The focus of the research is to develop a consistent and repeatable method to evaluate the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of carbon fibers at high temperatures. Accurate measurement of the CTE of carbon fibers is essential to understand and develop optimal processing procedures as well as computational simulations to predict properties and allowables for fiber-reinforced composites. The mismatch between the coefficient of thermal expansion of the fiber and the matrix has a profound impact on the development of residual stresses and the subsequent damage initiation and progression, potentially diminishing the performance of composite structures. In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is selected to perform the experimental work on account of the high resolution and the capability of evaluating both the longitudinal and transverse CTE. The orthotropy in the CTE is tested by rotating the fibers through 45° about their axis. The method is validated by testing standard tungsten filaments of known CTE. Additionally, the microstructure of the fibers is studied in a field emission scanning electron microscope as well as through selected area diffraction patterns in a TEM to observe presence of any potential orthotropy. The pitch based P55 fiber revealed a cylindrically orthotropic microstructure, but the PAN based IM7 and T1000 fibers did not reveal any orthotropy. Finite element models of hexagonally arranged IM7 fibers in a 977 epoxy matrix are developed using PATRAN and analyzed using the commercial FEA code ABAQUS 6.4. The fiber properties were considered temperature independent where as the matrix properties were varied linearly with temperature. The lamina properties evaluated from the finite element modeling are in agreement with the experimental results in literature within 10% in the temperature range of room temperature to the stress free temperature of the epoxy, however at cryogenic temperatures the difference is greater. The residual stresses developed during processing of the composite indicated a potential location for fiber matrix debonding to be in the matrix dominant regions.

The moisture absorption behavior of Zylon fibers was characterized in various high temperature and high humidity conditions in a controlled environment. The results of these thermal cycling tests show that PBO fibers not only absorb, but also retain moisture (approximately 0.5-3%) when exposed to elevated temperature and humidity cycles. Also, the impurities of Zylon fibers were characterized through the use of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). These tests demonstrated that, in addition to other impurities, PBO fibers may contain up to 0.55 weight percent phosphorus, and that this phosphorus is present in the form of phosphoric acid. It was also shown through accelerated hydrolytic degradation tests that production procedures used to neutralize the acid present in the fibers have a beneficial effect on the hydrolytic performance of the fiber. The data collected in this study was then compared and contrasted to known Kevlar studies, identifying similarities, differences, and potential trends. The results of these tests seem to indicate that there is accelerated acid catalyzed hydrolysis occurring in the fiber which is causing these fibers to degrade at an increased rate. This condition is further accelerated by heat and humidity induced permanent fiber swelling.

Filling the liquid crystals (LCs) into the air holes of the photonic crystal fibers (PCFs), we can obtain the liquid-crystal photonic crystal fibers (LCPCFs). Due to the tunable optical properties of the LCs, we can fabricate tunable optical devices based on the LCPCFs. In this thesis, we investigate the photonic bandgap (PBG) properties and find out the effective modal index curves of the LCPCFs by the finite-difference frequency-domain (FDFD) method. The effects of the operation temperature and the alignment of the LCs are discussed. When the alignment of the LC is in the transverse plane of the PCF, we can observe the blue shift and the splitting of the PBGs as we increase the operation temperature. As the LC is aligned along the PCF, the red shift occurs and the splitting disappears. The shift and the splitting of the PBGs are due to the high anisotropic property of the LCs. Besides, we can rotate the alignment of the LCs by the external electric field, and the effects of the alignment on the propagation properties of the LCPCFs are larger than those of the operation temperature. In the experiment, we successfully fabricate the LCPCFs by using the vacuum method. In the measurement of the LCPCF at different operation temperatures,the red shift of the spectra can be observed with the increasing operation temperatures, which has a very good agreement with the simulation results. As we vary the alignment of the LCs with the external electric field, the transmission bands are almost the same as the voltage is less than 200V. During the range of 200V to 400V, the PBGs demonstrate obvious variations and the deep appears at 1050nm. When the external electric field is raised to 400V, the shapes of the spectra are almost the same and the red shift of the PBGs can be observed. The results of our simulation and the experiment measurement can help us to design and fabricate optical devices based on the LCPCFs.

A novel selective-filling technology of photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) employing a simple selective-blocking process using UV gel is demonstrated in this thesis. In this study the liquid-filled PCFs with the filling in inside three layers and whole four layers represent the insertion loss of gel 7.5dB and the photonic band gap (PBG) guiding effect at wavelength 1100nm~1300nm, having potential to be tunable optical filters by filling the liquid crystal. The liquid-filled PCFs without the filling of the most inside 1ayer represent low insertion loss of gel 2dB and the total index reflection (TIR) guiding effect, having potential to be low loss tunable fiber gratings by filling the liquid crystal. The liquid-filled PCFs with the filling in middle a layer represent the elliptical far field pattern and effect of birefringence at wavelength 1600nm.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 110 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 54-59).

Thesis(M.S.)--Case Western Reserve University, 2009 / Title from PDF (viewed on 2010-01-28) Department of EMC - Mechanical Engineering Includes abstract Includes bibliographical references and appendices Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004. / John A. Buck, Committee Chair ; Stephen E. Ralph, Committee Member ; Gee-Kung Chang, Committee Member ; Rick Trebino, Committee Member ; Glenn S. Smith, Committee Member. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-104).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2004. / Collard, David, Committee Co-Chair ; Schiraldi, David, Committee Member ; Liotta, Charles, Committee Member ; Weck, Marcus, Committee Member ; Srinivasarao, Mohan, Committee Member ; Kumar, Satish, Committee Co-Chair. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. S.)--Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010. / Committee Chair: Dr. Steve Johnson; Committee Member: Dr. Jianmin Qu; Committee Member: Dr. Rick Neu. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Institute of Paper Chemistry, 1937. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-87).