Thesis (M.S.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2008. / "May, 2008." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 144-147). Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-87). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008.

Thesis (M.S.)--California Polytechnic State University, 2008. / "June 2nd, 2008." "In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree [of] Master of Science in Engineering with Specialization in Materials Engineering." "Presented to the faculty of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo." Major professor: Richard Savage, Ph.D. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-100). Also available online and on microfiche (2 sheets).

Thesis (doctoral)--Tallinn University of Technology, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: Allen, Mark; Committee Member: Allen, Sue; Committee Member: Glezer, Ari; Committee Member: Koros, Williams; Committee Member: Prausnitz, Mark. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (M.Eng.(Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Summaries in Afrikaans and English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.M.P.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Willet Kempton, College of Marine and Earth Studies. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Eng.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 115-129.

The main aim of this thesis is the development of $^{17}$O solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques to study the local structure and ion dynamics of functional oxide materials for applications in energy conversion, in particular as electrodes and electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Broadly, the work comprises two related areas: (1) application of a combined experimental and computational methodology to enable the first $^{17}$O solid-state NMR studies of paramagnetic oxides, in particular a class of perovskite-derived structures used as mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) for SOFC cathodes, and (2) further uses of multinuclear variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy, with emphasis on $^{17}$O NMR results, to elucidate mechanistic details of oxide-ion motion and sublattice exchange in a novel family of promising SOFC electrolyte materials based on $\delta$-Bi$_{2}$O$_{3}$. In the first section, $^{17}$O magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectra of the paramagnetic MIEC, La$_{2}$NiO$_{4+\delta}$, are presented and rationalized with the aid of periodic DFT calculations. Advanced NMR pulse programming and quadrupolar filtering techniques are coupled to extract high-resolution spectra. In particular, these data reveal local structural distortions in La$_{2}$NiO$_{4+\delta}$ that arise from incorporation of interstitial oxide defects. Moreover, variable-temperature spectra indicate the onset of oxide-ion motion involving the interstitials at 130 °C, which is linked to an orthorhombic$-$tetragonal phase transition. By analyzing the ion dynamics on the spectral timescale, specific motional mechanisms are elucidated that prove relevant to understanding the functionality and conductivity of this phase. Next, a similar methodology is applied to the Sr-doped analogues, La$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$NiO$_{4+\delta}$, in an exploration of the defect chemistry and electronic structure of these phases (0 $\leq {x} \leq$ 1). By following the doping-induced evolution of spectral features assigned to interstitial and equatorial oxygen environments, changes in the ionic and electronic conductivity, respectively, are rationalized. This approach has been extended to the acquisition and assignment of $^{17}$O NMR spectra of isostructural Sm$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$NiO$_{4+\delta}$ and Pr$_{2-x}$Sr$_{x}$NiO$_{4+\delta}$ phases, promising SOFC cathode materials that exhibit paramagnetism on the A site (A = Sm, Pr). The final section details the characterization of oxide-ion motion in the fluorite-type phases Bi$_{1-x}$V$_{x}$O$_{1.5+x}$ and Bi$_{1-x}$P$_{x}$O$_{1.5+x}$ ($x$ = 0.087 and 0.148) developed as SOFC electrolytes. Variable-temperature NMR experiments between room temperature and 923 K reveal two distinct mechanisms. For the V-doped phases, an oxide-ion conduction mechanism is observed that involves oxygen exchange between the Bi-O sublattice and rapidly rotating VO$_{4}$ tetrahedral units. The more poorly conducting P-doped phase exhibits only vacancy conduction with no evidence of sublattice exchange, a result ascribed to the differing propensities of the dopants to undergo variable oxygen coordination. These initial insights suggest chemical design rules to improve the next generation of oxide-ion conducting materials.