An under-body blast (UBB) refers to the use of a roadside explosive device to target a vehicle and its occupants. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) accounted for an estimated 63% of US fatalities. Furthermore, advancements in protective equipment, combat triage, and treatment have caused an increase in IED casualties surviving with debilitating injuries. Military vehicles have been common targets of IED attacks because of the potential to inflict multiple casualties. Anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) are mechanical human surrogates designed to transfer loads and display kinematics similar to a human subject. ATDs have been used successfully by the automotive industry for decades to quantify human injury during an impact and assess safety measures. Currently the Hybrid III ATD is used in live-fire military vehicle assessments. However, the Hybrid III was designed for frontal impacts and demonstrated poor biofidelity in vertical loading experiments. To assess military vehicle safety and make informed improvements to vehicle design, a novel Anthropomorphic Test Device (ATD) was developed and optimized for vertical loading. ATDs, commonly referred to as crash dummies, are designed to estimate the risk of injuries to a human during an impact. The main objective of this study was to develop and validate a Finite Element (FE) model of the ATD lower limb. / Master of Science

Portland cement concrete (PCC) structures deteriorate with age and need to be maintained or replaced. Early detection of deterioration in PCC (e.g., alkali-silica reaction, freeze/thaw damage, or chloride presence) can lead to significant reductions in maintenance costs. However, it is often too late to perform low-cost preventative maintenance by the time deterioration becomes evident. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) methods are potentially among the most useful techniques developed for assessing constructed facilities. They are noninvasive and can be performed rapidly. Portland cement concrete can be nondestructively evaluated by electrically characterizing its complex dielectric constant. The real part of the dielectric constant depicts the velocity of electromagnetic waves in PCC. The imaginary part describes the conductivity of PCC and the attenuation of electromagnetic waves, and hence the losses within the PCC media. Dielectric properties of PCC have been investigated in a laboratory setting using a parallel plate capacitor operating in the frequency range of 0.1MHz to about 40MHz. This capacitor set-up consists of two horizontal-parallel plates with an adjustable separation for insertion of a dielectric specimen (PCC). While useful in research, this approach is not practical for field implementation In this research, a capacitance probe has been developed for field application. The probe consists of two planar conducting plates and is made of flexible materials for placement on exposed surfaces of the specimens to be tested. The calibration method of both capacitive systems has been extensively studied to minimize systematic errors in the measurement process. These two measurement systems will be discussed and compared to one another on the basis of sensitivity and measurement repeatability. / Master of Science

Vascular networks are required to support the formation and function of three-dimensional tissues. Biodegradable scaffolds are being considered in order to promote vascularization where natural regeneration of lost or destroyed vascular networks fails. Particularly; composite materials are expected to fulfill the complex demands of a patient's body to support wound healing. Microbial biopolyesters are being regarded as such second and third generation biomaterials. Methylobacterium extorquens is one of several microorganisms that should be considered for the production of advanced polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). M. extorquens displays a distinct advantage in that it is able to utilize methanol as an inexpensive substrate for growth and biopolyester production. The design of functionalized PHAs, which would be made of both saturated short-chain-length (scl, C [less than or equal to] 5) and unsaturated medium-chain-length (mcl, 6 [less than or equal to] C [less than or equal to] 14) monomeric units, aimed at combining desirable material properties of inert scl/mcl-PHAs with those of functionalized mcl-PHAs. By independently inserting the phaC1 or the phaC2 gene from Pseudomonas fluorescens GK13, recombinant M. extorquens strains were obtained which were capable of producing PHAs containing C-C double bonds. A fermentation process was developed to obtain gram quantities of biopolyesters employing the recombinant M. extorquens ATCC 55366 strain which harbored the phaC2 gene of P. fluorescens GK13, the better one of the two strains at incorporating unsaturated monomeric units. The PHAs produced were found in a blend of scl-PHAs and functionalized scl/mcl-PHAs (4 [less than or equal to] C [less than or equal to] 6), which were the products of the native and of the recombinant PHA synthase, respectively. Thermo-mechanical analysis confirmed that the functionalized scl/mcl-PHAs exhibited the desirable material properties expected. This project contributed to current research on polyhydroxyalkanoates at different levels. The terminal double bonds of the functionalized scl/mcl-PHAs are amenable to chemical modifications and could be transformed into reactive functional groups for covalently linking other biomacromolecules. It is anticipated that these biopolyesters will be utilized as tissue engineering materials in the future, due to their functionality and thermo-mechanical properties.

<p>Curiosity is a powerful tool, and combined with the ability to observe the natural world, grants humankind an unique opportunity, the opportunity to wonder why. Why do things exist?, why do they do the things they do?, why is this even possible?</p> <p>Research in our lab is focused on the basic understanding and potential application of biological materials, in particular, biological adhesives produced by marine organisms such as oysters. Oysters produce a cement-like material that is able to withstand the dynamic conditions found in coastal environments. The focus of this dissertation is to lay the basis of the characterization of new biological materials by observing and analyzing its physical properties, to measure the performance of the material in natural conditions and finally to identify the basic components that give the material the properties that we observe. The end goal of this project is to understand the properties of this material so we are able to develop a synthetic system that is able to imitate, as close as possible, what we find in nature. These results, and more importantly, the new questions that emerge from this research, provide a first look at the adhesive system of oysters leading the way to new discoveries in the future.</p>

Unintentional drop of munitions could be encountered during the storage, transportation, and loading processes. In such an impact, malfunctioning of crucial components of munitions is the worst scenario that may be encountered and level of loads should not reach to critical levels. From two possible methods, experimental one is not frequently applied owing to high cost of money and time. On the contrary, particularly in last couple of years, interest is shifted to numerical simulations such as finite element method. In this thesis, foam materials will be investigated as energy absorbers to reduce the effect of loads during the impact. However, modeling the behavior of foam materials by FE codes is a challenging task. In other words, more than a few material parameters which are not commonly specified in literature are sufficient to represent the behavior of foams in an appropriate way. For this reason, material characteristics of the selected two foam materials, expanded polypropylene and v polyethylene, have been obtained in this study. Characterization of EPP and PE is followed by the selection of the appropriate material models in LS-DYNA which is a nonlinear explicit finite element code. Drop tests of munitions on which initially specified foam materials are integrated were done to identify the load levels. Validation of drop tests which are explained in detail in this thesis has been accomplished by LS-DYNA. Final section of the thesis is related to optimization of the foam geometry which will provide reducing load levels to allowable limits. After optimization studies, three alternative geometries which succeed in to reduce loads to allowable load levels were reached. Finally, one of three alternatives is selected considering cost and manufacturing difficulties.

The cohesive fracture of thin films is a concern for the reliability of many devices in microelectronics, MEMS, photovoltaics, and other applications. In microelectronic packaging the cohesive fracture toughness has become a concern with new low-k dielectric materials currently being used. To obtain the low-k values needed to meet electrical performance goals, the mechanical strength of the material has decreased. This has resulted in cohesive cracks occurring in the Back End of Line (BEoL) dielectric layers of the microelectronic packages. These cracks lead to electronic failures and occur after thermal loading (due to CTE mismatch of materials) and mechanical loading. To prevent these cohesive cracks, it is necessary to measure the cohesive fracture resistance of these thin films to implement during the design and analysis process. Many of the current tests to measure the cohesive fracture resistance of thin films are based on methods developed for larger scale specimens. These methods can be difficult to apply to thin films due to their size and require mechanical fixturing, physical contact near the crack tip, and complicated stress fields. Therefore, a fixtureless cohesive fracture resistance measurement technique has been developed that utilizes photolithography fabrication processes. This technique uses a superlayer thin film with a high intrinsic stress deposited on top of the desired test material to drive cohesive fracture through the thickness of test material. In addition to developing a technique to measure the fracture resistance of dielectric thin films, the use of carbon nanotube (CNT) forests as off-chip interconnects is investigated as a potential method to mitigate the fracture of these materials. The compressive and tensile modulus of CNT forests is characterized, and it is seen that the modulus is several orders of magnitude less than that of a single straight CNT. The low-modulus CNT forest will help mechanically decouple the chip from the board and reduce stress occurring in the dielectric layers as compared to the current technology of solder ball interconnects and therefore improve reliability. The mechanical performance of these CNT interconnects is investigated by creating a finite-element model of a flip chip electronic package utilizing CNT interconnects and comparing the chip stresses to a traditional solder ball interconnect scenario. Additionally, flip chips are fabricated with CNT forest interconnects, assembled to an FR4 substrate, and subjected to accelerated thermomechanical testing to experimentally investigate their performance.

<p>Extrusion Deposition Additive Manufacturing (EDAM) is a process in which fiber-filled thermoplastic polymers are mixed and melted in an extruder and deposited onto a build plate in a layer-by-layer basis. Anisotropy caused by flow-induced orientation of discontinuous fibers along with the non-isothermal cooling process gives rise to internal stresses in printed parts which results in part deformation. The deformation and residual stresses can be abated by modifying the fiber orientation in the extrudate to best suit the print geometry. To that end, the focus of this research is on understanding the effect of fiber orientation state and fiber properties on effective properties of the printed bead and the final deformation of a part. The properties of three different orientation tensors of glass fiber-filled polyamide and carbon fiber-filled polyamide were experimentally and virtually characterized via micromechanics. A thermo-mechanical simulation framework developed in ABAQUS© was used to understand the effects of the varying fiber orientation tensor and fiber properties on the final deformation of printed parts. In particular, a medium-size geometry that is prone to high deformation was simulated and compared among the three orientation tensors and two material systems. This serves to be a good preliminary study to understand microscopic properties induced deformations in EDAM.</p>

This doctoral thesis investigates the application of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for detection of labeled biomolecules on nitrocellulose paper. Nitrocellulose paper is a material often used for assays involving the concentration and labeling of a target analyte, followed by label detection. Among paper-based diagnostics are lateral-flow immuno-assays (LFIAs). Research efforts have made LFIAs into accessible, portable,and low-cost tools for detecting targets such as allergens, toxins,and microbes in food and water.Gold (Au) nanoparticles are standard biomolecular labels among LFIAs, typically detected via colorimetric means.Other labels, such as quantum dots, are also often metallic, and research is ongoing to expand the number of portable instrumentations applied to their detection. A wide diversity of lanthanide-complexed polymers (LCPs) are used as immunoassay labels but have been inapt for portable paper-based assays owing to lab-bound detection instrumentation, until now. LIBS is a multi-element characterization technique which has recently developed from a bench-top to a portable/hand-held analytical tool. This is among the first studies to show that LCPs can be considered as options for biomolecule labels in paper-based assays using bench-based and hand-held LIBS as label detection modalities.<div>Chapter one reviews the importance of rapid, multiplexed detection of chemical and biological contaminants, the application of current biosensors, and the role of LIBS as an emerging biosensor. Paper-based bioassays were identified as a promising approach for contaminant detection whose capabilities could be enhanced by LIBS. The next chapter dives into LIBS system designs to address which LIBS parameters were appropriate for label detection on paper assay material. A balance of LIBS parameters was found to be important for successful analyte detection. Chaptert hree optimizes a LIBS design for sensitive detection of 17 metals and establishes limit of detection values for 7 metals. Optimal detection parameters depended on the metal being detected and were applied to the objective of the final chapter: LIBS detection of labeled antigen immobilized on a paper-based assay. Both antibody and bacteria detection assays were successfully performed and analyzed using bench top and portable LIBS,suggesting an exciting future for the use of LIBS as a biosensor.The prospect of using LIBS for multiplexed, rapid and sensitive detection of biomolecules in assays is explored, laying grounds for future work in the ever-relevant field of biological and chemical hazard detection.<br></div>

No description available.

In der Zahnmedizin werden endodontische Instrumente aus metallischen und polymeren Werkstoffen zur Desinfektion infizierter Wurzelkanalsysteme eingesetzt. Durch den Einsatz von Polymeren ergeben sich aufgrund ihrer günstigen Werkstoffeigenschaften die Vorzüge einer minimal invasiven Arbeitsweise und einer geringeren Bruchgefahr. Demgegenüber besitzen die eingesetzten metallischen Instrumente durch hochfrequente Oszillationen eine verbesserte Reinigungswirkung. Zur Auslegung optimierter polymerbasierter Instrumente, die zuverlässig reinigen, wird daher eine simulationsbasierte Entwicklungsmethode erarbeitet. Ausgangspunkt hierfür ist die ingenieurwissenschaftliche Analyse der methodischen und experimentellen Grundlagen des Gesamtsystems. Die Beschreibung des instationären Schwingungsverhaltens der Instrumente erfolgt durch dynamische Finite-Elemente-Analysen unter Verwendung eines viskoelastischen Materialmodells. Das dazu erforderliche Materialverhalten des ausgewählten Polymers Polyetheretherketon wird mithilfe eines neu entwickelten Prüfaufbaus charakterisiert. Das erarbeitete Simulationsmodell ermöglicht erstmalig eine Analyse des kontaktmechanischen Verhaltens polymerer Miniaturstrukturen unter hochfrequenter Schwingungsanregung. Im Ergebnis steht mit diesem Modell eine realitätsnahe Beschreibung des Schwingungsverhaltens und der auftretenden Beanspruchungen zur Verfügung. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse leisten einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur gezielten, werkstoffgerechten und schwingungsoptimierten Auslegung von zukünftigen zahnmedizinischen Instrumenten zur Wurzelkanalreinigung.:1 Einleitung 1.1 Literaturübersicht 1.2 Problemstellung und Zielsetzung 2 Thermoplastische Polymere für die Anwendung in endodontischen Instrumenten 2.1 Mechanische und technische Anforderungen 2.1.1 Bestimmung einer repräsentativen Wurzelkanalgeometrie 2.1.2 Schwingungstechnik und Aufbau von Reinigungsansätzen 2.1.3 Werkstoffauswahl für Reinigungsansätze 2.1.4 Fertigungstechnologien für Miniaturstrukturen aus PEEK 2.2 Biologische und mechanische Wechselwirkungen 2.2.1 Verhalten gegenüber desinfizierenden Spüllösungen 2.2.2 Tribologie der Wurzelkanalreinigung 3 Analyse des zyklischen Verformungsverhaltens von PEEK 3.1 Phänomenologische Beschreibung des Verformungsverhaltens 3.1.1 Klassifizierung des Materialverhaltens 3.1.2 Elastische Verformung thermoplastischer Polymere 3.1.3 Mechanische Dämpfung 3.2 Experimentelle Untersuchungen 3.2.1 Probekörper 3.2.2 Versuchsaufbau und Durchführung 3.2.3 Voruntersuchungen 3.2.4 Ergebnisse der experimentellen Untersuchungen 4 Modellierung des zyklischen Deformationsverhaltens von PEEK 4.1 Einachsige rheologische viskoelastische Materialmodelle 4.1.1 Allgemeine konstitutive Gleichungen 4.1.2 Einachsige rheologische Grundelemente 4.1.3 Einachsige rheologische Modelle 4.1.4 Vergleich der einachsigen rheologischen Modelle 4.2 Charakterisierung des viskoelastischen Materialverhaltens 4.2.1 Analytische Beschreibung der Balkenschwingung 4.2.2 Resonanzkurvenverfahren 4.2.3 Bestimmung der Materialparameter von PEEK 4.3 Numerische Implementierung eines mehrachsigen Materialmodells 4.3.1 Mehrachsiges Materialmodell 4.3.2 Validierung des implementierten Materialmodells 5 Simulation des Schwingungsverhaltens und experimentelle Verifikation 5.1 Numerische Simulationsmodelle 5.1.1 Geometrische Modelle 5.1.2 Rand- und Anfangsbedingungen 5.1.3 Kontaktmodellierung 5.2 Simulationsergebnisse 5.2.1 Schwingungsverhalten ohne Oberflächenkontakt 5.2.2 Schwingungsverhalten mit Oberflächenkontakt 6 Zusammenfassung Literaturverzeichnis A Experimentelle Voruntersuchungen B Klassische Balkentheorie / In dentistry, endodontic instruments made of metallic and polymer materials are used for the disinfection of infected root canal systems. Due to their beneficial material properties, the use of polymers offers the advantages of a minimally invasive operation and a lower risk of breakage. In contrast, the metallic instruments used have an improved cleaning efficiency due to high-frequency oscillations. A simulation-based development method for the design of optimized polymer-based instruments that clean effectively is therefore being worked out. As starting point, an engineering analysis of the methodological and experimental fundamentals of the overall system has been carried out. The description of the instrument’s transient vibration behavior is performed by dynamic finite element analyses using a viscoelastic material model. The required material behavior of the selected polymer polyetheretherketone is characterized with the aid of a newly developed test setup. The resulting simulation model allows for the first time an analysis of the contact mechanical behavior of polymeric miniaturized structures under high-frequency vibration excitation. As a result, this model provides a realistic description of the vibration behavior and the stresses that occur. The knowledge gained will make a significant contribution to the targeted, material-specific and vibration-optimized design of future dental instruments for root canal irrigation.:1 Einleitung 1.1 Literaturübersicht 1.2 Problemstellung und Zielsetzung 2 Thermoplastische Polymere für die Anwendung in endodontischen Instrumenten 2.1 Mechanische und technische Anforderungen 2.1.1 Bestimmung einer repräsentativen Wurzelkanalgeometrie 2.1.2 Schwingungstechnik und Aufbau von Reinigungsansätzen 2.1.3 Werkstoffauswahl für Reinigungsansätze 2.1.4 Fertigungstechnologien für Miniaturstrukturen aus PEEK 2.2 Biologische und mechanische Wechselwirkungen 2.2.1 Verhalten gegenüber desinfizierenden Spüllösungen 2.2.2 Tribologie der Wurzelkanalreinigung 3 Analyse des zyklischen Verformungsverhaltens von PEEK 3.1 Phänomenologische Beschreibung des Verformungsverhaltens 3.1.1 Klassifizierung des Materialverhaltens 3.1.2 Elastische Verformung thermoplastischer Polymere 3.1.3 Mechanische Dämpfung 3.2 Experimentelle Untersuchungen 3.2.1 Probekörper 3.2.2 Versuchsaufbau und Durchführung 3.2.3 Voruntersuchungen 3.2.4 Ergebnisse der experimentellen Untersuchungen 4 Modellierung des zyklischen Deformationsverhaltens von PEEK 4.1 Einachsige rheologische viskoelastische Materialmodelle 4.1.1 Allgemeine konstitutive Gleichungen 4.1.2 Einachsige rheologische Grundelemente 4.1.3 Einachsige rheologische Modelle 4.1.4 Vergleich der einachsigen rheologischen Modelle 4.2 Charakterisierung des viskoelastischen Materialverhaltens 4.2.1 Analytische Beschreibung der Balkenschwingung 4.2.2 Resonanzkurvenverfahren 4.2.3 Bestimmung der Materialparameter von PEEK 4.3 Numerische Implementierung eines mehrachsigen Materialmodells 4.3.1 Mehrachsiges Materialmodell 4.3.2 Validierung des implementierten Materialmodells 5 Simulation des Schwingungsverhaltens und experimentelle Verifikation 5.1 Numerische Simulationsmodelle 5.1.1 Geometrische Modelle 5.1.2 Rand- und Anfangsbedingungen 5.1.3 Kontaktmodellierung 5.2 Simulationsergebnisse 5.2.1 Schwingungsverhalten ohne Oberflächenkontakt 5.2.2 Schwingungsverhalten mit Oberflächenkontakt 6 Zusammenfassung Literaturverzeichnis A Experimentelle Voruntersuchungen B Klassische Balkentheorie