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A methodology for ligament isolation and specimen preparation for tensile testing of single ligaments from the unit cell of open-cell carbon foams has been successfully developed and implemented. Results are presented for ligaments of three different carbon foam designations. Two of them are reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) foams of 20 and 45 pores-per- inch (ppi) coated with SiC by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and the other is a RVC 20 ppi foam without coating. Scanning electron microscopy and digital imaging analysis is used to analyze the fracture surfaces posts tests. The ultimate strength of each ligament evaluated. Weibull statistics is used to describe the strength distribution of ligaments. While the distribution of strengths of the carbon foam ligaments (RVC) could be described with a one-population distribution, it is found that a two-population Weibull distribution is necessary to describe the distribution of strength of the SiC coated ligaments.

A computational investigation of some optoelectronic applications of carbon nanotubes (CNT) is presented, including CNT-based solar cells and biosensors. The results could be used to evaluate the performance of CNT devices and clarify the necessity of further experimental research in this area. A coaxially-gated CNT field-effect transistor (CNFET) forms the basic structure of the devices modeled in this thesis. Diffusive transport is present in long-channel devices, as in our case, while the quantum mechanical effects are mainly present in the form of tunneling from Schottky-barrier contacts at the metal-CNT interfaces. Band-to-band recombination of electron-hole pairs (EHP) is assumed to be the source of electroluminescence. In a first-order approximation, protein-CNT interactions are modeled as the modification of the potential profile along the longitudinal axis of CNTs due to electrostatic coupling between partial charges, in the oxide layer of the CNFET, and the nanotube. The possibility of electronic detection is evaluated. The electroluminescence of the CNT is proposed as an optical detection scheme due to its sensitivity to the magnitude and the polarity of the charge in the oxide. The validity of the model is argued for the given models. A value for the minimum required size of a computational window in a detailed simulation is derived. The structure of an electrostatically gated p-i-n diode is simulated and investigated for photovoltaic purposes. The absorbed power from the incident light and the interaction between the nanotubes is modeled with COMSOL. The results are interpreted as a generation term and introduced to the Drift-Diffusion Equation (DDE). We have observed behavior similar to that in an experimentally-realized device. The performance of CNT-based solar cells under standard AM 1.5 sunlight conditions is evaluated in the form of an individual solar cell and also in an array of such devices.

In Atlantic Canada, approximately 8000 tonnes of Specific Risk Materials (SRM) is produced annually. Composting offers a means to partially treat and stabilize SRM. In this project, different types of agricultural residuals and wastes were used to compost with SRM in a pilot scale. The results were discussed based on the change in total carbon and nitrogen, pH, temperature, moisture content and electrical conductivity, which were measured at regular intervals over the study. The temperature for all treatments met the CCME pathogen control guideline. The maturity test showed that the CO2-C in all the compost was less than 1 mg/g organic matter/day. Straw and other agricultural wastes performed well in the composting SRM, other advantages includes greater availability, lower cost and more easily decomposed carbon compounds.

Better communication, more stakeholder engagement, policy integration, policy certainty and more resources to encourage innovation and access are needed to improve the effectiveness of Pacific Carbon Trust (PCT). This British Columbia Crown corporation, created to establish a carbon offset market and facilitate a carbon-neutral government, successfully met its ambitious first year target to offset the provincial government’s operating emissions. Stakeholder interviews reveal most participants feel PCT has been largely effective and has the potential to be replicated with modifications in other jurisdictions. As part of a larger climate change action framework, this instrument can be used to demonstrate innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while helping influence cultural norms and behaviour. It can also play a part in stimulating the local green economy and positioning B.C. as a green innovation hub. Mixed methods have been used to evaluate how effectively PCT is living up to its potential.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.