NWs (with a gap of 1.78 eV) are obtained with a 5 nm thick GaP shell. This passivation enhances the luminescence intensity of the NWs by 2 orders of magnitude and yields a longer luminescence decay. The luminescence dynamics changes from single exponential decay with a 4 ps characteristic time in non-passivated NWs to a bi-exponential decay with characteristic times of 85 and 540 ps in NWs with GaP shell passivation.

Predicting Structural Behavior of Filament Wound Composite Pressure Vessel Using Three Dimensional Shell Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madhavi, M.; Venkat, R.

2014-01-01

Fiber reinforced polymer composite materials with their higher specific strength, moduli and tailorability characteristics will result in reduction of weight of the structure. The composite pressure vessels with integrated end domes develop hoop stresses that are twice longitudinal stresses and when isotropic materials like metals are used for development of the hardware and the material is not fully utilized in the longitudinal/meridional direction resulting in over weight components. The determination of a proper winding angles and thickness is very important to decrease manufacturing difficulties and to increase structural efficiency. In the present study a methodology is developed to understand structural characteristics of filament wound pressure vessels with integrated end domes. Progressive ply wise failure analysis of composite pressure vessel with geodesic end domes is carried out to determine matrix crack failure, burst pressure values at various positions of the shell. A three dimensional finite element analysis is computed to predict the deformations and stresses in the composite pressure vessel. The proposed method could save the time to design filament wound structures, to check whether the ply design is safe for the given input conditions and also can be adapted to non-geodesic structures. The results can be utilized to understand structural characteristics of filament wound pressure vessels with integrated end domes. This approach can be adopted for various applications like solid rocket motor casings, automobile fuel storage tanks and chemical storage tanks. Based on the predictions a composite pressure vessel is designed and developed. Hydraulic test is performed on the composite pressure vessel till the burst pressure.

Study on the Impact Resistance of Bionic Layered Composite of TiC-TiB2/Al from Al-Ti-B4C System

PubMed Central

Zhao, Qian; Liang, Yunhong; Zhang, Zhihui; Li, Xiujuan; Ren, Luquan

2016-01-01

Mechanical property and impact resistance mechanism of bionic layered composite was investigated. Due to light weight and high strength property, white clam shell was chosen as bionic model for design of bionic layered composite. The intercoupling model between hard layer and soft layer was identical to the layered microstructure and hardness tendency of the white clam shell, which connected the bionic design and fabrication. TiC-TiB2 reinforced Al matrix composites fabricated from Al-Ti-B4C system with 40 wt. %, 50 wt. % and 30 wt. % Al contents were treated as an outer layer, middle layer and inner layer in hard layers. Pure Al matrix was regarded as a soft layer. Compared with traditional homogenous Al-Ti-B4C composite, bionic layered composite exhibited high mechanical properties including flexural strength, fracture toughness, compressive strength and impact toughness. The intercoupling effect of layered structure and combination model of hard and soft played a key role in high impact resistance of the bionic layered composite, proving the feasibility and practicability of the bionic model of a white clam shell. PMID:28773827

Could Nano-Structured Materials Enable the Improved Pressure Vessels for Deep Atmospheric Probes?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Srivastava, D.; Fuentes, A.; Bienstock, B.; Arnold, J. O.

2005-01-01

A viewgraph presentation on the use of Nano-Structured Materials to enable pressure vessel structures for deep atmospheric probes is shown. The topics include: 1) High Temperature/Pressure in Key X-Environments; 2) The Case for Use of Nano-Structured Materials Pressure Vessel Design; 3) Carbon based Nanomaterials; 4) Nanotube production & purification; 5) Nanomechanics of Carbon Nanotubes; 6) CNT-composites: Example (Polymer); 7) Effect of Loading sequence on Composite with 8% by volume; 8) Models for Particulate Reinforced Composites; 9) Fullerene/Ti Composite for High Strength-Insulating Layer; 10) Fullerene/Epoxy Composite for High Strength-Insulating Layer; 11) Models for Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composites; 12) Tensile Strength for Discontinuous Fiber Composite; 13) Ti + SWNT Composites: Thermal/Mechanical; 14) Ti + SWNT Composites: Tensile Strength; and 15) Nano-structured Shell for Pressure Vessels.

In-plane, commensurate GaN/AlN junctions: single-layer composite structures, multiple quantum wells and quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Durgun, Engin; Onen, Abdullatif; Kecik, Deniz; Ciraci, Salim

In-plane composite structures constructed of the stripes or core/shells of single-layer GaN and AlN, which are joined commensurately display diversity of electronic properties, that can be tuned by the size of their constituents. In heterostructures, the dimensionality of electrons change from 2D to 1D upon their confinements in wide constituent stripes leading to the type-I band alignment and hence multiple quantum well structure in the direct space. The δ-doping of one wide stripe by other narrow stripe results in local narrowing or widening of the band gap. The direct-indirect transition of the fundamental band gap of composite structures can be attained depending on the odd or even values of formula unit in the armchair edged heterojunction. In a patterned array of GaN/AlN core/shells, the dimensionality of the electronic states are reduced from 2D to 0D forming multiple quantum dots in large GaN-cores, while 2D electrons propagate in multiply connected AlN shell as if they are in a supercrystal. These predictions are obtained from first-principles calculations based on density functional theory on single-layer GaN and AlN compound semiconductors which were synthesized recently. This work was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under Project No 115F088.

Multi-scale hierarchy of Chelydra serpentina: microstructure and mechanical properties of turtle shell.

PubMed

Balani, Kantesh; Patel, Riken R; Keshri, Anup K; Lahiri, Debrupa; Agarwal, Arvind

2011-10-01

Carapace, the protective shell of a freshwater snapping turtle, Chelydra serpentina, shields them from ferocious attacks of their predators while maintaining light-weight and agility for a swim. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the turtle shell are very appealing to materials scientists and engineers for bio-mimicking, to obtain a multi-functional surface. In this study, we have elucidated the complex microstructure of a dry Chelydra serpentina's shell which is very similar to a multi-layered composite structure. The microstructure of a turtle shell's carapace elicits a sandwich structure of waxy top surface with a harder sub-surface layer serving as a shielding structure, followed by a lamellar carbonaceous layer serving as shock absorber, and the inner porous matrix serves as a load-bearing scaffold while acting as reservoir of retaining water and nutrients. The mechanical properties (elastic modulus and hardness) of various layers obtained via nanoindentation corroborate well with the functionality of each layer. Elastic modulus ranged between 0.47 and 22.15 GPa whereas hardness varied between 53.7 and 522.2 MPa depending on the microstructure of the carapace layer. Consequently, the modulus of each layer was represented into object oriented finite element (OOF2) modeling towards extracting the overall effective modulus of elasticity (~4.75 GPa) of a turtle's carapace. Stress distribution of complex layered structure was elicited with an applied strain of 1% in order to understand the load sharing of various composite layers in the turtle's carapace. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Finite Element Analysis of Crack-Path Selection in a Brick and Mortar Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarrafi-Nour, Reza; Manoharan, Mohan; Johnson, Curtis A.

Many natural composite materials rely on organized architectures that span several length scales. The structures of natural shells such as nacre (mother-of-pearl) and conch are prominent examples of such organizations where the calcium carbonate platelets, the main constituent of natural shells, are held together in an organized fashion within an organic matrix. At one or multiple length scales, these organized arrangements often resemble a brick-and-mortar structure, with calcium carbonate platelets acting as bricks connected through the organic mortar phase.

Simulation of laminate composites degradation using mesoscopic non-local damage model and non-local layered shell element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Germain, Norbert; Besson, Jacques; Feyel, Frédéric

2007-07-01

Simulating damage and failure of laminate composites structures often fails when using the standard finite element procedure. The difficulties arise from an uncontrolled mesh dependence caused by damage localization and an increase in computational costs. One of the solutions to the first problem, widely used to predict the failure of metallic materials, consists of using non-local damage constitutive equations. The second difficulty can then be solved using specific finite element formulations, such as shell element, which decrease the number of degrees of freedom. The main contribution of this paper consists of extending these techniques to layered materials such as polymer matrix composites. An extension of the non-local implicit gradient formulation, accounting for anisotropy and stratification, and an original layered shell element, based on a new partition of the unity, are proposed. Finally the efficiency of the resulting numerical scheme is studied by comparing simulation with experimental results.

Composite adhesive bonds reinforced with microparticle filler based on egg shell waste

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller, Miroslav; Valášek, Petr

2018-05-01

A research on composite adhesive bonds reinforced with waste from hen eggs processing, i.e. egg shell waste (ESW) is based on an assumption of the utilization of agricultural/food production waste. The aim of the research is to gain new pieces of knowledge about the material utilization of ESW, i.e. to evaluate possibilities of the use of various concentrations of ESW microparticles smaller than 100 µm based on hen egg shells as the filler in a structural resin used for a creation of adhesive bonds from bearing metal elements. An adhesive bond strength, an elongation at break and a fracture surface were evaluated within the research on adhesive bonds. The experiment results proved the efficiency of ESW filler in the area of composite adhesive bonds. The adhesive bond strength was increased up of more than 17 % by adding 40 wt.% of ESW microparticles.

Faceting, composition and crystal phase evolution in III-V antimonide nanowire heterostructures revealed by combining microscopy techniques.

PubMed

Xu, Tao; Dick, Kimberly A; Plissard, Sébastien; Nguyen, Thanh Hai; Makoudi, Younes; Berthe, Maxime; Nys, Jean-Philippe; Wallart, Xavier; Grandidier, Bruno; Caroff, Philippe

2012-03-09

III-V antimonide nanowires are among the most interesting semiconductors for transport physics, nanoelectronics and long-wavelength optoelectronic devices due to their optimal material properties. In order to investigate their complex crystal structure evolution, faceting and composition, we report a combined scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) study of gold-nucleated ternary InAs/InAs(1-x)Sb(x) nanowire heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy. SEM showed the general morphology and faceting, TEM revealed the internal crystal structure and ternary compositions, while STM was successfully applied to characterize the oxide-free nanowire sidewalls, in terms of nanofaceting morphology, atomic structure and surface composition. The complementary use of these techniques allows for correlation of the morphological and structural properties of the nanowires with the amount of Sb incorporated during growth. The addition of even a minute amount of Sb to InAs changes the crystal structure from perfect wurtzite to perfect zinc blende, via intermediate stacking fault and pseudo-periodic twinning regimes. Moreover, the addition of Sb during the axial growth of InAs/InAs(1-x)Sb(x) heterostructure nanowires causes a significant conformal lateral overgrowth on both segments, leading to the spontaneous formation of a core-shell structure, with an Sb-rich shell.

Fabrication of Hierarchical Layer-by-Layer Assembled Diamond-based Core-Shell Nanocomposites as Highly Efficient Dye Absorbents for Wastewater Treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xinna; Ma, Kai; Jiao, Tifeng; Xing, Ruirui; Ma, Xilong; Hu, Jie; Huang, Hao; Zhang, Lexin; Yan, Xuehai

2017-03-01

The effective chemical modification and self-assembly of diamond-based hierarchical composite materials are of key importance for a broad range of diamond applications. Herein, we report the preparation of novel core-shell diamond-based nanocomposites for dye adsorption toward wastewater treatment through a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled strategy. The synthesis of the reported composites began with the carboxyl functionalization of microdiamond by the chemical modification of diamond@graphene oxide composite through the oxidation of diamond@graphite. The carboxyl-terminated microdiamond was then alternatively immersed in the aqueous solution of amine-containing polyethylenimine and carboxyl-containing poly acrylic acid, which led to the formation of adsorption layer on diamond surface. Alternating (self-limiting) immersions in the solutions of the amine-containing and carboxyl-containing polymers were continued until the desired number of shell layers were formed around the microdiamond. The obtained core-shell nanocomposites were successfully synthesized and characterized by morphological and spectral techniques, demonstrating higher surface areas and mesoporous structures for good dye adsorption capacities than nonporous solid diamond particles. The LbL-assembled core-shell nanocomposites thus obtained demonstrated great adsorption capacity by using two model dyes as pollutants for wastewater treatment. Therefore, the present work on LbL-assembled diamond-based composites provides new alternatives for developing diamond hybrids as well as nanomaterials towards wastewater treatment applications.

Preparation and application of crosslinked poly(sodium acrylate)--coated magnetite nanoparticles as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel alloy.

PubMed

Atta, Ayman M; El-Mahdy, Gamal A; Al-Lohedan, Hamad A; El-Saeed, Ashraf M

2015-01-14

This work presents a new method to prepare poly(sodium acrylate) magnetite composite nanoparticles. Core/shell type magnetite nanocomposites were synthesized using sodium acrylate as monomer and N,N-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker. Microemulsion polymerization was used for constructing core/shell structures with magnetite nanoparticles as core and poly(sodium acrylate) as shell. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to characterize the nanocomposite chemical structure. Transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) was used to examine the morphology of the modified poly(sodium acrylate) magnetite composite nanoparticles. These particle will be evaluated for effective anticorrosion behavior as a hydrophobic surface on stainless steel. The composite nanoparticles has been designed by dispersing nanocomposites which act as a corrosion inhibitor. The inhibition effect of AA-Na/magnetite composites on steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Polarization measurements indicated that the studied inhibitor acts as mixed type corrosion inhibitor. EIS spectra exhibit one capacitive loop. The different techniques confirmed that the inhibition efficiency reaches 99% at 50 ppm concentration. This study has led to a better understanding of active anticorrosive magnetite nanoparticles with embedded nanocomposites and the factors influencing their anticorrosion performance.

Fabrication of CeO2–MOx (M = Cu, Co, Ni) composite yolk–shell nanospheres with enhanced catalytic properties for CO oxidation

PubMed Central

Shi, Jingjing; Cao, Hongxia; Wang, Ruiyu

2017-01-01

CeO2–MOx (M = Cu, Co, Ni) composite yolk–shell nanospheres with uniform size were fabricated by a general wet-chemical approach. It involved a non-equilibrium heat-treatment of Ce coordination polymer colloidal spheres (Ce-CPCSs) with a proper heating rate to produce CeO2 yolk–shell nanospheres, followed by a solvothermal treatment of as-synthesized CeO2 with M(CH3COO)2 in ethanol solution. During the solvothermal process, highly dispersed MOx species were decorated on the surface of CeO2 yolk–shell nanospheres to form CeO2–MOx composites. As a CO oxidation catalyst, the CeO2–MOx composite yolk–shell nanospheres showed strikingly higher catalytic activity than naked CeO2 due to the strong synergistic interaction at the interface sites between MOx and CeO2. Cycling tests demonstrate the good cycle stability of these yolk–shell nanospheres. The initial concentration of M(CH3COO)2·xH2O in the synthesis process played a significant role in catalytic performance for CO oxidation. Impressively, complete CO conversion as reached at a relatively low temperature of 145 °C over the CeO2–CuOx-2 sample. Furthermore, the CeO2–CuOx catalyst is more active than the CeO2–CoOx and CeO2–NiO catalysts, indicating that the catalytic activity is correlates with the metal oxide. Additionally, this versatile synthesis approach can be expected to create other ceria-based composite oxide systems with various structures for a broad range of technical applications. PMID:29234577

Fabrication of Fe3O4@CuO core-shell from MOF based materials and its antibacterial activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajabi, S. K.; Sohrabnezhad, Sh.; Ghafourian, S.

2016-12-01

Magnetic Fe3O4@CuO nanocomposite with a core/shell structure was successfully synthesized via direct calcinations of magnetic Fe3O4@HKUST-1 in air atmosphere. The morphology, structure, magnetic and porous properties of the as-synthesized nano composites were characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM). The results showed that the nanocomposite material included a Fe3O4 core and a CuO shell. The Fe3O4@CuO core-shell can be separated easily from the medium by a small magnet. The antibacterial activity of Fe3O4-CuO core-shell was investigated against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. A new mechanism was proposed for inactivation of bacteria over the prepared sample. It was demonstrated that the core-shell exhibit recyclable antibacterial activity, acting as an ideal long-acting antibacterial agent.

Comment on Peck et al: Vulnerability of pteropod (Limacina helicina) to ocean acidification: shell dissolution occurs despite an intact organic layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bednaršek, N.; Johnson, J.; Feely, R. A.

2016-05-01

Pteropods have been recognized as one of the most sensitive marine organisms to ocean acidification (OA). Their susceptibility is mostly related to rapid shell dissolution, which is correlated with exposure to waters undersaturated with respect to aragonite (Ωar≤ 1) (e.g., Lischka et al., 2011; Bednaršek et al., 2012a,b, 2014a,b; Busch et al., 2014). Increased dissolution weakens the shell, increases vulnerability to predation and infection, and imposes an energetic cost. The rapidity of shell dissolution is attributed to the combination of metastable aragonitic crystal structure of shells that are among the thinnest known for calcifying organisms, and an extremely thin outer organic layer (i.e. periostracum <1 μm thick), suggesting insufficient protection against shell dissolution at Ωar≤1 (Bednaršek et al., 2014b). The periostracum generally consists of polysaccharide and proteinaceous components (Gaffey and Bronnimann, 1993) but varies significantly in its structure and composition amongst taxa.

Synthesis of SiO2-Coated Core-Shell ZnO Composites for Preparing High-Voltage Varistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Xiao; Yao, Da-Chuan; Liu, Jin-Ran; Wang, Mao-Hua; Zhang, Han-Ping

2018-01-01

Monodispersed ZnO composite microspheres were successfully prepared by a facile ultrasound irradiation method. Then, the uniform core-shell structured composites were synthesized through the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate on the surface of the ZnO composite microspheres. Microstructural studies of the as-obtained powders were carried out using the techniques of the x-ray powder diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the pink ZnO composite powders as the core were spherical structures with the size of approximately 100 nm, and the SiO2 shell was fully coated on the surface of the core. On the basis of these results, the effect of SiO2 content on the thickness of the synthesized composites and microstructure, as well as the electrical properties of the ZnO varistors sintered in air at 1150°C for 2 h, were fully studied. In particular, the ZnO varistor prepared with the appropriate amount of the SiO2 coating (˜40 nm) leads to a superior electrical performance with the high breakdown voltage of 418 V mm-1 and an excellent nonlinear coefficient of 70.7, compared with the varistors obtained without the SiO2 coating. The high performance is attributed to the smaller and more homogeneous ZnO grains obtained via the SiO2 coating.

Buckling Design Studies of Inverted, Oblate Bulkheads for a Propellant Tank

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smeltzer, Stanley S., III; Bowman, Lynn M.

2002-01-01

An investigation of the deformation and buckling characteristics of a composite, oblate bulkhead that has an inverted geometry and is subjected to pressure-only loading is presented for three bulkhead geometries and thicknesses. The effects of a stiffening support ring at the bulkhead to cylinder interface are also evaluated. Buckling analyses conducted using the axisymmetric shell code BOSOR4 are discussed for several bulkhead configurations. These results are analytically verified using results from the Structural Analysis of General Shells (STAGS) code for a selected bulkhead configuration. The buckling characterization of an inverted, oblate bulkhead requires careful attention as small changes in bulkhead parameters can have a significant effect on the critical buckling load. Comparison of BOSOR4 and STAGS results provided a very good correlation between the two analysis methods. In addition, the analysis code BOSOR4 was found to be an efficient sizing tool that is useful during the preliminary design stage of a practical shell structure. Together, these two aspects should give the design engineer confidence in sizing these stability critical structures. Additional characterization is warranted, especially for a composite tank structure, since only one bulkhead configuration was examined closely.

Bending Boundary Layers in Laminated-Composite Circular Cylindrical Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.; Smeltzer, Stanley S., III

2000-01-01

A study of the attenuation of bending boundary layers in balanced and unbalanced, symmetrically and unsymmetrically laminated cylindrical shells is presented for nine contemporary material systems. The analysis is based on the linear Sanders-Koiter shell equations and specializations to the Love-Kirchhoff shell equations and Donnell's equations are included. Two nondimensional parameters are identified that characterize the effects of laminate orthotropy and anisotropy on the bending boundary-layer decay length in a very general manner. A substantial number of structural design technology results are presented for a wide range of laminated-composite cylinders. For all laminates considered, the results show that the differences between results obtained with the Sanders-Koiter shell equations, the Love-Kirchhoff shell equations, and Donnell's equations are negligible. The results also show that the effect of anisotropy in the form of coupling between pure bending and twisting has a negligible effect on the size of the bending boundary-layer decay length of the balanced, symmetrically laminated cylinders considered. Moreover, the results show that coupling between the various types of shell anisotropies has a negligible effect on the calculation of the bending boundary-layer decay length in most cases. The results also show that, in some cases, neglecting the shell anisotropy results in underestimating the bending boundary-layer decay length and, in other cases, results in an overestimation.

Geometrically nonlinear analysis of laminated elastic structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reddy, J. N.

1984-01-01

Laminated composite plates and shells that can be used to model automobile bodies, aircraft wings and fuselages, and pressure vessels among many other were analyzed. The finite element method, a numerical technique for engineering analysis of structures, is used to model the geometry and approximate the solution. Various alternative formulations for analyzing laminated plates and shells are developed and their finite element models are tested for accuracy and economy in computation. These include the shear deformation laminate theory and degenerated 3-D elasticity theory for laminates.

Core–shell Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles of different silica shell thicknesses: Preparation and their effects on photoluminescence of lanthanide complexes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kang, Jie; Li, Yuan; Chen, Yingnan

Highlights: • Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles of different silica shell thicknesses were prepared via the Stöber process. • Sm and Dy complexes with benzoate, 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine were synthesized. • The complex-doped Ag@SiO{sub 2} composites show stronger luminescent intensities than pure complexes. • The luminescent intensities of the composites strongly depend on the SiO{sub 2} shell thickness. - Abstract: Three kinds of almost spherical core–shell Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles of different silica shell thicknesses (10, 25 and 80 nm) were prepared via the Stöber process. The Ag core nanoparticles were prepared by reducing silver nitrate with sodium citrate. The size, morphology andmore » structure of core–shell Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, eight kinds of lanthanide complexes with benzoate, 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipyridine were synthesized. The composition of the lanthanide complexes was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV spectra. Finally, lanthanide complexes were attached to the surface of Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanoparticles to form lanthanide-complex-doped Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanocomposites. The results show that the complex-doped Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanocomposites display much stronger luminescence intensities than the lanthanide complexes. Furthermore, the luminescence intensities of the lanthanide-complex-doped Ag@SiO{sub 2} nanocomposites with SiO{sub 2} shell thickness of 25 nm are stronger than those of the nanocomposites with SiO{sub 2} shell thickness of 10 and 80 nm.« less

Effects of ocean acidification on the shells of four Mediterranean gastropod species near a CO2 seep.

PubMed

Duquette, Ashley; McClintock, James B; Amsler, Charles D; Pérez-Huerta, Alberto; Milazzo, Marco; Hall-Spencer, Jason M

2017-11-30

Marine CO 2 seeps allow the study of the long-term effects of elevated pCO 2 (ocean acidification) on marine invertebrate biomineralization. We investigated the effects of ocean acidification on shell composition and structure in four ecologically important species of Mediterranean gastropods (two limpets, a top-shell snail, and a whelk). Individuals were sampled from three sites near a volcanic CO 2 seep off Vulcano Island, Italy. The three sites represented ambient (8.15pH), moderate (8.03pH) and low (7.73pH) seawater mean pH. Shell mineralogy, microstructure, and mechanical strength were examined in all four species. We found that the calcite/aragonite ratio could vary and increased significantly with reduced pH in shells of one of the two limpet species. Moreover, each of the four gastropods displayed reductions in either inner shell toughness or elasticity at the Low pH site. These results suggest that near-future ocean acidification could alter shell biomineralization and structure in these common gastropods. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, Characterization and Cytotoxicity of Novel Multifunctional Fe3O4@SiO2@GdVO4:Dy3+ Core-Shell Nanocomposite as a Drug Carrier

PubMed Central

Li, Bo; Fan, Huitao; Zhao, Qiang; Wang, Congcong

2016-01-01

In this study, multifunctional Fe3O4@SiO2@GdVO4:Dy3+ nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via a two-step method. Their structure, luminescence and magnetic properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results indicated that the as-prepared multifunctional composites displayed a well-defined core-shell structure. The composites show spherical morphology with a size distribution of around 360 nm. Additionally, the composites exhibit high saturation magnetization (20.40 emu/g) and excellent luminescence properties. The inner Fe3O4 cores and the outer GdVO4:Dy3+ layers endow the composites with good responsive magnetic properties and strong fluorescent properties, which endow the nanoparticles with great potential applications in drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, and marking and separating of cells in vitro. PMID:28773275

Facile synthesis and lithium storage properties of a porous NiSi2/Si/carbon composite anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

PubMed

Jia, Haiping; Stock, Christoph; Kloepsch, Richard; He, Xin; Badillo, Juan Pablo; Fromm, Olga; Vortmann, Britta; Winter, Martin; Placke, Tobias

2015-01-28

In this work, a novel, porous structured NiSi2/Si composite material with a core-shell morphology was successfully prepared using a facile ball-milling method. Furthermore, the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is deployed to coat the NiSi2/Si phase with a thin carbon layer to further enhance the surface electronic conductivity and to mechanically stabilize the whole composite structure. The morphology and porosity of the composite material was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen adsorption measurements (BJH analysis). The as-prepared composite material consists of NiSi2, silicon, and carbon phases, in which the NiSi2 phase is embedded in a silicon matrix having homogeneously distributed pores, while the surface of this composite is coated with a carbon layer. The electrochemical characterization shows that the porous and core-shell structure of the composite anode material can effectively absorb and buffer the immense volume changes of silicon during the lithiation/delithiation process. The obtained NiSi2/Si/carbon composite anode material displays an outstanding electrochemical performance, which gives a stable capacity of 1272 mAh g(-1) for 200 cycles at a charge/discharge rate of 1C and a good rate capability with a reversible capacity of 740 mAh g(-1) at a rate of 5C.

Numerical Characterization of a Composite Bonded Wing-Box

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smeltzer, Stanley S., III; Lovejoy, Andrew E.; Satyanarayana, Arunkumar

2008-01-01

The development of composite wing structures has focused on the use of mechanical fasteners to join heavily-loaded areas, while bonded joints have been used only for select locations. The focus of this paper is the examination of the adhesive layer in a generic bonded wing box that represents a "fastenerless" or unitized structure in order to characterize the general behavior and failure mechanisms. A global/local approach was applied to study the response of the adhesive layer using a global shell model and a local shell/solid model. The wing box was analyzed under load to represent a high-g up-bending condition such that the strains in the composite sandwich face sheets are comparable to an expected design allowable. The global/local analysis indicates that at these wing load levels the strains in the adhesive layer are well within the adhesive's elastic region, such that yielding would not be expected in the adhesive layer. The global/local methodology appears to be a promising approach to evaluate the structural integrity of the adhesively bonded structures.

Structural Design and Analysis of the Upper Pressure Shell Section of a Composite Crew Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sleight, David W.; Paddock, David; Jeans, Jim W.; Hudeck, John D.

2008-01-01

This paper presents the results of the structural design and analysis of the upper pressure shell section of a carbon composite demonstration structure for the Composite Crew Module (CCM) Project. The project is managed by the NASA Engineering and Safety Center with participants from eight NASA Centers, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and multiple aerospace contractors including ATK/Swales, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Collier Research Corporation, Genesis Engineering, and Janicki Industries. The paper discusses details of the upper pressure shell section design of the CCM and presents the structural analysis results using the HyperSizer structural sizing software and the MSC Nastran finite element analysis software. The HyperSizer results showed that the controlling load case driving most of the sizing in the upper pressure shell section was the internal pressure load case. The regions around the cutouts were controlled by internal pressure and the main parachute load cases. The global finite element analysis results showed that the majority of the elements of the CCM had a positive margin of safety with the exception of a few hot spots around the cutouts. These hot spots are currently being investigated with a more detailed analysis. Local finite element models of the Low Impact Docking System (LIDS) interface ring and the forward bay gussets with greater mesh fidelity were created for local sizing and analysis. The sizing of the LIDS interface ring was driven by the drogue parachute loads, Trans-Lunar Insertion (TLI) loads, and internal pressure. The drogue parachute loads controlled the sizing of the gusset cap on the drogue gusset and TLI loads controlled the sizing of the other five gusset caps. The main parachute loads controlled the sizing of the lower ends of the gusset caps on the main parachute fittings. The results showed that the gusset web/pressure shell and gusset web/gusset cap interfaces bonded using Pi-preform joints had local hot spots in the Pi-preform termination regions. These regions require a detailed three-dimensional analysis, which is currently being performed, to accurately address the load distribution near the Pi-preform termination in the upper and lower gusset caps.

Evaluation of a Progressive Failure Analysis Methodology for Laminated Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sleight, David W.; Knight, Norman F., Jr.; Wang, John T.

1997-01-01

A progressive failure analysis methodology has been developed for predicting the nonlinear response and failure of laminated composite structures. The progressive failure analysis uses C plate and shell elements based on classical lamination theory to calculate the in-plane stresses. Several failure criteria, including the maximum strain criterion, Hashin's criterion, and Christensen's criterion, are used to predict the failure mechanisms. The progressive failure analysis model is implemented into a general purpose finite element code and can predict the damage and response of laminated composite structures from initial loading to final failure.

Integrated Composite Stiffener Structure (ICoSS) Concept for Planetary Entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kellas, Sotiris

2016-01-01

Results from the design, manufacturing, and testing of a lightweight Integrated Composite Stiffened Structure (ICoSS) concept, intended for multi-mission planetary entry vehicles are presented. Tests from both component and full-scale tests for a typical Earth Entry Vehicle forward shell manufactured using the ICoSS concept are presented and advantages of the concept for the particular application of passive Earth Entry Vehicles over other structural concepts are discussed.

Nonlinear optical properties of metal alkanoate composites with hybrid core/shell nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudenko, V.; Tolochko, A.; Zhulai, D.; Klimusheva, G.; Mirnaya, T.; Yaremchuk, G.; Asaula, V.

2018-02-01

New composites with hybrid CdSe/ZnS and Au/CdSe nanoparticles (NPs) were chemically synthesized in the thermotropic liquid crystalline phase (smectic A) of cadmium octanoate. Features of structure and nonlinear optical properties of glassy cadmium octanoate composites with hybrid core/shell NPs were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering method and Z-scan technique. Experimental optical setup (Z-scan) is based on a Nd: YAG laser, generating 9 ns pulses with a repetition rate of 0,5 Hz on a wavelength of 532 nm. The effects of the influence of hybrid NPs on the nonlinear optical properties of nanocomposites are considered in this study.

Use of nanoindentation technique for a better understanding of the fracture toughness of Strombus gigas conch shell

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Romana, L., E-mail: laurence.romana@univ-ag.fr; Thomas, P.; Bilas, P.

2013-02-15

In this work the nanochemical properties of the composite organomineral biomaterial constituting Strombus gigas conch shell are studied by means of dynamic mechanical analyses associated to nanoidentation technique. The measurements are performed on shell samples presenting different surface orientations relative to the growth axis of the conch shell. The influence of the organic component of the biomaterial on its nanomechanical properties is also investigated by studying fresh and dried S. gigas conch shells. Monocrystalline aragonite is used as a reference. For the understanding of nanochemical behaviour, special attention is paid to the pop in events observed on the load/displacement curvesmore » which results from nanofractures' initiation and propagation occuring during the load process. In order to better understand the mechanical properties systematic studies of the structure and morphology are performed using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. The hardness and Young's modulus values measured on bio aragonite samples are close to those of the aragonite mineral standard. This surprising result shows that, H and E values are not related to the bio composition and lamellar structure of the bio aragonite. However, it was found that the organic layer and the micro architecture strongly influence the nanofracture initiation and propagation processes in the samples. Statistic study of the pop-in events can help to predict the macroscopic mechanical behaviour of the material. - Highlights: ► Nanomechanical properties of Strombus gigas conch shell ► Low influence of the crossed lamellar structure on H and E values at the nano scale ► Strong influence of the crossed lamellar on nanocracks initiation ► Correlation between mechanical behaviors at the macro and nano scales.« less

Symmetric Composite Laminate Stress Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, T.; Smolinski, K. F.; Gellin, S.

1985-01-01

It is demonstrated that COSMIC/NASTRAN may be used to analyze plate and shell structures made of symmetric composite laminates. Although general composite laminates cannot be analyzed using NASTRAN, the theoretical development presented herein indicates that the integrated constitutive laws of a symmetric composite laminate resemble those of a homogeneous anisotropic plate, which can be analyzed using NASTRAN. A detailed analysis procedure is presented, as well as an illustrative example.

Assembly of Robust Bacterial Microcompartment Shells Using Building Blocks from an Organelle of Unknown Function

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lassila, JK; Bernstein, SL; Kinney, JN

Bacterial microconnpartnnents (BMCs) sequester enzymes from the cytoplasmic environment by encapsulation inside a selectively permeable protein shell. Bioinformatic analyses indicate that many bacteria encode BMC clusters of unknown function and with diverse combinations of shell proteins. The genome of the halophilic myxobacterium Haliangium ochraceum encodes one of the most atypical sets of shell proteins in terms of composition and primary structure. We found that microconnpartnnent shells could be purified in high yield when all seven H. ochraceum BMC shell genes were expressed from a synthetic operon in Escherichia coll. These shells differ substantially from previously isolated shell systems in thatmore » they are considerably smaller and more homogeneous, with measured diameters of 39 2 nm. The size and nearly uniform geometry allowed the development of a structural model for the shells composed of 260 hexagonal units and 13 hexagons per icosahedral face. We found that new proteins could be recruited to the shells by fusion to a predicted targeting peptide sequence, setting the stage for the use of these remarkably homogeneous shells for applications such as three-dimensional scaffolding and the construction of synthetic BMCs. Our results demonstrate the value of selecting from the diversity of BMC shell building blocks found in genomic sequence data for the construction of novel compartments. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.« less

Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles.

PubMed

Xu, Wenxiang; Duan, Qinglin; Ma, Huaifa; Chen, Wen; Chen, Huisu

2015-11-02

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces, and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials.

Interfacial effect on physical properties of composite media: Interfacial volume fraction with non-spherical hard-core-soft-shell-structured particles

PubMed Central

Xu, Wenxiang; Duan, Qinglin; Ma, Huaifa; Chen, Wen; Chen, Huisu

2015-01-01

Interfaces are known to be crucial in a variety of fields and the interfacial volume fraction dramatically affects physical properties of composite media. However, it is an open problem with great significance how to determine the interfacial property in composite media with inclusions of complex geometry. By the stereological theory and the nearest-surface distribution functions, we first propose a theoretical framework to symmetrically present the interfacial volume fraction. In order to verify the interesting generalization, we simulate three-phase composite media by employing hard-core-soft-shell structures composed of hard mono-/polydisperse non-spherical particles, soft interfaces, and matrix. We numerically derive the interfacial volume fraction by a Monte Carlo integration scheme. With the theoretical and numerical results, we find that the interfacial volume fraction is strongly dependent on the so-called geometric size factor and sphericity characterizing the geometric shape in spite of anisotropic particle types. As a significant interfacial property, the present theoretical contribution can be further drawn into predicting the effective transport properties of composite materials. PMID:26522701

Cryogelation of molecularly imprinted nanoparticles: a macroporous structure as affinity chromatography column for removal of β-blockers from complex samples.

PubMed

Hajizadeh, Solmaz; Xu, Changgang; Kirsebom, Harald; Ye, Lei; Mattiasson, Bo

2013-01-25

In this work, a new macroporous molecularly imprinted cryogel (MIP composite cryogel) was synthesized by glutaraldehyde cross-linking reaction of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) particles and amino-modified molecularly imprinted core-shell nanoparticles. The MIP core-shell nanoparticles were prepared using propranolol as a template by one-pot precipitation polymerization with sequential monomer addition. The characteristics of the MIP composite cryogel were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and texture analyzer. The macroporous structure of the composite (with the pore size varying from a few micrometers to 100 μm) enabled high mass transfer of particulate-containing fluids. In a solid phase extraction (SPE) process, the efficiency and selectivity of the MIP composite cryogel were investigated, where the cryogel was used as an affinity matrix to remove propranolol from aqueous solution as well as from complex plasma sample without prior protein precipitation. The MIP composite cryogel maintained high selectivity and stability and could be used repeatedly after regeneration. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Transition-Metal Nitride Core@Noble-Metal Shell Nanoparticles as Highly CO Tolerant Catalysts

DOE PAGES

Garg, Aaron; Milina, Maria; Ball, Madelyn; ...

2017-05-25

Core–shell architectures offer an effective way to tune and enhance the properties of noble-metal catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of Pt shell on titanium tungsten nitride core nanoparticles (Pt/TiWN) by high temperature ammonia nitridation of a parent core–shell carbide material (Pt/TiWC). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed significant core-level shifts for Pt shells supported on TiWN cores, corresponding to increased stabilization of the Pt valence d-states. The modulation of the electronic structure of the Pt shell by the nitride core translated into enhanced CO tolerance during hydrogen electrooxidation in the presence of CO. In conclusion, the ability to control shell coveragemore » and vary the heterometallic composition of the shell and nitride core opens up attractive opportunities to synthesize a broad range of new materials with tunable catalytic properties.« less

Transition-Metal Nitride Core@Noble-Metal Shell Nanoparticles as Highly CO Tolerant Catalysts

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garg, Aaron; Milina, Maria; Ball, Madelyn

Core–shell architectures offer an effective way to tune and enhance the properties of noble-metal catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of Pt shell on titanium tungsten nitride core nanoparticles (Pt/TiWN) by high temperature ammonia nitridation of a parent core–shell carbide material (Pt/TiWC). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed significant core-level shifts for Pt shells supported on TiWN cores, corresponding to increased stabilization of the Pt valence d-states. The modulation of the electronic structure of the Pt shell by the nitride core translated into enhanced CO tolerance during hydrogen electrooxidation in the presence of CO. In conclusion, the ability to control shell coveragemore » and vary the heterometallic composition of the shell and nitride core opens up attractive opportunities to synthesize a broad range of new materials with tunable catalytic properties.« less

Army Research Office Workshop on Dynamic Response of Composite Structures Held in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 30-September 1, 1993

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-04-01

were then fibrous composites and a detailed machined at the mid-span using a rotating saw understanding of these materials response to blade. The...Cruciform shaped samples were used. Testing was performed on a Most work on joints in composite biaxial machine developed and built plates or shells...Apr 94 Final 1 Feb 93-30 Sep 93 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE S. FUNDING NUMBERS Dynamic Response of Composite Structures DAAHO4-93-G-0052 IL AUTHOR(S) David

Biomimetic Structural Materials: Inspiration from Design and Assembly.

PubMed

Yaraghi, Nicholas A; Kisailus, David

2018-04-20

Nature assembles weak organic and inorganic constituents into sophisticated hierarchical structures, forming structural composites that demonstrate impressive combinations of strength and toughness. Two such composites are the nacre structure forming the inner layer of many mollusk shells, whose brick-and-mortar architecture has been the gold standard for biomimetic composites, and the cuticle forming the arthropod exoskeleton, whose helicoidal fiber-reinforced architecture has only recently attracted interest for structural biomimetics. In this review, we detail recent biomimetic efforts for the fabrication of strong and tough composite materials possessing the brick-and-mortar and helicoidal architectures. Techniques discussed for the fabrication of nacre- and cuticle-mimetic structures include freeze casting, layer-by-layer deposition, spray deposition, magnetically assisted slip casting, fiber-reinforced composite processing, additive manufacturing, and cholesteric self-assembly. Advantages and limitations to these processes are discussed, as well as the future outlook on the biomimetic landscape for structural composite materials.

Biomimetic Structural Materials: Inspiration from Design and Assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaraghi, Nicholas A.; Kisailus, David

2018-04-01

Nature assembles weak organic and inorganic constituents into sophisticated hierarchical structures, forming structural composites that demonstrate impressive combinations of strength and toughness. Two such composites are the nacre structure forming the inner layer of many mollusk shells, whose brick-and-mortar architecture has been the gold standard for biomimetic composites, and the cuticle forming the arthropod exoskeleton, whose helicoidal fiber-reinforced architecture has only recently attracted interest for structural biomimetics. In this review, we detail recent biomimetic efforts for the fabrication of strong and tough composite materials possessing the brick-and-mortar and helicoidal architectures. Techniques discussed for the fabrication of nacre- and cuticle-mimetic structures include freeze casting, layer-by-layer deposition, spray deposition, magnetically assisted slip casting, fiber-reinforced composite processing, additive manufacturing, and cholesteric self-assembly. Advantages and limitations to these processes are discussed, as well as the future outlook on the biomimetic landscape for structural composite materials.

Shell architecture: a novel proxy for paleotemperature reconstructions?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Milano, Stefania; Nehrke, Gernot; Wanamaker, Alan D., Jr.; Witbaard, Rob; Schöne, Bernd R.

2017-04-01

Mollusk shells are unique high-resolution paleoenvironmental archives. Their geochemical properties, such as oxygen isotope composition (δ18Oshell) and element-to-calcium ratios, are routinely used to estimate past environmental conditions. However, the existing proxies have certain drawbacks that can affect paleoreconstruction robustness. For instance, the estimation of water temperature of brackish and near-shore environments can be biased by the interdependency of δ18Oshell from multiple environmental variables (water temperature and δ18Owater). Likely, the environmental signature can be masked by physiological processes responsible for the incorporation of trace elements into the shell. The present study evaluated the use of shell structural properties as alternative environmental proxies. The sensitivity of shell architecture at µm and nm-scale to the environment was tested. In particular, the relationship between water temperature and microstructure formation was investigated. To enable the detection of potential structural changes, the shells of the marine bivalves Cerastoderma edule and Arctica islandica were analyzed with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), nanoindentation and Confocal Raman Microscopy (CRM). These techniques allow a quantitative approach to the microstructural analysis. Our results show that water temperature induces a clear response in shell microstructure. A significant alteration in the morphometric characteristics and crystallographic orientation of the structural units was observed. Our pilot study suggests that shell architecture records environmental information and it has potential to be used as novel temperature proxy in near-shore and open ocean habitats.

Robust and Stable Cu Nanowire@Graphene Core-Shell Aerogels for Ultraeffective Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

PubMed

Wu, Shiting; Zou, Mingchu; Li, Zhencheng; Chen, Daqin; Zhang, Hui; Yuan, Yongjun; Pei, Yongmao; Cao, Anyuan

2018-06-01

Cu nanowires (CuNWs) are considered as a promising candidate to develop high performance metal aerogels, yet the construction of robust and stable 3D porous structures remains challenging which severely limits their practical applications. Here, graphene-hybridized CuNW (CuNW@G) core-shell aerogels are fabricated by introducing a conformal polymeric coating and in situ transforming it into multilayered graphene seamlessly wrapped around individual CuNWs through a mild thermal annealing process. The existence of the outer graphene shell reinforces the 3D bulk structure and significantly slows down the oxidation process of CuNWs, resulting in improved mechanical property and highly stable electrical conductivity. When applied in electromagnetic interference shielding, the CuNW@G core-shell aerogels exhibit an average effectiveness of ≈52.5 dB over a wide range (from 8.2 to 18 GHz) with negligible degradation under ambient conditions for 40 d. Mechanism analysis reveals that the graphene shell with functional groups enables dual reflections on the core-shell and a multiple dielectric relaxation process, leading to enhanced dielectric loss and energy dissipation within the core-shell aerogels. The flexible core-shell-structured CuNW@G aerogels, with superior mechanical robustness and electrical stability, have potential applications in many areas such as advanced energy devices and functional composites. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Three Dimensional Characterization of Typical Urban and Desert Particles: Implications to Particle Optics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goel, V.; Mishra, S.; Ahlawat, A. S.; Sharma, C.; Kotnala, R. K.

2017-12-01

Aerosol particles are generally considered as chemically homogeneous spheres in the retrieval techniques of ground and space borne observations which is not accurate approach and can lead to erroneous observations. For better simulation of optical and radiative properties of aerosols, a good knowledge of aerosol's morphology, chemical composition and internal structure is essential. Till date, many studies have reported the morphology and chemical composition of particles but very few of them provide internal structure and spatial distribution of different chemical species within the particle. The research on the effect of particle internal structure and its contribution to particle optics is extremely limited. In present work, we characterize the PM10 particles collected form typical arid (the Thar Desert, Rajasthan, India) and typical urban (New Delhi, India) environment using microscopic techniques. The particles were milled several times to investigate their internal structure. The EDS (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) spectra were recorded after each milling to check the variation in the chemical composition. In arid environment, Fe, Ca, C, Al, and Mg rich shell was observed over a Si rich particle whereas in urban environment, shell of Hg, Ag, C and N was observed over a Cu rich particle. Based on the observations, different model shapes [homogenous sphere and spheroid; heterogeneous sphere and spheroid; core shell] have been considered for assessing the associated uncertainties with the routine modeling of optical properties where volume equivalent homogeneous sphere approximation is considered. The details will be discussed during presentation.

Response of moderately thick laminated cross-ply composite shells subjected to random excitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elishakoff, Isaak; Cederbaum, Gabriel; Librescu, Liviu

1989-01-01

This study deals with the dynamic response of transverse shear deformable laminated shells subjected to random excitation. The analysis encompasses the following problems: (1) the dynamic response of circular cylindrical shells of finite length excited by an axisymmetric uniform ring loading, stationary in time, and (2) the response of spherical and cylindrical panels subjected to stationary random loadings with uniform spatial distribution. The associated equations governing the structural theory of shells are derived upon discarding the classical Love-Kirchhoff (L-K) assumptions. In this sense, the theory is formulated in the framework of the first-order transverse shear deformation theory (FSDT).

Interwoven Aligned Conductive Nanofiber Yarn/Hydrogel Composite Scaffolds for Engineered 3D Cardiac Anisotropy.

PubMed

Wu, Yaobin; Wang, Ling; Guo, Baolin; Ma, Peter X

2017-06-27

Mimicking the anisotropic cardiac structure and guiding 3D cellular orientation play a critical role in designing scaffolds for cardiac tissue regeneration. Significant advances have been achieved to control cellular alignment and elongation, but it remains an ongoing challenge for engineering 3D cardiac anisotropy using these approaches. Here, we present a 3D hybrid scaffold based on aligned conductive nanofiber yarns network (NFYs-NET, composition: polycaprolactone, silk fibroin, and carbon nanotubes) within a hydrogel shell for mimicking the native cardiac tissue structure, and further demonstrate their great potential for engineering 3D cardiac anisotropy for cardiac tissue engineering. The NFYs-NET structures are shown to control cellular orientation and enhance cardiomyocytes (CMs) maturation. 3D hybrid scaffolds were then fabricated by encapsulating NFYs-NET layers within hydrogel shell, and these 3D scaffolds performed the ability to promote aligned and elongated CMs maturation on each layer and individually control cellular orientation on different layers in a 3D environment. Furthermore, endothelialized myocardium was constructed by using this hybrid strategy via the coculture of CMs on NFYs-NET layer and endothelial cells within hydrogel shell. Therefore, these 3D hybrid scaffolds, containing NFYs-NET layer inducing cellular orientation, maturation, and anisotropy and hydrogel shell providing a suitable 3D environment for endothelialization, has great potential in engineering 3D cardiac anisotropy.

Numerical investigation of sound transmission through double wall cylinders with respect to active noise control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coats, T. J.; Silcox, R. J.; Lester, H. C.

Market pressure for more fuel efficient air travel has led to increased use of turboprop and higher bypass turbofan engines. The low frequency components of propeller, jet and boundary layer noise are difficult to attenuate with conventional passive techniques. Weight and geometric restrictions for sound absorbing meterials limit the amount and type of treatment that may be applied. An active noise control (ANC) method is providing to be an attractive alternative. The approach taken in this paper uses a numerical finite/boundary element method (FEM/BEM) that may be easilty adapted to arbitrary geometries. A double walled cylinder is modeled using commercially available software. The outer shell is modeled as an aluminum cylinder, similar to that of aircraft skins. The inner shell is modeled as a composite material representative of a lightweight, stiff trim panel. Two different inner shell materials are used. The first is representative of current trim structure, the second a much stiffer composite. The primary source is generated by an exterior acoustic monopole. Control fields are generated using normal force inputs to the inner cylindrical shell. A linear least mean square (LMS) algorithm is used to determine amplitudes of control forces that minimize the interior acoustic field. Coupling of acoustic and structural modes and noise reductions are discussed for each of the inner shell materials.

Numerical investigation of sound transmission through double wall cylinders with respect to active noise control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coats, T. J.; Silcox, R. J.; Lester, H. C.

1993-01-01

Market pressure for more fuel efficient air travel has led to increased use of turboprop and higher bypass turbofan engines. The low frequency components of propeller, jet and boundary layer noise are difficult to attenuate with conventional passive techniques. Weight and geometric restrictions for sound absorbing meterials limit the amount and type of treatment that may be applied. An active noise control (ANC) method is providing to be an attractive alternative. The approach taken in this paper uses a numerical finite/boundary element method (FEM/BEM) that may be easilty adapted to arbitrary geometries. A double walled cylinder is modeled using commercially available software. The outer shell is modeled as an aluminum cylinder, similar to that of aircraft skins. The inner shell is modeled as a composite material representative of a lightweight, stiff trim panel. Two different inner shell materials are used. The first is representative of current trim structure, the second a much stiffer composite. The primary source is generated by an exterior acoustic monopole. Control fields are generated using normal force inputs to the inner cylindrical shell. A linear least mean square (LMS) algorithm is used to determine amplitudes of control forces that minimize the interior acoustic field. Coupling of acoustic and structural modes and noise reductions are discussed for each of the inner shell materials.

Electrochemical performance and structure evolution of core-shell nano-ring α-Fe2O3@Carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yan-Hui; Liu, Shan; Zhou, Feng-Chen; Nan, Jun-Min

2016-12-01

Core-shell nano-ring α-Fe2O3@Carbon (CSNR) composites with different carbon content (CSNR-5%C and CSNR-13%C) are synthesized using a hydrothermal method by controlling different amounts of glucose and α-Fe2O3 nano-rings with further annealing. The CSNR electrodes exhibit much improved specific capacity, cycling stability and rate capability compared with that of bare nano-ring α-Fe2O3 (BNR), which is attributed to the core-shell nano-ring structure of CSNR. The carbon shell in the inner and outer surface of CSNR composite can increase electron conductivity of the electrode and inhibit the volume change of α-Fe2O3 during discharge/charge processes, and the nano-ring structure of CSNR can buffer the volume change too. The CSNR-5%C electrode shows super high initial discharge/charge capacities of 1570/1220 mAh g-1 and retains 920/897 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at 500 mA g-1 (0.5C). Even at 2000 mA g-1 (2C), the electrode delivers the initial capacities of 1400/900 mAh g-1, and still maintains 630/610 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles. The core-shell nano-rings opened during cycling and rebuilt a new flower-like structure consisting of α-Fe2O3@Carbon nano-sheets. The space among the nano-sheet networks can further buffer the volume expansion of α-Fe2O3 and facilitate the transportation of electrons and Li+ ions during the charge/discharge processes, which increases the capacity and rate capability of the electrode. It is the first time that the evolution of core-shell α-Fe2O3@Carbon changing to flower-like networks during lithiation/de-lithiation has been reported.

Geometrically nonlinear transient vibrations of actively damped anti-symmetric angle ply laminated composite shallow shell using active fibre composite (AFC) actuators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashok, M. H.; Shivakumar, J.; Nandurkar, Santosh; Khadakbhavi, Vishwanath; Pujari, Sanjay

2018-02-01

In present work, the thin laminated composite shallow shell as smart structure with AFC material’s ACLD treatment is analyzed for geometrically nonlinear transient vibrations. The AFC material is used to make the constraining layer of the ACLD treatment. Golla-Hughes-McTavish (GHM) is used to model the constrained viscoelastic layer of the ACLD treatment in time domain. Along with a simple first-order shear deformation theory the Von Kármán type non-linear strain displacement relations are used for deriving this electromechanical coupled problem. A 3-dimensional finite element model of smart composite panels integrated with the ACLD treated patches has been modelled to reveal the performance of ACLD treated patches on improving the damping properties of slender anti-symmetric angle-ply laminated shallow shell, in controlling the transient vibrations which are geometrically nonlinear. The mathematical results explain that the ACLD treated patches considerably enhance the damping properties of anti-symmetric angle-ply panels undergoing geometrically nonlinear transient vibrations.

Core-shell-structured nanothermites synthesized by atomic layer deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Lijun; Gong, Ting; Hao, Haixia; Wang, Keyong; Feng, Hao

2013-12-01

Thermite materials feature very exothermic solid-state redox reactions. However, the energy release rates of traditional thermite mixtures are limited by the reactant diffusion velocities. In this work, atomic layer deposition (ALD) is utilized to synthesize thermite materials with greatly enhanced reaction rates. By depositing certain types of metal oxides (oxidizers) onto a commercial Al nanopowder, core-shell-structured nanothermites can be produced. The average film deposition rate on the Al nanopowder is 0.17 nm/cycle for ZnO and 0.031 nm/cycle for SnO2. The thickness of the oxidizer layer can be precisely controlled by adjusting the ALD cycle number. The compositions, morphologies, and structures of the ALD nanothermites are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The characterization results reveal nearly perfect coverage of the Al nanoparticles by uniform ALD oxidizer layers and confirm the formation of core-shell nanoparticles. Combustion properties of the nanothermites are probed by laser ignition technique. Reactions of the core-shell-structured nanothermites are several times faster than the mixture of nanopowders. The promoted reaction rate is mostly attributed to the uniform distribution of reactants on the nanometer scale. These core-shell-structured nanothermites provide a potential pathway to control and enhance thermite reactions.

Interface control in BaTiO3 based supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maglione, Mario; Elissalde, Catherine; Chung, U.-Chan

2010-03-01

Core shell BaTiO3 based particles sintered using advanced processes provide a high control of grain boundaries in bulk composites. As a result, supercapacitor behavior was evidenced which came from the balance between inner grain conductivity and grain boundary dielectric barrier. Thanks to the core-shell structure of the starting particles, improved control of the effective dielectric parameters can be achieved.

Thermoelectric-pyroelectric hybrid energy generation from thermopower waves in core-shell structured carbon nanotube-PZT nanocomposites.

PubMed

Yeo, Taehan; Hwang, Hayoung; Shin, Dongjoon; Seo, Byungseok; Choi, Wonjoon

2017-02-10

There is an urgent need to develop a suitable energy source owing to the rapid development of various innovative devices using micro-nanotechnology. The thermopower wave (TW), which produces a high specific power during the combustion of solid fuel inside micro-nanostructure materials, is a unique energy source for unusual platforms that cannot use conventional energy sources. Here, we report on the significant enhancement of hybrid energy generation of pyroelectrics and thermoelectrics from TWs in carbon nanotube (CNT)-PZT (lead zirconate titanate, P(Z 0.5 -T 0.5 )) composites for the first time. Conventional TWs use only charge carrier transport driven by the temperature gradient along the core materials to produce voltage. In this study, a core-shell structure of CNTs-PZTs was prepared to utilize both the temperature gradient along the core material (thermoelectrics) and the dynamic change in the temperature of the shell structure (pyroelectrics) induced by TWs. The dual mechanism of energy generation in CNT-PZT composites amplified the average peak and duration of the voltage up to 403 mV and 612 ms, respectively, by a factor of 2 and 60 times those for the composites without a PZT layer. Furthermore, dynamic voltage measurements and structural analysis in repetitive TWs confirmed that CNT-PZT composites maintain the original performance in multiple TWs, which improves the reusability of materials. The advanced TWs obtained by the application of a PZT layer as a pyroelectric material contributes to the extension of the usable energy portion as well as the development of TW-based operating devices.

Electronic and Optical Properties of Core/Shell Pb16X16/Cd52X52 (X =S, Se, Te) Quantum Dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamukong, Patrick; Mayo, Michael; Kilina, Svetlana

2015-03-01

The electronic and optoelectronic properties of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are mediated by surface defects due to the presence of dangling bonds producing trap states within the HOMO-LUMO energy gap, and contributing to fluorescence quenching. Surface capping ligands are generally used to alleviate this problem and increase the quantum yields of QDs. An alternative way is to synthesize core-shell QD structures; i.e., a QD core with a shell of another semiconductor material. We have investigated the effects of Cd52X52 shells on the photoexcited dynamics of Pb16X16 (X =S, Se, Te) QDs. The thin (~ 0.50 nm) shells were found to result largely in type I core/shell structures and a blue shift of the absorption spectra. Our studies revealed fairly strong core-shell hybridization in the electronic states close to the conduction band (CB) edge for Pb16S16andPb16Se16 cores, whereas for the Pb16Te16 core, such CB states were largely shell-like in nature. Nonadiabatic DFT-based dynamics, coupled with the surface hopping method, was used to study the effects of the core and shell compositions on energy relaxation rates in these systems.

Preparation and characterization of WO{sub 3} nanoparticles, WO{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} core/shell nanocomposites and PEDOT:PSS/WO{sub 3} composite thin films for photocatalytic and electrochromic applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Boyadjiev, Stefan I., E-mail: boiajiev@gmail.com; Santos, Gustavo dos Lopes; Szűcs, Júlia

2016-03-25

In this study, monoclinic WO{sub 3} nanoparticles were obtained by thermal decomposition of (NH{sub 4}){sub x}WO{sub 3} in air at 600 °C. On them by atomic layer deposition (ALD) TiO{sub 2} films were deposited, and thus core/shell WO{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} nanocomposites were prepared. We prepared composites of WO{sub 3} nanoparticles with conductive polymer as PEDOT:PSS, and deposited thin films of them on glass and ITO substrates by spin coating. The formation, morphology, composition and structure of the as-prepared pure and composite nanoparticles, as well thin films, were studied by TEM, SEM-EDX and XRD. The photocatalytic activity of both the WO{submore » 3} and core/shell WO{sub 3}/TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles was studied by decomposing methyl orange in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. Cyclic voltammetry measurements were performed on the composite PEDOT:PSS/WO{sub 3} thin films, and the coloring and bleaching states were studied.« less

Bending Boundary Layers in Laminated-Composite Circular Cylindrical Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.; Smeltzer, Stanley S., III

2000-01-01

An analytical, parametric study of the attenuation of bending boundary layers or edge effects in balanced and unbalanced, symmetrically and unsymmetrically laminated thin cylindrical shells is presented for nine contemporary material systems. The analysis is based on the linear Sanders-Koiter shell equations and specializations to the Love-Kirchhoff shell equations and Donnell's equations are included. Two nondimensional parameters are identified that characterize and quantify the effects of laminate orthotropy and laminate anisotropy on the bending boundary-layer decay length in a very general and encompassing manner. A substantial number of structural design technology results are presented for a wide range of laminated-composite cylinders. For all the laminate constructions considered, the results show that the differences between results that were obtained with the Sanders-Koiter shell equations, the Love-Kirchhoff shell equations, and Donnell's equations are negligible. The results also show that the effect of anisotropy in the form of coupling between pure bending and twisting has a negligible effect on the size of the bending boundary-layer decay length of the balanced, symmetrically laminated cylinders considered. Moreover, the results show that coupling between the various types of shell anisotropies has a negligible effect on the calculation of the bending boundary-layer decay length in most cases. The results also show that in some cases neglecting the shell anisotropy results in underestimating the bending boundary-layer decay length and in other cases it results in an overestimation.

Anatomical structure of Camellia oleifera shell.

PubMed

Hu, Jinbo; Shi, Yang; Liu, Yuan; Chang, Shanshan

2018-06-04

The main product of Camellia oleifera is edible oil made from the seeds, but huge quantities of agro-waste are produced in the form of shells. The primary components of C. oleifera fruit shell are cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which probably make it a good eco-friendly non-wood material. Understanding the structure of the shell is however a prerequisite to making full use of it. The anatomical structure of C. oleifera fruit shells was investigated from macroscopic to ultrastructural scale by stereoscopic, optical, and scanning electron microscopy. The main cell morphology in the different parts of the shell was observed and measured using the tissue segregation method. The density of the cross section of the shell was also obtained using an X-ray CT scanner to check the change in texture. The C. oleifera fruit pericarp was made up of exocarp, mesocarp, and endocarp. The main types of exocarp cells were stone cells, spiral vessels, and parenchyma cells. The mesocarp accounted for most of the shell and consisted of parenchyma, tracheids, and some stone cells. The endocarp was basically made up of cells with a thickened cell wall that were modified tracheid or parenchyma cells with secondary wall thickening. The most important ultrastructure in these cells was the pits in the cell wall of stone and vessel cells that give the shell a conducting, mechanical, and protective role. The density of the shell gradually decreased from exocarp to endocarp. Tracheid cells are one of the main cell types in the shell, but their low slenderness (length to width) ratio makes them unsuitable for the manufacture of paper. Further research should be conducted on composite shell-plastic panels (or other reinforced materials) to make better use of this agro-waste.

The Magellania venosa Biomineralizing Proteome: A Window into Brachiopod Shell Evolution

PubMed Central

Jackson, Daniel J.; Mann, Karlheinz; Häussermann, Vreni; Schilhabel, Markus B.; Lüter, Carsten; Griesshaber, Erika; Schmahl, Wolfgang; Wörheide, Gert

2015-01-01

Brachiopods are a lineage of invertebrates well known for the breadth and depth of their fossil record. Although the quality of this fossil record attracts the attention of paleontologists, geochemists, and paleoclimatologists, modern day brachiopods are also of interest to evolutionary biologists due to their potential to address a variety of questions ranging from developmental biology to biomineralization. The brachiopod shell is a composite material primarily composed of either calcite or calcium phosphate in close association with proteins and polysaccharides which give these composite structures their material properties. The information content of these biomolecules, sequestered within the shell during its construction, has the potential to inform hypotheses focused on describing how brachiopod shell formation evolved. Here, using high throughput proteomic approaches and next generation sequencing, we have surveyed and characterized the first shell-proteome and shell-forming transcriptome of any brachiopod, the South American Magellania venosa (Rhynchonelliformea: Terebratulida). We find that the seven most abundant proteins present in the shell are unique to M. venosa, but that these proteins display biochemical features found in other metazoan biomineralization proteins. We can also detect some M. venosa proteins that display significant sequence similarity to other metazoan biomineralization proteins, suggesting that some elements of the brachiopod shell-forming proteome are deeply evolutionarily conserved. We also employed a variety of preparation methods to isolate shell proteins and find that in comparison to the shells of other spiralian invertebrates (such as mollusks) the shell ultrastructure of M. venosa may explain the effects these preparation strategies have on our results. PMID:25912046

Progressive fracture of polymer matrix composite structures: A new approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, C. C.; Murthy, P. L. N.; Minnetyan, L.

1992-01-01

A new approach independent of stress intensity factors and fracture toughness parameters has been developed and is described for the computational simulation of progressive fracture of polymer matrix composite structures. The damage stages are quantified based on physics via composite mechanics while the degradation of the structural behavior is quantified via the finite element method. The approach account for all types of composite behavior, structures, load conditions, and fracture processes starting from damage initiation, to unstable propagation and to global structural collapse. Results of structural fracture in composite beams, panels, plates, and shells are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and versatility of this new approach. Parameters and guidelines are identified which can be used as criteria for structural fracture, inspection intervals, and retirement for cause. Generalization to structures made of monolithic metallic materials are outlined and lessons learned in undertaking the development of new approaches, in general, are summarized.

Transformation and composition evolution of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) synthesized by borohydride reduction in static water.

PubMed

Liu, Airong; Liu, Jing; Zhang, Wei-Xian

2015-01-01

The reactivity of nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) toward targeted contaminants is affected by the initial nZVI composition and the iron oxides formed during the aging process in aquatic systems. In this paper, the aging effects of nZVI, prepared using a borohydride reduction method in static water over a period of 90 days (d), are investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy are used to characterize the corrosion products of nZVI. Results show that both the structures and the compositions of the corrosion products change with the process of aging. The products of nZVI aged for 5 d in static water media are mainly magnetite (Fe3O4) and maghemite (γ-Fe2O3), accompanied by lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH). For products aged 10 d, XRD data show the formation of ferrihydrite and lepidocrocite. When aged up to 90 d, the products are mainly γ-FeOOH mixed with small amounts of Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3. Transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) images show that the core-shell structure forms into a hollow spherical shape after 30 d of aging in aquatic media. The results indicate first that iron ions in the Fe(0) core diffuse outwardly toward the shell, and hollowed-out iron oxide shells emerge. Then, the iron oxide shell collapses and becomes a flaky, acicular-shaped structure. The type and the crystal phase of second iron oxide minerals are vastly different at various aging times. This study helps to explain the patterns of occurrence of specific iron oxides in different natural conditions. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Local Structures Around Co Atoms in Wurtzite ZnO Nano-Composites Probed by Fluorescence XAFS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shi Tongfei; National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029; Liu Wenhan

2007-02-02

The local structures around Co ions in the Zn1-xCoxO nano-composites prepared by the sol-gel method have been investigated by fluorescence X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) technique. The results indicate that for dilute Co-doped ZnO (x=0.02, 0.05), the Co2+ ions are incorporated into the ZnO lattice, and are located at the position of the substitutional Zn2+ ions. As the Co content increases to 0.10 or higher, only part of the Co ions enter the lattice of the wurtzite and the others exist in the form of a Co3O4 phase whose content increases with the doped Co concentration. In the substitutional Zn0.98Co0.02Omore » sample, the bond length of the first shell RCo-O and the second shell RCo-Zn is smaller than the second shell Zn-Zn distance in ZnO by about 0.01{approx}0.02 A. These results imply that only small local lattice deformation is induced by dilute Co2+ substituting into the Zn2+ sites.« less

Jingle-bell-shaped ferrite hollow sphere with a noble metal core: Simple synthesis and their magnetic and antibacterial properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Siheng; Wang, Enbo; Tian, Chungui; Mao, Baodong; Kang, Zhenhui; Li, Qiuyu; Sun, Guoying

2008-07-01

In this paper, a simple strategy is developed for rational fabrication of a class of jingle-bell-shaped hollow structured nanomaterials marked as Ag@ MFe 2O 4 ( M=Ni, Co, Mg, Zn), consisting of ferrite hollow shells and metal nanoparticle cores, using highly uniform colloidal Ag@C microspheres as template. The final composites were obtained by direct adsorption of metal cations Fe 3+ and M 2+ on the surface of the Ag@C spheres followed by calcination process to remove the middle carbon shell and transform the metal ions into pure phase ferrites. The as-prepared composites were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy and SQUID magnetometer. The results showed that the composites possess the magnetic property of the ferrite shell and the optical together with antibacterial property of the Ag core.

Ultrasound-induced capping of polystyrene on TiO2 nanoparticles by precipitation with compressed CO2 as antisolvent.

PubMed

Zhang, Jianling; Liu, Zhimin; Han, Buxing; Li, Junchun; Li, Zhonghao; Yang, Guanying

2005-06-01

In this work, a route for the synthesis of inorganic/polymer core/shell composite nanoparticles was proposed, which can be called the antisolvent-ultrasound method. Compressed CO2 was used as antisolvent to precipitate the polymer from its solution dispersed with inorganic nanoparticles, during which ultrasonic irradiation was used to induce the coating of precipitated polymers on the surfaces of the inorganic nanoparticles. TiO2/polystyrene (PS) core/shell nanocomposites have been successfully prepared using this method. The transmission electronic micrographs (TEM) of the obtained nanocomposites show that the TiO2 nanoparticles are coated by the PS shells, of which the thickness can be tuned by the pressure of CO2. The phase structure, absorption properties, and thermal stability of the composite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-vis spectra, and thermogravimetry, respectively. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) indicate the formation of a strong interaction between PS and TiO2 nanoparticles in the resultant products. This method has some potential advantages for applications and may be easily applied to the preparation of a range of inorganic/polymer core/shell composite nanoparticles.

The Preparation of Au@TiO2 Yolk-Shell Nanostructure and its Applications for Degradation and Detection of Methylene Blue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Gengping; Peng, Xiange; Zeng, Min; Yu, Lei; Wang, Kan; Li, Xinyue; Wang, Guizhen

2017-09-01

This paper reports the synthesis of a new type of Au@TiO2 yolk-shell nanostructures by integrating ion sputtering method with atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique and its applications as visible light-driven photocatalyst and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. Both the size and amount of gold nanoparticles confined in TiO2 nanotubes could be facilely controlled via properly adjusting the sputtering time. The unique structure and morphology of the resulting Au@TiO2 samples were investigated by using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques in detail. It is found that all tested samples can absorb visible light with a maximum absorption at localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelengths (550-590 nm) which are determined by the size of gold nanoparticles. The Au@TiO2 yolk-shell composites were used as the photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB). As compared with pure TiO2 nanotubes, Au@TiO2 composites exhibit improved photocatalytic properties towards the degradation of MB. The SERS effect of Au@TiO2 yolk-shell composites was also performed to investigate the detection sensitivity of MB.

The Preparation of Au@TiO2 Yolk-Shell Nanostructure and its Applications for Degradation and Detection of Methylene Blue.

PubMed

Wan, Gengping; Peng, Xiange; Zeng, Min; Yu, Lei; Wang, Kan; Li, Xinyue; Wang, Guizhen

2017-09-18

This paper reports the synthesis of a new type of Au@TiO 2 yolk-shell nanostructures by integrating ion sputtering method with atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique and its applications as visible light-driven photocatalyst and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrate. Both the size and amount of gold nanoparticles confined in TiO 2 nanotubes could be facilely controlled via properly adjusting the sputtering time. The unique structure and morphology of the resulting Au@TiO 2 samples were investigated by using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques in detail. It is found that all tested samples can absorb visible light with a maximum absorption at localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) wavelengths (550-590 nm) which are determined by the size of gold nanoparticles. The Au@TiO 2 yolk-shell composites were used as the photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB). As compared with pure TiO 2 nanotubes, Au@TiO 2 composites exhibit improved photocatalytic properties towards the degradation of MB. The SERS effect of Au@TiO 2 yolk-shell composites was also performed to investigate the detection sensitivity of MB.

Hybrid Wing-Body Pressurized Fuselage and Bulkhead, Design and Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek

2013-01-01

The structural weight reduction of a pressurized Hybrid Wing-Body (HWB) fuselage is a serious challenge. Hence, research and development are presently being continued at NASA under the Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) and Subsonic Fixed Wing (SFW) projects in collaboration with the Boeing Company, Huntington Beach and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). In this paper, a structural analysis of the HWB fuselage and bulkhead panels is presented, with the objectives of design improvement and structural weight reduction. First, orthotropic plate theories for sizing, and equivalent plate analysis with appropriate simplification are considered. Then parametric finite-element analysis of a fuselage section and bulkhead are conducted using advanced stitched composite structural concepts, which are presently being developed at Boeing for pressurized HWB flight vehicles. With this advanced stiffened-shell design, structural weights are computed and compared to the thick sandwich, vaulted-ribbed-shell, and multi-bubble stiffened-shell structural concepts that had been studied previously. The analytical and numerical results are discussed to assess the overall weight/strength advantages.

Shell Buckling Design Criteria Based on Manufacturing Imperfection Signatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilburger, Mark W.; Nemeth, Michael P.; Starnes, James H., Jr.

2004-01-01

An analysis-based approach .for developing shell-buckling design criteria for laminated-composite cylindrical shells that accurately accounts for the effects of initial geometric imperfections is presented. With this approach, measured initial geometric imperfection data from six graphite-epoxy shells are used to determine a manufacturing-process-specific imperfection signature for these shells. This imperfection signature is then used as input into nonlinear finite-element analyses. The imperfection signature represents a "first-approximation" mean imperfection shape that is suitable for developing preliminary-design data. Comparisons of test data and analytical results obtained by using several different imperfection shapes are presented for selected shells. Overall, the results indicate that the analysis-based approach presented for developing reliable preliminary-design criteria has the potential to provide improved, less conservative buckling-load estimates, and to reduce the weight and cost of developing buckling-resistant shell structures.

Nanowebs and nanocables of silicon carbide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shim, Hyun Woo; Huang, Hanchen

2007-08-01

This paper presents two novel hierarchical structures of SiC-SiO2 core-shell nanowires: (a) nanocables in the form of multi-core and single shell and (b) nanowebs in the form of intersecting nanowires and nanocables, augmented by variable amounts of SiO2 membranes. The two structures are controllable through variations of substrate temperature and source chemistry. The hierarchical nanostructures, together with the controllability, may offer superb mechanical properties in composite applications. Finally, the authors propose a model of nanowebs and nanocables formation, as a result of nanowires intersection and alignment.

Biological materials: a materials science approach.

PubMed

Meyers, Marc A; Chen, Po-Yu; Lopez, Maria I; Seki, Yasuaki; Lin, Albert Y M

2011-07-01

The approach used by Materials Science and Engineering is revealing new aspects in the structure and properties of biological materials. The integration of advanced characterization, mechanical testing, and modeling methods can rationalize heretofore unexplained aspects of these structures. As an illustration of the power of this methodology, we apply it to biomineralized shells, avian beaks and feathers, and fish scales. We also present a few selected bioinspired applications: Velcro, an Al2O3-PMMA composite inspired by the abalone shell, and synthetic attachment devices inspired by gecko. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fast-Dissolving Core-Shell Composite Microparticles of Quercetin Fabricated Using a Coaxial Electrospray Process

PubMed Central

Li, Chen; Yu, Deng-Guang; Williams, Gareth R.; Wang, Zhuan-Hua

2014-01-01

This study reports on novel fast-dissolving core-shell composite microparticles of quercetin fabricated using coaxial electrospraying. A PVC-coated concentric spinneret was developed to conduct the electrospray process. A series of analyses were undertaken to characterize the resultant particles in terms of their morphology, the physical form of their components, and their functional performance. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies revealed that the microparticles had spherical morphologies with clear core-shell structure visible. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction verified that the quercetin active ingredient in the core and sucralose and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) excipients in the shell existed in the amorphous state. This is believed to be a result of second-order interactions between the components; these could be observed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In vitro dissolution and permeation studies showed that the microparticles rapidly released the incorporated quercetin within one minute, and had permeation rates across the sublingual mucosa around 10 times faster than raw quercetin. PMID:24643072

Discrete-Layer Piezoelectric Plate and Shell Models for Active Tip-Clearance Control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heyliger, P. R.; Ramirez, G.; Pei, K. C.

1994-01-01

The objectives of this work were to develop computational tools for the analysis of active-sensory composite structures with added or embedded piezoelectric layers. The targeted application for this class of smart composite laminates and the analytical development is the accomplishment of active tip-clearance control in turbomachinery components. Two distinct theories and analytical models were developed and explored under this contract: (1) a discrete-layer plate theory and corresponding computational models, and (2) a three dimensional general discrete-layer element generated in curvilinear coordinates for modeling laminated composite piezoelectric shells. Both models were developed from the complete electromechanical constitutive relations of piezoelectric materials, and incorporate both displacements and potentials as state variables. This report describes the development and results of these models. The discrete-layer theories imply that the displacement field and electrostatic potential through-the-thickness of the laminate are described over an individual layer rather than as a smeared function over the thickness of the entire plate or shell thickness. This is especially crucial for composites with embedded piezoelectric layers, as the actuating and sensing elements within these layers are poorly represented by effective or smeared properties. Linear Lagrange interpolation polynomials were used to describe the through-thickness laminate behavior. Both analytic and finite element approximations were used in the plane or surface of the structure. In this context, theoretical developments are presented for the discrete-layer plate theory, the discrete-layer shell theory, and the formulation of an exact solution for simply-supported piezoelectric plates. Finally, evaluations and results from a number of separate examples are presented for the static and dynamic analysis of the plate geometry. Comparisons between the different approaches are provided when possible, and initial conclusions regarding the accuracy and limitations of these models are given.

NaF-loaded core-shell PAN-PMMA nanofibers as reinforcements for Bis-GMA/TEGDMA restorative resins.

PubMed

Cheng, Liyuan; Zhou, Xuegang; Zhong, Hong; Deng, Xuliang; Cai, Qing; Yang, Xiaoping

2014-01-01

A kind of core-shell nanofibers containing sodium fluoride (NaF) was produced and used as reinforcing materials for dimethacrylate-based dental restorative resins in this study. The core-shell nanofibers were prepared by coaxial-electrospinning with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solutions as core and shell fluids, respectively. The produced PAN-PMMA nanofibers varied in fiber diameter and the thickness of PMMA shell depending on electrospinning parameters. NaF-loaded nanofibers were obtained by incorporating NaF nanocrystals into the core fluid at two loadings (0.8 or 1.0wt.%). Embedment of NaF nanocrystals into the PAN core did not damage the core-shell structure. The addition of PAN-PMMA nanofibers into Bis-GMA/TEGDMA clearly showed the reinforcement due to the good interfacial adhesion between fibers and resin. The flexural strength (Fs) and flexural modulus (Ey) of the composites decreased slightly as the thickness of PMMA shell increasing. Sustained fluoride releases with minor initial burst release were achieved from NaF-loaded core-shell nanofibers and the corresponding composites, which was quite different from the case of embedding NaF nanocrystals into the dental resin directly. The study demonstrated that NaF-loaded PAN-PMMA core-shell nanofibers were not only able to improve the mechanical properties of restorative resin, but also able to provide sustained fluoride release to help in preventing secondary caries. © 2013.

A facile method for synthesis of well-coated ZnO@graphene core/shell structure by self-assembly of amine-functionalized ZnO and graphene oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yunlong; Song, Lixin; Zhang, Yuzhi; Wang, Panpan; Liu, Yangqiao; Wu, Lingnan; Zhang, Tao

2016-06-01

The core/shell structure was formed by GO self-assembled with amine-functionalized commercial ZnO (CZO) and preparative hexagonal ZnO (HZO), respectively. Graphene-coated CZO and HZO were obtained after being reduced in Ar at 500 °C. The mechanism of the coating procedure was investigated by measuring their respective zeta potential values. Our characterizations demonstrate that graphene on HZO has better quality and fewer layers. An obvious band gap decrease of ZnO was observed for coating with graphene. Photoluminescence spectra of ZnO@graphene core/shell composites display the fluorescence quenching property, which indicates its good application prospect in optoelectronics, photocatalytic and other fields.

Data on Molluscan Shells in parts of Nellore Coast, southeast coast of India.

PubMed

Lakshmanna, B; Jayaraju, N; Prasad, T Lakshmi; Sreenivasulu, G; Nagalakshmi, K; Kumar, M Pramod; Madakka, M

2018-02-01

X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), were applied to analyze the organic matrix of two Molluscan shells . The Mollusca shells are mineral structure and calcium carbonate crystallized as aragonite. The FT-IR spectra showed Alkyl Halide, Alkanes, Alcohols, Amides, Aromatic, and Hydroxyl groups in the organic matrix of the whole (organic and mineral) Molluscan shells. SEM images of particles of the two Molluscan shells at different magnifications were taken. The morphologies of the samples show a flake like structures with irregular grains, their sizes are at micrometric scale and the chemical analysis of EDS indicated that the major elements of Cardita and Gastropoda were C, O, and Ca, consistent with the results of XRD analysis. The results of the analysis of the EDS spectra of the shells showed that the content of most of the powder composition of shells is the element carbon, calcium oxygen, aluminium, and lead peaks that appear on the Cardita and Gastropoda and shells powders tap EDS spectra. The present work examined organic matrix of the selected shells of the heavily polluted and light polluted sites, along Nellore Coast, South East Coast of India. The heavily polluted sites have significantly thickened shells. The data demonstrated the sensitivity of this abundant and widely distributed intertidal fragile environment.

Zirconium(IV) oxide: New coating material for nanoresonators for shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krajczewski, Jan; Abdulrahman, Heman Burhanalden; Kołątaj, Karol; Kudelski, Andrzej

2018-03-01

One tool that can be used for determining the structure and composition of surfaces of various materials (even in in situ conditions) is shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SHINERS). In SHINERS measurements, the surface under investigation is covered with a layer of surface-protected plasmonic nanoparticles, and then the Raman spectrum of the surface analysed is recorded. The plasmonic cores of the used core-shell structures act as electromagnetic nanoresonators, significantly locally enhancing the intensity of the electric field of the incident radiation, leading to a large increase in the efficiency of the generation of the Raman signal from molecules in the close proximity to the deposited SHINERS nanoresonators. A protective layer (from transparent dielectrics such as SiO2, Al2O3 or TiO2) prevents direct interaction between the plasmonic metal and the analysed surface (such interactions may lead to changes in the structure of the surface) and, in the case of plasmonic cores other than gold cores, the dielectric layer increases the chemical stability of the metal core. In this contribution, we show for the first time that core-shell nanoparticles having a silver core (both a solid and hollow one) and a shell of zirconium(IV) oxide are very efficient SHINERS nanoresonators that are significantly more stable in acidic and alkaline media than the silver-silica core-shell structures typically used for SHINERS experiments.

Electroless nickel – phosphorus coating on crab shell particles and its characterization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Arulvel, S., E-mail: gs.arulvel.research@gmail.com; Elayaperumal, A.; Jagatheeshwaran, M.S.

Being hydrophilic material, crab shell particles have only a limited number of applications. It is, therefore, necessary to modify the surface of the crab shell particles. To make them useful ever for the applications, the main theme we proposed in this article is to utilize crab shell particles (CSP) with the core coated with nickel phosphorus (NiP) as a shell using the electroless coating process. For dealing with serious environmental problems, utilization of waste bio-shells is always an important factor to be considered. Chelating ability of crab shell particles eliminates the surface activation in this work proceeding to the coatingmore » process. The functional group, phase structure, microstructure, chemical composition and thermal analysis of CSP and NiP/CSP were characterized using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The combination of an amorphous and crystalline structure was exhibited by CSP and NiP/CSP. NiP/CSP has shown a better thermal stability when compared to uncoated CSP. Stability test, adsorption test, and conductivity test were conducted for the study of adsorption behavior and conductivity of the particles. CSP presented a hydrophilic property in contrast to hydrophobic NiP/CSP. NiP/CSP presented a conductivity of about 44% greater compared to the CSP without any fluctuations. - Highlights: • Utilization of crab shell waste is focused on. • NiP coating on crab shell particle is fabricated using electroless process. • Thermal analysis, stability test, adsorption test and conductivity test were done. • Organic matrix of crab shell particle favors the coating process. • Results demonstrate the characterization of CSP core – NiP shell structure.« less

Evaluation of Advanced Composite Structures Technologies for Application to NASA's Vision for Space Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tenney, Darrel R.

2008-01-01

AS&M performed a broad assessment survey and study to establish the potential composite materials and structures applications and benefits to the Constellation Program Elements. Trade studies were performed on selected elements to determine the potential weight or performance payoff from use of composites. Weight predictions were made for liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks, interstage cylindrical shell, lunar surface access module, ascent module liquid methane tank, and lunar surface manipulator. A key part of this study was the evaluation of 88 different composite technologies to establish their criticality to applications for the Constellation Program. The overall outcome of this study shows that composites are viable structural materials which offer from 20% to 40% weight savings for many of the structural components that make up the Major Elements of the Constellation Program. NASA investment in advancing composite technologies for space structural applications is an investment in America's Space Exploration Program.

Geometrically Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of a Composite Space Reflector

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Kee-Joo; Leet, Sung W.; Clark, Greg; Broduer, Steve (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Lightweight aerospace structures, such as low areal density composite space reflectors, are highly flexible and may undergo large deflection under applied loading, especially during the launch phase. Accordingly, geometrically nonlinear analysis that takes into account the effect of finite rotation may be needed to determine the deformed shape for a clearance check and the stress and strain state to ensure structural integrity. In this study, deformation of the space reflector is determined under static conditions using a geometrically nonlinear solid shell finite element model. For the solid shell element formulation, the kinematics of deformation is described by six variables that are purely vector components. Because rotational angles are not used, this approach is free of the limitations of small angle increments. This also allows easy connections between substructures and large load increments with respect to the conventional shell formulation using rotational parameters. Geometrically nonlinear analyses were carried out for three cases of static point loads applied at selected points. A chart shows results for a case when the load is applied at the center point of the reflector dish. The computed results capture the nonlinear behavior of the composite reflector as the applied load increases. Also, they are in good agreement with the data obtained by experiments.

A Six-Node Curved Triangular Element and a Four-Node Quadrilateral Element for Analysis of Laminated Composite Aerospace Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, C. Wayne; Breiner, David M.; Gupta, Kajal K. (Technical Monitor)

2004-01-01

Mathematical development and some computed results are presented for Mindlin plate and shell elements, suitable for analysis of laminated composite and sandwich structures. These elements use the conventional 3 (plate) or 5 (shell) nodal degrees of freedom, have no communicable mechanisms, have no spurious shear energy (no shear locking), have no spurious membrane energy (no membrane locking) and do not require arbitrary reduction of out-of-plane shear moduli or under-integration. Artificial out-of-plane rotational stiffnesses are added at the element level to avoid convergence problems or singularity due to flat spots in shells. This report discusses a 6-node curved triangular element and a 4-node quadrilateral element. Findings show that in regular rectangular meshes, the Martin-Breiner 6-node triangular curved shell (MB6) is approximately equivalent to the conventional 8-node quadrilateral with integration. The 4-node quadrilateral (MB4) has very good accuracy for a 4-node element, and may be preferred in vibration analysis because of narrower bandwidth. The mathematical developments used in these elements, those discussed in the seven appendices, have been applied to elements with 3, 4, 6, and 10 nodes and can be applied to other nodal configurations.

Facile synthesis, microstructure and photophysical properties of core-shell nanostructured (SiCN)/BN nanocomposites

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qian; Jia, Dechang; Yang, Zhihua; Cai, Delong; Laine, Richard M.; Li, Qian; Zhou, Yu

2017-01-01

Increasing structural complexity at nanoscale can permit superior control over photophysical properties in the precursor-derived semiconductors. We demonstrate here the synthesis of silicon carbonitride (SiCN)/boron nitride (BN) nanocomposites via a polymer precursor route wherein the cobalt polyamine complexes used as the catalyst, exhibiting novel composite structures and photophysical properties. High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) analysis shows that the diameters of SiCN−BN core−shell nanocomposites and BN shells are 50‒400 nm and 5‒25 nm, respectively. BN nanosheets (BNNSs) are also observed with an average sheet size of 5‒15 nm. The photophysical properties of these nanocomposites are characterized using the UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. The as-produced composites have emission behavior including an emission lifetime of 2.5 ns (±20 ps) longer observed in BN doped SiCN than that seen for SiC nanoparticles. Our results suggest that the SiCN/BN nanocomposites act as semiconductor displaying superior width photoluminescence at wavelengths spanning the visible to near-infrared (NIR) spectral range (400‒700 nm), owing to the heterojunction of the interface between the SiC(N) nanowire core and the BN nanosheet shell. PMID:28084300

Novel synthesis of core-shell Au-Pt dendritic nanoparticles supported on carbon black for enhanced methanol electro-oxidation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Ribing; Xia, Tiantian; Zhu, Ruizhi; Liu, Zhihua; Guo, Jinming; Chang, Gang; Zhang, Zaoli; Liu, Xiong; He, Yunbin

2018-03-01

Core-shell Au-Pt dendritic nanoparticles (Au-Pt NPs) has been synthesized via a facile seed-mediated growth method, in which dendritic Pt nanoparticles as shell grow on the surface of gold nanocores by using ascorbic acid (AA) as "green" reducing reagents. The morphologies and compositions of the as-prepared nanocomposites with core-shell structure are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical experiments, including cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) are performed to investigate the electrocatalytic properties of the Au-Pt NPs loaded carbon black composites (Au-Pt NPs/V) towards methanol oxidation in an alkaline solution. It is found that the reduction time of AA could regulate the thickness and amount of Pt on the Au nanocores, which significantly affect catalytic activity of the Au-Pt NPs/V toward methanol oxidation. Au-Pt NPs/V with optimum reduction time 4 h exhibit 2.3-times higher electrocatalytic activity than that of a commercial catalyst (Pt/carbon black) and an excellent CO tolerance toward methanol oxidation. This behavior is attributed to large active electrochemical area of the bimetallic nanocomposites and the change in the electronic structure of Pt when Au surface modified with fewer Pt nanoparticles.

Preparation, process optimization and characterization of core-shell polyurethane/chitosan nanofibers as a potential platform for bioactive scaffolds.

PubMed

Maleknia, Laleh; Dilamian, Mandana; Pilehrood, Mohammad Kazemi; Sadeghi-Aliabadi, Hojjat; Hekmati, Amir Houshang

2018-06-01

In this paper, polyurethane (PU), chitosan (Cs)/polyethylene oxide (PEO), and core-shell PU/Cs nanofibers were produced at the optimal processing conditions using electrospinning technique. Several methods including SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC, TGA and image analysis were utilized to characterize these nanofibrous structures. SEM images exhibited that the core-shell PU/Cs nanofibers were spun without any structural imperfections at the optimized processing conditions. TEM image confirmed the PU/Cs core-shell nanofibers were formed apparently. It that seems the inclusion of Cs/PEO to the shell, did not induce the significant variations in the crystallinity in the core-shell nanofibers. DSC analysis showed that the inclusion of Cs/PEO led to the glass temperature of the composition increased significantly compared to those of neat PU nanofibers. The thermal degradation of core-shell PU/Cs was similar to PU nanofibers degradation due to the higher PU concentration compared to other components. It was hypothesized that the core-shell PU/Cs nanofibers can be used as a potential platform for the bioactive scaffolds in tissue engineering. Further biological tests should be conducted to evaluate this platform as a three dimensional scaffold with the capabilities of releasing the bioactive molecules in a sustained manner.

MoS2/Ni3S4 composite nanosheets on interconnected carbon shells as an excellent supercapacitor electrode architecture for long term cycling at high current densities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Shengchun; Yao, Tinghui; Guo, Xin; Chen, Qiang; Liu, Dequan; Liu, Qiming; Li, Yali; Li, Junshuai; He, Deyan

2018-05-01

In this paper, we report an electrode architecture of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2)/nickel sulfide (Ni3S4) composite nanosheets anchored on interconnected carbon (C) shells (C@MoS2/Ni3S4). Electrochemical measurements indicate that the C@MoS2/Ni3S4 structure possesses excellent supercapacitive properties especially for long term cycling at high current densities. A specific capacitance as high as ∼640.7 F g-1 can still be delivered even after 10,000 cycles at a high current density of 20 A g-1. From comparison of microstructures and electrochemical properties of the related materials/structures, the improved performance of C@MoS2/Ni3S4 can be attributed to the relatively dispersedly distributed nanosheet-shaped MoS2/Ni3S4 that provides efficient contact with electrolyte and effectively buffers the volume change during charge/discharge processes, enhanced cycling stability by MoS2, and reduced equivalent series resistance by the interconnected C shells.

Versatile hydrothermal synthesis of one-dimensional composite structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Yonglan

2008-12-01

In this paper we report on a versatile hydrothermal approach developed to fabricate one-dimensional (1D) composite structures. Sulfur and selenium formed liquid and adsorbed onto microrods as droplets and subsequently reacted with metallic ion in solution to produce nanoparticles-decorated composite microrods. 1D composites including ZnO/CdS, ZnO/MnS, ZnO/CuS, ZnO/CdSe, and FeOOH/CdS were successfully made using this hydrothermal strategy and the growth mechanism was also discussed. This hydrothermal strategy is simple and green, and can be extended to the synthesis of various 1D composite structures. Moreover, the interaction between the shell nanoparticles and the one-dimensional nanomaterials were confirmed by photoluminescence investigation of ZnO/CdS.

Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) Fuselage Structural Design for Weight Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mukhopadhyay, V.

2005-01-01

Structural analysis and design of efficient pressurized fuselage configurations for the advanced Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) flight vehicle is a challenging problem. Unlike a conventional cylindrical pressurized fuselage, stress level in a box type BWB fuselage is an order of magnitude higher, because internal pressure primarily results in bending stress instead of skin-membrane stress. In addition, resulting deformation of aerodynamic surface could significantly affect performance advantages provided by lifting body. The pressurized composite conformal multi-lobe tanks of X-33 type space vehicle also suffered from similar problem. In the earlier BWB design studies, Vaulted Ribbed Shell (VLRS), Flat Ribbed Shell (FRS); Vaulted shell Honeycomb Core (VLHC) and Flat sandwich shell Honeycomb Core (FLHC) concepts were studied. The flat and vaulted ribbed shell concepts were found most efficient. In a recent study, a set of composite sandwich panel and cross-ribbed panel were analyzed. Optimal values of rib and skin thickness, rib spacing, and panel depth were obtained for minimal weight under stress and buckling constraints. In addition, a set of efficient multi-bubble fuselage (MBF) configuration concept was developed. The special geometric configuration of this concept allows for balancing internal cabin pressure load efficiently, through membrane stress in inner-stiffened shell and inter-cabin walls, while the outer-ribbed shell prevents buckling due to external resultant compressive loads. The initial results from these approximate finite element analyses indicate progressively lower maximum stresses and deflections compared to the earlier study. However, a relative comparison of the FEM weight per unit floor area of the segment unit indicates that the unit weights are still relatively higher that the conventional B777 type cylindrical or A380 type elliptic fuselage design. Due to the manufacturing concern associated with multi-bubble fuselage, a Y braced box-type fuselage alternative with special resin-film injected (RFI) stitched carbon composite with foam-core was designed by Boeing under a NASA research contract for the 480 passenger version. It is shown that this configuration can be improved to a modified multi-bubble fuselage which has better stress distribution, for same material and dimension.

Capsules made from prefabricated thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amstad, Esther

2018-02-01

Capsules are composed of a core, typically a liquid containing active substances, and a surrounding shell. They are used to delay the degradation of active ingredients, protect them from reacting or interacting with substances contained in the surrounding shell, or to prevent premature consumption of encapsulants (1, 2). The performance of capsules is often determined by their permeability toward encapsulants and stability against rupture; these parameters can be adjusted with the composition, structure, and thickness of the shell (3, 4). Mechanically robust capsules with a minimal permeability even toward low molecular weight substances often have rather thick shells (5). On page 775 of this issue, Kumar et al. (6) report an elegant process to fabricate capsules with very thin, rigid shells that display a low permeability even toward small encapsulants.

The Manufacturing Process for the NASA Composite Crew Module Demonstration Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pelham, Larry; Higgins, John E.

2008-01-01

This paper will describe the approaches and methods selected in fabrication of a carbon composite demonstration structure for the Composite Crew Module (CCM) Program. The program is managed by the NASA Safety and Engineering Center with participants from ten NASA Centers and AFRL. Multiple aerospace contractors are participating in the design development, tooling and fabrication effort as well. The goal of the program is to develop an agency wide design team for composite habitable spacecraft. The specific goals for this development project are: a).To gain hands on experience in design, building and testing a composite crew module. b) To validate key assumptions by resolving composite spacecraft design details through fabrication and testing of hardware. This abstract is based on Preliminary Design data..The final design will continue to evolve through the fall of 2007 with fabrication mostly completed by conference date. From a structures perspective, the.CCM can be viewed as a pressure module with variable pressure time histories and a series of both impact and quasi-static, high intensity point, line, and area distributed loads. The portion of the overall space vehicle being designed and. fabricated by the CCM team is just the pressure module and primary loading points. The heaviest point loads are applied and distributed to the pressure module at.an aluminum Service Module/Alternate Launch Abort System (SM/ALAS) fittings and at Main and Drogue Chute fittings. Significant line loads with metal to metal impact is applied at.the Lids ring. These major external point and line loads as well as pressure impact loads (blast and water landing) are applied to the lobed floor though the reentry shield and crushable materials. The pressure module is divided into upper and lower. shells that mate together with a bonded belly band splice joint to create the completed structural assembly. The benefits of a split CCM far outweigh the risks of a joint. These benefits include lower tooling cost and less manufacturing risk. Assembly of the top and bottom halves of the pressure shell will allow access to the interior of the shell throughout remaining fabrication sequence and can also potentially permit extensive installation of equipment and .crew facilities prior to final assembly of the two shell halves. A Pi pre-form is a woven carbon composite material which is provided in pre-impregnated form and frozen for long term storage. The cross-section shape allows the top of the pi to be bonded to a flat or curved surface with a second flat plate composite section bonded between two upstanding legs of the Pi. One of the regions relying on the merits of the Pi pre-form is the backbone. All connections among plates of the backbone structure, including the upper flanges, and to the lobe base of the pressure shell are currently joined by Pi pre-forms. The intersection of backbone composite plates is formed by application of two Pi pre-forms, top flanges and lobed surfaces are bonded with one Pi pre-form. The process of applying the pre-impregnated pi-preform will be demonstrated to include important steps like surface preparation, forming, application of pressure dams, vacuum bagging for consolidation, and curing techniques. Chopped carbon fiber tooling was selected over other traditional metallic and carbon fiber tooling. The requirement of schedule and cost economy for a moderate reuse cure tool warranted composite tooling options. Composite tooling schedule duration of 18 weeks compared favorably against other metallic tooling including invar tooling. Composite tooling also shows significant cost savings over low CTE metallic options. The composite tooling options were divided into two groups and the final decision was based on the cost, schedule, tolerance, temperature, and reuse requirements.

Synthesis and Characterization of Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials with Poly(urea-urethane) Shells Containing Cellulose Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Yoo, Youngman; Martinez, Carlos; Youngblood, Jeffrey P

2017-09-20

The main objective of this study is to develop microencapsulation technology for thermal energy storage incorporating a phase change material (PCM) in a composite wall shell, which can be used to create a stable environment and allow the PCM to undergo phase change without any outside influence. Surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was conducted by grafting poly(lactic acid) oligomers and oleic acid to improve the dispersion of nanoparticles in a polymeric shell. A microencapsulated phase change material (methyl laurate) with poly(urea-urethane) (PU) composite shells containing the hydrophobized cellulose nanocrystals (hCNCs) was fabricated using an in situ emulsion interfacial polymerization process. The encapsulation process of the PCMs with subsequent interfacial hCNC-PU to form composite microcapsules as well as their morphology, composition, thermal properties, and release rates was examined in this study. Oil soluble Sudan II dye solution in methyl laurate was used as a model hydrophobic fill, representing other latent fills with low partition coefficients, and their encapsulation efficiency as well as dye release rates were measured spectroscopically in a water medium. The influence of polyol content in the PU polymer matrix of microcapsules was investigated. An increase in polyol contents leads to an increase in the mean size of microcapsules but a decrease in the gel content (degree of cross-linking density) and permeability of their shell structure. The encapsulated PCMs for thermal energy storage demonstrated here exhibited promising performance for possible use in building or paving materials in terms of released heat, desired phase transformation temperature, chemical and physical stability, and concrete durability during placement.

Advanced composite structures. [metal matrix composites - structural design criteria for spacecraft construction materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

A monograph is presented which establishes structural design criteria and recommends practices to ensure the design of sound composite structures, including composite-reinforced metal structures. (It does not discuss design criteria for fiber-glass composites and such advanced composite materials as beryllium wire or sapphire whiskers in a matrix material.) Although the criteria were developed for aircraft applications, they are general enough to be applicable to space vehicles and missiles as well. The monograph covers four broad areas: (1) materials, (2) design, (3) fracture control, and (4) design verification. The materials portion deals with such subjects as material system design, material design levels, and material characterization. The design portion includes panel, shell, and joint design, applied loads, internal loads, design factors, reliability, and maintainability. Fracture control includes such items as stress concentrations, service-life philosophy, and the management plan for control of fracture-related aspects of structural design using composite materials. Design verification discusses ways to prove flightworthiness.

Using a novel rigid-fluoride polymer to control the interfacial thickness of graphene and tailor the dielectric behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-chlorotrifluoroethylene) nanocomposites.

PubMed

Han, Xianghui; Chen, Sheng; Lv, Xuguang; Luo, Hang; Zhang, Dou; Bowen, Chris R

2018-01-24

Polymer nanocomposites based on conductive fillers for high performance dielectrics have attracted increasing attention in recent years. However, a number of physical issues are unclear, such as the effect of interfacial thickness on the dielectric properties of the polymer nanocomposites, which limits the enhancement of permittivity. In this research, two core-shell structured reduced graphene oxide (rGO)@rigid-fluoro-polymer conducting fillers with different shell thicknesses are prepared using a surface-initiated reversible-addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization method, which are denoted as rGO@PTFMS-1 with a thin shell and rGO@PTFMS-2 with a thick shell. A rigid liquid crystalline fluoride-polymer poly{5-bis[(4-trifluoro-methoxyphenyl)oxycarbonyl]styrene} (PTFMS) is chosen for the first time to tailor the shell thicknesses of rGO via tailoring the degree of polymerization. The effect of interfacial thickness on the dielectric behavior of the P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) nanocomposites with rGO and modified rGO is studied in detail. The results demonstrate that the percolation threshold of the nanocomposites increased from 0.68 vol% to 1.69 vol% with an increase in shell thickness. Compared to the rGO@PTFMS-1/P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) composites, the rGO@PTFMS-2/P(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) composites exhibited a higher breakdown strength and a lower dielectric constant, which can be interpreted by interfacial polarization and the micro-capacitor model, resulting from the insulating nature of the rigid-polymer shell and the change of rGO's morphology. The findings provide an innovative approach to tailor dielectric composites, and promote a deeper understanding of the influence of interfacial region thickness on the dielectric performance.

One-pot facile synthesis of reusable tremella-like M1@M2@M1(OH)2 (M1 = Co, Ni, M2 = Pt/Pd, Pt, Pd and Au) three layers core-shell nanostructures as highly efficient catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yadong; Fang, Zhen; Kuai, Long; Geng, Baoyou

2014-07-01

In this work, a general, facile, successive and eco-friendly method for multilayer nanostructures has been established for the first time. We take full advantage of the structural and compositional character of M1@M2 (M1 = Co, Ni, M2 = Pt/Pd, Pt, Pd and Au) core-shell nanostructures to prepare a series of reusable tremella-like M1@M2@M1(OH)2 three layer core-shell or yolk-shell nanocomposites with a magnetic core, a porous noble metal shell, and an ultrathin cobalt or nickel hydroxide shell. We evaluated their catalytic performance using a model reaction based on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. These novel M1@M2@M1(OH)2 nanomaterials with a unique internal micro environment promoted the efficiency of the catalytic reaction, prolonged the service life of the catalyst and enhanced the overall activity of the catalyst in the catalytic process. The novel three layer core-shell nanocomposites can be extended to other applications such as biomedical detection, energy conversion and storage systems.In this work, a general, facile, successive and eco-friendly method for multilayer nanostructures has been established for the first time. We take full advantage of the structural and compositional character of M1@M2 (M1 = Co, Ni, M2 = Pt/Pd, Pt, Pd and Au) core-shell nanostructures to prepare a series of reusable tremella-like M1@M2@M1(OH)2 three layer core-shell or yolk-shell nanocomposites with a magnetic core, a porous noble metal shell, and an ultrathin cobalt or nickel hydroxide shell. We evaluated their catalytic performance using a model reaction based on the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. These novel M1@M2@M1(OH)2 nanomaterials with a unique internal micro environment promoted the efficiency of the catalytic reaction, prolonged the service life of the catalyst and enhanced the overall activity of the catalyst in the catalytic process. The novel three layer core-shell nanocomposites can be extended to other applications such as biomedical detection, energy conversion and storage systems. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fig. S1-S6. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr01470g

Body weight of hypersonic aircraft, part 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ardema, Mark D.

1988-01-01

The load bearing body weight of wing-body and all-body hypersonic aircraft is estimated for a wide variety of structural materials and geometries. Variations of weight with key design and configuration parameters are presented and discussed. Both hot and cool structure approaches are considered in isotropic, organic composite, and metal matrix composite materials; structural shells are sandwich or skin-stringer. Conformal and pillow-tank designs are investigated for the all-body shape. The results identify the most promising hypersonic aircraft body structure design approaches and their weight trends. Geometric definition of vehicle shapes and structural analysis methods are presented in appendices.

Structure and dynamics of phosphate ion in aqueous solution: an ab initio QMCF MD study.

PubMed

Pribil, Andreas B; Hofer, Thomas S; Randolf, Bernhard R; Rode, Bernd M

2008-11-15

A simulation of phosphate in aqueous solution was carried out employing the new QMCF MD approach which offers the possibility to investigate composite systems with the accuracy of a QMMM method but without the time consuming creation of solute-solvent potential functions. The data of the simulations give a clear picture of the hydration shells of the phosphate anion. The first shell consists of 13 water molecules and each oxygen of the phosphate forms in average three hydrogens bonds to different solvent molecules. Several structural parameters such as radial distribution functions and coordination number distributions allow to fully characterize the embedding of the highly charged phosphate ion in the solvent water. The dynamics of the hydration structure of phosphate are described by mean residence times of the solvent molecules in the first hydration shell and the water exchange rate. 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Self-assembly and graft polymerization route to Monodispersed Fe3O4@SiO2--polyaniline core-shell composite nanoparticles: physical properties.

PubMed

Reddy, Kakarla Raghava; Lee, Kwang-Pill; Kim, Ju Young; Lee, Youngil

2008-11-01

This study describes the synthesis of monodispersed core-shell composites of silica-modified magnetic nanoparticles and conducting polyaniline by self-assembly and graft polymerization. Magnetic ferrite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by coprecipitation of Fe+2 and Fe+3 ions in alkaline solution, and then silananized. The silanation of magnetic particles (Fe3O4@SiO2) was carried out using 3-bromopropyltrichlorosilane (BPTS) as the coupling agent. FT-IR spectra indicated the presence of Fe--O--Si chemical bonds in Fe3O4@SiO2. Core-shell type nanocomposites (Fe3O4@SiO2/PANI) were prepared by grafting polyaniline (PANI) on the surface of silanized magnetic particles through surface initiated in-situ chemical oxidative graft polymerization. The nanocomposites were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, electrical conductivity and magnetic characteristics. HRTEM images of the nanocomposites revealed that the silica-modified magnetic particles made up the core while PANI made up the shell. The XPS spectrum revealed the presence of silica in the composites, and the XRD results showed that the composites were more crystalline than pure PANI. PL spectra show that composites exhibit photoluminescent property. Conductivity of the composites (6.2 to 9.4 x 10(-2) S/cm) was higher than that of pristine PANI (3.7 x 10(-3) S/cm). The nanocomposites exhibited superparamagnetism. Formation mechanism of the core-shell structured nanocomposites and the effect of modified magnetic nanoparticles on the electro-magnetic properties of the Fe3O4@SiO2/PANI nanocomposites are also investigated. This method provides a new strategy for the generation of multi-functional nanocomposites that composed of other conducting polymers and metal nanoparticles.

Synthesis, characterization and visible-light driven photocatalysis by differently structured CdS/ZnS sandwich and core-shell nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qutub, Nida; Pirzada, Bilal Masood; Umar, Khalid; Mehraj, Owais; Muneer, M.; Sabir, Suhail

2015-11-01

CdS/ZnS sandwich and core-shell nanocomposites were synthesized by a simple and modified Chemical Precipitation method under ambient conditions. The synthesized composites were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDAX and FTIR. Optical properties were analyzed by UV-vis. Spectroscopy and the photoluminescence study was done to monitor the recombination of photo-generated charge-carriers. Thermal stability of the synthesized composites was analyzed by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). XRD revealed the formation of nanocomposites as mixed diffraction peaks were observed in the XRD pattern. SEM and TEM showed the morphology of the nanocomposites particles and their fine particle size. EDAX revealed the appropriate molar ratios exhibited by the constituent elements in the composites and FTIR gave some characteristic peaks which indicated the formation of CdS/ZnS nanocomposites. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy was done to study charge transfer properties along the nanocomposites. Photocatalytic properties of the synthesized composites were monitored by the photocatalytic kinetic study of Acid Blue dye and p-chlorophenol under visible light irradiation. Results revealed the formation of stable core-shell nanocomposites and their efficient photocatalytic properties.

Insight into the core-shell structures of Cu-In-S microspheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wochnik, Angela S.; Frank, Anna; Heinzl, Christoph; Häusler, Jonas; Schneider, Julian; Hoffmann, Ramona; Matich, Sonja; Scheu, Christina

2013-12-01

In this study we report about the inner and outer structure of CuInS2 microspheres which might be used e.g. in pastes for simple, low-cost solar cell preparation, as well as in electrodes for light-driven water splitting. The microspheres are synthesized via a mild, template-free solvothermal synthesis route and characterised by electron and focused ion beam microscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The investigations of cross sections prepared by focused ion beam showed that the spheres consist of compact cores and flaky surface structures. Depending on the reaction time, the core possesses a stoichiometric or Cu-rich chemical composition surrounded by an In-rich shell. The flaky surface always comprises a stoichiometric composition in tetragonal chalcopyrite crystal structure, whereas the other areas additionally show minor contributions of CuS, and CuInS2 in hexagonal wurtzite structure. The presence of different phases can be beneficial for future applications since they offer different absorption behaviour in the visible range.

Hydrogen storage and hydrolysis properties of core-shell structured Mg-MFx (M=V, Ni, La and Ce) nano-composites prepared by arc plasma method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Jianfeng; Zou, Jianxin; Lu, Chong; Zeng, Xiaoqin; Ding, Wenjiang

2017-10-01

In this work, core-shell structured Mg-MFx (M = V, Ni, La and Ce) nano-composites are prepared by using arc plasma method. The particle size distribution, phase components, microstructures, hydrogen sorption properties of these composites and hydrolysis properties of their corresponding hydrogenated powders are carefully investigated. It is shown that the addition of MFx through arc plasma method can improve both the hydrogen absorption kinetics of Mg and the hydrolysis properties of corresponding hydrogenated powders. Among them, the Mg-NiF2 composite shows the best hydrogen absorption properties at relatively low temperatures, which can absorb 3.26 wt% of H2 at 373 K in 2 h. Such rapid hydrogen absorption rate is mainly due to the formation of Mg2Ni and MgF2 on Mg particles during arc evaporation and condensation. In contrast, measurements also show that the hydrogenated Mg-VF3 composite has the lowest peak desorption temperature and the fastest hydrolysis rate among all the hydrogenated Mg-MFx composites. The less agglomeration tendency of Mg particles and VO2 covered on MgH2 particles account for the reduced hydrogen desorption temperature and enhanced hydrolysis rate.

New technique for study on isotopic fractionation between sea water and foraminiferal growing processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cang, Shuxi; Shackleton, N. J.

1990-12-01

The stable isotopic δ18O and δ13C composition of foraminiferal shell calcite varies as a function of many factors including temperature and salinity. In order to understand and interpret the variations in the isotopic composition of foraminiferal shell calcite, research has been recently focused on the role of the “vital effects”. Our examination of the lamella structure of several recent planktonic foraminifera indicates that the secretion of sequential lamellae results in multiple lamillae on earlier chambers and a single lamella on the final chamber. We used a very simple procedure to separate the individual whole test of foraminifera into several chambers and measured the isotopic composition of each growth stage chamber. The results indicate that the stable isotopic composition (carbon and oxygen), particularly that of the last two chambers, of the foraminiferal test varies as a function of the individual growing process.

Abnormal elastic modulus behavior in a crystalline-amorphous core-shell nanowire system.

PubMed

Lee, Jeong Hwan; Choi, Su Ji; Kwon, Ji Hwan; Van Lam, Do; Lee, Seung Mo; Kim, An Soon; Baik, Hion Suck; Ahn, Sang Jung; Hong, Seong Gu; Yun, Yong Ju; Kim, Young Heon

2018-06-13

We investigated the elastic modulus behavior of crystalline InAs/amorphous Al2O3 core-shell heterostructured nanowires with shell thicknesses varying between 10 and 90 nm by conducting in situ tensile tests inside a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Counterintuitively, the elastic modulus behaviors of InAs/Al2O3 core-shell nanowires differ greatly from those of bulk-scale composite materials, free from size effects. According to our results, the elastic modulus of InAs/Al2O3 core-shell nanowires increases, peaking at a shell thickness of 40 nm, and then decreases in the range of 50-90 nm. This abnormal behavior is attributed to the continuous decrease in the elastic modulus of the Al2O3 shell as the thickness increases, which is caused by changes in the atomic/electronic structure during the atomic layer deposition process and the relaxation of residual stress/strain in the shell transferred from the interfacial mismatch between the core and shell materials. A novel method for estimating the elastic modulus of the shell in a heterostructured core-shell system was suggested by considering these two effects, and the predictions from the suggested method coincided well with the experimental results. We also found that the former and latter effects account for 89% and 11% of the change in the elastic modulus of the shell. This study provides new insight by showing that the size dependency, which is caused by the inhomogeneity of the atomic/electronic structure and the residual stress/strain, must be considered to evaluate the mechanical properties of heterostructured nanowires.

Self-assembly of multiferroic core-shell particulate nanocomposites through DNA-DNA hybridization and magnetic field directed assembly of superstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sreenivasulu, Gollapudi; Lochbiler, Thomas A.; Panda, Manashi; Srinivasan, Gopalan; Chavez, Ferman A.

2016-04-01

Multiferroic composites of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric phases are of importance for studies on mechanical strain mediated coupling between the magnetic and electric subsystems. This work is on DNA-assisted self-assembly of superstructures of such composites with nanometer periodicity. The synthesis involved oligomeric DNA-functionalized ferroelectric and ferromagnetic nanoparticles, 600 nm BaTiO3 (BTO) and 200 nm NiFe2O4 (NFO), respectively. Mixing BTO and NFO particles, possessing complementary DNA sequences, resulted in the formation of ordered core-shell heteronanocomposites held together by DNA hybridization. The composites were imaged by scanning electron microscopy and scanning microwave microscopy. The presence of heteroassemblies along with core-shell architecture is clearly observed. The reversible nature of the DNA hybridization allows for restructuring the composites into mm-long linear chains and 2D-arrays in the presence of a static magnetic field and ring-like structures in a rotating-magnetic field. Strong magneto-electric (ME) coupling in as-assembled composites is evident from static magnetic field H induced polarization and low-frequency magnetoelectric voltage coefficient measurements. Upon annealing the nanocomposites at high temperatures, evidence for the formation of bulk composites with excellent cross-coupling between the electric and magnetic subsystems is obtained by H-induced polarization and low-frequency ME voltage coefficient. The ME coupling strength in the self-assembled composites is measured to be much stronger than in bulk composites with randomly distributed NFO and BTO prepared by direct mixing and sintering.

Surface profile control of FeNiPt/Pt core/shell nanowires for oxygen reduction reaction

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Huiyuan; Zhang, Sen; Su, Dong; ...

2015-03-18

The ever-increasing energy demand requires renewable energy schemes with low environmental impacts. Electrochemical energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells, combine fuel oxidization and oxygen reduction reactions and have been studied extensively for renewable energy applications. However, their energy conversion efficiency is often limited by kinetically sluggish chemical conversion reactions, especially oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). [1-5] To date, extensive efforts have been put into developing efficient ORR catalysts with controls on catalyst sizes, compositions, shapes and structures. [6-12] Recently, Pt-based catalysts with core/shell and one-dimensional nanowire (NW) morphologies were found to be promising to further enhance ORR catalysis.more » With the core/shell structure, the ORR catalysis of a nanoparticle (NP) catalyst can be tuned by both electronic and geometric effects at the core/shell interface. [10,13,14] With the NW structure, the catalyst interaction with the conductive support can be enhanced to facilitate electron transfer between the support and the NW catalyst and to promote ORR. [11,15,16]« less

Multi-parameter actuation of a neutrally stable shell: a flexible gear-less motor.

PubMed

Hamouche, W; Maurini, C; Vidoli, S; Vincenti, A

2017-08-01

We have designed and tested experimentally a morphing structure consisting of a neutrally stable thin cylindrical shell driven by a multi-parameter piezoelectric actuation. The shell is obtained by plastically deforming an initially flat copper disc, so as to induce large isotropic and almost uniform inelastic curvatures. Following the plastic deformation, in a perfectly isotropic system, the shell is theoretically neutrally stable, having a continuous set of stable cylindrical shapes corresponding to the rotation of the axis of maximal curvature. Small imperfections render the actual structure bistable, giving preferred orientations. A three-parameter piezoelectric actuation, exerted through micro-fibre-composite actuators, allows us to add a small perturbation to the plastic inelastic curvature and to control the direction of maximal curvature. This actuation law is designed through a geometrical analogy based on a fully nonlinear inextensible uniform-curvature shell model. We report on the fabrication, identification and experimental testing of a prototype and demonstrate the effectiveness of the piezoelectric actuators in controlling its shape. The resulting motion is an apparent rotation of the shell, controlled by the voltages as in a 'gear-less motor', which is, in reality, a precession of the axis of principal curvature.

Multi-parameter actuation of a neutrally stable shell: a flexible gear-less motor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamouche, W.; Maurini, C.; Vidoli, S.; Vincenti, A.

2017-08-01

We have designed and tested experimentally a morphing structure consisting of a neutrally stable thin cylindrical shell driven by a multi-parameter piezoelectric actuation. The shell is obtained by plastically deforming an initially flat copper disc, so as to induce large isotropic and almost uniform inelastic curvatures. Following the plastic deformation, in a perfectly isotropic system, the shell is theoretically neutrally stable, having a continuous set of stable cylindrical shapes corresponding to the rotation of the axis of maximal curvature. Small imperfections render the actual structure bistable, giving preferred orientations. A three-parameter piezoelectric actuation, exerted through micro-fibre-composite actuators, allows us to add a small perturbation to the plastic inelastic curvature and to control the direction of maximal curvature. This actuation law is designed through a geometrical analogy based on a fully nonlinear inextensible uniform-curvature shell model. We report on the fabrication, identification and experimental testing of a prototype and demonstrate the effectiveness of the piezoelectric actuators in controlling its shape. The resulting motion is an apparent rotation of the shell, controlled by the voltages as in a `gear-less motor', which is, in reality, a precession of the axis of principal curvature.

Analysis of Thick Sandwich Shells with Embedded Ceramic Tiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davila, Carlos G.; Smith, C.; Lumban-Tobing, F.

1996-01-01

The Composite Armored Vehicle (CAV) is an advanced technology demonstrator of an all-composite ground combat vehicle. The CAV upper hull is made of a tough light-weight S2-glass/epoxy laminate with embedded ceramic tiles that serve as armor. The tiles are bonded to a rubber mat with a carefully selected, highly viscoelastic adhesive. The integration of armor and structure offers an efficient combination of ballistic protection and structural performance. The analysis of this anisotropic construction, with its inherent discontinuous and periodic nature, however, poses several challenges. The present paper describes a shell-based 'element-layering' technique that properly accounts for these effects and for the concentrated transverse shear flexibility in the rubber mat. One of the most important advantages of the element-layering technique over advanced higher-order elements is that it is based on conventional elements. This advantage allows the models to be portable to other structural analysis codes, a prerequisite in a program that involves the computational facilities of several manufacturers and government laboratories. The element-layering technique was implemented into an auto-layering program that automatically transforms a conventional shell model into a multi-layered model. The effects of tile layer homogenization, tile placement patterns, and tile gap size on the analysis results are described.

Electro-mechanical analysis of composite and sandwich multilayered structures by shell elements with node-dependent kinematics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carrera; Valvano; Kulikov

2018-01-01

In this work, a new class of finite elements for the analysis of composite and sandwich shells embedding piezoelectric skins and patches is proposed. The main idea of models coupling is developed by presenting the concept of nodal dependent kinematics where the same finite element can present at each node a different approximation of the main unknowns by setting a node-wise through-the-thickness approximation base. In a global/local approach scenario, the computational costs can be reduced drastically by assuming refined theories only in those zones/nodes of the structural domain where the resulting strain and stress states, and their electro-mechanical coupling present a complex distribution. Several numerical investigations are carried out to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the present shell element. An accurate representation of mechanical stresses and electric displacements in localized zones is possible with reduction of the computational costs if an accurate distribution of the higher-order kinematic capabilities is performed. On the contrary, the accuracy of the solution in terms of mechanical displacements and electric potential values depends on the global approximation over the whole structure. The efficacy of the present node-dependent variable kinematic models, thus, depends on the characteristics of the problem under consideration as well as on the required analysis type.

A Study on the Plasmonic Properties of Silver Core Gold Shell Nanoparticles: Optical Assessment of the Particle Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mott, Derrick; Lee, JaeDong; Thi Bich Thuy, Nguyen; Aoki, Yoshiya; Singh, Prerna; Maenosono, Shinya

2011-06-01

This paper reports a qualitative comparison between the optical properties of a set of silver core, gold shell nanoparticles with varying composition and structure to those calculated using the Mie solution. To achieve this, silver nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous phase from a silver hydroxide precursor with sodium acrylate as dual reducing-capping agent. The particles were then coated with a layer of gold with controllable thickness through a reduction-deposition process. The resulting nanoparticles reveal well defined optical properties that make them suitable for comparison to ideal calculated results using the Mie solution. The discussion focuses on the correlation between the synthesized core shell nanoparticles with varying Au shell thickness and the Mie solution results in terms of the optical properties. The results give insight in how to design and synthesize silver core, gold shell nanoparticles with controllable optical properties (e.g., SPR band in terms of intensity and position), and has implications in creating nanoparticle materials to be used as biological probes and sensing elements.

Load transfer in the stiffener-to-skin joints of a pressurized fuselage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Eric R.; Rastogi, Naveen

1995-01-01

Structural analyses are developed to determine the linear elastic and the geometrically nonlinear elastic response of an internally pressurized, orthogonally stiffened, composite material cylindrical shell. The configuration is a long circular cylindrical shell stiffened on the inside by a regular arrangement of identical stringers and identical rings. Periodicity permits the analysis of a unit cell model consisting of a portion of the shell wall centered over one stringer-ring joint. The stringer-ring-shell joint is modeled in an idealized manner; the stiffeners are mathematically permitted to pass through one another without contact, but do interact indirectly through their mutual contact with the shell at the joint. Discrete beams models of the stiffeners include a stringer with a symmetrical cross section and a ring with either a symmetrical or an asymmetrical open section. Mathematical formulations presented for the linear response include the effect of transverse shear deformations and the effect of warping of the ring's cross section due to torsion. These effects are important when the ring has an asymmetrical cross section because the loss of symmetry in the problem results in torsion and out-of-plane bending of the ring, and a concomitant rotation of the joint at the stiffener intersection about the circumferential axis. Data from a composite material crown panel typical of a large transport fuselage structure are used for two numerical examples. Although the inclusion of geometric nonlinearity reduces the 'pillowing' of the shell, it is found that bending is localized to a narrow region near the stiffener. Including warping deformation of the ring into the analysis changes the sense of the joint rotation. Transverse shear deformation models result in increased joint flexibility.

Application study of filamentary composites in a commercial jet aircraft fuselage

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, R. W.; June, R. R.

1972-01-01

A study of applications of filamentary composite materials to aircraft fuselage structure was performed. General design criteria were established and material studies conducted using the 727-200 forebody as the primary structural component. Three design approaches to the use of composites were investigated: uniaxial reinforcement of metal structure, uniaxial and biaxial reinforcement of metal structure, and an all-composite design. Materials application studies for all three concepts were conducted on fuselage shell panels, keel beam, floor beams, floor panels, body frames, fail-safe straps, and window frames. Cost benefit studies were conducted and developmental program costs estimated. On the basis of weight savings, cost effectiveness, developmental program costs, and potential for early application on commercial aircraft, the unaxial design is recommended for a 5-year flight service evaluation program.

Spatially-controlled NiCo2O4@MnO2 core–shell nanoarray with hollow NiCo2O4 cores and MnO2 flake shells: an efficient catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Hairong; Yu, Hongjie; Li, Yinghao; Deng, Kai; Xu, You; Li, Xiaonian; Wang, Hongjing; Wang, Liang

2018-07-01

Control of structures and components of the nanoarray catalysts is very important for electrochemical energy conversion. Herein, unique NiCo2O4@MnO2 core–shell nanoarray with hollow NiCo2O4 Cores and MnO2 flake shells is in situ fabricated on carbon textile via a two-step hydrothermal treatment followed by a subsequent annealing. The as-made nanoarray is highly active and durable catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media attribute to the synergetic effect derived from spatially separated nanoarray with favorable NiCo2O4 and MnO2 compositions.

Spatially-controlled NiCo2O4@MnO2 core-shell nanoarray with hollow NiCo2O4 cores and MnO2 flake shells: an efficient catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction.

PubMed

Xue, Hairong; Yu, Hongjie; Li, Yinghao; Deng, Kai; Xu, You; Li, Xiaonian; Wang, Hongjing; Wang, Liang

2018-07-13

Control of structures and components of the nanoarray catalysts is very important for electrochemical energy conversion. Herein, unique NiCo 2 O 4 @MnO 2 core-shell nanoarray with hollow NiCo 2 O 4 Cores and MnO 2 flake shells is in situ fabricated on carbon textile via a two-step hydrothermal treatment followed by a subsequent annealing. The as-made nanoarray is highly active and durable catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media attribute to the synergetic effect derived from spatially separated nanoarray with favorable NiCo 2 O 4 and MnO 2 compositions.

Unitized Stiffened Composite Textile Panels: Manufacturing, Characterization, Experiments, and Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosztowny, Cyrus Joseph Robert

Use of carbon fiber textiles in complex manufacturing methods creates new implementations of structural components by increasing performance, lowering manufacturing costs, and making composites overall more attractive across industry. Advantages of textile composites include high area output, ease of handling during the manufacturing process, lower production costs per material used resulting from automation, and provide post-manufacturing assembly mainstreaming because significantly more complex geometries such as stiffened shell structures can be manufactured with fewer pieces. One significant challenge with using stiffened composite structures is stiffener separation under compression. Axial compression loading conditions have frequently observed catastrophic structural failure due to stiffeners separating from the shell skin. Characterizing stiffener separation behavior is often costly computationally and experimentally. The objectives of this research are to demonstrate unitized stiffened textile composite panels can be manufactured to produce quality test specimens, that existing characterization techniques applied to state-of-the-art high-performance composites provide valuable information in modeling such structures, that the unitized structure concept successfully removes stiffener separation as a primary structural failure mode, and that modeling textile material failure modes are sufficient to accurately capture postbuckling and final failure responses of the stiffened structures. The stiffened panels in this study have taken the integrally stiffened concept to an extent such that the stiffeners and skin are manufactured at the same time, as one single piece, and from the same composite textile layers. Stiffener separation is shown to be removed as a primary structural failure mode for unitized stiffened composite textile panels loaded under axial compression well into the postbuckling regime. Instead of stiffener separation, a material damaging and failure model effectively captures local post-peak material response via incorporating a mesoscale model using a multiscaling framework with a smeared crack element-based failure model in the macroscale stiffened panel. Material damage behavior is characterized by simple experimental tests and incorporated into the post-peak stiffness degradation law in the smeared crack implementation. Computational modeling results are in overall excellent agreement compared to the experimental responses.

Experimental data on the properties of natural fiber particle reinforced polymer composite material.

PubMed

Chandramohan, D; Presin Kumar, A John

2017-08-01

This paper presents an experimental study on the development of polymer bio-composites. The powdered coconut shell, walnut shells and Rice husk are used as reinforcements with bio epoxy resin to form hybrid composite specimens. The fiber compositions in each specimen are 1:1 while the resin and hardener composition 10:1 respectively. The fabricated composites were tested as per ASTM standards to evaluate mechanical properties such as tensile strength, flexural strength, shear strength and impact strength are evaluated in both with moisture and without moisture. The result of test shows that hybrid composite has far better properties than single fibre glass reinforced composite under mechanical loads. However it is found that the incorporation of walnut shell and coconut shell fibre can improve the properties.

Core/multishell nanowire heterostructures as multicolor, high-efficiency light-emitting diodes.

PubMed

Qian, Fang; Gradecak, Silvija; Li, Yat; Wen, Cheng-Yen; Lieber, Charles M

2005-11-01

We report the growth and characterization of core/multishell nanowire radial heterostructures, and their implementation as efficient and synthetically tunable multicolor nanophotonic sources. Core/multishell nanowires were prepared by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition with an n-GaN core and InxGa1-xN/GaN/p-AlGaN/p-GaN shells, where variation of indium mole fraction is used to tune emission wavelength. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy studies reveal that the core/multishell nanowires are dislocation-free single crystals with a triangular morphology. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy clearly shows shells with distinct chemical compositions, and quantitatively confirms that the thickness and composition of individual shells can be well controlled during synthesis. Electrical measurements show that the p-AlGaN/p-GaN shell structure yields reproducible hole conduction, and electroluminescence measurements demonstrate that in forward bias the core/multishell nanowires function as light-emitting diodes, with tunable emission from 365 to 600 nm and high quantum efficiencies. The ability to synthesize rationally III-nitride core/multishell nanowire heterostructures opens up significant potential for integrated nanoscale photonic systems, including multicolor lasers.

Composition Formulas of Inorganic Compounds in Terms of Cluster Plus Glue Atom Model.

PubMed

Ma, Yanping; Dong, Dandan; Wu, Aimin; Dong, Chuang

2018-01-16

The present paper attempts to identify the molecule-like structural units in inorganic compounds, by applying the so-called "cluster plus glue atom model". This model, originating from metallic glasses and quasi-crystals, describes any structure in terms of a nearest-neighbor cluster and a few outer-shell glue atoms, expressed in the cluster formula [cluster](glue atoms). Similar to the case for normal molecules where the charge transfer occurs within the molecule to meet the commonly known octet electron rule, the octet state is reached after matching the nearest-neighbor cluster with certain outer-shell glue atoms. These kinds of structural units contain information on local atomic configuration, chemical composition, and electron numbers, just as for normal molecules. It is shown that the formulas of typical inorganic compounds, such as fluorides, oxides, and nitrides, satisfy a similar octet electron rule, with the total number of valence electrons per unit formula being multiples of eight.

Melamine-assisted one-pot synthesis of hierarchical nitrogen-doped carbon@MoS2 nanowalled core-shell microspheres and their enhanced Li-storage performances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Fugen; Wei, Yanju; Chen, Jianzhuang; Long, Donghui; Ling, Licheng; Li, Yongsheng; Shi, Jianlin

2015-07-01

A facile and scalable one-pot approach has been developed to synthesize carbon@MoS2 core-shell microspheres by a hydrothermal method, which involves the fast formation of melamine-resorcinol-formaldehyde polymeric microspheres in situ, followed by direct growth of the MoS2 nanowalls on them. The results give unequivocal proof that melamine could be the key to forming the core-shell microspherical morphology, and the contents of MoS2 shells can be easily tuned by initial ratios of the precursors. After a simple heat treatment, the obtained carbon@MoS2 microspheres simultaneously integrate the nitrogen-doped carbon cores and the hierarchical shells which consist of few-layered MoS2 nanowalls with an expanded interlayer spacing. Their unique architectures are favourable for high electronic/ionic conductivity and accommodate volume strain during the electrochemical reaction of the MoS2 anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Thus, a very high reversibility capacity of 771 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 100 cycles, and a rate capacity of 598 mA h g-1 at 2000 mA g-1 could be achieved for the carbon@MoS2 core-shell microspheres with the optimal composition. Furthermore, a thin carbon coating on the carbon@MoS2 microspheres could further increase the reversible capacity to 856 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g-1. These encouraging results suggest that such a facile and efficient protocol can provide a new pathway to produce hierarchical core-shell microspheres which integrate the structural, morphological and compositional design rationales for advanced lithium-ion batteries.A facile and scalable one-pot approach has been developed to synthesize carbon@MoS2 core-shell microspheres by a hydrothermal method, which involves the fast formation of melamine-resorcinol-formaldehyde polymeric microspheres in situ, followed by direct growth of the MoS2 nanowalls on them. The results give unequivocal proof that melamine could be the key to forming the core-shell microspherical morphology, and the contents of MoS2 shells can be easily tuned by initial ratios of the precursors. After a simple heat treatment, the obtained carbon@MoS2 microspheres simultaneously integrate the nitrogen-doped carbon cores and the hierarchical shells which consist of few-layered MoS2 nanowalls with an expanded interlayer spacing. Their unique architectures are favourable for high electronic/ionic conductivity and accommodate volume strain during the electrochemical reaction of the MoS2 anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Thus, a very high reversibility capacity of 771 mA h g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 100 cycles, and a rate capacity of 598 mA h g-1 at 2000 mA g-1 could be achieved for the carbon@MoS2 core-shell microspheres with the optimal composition. Furthermore, a thin carbon coating on the carbon@MoS2 microspheres could further increase the reversible capacity to 856 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g-1. These encouraging results suggest that such a facile and efficient protocol can provide a new pathway to produce hierarchical core-shell microspheres which integrate the structural, morphological and compositional design rationales for advanced lithium-ion batteries. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03708e

Percolation behavior of polymer/metal composites on modification of filler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panda, M.; Srinivas, V.; Thakur, A. K.

2014-02-01

Polymer-metal composites with different fillers, such as nanocrystalline nickel (n-Ni), core shell n-Ni and nickel oxide (NiO)[n-Ni@NiO] were prepared under the same processing conditions with polyvinyledene fluoride matrix. The larger value of critical exponents (s and s') and percolation threshold (fc 0.30) for n-Ni@NiO composites as compared to n-Ni composites (fc 0.07) and a comparable effective dielectric constant (ɛeff 300) with low loss tangent (tan δ 0.1) at 100 Hz in case of percolative n-Ni@NiO composite was observed. The core shell structure [n-Ni@NiO] also shows a very high value of ɛeff 6000 with tan δ 8 at 40 Hz. The results have been explained by using boundary layer capacitor effect and the percolation theory. The difference in fc and critical exponents is attributed to NiO insulating layer that gives rise to different extent of continuumness at fc and have been explained with the help of Swiss cheese model.

Preparation and electrochemical properties of core-shell carbon coated Mn-Sn complex metal oxide as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ruixue; Fang, Guoqing; Liu, Weiwei; Xia, Bingbo; Sun, Hongdan; Zheng, Junwei; Li, Decheng

2014-02-01

In this study, we synthesized a carbon coated Mn-Sn metal oxide composite with core-shell structure (MTO@C) via a simple glucose hydrothermal reaction and subsequent carbonization approach. When the MTO@C composite was applied as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries, it maintained a reversible capacity of 409 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g-1. The uniformed and continuous carbon layer formed on the MTO nanoparticles, effectively buffered the volumetric change of the active material and increased electronic conductivity, which thus prolonged the cycling performance of the MTO@C electrode.

Scalable Super-Resolution Synthesis of Core-Vest Composites Assisted by Surface Plasmons.

PubMed

Montazeri, A O; Kim, Y; Fang, Y S; Soheilinia, N; Zaghi, G; Clark, J K; Maboudian, R; Kherani, N P; Carraro, C

2018-02-15

The behavior of composite nanostructures depends on both size and elemental composition. Accordingly, concurrent control of size, shape, and composition of nanoparticles is key to tuning their functionality. In typical core-shell nanoparticles, the high degree of symmetry during shell formation results in fully encapsulated cores with severed access to the surroundings. We commingle light parameters (wavelength, intensity, and pulse duration) with the physical properties of nanoparticles (size, shape, and composition) to form hitherto unrealized core-vest composite nanostructures (CVNs). Unlike typical core-shells, the plasmonic core of the resulting CVNs selectively maintains physical access to its surrounding. Tunable variations in local temperature profiles ≳50 °C are plasmonically induced over starburst-shaped nanoparticles as small as 50-100 nm. These temperature variations result in CVNs where the shell coverage mirrors the temperature variations. The precision thus offered individually tailors access pathways of the core and the shell.

Molecular environment and X-ray study of the metal-rich thermal composite supernova remnant Kes 79

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Ping; Chen, Yang; Safi-Harb, Samar; Sun, Ming

2015-08-01

Kes 79 is a thermal composite SNR hosting a central compact object (anti-magnetar) and with a transient magnetar in the south. The SNR has an intriguing double radio shell structure and the nature of the centrally-filled X-ray morphology is still unclear. We have performed 13CO 1-0, 12CO 1-0, 12CO 2-1, and 12CO 3-2 study towards this remnant to investigate the molecular environment. SNR Kes 79 is found to be associated with the molecular cloud in LSR velocity 100-120 km/s. The inner radio shell appears to be well confined by a molecular shell at VLSR˜113 km/s. We also revisited the 380 ks XMM-Newton data of Kes 79, which reveals many bright filamentary structures well coincident with 24 um infrared filaments and an X-ray faint halo confined by the outer radio shell. We performed a spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis for the X-ray filaments and the halo emission. We also study the overabundant metal species Mg, Si, S and Ar, and show their asymmetric distribution across the remnant. The broadband observations suggest that the centrally filled X-ray morphology is a projection effect. Finally, we will discuss the progenitor star of Kes 79 based on the molecular line and X-ray properties.

An AgI@g-C3N4 hybrid core@shell structure: Stable and enhanced photocatalytic degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Li; Qi, Yuehong; Yang, Jinyi; Cui, Wenquan; Li, Xingang; Zhang, Zisheng

2015-12-01

A novel visible-light-active material AgI@g-C3N4 was prepared by ultrasonication/chemisorption method. The core@shell structure AgI@g-C3N4 catalyst showed high efficiency for the degradation of MB under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Nearly 96.5% of MB was degraded after 120 min of irradiation in the presence of the AgI@g-C3N4 photocatalyst. Superior stability was also observed in the cyclic runs indicating that the as prepared hybrid composite is highly desirable for the remediation of organic contaminated wastewaters. The improved photocatalytic performance is due to synergistic effects at the interface of AgI and g-C3N4 which can effectively accelerate the charge separation and reinforce the photostability of hybrid composite. The possible mechanism for the photocatalytic activity of AgI@g-C3N4 was tentatively proposed.

Detailed Investigation of Core-Shell Precipitates in a Cu-Containing High Entropy Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, T.; Gwalani, B.; Viswanathan, G.; Fraser, H.; Banerjee, R.

2018-05-01

Due to the competing influences of configurational entropy and enthalpy of mixing, in recent years, secondary (including intermetallic) phases have been reported in many high entropy alloy (HEA) systems. These secondary phases offer great potential in terms of strengthening the HEA beyond the solid solution strengthening effects, and as such are of great interest in regards to alloy design for engineering applications. The present research investigates novel nano-scale core-shell precipitates forming within the disordered bcc matrix phase of an Al2CrCuFeNi2 HEA, utilizing complementary high-resolution microscopy techniques of atom probe tomography (APT) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The size, morphology, and local chemistry of these core-shell precipitates was measured by APT, and the composition was further corroborated by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy in an aberration-corrected TEM. Furthermore, high-resolution TEM imaging of the core-shell structure indicates that the Cu-rich core exhibits a bcc crystal structure.

Fabrication of core-shell Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MIL-100(Fe) magnetic microspheres for the removal of Cr(VI) in aqueous solution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, Qingxiang, E-mail: qxyangzz@163.com; Zhao, Qianqian; Ren, ShuangShuang

Facile regeneration of an adsorbent is very important for commercial feasibility. One typical highly porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials based on MIL-100(Fe) and magnetic iron oxide particles (denoted as MMCs) with diameter about of 350 nm were successfully synthesized. The growth of MIL-100(Fe) shell on the surface of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} was utilized precursor as crystal seed via in-situ step hydrothermal reaction. It is a simple way to obtain well organized core-shell MOF composites, compared to the step-by-step method. MMCs were firstly used to uptake of Cr(VI) anions in aqueous solution. Adsorption experiments were carried out in batch sorption mode investigatingmore » with the factors of contact time (0–1000 min), pH (from 2 to 12), dose of adsorbent (4–25 mg), and initial Cr(VI) concentration (range from 10 to 100 ppm). - Graphical abstract: One typical highly porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials based on MIL-100(Fe) and magnetic iron oxide particles (denoted as MMCs) were successfully synthesized. Utilizing Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} precursor as crystal seed to grow MIL-100(Fe) shell by in-situ step hydrothermal reaction. It is a simple way to obtain core-shell MOF composites. MMCs could effectively uptake of Cr(VI) anions in aqueous solution. - Highlights: • Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MIL-100(Fe) composites with core-shell structure were successfully prepared through a simple method. • The influence factors on Cr(VI) adsorption by Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MIL-100(Fe) were investigated. • Cr(VI) can efficiently adsorbed by Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MIL-100(Fe) composites from aqueous solution.« less

Electromagnetic diagnostic system for the Keda Torus eXperiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tu, Cui; Liu, Adi; Li, Zichao; Tan, Mingsheng; Luo, Bing; You, Wei; Li, Chenguang; Bai, Wei; Fu, Chenshuo; Huang, Fangcheng; Xiao, Bingjia; Shen, Biao; Shi, Tonghui; Chen, Dalong; Mao, Wenzhe; Li, Hong; Xie, Jinglin; Lan, Tao; Ding, Weixing; Xiao, Chijin; Liu, Wandong

2017-09-01

A system for electromagnetic measurements was designed and installed on the Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX) reversed field pinch device last year. Although the unique double-C structure of the KTX, which allows the machine to be opened easily without disassembling the poloidal field windings, makes the convenient replacement and modification of the internal inductive coils possible, it can present difficulties in the design of flux coils and magnetic probes at the two vertical gaps. Moreover, the KTX has a composite shell consisting of a 6 mm stainless steel vacuum chamber and a 1.5 mm copper shell, which results in limited space for the installation of saddle sensors. Therefore, the double-C structure and composite shell should be considered, especially during the design and installation of the electromagnetic diagnostic system (EDS). The inner surface of the vacuum vessel includes two types of probes. One type is for the measurement of the global plasma parameters, and the other type is for studying the local behavior of the plasma and operating the new saddle coils. In addition, the probes on the outer surface of the composite shell are used for measurements of eddy currents. Finally, saddle sensors for radial field measurements for feedback control were installed between the conducting shell and the vacuum vessel. The entire system includes approximately 1100 magnetic probes, 14 flux coils, 4 ×26 ×2 saddle sensors, and 16 Rogowski coils. Considering the large number of probes and limited space available in the vacuum vessel, the miniaturization of the probes and optimization of the probe distribution are necessary. In addition, accurate calibration and careful mounting of the probes are also required. The frequency response of the designed magnetic probes is up to 200 kHz, and the resolution is 1 G. The EDS, being spherical and of high precision, is one of the most basic and effective diagnostic tools of the KTX and meets the demands imposed by requirements on basic machine operating information and future studies.

Design Optimization and Residual Strength Assessment of a Cylindrical Composite Shell Structure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rais-Rohani, Masoud

2000-01-01

A summary of research conducted during the specified period is presented. The research objectives included the investigation of an efficient technique for the design optimization and residual strength assessment of a semi-monocoque cylindrical shell structure made of composite materials. The response surface methodology is used in modeling the buckling response of individual skin panels under the combined axial compression and shear loading. These models are inserted into the MSC/NASTRAN code for design optimization of the cylindrical structure under a combined bending-torsion loading condition. The comparison between the monolithic and sandwich skin design cases indicated a 35% weight saving in using sandwich skin panels. In addition, the residual strength of the optimum design was obtained by identifying the most critical region of the structure and introducing a damage in the form of skin-stringer and skin-stringer-frame detachment. The comparison between the two skin design concepts indicated that the sandwich skin design is capable of retaining a higher residual strength than its monolithic counterpart. The results of this investigation are presented and discussed in this report.

Post-Crazing Stress Analysis of Glass-Epoxy Laminates.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-05-01

element Stress concentrations Thick-shell element b. Identiflers/Open-Ended Terms Thick-plate element Glass-epoxy Laminates Composite materials Failure...number) / Glass-Epoxy Angle Plys Finite Elements’ Laminates Shear Testing Isoparametric.,lement Composite Materials Compression Testing Doubly-Curved...with light weight. This favorable strength- weight ratio makes the material attractive for some flight structures as well as other machines and

Strain Rate and Anisotropic Microstructure Dependent Mechanical Behaviors of Silkworm Cocoon Shells

PubMed Central

Xu, Jun; Zhang, Wen; Gao, Xiang; Meng, Wanlin; Guan, Juan

2016-01-01

Silkworm cocoons are multi-layered composite structures comprised of high strength silk fiber and sericin, and their mechanical properties have been naturally selected to protect pupas during metamorphosis from various types of external attacks. The present study attempts to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of cocoon shell materials from wild silkworm species Antheraea pernyi under dynamic loading rates. Five dynamic strain rates from 0.00625 s-1 to 12.5 s-1 are tested to show the strain rate sensitivity of the cocoon shell material. In the meantime, the anisotropy of the cocoon shell is considered and the cocoon shell specimens are cut along 0°, 45° and 90° orientation to the short axis of cocoons. Typical mechanical properties including Young’s modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength and ultimate strain are extracted and analyzed from the stress-strain curves. Furthermore, the fracture morphologies of the cocoon shell specimens are observed under scanning electron microscopy to help understand the relationship between the mechanical properties and the microstructures of the cocoon material. A discussion on the dynamic strain rate effect on the mechanical properties of cocoon shell material is followed by fitting our experimental results to two previous models, and the effect could be well explained. We also compare natural and dried cocoon materials for the dynamic strain rate effect and interestingly the dried cocoon shells show better overall mechanical properties. This study provides a different perspective on the mechanical properties of cocoon material as a composite material, and provides some insight for bio-inspired engineering materials. PMID:26939063

Magnetite and magnetite/silver core/shell nanoparticles with diluted magnet-like behavior

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garza-Navarro, Marco; Torres-Castro, Alejandro, E-mail: alejandro.torrescs@uanl.edu.m; Centro de Innovacion, Investigacion y Desarrollo en Ingenieria y Tecnologia, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Apodaca, Nuevo Leon 66600

2010-01-15

In the present work is reported the use of the biopolymer chitosan as template for the preparation of magnetite and magnetite/silver core/shell nanoparticles systems, following a two step procedure of magnetite nanoparticles in situ precipitation and subsequent silver ions reduction. The crystalline and morphological characteristics of both magnetite and magnetite/silver core/shell nanoparticles systems were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and nanobeam diffraction patterns (NBD). The results of these studies corroborate the core/shell morphology and the crystalline structure of the magnetite core and the silver shell. Moreover, magnetization temperature dependent, M(T), measurements show an unusual diluted magnetic behaviormore » attributed to the dilution of the magnetic ordering in the magnetite and magnetite/silver core/shell nanoparticles systems. - Graphical abstract: Biopolymer chitosan was used as stabilization media to synthesize both magnetite and magnetite/silver core/shell nanoparticles. Results of HRTEM and NBD patterns confirm core/shell morphology of the obtained nanoparticles. It was found that the composites show diluted magnet-like behavior.« less

Finite element modelling of crash response of composite aerospace sub-floor structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McCarthy, M. A.; Harte, C. G.; Wiggenraad, J. F. M.; Michielsen, A. L. P. J.; Kohlgrüber, D.; Kamoulakos, A.

Composite energy-absorbing structures for use in aircraft are being studied within a European Commission research programme (CRASURV - Design for Crash Survivability). One of the aims of the project is to evaluate the current capabilities of crashworthiness simulation codes for composites modelling. This paper focuses on the computational analysis using explicit finite element analysis, of a number of quasi-static and dynamic tests carried out within the programme. It describes the design of the structures, the analysis techniques used, and the results of the analyses in comparison to the experimental test results. It has been found that current multi-ply shell models are capable of modelling the main energy-absorbing processes at work in such structures. However some deficiencies exist, particularly in modelling fabric composites. Developments within the finite element code are taking place as a result of this work which will enable better representation of composite fabrics.

Global Failure Modes in High Temperature Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knauss, W. G.

1998-01-01

Composite materials have been considered for many years as the major advance in the construction of energy efficient aerospace structures. Notable advances have been made in understanding the special design considerations that set composites apart from the usual "isotropic" engineering materials such as the metals. As a result, a number of significant engineering designs have been accomplished. However, one shortcoming of the currently favored composites is their relatively unforgiving behavior with respect to failure (brittleness) under seemingly mild impact conditions and large efforts are underway to rectify that situation, much along the lines of introducing thermoplastic matrix materials. Because of their relatively more pronounced (thermo) viscoelastic behavior these materials respond with "toughness" in fracture situations. From the point of view of applications requiring material strength, this property is highly desirable. This feature impacts several important and distinct engineering problems which have been' considered under this grant and cover the 1) effect of impact damage on structural (buckling) stability of composite panels, the 2) effect of time dependence on the progression of buckling instabilities, and the 3) evolution of damage and fracture at generic thickness discontinuities in structures. The latter topic has serious implications for structural stability problems (buckling failure in reinforced shell structures) as well as failure progression in stringer-reinforced shell structures. This grant has dealt with these issues. Polymer "toughness" is usually associated with uncrosslinked or thermo-plastic polymers. But, by comparison with their thermoset counterparts they tend to exhibit more pronounced time dependent material behavior; also, that time dependence can occur at lower temperatures which places restriction in the high temperature use of these "newer and tougher" materials that are not quite so serious with the thermoset matrix materials. From a structural point of view the implications of this material behavior are potentially severe in that structural failure characteristics are no longer readily observed in short term qualification tests so characteristic for aerospace structures built from typical engineering metals.

Biomimetic and bioactive nanofibrous scaffolds from electrospun composite nanofibers

PubMed Central

Zhang, YZ; Su, B; Venugopal, J; Ramakrishna, S; Lim, CT

2007-01-01

Electrospinning is an enabling technology that can architecturally (in terms of geometry, morphology or topography) and biochemically fabricate engineered cellular scaffolds that mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM). This is especially important and forms one of the essential paradigms in the area of tissue engineering. While biomimesis of the physical dimensions of native ECM’s major constituents (eg, collagen) is no longer a fabrication-related challenge in tissue engineering research, conveying bioactivity to electrospun nanofibrous structures will determine the efficiency of utilizing electrospun nanofibers for regenerating biologically functional tissues. This can certainly be achieved through developing composite nanofibers. This article gives a brief overview on the current development and application status of employing electrospun composite nanofibers for constructing biomimetic and bioactive tissue scaffolds. Considering that composites consist of at least two material components and phases, this review details three different configurations of nanofibrous composite structures by using hybridizing basic binary material systems as example. These are components blended composite nanofiber, core-shell structured composite nanofiber, and nanofibrous mingled structure. PMID:18203429

Design, synthesis and applications of core-shell, hollow core, and nanorattle multifunctional nanostructures.

PubMed

El-Toni, Ahmed Mohamed; Habila, Mohamed A; Labis, Joselito Puzon; ALOthman, Zeid A; Alhoshan, Mansour; Elzatahry, Ahmed A; Zhang, Fan

2016-02-07

With the evolution of nanoscience and nanotechnology, studies have been focused on manipulating nanoparticle properties through the control of their size, composition, and morphology. As nanomaterial research has progressed, the foremost focus has gradually shifted from synthesis, morphology control, and characterization of properties to the investigation of function and the utility of integrating these materials and chemical sciences with the physical, biological, and medical fields, which therefore necessitates the development of novel materials that are capable of performing multiple tasks and functions. The construction of multifunctional nanomaterials that integrate two or more functions into a single geometry has been achieved through the surface-coating technique, which created a new class of substances designated as core-shell nanoparticles. Core-shell materials have growing and expanding applications due to the multifunctionality that is achieved through the formation of multiple shells as well as the manipulation of core/shell materials. Moreover, core removal from core-shell-based structures offers excellent opportunities to construct multifunctional hollow core architectures that possess huge storage capacities, low densities, and tunable optical properties. Furthermore, the fabrication of nanomaterials that have the combined properties of a core-shell structure with that of a hollow one has resulted in the creation of a new and important class of substances, known as the rattle core-shell nanoparticles, or nanorattles. The design strategies of these new multifunctional nanostructures (core-shell, hollow core, and nanorattle) are discussed in the first part of this review. In the second part, different synthesis and fabrication approaches for multifunctional core-shell, hollow core-shell and rattle core-shell architectures are highlighted. Finally, in the last part of the article, the versatile and diverse applications of these nanoarchitectures in catalysis, energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine are presented.

Correlating structural dynamics and catalytic activity of AgAu nanoparticles with ultrafast spectroscopy and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Ferbonink, G F; Rodrigues, T S; Dos Santos, D P; Camargo, P H C; Albuquerque, R Q; Nome, R A

2018-05-29

In this study, we investigated hollow AgAu nanoparticles with the goal of improving our understanding of the composition-dependent catalytic activity of these nanoparticles. AgAu nanoparticles were synthesized via the galvanic replacement method with controlled size and nanoparticle compositions. We studied extinction spectra with UV-Vis spectroscopy and simulations based on Mie theory and the boundary element method, and ultrafast spectroscopy measurements to characterize decay constants and the overall energy transfer dynamics as a function of AgAu composition. Electron-phonon coupling times for each composition were obtained from pump-power dependent pump-probe transients. These spectroscopic studies showed how nanoscale surface segregation, hollow interiors and porosity affect the surface plasmon resonance wavelength and fundamental electron-phonon coupling times. Analysis of the spectroscopic data was used to correlate electron-phonon coupling times to AgAu composition, and thus to surface segregation and catalytic activity. We have performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of model hollow AgAu core-shell nanoparticles to characterize nanoparticle stability and equilibrium structures, besides providing atomic level views of nanoparticle surface segregation. Overall, the basic atomistic and electron-lattice dynamics of core-shell AgAu nanoparticles characterized here thus aid the mechanistic understanding and performance optimization of AgAu nanoparticle catalysts.

Lipids from the nacreous and prismatic layers of two Pteriomorpha Mollusc shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farre, B.; Dauphin, Y.

2009-04-01

Mollusc shells are the best-known Ca-carbonate biominerals. They are commonly described as a mineralized two layered structure: an outer layer composed of calcite prismatic units, and an internal layer composed of tablets of aragonite: the nacreous layer. An external organic layer (periostracum) is present in most taxa. However, the most common structure in the Mollusc shell is the aragonite crossed lamellar layer, but aragonite prisms, calcite foliated layers and homogeneous layers have been also described by Boggild (1930) in all the Mollusc orders. Since, more detailed descriptions of Bivalve shells have been done (Taylor et al., 1969, 1973). Despite the nacroprismatic arrangement is rare, calcite prismatic and aragonite nacreous layers are the best studied because of their simple 3D structure and large units. Among these Molluscs, some Bivalve species composed of these two layers are of commercial interest, such as the pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, cultivated in French Polynesia to produce black pearls. It is well established that Mollusc shells are composite structures of organic and inorganic components (Hatchett, 1799; Grégoire et al., 1955; Beedham, 1958; Simkiss, 1965; Mutvei, 1969; Cuif et al., 1980; Berman et al., 1993; Kobayashi and Samata, 2006). Numerous studies are concerned with the organic matrix of the shell. Organic components are commonly obtained after a strong or mild decalcification process. They are said to consist of both a soluble and insoluble fraction. The main part of studies is dedicated to the soluble components, and among them, proteins (Grégoire et al., 1955; Grégoire, 1961; Krampitz et al., 1976; Samata et al., 1980, 2004; Weiner, 1983; Miyamoto et al., 2006). Despite the pioneering work of Wada (1980) sugars are usually neglected despite their role in biomineralization. The third component of the organic matrix of calcareous biominerals is lipids. To date, there is a paucity of information concerning the presence, abundance and composition of these components in Mollusc shells. Goulletquer and Wolowicz (1989) have estimated that proteins represent 90% of the organic matrix of the shell, carbohydrates vary from 0.15 to 0.29%, while lipids vary from 0.8 to 2.9%. Fatty acids, cholesterol, phytadienes and ketones have been described in modern and fossil shells (Cobabe and Pratt, 1995). Using a procedure to extract intra- and intercrystalline organic matrices, Collins et al. (1995) have detected n-alkanes, n-alcohols, fatty acids and sterols in modern shells. It is suggested that the contents and ratios of these components are dependant on the environment and phylogeny. Lipids of the nacreous layer of Pinctada are diverse, with cholesterol, fatty acids, triglycerides and other unknown components (Rousseau et al., 2006). It has been established that the main part of the soluble organic matrices of the nacreous layer is composed of acidic proteins (Samata, 1988, 1990), whereas the prismatic layer of Pinna is mainly composed of acidic and sulphated polysaccharides (Dauphin, 2002; Dauphin et al., 2003). The amino acid compositions of the two layers are also different (Samata, 1990). Because the organic matrices extracted from the aragonite nacre and calcite prisms are the best known materials, the lipids extracted from the calcite prisms of Pinna nobilis and Pinctada margaritifera and the aragonite nacre of P. margaritifera have been chosen as test material for characterisation of the lipid fraction of molusk shells. The nacreous layer of Pinctada is thick,whereas its prismatic layer is thin, and the prisms display complex structures. On the opposite, the calcitic prismatic layer of Pinna is thick, with no intraprismatic membranes, and its nacreous layer is thin and present only in the oldest part of the shell. Moreover, these layers have a simple geometry so that some organic components (membranes, wall…) said to be insoluble, are clearly visible. Lipids were extracted from the calcite prismatic and aragonite nacreous layer of two mollusc shells thanks organic solvents. Two methods were used for the characterisation of the lipid obtaiened Fourier Tranform Infrared Spectrometry and thin layed chromatography. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry shows that lipids are present in both samples, but they are not similar. Thin layer chromatography confirms that lipids are different in the two studied layers, so that it may be suggested they are species-dependant, but also structure-dependant. Although not yet deciphered, their role in biomineralization and fossilisation processes is probably important.

Preparation, characterization, and infrared emissivity property of optically active polyurethane/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} multilayered microspheres

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang Yong; Zhou Yuming, E-mail: ymzhou@seu.edu.cn; Ge Jianhua

Optically active polyurethane/titania/silica (LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}) multilayered core-shell composite microspheres were prepared by the combination of titania deposition on the surface of silica spheres and subsequent polymer grafting. LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} was characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), SEM and TEM, and the infrared emissivity value (8-14 {mu}m) was investigated in addition. The results indicated that titania and polyurethane had been successfully coated onto the surfaces of silica microspheres. LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} exhibited clearly multilayered core-shell construction. The infrared emissivity values reduced along with the increase of covering layers thus provedmore » that the interfacial interactions had direct influence on the infrared emissivity. Besides, LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} multilayered microspheres based on the optically active polyurethane took advantages of the orderly secondary structure and strengthened interfacial synergistic actions. Consequently, it possessed the lowest infrared emissivity value. - Graphical Abstract: Optically active polyurethane/titania/silica (LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2}) multilayered core-shell composite microspheres were prepared by the combination of titania deposition on the surface of silica spheres and subsequent polymer grafting. Highlights: > Optically active polyurethane based on tyrosine was used for the modification of nanoparticles. > LPU/TiO{sub 2}/SiO{sub 2} multilayered core-shell microspheres were prepared and characterized. > Interfacial interactions and secondary structure affected the infrared emissivity of composite.« less

Advanced Deployable Shell-Based Composite Booms for Small Satellite Structural Applications Including Solar Sails

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez, Juan M.

2017-01-01

State of the art deployable structures are mainly being designed for medium to large size satellites. The lack of reliable deployable structural systems for low cost, small volume, rideshare-class spacecraft severely constrains the potential for using small satellite platforms for affordable deep space science and exploration precursor missions that could be realized with solar sails. There is thus a need for reliable, lightweight, high packaging efficiency deployable booms that can serve as the supporting structure for a wide range of small satellite systems including solar sails for propulsion. The National Air and Space Administration (NASA) is currently investing in the development of a new class of advanced deployable shell-based composite booms to support future deep space small satellite missions using solar sails. The concepts are being designed to: meet the unique requirements of small satellites, maximize ground testability, permit the use of low-cost manufacturing processes that will benefit scalability, be scalable for use as elements of hierarchical structures (e.g. trusses), allow long duration storage, have high deployment reliability, and have controlled deployment behavior and predictable deployed dynamics. This paper will present the various rollable boom concepts that are being developed for 5-20 m class size deployable structures that include solar sails with the so-called High Strain Composites (HSC) materials. The deployable composite booms to be presented are being developed to expand the portfolio of available rollable booms for small satellites and maximize their length for a given packaged volume. Given that solar sails are a great example of volume and mass optimization, the booms were designed to comply with nominal solar sail system requirements for 6U CubeSats, which are a good compromise between those of smaller form factors (1U, 2U and 3U CubeSats) and larger ones (12 U and 27 U future CubeSats, and ESPA-class microsatellites). Solar sail missions for such composite boom systems are already under consideration and development at NASA, as well as mission studies that will benefit from planned scaled-up versions of the composite boom technologies to be introduced. The paper presents ongoing research and development of thin-shell rollable composite booms designed under the particular stringent and challenging system requirements of relatively large solar sails housed on small satellites. These requirements will be derived and listed. Several new boom concepts are proposed and other existing ones are improved upon using thin-ply composite materials to yield unprecedented compact deployable structures. Some of these booms are shown in Fig. 1. For every boom to be introduced the scalable fabrication process developed to keep the overall boom system cost down will be shown. Finally, the initial results of purposely designed boom structural characterization test methods with gravity off-loading will be presented to compare their structural performance under expected and general load cases.

Multi-walled carbon/IF-WS2 nanoparticles with improved thermal properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Fang; Almeida, Trevor P.; Chang, Hong; Xia, Yongde; Wears, M. Lesley; Zhu, Yanqiu

2013-10-01

A unique new class of core-shell structured composite nanoparticles, C-coated inorganic fullerene-like WS2 (IF-WS2) hollow nanoparticles, has been created for the first time in large quantities, by a continuous chemical vapour deposition method using a rotary furnace. Transmission electron microscopy and Raman characterisations of the resulting samples reveal that the composite nanoparticles exhibited a uniform shell of carbon coating, ranging from 2-5 nm on the IF-WS2 core, with little or no agglomeration. Importantly, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirm that their thermal stability against oxidation in air has been improved by about 70 °C, compared to the pristine IF-WS2, making these new C-coated IF-WS2 nanoparticles more attractive for critical engineering applications.A unique new class of core-shell structured composite nanoparticles, C-coated inorganic fullerene-like WS2 (IF-WS2) hollow nanoparticles, has been created for the first time in large quantities, by a continuous chemical vapour deposition method using a rotary furnace. Transmission electron microscopy and Raman characterisations of the resulting samples reveal that the composite nanoparticles exhibited a uniform shell of carbon coating, ranging from 2-5 nm on the IF-WS2 core, with little or no agglomeration. Importantly, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirm that their thermal stability against oxidation in air has been improved by about 70 °C, compared to the pristine IF-WS2, making these new C-coated IF-WS2 nanoparticles more attractive for critical engineering applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Sketch of the rotary furnace, XRD pattern comparison of IF-WS2 and 2H WS2, XRD patterns of C-coated IF-WS2 (41-50°), and TGA and MS curves for pristine IF-WS2. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr03844k

Multi-Dimensional Damage Detection for Surfaces and Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, Martha; Lewis, Mark; Roberson, Luke; Medelius, Pedro; Gibson, Tracy; Parks, Steen; Snyder, Sarah

2013-01-01

Current designs for inflatable or semi-rigidized structures for habitats and space applications use a multiple-layer construction, alternating thin layers with thicker, stronger layers, which produces a layered composite structure that is much better at resisting damage. Even though such composite structures or layered systems are robust, they can still be susceptible to penetration damage. The ability to detect damage to surfaces of inflatable or semi-rigid habitat structures is of great interest to NASA. Damage caused by impacts of foreign objects such as micrometeorites can rupture the shell of these structures, causing loss of critical hardware and/or the life of the crew. While not all impacts will have a catastrophic result, it will be very important to identify and locate areas of the exterior shell that have been damaged by impacts so that repairs (or other provisions) can be made to reduce the probability of shell wall rupture. This disclosure describes a system that will provide real-time data regarding the health of the inflatable shell or rigidized structures, and information related to the location and depth of impact damage. The innovation described here is a method of determining the size, location, and direction of damage in a multilayered structure. In the multi-dimensional damage detection system, layers of two-dimensional thin film detection layers are used to form a layered composite, with non-detection layers separating the detection layers. The non-detection layers may be either thicker or thinner than the detection layers. The thin-film damage detection layers are thin films of materials with a conductive grid or striped pattern. The conductive pattern may be applied by several methods, including printing, plating, sputtering, photolithography, and etching, and can include as many detection layers that are necessary for the structure construction or to afford the detection detail level required. The damage is detected using a detector or sensory system, which may include a time domain reflectometer, resistivity monitoring hardware, or other resistance-based systems. To begin, a layered composite consisting of thin-film damage detection layers separated by non-damage detection layers is fabricated. The damage detection layers are attached to a detector that provides details regarding the physical health of each detection layer individually. If damage occurs to any of the detection layers, a change in the electrical properties of the detection layers damaged occurs, and a response is generated. Real-time analysis of these responses will provide details regarding the depth, location, and size estimation of the damage. Multiple damages can be detected, and the extent (depth) of the damage can be used to generate prognostic information related to the expected lifetime of the layered composite system. The detection system can be fabricated very easily using off-the-shelf equipment, and the detection algorithms can be written and updated (as needed) to provide the level of detail needed based on the system being monitored. Connecting to the thin film detection layers is very easy as well. The truly unique feature of the system is its flexibility; the system can be designed to gather as much (or as little) information as the end user feels necessary. Individual detection layers can be turned on or off as necessary, and algorithms can be used to optimize performance. The system can be used to generate both diagnostic and prognostic information related to the health of layer composite structures, which will be essential if such systems are utilized for space exploration. The technology is also applicable to other in-situ health monitoring systems for structure integrity.

Ru-core/Cu-shell bimetallic nanoparticles with controlled size formed in one-pot synthesis.

PubMed

Helgadottir, I; Freychet, G; Arquillière, P; Maret, M; Gergaud, P; Haumesser, P H; Santini, C C

2014-12-21

Suspensions of bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of Ru and Cu have been synthesized by simultaneous decomposition of two organometallic compounds in an ionic liquid. These suspensions have been characterized by Anomalous Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (ASAXS) at energies slightly below the Ru K-edge. It is found that the NPs adopt a Ru-core, a Cu-shell structure, with a constant Ru core diameter of 1.9 nm for all Ru : Cu compositions, while the Cu shell thickness increases with Cu content up to 0.9 nm. The formation of RuCuNPs thus proceeds through rapid decomposition of the Ru precursor into RuNPs of constant size followed by the reaction of the Cu precursor and agglomeration as a Cu shell. Thus, the different decomposition kinetics of precursors make possible the elaboration of core-shell NPs composed of two metals without chemical affinity.

Monodisperse MnO2@NiCo2O4 core/shell nanospheres with highly opened structures as electrode materials for good-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, You; Ma, Li; Gan, Mengyu; Ye, Menghan; Li, Xiurong; Zhai, Yanfang; Yan, Fabing; Cao, Feifei

2018-06-01

The monodisperse MnO2@NiCo2O4 core/shell nanospheres for good-performance supercapacitors are designed and synthesized by a two-step solution-based method and a simple post annealing process. In the composite, both MnO2 (the "core") and NiCo2O4 (the "shell") are formed by the accumulation of nanoflakes. Thus, nearly all the core/shell nanoflakes are highly opened and accessible to electrolyte, making them give full play to the Faradaic reaction. Our results demonstrate that the composite electrode exhibits desirable pseudocapacitive behaviors with higher specific capacitance (1127.27 F g-1 at a current density of 1 A g-1), better rate capability (81.0% from 1 to 16 A g-1) and superior cycling stability (actually 126.8% capacitance retention after 1000 cycles and only 3.7% loss after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g-1) in 3 M KOH aqueous solution. Moreover, it offers the excellent specific energy density of 26.6 Wh kg-1 at specific power density of 800 W kg-1. The present MnO2@NiCo2O4 core/shell nanospheres with remarkable electrochemical properties are considered as potential electrode materials for the next generation supercapacitors.

Gesellschaft fuer angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik, Scientific Annual Meeting, Universitaet Hannover, Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, Apr. 8-12, 1990, Reports

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Various papers on applied mathematics and mechanics are presented. Among the individual topics addressed are: dynamical systems with time-varying or unsteady structure, micromechanical modeling of creep rupture, forced vibrations of elastic sandwich plates with thick surface layers, postbuckling of a complete spherical shell under a line load, differential-geometric approach to the multibody system dynamics, stability of an oscillator with stochastic parametric excitation, identification strategies for crack-formation in rotors, identification of physical parameters of FEMs, impact model for elastic and partly plastic impacts on objects, varying delay and stability in dynamical systems. Also discussed are: parameter identification of a hybrid model for vibration analysis using the FEM, vibration behavior of a labyrinth seal with through-flow, similarities in the boundary layer of fiber composite materials, distortion parameter in shell theories, elastoplastic crack problem at finite strain, algorithm for computing effective stiffnesses of plates with periodic structure, plasticity of metal-matrix composites in a mixed stress-strain space formation, constitutive equations in directly formulated plate theories, microbuckling and homogenization for long fiber composites.

A methodology to guide the selection of composite materials in a wind turbine rotor blade design process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bortolotti, P.; Adolphs, G.; Bottasso, C. L.

2016-09-01

This work is concerned with the development of an optimization methodology for the composite materials used in wind turbine blades. Goal of the approach is to guide designers in the selection of the different materials of the blade, while providing indications to composite manufacturers on optimal trade-offs between mechanical properties and material costs. The method works by using a parametric material model, and including its free parameters amongst the design variables of a multi-disciplinary wind turbine optimization procedure. The proposed method is tested on the structural redesign of a conceptual 10 MW wind turbine blade, its spar caps and shell skin laminates being subjected to optimization. The procedure identifies a blade optimum for a new spar cap laminate characterized by a higher longitudinal Young's modulus and higher cost than the initial one, which however in turn induce both cost and mass savings in the blade. In terms of shell skin, the adoption of a laminate with intermediate properties between a bi-axial one and a tri-axial one also leads to slight structural improvements.

Temporal and local variations in biochemical composition of Crassostrea gigas shells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, Maria J.; Machado, Jorge; Moura, Gabriela; Azevedo, Manuela; Coimbra, João

1998-12-01

The objective of this work was to find relations between organic and inorganic shell components. Crassostrea gigas shells were analysed from live specimens collected at five different stations: the Lima estuary (1), the Ria de Aveiro (2, 3), and the Mondego estuary (4, 5), Portugal. About 30% of the oysters, from stations 1, 2 and 3 had shell-thickness-index values ≤10, indicating a severe thickening. Oysters from the Mondego estuary contained mud blisters due to Polydora infestations. Oysters from station 3 had thicker shells and showed a higher Pb content in shell and tissues than oysters from the other stations. Amino-acid composition changed mainly according to the modified protein (jelly-like substance) probably produced by the presence of TBT (tributyltin) in the water; in particular, we observed an increase in glutamic acid and threonine and a decrease in major amino acids such as aspartic acid, serine and glycine. Elemental shell composition was mainly associated with environmental conditions: shells from stations in open areas had higher Li, Cd, Cr and Ca and lower Mn levels than those from semi-enclosed areas (fish farms). Discriminant analyses against the three kinds of shell observed (normal, thick and infested), using chemical elements and amino acids as discriminant variables, showed the infested group to have the biggest differences. There was no correlation between amino-acid and chemical-element patterns in shell composition. Observed changes in amino-acid pattern, probably due to TBT, did not imply a simultaneous change of elemental composition.

Progressive Failure Analysis Methodology for Laminated Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sleight, David W.

1999-01-01

A progressive failure analysis method has been developed for predicting the failure of laminated composite structures under geometrically nonlinear deformations. The progressive failure analysis uses C(exp 1) shell elements based on classical lamination theory to calculate the in-plane stresses. Several failure criteria, including the maximum strain criterion, Hashin's criterion, and Christensen's criterion, are used to predict the failure mechanisms and several options are available to degrade the material properties after failures. The progressive failure analysis method is implemented in the COMET finite element analysis code and can predict the damage and response of laminated composite structures from initial loading to final failure. The different failure criteria and material degradation methods are compared and assessed by performing analyses of several laminated composite structures. Results from the progressive failure method indicate good correlation with the existing test data except in structural applications where interlaminar stresses are important which may cause failure mechanisms such as debonding or delaminations.

Geometrically nonlinear analysis of layered composite plates and shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chao, W. C.; Reddy, J. N.

1983-01-01

A degenerated three dimensional finite element, based on the incremental total Lagrangian formulation of a three dimensional layered anisotropic medium was developed. Its use in the geometrically nonlinear, static and dynamic, analysis of layered composite plates and shells is demonstrated. A two dimenisonal finite element based on the Sanders shell theory with the von Karman (nonlinear) strains was developed. It is shown that the deflections obtained by the 2D shell element deviate from those obtained by the more accurate 3D element for deep shells. The 3D degenerated element can be used to model general shells that are not necessarily doubly curved. The 3D degenerated element is computationally more demanding than the 2D shell theory element for a given problem. It is found that the 3D element is an efficient element for the analysis of layered composite plates and shells undergoing large displacements and transient motion.

Core-shell microstructured nanocomposites for synergistic adjustment of environmental temperature and humidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Haiquan; Yuan, Yanping; Zhang, Nan; Sun, Qingrong; Cao, Xiaoling

2016-11-01

The adjustment of temperature and humidity is of great importance in a variety of fields. Composites that can perform both functions are prepared by mixing phase change materials (PCMs) with hygroscopic materials. However, the contact area between the adsorbent and humid air is inevitably decreased in such structures, which reduces the number of mass transfer channels for water vapor. An approach entailing the increase in the mass ratio of the adsorbent is presented here to improve the adsorption capacity. A core-shell CuSO4/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanomaterial was developed to satisfy the conflicting requirements of temperature control and dehumidification. The results show that the equilibrium adsorption capacity of the PEG coating layer was enhanced by a factor of 188 compared with that of the pure PEG powder. The coating layer easily concentrates vapor, providing better adsorption properties for the composite. Furthermore, the volume modification of the CuSO4 matrix was reduced by 80% by the PEG coated layer, a factor that increases the stability of the composite. For the phase change process, the crystallization temperature of the coating layer was adjusted between 37.2 and 46.3 °C by interfacial tension. The core-shell CuSO4/PEG composite reported here provides a new general approach for the simultaneous control of temperature and humidity.

Structural failure; International Symposium on Structural Crashworthiness, 2nd, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, June 6-8, 1988, Invited Lectures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wierzbicki, T.; Jones, N.

1989-01-01

The book discusses the fragmentation of solids under dynamic loading, the debris-impact protection of space structures, the controlled fracturing of structures by shock-wave interaction and focusing, the tearing of thin metal sheets, and the dynamic inelastic failure of beams, and dynamic rupture of shells. Consideration is also given to investigations of the failure of brittle and composite materials by numerical methods, the energy absorption of polymer matrix composite structures (frictional effects), the mechanics of deep plastic collapse of thin-walled structures, the denting and bending of tubular beams under local loads, the dynamic bending collapse of strain-softening cantilever beams, and themore » failure of bar structures under repeated loading. Other topics discussed are on the behavior of composite and metallic superstructures under blast loading, the catastrophic failure modes of marine structures, and industrial experience with structural failure.« less

Structural analysis of Fe–Mn–O nanoparticles in glass ceramics by small angle scattering

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Raghuwanshi, Vikram Singh, E-mail: vikram.raghuwanshi@helmholtz-berlin.de; Harizanova, Ruzha; Tatchev, Dragomir

2015-02-15

Magnetic nanocrystals containing Fe and Mn were obtained by annealing of silicate glasses with the composition 13.6Na{sub 2}O–62.9SiO{sub 2}–8.5MnO–15.0Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3−x} (mol%) at 580 °C for different periods of time. Here, we present Small Angle Neutron Scattering using Polarized neutrons (SANSPOL) and Anomalous Small Angle X-ray Scattering (ASAXS) investigation on these glass ceramic samples. Analysis of scattering data from both methods reveals the formation of spherical core–shell type of nanoparticles with mean sizes between 10 nm and 100 nm. ASAXS investigation shows the particles have higher concentration of iron atoms and the shell like region surrounding the particles is enrichedmore » in SiO{sub 2}. SANSPOL investigation shows the particles are found to be magnetic and are surrounded by a non-magnetic shell-like region. - Graphical abstract: Magnetic spherical core–shell nanoparticles in glass ceramics: SANSPOL and ASAXS investigations. - Highlights: • Formation and growth mechanisms of magnetic nanoparticles in silicate glass. • SANSPOL and ASAXS methods employed to evaluate quantitative information. • Analyses showed formation of nanoparticles with spherical core–shell structures. • Core of the particle is magnetic and surrounded by weak magnetic shell like region.« less

Core-shell rhodium sulfide catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction / hydrogen oxidation reaction in hydrogen-bromine reversible fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuanchao; Nguyen, Trung Van

2018-04-01

Synthesis and characterization of high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) core-shell RhxSy catalysts for hydrogen evolution oxidation (HER)/hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in H2-Br2 fuel cell are discussed. Catalysts with RhxSy as shell and different percentages (5%, 10%, and 20%) of platinum on carbon as core materials are synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry is used to evaluate the Pt-equivalent mass specific ECSA and durability of these catalysts. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques are utilized to characterize the bulk and surface compositions and to confirm the core-shell structure of the catalysts, respectively. Cycling test and polarization curve measurements in the H2-Br2 fuel cell are used to assess the catalyst stability and performance in a fuel cell. The results show that the catalysts with core-shell structure have higher mass specific ECSA (50 m2 gm-Rh-1) compared to a commercial catalyst (RhxSy/C catalyst from BASF, 6.9 m2 gm-Rh-1). It also shows better HOR/HER performance in the fuel cell. Compared to the platinum catalyst, the core-shell catalysts show more stable performance in the fuel cell cycling test.

Ocean-driven heating of Europa's icy shell at low latitudes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Soderlund, K. M.; Schmidt, B. E.; Wicht, J.; Blankenship, D. D.

2014-01-01

The ice shell of Jupiter's moon Europa is marked by regions of disrupted ice known as chaos terrains that cover up to 40% of the satellite's surface, most commonly occurring within 40° of the equator. Concurrence with salt deposits implies a coupling between the geologically active ice shell and the underlying liquid water ocean at lower latitudes. Europa's ocean dynamics have been assumed to adopt a two-dimensional pattern, which channels the moon's internal heat to higher latitudes. Here we present a numerical model of thermal convection in a thin, rotating spherical shell where small-scale convection instead adopts a three-dimensional structure and is more vigorous at lower latitudes. Global-scale currents are organized into three zonal jets and two equatorial Hadley-like circulation cells. We find that these convective motions transmit Europa's internal heat towards the surface most effectively in equatorial regions, where they can directly influence the thermo-compositional state and structure of the ice shell. We suggest that such heterogeneous heating promotes the formation of chaos features through increased melting of the ice shell and subsequent deposition of marine ice at low latitudes. We conclude that Europa's ocean dynamics can modulate the exchange of heat and materials between the surface and interior and explain the observed distribution of chaos terrains.

Electroless nickel - phosphorus coating on crab shell particles and its characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arulvel, S.; Elayaperumal, A.; Jagatheeshwaran, M. S.

2017-04-01

Being hydrophilic material, crab shell particles have only a limited number of applications. It is, therefore, necessary to modify the surface of the crab shell particles. To make them useful ever for the applications, the main theme we proposed in this article is to utilize crab shell particles (CSP) with the core coated with nickel phosphorus (NiP) as a shell using the electroless coating process. For dealing with serious environmental problems, utilization of waste bio-shells is always an important factor to be considered. Chelating ability of crab shell particles eliminates the surface activation in this work proceeding to the coating process. The functional group, phase structure, microstructure, chemical composition and thermal analysis of CSP and NiP/CSP were characterized using Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The combination of an amorphous and crystalline structure was exhibited by CSP and NiP/CSP. NiP/CSP has shown a better thermal stability when compared to uncoated CSP. Stability test, adsorption test, and conductivity test were conducted for the study of adsorption behavior and conductivity of the particles. CSP presented a hydrophilic property in contrast to hydrophobic NiP/CSP. NiP/CSP presented a conductivity of about 44% greater compared to the CSP without any fluctuations.

Nano-structured silica coated mesoporous carbon micro-granules for potential application in water filtration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Avik; Sen, D.; Mazumder, S.; Ghosh, A. K.

2017-05-01

A novel nano-composite spherical micro-granule has been synthesized using a facile technique of solvent evaporation induced assembly of nanoparticles for potential application in water filtration. The spherical micro-granule is comprised of nano-structured shell of hydrophilic silica encapsulating a hydrophobic mesoporous carbon at the core. Hierarchical structure of such core-shell micro-granules has been rigorously characterized using small-angle neutron and X-ray scattering techniques and complemented with scanning electron microscopy. The hydrophilic silica envelope around the carbon core helps in incorporation of such granules into the hydrophilic polymeric ultra-filtration membrane. The interstitial micro-pores present in the silica shell can serve as water transport channels and the mesoporus carbon core enhances the separation performance due its well adsorption characteristics. It has been found that the incorporation of such granules inside the ultra-filtration membrane indeed enhances the water permeability as well as the separation performance in a significant way.

Fabrication of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuO core-shell from MOF based materials and its antibacterial activity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rajabi, S.K.; Sohrabnezhad, Sh., E-mail: sohrabnezhad@guilan.ac.ir; Ghafourian, S.

Magnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuO nanocomposite with a core/shell structure was successfully synthesized via direct calcinations of magnetic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@HKUST-1 in air atmosphere. The morphology, structure, magnetic and porous properties of the as-synthesized nano composites were characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and vibration sample magnetometer (VSM). The results showed that the nanocomposite material included a Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} core and a CuO shell. The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuO core-shell can be separated easily from the medium by a small magnet. The antibacterial activity of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}-CuO core-shell was investigated againstmore » gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. A new mechanism was proposed for inactivation of bacteria over the prepared sample. It was demonstrated that the core-shell exhibit recyclable antibacterial activity, acting as an ideal long-acting antibacterial agent. - Graphical abstract: Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuO core-shell release of copper ions. These Cu{sup 2+} ions were responsible for the exhibited antibacterial activity. - Highlights: • The Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@CuO core-shell was prepared by MOF method. • This is the first study of antibacterial activity of core-shell consist of CuO and Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}. • The core-shell can be reused effectively. • Core-shell was separated from the reaction solution by external magnetic field.« less

Biomimetic synthesis of raspberry-like hybrid polymer-silica core-shell nanoparticles by templating colloidal particles with hairy polyamine shell.

PubMed

Pi, Mengwei; Yang, Tingting; Yuan, Jianjun; Fujii, Syuji; Kakigi, Yuichi; Nakamura, Yoshinobu; Cheng, Shiyuan

2010-07-01

The nanoparticles composed of polystyrene core and poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDEA) hairy shell were used as colloidal templates for in situ silica mineralization, allowing the well-controlled synthesis of hybrid silica core-shell nanoparticles with raspberry-like morphology and hollow silica nanoparticles by subsequent calcination. Silica deposition was performed by simply stirring a mixture of the polymeric core-shell particles in isopropanol, tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) and water at 25 degrees C for 2.5h. No experimental evidence was found for nontemplated silica formation, which indicated that silica deposition occurred exclusively in the PDEA shell and formed PDEA-silica hybrid shell. The resulting hybrid silica core-shell particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetry, aqueous electrophoresis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. TEM studies indicated that the hybrid particles have well-defined core-shell structure with raspberry morphology after silica deposition. We found that the surface nanostructure of hybrid nanoparticles and the composition distribution of PDEA-silica hybrid shell could be well controlled by adjusting the silicification conditions. These new hybrid core-shell nanoparticles and hollow silica nanoparticles would have potential applications for high-performance coatings, encapsulation and delivery of active organic molecules. 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Review: Enhanced Anodes of Li/Na-Ion Batteries Based on Yolk-Shell Structured Nanomaterials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Cuo; Tong, Xin; Ai, Yuanfei; Liu, De-Sheng; Yu, Peng; Wu, Jiang; Wang, Zhiming M.

2018-09-01

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have received much attention in energy storage system. In particular, among the great efforts on enhancing the performance of LIBs and SIBs, yolk-shell (YS) structured materials have emerged as a promising strategy toward improving lithium and sodium storage. YS structures possess unique interior void space, large surface area and short diffusion distance, which can solve the problems of volume expansion and aggregation of anode materials, thus enhancing the performance of LIBs and SIBs. In this review, we present a brief overview of recent advances in the novel YS structures of spheres, polyhedrons and rods with controllable morphology and compositions. Enhanced electrochemical performance of LIBs and SIBs based on these novel YS structured anode materials was discussed in detail. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Stability Analysis of Plates and Shells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knight, Norman F., Jr. (Compiler); Nemeth, Michael P. (Compiler)

1998-01-01

This special publication contains the papers presented at the special sessions honoring Dr. Manuel Stein during the 38th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference held in Kissimmee, Florida, Apdl 7-10, 1997. This volume, and the SDM special sessions, are dedicated to the memory of Dr. Manuel Stein, a major pioneer in structural mechanics, plate and shell buckling, and composite structures. Many of the papers presented are the work of Manny's colleagues and co-workers and are a result, directly or indirectly, of his influence. Dr. Stein earned his Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1958. He worked in the Structural Mechanics Branch at the NASA Langley Research Center from 1943 until 1989. Following his retirement, Dr. Stein continued his involvement with NASA as a Distinguished Research Associate.

Compression Strength of Composite Primary Structural Components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Eric R.

1998-01-01

Research conducted under NASA Grant NAG-1-537 focussed on the response and failure of advanced composite material structures for application to aircraft. Both experimental and analytical methods were utilized to study the fundamental mechanics of the response and failure of selected structural components subjected to quasi-static loads. Most of the structural components studied were thin-walled elements subject to compression, such that they exhibited buckling and postbuckling responses prior to catastrophic failure. Consequently, the analyses were geometrically nonlinear. Structural components studied were dropped-ply laminated plates, stiffener crippling, pressure pillowing of orthogonally stiffened cylindrical shells, axisymmetric response of pressure domes, and the static crush of semi-circular frames. Failure of these components motivated analytical studies on an interlaminar stress postprocessor for plate and shell finite element computer codes, and global/local modeling strategies in finite element modeling. These activities are summarized in the following section. References to literature published under the grant are listed on pages 5 to 10 by a letter followed by a number under the categories of journal publications, conference publications, presentations, and reports. These references are indicated in the text by their letter and number as a superscript.

Hybrid Wing-Body (HWB) Pressurized Fuselage Modeling, Analysis, and Design for Weight Reduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mukhopadhyay, Vivek

2012-01-01

This paper describes the interim progress for an in-house study that is directed toward innovative structural analysis and design of next-generation advanced aircraft concepts, such as the Hybrid Wing-Body (HWB) and the Advanced Mobility Concept-X flight vehicles, for structural weight reduction and associated performance enhancement. Unlike the conventional, skin-stringer-frame construction for a cylindrical fuselage, the box-type pressurized fuselage panels in the HWB undergo significant deformation of the outer aerodynamic surfaces, which must be minimized without significant structural weight penalty. Simple beam and orthotropic plate theory is first considered for sizing, analytical verification, and possible equivalent-plate analysis with appropriate simplification. By designing advanced composite stiffened-shell configurations, significant weight reduction may be possible compared with the sandwich and ribbed-shell structural concepts that have been studied previously. The study involves independent analysis of the advanced composite structural concepts that are presently being developed by The Boeing Company for pressurized HWB flight vehicles. High-fidelity parametric finite-element models of test coupons, panels, and multibay fuselage sections, were developed for conducting design studies and identifying critical areas of potential failure. Interim results are discussed to assess the overall weight/strength advantages.

Energy Finite Element Analysis Developments for Vibration Analysis of Composite Aircraft Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vlahopoulos, Nickolas; Schiller, Noah H.

2011-01-01

The Energy Finite Element Analysis (EFEA) has been utilized successfully for modeling complex structural-acoustic systems with isotropic structural material properties. In this paper, a formulation for modeling structures made out of composite materials is presented. An approach based on spectral finite element analysis is utilized first for developing the equivalent material properties for the composite material. These equivalent properties are employed in the EFEA governing differential equations for representing the composite materials and deriving the element level matrices. The power transmission characteristics at connections between members made out of non-isotropic composite material are considered for deriving suitable power transmission coefficients at junctions of interconnected members. These coefficients are utilized for computing the joint matrix that is needed to assemble the global system of EFEA equations. The global system of EFEA equations is solved numerically and the vibration levels within the entire system can be computed. The new EFEA formulation for modeling composite laminate structures is validated through comparison to test data collected from a representative composite aircraft fuselage that is made out of a composite outer shell and composite frames and stiffeners. NASA Langley constructed the composite cylinder and conducted the test measurements utilized in this work.

A study of methods of prediction and measurement of the transmission of sound through the walls of light aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Forssen, B.; Wang, Y. S.; Raju, P. K.; Crocker, M. J.

1981-01-01

The acoustic intensity technique was applied to the sound transmission loss of panel structures (single, composite, and stiffened). A theoretical model of sound transmission through a cylindrical shell is presented.

A study of methods of prediction and measurement of the transmission of sound through the walls of light aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Forssen, B.; Wang, Y. S.; Raju, P. K.; Crocker, M. J.

1981-08-01

The acoustic intensity technique was applied to the sound transmission loss of panel structures (single, composite, and stiffened). A theoretical model of sound transmission through a cylindrical shell is presented.

On electromagnetic and quantum invisibility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mundru, Pattabhiraju Chowdary

The principle objective of this dissertation is to investigate the fundamental properties of electromagnetic wave interactions with artificially fabricated materials i.e., metamaterials for application in advanced stealth technology called electromagnetic cloaking. The main goal is to theoretically design a metamaterial shell around an object that completely eliminates the dipolar and higher order multipolar scattering, thus making the object invisible. In this context, we developed a quasi-effective medium theory that determines the optical properties of multi-layered-composites beyond the quasi-static limit. The proposed theory exactly reproduces the far-field scattering/extinction cross sections through an iterative process in which mode-dependent quasi-effective impedances of the composite system are introduced. In the large wavelength limit, our theory is consistent with Maxwell-Garnett formalism. Possible applications in determining the hybridization particle resonances of multi-shell structures and electromagnetic cloaking are identified. This dissertation proposes a multi-shell generic cloaking system. A transparency condition independent of the object's optical and geometrical properties is proposed in the quasi-static regime of operation. The suppression of dipolar scattering is demonstrated in both cylindrically and spherically symmetric systems. A realistic tunable low-loss shell design is proposed based on the composite metal-dielectric shell. The effects due to dissipation and dispersion on the overall scattering cross-section are thoroughly evaluated. It is shown that a strong reduction of scattering by a factor of up to 103 can be achieved across the entire optical spectrum. Full wave numerical simulations for complex shaped particle are performed to validate the analytical theory. The proposed design does not require optical magnetism and is generic in the sense that it is independent of the object's material and geometrical properties. A generic quantum cloak analogous to the optical cloak is also proposed. The transparency conditions required for the shells to cloak an object impinged by a low energy beam of particles are derived. A realistic cloaking system with semiconductor material shells is studied.

Thrombi produced in stagnation point flows have a core-shell structure.

PubMed

Herbig, Bradley A; Diamond, Scott L

2017-12-01

In regions of flow separation/reattachment within diseased arteries, the local hemodynamics can result in stagnation point flow that provides an atypical environment in atherosclerosis. Impinging flows occur with recirculation eddies distal of coronary stenosis or diseased carotid bifurcations. By perfusing whole blood directly perpendicular to a fibrillar collagen thrombotic surface, a microfluidic device produced a stagnation point flow. Side view visualization of thrombosis in this assay allowed for observation of clot structure and composition at various flow rates and blood biochemistry conditions. For clotting over collagen/tissue factor surfaces, platelet thrombi formed in this device displayed a core-shell architecture with a fibrin-rich, platelet P-selectin-positive core and an outer platelet P-selectin-negative shell. VWF was detected in clots at low and high shear, but when N-acetylcysteine was added to the whole blood, both platelet and VWF deposition were markedly decreased at either low or high flow. To further examine the source of clot stability, 1 mM GPRP was added to prevent fibrin formation while allowing the PAR1/4-cleaving activity of thrombin to progress. The inhibition of fibrin polymerization did not change the overall structure of the clots, demonstrating the stability of these clots without fibrin. Impinging flow microfluidics generate thrombi with a core-shell structure.

Formation of Core-Shell Ethane-Silver Clusters in He Droplets.

PubMed

Loginov, Evgeny; Gomez, Luis F; Sartakov, Boris G; Vilesov, Andrey F

2017-08-17

Ethane core-silver shell clusters consisting of several thousand particles have been assembled in helium droplets upon capture of ethane molecules followed by Ag atoms. The composite clusters were studied via infrared laser spectroscopy in the range of the C-H stretching vibrations of ethane. The spectra reveal a splitting of the vibrational bands, which is ascribed to interaction with Ag. A rigorous analysis of band intensities for a varying number of trapped ethane molecules and Ag atoms indicates that the composite clusters consist of a core of ethane that is covered by relatively small Ag clusters. This metastable structure is stabilized due to fast dissipation in superfluid helium droplets of the cohesion energy of the clusters.

Highly exothermic and superhydrophobic Mg/fluorocarbon core/shell nanoenergetic arrays.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiang; Xu, Daguo; Yang, Guangcheng; Zhang, Qiaobao; Shen, Jinpeng; Lu, Jian; Zhang, Kaili

2014-07-09

Mg/fluorocarbon core/shell nanoenergetic arrays are prepared onto silicon substrate, with Mg nanorods as the core and fluorocarbon as the shell. Mg nanorods are deposited by the glancing angle deposition technique, and the fluorocarbon layer is then prepared as a shell to encase the Mg nanorods by the magnetron sputtering deposition process. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show the core/shell structure of the Mg/fluorocarbon arrays. X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are used to characterize the structural composition of the Mg/fluorocarbon. It is found that the as-prepared fluorocarbon layer consists of shorter molecular chains compared to that of bulk polytetrafluoroethylene, which is proven beneficial to the low onset reaction temperature of Mg/fluorocarbon. Water contact angle test demonstrates the superhydrophobicity of the Mg/fluorocarbon arrays, and a static contact angle as high as 162° is achieved. Thermal analysis shows that the Mg/fluorocarbon material exhibits a very low onset reaction temperature of about 270 °C as well as an ultrahigh heat of reaction approaching 9 kJ/g. A preliminary combustion test reveals rapid combustion wave propagation, and a convective mechanism is adopted to explain the combustion behaviors.

Prehistoric cooking versus accurate palaeotemperature records in shell midden constituents.

PubMed

Müller, Peter; Staudigel, Philip T; Murray, Sean T; Vernet, Robert; Barusseau, Jean-Paul; Westphal, Hildegard; Swart, Peter K

2017-06-15

The reconstruction of pre-depositional cooking treatments used by prehistoric coastal populations for processing aquatic faunal resources is often difficult in archaeological shell midden assemblages. Besides limiting our knowledge of various social, cultural, economic and technological aspects of shell midden formation, unknown pre-depositional cooking techniques can also introduce large errors in palaeoclimate reconstructions as they can considerably alter the geochemical proxy signatures in calcareous skeletal structures such as bivalve shells or fish otoliths. Based on experimental and archaeological data, we show that carbonate clumped-isotope thermometry can be used to detect and reconstruct prehistoric processing methods in skeletal aragonite from archaeological shell midden assemblages. Given the temperature-dependent re-equilibration of clumped isotopes in aragonitic carbonates, this allows specific processing, cooking or trash dispersal strategies such as boiling, roasting, or burning to be differentiated. Besides permitting the detailed reconstruction of cultural or technological aspects of shell midden formation, this also allows erroneous palaeoclimate reconstructions to be avoided as all aragonitic shells subjected to pre-historic cooking methods show a clear alteration of their initial oxygen isotopic composition.

High-Fidelity Buckling Analysis of Composite Cylinders Using the STAGS Finite Element Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilburger, Mark W.

2014-01-01

Results from previous shell buckling studies are presented that illustrate some of the unique and powerful capabilities in the STAGS finite element analysis code that have made it an indispensable tool in structures research at NASA over the past few decades. In particular, prototypical results from the development and validation of high-fidelity buckling simulations are presented for several unstiffened thin-walled compression-loaded graphite-epoxy cylindrical shells along with a discussion on the specific methods and user-defined subroutines in STAGS that are used to carry out the high-fidelity simulations. These simulations accurately account for the effects of geometric shell-wall imperfections, shell-wall thickness variations, local shell-wall ply-gaps associated with the fabrication process, shell-end geometric imperfections, nonuniform applied end loads, and elastic boundary conditions. The analysis procedure uses a combination of nonlinear quasi-static and transient dynamic solution algorithms to predict the prebuckling and unstable collapse response characteristics of the cylinders. Finally, the use of high-fidelity models in the development of analysis-based shell-buckling knockdown (design) factors is demonstrated.

Preparation of ZnS/ZnO core - Shell nanocomposite and its photocatalytic behaviour for dye degradation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, Bharati N.; Acharya, Smita A.

2018-05-01

In the present work ZnS-ZnO core-shell-type composite nanostructures was prepared by hydrothermal method. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural confirmation. Microstructural study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) exhibit nanoscale dimensions of as-synthesized composite. UV/VIS spectra were recorded for evaluation of photophysical properties. The composite was explored as photocatalysts to study dye degradation using methylene blue in aqueous slurry under irradiation of 663 nm wavelength and congo red under irradiation of 493 nm wavelength. Under the same conditions the photocatalytic activity of the individual phases ZnS and ZnO were also examined, just for sake of comparison. The ZnS-ZnO composite is found to be enhancing the rate of photo degradation of toxic dyes in presence of visible light as compared to ZnS and ZnO individual phases. Thus ZnS based metal sulphide/oxide semiconductor nanocomposites are potential material for Photo-degradation of toxic dyes, and act as good photocatalyst.

Fabrication of hierarchical core-shell polydopamine@MgAl-LDHs composites for the efficient enrichment of radionuclides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Kairuo; Lu, Songhua; Gao, Yang; Zhang, Rui; Tan, Xiaoli; Chen, Changlun

2017-02-01

Novel hierarchical core/shell structured polydopamine@MgAl-layered double hydroxides (PDA@MgAl-LDHs) composites involving MgAl-layered double hydroxide shells and PDA cores were fabricated thought one-pot coprecipitation assembly and methodically characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning/transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technologies. U(VI) and Eu(III) sorption experiments showed that the PDA@MgAl-LDHs exhibited higher sorption ability with a maximum sorption capacity of 142.86 and 76.02 mg/g at 298 K and pH 4.5, respectively. More importantly, according to XPS analyses, U(VI) and Eu(III) were sorbed on PDA@MgAl-LDHs via oxygen-containing functional groups, and the chemical affinity of U(VI) by oxygen-containing functional groups is higher than that of Eu(III). These observations show great expectations in the enrichment of radionuclides from aquatic environments by PDA@MgAl-LDHs.

Titanate-silica mesostructured nanocables: synthesis, structural analysis and biomedical applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Yonghua; Qiao, Shizhang; Yang, Huagui; Yang, Chen; Jin, Yonggang; Stahr, Frances; Sheng, Jiayu; Cheng, Lina; Ling, Changquan; Qing Lu, Gao

2010-02-01

1D hierarchical composite mesostructures of titanate and silica were synthesized via an interfacial surfactant templating approach. Such mesostructures have complex core-shell architectures consisting of single-crystalline H2Ti3O7 nanobelts inside the ordered mesoporous SiO2 shell, which are nontoxic and highly biocompatible. The overall diameter of as-prepared 1D hierarchical composite mesostructures is only approx. 34.2 nm with a length over 500 nm on average. A model to explain the formation mechanism of these mesostructures has been proposed; the negatively charged surface of H2Ti3O7 nanobelts controls the formation of the octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C18TAB) bilayer, which in turn regulates the cooperative self-assembly of silica and C18TAB complex micelles on the interface to produce a mesoporous silica shell. More importantly, the application of synthesized mesostructured nanocables as anticancer drug reservoirs has also been explored, which indicates that the membranes containing these mesoporous nanocables have a great potential to be used as transdermal drug delivery systems.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanism of Formation of Janus-Like Nanoparticles of Tantalum Silicide-Silicon (TaSi2/Si)

PubMed Central

Nomoev, Andrey V.; Bardakhanov, Sergey P.; Schreiber, Makoto; Bazarova, Dashima Zh.; Baldanov, Boris B.; Romanov, Nikolai A.

2014-01-01

Metal-semiconductor Janus-like nanoparticles with the composition tantalum silicide-silicon (TaSi2/Si) were synthesized for the first time by means of an evaporation method utilizing a high-power electron beam. The composition of the synthesized particles were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX) analysis. The system is compared to previously synthesized core-shell type particles in order to show possible differences responsible for the Janus-like structure forming instead of a core-shell architecture. It is proposed that the production of Janus-like as opposed to core-shell or monophase particles occurs due to the ability of Ta and Si to form compounds and the relative content of Ta and Si atoms in the produced vapour. Based on the results, a potential mechanism of formation for the TaSi2/Si nanoparticles is discussed. PMID:28346996

Synthesis, Characterization, and Mechanism of Formation of Janus-Like Nanoparticles of Tantalum Silicide-Silicon (TaSi₂/Si).

PubMed

Nomoev, Andrey V; Bardakhanov, Sergey P; Schreiber, Makoto; Bazarova, Dashima Zh; Baldanov, Boris B; Romanov, Nikolai A

2014-12-25

Metal-semiconductor Janus-like nanoparticles with the composition tantalum silicide-silicon (TaSi₂/Si) were synthesized for the first time by means of an evaporation method utilizing a high-power electron beam. The composition of the synthesized particles were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), selective area electron diffraction (SAED), and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDX) analysis. The system is compared to previously synthesized core-shell type particles in order to show possible differences responsible for the Janus-like structure forming instead of a core-shell architecture. It is proposed that the production of Janus-like as opposed to core-shell or monophase particles occurs due to the ability of Ta and Si to form compounds and the relative content of Ta and Si atoms in the produced vapour. Based on the results, a potential mechanism of formation for the TaSi₂/Si nanoparticles is discussed.

An inorganic capping strategy for the seeded growth of versatile bimetallic nanostructures

DOE PAGES

Pei, Yuchen; Maligal-Ganesh, Raghu V.; Xiao, Chaoxian; ...

2015-09-11

Metal nanostructures have attracted great attention in various fields due to their tunable properties through precisely tailored sizes, compositions and structures. Using mesoporous silica (mSiO 2) as the inorganic capping agent and encapsulated Pt nanoparticles as the seeds, we developed a robust seeded growth method to prepare uniform bimetallic nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica shells (PtM@mSiO 2, M = Pd, Rh, Ni and Cu). Unexpectedly, we found that the inorganic silica shell is able to accommodate an eight-fold volume increase in the metallic core by reducing its thickness. The bimetallic nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica shells showed enhanced catalytic propertiesmore » and thermal stabilities compared with those prepared with organic capping agents. As a result, this inorganic capping strategy could find a broad application in the synthesis of versatile bimetallic nanostructures with exceptional structural control and enhanced catalytic properties.« less

[Adsorption of Cu on Core-shell Structured Magnetic Particles: Relationship Between Adsorption Performance and Surface Properties].

PubMed

Li, Qiu-mei; Chen, Jing; Li, Hai-ning; Zhang, Xiao-lei; Zhang, Gao-sheng

2015-12-01

In order to reveal the relationship between the adsorption performance of adsorbents and their compositions, structure, and surface properties, the core-shell structured Fe₃O₄/MnO2 and Fe-Mn/Mn₂2 magnetic particles were systematically characterized using multiple techniques and their Cu adsorption behaviors as well as mechanism were also investigated in details. It was found that both Fe₃O4 and Fe-Mn had spinel structure and no obvious crystalline phase change was observed after coating with MnO₂. The introduction of Mn might improve the affinity between the core and the shell, and therefore enhanced the amount and distribution uniformity of the MnO₂ coated. Consequently, Fe-Mn/MnO₂ exhibited a higher BET specific surface area and a lower isoelectric point. The results of sorption experiments showed that Fe-Mn had a higher maximal Cu adsorption capacity of 33.7 mg · g⁻¹ at pH 5.5, compared with 17.5 mg · g⁻¹ of Fe₃O4. After coating, the maximal adsorption capacity of Fe-Mn/MnO₂ was increased to 58.2 mg · g⁻¹, which was 2.6 times as high as that of Fe₃O₄/MnO₂ and outperformed the majority of magnetic adsorbents reported in literature. In addition, a specific adsorption of Cu occurred at the surface of Fe₃O₄/MnO₂ or Fe-Mn/MnO₂ through the formation of inner-sphere complexes. In conclusion, the adsorption performance of the magnetic particles was positively related to their compositions, structure, and surface properties.

Ancient DNA analysis identifies marine mollusc shells as new metagenomic archives of the past.

PubMed

Der Sarkissian, Clio; Pichereau, Vianney; Dupont, Catherine; Ilsøe, Peter C; Perrigault, Mickael; Butler, Paul; Chauvaud, Laurent; Eiríksson, Jón; Scourse, James; Paillard, Christine; Orlando, Ludovic

2017-09-01

Marine mollusc shells enclose a wealth of information on coastal organisms and their environment. Their life history traits as well as (palaeo-) environmental conditions, including temperature, food availability, salinity and pollution, can be traced through the analysis of their shell (micro-) structure and biogeochemical composition. Adding to this list, the DNA entrapped in shell carbonate biominerals potentially offers a novel and complementary proxy both for reconstructing palaeoenvironments and tracking mollusc evolutionary trajectories. Here, we assess this potential by applying DNA extraction, high-throughput shotgun DNA sequencing and metagenomic analyses to marine mollusc shells spanning the last ~7,000 years. We report successful DNA extraction from shells, including a variety of ancient specimens, and find that DNA recovery is highly dependent on their biomineral structure, carbonate layer preservation and disease state. We demonstrate positive taxonomic identification of mollusc species using a combination of mitochondrial DNA genomes, barcodes, genome-scale data and metagenomic approaches. We also find shell biominerals to contain a diversity of microbial DNA from the marine environment. Finally, we reconstruct genomic sequences of organisms closely related to the Vibrio tapetis bacteria from Manila clam shells previously diagnosed with Brown Ring Disease. Our results reveal marine mollusc shells as novel genetic archives of the past, which opens new perspectives in ancient DNA research, with the potential to reconstruct the evolutionary history of molluscs, microbial communities and pathogens in the face of environmental changes. Other future applications include conservation of endangered mollusc species and aquaculture management. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The influence of MOVPE growth conditions on the shell of core-shell GaN microrod structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schimpke, Tilman; Avramescu, Adrian; Koller, Andreas; Fernando-Saavedra, Amalia; Hartmann, Jana; Ledig, Johannes; Waag, Andreas; Strassburg, Martin; Lugauer, Hans-Jürgen

2017-05-01

A core-shell geometry is employed for most next-generation, three-dimensional opto-electric devices based on III-V semiconductors and grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE). Controlling the shape of the shell layers is fundamental for device optimization, however no detailed analysis of the influence of growth conditions has been published to date. We study homogeneous arrays of gallium nitride core-shell microrods with height and diameter in the micrometer range and grown in a two-step selective area MOVPE process. Changes in shell shape and homogeneity effected by deliberately altered shell growth conditions were accurately assessed by digital analysis of high-resolution scanning electron microscope images. Most notably, two temperature regimes could be established, which show a significantly different behavior with regard to material distribution. Above 900 °C of wafer carrier temperature, the shell thickness along the growth axis of the rods was very homogeneous, however variations between vicinal rods increase. In contrast, below 830 °C the shell thickness is higher close to the microrod tip than at the base of the rods, while the lateral homogeneity between neighboring microrods is very uniform. This temperature effect could be either amplified or attenuated by changing the remaining growth parameters such as reactor pressure, structure distance, gallium precursor, carrier gas composition and dopant materials. Possible reasons for these findings are discussed with respect to GaN decomposition as well as the surface and gas phase diffusion of growth species, leading to an improved control of the functional layers in next-generation 3D V-III devices.

Electrochemical properties of Sn/C nanoparticles fabricated by redox treatment and pulsed wire evaporation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Ju-Seok; Cho, Gyu-Bong; Ahn, Jou-Hyeon; Cho, Kwon-Koo

2017-09-01

Tin (Sn) based anode materials are the most promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries due to their high theoretical capacity corresponding to the formation of Li4.4Sn composition (Li4.4Sn, 994 mAh/g). However, the applications of tin based anodes to lithium-ion battery system are generally limited by a large volume change (>260%) during lithiation and delithiation cycle, which causes pulverize and poor cycling stability. In order to overcome this shortcoming, we fabricate a Sn/C nanoparticle with a yolk-shell structure (Sn/void/C) by using pulsed wire evaporation process and oxidation/reduction heat treatment. Sn nanoparticles are encapsulated by a conductive carbon layer with structural buffer that leaves enough room for expansion and contraction during lithium insertion/desertion. We expect that the yolk-shell structure has the ability to accommodate the volume changes of tin and leading to an improved cycle performance. The Sn/Void/C anode with yolk-shell structure shows a high specific capacity of 760 mAh/g after 50 cycles.

Evaluation of experimental methods for determining dynamic stiffness and damping of composite materials

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bert, C. W.; Clary, R. R.

1974-01-01

Various methods potentially usable for determining dynamic stiffness and damping of composite materials are reviewed. Of these, the following most widely used techniques are singled out for more detailed discussion: free vibration, pulse propagation, and forced vibration response. To illustrate the usefulness and validity of dynamic property data, their application in dynamic analyses and comparison with measured structural response are described for the following composite-material structures: free-free sandwich beam with glass-epoxy facings, clamped-edge sandwich plate with similar facings, free-end sandwich conical shell with similar facings, and boron-epoxy free plate with layers arranged at various orientations.

Europa's differentiated internal structure: inferences from four Galileo encounters.

PubMed

Anderson, J D; Schubert, G; Jacobson, R A; Lau, E L; Moore, W B; Sjogren, W L

1998-09-25

Radio Doppler data from four encounters of the Galileo spacecraft with the jovian moon Europa have been used to refine models of Europa's interior. Europa is most likely differentiated into a metallic core surrounded by a rock mantle and a water ice-liquid outer shell, but the data cannot eliminate the possibility of a uniform mixture of dense silicate and metal beneath the water ice-liquid shell. The size of a metallic core is uncertain because of its unknown composition, but it could be as large as about 50 percent of Europa's radius. The thickness of Europa's outer shell of water ice-liquid must lie in the range of about 80 to 170 kilometers.

Design, fabrication, and test of lightweight shell structure, phase 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

A cylindrical shell skirt structure 4.57 m (180 in.) in diameter and 3.66 m (144 in.) high was subjected to a design and analysis study using a wide variety of structural materials and concepts. The design loading of 1225.8 N/cm (700 lb/in.) axial compression and 245.2 N/cm (140 lb/in.) torsion is representative of that expected on a typical space tug skirt section. Structural concepts evaluated included honeycomb sandwich, truss, isogrid, and skin/stringer/frame. The materials considered included a wide variety of structural metals as well as glass, graphite, and boron-reinforced composites. The most unique characteristic of the candidate designs is that they involve the use of very thin-gage material. Fabrication and structural test of small panels and components representative of many of the candidate designs served to demonstrate proposed fabrication techniques and to verify design and analysis methods.

A facile method for preparing porous, optically active, magnetic Fe3 O4 @poly(N-acryloyl-leucine) inverse core/shell composite microspheres.

PubMed

Liu, Dong; Deng, Jianping; Yang, Wantai

2014-01-01

The first synthesis of porous, optically active, magnetic Fe3 O4 @poly(N-acryloyl-leucine) inverse core/shell composite microspheres is reported, in which the core is constructed of chiral polymer and the shell is constructed of Fe3 O4 NPs. The microspheres integrate three significant concepts, "porosity", "chirality", and "magneticity", in one single microspheric entity. The microspheres consist of Fe3 O4 nanoparticles and porous optically active microspheres, and thus combine the advantages of both magnetic nanoparticles and porous optically active microspheres. The pore size and specific surface area of the microspheres are characterized by N2 adsorption, from which it is found that the composite microspheres possess a desirable porous structure. Circular dichroism and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy measurements demonstrate that the microspheres exhibit the expected optical activity. The microspheres also have high saturation magnetization of 14.7 emu g(-1) and rapid magnetic responsivity. After further optimization, these novel microspheres may potentially find applications in areas such as asymmetric catalysis, chiral adsorption, etc. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Synthesis of fly ash based core-shell composites for use as functional pigment in paints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Richa; Tiwari, Sangeeta

2016-04-01

Fly ash is a combustion residue, mainly composed of silica, alumina and iron oxides. It is produced by the power industries in very large amounts and usually disposed in landfills, which have represented an environmental problem in recent years1. The need to generate a market for fly ash consumption is the main reason why alternative applications have been studied. It has been applied as an additive in construction materials like cement and pavements2. The present work describes the synthesis of Flyash-Titania core-shell particles by precipitation technique using Titanium tetra isopropoxide (TTIP) which can be used for variety of applications such as NIR reflecting materials for cool coatings, Photocatalysis etc. In this work, Fly ash is used in core and Nano -TiO2 is coated as shell on it. Surfactants are used to improve the adhesion of Nano Titania shell on fly ash core. Effect on adhesion of TiO2 on Fly ash is studied by using different types of surfactant. The preparation of core shells was carried out in absence of surfactant as well as using anionic and non-ionic surfactants. The percentage of surfactant was varied to study the effect of amount of surfactant on the uniformity and size of particles in the shell using Kubelka-Munk transformed reflectance spectra. The morphology of core shell structures was studied using SEM technique. Use of anionic surfactant results in more uniform coating with reduced particle size of the shell material. The composite particles prepared by using anionic surfactant are having good pigment properties and also shows good reflectance in Near Infrared region and hence can be used as a pigment in cool coatings.

Li 2S encapsulated by nitrogen-doped carbon for lithium sulfur batteries

DOE PAGES

Chen, Lin; Liu, Yuzi; Ashuri, Maziar; ...

2014-09-26

Using high-energy ball milling of the Li 2S plus carbon black mixture followed by carbonization of pyrrole, we have established a facile approach to synthesize Li 2S-plus-C composite particles of average size 400 nm, encapsulated by a nitrogen-doped carbon shell. Such an engineered core–shell structure exhibits an ultrahigh initial discharge specific capacity (1029 mAh/g), reaching 88% of the theoretical capacity (1,166 mAh/g of Li 2S) and thus offering the highest utilization of Li 2S in the cathode among all of the reported works for the encapsulated Li 2S cathodes. This Li 2S/C composite core with a nitrogen-doped carbon shell canmore » still retain 652 mAh/g after prolonged 100 cycles. These superior properties are attributed to the nitrogen-doped carbon shell that can improve the conductivity to enhance the utilization of Li 2S in the cathode. As a result, fine particle sizes and the presence of carbon black within the Li 2S core may also play a role in high utilization of Li 2S in the cathode.« less

Buckling analysis of curved composite sandwich panels subjected to inplane loadings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruz, Juan R.

1993-01-01

Composite sandwich structures are being considered for primary structure in aircraft such as subsonic and high speed civil transports. The response of sandwich structures must be understood and predictable to use such structures effectively. Buckling is one of the most important response mechanisms of sandwich structures. A simple buckling analysis is derived for sandwich structures. This analysis is limited to flat, rectangular sandwich panels loaded by uniaxial compression (N(sub x)) and having simply supported edges. In most aerospace applications, however, the structure's geometry, boundary conditions, and loading are usually very complex. Thus, a general capability for analyzing the buckling behavior of sandwich structures is needed. The present paper describes and evaluates an improved buckling analysis for cylindrically curved composite sandwich panels. This analysis includes orthotropic facesheets and first-order transverse shearing effects. Both simple support and clamped boundary conditions are also included in the analysis. The panels can be subjected to linearly varying normal loads N(sub x) and N(sub y) in addition to a constant shear load N(sub xy). The analysis is based on the modified Donnell's equations for shallow shells. The governing equations are solved by direct application of Galerkin's method. The accuracy of the present analysis is verified by comparing results with those obtained from finite element analysis for a variety of geometries, loads, and boundary conditions. The limitations of the present analysis are investigated, in particular those related to the shallow shell assumptions in the governing equations. Finally, the computational efficiency of the present analysis is considered.

Exact solutions for laminated composite cylindrical shells in cylindrical bending

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yuan, F. G.

1992-01-01

Analytic elasticity solutions for laminated composite cylindrical shells under cylindrical bending are presented. The material of the shell is assumed to be general cylindrically anisotropic. Based on the theory of cylindrical anisotropic elasticity, coupled governing partial differential equations are developed. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the laminated composite cylinders are discussed. The closed form solutions based on Classical Shell Theory (CST) and Donnell's (1933) theory are also derived for comparison purposes. Three examples illustrate the effect of radius-to-thickness ratio, coupling and stacking sequence. The results show that, in general, CST yields poor stress and displacement distributions for thick-section composite shells, but converges to the exact elasticity solution as the radius-to-thickness ratio increases. It is also shown that Donnell's theory significantly underestimates the stress and displacement response.

Core-shell structured MnSiO3 supported with CNTs as a high capacity anode for lithium-ion batteries.

PubMed

Feng, Jing; Li, Qin; Wang, Huijun; Zhang, Min; Yang, Xia; Yuan, Ruo; Chai, Yaqin

2018-04-17

Metal silicates are good candidates for use in lithium ion batteries (LIBs), however, their electrochemical performance is hindered by their poor electrical conductivity and volume expansion during Li+ insertion/desertion. In this work, one-dimensional core-shell structured MnSiO3 supported with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (referred to as CNT@MnSiO3) with good conductivity and electrochemical performance has been successfully synthesized using a solvothermal process under moderate conditions. In contrast to traditional composites of CNTs and nanoparticles, the CNT@MnSiO3 composite in this work is made up of CNTs with a layer of MnSiO3 on the surface. The one-dimensional CNT@MnSiO3 nanotubes provide a useful channel for transferring Li+ ions during the discharge/charge process, which accelerates the Li+ diffusion speed. The CNTs inside the structure not only enhance the conductivity of the composite, but also prevent volume expansion. A high reversible capacity (920 mA h g-1 at 500 mA g-1 over 650 cycles) and good rate performance were obtained for CNT@MnSiO3, showing that this strategy of synthesizing coaxial CNT@MnSiO3 nanotubes offers a promising method for preparing other silicates for LIBs or other applications.

Preparation and characterization of core-shell structured LiFePO4/C composite using a novel carbon source for lithium-ion battery cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Zan; Luo, Peifang; Wang, Daxiang

2017-03-01

Core-shell structured LiFePO4/C1 cathode material is synthesized via a rapid microwave irradiation route using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the novel carbon source. XRD results reveal that all the patterns can be indexed as the olivine-type structured LiFePO4 with the space group of Pnma. TEM images show that the obtained carbon is an amorphous layer with a thickness of about 3-4 nm. When the LiFePO4/C1 used as cathode material for lithium-ion battery, it delivers an initial discharge capacity of 163.1 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C which is about 96% of the theoretical capacity. Moreover, it also shows excellent rate performance and good cycle stability due to the enhanced electronic conductivity as proved by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Thus, this carbon decorated LiFePO4 composite synthesized via the rapid microwave irradiation method is a promising cathode material for high-performance lithium-ion battery.

Unusual behavior in magnesium-copper cluster matter produced by helium droplet mediated deposition.

PubMed

Emery, S B; Xin, Y; Ridge, C J; Buszek, R J; Boatz, J A; Boyle, J M; Little, B K; Lindsay, C M

2015-02-28

We demonstrate the ability to produce core-shell nanoclusters of materials that typically undergo intermetallic reactions using helium droplet mediated deposition. Composite structures of magnesium and copper were produced by sequential condensation of metal vapors inside the 0.4 K helium droplet baths and then gently deposited onto a substrate for analysis. Upon deposition, the individual clusters, with diameters ∼5 nm, form a cluster material which was subsequently characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopies. Results of this analysis reveal the following about the deposited cluster material: it is in the un-alloyed chemical state, it maintains a stable core-shell 5 nm structure at sub-monolayer quantities, and it aggregates into unreacted structures of ∼75 nm during further deposition. Surprisingly, high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the copper appears to displace the magnesium at the core of the composite cluster despite magnesium being the initially condensed species within the droplet. This phenomenon was studied further using preliminary density functional theory which revealed that copper atoms, when added sequentially to magnesium clusters, penetrate into the magnesium cores.

Rational growth of branched nanowire heterostructures with synthetically encoded properties and function

PubMed Central

Jiang, Xiaocheng; Tian, Bozhi; Xiang, Jie; Qian, Fang; Zheng, Gengfeng; Wang, Hongtao; Mai, Liqiang; Lieber, Charles M.

2011-01-01

Branched nanostructures represent unique, 3D building blocks for the “bottom-up” paradigm of nanoscale science and technology. Here, we report a rational, multistep approach toward the general synthesis of 3D branched nanowire (NW) heterostructures. Single-crystalline semiconductor, including groups IV, III–V, and II–VI, and metal branches have been selectively grown on core or core/shell NW backbones, with the composition, morphology, and doping of core (core/shell) NWs and branch NWs well controlled during synthesis. Measurements made on the different composition branched NW structures demonstrate encoding of functional p-type/n-type diodes and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as well as field effect transistors with device function localized at the branch/backbone NW junctions. In addition, multibranch/backbone NW structures were synthesized and used to demonstrate capability to create addressable nanoscale LED arrays, logic circuits, and biological sensors. Our work demonstrates a previously undescribed level of structural and functional complexity in NW materials, and more generally, highlights the potential of bottom-up synthesis to yield increasingly complex functional systems in the future. PMID:21730174

Water dynamics in protein hydration shells: the molecular origins of the dynamical perturbation.

PubMed

Fogarty, Aoife C; Laage, Damien

2014-07-17

Protein hydration shell dynamics play an important role in biochemical processes including protein folding, enzyme function, and molecular recognition. We present here a comparison of the reorientation dynamics of individual water molecules within the hydration shell of a series of globular proteins: acetylcholinesterase, subtilisin Carlsberg, lysozyme, and ubiquitin. Molecular dynamics simulations and analytical models are used to access site-resolved information on hydration shell dynamics and to elucidate the molecular origins of the dynamical perturbation of hydration shell water relative to bulk water. We show that all four proteins have very similar hydration shell dynamics, despite their wide range of sizes and functions, and differing secondary structures. We demonstrate that this arises from the similar local surface topology and surface chemical composition of the four proteins, and that such local factors alone are sufficient to rationalize the hydration shell dynamics. We propose that these conclusions can be generalized to a wide range of globular proteins. We also show that protein conformational fluctuations induce a dynamical heterogeneity within the hydration layer. We finally address the effect of confinement on hydration shell dynamics via a site-resolved analysis and connect our results to experiments via the calculation of two-dimensional infrared spectra.

Water Dynamics in Protein Hydration Shells: The Molecular Origins of the Dynamical Perturbation

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Protein hydration shell dynamics play an important role in biochemical processes including protein folding, enzyme function, and molecular recognition. We present here a comparison of the reorientation dynamics of individual water molecules within the hydration shell of a series of globular proteins: acetylcholinesterase, subtilisin Carlsberg, lysozyme, and ubiquitin. Molecular dynamics simulations and analytical models are used to access site-resolved information on hydration shell dynamics and to elucidate the molecular origins of the dynamical perturbation of hydration shell water relative to bulk water. We show that all four proteins have very similar hydration shell dynamics, despite their wide range of sizes and functions, and differing secondary structures. We demonstrate that this arises from the similar local surface topology and surface chemical composition of the four proteins, and that such local factors alone are sufficient to rationalize the hydration shell dynamics. We propose that these conclusions can be generalized to a wide range of globular proteins. We also show that protein conformational fluctuations induce a dynamical heterogeneity within the hydration layer. We finally address the effect of confinement on hydration shell dynamics via a site-resolved analysis and connect our results to experiments via the calculation of two-dimensional infrared spectra. PMID:24479585

Synthesis of ligand-stabilized metal oxide nanocrystals and epitaxial core/shell nanocrystals via a lower-temperature esterification process.

PubMed

Ito, Daisuke; Yokoyama, Shun; Zaikova, Tatiana; Masuko, Keiichiro; Hutchison, James E

2014-01-28

The properties of metal oxide nanocrystals can be tuned by incorporating mixtures of matrix metal elements, adding metal ion dopants, or constructing core/shell structures. However, high-temperature conditions required to synthesize these nanocrystals make it difficult to achieve the desired compositions, doping levels, and structural control. We present a lower temperature synthesis of ligand-stabilized metal oxide nanocrystals that produces crystalline, monodisperse nanocrystals at temperatures well below the thermal decomposition point of the precursors. Slow injection (0.2 mL/min) of an oleic acid solution of the metal oleate complex into an oleyl alcohol solvent at 230 °C results in a rapid esterification reaction and the production of metal oxide nanocrystals. The approach produces high yields of crystalline, monodisperse metal oxide nanoparticles containing manganese, iron, cobalt, zinc, and indium within 20 min. Synthesis of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) can be accomplished with good control of the tin doping levels. Finally, the method makes it possible to perform epitaxial growth of shells onto nanocrystal cores to produce core/shell nanocrystals.

Coaxial-cable structure composite cathode material with high sulfur loading for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Qiang; Zhang, Zhian; Guo, Zaiping; Zhang, Kai; Lai, Yanqing; Li, Jie

2015-01-01

Hollow carbon nanofiber@nitrogen-doped porous carbon (HCNF@NPC) coaxial-cable structure composite, which is carbonized from HCNF@polydopamine, is prepared as an improved high conductive carbon matrix for encapsulating sulfur as a composite cathode material for lithium-sulfur batteries. The prepared HCNF@NPC-S composite with high sulfur content of approximately 80 wt% shows an obvious coaxial-cable structure with an NPC layer coating on the surface of the linear HCNFs along the length and sulfur homogeneously distributes in the coating layer. This material exhibits much better electrochemical performance than the HCNF-S composite, delivers initial discharge capacity of 982 mAh g-1 and maintains a high capacity retention rate of 63% after 200 cycles at a high current density of 837.5 mA g-1. The significantly enhanced electrochemical performance of the HCNF@NPC-S composite is attributed to the unique coaxial-cable structure, in which the linear HCNF core provides electronic conduction pathways and works as mechanical support, and the NPC shell with nitrogen-doped and porous structure can trap sulfur/polysulfides and provide Li+ conductive pathways.

Original structures, and fragmentation and reassembly histories of asteroids - Evidence from meteorites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Taylor, G. Jeffrey; Maggiore, Peter; Scott, Edward R. D.; Rubin, Alan E.; Keil, Klaus

1987-01-01

The validity of an onion shell model (OSM) for chondrite parent asteroids was assessed using metallographic cooling rates (MCR) derived from the compositions of metallic Fe-Ni grains. The hypothesis evaluated was that the hottest materials in chondrites would have been buried the deepest and cooled the slowest. The survey covered breccia from regolith and 13 different chondrites. The MCRs agreed well with cooling rates predicted by fission-track thermometry and Ar-40/Ar-39 ages. The OSM predicts an inverse correlation between the cooling rate and the petrographic type. Low correlations found between the MCRs and petrographic type indicate that chondrite parent asteroids were not assembled with onion shell structures.

Advanced grid-stiffened composite shells for applications in heavy-lift helicopter rotor blade spars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Narayanan Nampy, Sreenivas

Modern rotor blades are constructed using composite materials to exploit their superior structural performance compared to metals. Helicopter rotor blade spars are conventionally designed as monocoque structures. Blades of the proposed Heavy Lift Helicopter are envisioned to be as heavy as 800 lbs when designed using the monocoque spar design. A new and innovative design is proposed to replace the conventional spar designs with light weight grid-stiffened composite shell. Composite stiffened shells have been known to provide excellent strength to weight ratio and damage tolerance with an excellent potential to reduce weight. Conventional stringer--rib stiffened construction is not suitable for rotor blade spars since they are limited in generating high torsion stiffness that is required for aeroelastic stability of the rotor. As a result, off-axis (helical) stiffeners must be provided. This is a new design space where innovative modeling techniques are needed. The structural behavior of grid-stiffened structures under axial, bending, and torsion loads, typically experienced by rotor blades need to be accurately predicted. The overall objective of the present research is to develop and integrate the necessary design analysis tools to conduct a feasibility study in employing grid-stiffened shells for heavy-lift rotor blade spars. Upon evaluating the limitations in state-of-the-art analytical models in predicting the axial, bending, and torsion stiffness coefficients of grid and grid-stiffened structures, a new analytical model was developed. The new analytical model based on the smeared stiffness approach was developed employing the stiffness matrices of the constituent members of the grid structure such as an arch, helical, or straight beam representing circumferential, helical, and longitudinal stiffeners. This analysis has the capability to model various stiffening configurations such as angle-grid, ortho-grid, and general-grid. Analyses were performed using an existing state-of-the-art and newly developed model to predict the torsion, bending, and axial stiffness of grid and grid-stiffened structures with various stiffening configurations. These predictions were compared to results generated using finite element analysis (FEA) to observe excellent correlation (within 6%) for a range of parameters for grid and grid-stiffened structures such as grid density, stiffener angle, and aspect ratio of the stiffener cross-section. Experimental results from cylindrical grid specimen testing were compared with analytical prediction using the new analysis. The new analysis predicted stiffness coefficients with nearly 7% error compared to FEA results. From the parametric studies conducted, it was observed that the previous state-of-the-art analysis on the other hand exhibited errors of the order of 39% for certain designs. Stability evaluations were also conducted by integrating the new analysis with established stability formulations. A design study was conducted to evaluate the potential weight savings of a simple grid-stiffened rotor blade spar structure compared to a baseline monocoque design. Various design constraints such as stiffness, strength, and stability were imposed. A manual search was conducted for design parameters such as stiffener density, stiffener angle, shell laminate, and stiffener aspect ratio that provide lightweight grid-stiffened designs compared to the baseline. It was found that a weight saving of 9.1% compared to the baseline is possible without violating any of the design constraints.

Mesoscale studies of ionic closed membranes with polyhedral geometries

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-25

assembled ionic amphiphiles.4 The most commonly observed polyhedral symmetry in self-organized homogeneous structures is the icosahedron, which has the...Possible buckled structures can be obtained considering components A, B with intermediate compositions f of the B component such that the stable shape...lines aids the faceting of the shell into a polyhedral structure often with three-fold vertices. Such vertices are joined together by sharp edges

Spider Silk Spun and Integrated into Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-02-20

and elongation of sericin is lower than those of fibroin and, finally, (0 local shear damage is dominant in damaged sericin between fibres, while the... sericin at fibre-joint often shows microflow. These analytical studies are presently being expanded to include synthetic composites made of both...with sericin . Such a cocoon consists of three main parts: an outermost loose mesh structure, the middle shell layers and the innermost tetelette; all

Small cell foams containing a modified dense star polymer or dendrimer as a nucleating agent

DOEpatents

Hedstrand, David M.; Tomalia, Donald A.

1995-01-01

A small cell foam having a modified dense star polymer or dendrimer is described. This modified dense star polymer or dendrimer has a highly branched interior of one monomeric composition and an exterior structure of a different monomeric composition capable of providing a hydrophobic outer shell and a particle diameter of from about 5 to about 1,000 nm with a matrix polymer.

Small cell foams containing a modified dense star polymer or dendrimer as a nucleating agent

DOEpatents

Hedstrand, D.M.; Tomalia, D.A.

1995-02-28

A small cell foam having a modified dense star polymer or dendrimer is described. This modified dense star polymer or dendrimer has a highly branched interior of one monomeric composition and an exterior structure of a different monomeric composition capable of providing a hydrophobic outer shell and a particle diameter of from about 5 to about 1,000 nm with a matrix polymer.

Self-assembly preparation of SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide composites and their enhanced electrorheological characteristics

PubMed Central

Ji, Xuqiang; Zhang, Wenling; Shan, Lei; Tian, Yu; Liu, Jingquan

2015-01-01

The core-shell structured SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were prepared via self-assembly of Ni-Al LDH on the surface of SiO2 spheres. Only coating a layer of ultrathin Ni-Al LDH sheet, the resulting SiO2@Ni-Al LDH composites exhibit significantly enhanced electrorheological (ER) characteristics compared to conventional bare SiO2 spheres. The monodispersed SiO2 spheres with average diameters of 260 nm were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), while the shell part, Ni-Al LDH sheet was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The morphology of the samples was investigated via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The species and distribution of elements in samples were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping in STEM. Subsequently, the ER characteristics of the composites dispersed in insulating oil were characterized by a rotational rheometer. The electric field-stimulated rheological performances (yield stress, viscosity, modulus, etc.) were observed under an external electric field, which is different from the Newtonian state in the free electric field. PMID:26670467

Self-assembly preparation of SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide composites and their enhanced electrorheological characteristics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ji, Xuqiang; Zhang, Wenling; Shan, Lei; Tian, Yu; Liu, Jingquan

2015-12-01

The core-shell structured SiO2@Ni-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were prepared via self-assembly of Ni-Al LDH on the surface of SiO2 spheres. Only coating a layer of ultrathin Ni-Al LDH sheet, the resulting SiO2@Ni-Al LDH composites exhibit significantly enhanced electrorheological (ER) characteristics compared to conventional bare SiO2 spheres. The monodispersed SiO2 spheres with average diameters of 260 nm were synthesized by the hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), while the shell part, Ni-Al LDH sheet was prepared by the hydrothermal procedure. The morphology of the samples was investigated via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure of the samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The species and distribution of elements in samples were confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping in STEM. Subsequently, the ER characteristics of the composites dispersed in insulating oil were characterized by a rotational rheometer. The electric field-stimulated rheological performances (yield stress, viscosity, modulus, etc.) were observed under an external electric field, which is different from the Newtonian state in the free electric field.

Modeling of Failure for Analysis of Triaxial Braided Carbon Fiber Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goldberg, Robert K.; Littell, Justin D.; Binienda, Wieslaw K.

2010-01-01

In the development of advanced aircraft-engine fan cases and containment systems, composite materials are beginning to be used due to their low weight and high strength. The design of these structures must include the capability of withstanding impact loads from a released fan blade. Relatively complex triaxially braided fiber architectures have been found to yield the best performance for the fan cases. To properly work with and design these structures, robust analytical tools are required that can be used in the design process. A new analytical approach models triaxially braided carbon fiber composite materials within the environment of a transient dynamic finite-element code, specifically the commercially available transient dynamic finite-element code LS-DYNA. The geometry of the braided composites is approximated by a series of parallel laminated composites. The composite is modeled by using shell finite elements. The material property data are computed by examining test data from static tests on braided composites, where optical strain measurement techniques are used to examine the local strain variations within the material. These local strain data from the braided composite tests are used along with a judicious application of composite micromechanics- based methods to compute the stiffness properties of an equivalent unidirectional laminated composite required for the shell elements. The local strain data from the braided composite tests are also applied to back out strength and failure properties of the equivalent unidirectional composite. The properties utilized are geared towards the application of a continuum damage mechanics-based composite constitutive model available within LS-DYNA. The developed model can be applied to conduct impact simulations of structures composed of triaxially braided composites. The advantage of this technology is that it facilitates the analysis of the deformation and damage response of a triaxially braided polymer matrix composite within the environment of a transient dynamic finite-element code such as LS-DYNA in a manner which accounts for the local physical mechanisms but is still computationally efficient. This methodology is tightly coupled to experimental tests on the braided composite, which ensures that the material properties have physical significance. Aerospace or automotive companies interested in using triaxially braided composites in their structures, particularly for impact or crash applications, would find the technology useful. By the development of improved design tools, the amount of very expensive impact testing that will need to be performed can be significantly reduced.

Durable polydopamine-coated porous sulfur core-shell cathode for high performance lithium-sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Yuanfu; Xu, Hui; Bai, Zhaowen; Huang, Baoling; Su, Jingyang; Chen, Guohua

2015-12-01

Lithium-sulfur batteries show fascinating potential for advanced energy system due to their high specific capacity, low-cost, and environmental benignity. However, their wide applications have been plagued by low coulombic efficiency, fast capacity fading and poor rate performance. Herein, a facile method for preparation of S@PDA (PDA = polydopamine) composites with core-shell structure and good electrochemical performance as well as the First-Principles calculations on the interactions of PDA and polysulfides are reported. Taking the advantages of the core-shell structure with porous sulfur core, the high mechanical flexibility of PDA for accommodating the volumetric variation during the discharge/charge processes, the good lithium ion conductivity and the strong chemical interactions between the nitrogen/oxygen atoms with lone electron pair and lithium polysulfides for alleviating their dissolution, the S@PDA composites exhibit high discharge capacities at different current densities (1048 and 869 mAh g-1 at 0.2 and 0.8 A g-1, respectively) and excellent capacity retention capability. A capacity decay as low as 0.021% per cycle and an average coulombic efficiency of 98.5% is observed over a long-term cycling of 890 cycles at 0.8 A g-1. The S@PDA electrode has great potential as a low-cost cathode in high energy Li-S batteries.

Similitude design for the vibration problems of plates and shells: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Yunpeng; Wang, You; Luo, Zhong; Han, Qingkai; Wang, Deyou

2017-06-01

Similitude design plays a vital role in the analysis of vibration and shock problems encountered in large engineering equipment. Similitude design, including dimensional analysis and governing equation method, is founded on the dynamic similitude theory. This study reviews the application of similitude design methods in engineering practice and summarizes the major achievements of the dynamic similitude theory in structural vibration and shock problems in different fields, including marine structures, civil engineering structures, and large power equipment. This study also reviews the dynamic similitude design methods for thin-walled and composite material plates and shells, including the most recent work published by the authors. Structure sensitivity analysis is used to evaluate the scaling factors to attain accurate distorted scaling laws. Finally, this study discusses the existing problems and the potential of the dynamic similitude theory for the analysis of vibration and shock problems of structures.

Finite Element Analysis of Geodesically Stiffened Cylindrical Composite Shells Using a Layerwise Theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerhard, Craig Steven; Gurdal, Zafer; Kapania, Rakesh K.

1996-01-01

Layerwise finite element analyses of geodesically stiffened cylindrical shells are presented. The layerwise laminate theory of Reddy (LWTR) is developed and adapted to circular cylindrical shells. The Ritz variational method is used to develop an analytical approach for studying the buckling of simply supported geodesically stiffened shells with discrete stiffeners. This method utilizes a Lagrange multiplier technique to attach the stiffeners to the shell. The development of the layerwise shells couples a one-dimensional finite element through the thickness with a Navier solution that satisfies the boundary conditions. The buckling results from the Ritz discrete analytical method are compared with smeared buckling results and with NASA Testbed finite element results. The development of layerwise shell and beam finite elements is presented and these elements are used to perform the displacement field, stress, and first-ply failure analyses. The layerwise shell elements are used to model the shell skin and the layerwise beam elements are used to model the stiffeners. This arrangement allows the beam stiffeners to be assembled directly into the global stiffness matrix. A series of analytical studies are made to compare the response of geodesically stiffened shells as a function of loading, shell geometry, shell radii, shell laminate thickness, stiffener height, and geometric nonlinearity. Comparisons of the structural response of geodesically stiffened shells, axial and ring stiffened shells, and unstiffened shells are provided. In addition, interlaminar stress results near the stiffener intersection are presented. First-ply failure analyses for geodesically stiffened shells utilizing the Tsai-Wu failure criterion are presented for a few selected cases.

Stimuli-responsive polyaniline coated silica microspheres and their electrorheology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Dae Eun; Choi, Hyoung Jin; Vu, Cuong Manh

2016-05-01

Silica/polyaniline (PANI) core-shell structured microspheres were synthesized by coating the surface of silica micro-beads with PANI and applied as a candidate inorganic/polymer composite electrorheological (ER) material. The silica micro-beads were initially modified using N-[(3-trimethoxysilyl)-propyl] aniline to activate an aniline functional group on the silica surface for a better PANI coating. The morphology of the PANI coating on the silica surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy and the silica/PANI core-shell structure was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The chemical structure of the particles was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Rotational rheometry was performed to confirm the difference in the ER properties between pure silica and silica/PANI microsphere-based ER fluids when dispersed in silicone oil.

Preparation, characterization, and optical properties of gold, silver, and gold-silver alloy nanoshells having silica cores.

PubMed

Kim, Jun-Hyun; Bryan, William W; Lee, T Randall

2008-10-07

This report describes the structural and optical properties of a series of spherical shell/core nanoparticles in which the shell is comprised of a thin layer of gold, silver, or gold-silver alloy, and the core is comprised of a monodispersed silica nanoparticle. The silica core particles were prepared using the Stöber method, functionalized with terminal amine groups, and then seeded with small gold nanoparticles (approximately 2 nm in diameter). The gold-seeded silica particles were coated with a layer of gold, silver, or gold-silver alloy via solution-phase reduction of an appropriate metal ion or mixture of metal ions. The size, morphology, and elemental composition of the composite nanoparticles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical properties of the nanoparticles were analyzed by UV-vis spectroscopy, which showed strong absorptions ranging from 400 nm into the near-IR region, where the position of the plasmon band reflected not only the thickness of the metal shell, but also the nature of the metal comprising the shell. Importantly, the results demonstrate a new strategy for tuning the position of the plasmon resonance without having to vary the core diameter or the shell thickness.

Preparation of SiO2/(PMMA/Fe3O4) from monolayer linolenic acid modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles via miniemulsion polymerization.

PubMed

He, Lei; Li, Zhiyang; Fu, Jing; Deng, Yan; He, Nongyue; Wang, Zhifei; Wang, Hua; Shi, Zhiyang; Wang, Zunliang

2009-10-01

SiO2/(PMMA/Fe3O4) composite particles were prepared from linolenic acid (LA) instead of oleic acid (OA) modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles by miniemulsion polymerization. LA has three unsaturated double bonds with which it can polymerizate more easily than OA. And coating Fe3O4 with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymer beforehand can prevent magnetic nanoparticles from the aggregation that usually comes from the increasing of ionic strength during the hydrolyzation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) by the steric hindrance. Finally, the resulting PMMA/Fe3O4 nanoparticles were coated with silica, forming SiO2/(PMMA/Fe3O4) core-shell structure particles. The sizes of nanoparticles with core-shell structure were in the range from 300 to 600 nm. The nanoparticles were spherical particles and had consistent size. The result of magnetic measurement showed that the composite particles had superparamagnetic property.

Reliability analysis of laminated CMC components through shell subelement techniques

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Starlinger, A.; Duffy, S. F.; Gyekenyesi, J. P.

1992-01-01

An updated version of the integrated design program C/CARES (composite ceramic analysis and reliability evaluation of structures) was developed for the reliability evaluation of CMC laminated shell components. The algorithm is now split in two modules: a finite-element data interface program and a reliability evaluation algorithm. More flexibility is achieved, allowing for easy implementation with various finite-element programs. The new interface program from the finite-element code MARC also includes the option of using hybrid laminates and allows for variations in temperature fields throughout the component.

Liquid-phase deposition of TiO2 nanoparticles on core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2 spheres: preparation, characterization, and photocatalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Jian-Qi; Guo, Shao-Bo; Guo, Xiao-Hua; Ge, Hong-Guang

2015-07-01

To prevent and avoid magnetic loss caused by magnetite core phase transition involving in high-temperature crystallization of amorphous sol-gel TiO2, core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2@TiO2 composite spheres were synthesized via non-thermal process of TiO2. First, core-shell Fe3O4@SiO2 particles were synthesized through a solvothermal method followed by a sol-gel process. Second, anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were directly coated on Fe3O4@SiO2 surface by liquid-phase deposition method, which uses (NH4)2TiF6 as Ti source for TiO2 and H3BO3 as scavenger for F- ions at 50 °C. The morphology, structure, composition, and magnetism of the resulting composites were characterized and their photocatalytic activities were also evaluated. The results demonstrate that TiO2 NPs with an average size of 6-8 nm were uniformly deposited on the Fe3O4@SiO2 surface. Magnetic hysteresis curves indicate that the composite spheres exhibit superparamagnetic characteristics with a magnetic saturation of 32.5 emu/g at room temperature. The magnetic TiO2 composites show high photocatalytic performance and can be recycled five times by magnetic separation without major loss of activity, which meant that they can be used as efficient and conveniently renewable photocatalyst.

Enhancing the microwave absorption properties of amorphous CoO nanosheet-coated Co (hexagonal and cubic phases) through interfacial polarizations.

PubMed

Deng, Jiushuai; Li, Shimei; Zhou, Yuanyuan; Liang, Luyang; Zhao, Biao; Zhang, Xi; Zhang, Rui

2018-01-01

Core-shell flower-like composites were successfully prepared by a simple polyol method. These composites were formed by coating dual-phased (face-centered cubic [fcc] and hexagonal close-packed [hcp]) Co with amorphous CoO nanosheets. The microwave absorption properties of the flower-like Co@CoO paraffin composites with various Co@CoO amounts were then investigated. Results showed that the paraffin-based composite containing 70wt% flower-like Co@CoO displayed excellent microwave absorption properties (R E =24.74dB·GHz/mm). The minimum reflection loss of -30.4dB was obtained at 16.1GHz with a small thickness of 1.5mm, and 1.5mm bandwidth reached 4.6GHz (13.4-18GHz) below -10dB (90% microwave absorption). The excellent microwave absorption properties of flower-like Co@CoO are attributed to the synergetic effect between magnetic loss and dielectric loss, and the magnetic loss makes a main contribution to absorption. The core-shell flower-like structures with dual Co phases also contributed to microwave absorption. The amorphous CoO nanosheets were able to generate multiple reflections and exhibit scattering. In addition, the novel absorption mechanism that enhanced interfacial polarization was proposed. This enhancement resulted from the presence of interfaces between the hcp and fcc phases and between the core-shell Co@CoO composites. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of the Semiconductor Quantum Dot Shell Structure on Fluorescence Quenching by Acridine Ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Linkov, P. A.; Vokhmintcev, K. V.; Samokhvalov, P. S.; Laronze-Cochard, M.; Sapi, J.; Nabiev, I. R.

2018-02-01

The main line of research in cancer treatment is the development of methods for early diagnosis and targeted drug delivery to cancer cells. Fluorescent semiconductor core/shell nanocrystals of quantum dots (e.g., CdSe/ZnS) conjugated with an anticancer drug, e.g., an acridine derivative, allow real-time tracking and control of the process of the drug delivery to tumors. However, linking of acridine derivatives to a quantum dot can be accompanied by quantum dot fluorescence quenching caused by electron transfer from the quantum dot to the organic molecule. In this work, it has been shown that the structure of the shell of the quantum dot plays the decisive role in the process of photoinduced charge transfer from the quantum dot to the acridine ligand, which is responsible for fluorescence quenching. It has been shown that multicomponent ZnS/CdS/ZnS shells of CdSe cores of quantum dots, which have a relatively small thickness, make it possible to significantly suppress a decrease in the quantum yield of fluorescence of quantum dots as compared to both the classical ZnS thin shell and superthick shells of the same composition. Thus, core/multicomponent shell CdSe/ZnS/CdS/ZnS quantum dots can be used as optimal fluorescent probes for the development of systems for diagnosis and treatment of cancer with the use of anticancer compounds based on acridine derivatives.

A mineralogical record of ocean change: Decadal and centennial patterns in the California mussel.

PubMed

McCoy, Sophie J; Kamenos, Nicholas A; Chung, Peter; Wootton, Timothy J; Pfister, Catherine A

2018-06-01

Ocean acidification, a product of increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, may already have affected calcified organisms in the coastal zone, such as bivalves and other shellfish. Understanding species' responses to climate change requires the context of long-term dynamics. This can be particularly difficult given the longevity of many important species in contrast with the relatively rapid onset of environmental changes. Here, we present a unique archival dataset of mussel shells from a locale with recent environmental monitoring and historical climate reconstructions. We compare shell structure and composition in modern mussels, mussels from the 1970s, and mussel shells dating back to 1000-2420 years BP. Shell mineralogy has changed dramatically over the past 15 years, despite evidence for consistent mineral structure in the California mussel, Mytilus californianus, over the prior 2500 years. We present evidence for increased disorder in the calcium carbonate shells of mussels and greater variability between individuals. These changes in the last decade contrast markedly from a background of consistent shell mineralogy for centuries. Our results use an archival record of natural specimens to provide centennial-scale context for altered minerology and variability in shell features as a response to acidification stress and illustrate the utility of long-term studies and archival records in global change ecology. Increased variability between individuals is an emerging pattern in climate change responses, which may equally expose the vulnerability of organisms and the potential of populations for resilience. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

A rapidly evolving secretome builds and patterns a sea shell

PubMed Central

Jackson, Daniel J; McDougall, Carmel; Green, Kathryn; Simpson, Fiona; Wörheide, Gert; Degnan, Bernard M

2006-01-01

Background Instructions to fabricate mineralized structures with distinct nanoscale architectures, such as seashells and coral and vertebrate skeletons, are encoded in the genomes of a wide variety of animals. In mollusks, the mantle is responsible for the extracellular production of the shell, directing the ordered biomineralization of CaCO3 and the deposition of architectural and color patterns. The evolutionary origins of the ability to synthesize calcified structures across various metazoan taxa remain obscure, with only a small number of protein families identified from molluskan shells. The recent sequencing of a wide range of metazoan genomes coupled with the analysis of gene expression in non-model animals has allowed us to investigate the evolution and process of biomineralization in gastropod mollusks. Results Here we show that over 25% of the genes expressed in the mantle of the vetigastropod Haliotis asinina encode secreted proteins, indicating that hundreds of proteins are likely to be contributing to shell fabrication and patterning. Almost 85% of the secretome encodes novel proteins; remarkably, only 19% of these have identifiable homologues in the full genome of the patellogastropod Lottia scutum. The spatial expression profiles of mantle genes that belong to the secretome is restricted to discrete mantle zones, with each zone responsible for the fabrication of one of the structural layers of the shell. Patterned expression of a subset of genes along the length of the mantle is indicative of roles in shell ornamentation. For example, Has-sometsuke maps precisely to pigmentation patterns in the shell, providing the first case of a gene product to be involved in molluskan shell pigmentation. We also describe the expression of two novel genes involved in nacre (mother of pearl) deposition. Conclusion The unexpected complexity and evolvability of this secretome and the modular design of the molluskan mantle enables diversification of shell strength and design, and as such must contribute to the variety of adaptive architectures and colors found in mollusk shells. The composition of this novel mantle-specific secretome suggests that there are significant molecular differences in the ways in which gastropods synthesize their shells. PMID:17121673

Silicon as a potential anode material for Li-ion batteries: where size, geometry and structure matter.

PubMed

Ashuri, Maziar; He, Qianran; Shaw, Leon L

2016-01-07

Silicon has attracted huge attention in the last decade because it has a theoretical capacity ∼10 times that of graphite. However, the practical application of Si is hindered by three major challenges: large volume expansion during cycling (∼300%), low electrical conductivity, and instability of the SEI layer caused by repeated volume changes of the Si material. Significant research efforts have been devoted to addressing these challenges, and significant breakthroughs have been made particularly in the last two years (2014 and 2015). In this review, we have focused on the principles of Si material design, novel synthesis methods to achieve such structural designs, and the synthesis-structure-performance relationships to enhance the properties of Si anodes. To provide a systematic overview of the Si material design strategies, we have grouped the design strategies into several categories: (i) particle-based structures (containing nanoparticles, solid core-shell structures, hollow core-shell structures, and yolk-shell structures), (ii) porous Si designs, (iii) nanowires, nanotubes and nanofibers, (iv) Si-based composites, and (v) unusual designs. Finally, our personal perspectives on outlook are offered with an aim to stimulate further discussion and ideas on the rational design of durable and high performance Si anodes for the next generation Li-ion batteries in the near future.

Multi-walled carbon/IF-WS2 nanoparticles with improved thermal properties.

PubMed

Xu, Fang; Almeida, Trevor P; Chang, Hong; Xia, Yongde; Wears, M Lesley; Zhu, Yanqiu

2013-11-07

A unique new class of core-shell structured composite nanoparticles, C-coated inorganic fullerene-like WS2 (IF-WS2) hollow nanoparticles, has been created for the first time in large quantities, by a continuous chemical vapour deposition method using a rotary furnace. Transmission electron microscopy and Raman characterisations of the resulting samples reveal that the composite nanoparticles exhibited a uniform shell of carbon coating, ranging from 2-5 nm on the IF-WS2 core, with little or no agglomeration. Importantly, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analysis confirm that their thermal stability against oxidation in air has been improved by about 70 °C, compared to the pristine IF-WS2, making these new C-coated IF-WS2 nanoparticles more attractive for critical engineering applications.

Static, free vibration and thermal analysis of composite plates and shells using a flat triangular shell element

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kapania, R. K.; Mohan, P.

1996-09-01

Finite element static, free vibration and thermal analysis of thin laminated plates and shells using a three noded triangular flat shell element is presented. The flat shell element is a combination of the Discrete Kirchhoff Theory (DKT) plate bending element and a membrane element derived from the Linear Strain Triangular (LST) element with a total of 18 degrees of freedom (3 translations and 3 rotations per node). Explicit formulations are used for the membrane, bending and membrane-bending coupling stiffness matrices and the thermal load vector. Due to a strong analogy between the induced strain caused by the thermal field and the strain induced in a structure due to an electric field the present formulation is readily applicable for the analysis of structures excited by surface bonded or embedded piezoelectric actuators. The results are presented for (i) static analysis of (a) simply supported square plates under doubly sinusoidal load and uniformly distributed load (b) simply supported spherical shells under a uniformly distributed load, (ii) free vibration analysis of (a) square cantilever plates, (b) skew cantilever plates and (c) simply supported spherical shells; (iii) Thermal deformation analysis of (a) simply supported square plates, (b) simply supported-clamped square plate and (c) simply supported spherical shells. A numerical example is also presented demonstrating the application of the present formulation to analyse a symmetrically laminated graphite/epoxy laminate excited by a layer of piezoelectric polyvinylidene flouride (PVDF). The results presented are in good agreement with those available in the literature.

Development of core-shell coaxially electrospun composite PCL/chitosan scaffolds.

PubMed

Surucu, Seda; Turkoglu Sasmazel, Hilal

2016-11-01

This study was related to combining of synthetic Poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and natural chitosan polymers to develop three dimensional (3D) PCL/chitosan core-shell scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. The scaffolds were fabricated with coaxial electrospinning technique and the characterizations of the samples were done by thickness and contact angle (CA) measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, mechanical and PBS absorption and shrinkage tests. The average inter-fiber diameter values were calculated for PCL (0.717±0.001μm), chitosan (0.660±0.007μm) and PCL/chitosan core-shell scaffolds (0.412±0.003μm), also the average inter-fiber pore size values exhibited decreases of 66.91% and 61.90% for the PCL and chitosan scaffolds respectively, compared to PCL/chitosan core-shell ones. XPS analysis of the PCL/chitosan core-shell structures exhibited the characteristic peaks of PCL and chitosan polymers. The cell culture studies (MTT assay, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) and SEM analyses) carried out with L929 ATCC CCL-1 mouse fibroblast cell line proved that the biocompatibility performance of the scaffolds. The obtained results showed that the created micro/nano fibrous structure of the PCL/chitosan core-shell scaffolds in this study increased the cell viability and proliferation on/within scaffolds. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of calcination temperature for rate capability of triple-shelled ZnFe2O4 hollow microspheres for lithium ion battery anodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwang, Hojin; Shin, Haeun; Lee, Wan-Jin

2017-04-01

Triple-shelled ZnFe2O4 hollow microspheres (ZFO) as anode materials for lithium ion battery are prepared through a one-pot hydrothermal reaction using the composite solution consisting of sucrose in water and metal ions in ethylene glycol (EG), followed by different calcination processes. The architectures of ZFO micro spheres are differently synthesized through a mutual cooperation of inward and outward ripening with three different calcination temperatures. Thin triple-shelled ZnFe2O4 hollow microspheres calcined at 450 °C (ZFO-450) delivers a high reversible capacity of 932 mA h g-1 at a current density of 2 A g-1 even at the 200th cycle without obvious decay. Furthermore, ZFO-450 delivers 1235, 1005, 865, 834, and 845 mA h g-1 at high current densities of 0.5, 2, 5, 10, and 20 A g-1 after 100 cycles. Thin triple-shelled hollow microsphere prepared at an optimum calcination temperature provides exceptional rate capability and outstanding rate retention due to (i) the formation of nanoparticles leading to thin shell with morphological integrity, (ii) the facile mass transfer by thin shell with mesoporous structure, and (iii) the void space with macroporous structure alleviating volume change occurring during cycling.

Effects of calcination temperature for rate capability of triple-shelled ZnFe2O4 hollow microspheres for lithium ion battery anodes

PubMed Central

Hwang, Hojin; Shin, Haeun; Lee, Wan-Jin

2017-01-01

Triple-shelled ZnFe2O4 hollow microspheres (ZFO) as anode materials for lithium ion battery are prepared through a one-pot hydrothermal reaction using the composite solution consisting of sucrose in water and metal ions in ethylene glycol (EG), followed by different calcination processes. The architectures of ZFO micro spheres are differently synthesized through a mutual cooperation of inward and outward ripening with three different calcination temperatures. Thin triple-shelled ZnFe2O4 hollow microspheres calcined at 450 °C (ZFO-450) delivers a high reversible capacity of 932 mA h g−1 at a current density of 2 A g−1 even at the 200th cycle without obvious decay. Furthermore, ZFO-450 delivers 1235, 1005, 865, 834, and 845 mA h g−1 at high current densities of 0.5, 2, 5, 10, and 20 A g−1 after 100 cycles. Thin triple-shelled hollow microsphere prepared at an optimum calcination temperature provides exceptional rate capability and outstanding rate retention due to (i) the formation of nanoparticles leading to thin shell with morphological integrity, (ii) the facile mass transfer by thin shell with mesoporous structure, and (iii) the void space with macroporous structure alleviating volume change occurring during cycling. PMID:28418001

Core-shell microstructured nanocomposites for synergistic adjustment of environmental temperature and humidity

PubMed Central

Zhang, Haiquan; Yuan, Yanping; Zhang, Nan; Sun, Qingrong; Cao, Xiaoling

2016-01-01

The adjustment of temperature and humidity is of great importance in a variety of fields. Composites that can perform both functions are prepared by mixing phase change materials (PCMs) with hygroscopic materials. However, the contact area between the adsorbent and humid air is inevitably decreased in such structures, which reduces the number of mass transfer channels for water vapor. An approach entailing the increase in the mass ratio of the adsorbent is presented here to improve the adsorption capacity. A core-shell CuSO4/polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanomaterial was developed to satisfy the conflicting requirements of temperature control and dehumidification. The results show that the equilibrium adsorption capacity of the PEG coating layer was enhanced by a factor of 188 compared with that of the pure PEG powder. The coating layer easily concentrates vapor, providing better adsorption properties for the composite. Furthermore, the volume modification of the CuSO4 matrix was reduced by 80% by the PEG coated layer, a factor that increases the stability of the composite. For the phase change process, the crystallization temperature of the coating layer was adjusted between 37.2 and 46.3 °C by interfacial tension. The core-shell CuSO4/PEG composite reported here provides a new general approach for the simultaneous control of temperature and humidity. PMID:27845371

Photocatalytic activity of Ag/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles with shell thickness as controlling parameter under green environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajbongshi, Himanshu; Bhattacharjee, Suparna; Datta, Pranayee

2017-02-01

Plasmonic Ag/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles have been synthesized via a simple two-step wet chemical method for application in Photocatalysis. The morphology, size, crystal structure, composition and optical properties of the nanoparticles are investigated by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The shell thicknesses are varied by varying the concentration of zinc nitrate hexa-hydrate and triethanolamine. The ZnO shell coating over Ag core enhances the charge separation, whereas the larger shell thickness and increased refractive index of surrounding medium cause red shifts of surface Plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of Ag core. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Ag/ZnO core-shell show that the larger shell thickness quenches the near band edge UV emission of ZnO. The electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) i.e. Nyquist plots also confirm the higher charge transfer efficiency of the Ag/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles. The Photocatalytic activities of Ag/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles are investigated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under direct sunlight irradiation. Compared to pure ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), Ag/ZnO core-shell NPs display efficient sunlight plasmonic photocatalytic activity because of the influence of SPR of Ag core and the electron sink effect. The photocatalytic activity of Ag/ZnO core-shell NPs is found to be enhanced with increase in shell thickness.

Hierarchically Enhanced Impact Resistance of Bioinspired Composites.

PubMed

Gu, Grace X; Takaffoli, Mahdi; Buehler, Markus J

2017-07-01

An order of magnitude tougher than nacre, conch shells are known for being one of the toughest body armors in nature. However, the complexity of the conch shell architecture creates a barrier to emulating its cross-lamellar structure in synthetic materials. Here, a 3D biomimetic conch shell prototype is presented, which can replicate the crack arresting mechanisms embedded in the natural architecture. Through an integrated approach combining simulation, additive manufacturing, and drop tower testing, the function of hierarchy in conch shell's multiscale microarchitectures is explicated. The results show that adding the second level of cross-lamellar hierarchy can boost impact performance by 70% and 85% compared to a single-level hierarchy and the stiff constituent, respectively. The overarching mechanism responsible for the impact resistance of conch shell is the generation of pathways for crack deviation, which can be generalized to the design of future protective apparatus such as helmets and body armor. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Deformation and stress response of composite laminated shells under internal pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yuan, F. G.

1991-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical study of the response of filament wound composite shells under internal pressure. Each layer of the material is generally cylindrically anisotropic. By using cylindrically anisotropic elasticity field equations and Lekhnitskii's stress functions, a system of sixth-order ordinary differential equations is obtained. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the laminated composite shells under internal pressure are discussed. Two composite systems, graphite/epoxy and glass/epoxy, are selected to demonstrate the influence of degree of material anisotropy and fiber orientations on the axial and induced twisting deformation. Stress distributions of (45/-45)s symmetric angle-ply fiber-reinforced laminated shells are shown to illustrate the effect of radius-to-thickness ratio.

Formation of Double-Shelled Zinc-Cobalt Sulfide Dodecahedral Cages from Bimetallic Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks for Hybrid Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Zhang, Peng; Guan, Bu Yuan; Yu, Le; Lou, Xiong Wen David

2017-06-12

Complex metal-organic frameworks used as precursors allow design and construction of various nanostructured functional materials which might not be accessible by other methods. Here, we develop a sequential chemical etching and sulfurization strategy to prepare well-defined double-shelled zinc-cobalt sulfide (Zn-Co-S) rhombic dodecahedral cages (RDCs). Yolk-shelled zinc/cobalt-based zeolitic imidazolate framework (Zn/Co-ZIF) RDCs are first synthesized by a controlled chemical etching process, followed by a hydrothermal sulfurization reaction to prepare double-shelled Zn-Co-S RDCs. Moreover, the strategy reported in this work enables easy control of the Zn/Co molar ratio in the obtained double-shelled Zn-Co-S RDCs. Owing to the structural and compositional benefits, the obtained double-shelled Zn-Co-S RDCs exhibit enhanced performance with high specific capacitance (1266 F g -1 at 1 A g -1 ), good rate capability and long-term cycling stability (91 % retention over 10,000 cycles) as a battery-type electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Preparation of ZnS@In2S3 Core@shell Composite for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Gaseous o-Dichlorobenzene under Visible Light.

PubMed

Liu, Baojun; Hu, Xia; Li, Xinyong; Li, Ying; Chen, Chang; Lam, Kwok-Ho

2017-11-27

In this study, novel ZnS@In 2 S 3 core@shell hollow nanospheres were fabricated by a facile refluxing method for the first time, and the formation mechanism of hollow structure with interior architecture was discussed based on ion-exchange Ostwald ripening. As the photocatalytic material for degradation of gaseous o-Dichlorobenzene (o-DCB), the as-synthesized core@shell hollow nanospheres were found to show significantly enhanced catalytic performance for effective separation of photo-generated charges. Moreover, the mechanisms of enhanced activity were elucidated by band alignment and unique configuration. Such photocatalyst would meet the demands for the control of persistent organic pollutant (POPs) in the atmospheric environment.

Thresholds of motion of shell debris under unidirectional flow: influence of faunal composition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rieux, A.; Weill, P.; Mouazé, D.; Poirier, C.; Tessier, B.

2017-12-01

Quantifying bottom sediment erodibility is necessary to refine understanding of coastal processes and fossil records. Coastal sediments are partly composed of biogenic particles, which shape and density differ from rounded quartz grain and vary between species. Numerous studies have investigated the hydrodynamic behaviour of bioclastic sediments derived from reef-dwelling organisms, but research focusing on "cool-water carbonate" bioclastic particles (i.e. mollusc shell debris, calcareous algae, …) are rare. The present study aims in characterizing the influence of faunal composition on the entrainment threshold of mollusc shell debris from temperate regions. Shells have been sampled on shelly ridges in the southern coast of the Mont-Saint-Michel bay (NW France), before being ground and separated into individual sieve fractions. Eight species, representative of the local faunal composition, have been studied: four wild (cockle, furrow shell, saddle oyster, flat oyster), three reared (japanese oyster, mussel, manila clam) and one introduced (slipper limpet) species. Experiments for defining the threshold of motion of all samples were conducted in a small recirculating flume, under unidirectional current, and using an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter Profiler. Critical bed shear stress values (τcr) were derived from velocity profiles in the boundary layer, by a logarithmic regression of the "law of the wall". Depending on the species, the evolution of τcr with increasing grain diameters follows either an asymptotic or a more linear trend. Differences between species can be discerned: saddle oyster, japanese oyster and flat oyster show the smallest τcr, slipper limpet, furrow shell and mussel have an intermediate τcr and cockle and manila clam the highest τcr. For the 2-3.15 mm fraction, τcr ranges from 0.38 N.m-2 (saddle oyster) to 2.13 N.m-2 (cockle). Oyster shells (japanese and flat oysters) are composed of foliated sheets of calcite, interbedded with soft, porous and chalky material. These two components present different thresholds of motion (e.g. for 2-3.15 mm sieve fraction: 0.54 N.m-2 for the chalky material to 1.08 N.m-2 for the foliated calcite sheets). Variations in hydrodynamic behaviour are attributed to a combination of differences in shell density, shell structure and grain shape.

Block coordination copolymers

DOEpatents

Koh, Kyoung Moo; Wong-Foy, Antek G; Matzger, Adam J; Benin, Annabelle I; Willis, Richard R

2014-11-11

The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.

Urchin-like TiO₂@C core-shell microspheres: coupled synthesis and lithium-ion battery applications.

PubMed

Liu, Zhenyu; Liu, Jing; Liu, Junfeng; Wang, Li; Zhang, Guoxin; Sun, Xiaoming

2014-05-21

Carbon coated urchin-like TiO2 microspheres were prepared through coupled hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride and catalyzed carbonization of glucose. Carbon coating endowed the composite with unusual structural stability at high temperature and reasonable Li-ion battery performance.

Block coordination copolymers

DOEpatents

Koh, Kyoung Moo; Wong-Foy, Antek G.; Matzger, Adam J.; Benin, Annabelle I.; Willis, Richard R.

2012-12-04

The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.

Block coordination copolymers

DOEpatents

Koh, Kyoung Moo; Wong-Foy, Antek G; Matzger, Adam J; Benin, Annabelle I; Willis, Richard R

2012-11-13

The present invention provides compositions of crystalline coordination copolymers wherein multiple organic molecules are assembled to produce porous framework materials with layered or core-shell structures. These materials are synthesized by sequential growth techniques such as the seed growth technique. In addition, the invention provides a simple procedure for controlling functionality.

In-depth proteomic analysis of a mollusc shell: acid-soluble and acid-insoluble matrix of the limpet Lottia gigantea

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Invertebrate biominerals are characterized by their extraordinary functionality and physical properties, such as strength, stiffness and toughness that by far exceed those of the pure mineral component of such composites. This is attributed to the organic matrix, secreted by specialized cells, which pervades and envelops the mineral crystals. Despite the obvious importance of the protein fraction of the organic matrix, only few in-depth proteomic studies have been performed due to the lack of comprehensive protein sequence databases. The recent public release of the gastropod Lottia gigantea genome sequence and the associated protein sequence database provides for the first time the opportunity to do a state-of-the-art proteomic in-depth analysis of the organic matrix of a mollusc shell. Results Using three different sodium hypochlorite washing protocols before shell demineralization, a total of 569 proteins were identified in Lottia gigantea shell matrix. Of these, 311 were assembled in a consensus proteome comprising identifications contained in all proteomes irrespective of shell cleaning procedure. Some of these proteins were similar in amino acid sequence, amino acid composition, or domain structure to proteins identified previously in different bivalve or gastropod shells, such as BMSP, dermatopontin, nacrein, perlustrin, perlucin, or Pif. In addition there were dozens of previously uncharacterized proteins, many containing repeated short linear motifs or homorepeats. Such proteins may play a role in shell matrix construction or control of mineralization processes. Conclusions The organic matrix of Lottia gigantea shells is a complex mixture of proteins comprising possible homologs of some previously characterized mollusc shell proteins, but also many novel proteins with a possible function in biomineralization as framework building blocks or as regulatory components. We hope that this data set, the most comprehensive available at present, will provide a platform for the further exploration of biomineralization processes in molluscs. PMID:22540284

Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-CuxS double-shelled hollow spheres for enhanced chemo-/photothermal anti-cancer therapy and dual-modal imaging

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Dan; Yang, Guixin; Wang, Xingmei; Lv, Ruichan; Gai, Shili; He, Fei; Gulzar, Arif; Yang, Piaoping

2015-07-01

Multifunctional composites have gained significant interest due to their unique properties which show potential in biological imaging and therapeutics. However, the design of an efficient combination of multiple diagnostic and therapeutic modes is still a challenge. In this contribution, Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2 double-shelled hollow spheres (DSHSs) with up-conversion fluorescence have been successfully prepared through a facile integrated sacrifice template method, followed by a calcination process. It is found that the double-shelled structure with large specific surface area and uniform shape is composed of an inner shell of luminescent Y2O3:Yb,Er and an outer mesoporous silica shell. Ultra small CuxS nanoparticles (about 2.5 nm) served as photothermal agents, and a chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin, DOX) was then attached onto the surface of mesoporous silica, forming a DOX-DSHS-CuxS composite. The composite exhibits high anti-cancer efficacy due to the synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT) induced by the attached CuxS nanoparticles and the enhanced chemotherapy promoted by the heat from the CuxS-based PTT when irradiated by 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light. Moreover, the composite shows excellent in vitro and in vivo X-ray computed tomography (CT) and up-conversion fluorescence (UCL) imaging properties owing to the doped rare earth ions, thus making it possible to achieve the target of imaging-guided synergistic therapy.Multifunctional composites have gained significant interest due to their unique properties which show potential in biological imaging and therapeutics. However, the design of an efficient combination of multiple diagnostic and therapeutic modes is still a challenge. In this contribution, Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2 double-shelled hollow spheres (DSHSs) with up-conversion fluorescence have been successfully prepared through a facile integrated sacrifice template method, followed by a calcination process. It is found that the double-shelled structure with large specific surface area and uniform shape is composed of an inner shell of luminescent Y2O3:Yb,Er and an outer mesoporous silica shell. Ultra small CuxS nanoparticles (about 2.5 nm) served as photothermal agents, and a chemotherapeutic agent (doxorubicin, DOX) was then attached onto the surface of mesoporous silica, forming a DOX-DSHS-CuxS composite. The composite exhibits high anti-cancer efficacy due to the synergistic photothermal therapy (PTT) induced by the attached CuxS nanoparticles and the enhanced chemotherapy promoted by the heat from the CuxS-based PTT when irradiated by 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light. Moreover, the composite shows excellent in vitro and in vivo X-ray computed tomography (CT) and up-conversion fluorescence (UCL) imaging properties owing to the doped rare earth ions, thus making it possible to achieve the target of imaging-guided synergistic therapy. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: XRD patterns, zeta potential and FT-IR spectra of the samples obtained in different steps. N2 adsorption/desorption isotherm and the pore size distribution of Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-CuxS. Confocal images of HeLa cancer cells dyed with calcein AM and propidium iodide co-stained cells after treatment of Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-CuxS without or with 980 nm laser irradiation. CLSM images of HeLa cells incubated with DOX-Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-NH2-FA-CuxS-PEG and DOX-Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-NH2-CuxS-PEG for different times. The digital photographs of the H22 tumor-bearing Balb/c mice injected in situ with DOX-Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-NH2-FA-CuxS-PEG and DOX-Y2O3:Yb,Er@mSiO2-NH2-CuxS-PEG and the corresponding tumor sizes. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02269j

Advanced Concepts for Composite Structure Joints and Attachment Fittings. Volume I. Design and Evaluation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-01

interlaminar tension). The analysis is also influenced by other factors such as bolt location, washer/bolt size, fastener pattern, laminate thickness, corner...to reduce the cost of tooling were also studied. These include: * Pultrusion dies for under $5, 000 * Stable, accurate, low-cost chopped-fiber phenolic ...fittings were state-of- the-art methods developed for laminated composite plates, shells, beams, and columns as used in analyses of discontinuities, edge

Synthesis, Surface Studies, Composition and Structural Characterization of CdSe, Core/Shell, and Biologically Active Nanocrystals

PubMed Central

Rosenthal, Sandra J.; McBride, James; Pennycook, Stephen J.; Feldman, Leonard C.

2011-01-01

Nanostructures, with their very large surface to volume ratio and their non-planar geometry, present an important challenge to surface scientists. New issues arise as to surface characterization, quantification and interface formation. This review summarizes the current state of the art in the synthesis, composition, surface and interface control of CdSe nanocrystal systems, one of the most studied and useful nanostructures. PMID:21479151

Influence of surface morphology and UFG on damping and mechanical properties of composite reinforced with spinel MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}-SiC core-shell microcomposites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Subhash; Pal, Kaushik, E-mail: pl_kshk@yaho

Interface between ceramic particulate and matrix is known to control the response of the materials and functionality of the composite. Among numerous physical properties, grain structure of the materials has also played a significant role in defining the behaviour of metal matrix composites. Usually, silicon carbide (SiC) particles show poor interfacial wettability in aluminium melt. Herein, we were successfully synthesized magnesium oxide (MgO) and nanocrystalline magnesium aluminate (MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}) spinel coated silicon carbide (SiC) core-shell micro-composites through sol-gel technique to improve the wettability of dispersoids. Core-shell structures of submicron size were thoroughly investigated by various characterization techniques. Further, aluminiummore » matrix composites incorporated with pristine SiC, MgO grafted SiC and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} grafted SiC particles were fabricated by stir casting technique, respectively. Additionally, as-cast composites were processed via friction stir processing (FSP) technique to observe the influence of grain refinement on mechanical and damping properties. Electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were conducted for investigating grain size refinement, adequate dispersion, stability and de-agglomeration of encapsulated SiC particles in aluminium matrix. The mechanical as well as thermal cyclic (from − 100 to 400 °C) damping performance of the as-cast and friction stir processed composites were studied, respectively. Finally, the enhanced properties were attributable to reduced agglomeration, stabilization and proper dispersion of the tailored SiC particles Al matrix. - Highlights: •Synthesizing a novel coating layer of MgO and MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel onto SiC particles •Significant improvement in UTS and hardness by reinforcing tailored SiC in Al •Significant grain refinements were obtained through FSP •SiC/MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}/Al exhibits ~ 61% higher storage modulus as compare to pure Al after FSP.« less

The influence of diet on the δ 13C of shell carbon in the pulmonate snail Helix aspersa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stott, Lowell D.

2002-02-01

The influence of diet and atmospheric CO 2 on the carbon isotope composition of shell aragonite and shell-bound organic carbon in the pulmonate snail Helix aspersa raised in the laboratory was investigated. Three separate groups of snails were raised on romaine lettuce (C3 plant, δ 13C=-25.8‰), corn (C4 plant, δ 13C=-10.5‰), and sour orange ( 12C-enriched C3 plant, δ 13C=-39.1‰). The isotopic composition of body tissues closely tracked the isotopic composition of the snail diet as demonstrated previously. However, the isotopic composition of the acid insoluble organic matrix extracted from the aragonite shells does not track diet in all groups. In snails that were fed corn the isotopic composition of the organic matrix was more negative than the body by as much as 5‰ whereas the matrix was approximately 1‰ heavier than the body tissues in snails fed a diet of C3 plant material. These results indicate that isotopic composition of the organic matrix carbon cannot be used as an isotopic substrate for paleodietary reconstructions without first determining the source of the carbon and any associated fractionations. The isotopic composition of the shell aragonite is offset from the body tissues by 12.3‰ in each of the culture groups. This offset was not influenced by the consumption of carbonate and is not attributable to the diffusion of atmospheric CO 2 into the hemolymph. The carbon isotopic composition of shell aragonite is best explained in terms of equilibrium fractionations associated with exchange between metabolic CO 2 and HCO 3 in the hemolymph and the fractionation associated with carbonate precipitation. These results differ from previous studies, based primarily on samples collected in the field, that have suggested atmospheric carbon dioxide contributes significantly to the shell δ 13C. The culture results indicate that the δ 13C of aragonite is a good recorder of the isotopic composition of the snail body tissue, and therefore a better recorder of diet than is the insoluble shell organic carbon. Because the systematic fractionation of carbon isotopes within the snail is temperature dependent, the δ 13C of the shell could provide an independent technique for estimating paleotemperature changes.

Single-step generation of metal-plasma polymer multicore@shell nanoparticles from the gas phase.

PubMed

Solař, Pavel; Polonskyi, Oleksandr; Olbricht, Ansgar; Hinz, Alexander; Shelemin, Artem; Kylián, Ondřej; Choukourov, Andrei; Faupel, Franz; Biederman, Hynek

2017-08-17

Nanoparticles composed of multiple silver cores and a plasma polymer shell (multicore@shell) were prepared in a single step with a gas aggregation cluster source operating with Ar/hexamethyldisiloxane mixtures and optionally oxygen. The size distribution of the metal inclusions as well as the chemical composition and the thickness of the shells were found to be controlled by the composition of the working gas mixture. Shell matrices ranging from organosilicon plasma polymer to nearly stoichiometric SiO 2 were obtained. The method allows facile fabrication of multicore@shell nanoparticles with tailored functional properties, as demonstrated here with the optical response.

Preparation and characterization of polymer-coated core-shell structured magnetic microbeads

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Z. L.; Ding, Z. H.; Yao, K. L.; Tao, J.; Du, G. H.; Lu, Q. H.; Wang, X.; Gong, F. L.; Chen, X.

2003-09-01

Composite microbeads consisting of polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles are prepared by the microemulsion polymerization of styrene, divinyl benzene and methacrylic acid in the presence of emulsifiers. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis indicates the presence of -COOH groups and Fe 3O 4 of the microbeads. The amount of -COOH groups localized on the surface, which is about 0.15 mmol/g, is determined by conductometric titration. Transmission electron microscope picture reveals that the microbeads have a core-shell structure. The dissolving experiments of microbeads in hydrochloric acid and toluene further identify the core-shell structure. Optical microscope indicates that the magnetic microbeads have uniform and spherical forms with the size of 1-5 μm. Magnetic sensitivity measurement indicates that the microbeads can be used conveniently. Magnetic property measurement shows very little residual magnetization and coercivity, which are below 0.5 emu/g and around 15 Oe, respectively. The magnetic properties are greatly related to the particle sizes. The thermal gravity analysis result shows the improvement of thermal stability. The experiment of immobilized antibody indicates that the functional groups on the surface are appropriate.

Preparation and Characterization of WS2@SiO2 and WS2@PANI Core-Shell Nanocomposites

PubMed Central

Sade, Hagit

2018-01-01

Two tungsten disulfide (WS2)-based core-shell nanocomposites were fabricated using readily available reagents and simple procedures. The surface was pre-treated with a surfactant couple in a layer-by-layer approach, enabling good dispersion of the WS2 nanostructures in aqueous media and providing a template for the polymerization of a silica (SiO2) shell. After a Stöber-like reaction, a conformal silica coating was achieved. Inspired by the resulting nanocomposite, a second one was prepared by reacting the surfactant-modified WS2 nanostructures with aniline and an oxidizing agent in an aqueous medium. Here too, a conformal coating of polyaniline (PANI) was obtained, giving a WS2@PANI nanocomposite. Both nanocomposites were analyzed by electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and FTIR, verifying the core-shell structure and the character of shells. The silica shell was amorphous and mesoporous and the surface area of the composite increases with shell thickness. Polyaniline shells slightly differ in their morphologies dependent on the acid used in the polymerization process and are amorphous like the silica shell. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of the WS2@PANI nanocomposite showed variation between bulk PANI and the PANI shell. These two nanocomposites have great potential to expand the use of transition metals dichalcogenides (TMDCs) for new applications in different fields. PMID:29534426

Structure determination in 55-atom Li-Na and Na-K nanoalloys.

PubMed

Aguado, Andrés; López, José M

2010-09-07

The structure of 55-atom Li-Na and Na-K nanoalloys is determined through combined empirical potential (EP) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The potential energy surface generated by the EP model is extensively sampled by using the basin hopping technique, and a wide diversity of structural motifs is reoptimized at the DFT level. A composition comparison technique is applied at the DFT level in order to make a final refinement of the global minimum structures. For dilute concentrations of one of the alkali atoms, the structure of the pure metal cluster, namely, a perfect Mackay icosahedron, remains stable, with the minority component atoms entering the host cluster as substitutional impurities. At intermediate concentrations, the nanoalloys adopt instead a core-shell polyicosahedral (p-Ih) packing, where the element with smaller atomic size and larger cohesive energy segregates to the cluster core. The p-Ih structures show a marked prolate deformation, in agreement with the predictions of jelliumlike models. The electronic preference for a prolate cluster shape, which is frustrated in the 55-atom pure clusters due to the icosahedral geometrical shell closing, is therefore realized only in the 55-atom nanoalloys. An analysis of the electronic densities of states suggests that photoelectron spectroscopy would be a sufficiently sensitive technique to assess the structures of nanoalloys with fixed size and varying compositions.

Composite laminated shells under internal pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yuan, F. G.

1992-01-01

A theoretical study is conducted of the response of filament-wound composite shells under internal pressure; a system of sixth-order ordinary differential equations is obtained by means of the cylindrically anisotropic elasticity field equations and Lekhnitskii's (1963) stress functions. The general expressions for the stresses and displacements in the laminated composite shells under internal pressure are discussed. Attention is given to the influence of the degree of material anisotropy and fiber orientation on the axial and induced twisting deformation.

In Situ Generation of Pd-Pt Core-Shell Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphene Oxide (Pd@Pt/rGO) Using Microwaves: Applications in Dehalogenation Reactions and Reduction of Olefins.

PubMed

Goswami, Anandarup; Rathi, Anuj K; Aparicio, Claudia; Tomanec, Ondrej; Petr, Martin; Pocklanova, Radka; Gawande, Manoj B; Varma, Rajender S; Zboril, Radek

2017-01-25

Core-shell nanocatalysts are a distinctive class of nanomaterials with varied potential applications in view of their unique structure, composition-dependent physicochemical properties, and promising synergism among the individual components. A one-pot microwave (MW)-assisted approach is described to prepare the reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-supported Pd-Pt core-shell nanoparticles, (Pd@Pt/rGO); spherical core-shell nanomaterials (∼95 nm) with Pd core (∼80 nm) and 15 nm Pt shell were nicely distributed on the rGO matrix in view of the choice of reductant and reaction conditions. The well-characterized composite nanomaterials, endowed with synergism among its components and rGO support, served as catalysts in aromatic dehalogenation reactions and for the reduction of olefins with high yield (>98%), excellent selectivity (>98%) and recyclability (up to 5 times); both Pt/rGO and Pd/rGO and even their physical mixtures showed considerably lower conversions (20 and 57%) in dehalogenation of 3-bromoaniline. Similarly, in the reduction of styrene to ethylbenzene, Pd@Pt core-shell nanoparticles (without rGO support) possess considerably lower conversion (60%) compared to Pd@Pt/rGO. The mechanism of dehalogenation reactions with Pd@Pt/rGO catalyst is discussed with the explicit premise that rGO matrix facilitates the adsorption of the reducing agent, thus enhancing its local concentration and expediting the hydrazine decomposition rate. The versatility of the catalyst has been validated via diverse substrate scope for both reduction and dehalogenation reactions.

Diagenetic changes in the elemental composition of unrecrystallized mollusk shells

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ragland, P.C.; Pilkey, O.H.; Blackwelder, B. W.

1979-01-01

The Mg, Sr, Mn, Fe, Na and K contents were determined for 230 apparently unrecrystallized mollusk shells (gastropods and bivalves) ranging in age from late Cretaceous to Holocene. Consistent differences between the Holocene and fossil shells with respect to concentrations of all these elements are attributed to postburial diagenetic changes. Fossil-Holocene shell comparisons are made on the intergeneric level, a more severe test of compositional differences than was previous work involved with few species. The observed differences re-emphasize the need for extreme caution in the use of the many geochemical tools which assume that no compositional changes have taken place prior to recrystallization of calcareous materials. ?? 1979.

Crystal and Magnetic Structures in Layered, Transition Metal Dihalides and Trihalides

DOE PAGES

McGuire, Michael A.

2017-04-27

Materials composed of two dimensional layers bonded to one another through weak van der Waals interactions often exhibit strongly anisotropic behaviors and can be cleaved into very thin specimens and sometimes into monolayer crystals. Interest in such materials is driven by the study of low dimensional physics and the design of functional heterostructures. Binary compounds with the compositions MX 2 and MX 3 where M is a metal cation and X is a halogen anion often form such structures. Magnetism can be incorporated by choosing a transition metal with a partially filled d-shell for M, enabling ferroic responses for enhancedmore » functionality. Here we give a brief overview of binary transition metal dihalides and trihalides, summarizing their crystallographic properties and long-range-ordered magnetic structures, focusing on those materials with layered crystal structures and partially filled d-shells required for combining low dimensionality and cleavability with magnetism.« less

One-step triple-phase interfacial synthesis of polyaniline-coated polypyrrole composite and its application as electrode materials for supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Wen; He, Ping; Zhang, Susu; Dong, Faqin; Ma, Yongjun

2014-11-01

We first present an alternative one-step route for constructing a novel polyaniline (PANI)-coated polypyrrole (PPy) composite in an ingenious triple-phase interface system, where PPy and PANI are prepared in individual non-interference interfaces and, in the middle aqueous phase, smaller PANI particles are uniformly coated on the surface of PPy particles, forming a core-shell structure. The prepared PPy/PANI composite electrode shows a superior capacitance behavior that is more suitable for supercapacitor application.

ZnS-Sb2S3@C Core-Double Shell Polyhedron Structure Derived from Metal-Organic Framework as Anodes for High Performance Sodium Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Dong, Shihua; Li, Caixia; Ge, Xiaoli; Li, Zhaoqiang; Miao, Xianguang; Yin, Longwei

2017-06-27

Taking advantage of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8), ZnS-Sb 2 S 3 @C core-double shell polyhedron structure is synthesized through a sulfurization reaction between Zn 2+ dissociated from ZIF-8 and S 2- from thioacetamide (TAA), and subsequently a metal cation exchange process between Zn 2+ and Sb 3+ , in which carbon layer is introduced from polymeric resorcinol-formaldehyde to prevent the collapse of the polyhedron. The polyhedron composite with a ZnS inner-core and Sb 2 S 3 /C double-shell as anode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) shows us a significantly improved electrochemical performance with stable cycle stability, high Coulombic efficiency and specific capacity. Peculiarly, introducing a carbon shell not only acts as an important protective layer to form a rigid construction and accommodate the volume changes, but also improves the electronic conductivity to optimize the stable cycle performance and the excellent rate property. The architecture composed of ZnS inner core and a complex Sb 2 S 3 /C shell not only facilitates the facile electrolyte infiltration to reduce the Na-ion diffusion length to improve the electrochemical reaction kinetics, but also prevents the structure pulverization caused by Na-ion insertion/extraction. This approach to prepare metal sulfides based on MOFs can be further extended to design other nanostructured systems for high performance energy storage devices.

Self-template synthesis of double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres for electrochemical energy storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Chengzhen; Ru, Qinglong; Kang, Xiaoting; Hou, Haiyan; Cheng, Cheng; Zhang, Daojun

2018-03-01

In this work, double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres have been achieved via a simple self-template route, which involves the synthesis of Zn-Ni solid spheres precursors as the self-template and then transformation into double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres by sulfidation treatment. The as-prepared double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97 hollow spheres possess a high surface area (105.26 m2 g-1) and porous structures. Benefiting from the combined characteristics of novel structures, multi-component, high surface area and porous. When applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors, the double shelled ZnS-NiS1.97hollow spheres deliver a large specific capacitance of 696.8C g-1 at 5.0 A g-1 and a remarkable long lifespan cycling stability (less 5.5% loss after 6000 cycles). Moreover, an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was assembled by utilizing ZnS-NiS1.97 (positive electrode) and activated carbon (negative electrode) as electrode materials. The as-assembled device possesses an energy density of 36 W h kg-1, which can be yet retained 25.6 W h kg-1 even at a power density of 2173.8 W Kg-1, indicating its promising applications in electrochemical energy storage. More importantly, the self-template route is a simple and versatile strategy for the preparation of metal sulfides electrode materials with desired structures, chemical compositions and electrochemical performances.

Facile preparation of magnetic mesoporous MnFe2O4@SiO2-CTAB composites for Cr(VI) adsorption and reduction.

PubMed

Li, Na; Fu, Fenglian; Lu, Jianwei; Ding, Zecong; Tang, Bing; Pang, Jiabin

2017-01-01

Chromium-contaminated water is regarded as one of the biggest threats to human health. In this study, a novel magnetic mesoporous MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB composite was prepared by a facile one-step modification method and applied to remove Cr(VI). X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, specific surface area, and vibrating sample magnetometer were used to characterize MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB composites. The morphology analysis showed that the composites displayed a core-shell structure. The outer shell was mesoporous silica with CTAB and the core was MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles, which ensured the easy separation by an external magnetic field. The performance of MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB composites in Cr(VI) removal was far better than that of bare MnFe 2 O 4 nanoparticles. There were two reasons for the effective removal of Cr(VI) by MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB composites: (1) mesoporous silica shell with abundant CTA + significantly enhanced the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of the composites; (2) a portion of Cr(VI) was reduced to less toxic Cr(III) by MnFe 2 O 4 , followed by Cr(III) immobilized on MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB composites, which had been demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results. The adsorption of Cr(VI) onto MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB followed the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order model. Tests on the regeneration and reuse of the composites were performed. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) still retained 92.4% in the sixth cycle. MnFe 2 O 4 @SiO 2 -CTAB composites exhibited a great potential for the removal of Cr(VI) from water. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Alloying Elements on the Formation of Core-Shell-Structured Reinforcing Particles during Heating of Al–Ti Powder Compacts

PubMed Central

Chen, Tijun; Gao, Min; Tong, Yunqi

2018-01-01

To prepare core-shell-structured Ti@compound particle (Ti@compoundp) reinforced Al matrix composite via powder thixoforming, the effects of alloying elements, such as Si, Cu, Mg, and Zn, on the reaction between Ti powders and Al melt, and the microstructure of the resulting reinforcements were investigated during heating of powder compacts at 993 K (720 °C). Simultaneously, the situations of the reinforcing particles in the corresponding semisolid compacts were also studied. Both thermodynamic analysis and experiment results all indicate that Si participated in the reaction and promoted the formation of Al–Ti–Si ternary compounds, while Cu, Mg, and Zn did not take part in the reaction and facilitated Al3Ti phase to form to different degrees. The first-formed Al–Ti–Si ternary compound was τ1 phase, and then it gradually transformed into (Al,Si)3Ti phase. The proportion and existing time of τ1 phase all increased as the Si content increased. In contrast, Mg had the largest, Cu had the least, and Si and Zn had an equivalent middle effect on accelerating the reaction. The thicker the reaction shell was, the larger the stress generated in the shell was, and thus the looser the shell microstructure was. The stress generated in (Al,Si)3Ti phase was larger than that in τ1 phase, but smaller than that in Al3Ti phase. So, the shells in the Al–Ti–Si system were more compact than those in the other systems, and Si element was beneficial to obtain thick and compact compound shells. Most of the above results were consistent to those in the semisolid state ones except the product phase constituents in the Al–Ti–Mg system and the reaction rate in the Al–Ti–Zn system. More importantly, the desirable core-shell structured Ti@compoundp was only achieved in the semisolid Al–Ti–Si system. PMID:29342946

Effects of Alloying Elements on the Formation of Core-Shell-Structured Reinforcing Particles during Heating of Al-Ti Powder Compacts.

PubMed

Chen, Tijun; Gao, Min; Tong, Yunqi

2018-01-15

To prepare core-shell-structured Ti@compound particle (Ti@compound p ) reinforced Al matrix composite via powder thixoforming, the effects of alloying elements, such as Si, Cu, Mg, and Zn, on the reaction between Ti powders and Al melt, and the microstructure of the resulting reinforcements were investigated during heating of powder compacts at 993 K (720 °C). Simultaneously, the situations of the reinforcing particles in the corresponding semisolid compacts were also studied. Both thermodynamic analysis and experiment results all indicate that Si participated in the reaction and promoted the formation of Al-Ti-Si ternary compounds, while Cu, Mg, and Zn did not take part in the reaction and facilitated Al₃Ti phase to form to different degrees. The first-formed Al-Ti-Si ternary compound was τ1 phase, and then it gradually transformed into (Al,Si)₃Ti phase. The proportion and existing time of τ1 phase all increased as the Si content increased. In contrast, Mg had the largest, Cu had the least, and Si and Zn had an equivalent middle effect on accelerating the reaction. The thicker the reaction shell was, the larger the stress generated in the shell was, and thus the looser the shell microstructure was. The stress generated in (Al,Si)₃Ti phase was larger than that in τ1 phase, but smaller than that in Al₃Ti phase. So, the shells in the Al-Ti-Si system were more compact than those in the other systems, and Si element was beneficial to obtain thick and compact compound shells. Most of the above results were consistent to those in the semisolid state ones except the product phase constituents in the Al-Ti-Mg system and the reaction rate in the Al-Ti-Zn system. More importantly, the desirable core-shell structured Ti@compound p was only achieved in the semisolid Al-Ti-Si system.

Development of Refined Natural Resin based Cashew Nut Shell Oil Liquid (CNSL) for Brake Pads Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahyuningsih, S.; Ramelan, A. H.; Rahmawati, P.; Tamtama, B. P. N.; Sari, P. P.; Sari, P. L.; Ichsan, S.; Kristiawan, Y. R.; Aini, F. N.

2017-02-01

Brake is one of the most important components in the vehicle. One type of brake that widely used is brake-based composites. One of the manufacture of composite material is resin. Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) is a natural material which has chemical structure similar to synthetic phenol so it can be an alternative as a resin. Brake pads manufacture using CNSL as resin composites made to obtain the brake which is strong, wear-resistant, and environmentally friendly. The composite made using powder metallurgy techniques by mixing ingredients such as rubber, fibre glass, carbon, mineral sands and phenolic resin. Two formulas were composed by varying the resin and iron mineral sands in 5 grams. Composites were tested using Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The tensile strength result of those formulas are 600 N and 900 N and the elongations are 1.98 mm and 2.59 mm respectively. Formula 2 has a better tensile strength due to the addition of more resin is 15%. Since the better properties, formula 2 was derivated to 4 extended formulas and showed excellent pressure strength reached 20.000 N. It indicates that the addition of the resin can improve the mechanical properties of a composite.

The use of polyimide-modified aluminum nitride fillers in AlN@PI/Epoxy composites with enhanced thermal conductivity for electronic encapsulation

PubMed Central

Zhou, Yongcun; Yao, Yagang; Chen, Chia-Yun; Moon, Kyoungsik; Wang, Hong; Wong, Ching-ping

2014-01-01

Polymer modified fillers in composites has attracted the attention of numerous researchers. These fillers are composed of core-shell structures that exhibit enhanced physical and chemical properties that are associated with shell surface control and encapsulated core materials. In this study, we have described an apt method to prepare polyimide (PI)-modified aluminum nitride (AlN) fillers, AlN@PI. These fillers are used for electronic encapsulation in high performance polymer composites. Compared with that of untreated AlN composite, these AlN@PI/epoxy composites exhibit better thermal and dielectric properties. At 40 wt% of filler loading, the highest thermal conductivity of AlN@PI/epoxy composite reached 2.03 W/mK. In this way, the thermal conductivity is approximately enhanced by 10.6 times than that of the used epoxy matrix. The experimental results exhibiting the thermal conductivity of AlN@PI/epoxy composites were in good agreement with the values calculated from the parallel conduction model. This research work describes an effective pathway that modifies the surface of fillers with polymer coating. Furthermore, this novel technique improves the thermal and dielectric properties of fillers and these can be used extensively for electronic packaging applications. PMID:24759082

Silica-Protection-Assisted Encapsulation of Cu2 O Nanocubes into a Metal-Organic Framework (ZIF-8) To Provide a Composite Catalyst.

PubMed

Li, Bo; Ma, Jian-Gong; Cheng, Peng

2018-06-04

The integration of metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to form composite materials has attracted great interest due to the broad range of applications. However, to date, it has not been possible to encapsulate metastable NPs with high catalytic activity into MOFs, due to their instability during the preparation process. For the first time, we have successfully developed a template protection-sacrifice (TPS) method to encapsulate metastable NPs such as Cu 2 O into MOFs. SiO 2 was used as both a protective shell for Cu 2 O nanocubes and a sacrificial template for forming a yolk-shell structure. The obtained Cu 2 O@ZIF-8 composite exhibits excellent cycle stability in the catalytic hydrogenation of 4-nitrophenol with high activity. This is the first report of a Cu 2 O@MOF-type composite material. The TPS method provides an efficient strategy for encapsulating unstable active metal/metal oxide NPs into MOFs or maybe other porous materials. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

TiO2/ZnO and ZnO/TiO2 core/shell nanofibers prepared by electrospinning and atomic layer deposition for photocatalysis and gas sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boyadjiev, Stefan I.; Kéri, Orsolya; Bárdos, Péter; Firkala, Tamás; Gáber, Fanni; Nagy, Zsombor K.; Baji, Zsófia; Takács, Máté; Szilágyi, Imre M.

2017-12-01

In the present work, core TiO2 and ZnO oxide nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning, then shell oxide (ZnO, TiO2) layers were deposited on them by atomic layer deposition (ALD). The aim of preparing ZnO and TiO2 nanofibers, as well as ZnO/TiO2 and TiO2/ZnO nanocomposites is to study the interaction between the oxide materials when a pure oxide fiber is covered with thin film of the other oxide, and explore the influence of exchanging the core and shell materials on their photocatalytic and gas sensing properties. The composition, structure and morphology of the pure and composite nanofibers were studied by SEM-EDX, TEM, XRD, FTIR, UV-vis and Raman. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared materials was analyzed by UV-vis spectroscopy through decomposing aqueous methyl orange under UV irradiation. The gas sensing of the nanofibers was investigated by detecting 100 ppm NH3 at 150 and 220 °C using interdigital electrode based sensors.

Shell effect on the electron and hole reorganization energy of core-shell II-VI nanoclusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Xianhui; Wang, Xinqin; Yang, Fang; Cui, Yingqi; Yang, Mingli

2017-09-01

Density functional theory calculations were performed to study the effect of shell encapsulation on the geometrical and electronic properties of pure and hybrid core-shell CdSe nanoclusters. The CdSe cores are distorted by the shells, and the shells exhibit distinct surface activity from the cores, which leads to remarkable changes in their electron transition behaviors. Although the electron and hole reorganization energies, which are related to the formation and recombination of electron-hole pairs, vary in a complicated way, their itemized contributions, potentials of electron extraction, ionization and affinity, and hole extraction (HEP), are dependent on the cluster size, shell composition and/or solvent. Our calculations suggest that the behaviors of charge carriers, free electrons and holes, in the semiconductor core-shell nanoclusters can be modulated by selecting appropriate cluster size and controlling the chemical composition of the shells.

Stabilizing ultrasmall Au clusters for enhanced photoredox catalysis.

PubMed

Weng, Bo; Lu, Kang-Qiang; Tang, Zichao; Chen, Hao Ming; Xu, Yi-Jun

2018-04-18

Recently, loading ligand-protected gold (Au) clusters as visible light photosensitizers onto various supports for photoredox catalysis has attracted considerable attention. However, the efficient control of long-term photostability of Au clusters on the metal-support interface remains challenging. Herein, we report a simple and efficient method for enhancing the photostability of glutathione-protected Au clusters (Au GSH clusters) loaded on the surface of SiO 2 sphere by utilizing multifunctional branched poly-ethylenimine (BPEI) as a surface charge modifying, reducing and stabilizing agent. The sequential coating of thickness controlled TiO 2 shells can further significantly improve the photocatalytic efficiency, while such structurally designed core-shell SiO 2 -Au GSH clusters-BPEI@TiO 2 composites maintain high photostability during longtime light illumination conditions. This joint strategy via interfacial modification and composition engineering provides a facile guideline for stabilizing ultrasmall Au clusters and rational design of Au clusters-based composites with improved activity toward targeting applications in photoredox catalysis.

Multilayer core-shell structured composite paper electrode consisting of copper, cuprous oxide and graphite assembled on cellulose fibers for asymmetric supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Caichao; Jiao, Yue; Li, Jian

2017-09-01

An easily-operated and inexpensive strategy (pencil-drawing-electrodeposition-electro-oxidation) is proposed to synthesize a novel class of multilayer core-shell structured composite paper electrode, which consists of copper, cuprous oxide and graphite assembled on cellulose fibers. This interesting electrode structure plays a pivotal role in providing more active sites for electrochemical reactions, facilitating ion and electron transport and shorting their diffusion pathways. This electrode demonstrates excellent electrochemical properties with a high specific capacitance of 601 F g-1 at 2 A g-1 and retains 83% of this capacitance when operated at an ultrahigh current density of 100 A g-1. In addition, a high energy density of 13.4 W h kg-1 at the power density of 0.40 kW kg-1 and a favorable cycling stability (95.3%, 8000 cycles) were achieved for this electrode. When this electrode was assembled into an asymmetric supercapacitor with carbon paper as negative electrode, the device displays remarkable electrochemical performances with a large areal capacitances (122 mF cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2), high areal energy density (10.8 μW h cm-2 at 402.5 μW cm-2) and outstanding cycling stability (91.5%, 5000 cycles). These results unveil the potential of this composite electrode as a high-performance electrode material for supercapacitors.

Core–shell PdPb@Pd aerogels with multiply-twinned intermetallic nanostructures: facile synthesis with accelerated gelation kinetics and their enhanced electrocatalytic properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhu, Chengzhou; Shi, Qiurong; Fu, Shaofang

Delicately engineering the well-defined noble metal aerogels with favorable structural and compositional features is of vital importance for wide applications. Here, we reported one-pot and facile method for synthesizing core-shell PdPb@Pd hydrogels/aerogels with multiply-twinned grains and ordered intermetallic phase using sodium hypophosphite as a multifunctional reducing agent. Due to the accelerated gelation kinetics induced by increased reaction temperature and specific function of sodium hypophosphite, the formation of hydrogels can be completed within 4 hrs, far faster than the previous reports. Owe to their unique porous structure and favorable geometric and electronic effects, the optimized PdPb@Pd aerogels exhibit enhanced electrochemical performancemore » towards ethylene glycol oxidation with a mass activity of 5.8 times higher than Pd black.Core–shell PdPb@Pd aerogels with multiply-twinned grains and an ordered intermetallic phase was synthesized, which exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards ethanol oxidation.« less

Cretaceous honeycomb oysters (Pycnodonte vesicularis) as palaeoseasonality records: A multi-proxy study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Winter, Niels J.; Vellekoop, Johan; Vorsselmans, Robin; Golreihan, Asefeh; Petersen, Sierra V.; Meyer, Kyle W.; Speijer, Robert P.; Claeys, Philippe

2017-04-01

Pycnodonte or "honeycomb-oysters" (Bivalvia: Gryphaeidea) is an extinct genus of calcite-producing bivalves which is found in abundance in Cretaceous to Pleistocene fossil beds worldwide. As such, Pycnodonte shells could be ideal tracers of palaeoclimate through time, with the capability to reconstruct sea water conditions and palaeotemperatures in a range of palaeoenvironmental settings. Only few studies have attempted to reconstruct palaeoclimate based on Pycnodonte shells and with variable degrees of success (e.g. Videt, 2003; Huyge et al., 2015). Our study investigates the shell growth, structure and chemical characteristics of Maastrichtian Pycnodonte vesicularis from Bajada de Jaguel in Argentina and aims to rigorously test the application of multiple palaeoenvironmental proxies on the shells of several Maastrichtian Pycnodonte oysters for palaeoclimate reconstruction. The preservation state of four calcite shells was assessed by fluorescence microscopy, cathodoluminescence and micro X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) mapping. Their shell structure was investigated using a combination of XRF mapping, high-resolution color scanning and microCT scanning. Long integration time point-by-point XRF line scanning yielded high-resolution trace element profiles through the hinge of all shells. Microdrilled samples from the same locations on the shell were analyzed for trace element composition by ICP-MS and for stable carbon and oxygen isotopes by IRMS. Preservation of the calcite microstructure was found to be of sufficient quality to allow discussion of original shell porosity, annual growth increments and pristine chemical signatures of the bivalves. The combination of fluorescence and cathodoluminescence microscopy with XRF mapping and microCT scanning sheds light on the characteristic internal "honeycomb" structure of these extinct bivalves and allows comparison with that of the related extant Neopycnodonte bivalves (Wisshak et al., 2009). Furthermore, high resolution trace element and stable isotope records allow discussion of the degree to which Pycnodonte shells record their palaeoenvironment and can be used to reconstruct past sea water conditions. Preliminary results indicate that stable isotope and trace element ratios in Pynodonte shells record different seasonally changing sea water conditions in the Maastrichtian and reconstructed temperatures are consistent with results from clumped isotope analysis on the same shells and TEX86 analysis on the surrounding rocks. This multi-proxy study sheds light on the shell structure of Pycnodonte oysters, their chemical signature and growth pattern and investigates the expression of palaeoenvironmental proxies in the pristine shell calcite of these bivalves. This investigation shows the potential of using fossil Pycnodonte bivalves as a new archive for palaeoclimate reconstruction on a seasonal scale over a wide range of palaeolatitudes from the Cretaceous until the Pleistocene. References Huyghe et al. (2015) J. Geol Soc 172.5: 576-587. Videt (2003) Diss. Université Rennes 1. Wisshak, et al. (2009) Deep-Sea Res Pt I 56.3: 374-407.

Buckling of Cracked Laminated Composite Cylindrical Shells Subjected to Combined Loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Allahbakhsh, Hamidreza; Shariati, Mahmoud

2013-10-01

A series of finite element analysis on the cracked composite cylindrical shells under combined loading is carried out to study the effect of loading condition, crack size and orientation on the buckling behavior of laminated composite cylindrical shells. The interaction buckling curves of cracked laminated composite cylinders subject to different combinations of axial compression, bending, internal pressure and external pressure are obtained, using the finite element method. Results show that the internal pressure increases the critical buckling load of the CFRP cylindrical shells and bending and external pressure decrease it. Numerical analysis show that axial crack has the most detrimental effect on the buckling load of a cylindrical shell and results show that for lower values of the axial compressive load and higher values of the external pressure, the buckling is usually in the global mode and for higher values of axial compressive load and lower levels of external pressure the buckling mode is mostly in the local mode.

Ballistic Simulation Method for Lithium Ion Batteries (BASIMLIB) Using Thick Shell Composites (TSC) in LS-DYNA

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-08-04

BAllistic SImulation Method for Lithium Ion Batteries (BASIMLIB) using Thick Shell Composites (TSC) in LS-DYNA Venkatesh Babu, Dr. Matt Castanier, Dr...Objective • Objective and focus of this work is to develop a – Robust simulation methodology to model lithium - ion based batteries in its module and full...unlimited  Lithium Ion Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery cell, module and pack was modeled in LS-DYNA using both Thin Shell Layer (TSL) and Thick Shell

Investigation on imperfection sensitivity of composite cylindrical shells using the nonlinearity reduction technique and the polynomial chaos method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Ke; Sun, Qin; Liu, Xiaoran

2018-05-01

The theoretical buckling load of a perfect cylinder must be reduced by a knock-down factor to account for structural imperfections. The EU project DESICOS proposed a new robust design for imperfection-sensitive composite cylindrical shells using the combination of deterministic and stochastic simulations, however the high computational complexity seriously affects its wider application in aerospace structures design. In this paper, the nonlinearity reduction technique and the polynomial chaos method are implemented into the robust design process, to significantly lower computational costs. The modified Newton-type Koiter-Newton approach which largely reduces the number of degrees of freedom in the nonlinear finite element model, serves as the nonlinear buckling solver to trace the equilibrium paths of geometrically nonlinear structures efficiently. The non-intrusive polynomial chaos method provides the buckling load with an approximate chaos response surface with respect to imperfections and uses buckling solver codes as black boxes. A fast large-sample study can be applied using the approximate chaos response surface to achieve probability characteristics of buckling loads. The performance of the method in terms of reliability, accuracy and computational effort is demonstrated with an unstiffened CFRP cylinder.

Assumed--stress hybrid elements with drilling degrees of freedom for nonlinear analysis of composite structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knight, Norman F., Jr. (Principal Investigator)

1996-01-01

The goal of this research project is to develop assumed-stress hybrid elements with rotational degrees of freedom for analyzing composite structures. During the first year of the three-year activity, the effort was directed to further assess the AQ4 shell element and its extensions to buckling and free vibration problems. In addition, the development of a compatible 2-node beam element was to be accomplished. The extensions and new developments were implemented in the Computational Structural Mechanics Testbed COMET. An assessment was performed to verify the implementation and to assess the performance of these elements in terms of accuracy. During the second and third years, extensions to geometrically nonlinear problems were developed and tested. This effort involved working with the nonlinear solution strategy as well as the nonlinear formulation for the elements. This research has resulted in the development and implementation of two additional element processors (ES22 for the beam element and ES24 for the shell elements) in COMET. The software was developed using a SUN workstation and has been ported to the NASA Langley Convex named blackbird. Both element processors are now part of the baseline version of COMET.

Meretrix lusoria--a natural biocomposite material: in situ analysis of hierarchical fabrication and micro-hardness.

PubMed

Zhu, Zhihong; Tong, Hua; Ren, Yaoyao; Hu, Jiming

2006-01-01

The ultrastructure of clam (Meretrix lusoria) was investigated by means of scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD) combining with in situ texture decalcified technique and the micro-hardness of clam was determined, in order to understand the spatial relationship between the mineral phase and organic matrix and further explain the correlation between the property and structure. The results showed that hierarchical fabrication is the major structure character of this mollusc shell. There is specific braided structure forming from domains composed of needle-like structure made up of the single crystal of aragonite. High magnification TEM image of clam indicates the intracrystal region of the aragonite single crystal is made up of subgrain phase and some amorphous substance. There are various crystal grain growth preferential orientations in the different growth direction of the shell. An amount of organic microtubule distribute evenly in the base of calcium carbonate as reinforcement phase. The mechanical property of this natural biological composite is better than other aragonite layer of mollusc shells and pearls according to the data of micro-hardness testing. The braided structure and organic microtubule reinforcement phase are responsible for its high mechanical performance. The stereo hierarchical fabrication of clam was elucidated for the first time.

Core-shell Si/C nanospheres embedded in bubble sheet-like carbon film with enhanced performance as lithium ion battery anodes.

PubMed

Li, Wenyue; Tang, Yongbing; Kang, Wenpei; Zhang, Zhenyu; Yang, Xia; Zhu, Yu; Zhang, Wenjun; Lee, Chun-Sing

2015-03-18

Due to its high theoretical capacity and low lithium insertion voltage plateau, silicon has been considered one of the most promising anodes for high energy and high power density lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, its rapid capacity degradation, mainly caused by huge volume changes during lithium insertion/extraction processes, remains a significant challenge to its practical application. Engineering Si anodes with abundant free spaces and stabilizing them by incorporating carbon materials has been found to be effective to address the above problems. Using sodium chloride (NaCl) as a template, bubble sheet-like carbon film supported core-shell Si/C composites are prepared for the first time by a facile magnesium thermal reduction/glucose carbonization process. The capacity retention achieves up to 93.6% (about 1018 mAh g(-1)) after 200 cycles at 1 A g(-1). The good performance is attributed to synergistic effects of the conductive carbon film and the hollow structure of the core-shell nanospheres, which provide an ideal conductive matrix and buffer spaces for respectively electron transfer and Si expansion during lithiation process. This unique structure decreases the charge transfer resistance and suppresses the cracking/pulverization of Si, leading to the enhanced cycling performance of bubble sheet-like composite. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Tiltrotor Research Aircraft composite blade repairs - Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Espinosa, Paul S.; Groepler, David R.

1992-01-01

The XV-15, N703NA Tiltrotor Research Aircraft located at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, currently uses a set of composite rotor blades of complex shape known as the advanced technology blades (ATBs). The main structural element of the blades is a D-spar constructed of unidirectional, angled fiberglass/graphite, with the aft fairing portion of the blades constructed of a fiberglass cross-ply skin bonded to a Nomex honeycomb core. The blade tip is a removable laminate shell that fits over the outboard section of the spar structure, which contains a cavity to retain balance weights. Two types of tip shells are used for research. One is highly twisted (more than a conventional helicopter blade) and has a hollow core constructed of a thin Nomex-honeycomb-and-fiberglass-skin sandwich; the other is untwisted with a solid Nomex honeycomb core and a fiberglass cross-ply skin. During initial flight testing of the blades, a number of problems in the composite structure were encountered. These problems included debonding between the fiberglass skin and the honeycomb core, failure of the honeycomb core, failures in fiberglass splices, cracks in fiberglass blocks, misalignment of mated composite parts, and failures of retention of metal fasteners. Substantial time was spent in identifying and repairing these problems. Discussed here are the types of problems encountered, the inspection procedures used to identify each problem, the repairs performed on the damaged or flawed areas, the level of criticality of the problems, and the monitoring of repaired areas. It is hoped that this discussion will help designers, analysts, and experimenters in the future as the use of composites becomes more prevalent.

Tiltrotor research aircraft composite blade repairs: Lessons learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Espinosa, Paul S.; Groepler, David R.

1991-01-01

The XV-15, N703NA Tiltrotor Research Aircraft located at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, currently uses a set of composite rotor blades of complex shape known as the advanced technology blades (ATBs). The main structural element of the blades is a D-spar constructed of unidirectional, angled fiberglass/graphite, with the aft fairing portion of the blades constructed of a fiberglass cross-ply skin bonded to a Nomex honeycomb core. The blade tip is a removable laminate shell that fits over the outboard section of the spar structure, which contains a cavity to retain balance weights. Two types of tip shells are used for research. One is highly twisted (more than a conventional helicopter blade) and has a hollow core constructed of a thin Nomex-honeycomb-and-fiberglass-skin sandwich; the other is untwisted with a solid Nomex honeycomb core and a fiberglass cross-ply skin. During initial flight testing of the blades, a number of problems in the composite structure were encountered. These problems included debonding between the fiberglass skin and the honeycomb core, failure of the honeycomb core, failures in fiberglass splices, cracks in fiberglass blocks, misalignment of mated composite parts, and failures of retention of metal fasteners. Substantial time was spent in identifying and repairing these problems. Discussed here are the types of problems encountered, the inspection procedures used to identify each problem, the repairs performed on the damaged or flawed areas, the level of criticality of the problems, and the monitoring of repaired areas. It is hoped that this discussion will help designers, analysts, and experimenters in the future as the use of composites becomes more prevalent.

Formation of Onion-Like NiCo2 S4 Particles via Sequential Ion-Exchange for Hybrid Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Guan, Bu Yuan; Yu, Le; Wang, Xiao; Song, Shuyan; Lou, Xiong Wen David

2017-02-01

Onion-like NiCo 2 S 4 particles with unique hollow structured shells are synthesized by a sequential ion-exchange strategy. With the structural and compositional advantages, these unique onion-like NiCo 2 S 4 particles exhibit enhanced electrochemical performance as an electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effects of magnetic field treatment on dielectric properties of CCTO@Ni/PVDF composite with low concentration of ceramic fillers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, Q. G.; Gao, L.; Wang, X.; Chen, Y.; Dong, J. F.; Cui, Y.; Lei, Q. Q.

2015-11-01

Using melt mixing, we produced a ceramic/polymer composite with a matrix of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and a filler of 5 vol.% Ni-deposited CaCu3Ti4O12 core-shell ceramic particles (CCTO@Ni), and studied its prominent dielectric characteristics for the first. Its phase composition and morphology were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. After treating the composite films with various durations of a magnetic field treatment, we compared their dielectric properties. We found that the CCTO@Ni ceramic had a typical urchin-like core-shell structure, and that different durations of the magnetic field treatment produced different distributions of ceramic particles in the PVDF matrix. The dielectric permittivity of the untreated CCTO@Ni/PVDF composite was 20% higher than that of neat PVDF, and it had a low loss tangent. However, only the composite treated for 30 min in the magnetic field had an ultra-high dielectric permittivity of 1.41 × 104 at 10 Hz, three orders of magnitude higher than the untreated composite, which declined dramatically with increasing frequency, accompanied by an insulating-conducting phase transition and an increase in loss tangent. Our results demonstrate that changes in the dielectric properties of PVDF composites with magnetic field treatment are closely related to the percolation effect and interfacial polarization.

Polymeric microspheres

DOEpatents

Walt, David R.; Mandal, Tarun K.; Fleming, Michael S.

2004-04-13

The invention features core-shell microsphere compositions, hollow polymeric microspheres, and methods for making the microspheres. The microspheres are characterized as having a polymeric shell with consistent shell thickness.

Improving Dielectric Properties of PVDF Composites by Employing Surface Modified Strong Polarized BaTiO₃ Particles Derived by Molten Salt Method.

PubMed

Fu, Jing; Hou, Yudong; Zheng, Mupeng; Wei, Qiaoyi; Zhu, Mankang; Yan, Hui

2015-11-11

BaTiO3/polyvinylidene fluoride (BT/PVDF) is the extensive reported composite material for application in modern electric devices. However, there still exists some obstacles prohibiting the further improvement of dielectric performance, such as poor interfacial compatibility and low dielectric constant. Therefore, in depth study of the size dependent polarization and surface modification of BT particle is of technological importance in developing high performance BT/PVDF composites. Here, a facile molten-salt synthetic method has been applied to prepare different grain sized BT particles through tailoring the calcination temperature. The size dependent spontaneous polarizationof BT particle was thoroughly investigated by theoretical calculation based on powder X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement data. The results revealed that 600 nm sized BT particles possess the strong polarization, ascribing to the ferroelectric size effect. Furthermore, the surface of optimal BT particles has been modified by water-soluble polyvinylprrolidone (PVP) agent, and the coated particles exhibited fine core-shell structure and homogeneous dispersion in the PVDF matrix. The dielectric constant of the resulted composites increased significantly, especially, the prepared composite with 40 vol % BT loading exhibited the largest dielectric constant (65, 25 °C, 1 kHz) compared with the literature values of BT/PVDF at the same concentration of filler. Moreover, the energy storage density of the composites with tailored structure was largely enhanced at the low electric field, showing promising application as dielectric material in energy storage device. Our work suggested that introduction of strong polarized ferroelectric particles with optimal size and construction of core-shell structured coated fillers by PVP in the PVDF matrix are efficacious in improving dielectric performance of composites. The demonstrated approach can also be applied to the design and preparation of other polymers-based nanocomposites filled with ferroelectric particles to achieve desirable dielectric properties.

Vertical group III-V nanowires on si, heterostructures, flexible arrays and fabrication

DOEpatents

Wang, Deli; Soci, Cesare; Bao, Xinyu; Wei, Wei; Jing, Yi; Sun, Ke

2015-01-13

Embodiments of the invention provide a method for direct heteroepitaxial growth of vertical III-V semiconductor nanowires on a silicon substrate. The silicon substrate is etched to substantially completely remove native oxide. It is promptly placed in a reaction chamber. The substrate is heated and maintained at a growth temperature. Group III-V precursors are flowed for a growth time. Preferred embodiment vertical Group III-V nanowires on silicon have a core-shell structure, which provides a radial homojunction or heterojunction. A doped nanowire core is surrounded by a shell with complementary doping. Such can provide high optical absorption due to the long optical path in the axial direction of the vertical nanowires, while reducing considerably the distance over which carriers must diffuse before being collected in the radial direction. Alloy composition can also be varied. Radial and axial homojunctions and heterojunctions can be realized. Embodiments provide for flexible Group III-V nanowire structures. An array of Group III-V nanowire structures is embedded in polymer. A fabrication method forms the vertical nanowires on a substrate, e.g., a silicon substrate. Preferably, the nanowires are formed by the preferred methods for fabrication of Group III-V nanowires on silicon. Devices can be formed with core/shell and core/multi-shell nanowires and the devices are released from the substrate upon which the nanowires were formed to create a flexible structure that includes an array of vertical nanowires embedded in polymer.

Analysis for stresses and buckling of heated composite stiffened panels and other structures, phase 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Viswanathan, A. V.; Tamekuni, M.

1973-01-01

Analytical methods based on linear theory are presented for predicting the thermal stresses in and the buckling of heated structures with arbitrary uniform cross section. The structure is idealized as an assemblage of laminated plate-strip elements, curved and planar, and beam elements. Uniaxially stiffened plates and shells of arbitrary cross section are typical examples. For the buckling analysis the structure or selected elements may be subjected to mechanical loads, in additional to thermal loads, in any desired combination of inplane transverse load and axial compression load. The analysis is also applicable to stiffened structures under inplane loads varying through the cross section, as in stiffened shells under bending. The buckling analysis is general and covers all modes of instability. The analysis has been applied to a limited number of problems and the results are presented. These while showing the validity and the applicability of the method do not reflect its full capability.

Evaluation by Rocket Combustor of C/C Composite Cooled Structure Using Metallic Cooling Tubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takegoshi, Masao; Ono, Fumiei; Ueda, Shuichi; Saito, Toshihito; Hayasaka, Osamu

In this study, the cooling performance of a C/C composite material structure with metallic cooling tubes fixed by elastic force without chemical bonding was evaluated experimentally using combustion gas in a rocket combustor. The C/C composite chamber was covered by a stainless steel outer shell to maintain its airtightness. Gaseous hydrogen as a fuel and gaseous oxygen as an oxidizer were used for the heating test. The surface of these C/C composites was maintained below 1500 K when the combustion gas temperature was about 2800 K and the heat flux to the combustion chamber wall was about 9 MW/m2. No thermal damage was observed on the stainless steel tubes that were in contact with the C/C composite materials. The results of the heating test showed that such a metallic tube-cooled C/C composite structure is able to control the surface temperature as a cooling structure (also as a heat exchanger) as well as indicated the possibility of reducing the amount of coolant even if the thermal load to the engine is high. Thus, application of this metallic tube-cooled C/C composite structure to reusable engines such as a rocket-ramjet combined-cycle engine is expected.

A thin-shelled reptile from the Late Triassic of North America and the origin of the turtle shell

PubMed Central

Joyce, Walter G.; Lucas, Spencer G.; Scheyer, Torsten M.; Heckert, Andrew B.; Hunt, Adrian P.

2008-01-01

A new, thin-shelled fossil from the Upper Triassic (Revueltian: Norian) Chinle Group of New Mexico, Chinlechelys tenertesta, is one of the most primitive known unambiguous members of the turtle stem lineage. The thin-shelled nature of the new turtle combined with its likely terrestrial habitat preference hint at taphonomic filters that basal turtles had to overcome before entering the fossil record. Chinlechelys tenertesta possesses neck spines formed by multiple osteoderms, indicating that the earliest known turtles were covered with rows of dermal armour. More importantly, the primitive, vertically oriented dorsal ribs of the new turtle are only poorly associated with the overlying costal bones, indicating that these two structures are independent ossifications in basal turtles. These novel observations lend support to the hypothesis that the turtle shell was originally a complex composite in which dermal armour fused with the endoskeletal ribs and vertebrae of an ancestral lineage instead of forming de novo. The critical shell elements (i.e. costals and neurals) are thus not simple outgrowths of the bone of the endoskeletal elements as has been hypothesized from some embryological observations. PMID:18842543

A thin-shelled reptile from the Late Triassic of North America and the origin of the turtle shell.

PubMed

Joyce, Walter G; Lucas, Spencer G; Scheyer, Torsten M; Heckert, Andrew B; Hunt, Adrian P

2009-02-07

A new, thin-shelled fossil from the Upper Triassic (Revueltian: Norian) Chinle Group of New Mexico, Chinlechelys tenertesta, is one of the most primitive known unambiguous members of the turtle stem lineage. The thin-shelled nature of the new turtle combined with its likely terrestrial habitat preference hint at taphonomic filters that basal turtles had to overcome before entering the fossil record. Chinlechelys tenertesta possesses neck spines formed by multiple osteoderms, indicating that the earliest known turtles were covered with rows of dermal armour. More importantly, the primitive, vertically oriented dorsal ribs of the new turtle are only poorly associated with the overlying costal bones, indicating that these two structures are independent ossifications in basal turtles. These novel observations lend support to the hypothesis that the turtle shell was originally a complex composite in which dermal armour fused with the endoskeletal ribs and vertebrae of an ancestral lineage instead of forming de novo. The critical shell elements (i.e. costals and neurals) are thus not simple outgrowths of the bone of the endoskeletal elements as has been hypothesized from some embryological observations.

Focusing on the Hard parts: A Biomechanics Laboratory Exercise

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fingerut, Jonathan; Orbe, Kristina; Flynn, Daniel; Habdas, Piotr

2013-01-01

As part of a biomechanics course aimed at both upper-division Biology and Physics majors, this laboratory exercise introduces students to the ingenious ways in which organisms vary the composition and form of support and defensive structures such as bone and shell to maximize their strength while minimizing the energetic cost needed to produce…

Application of Powder Diffraction Methods to the Analysis of the Atomic Structure of Nanocrystals: The Concept of the Apparent Lattice Parameter (ALP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palosz, B.; Grzanka, E.; Gierlotka, S.; Stelmakh, S.; Pielaszek, R.; Bismayer, U.; Weber, H.-P.; Palosz, W.; Curreri, Peter A. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

The applicability of standard methods of elaboration of powder diffraction data for determination of the structure of nano-size crystallites is analysed. Based on our theoretical calculations of powder diffraction data we show, that the assumption of the infinite crystal lattice for nanocrystals smaller than 20 nm in size is not justified. Application of conventional tools developed for elaboration of powder diffraction data, like the Rietveld method, may lead to erroneous interpretation of the experimental results. An alternate evaluation of diffraction data of nanoparticles, based on the so-called 'apparent lattice parameter' (alp) is introduced. We assume a model of nanocrystal having a grain core with well-defined crystal structure, surrounded by a surface shell with the atomic structure similar to that of the core but being under a strain (compressive or tensile). The two structural components, the core and the shell, form essentially a composite crystal with interfering, inseparable diffraction properties. Because the structure of such a nanocrystal is not uniform, it defies the basic definitions of an unambiguous crystallographic phase. Consequently, a set of lattice parameters used for characterization of simple crystal phases is insufficient for a proper description of the complex structure of nanocrystals. We developed a method of evaluation of powder diffraction data of nanocrystals, which refers to a core-shell model and is based on the 'apparent lattice parameter' methodology. For a given diffraction pattem, the alp values are calculated for every individual Bragg reflection. For nanocrystals the alp values depend on the diffraction vector Q. By modeling different a0tomic structures of nanocrystals and calculating theoretically corresponding diffraction patterns using the Debye functions we showed, that alp-Q plots show characteristic shapes which can be used for evaluation of the atomic structure of the core-shell system. We show, that using a simple model of a nanocrystal with spherical shape and centro-symmetric strain at the surface shell we obtain theoretical alp-Q values which match very well the alp-Q plots determined experimentally for Sic, GaN, and diamond nanopowders. The theoretical models are defined by the lattice parameter of the grain core, thickness of the surface shell, and the magnitude and distribution of the strain field in the surface shell. According to our calculations, the part of the diffraction pattern measured at relatively low diffraction vectors Q (below 10/angstrom) provides information on the surface strain, whle determination of the lattice parameters in the grain core requires measurements at large Q-values (above 15 - 20/angstrom).

Preparation and characterization of chain-like and peanut-like Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell structure.

PubMed

Shi, Haowei; Huang, Yan; Cheng, Chao; Ji, Guoyuan; Yang, Yuxiang; Yuan, Hongming

2013-10-01

The size- and shape-controlled Fe3O4@SiO2 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized via the sol-gel method. The results showed that the size, shape, and property of the products were directly influenced by the amount of TEOS, and the concentration of water-based magnetic fluid in the coating process. The morphology and properties of the products were characterized by TEM, SEM, X-ray powder diffraction, IR and EDS. The Fe3O4@SiO2 composites with easily-controlled size arranged from 58 to 835 nm could be synthesized by adjusting the experimental parameters. When TEOS amount is 1 mL and the concentration of magnetic fluid were 30.0 and 10.0 mg/mL respectively, chain-like and peanuts-like well-dispersed Fe3O4@SiO2 particles with clear core-shell structure were obtained. These size- and shape-controlled Fe3O4@SiO2 composites may have potential application in the field of targeted drug delivery and MRI contrast agent.

Liquid-liquid phase separation and core-shell structure of ternary Al-In-Sn immiscible alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Degang; Bo, Lin; Wang, Lin; Li, Shanshan

2018-04-01

In this study, the liquid-liquid phase separation of four kinds of ternary immiscible Al-In-Sn melts was investigated with resistivity and thermodynamics method. The nonlinear changes in ρ-T and DSC curves of Al-In-Sn immiscible alloys above monotectic reaction temperature revealed the occurrence of liquid-liquid phase separation of Al-In-Sn melts. The monotectic temperature, liquid phase separation temperature and immiscible gap of ternary Al-In-Sn alloys were lower than those of binary Al-In alloy. With the Al content decreasing, the immiscible gap of Al-In-Sn alloy decreased. The composition of Al80In10Sn10, Al70In15Sn15, Al60In20Sn20 and Al50In25Sn25 was located in the immiscible zone of Al-In-Sn system. Due to the differences of Stokes effect, Marangoni convection and immiscible gap, the solidification morphology of four kinds of Al-In-Sn monotectic alloy was different. The core–shell structure of Al-In-Sn monotectic alloy can form within a certain range of composition.

The Dynamic Response and Vibration of Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composite (FG-CNTRC) Truncated Conical Shells Resting on Elastic Foundations

PubMed Central

Nguyen Dinh, Duc; Nguyen, Pham Dinh

2017-01-01

Based on the classical shell theory, the linear dynamic response of functionally graded carbon nanotube-reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) truncated conical shells resting on elastic foundations subjected to dynamic loads is presented. The truncated conical shells are reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) that vary according to the linear functions of the shell thickness. The motion equations are solved by the Galerkin method and the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. In numerical results, the influences of geometrical parameters, elastic foundations, natural frequency parameters, and nanotube volume fraction of FG-CNTRC truncated conical shells are investigated. The proposed results are validated by comparing them with those of other authors. PMID:29057821

Buckling and Failure of Compression-Loaded Composite Laminated Shells With Cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilburger, Mark W.

2007-01-01

Results from a numerical and experimental study that illustrate the effects of laminate orthotropy on the buckling and failure response of compression-loaded composite cylindrical shells with a cutout are presented. The effects of orthotropy on the overall response of compression-loaded shells is described. In general, preliminary numerical results appear to accurately predict the buckling and failure characteristics of the shell considered herein. In particular, some of the shells exhibit stable post-local-buckling behavior accompanied by interlaminar material failures near the free edges of the cutout. In contrast another shell with a different laminate stacking sequence appears to exhibit catastrophic interlaminar material failure at the onset of local buckling near the cutout and this behavior correlates well with corresponding experimental results.

Tribological characteristics of a composite total-surface hip replacement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, W. R., Jr.; Roberts, J. C.; Ling, F. F.

1982-01-01

Continuous fiber, woven E glass composite femoral shells having the same elastic properties as bone were fabricated. The shells were then encrusted with filled epoxy wear resistant coatings and run dry against ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cups in 42,000 and 250,000 cycle wear tests on a total hip simulator. The tribological characteristics of these continuous fiber particulate composite femoral shells articulating with ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cups were comparable to those of a vitallium ball articulating with an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene acetabular cup.

Synthesis and Catalytic Properties of Au Pd Nanoflowers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Jianguang; Wilson, Adria; Howe, Jane Y

2011-01-01

Reduction of Pd ions by hydroquinone in the presence of gold nanoparticles and polyvinylpyrrolidone resulted in the formation of nanoflowers with a Au core and Pd petals. Addition of HCl to the synthesis halted the reduction by hydroquinone and enabled the acquisition of snapshots of the nanoflowers at different stages of growth. TEM images of the reaction after 10 s show that the nanoflower morphology resulted from the homogeneous nucleation of Pd clusters in solution and their subsequent attachment to gold seeds coated with a thin (0.8 0.1 nm) shell of Pd. UV visible spectra also indicate Pd clusters formedmore » in the early stages of the reaction and disappeared as the nanoflowers grew. The speed at which this reaction can be halted is useful not only for producing a variety of bimetallic nanostructures with precisely controlled dimensions and morphologies but also for understanding the growth mechanism of these structures. The ability of the AuPd core shell structure to catalyze the Suzuki coupling reaction of iodobenzene to phenylboronic acid was probed and compared against the activity of Pd nanocubes and thin-shelled AuPd core shell nanoparticles. The results of this study suggest that Suzuki coupling was not affected by the surface structure or subsurface composition of the nanoparticles, but instead was primarily catalyzed by molecular Pd species that leached from the nanostructures.« less

Synthesis of Au-Pd Nanoflowers Through Nanocluster Assembly

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Jianguang; Howe, Jane Y; Chi, Miaofang

2011-01-01

Reduction of Pd ions by hydroquinone in the presence of gold nanoparticles and polyvinylpyrrolidone resulted in the formation of nanoflowers with a Au core and Pd petals. Addition of HCl to the synthesis halted the reduction by hydroquinone and enabled the acquisition of snapshots of the nanoflowers at different stages of growth. TEM images of the reaction after 10 s show that the nanoflower morphology resulted from the homogeneous nucleation of Pd clusters in solution and their subsequent attachment to gold seeds coated with a thin (0.8 {+-} 0.1 nm) shell of Pd. UV-visible spectra also indicate Pd clusters formedmore » in the early stages of the reaction and disappeared as the nanoflowers grew. The speed at which this reaction can be halted is useful not only for producing a variety of bimetallic nanostructures with precisely controlled dimensions and morphologies but also for understanding the growth mechanism of these structures. The ability of the AuPd core-shell structure to catalyze the Suzuki coupling reaction of iodobenzene to phenylboronic acid was probed and compared against the activity of Pd nanocubes and thin-shelled AuPd core-shell nanoparticles. The results of this study suggest that Suzuki coupling was not affected by the surface structure or subsurface composition of the nanoparticles, but instead was primarily catalyzed by molecular Pd species that leached from the nanostructures.« less

Experimental investigation and micromagnetic simulations of hybrid CoCr2O4/Ni coaxial nanostructures.

PubMed

Li, W J; Wang, C J; Zhang, X M; Irfan, M; Khan, U; Liu, Y W; Han, X F

2018-06-15

Multiphase CoCr 2 O 4 /Ni core-shell nanowires (NWs) have been synthesized within anodic aluminum oxide membranes by the combination of the sol-gel method with electrodeposition techniques. X-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of a cubic spinel structure of CoCr 2 O 4 shell with space group Fd-3m (227). The morphology and composition of the as-grown NWs were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, as well as transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the CoCr 2 O 4 NT shell and hybrid CoCr 2 O 4 /Ni NWs were measured at low temperature using a physical property measurement system. The temperature dependence of the magnetization curves showed that CoCr 2 O 4 NTs undergo a transition from a paramagnetic state to a ferrimagnetic state at about 90 K and a spiral ordering transition temperature near 22 K. An enhanced coercivity and saturation field were observed for the CoCr 2 O 4 /Ni core-shell NWs compared to the single-phase Ni NWs. Micromagnetic simulation results indicated that there is a strong coupling between the shell and core layers during the magnetization reversal process. The combination of hard CoCr 2 O 4 and soft Ni in a single NW structure may have potential applications in future multifunctional devices.

Experimental investigation and micromagnetic simulations of hybrid CoCr2O4/Ni coaxial nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, W. J.; Wang, C. J.; Zhang, X. M.; Irfan, M.; Khan, U.; Liu, Y. W.; Han, X. F.

2018-06-01

Multiphase CoCr2O4/Ni core–shell nanowires (NWs) have been synthesized within anodic aluminum oxide membranes by the combination of the sol–gel method with electrodeposition techniques. X-ray diffraction and x-ray photoemission spectroscopy results confirmed the formation of a cubic spinel structure of CoCr2O4 shell with space group Fd-3m (227). The morphology and composition of the as-grown NWs were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, as well as transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of the CoCr2O4 NT shell and hybrid CoCr2O4/Ni NWs were measured at low temperature using a physical property measurement system. The temperature dependence of the magnetization curves showed that CoCr2O4 NTs undergo a transition from a paramagnetic state to a ferrimagnetic state at about 90 K and a spiral ordering transition temperature near 22 K. An enhanced coercivity and saturation field were observed for the CoCr2O4/Ni core–shell NWs compared to the single-phase Ni NWs. Micromagnetic simulation results indicated that there is a strong coupling between the shell and core layers during the magnetization reversal process. The combination of hard CoCr2O4 and soft Ni in a single NW structure may have potential applications in future multifunctional devices.

Facile method for preparing organic/inorganic hybrid capsules using amino-functional silane coupling agent in aqueous media.

PubMed

Kurayama, Fumio; Suzuki, Satoru; Oyamada, Tetsuro; Furusawa, Takeshi; Sato, Masahide; Suzuki, Noboru

2010-09-01

A new and facile method for preparing microcapsules with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES)/alginate hybrid shell (AP-capsule) is proposed based on gelling and sol-gel processes. In this method, conventional capsules with alginate shells (Alg-capsule) are produced by dripping carboxymethyl cellulose solution containing calcium chloride into a sodium alginate solution. Subsequently, addition of the Alg-capsules to an aqueous APTES solution induces the formation of APTES/alginate hybrid shells. The optical observation shows that the texture of AP-capsules is more glossy and transparent than that of Alg-capsules. The surface morphology and elemental composition of microcapsules were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The results suggest that APTES molecules are incorporated to the framework of the alginate shells via electrostatic interaction between amino groups of APTES and carboxyl groups of alginate and the hybrid shells have a dense and homogeneous structure. In the formation reaction, the shrinking of the capsule shells occurs and the accumulation of APTES in the capsule shells proceeds with pseudo first-order kinetics. Moreover, these behaviors are greatly influenced by pH of the reaction solution, especially promoted under acidic and alkaline conditions. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Porosity and Salt Content Determine if Subduction Can Occur in Europa's Ice Shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnson, Brandon C.; Sheppard, Rachel Y.; Pascuzzo, Alyssa C.; Fisher, Elizabeth A.; Wiggins, Sean E.

2017-12-01

Motivated by recent evidence for subduction in Europa's ice shell, we explore the geophysical feasibility of this process. Here we construct a simple model to track the evolution of porosity and temperature within a slab that is forced to subduct. We also vary the initial salt content in Europa's ice shell and determine the buoyancy of our simulated subducting slab. We find that porosity and salt content play a dominant role in determining whether the slab is nonbuoyant and subduction in Europa's ice shell is actually possible. Generally, we find that initially low porosities and high salt contents within the conductive lid are more conducive to subduction. If salt contents are laterally homogenous, and Europa has a reasonable surface porosity of ϕ0 = 0.1, the conductive portion of Europa's shell must have salt contents exceeding 22% for subduction to occur. However, if salt contents are laterally heterogeneous, with salt contents varying by a few percent, subduction may occur for a surface porosity of ϕ0 = 0.1 and overall salt contents of 5%. Thus, we argue that under plausible conditions, subduction in Europa's ice shell is possible. Moreover, assuming that subduction is actively occurring or has occurred in Europa's recent past provides important constraints on the structure and composition of the ice shell.

Ceramic matrix composite turbine engine vane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schaff, Jeffery R. (Inventor); Shi, Jun (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A vane has an airfoil shell and a spar within the shell. The vane has an outboard shroud at an outboard end of the shell and an inboard platform at an inboard end of the shell. The shell includes a region having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) varying with depth.

Flexural waves induced by electro-impulse deicing forces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gien, P. H.

1990-01-01

The generation, reflection and propagation of flexural waves created by electroimpulsive deicing forces are demonstrated both experimentally and analytically in a thin circular plate and a thin semicylindrical shell. Analytical prediction of these waves with finite element models shows good correlation with acceleration and displacement measurements at discrete points on the structures studied. However, sensitivity to spurious flexural waves resulting from the spatial discretization of the structures is shown to be significant. Consideration is also given to composite structures as an extension of these studies.

Structural proteins in the egg-shell of the oriental garden cricket, Gryllus mitratus

PubMed Central

Kawasaki, Hiroya; Sato, Hitoshi; Suzuki, Motoko

1971-01-01

1. The egg-shell of the oriental garden cricket, Gryllus mitratus, contained at least two different types of structural protein in an approximate ratio of 5:1. The major fraction was extracted in a solvent containing dithiothreitol, EDTA and 8m-urea, and was purified to apparent homogeneity as judged by free-boundary electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. This was designated SH-fraction and its S-carboxymethyl derivative (CM-fraction) was also prepared. The minor fraction, insoluble in the solvent, was designated insoluble residue. 2. The major fraction was a phosphoprotein, rich in serine (29.8mol% of the total amino acids) and phosphate (nearly equimolar to serine), and O-phosphoserine was identified in its partial acid hydrolysate. The content of cystine was rather low (0.9mol%) in spite of the importance of this amino acid residue in the native form of the protein. The insoluble residue contained only a small amount of phosphorus, and its amino acid composition was clearly different from the major fraction. 3. CM-fraction, a fibrous protein with an average molecular weight of 57500, behaved as a typical polyanion owing to the high content of phosphate. SH-fraction and CM-fraction were precipitable from their aqueous solutions by the addition of bivalent metal cations, and the precipitation of CM-fraction by Ca2+ and Mg2+ was studied in detail. 4. When SH-fraction was exposed to air, intermolecular disulphide linkages were formed, yielding a net-like gel that changed its volume with changes in Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+. 5. The possible role of this protein fraction in maintaining the integrity of the egg-shell, and a comparison of its composition and properties with other egg-shell proteins and other phosphoproteins, are discussed. ImagesFig. 2.PLATE 1 PMID:5004198

Achieving polydimethylsiloxane/carbon nanotube (PDMS/CNT) composites with extremely low dielectric loss and adjustable dielectric constant by sandwich structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Benhui; Liu, Yu; He, Delong; Bai, Jinbo

2018-01-01

Sandwich-structured composites of polydimethylsiloxane/carbon nanotube (PDMS/CNT) bulk between two neat PDMS thin films with different thicknesses are prepared by the spin-coating method. Taking advantage of CNT's percolation behavior, the composite keeps relatively high dielectric constant (ɛ' = 40) at a low frequency (at 100 Hz). Meanwhile, due to the existence of PDMS isolated out-layers which limits the conductivity of the composite, the composite maintains an extremely low dielectric loss (tan δ = 0.01) (at 100 Hz). Moreover, the same matrix of the out-layer and bulk can achieve excellent interfacial adhesion, and the thickness of the coating layer can be controlled by a multi-cycle way. Then, based on the experimental results, the calculation combining the percolation theory and core-shell model is used to analyze the thickness effect of the coating layer on ɛ'. The obtained relationship between the ɛ' of the composite and the thickness of the coating layer can help to optimize the sandwich structure in order to obtain the adjustable ɛ' and the extremely low tan δ.

Hybrid chalcogenide nanoparticles: 2D-WS2 nanocrystals inside nested WS2 fullerenes.

PubMed

Hoshyargar, Faegheh; Corrales, Tomas P; Branscheid, Robert; Kolb, Ute; Kappl, Michael; Panthöfer, Martin; Tremel, Wolfgang

2013-10-28

The MOCVD assisted formation of nested WS2 inorganic fullerenes (IF-WS2) was performed by enhancing surface diffusion with iodine, and fullerene growth was monitored by taking TEM snapshots of intermediate products. The internal structure of the core-shell nanoparticles was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after cross-cutting with a focused ion beam (FIB). Lamellar reaction intermediates were found occluded in the fullerene particles. In contrast to carbon fullerenes, layered metal chalcogenides prefer the formation of planar, plate-like structures where the dangling bonds at the edges are stabilized by excess S atoms. The effects of the reaction and annealing temperatures on the composition and morphology of the final product were investigated, and the strength of the WS2 shell was measured by intermittent contact-mode AFM. The encapsulated lamellar structures inside the hollow spheres may lead to enhanced tribological activities.

Incorporation of coconut shell based nanoparticles in kenaf/coconut fibres reinforced vinyl ester composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

S, Abdul Khalil H. P.; Masri, M.; Saurabh, Chaturbhuj K.; Fazita, M. R. N.; Azniwati, A. A.; Sri Aprilia, N. A.; Rosamah, E.; Dungani, Rudi

2017-03-01

In the present study, a successful attempt has been made on enhancing the properties of hybrid kenaf/coconut fibers reinforced vinyl ester composites by incorporating nanofillers obtained from coconut shell. Coconut shells were grinded followed by 30 h of high energy ball milling for the production of nanoparticles. Particle size analyzer demonstrated that the size of 90% of obtained nanoparticles ranged between 15-140 nm. Furthermore, it was observed that the incorporation of coconut shell nanofillers into hybrid composite increased water absorption capacity. Moreover, tensile, flexural, and impact strength increased with the filler loading up to 3 wt.% and thereafter decrease was observed at higher filler concentration. However, elongation at break decreased and thermal stability increased in nanoparticles concentration dependent manner. Morphological analysis of composite with 3% of filler loading showed minimum voids and fiber pull outs and this indicated that the stress was successfully absorbed by the fiber.

Nonlinear Deformation and Stability of a Noncircular Cylindrical Shell Under Combined Loading with Bending and Twisting Moments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belov, V. K.; Zheleznov, L. P.; Ognyanova, T. S.

2018-03-01

A previously developed technique is used to solve problems of strength and stability of discretely reinforced noncircular cylindrical shells made of a composite material with allowance for the moments and nonlinearity of their subcritical stress-strain state. Stability of a reinforced bay of the aircraft fuselage made of a composite material under combined loading with bending and twisting moments is studied. The effects of straining nonlinearity, stiffness of longitudinal ribs, and shell thickness on the critical loads that induce shell buckling are analyzed.

Polystyrene Core-Silica Shell Particles with Defined Nanoarchitectures as a Versatile Platform for Suspension Array Technology.

PubMed

Sarma, Dominik; Gawlitza, Kornelia; Rurack, Knut

2016-04-19

The need for rapid and high-throughput screening in analytical laboratories has led to significant growth in interest in suspension array technologies (SATs), especially with regard to cytometric assays targeting a low to medium number of analytes. Such SAT or bead-based assays rely on spherical objects that constitute the analytical platform. Usually, functionalized polymer or silica (SiO2) microbeads are used which each have distinct advantages and drawbacks. In this paper, we present a straightforward synthetic route to highly monodisperse SiO2-coated polystyrene core-shell (CS) beads for SAT with controllable architectures from smooth to raspberry- and multilayer-like shells by varying the molecular weight of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), which was used as the stabilizer of the cores. The combination of both organic polymer core and a structurally controlled inorganic SiO2 shell in one hybrid particle holds great promises for flexible next-generation design of the spherical platform. The particles were characterized by electron microscopy (SEM, T-SEM, and TEM), thermogravimetry, flow cytometry, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption, offering comprehensive information on the composition, size, structure, and surface area. All particles show ideal cytometric detection patterns and facile handling due to the hybrid structure. The beads are endowed with straightforward modification possibilities through the defined SiO2 shells. We successfully implemented the particles in fluorometric SAT model assays, illustrating the benefits of tailored surface area which is readily available for small-molecule anchoring. Very promising assay performance was shown for DNA hybridization assays with quantification limits down to 8 fmol.

Microstructural and thermal study of Al-Si-Mg/melon shell ash particulate composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdulwahab, M.; Umaru, O. B.; Bawa, M. A.; Jibo, H. A.

The microstructural study via scanning electron microscope (SEM) and thermal study via differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) study of Al-7%Si-0.3Mg/melon shell ash particulate composite has been carried out. The melon shell ash was used in the production of MMC ranging from 5% to 20% at interval of 5% addition using stir casting method. The melon shell ash was characterized using X-ray fluorescent (XRF) that reveal the presence of CaO, SiO2, Al2O3, MgO, and TiO2 as major compounds. The composite was machined and subjected to heat treatment. Microstructural analyses of the composite produced were done using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The microstructure obtained reveals a dark ceramic (reinforcer) and white metallic phase. Equally, the 5 wt% DSC result gives better thermal conductivity than other proportions (10 wt%, 15 wt%, and 20 wt%). These results showed that an improved property of Al-Si-Mg alloy was achieved using melon shell ash particles as reinforcement up to a maximum of 20 wt% for microstructural and 5% wt DSC respectively.

Effect of Discontinuities and Uncertainties on the Response and Failure of Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noor, Ahmed K.; Perry, Ferman W.; Poteat, Marcia M. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

The overall goal of this research was to assess the effect of discontinuities and uncertainties on the nonlinear response and failure of composite structures subjected to combined mechanical and thermal loads. The four key elements of the study were: (1) development of simple and efficient procedures for the accurate determination of transverse shear and transverse normal stresses in structural sandwiches as well as in unstiffened and stiffened composite panels and shells; (2) study the effects of transverse stresses on the response, damage initiation and propagation in composite and sandwich structures; (3) use of hierarchical sensitivity coefficients to identify the major parameters that affect the response and damage in each of the different levels in the hierarchy (micro-mechanical, layer, panel, subcomponent and component levels); and (4) application of fuzzy set techniques to identify the range and variation of possible responses. The computational models developed were used in conjunction with experiments, to understand the physical phenomena associated with the nonlinear response and failure of composite and sandwich structures. A toolkit was developed for use in conjunction with deterministic analysis programs to help the designer in assessing the effect of uncertainties in the different computational model parameters on the variability of the response quantities.

Polydopamine and MnO2 core-shell composites for high-performance supercapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Ding; Tao, Haisheng; Zhu, Xuezhen; Li, Maoguo

2017-10-01

Polydopamine and MnO2 core-shell composites (PDA@MnO2) for high-performance supercapacitors had been successfully synthesized by a facile and fast method. The morphology, crystalline phase and chemical composition of PDA@MnO2 composites are characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, EDS and XPS. The performance of PDA@MnO2 composites are further investigated by cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge-discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The PDA@MnO2 core-shell nanostructure composites exhibit a high capacitance of 193 F g-1 at the current density of 1A g-1 and retained over 81.2% of its initial capacitance after 2500 cycles of charge-discharge at 2 A g-1. The results manifest that the PDA@MnO2 composites can be potentially applied in supercapacitors.