<p>Recent advances in sensor technologies and data acquisition platforms have led to the era of Big Data. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), computing power and machine learning (ML) algorithms allow Big Data to be processed within affordable time constraints. This opens abundant opportunities to develop novel and efficient approaches to enhance the sustainability and resilience of Smart Cities. This work, by starting with a review of the state-of-the-art data fusion and ML techniques, focuses on the development of advanced solutions to structural health monitoring (SHM) and metamaterial design and discovery strategies. A deep convolutional neural network (CNN) based approach that is more robust against noisy data is proposed to perform structural response estimation and system identification. To efficiently detect surface defects using mobile devices with limited training data, an approach that incorporates network pruning into transfer learning is introduced for crack and corrosion detection. For metamaterial design, a reinforcement learning (RL) and a neural network based approach are proposed to reduce the computation efforts for the design of periodic and non-periodic metamaterials, respectively. Lastly, a physics-constrained deep auto-encoder (DAE) based approach is proposed to design the geometry of wave scatterers that satisfy user-defined downstream acoustic 2D wave fields. The robustness of the proposed approaches as well as their limitations are demonstrated and discussed through experimental data or/and numerical simulations. A roadmap for future works that may benefit the SHM and material design research communities is presented at the end of this dissertation.</p><br>

Systems of interacting colloidal particles are ideal tools for studies of pattern formation and collective non-equilibrium dynamics on the mesoscopic scale. These processes are governed by the interaction between the particles, which can be tuned by sophisticated fabrication. In this thesis, self-assembly of artificially designed magnetic spheres dispersed in water has been studied via video microscopy. The particles are based on silica microspheres with hemispherical ferromagnetic coating of [Co/Pd] multilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. These particles are exceptional in that they exhibit an off-centered net magnetic moment and yet obey rotational and mirror symmetry. It has been demonstrated how these magnetic properties provide innovative flexibility in pattern formation and collective dynamics based on magnetostatic interactions on the mesoscopic scale. The results are supported by analytical and numerical calculations of interacting spheres with radially shifted point dipoles (sd-particles). In two dimensions, the particles spontaneously self-assemble into branched structures as a result of a bistable assembly behavior where neighboring particles exhibit a non-collinear magnetic orientation. It has been shown that these features, which are atypical for homogeneous systems of magnetic particles, can be reproduced by simulation. It employs a theoretical model of a sphere that contains a distribution of three radially shifted point dipoles in analogy to the magnetization distribution in the coated particles. The stability of the assembly has been examined further by external manipulation using optical tweezers and homogeneous magnetic fields. A rich variety of stable structures with diverse spatial and magnetic ordering has been found. Particularly, the collective alignment of the specially designed particles in external fields opens completely new possibilities for the remote control over reversible pattern formation on the micrometer scale. In time-dependent fields, the collective dynamics of the anisotropic particles has revealed a novel approach for magnetically actuated translation. The variety of stable structures particularly enables control over this motion. / Kolloidale Suspensionen sind geeignete Systeme zur Untersuchung von Strukturbildung und kollektiver Nichtgleichgewichtsdynamik in mesoskopischen Größenskalen. Diese Vorgänge werden durch die Wechselwirkung zwischen den Teilchen bestimmt, welche durch geeignete Partikelherstellung angepasst werden kann. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird ein System von künstlich hergestellten magnetischen Partikelsuspensionen mittels Videomikroskopie untersucht. Quarzglas-Mikrokugeln wurden halbseitig mit einer ferromagnetischen Dünnschicht aus [Co/Pd] Multilagen mit senkrechter Anisotropie beschichtet. Solche Partikel sind ausgezeichnet durch ein resultierendes magnetisches Moment mit Rotations- und Spiegelsymmterie, welches zusätzlich vom Mittelpunkt der Kugel verschoben ist. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt, dass diese Besonderheit zu einer bisher unbekannten Flexibilität bei der mesoskopischen Strukturbildung und der kollektiven Dynamik auf der Basis magnetostatischer Wechselwirkung führt. Die vorgestellten Ergebnisse werden durch analytische und numerische Berechnungen unterstützt, denen ein Modell einer idealen Kugel mit verschobenem Dipol zugrunde liegt. Die zweidimensionale Selbstanordnung der Partikel zeigt experimentell zwei stabile Formen der Verknüpfung, welche zu verzweigten Strukturen mit unterschiedlich magnetischer Ausrichtung benachbarter Partikel führen. Diese für ein homogenenes System magnetischer Partikel außergewöhnlichen Eigenschaften konnten in Simulationen durch ein Modellsystem aus Kugeln mit drei verschobenen Punktdipolen reproduziert werden. Darüber hinaus wurde die spontante Anordnung unter externer Manipulation mittels optischer Pinzette und magnetischen Feldern untersucht. Es konnte eine Vielfalt an stabilen Strukturen mit verschiedenen magnetischen und strukturellen Anordnungen gefunden werden. Insbesondere die kollektive Ausrichtung dieser Partikel in externen Feldern eröffnet neuartige Möglichkeiten, kontrolliert und reversibel Mikrostrukturen zu erzeugen. In zeitabhängigen Feldern zeigen die anisotropen Partikel zusätzlich eine kollektive Dynamik welche eine neue Möglichkeit zum magnetischen Antrieb von Partikelagglomeraten eröffnet. Die Vielfalt der möglichen stabilen Strukturen erlaubt es in besonderer Weise diese Bewegung zu steuern.

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde die Strukturierbarkeit ultradünner, funktioneller Polymerfilme anhand von Diazosulfonat-Terpolymer- und Aminoterpolymer-Schichten untersucht. Beide Polymersysteme enthalten eine photoaktive Gruppe in der Seitenkette, die sich durch gezielte UV-Bestrahlung verändern läßt. In den Diazosulfonat-Terpolymeren wird durch die Belichtung die Funktionalität zerstört, während bei den Aminoterpolymeren die Funktionalität durch die Belichtung erst freigelegt wird. Dafür wurden Strukturierungsmethoden für verschiedene Längenskalen erarbeitet und auf ihre Eignung geprüft. Der Nachweis der erfolgreichen Strukturierung wurde durch an die Längenskala angepaßte Methoden geführt und damit die erzeugten Strukturen sichtbar gemacht. Die Veränderungen im optischen Absorptionsverhalten konnten an makroskopischen Probenbereichen nachgewiesen werden. Sowohl der verwendete Aufbau für die Strukturierung (Belichtung) als auch die Detektion mit dem 2-Stahl-Spektrometer erwies sich als geeignet. Es konnte deutlich der Abbau der UV-Absorptionsbande der Diazosulfonat-Terpolymerfilme gezeigt und quantitativ untersucht werden. Dafür wurden Lichtdosen von etwa 0,35 ... 39 nJ/µm² eingebracht und deren Auswirkungen auf die Absorptionsänderung des Polymers direkt festgestellt. Diese Messungen zeigen, daß die eingebrachte Energie und nicht die Leistung (sofern diese unterhalb 2,5 mW liegt) entscheidend für die Modifikation der optischen Eigenschaften dieser Polymere ist. Anhand der Meßergebnisse konnte eine Abschätzung der Quantenausbeute durchgeführt werden, die für die Diazosulfonat-Terpolymerfilme einen Wert von (12 ± 6) % ergab. Auf der Mikrometer-Skala wurden unterschiedliche Ansätze verfolgt, um die optische Strukturierung nachzuweisen. Der Nachweis optischer Modifikationen der Diazosulfonat-Terpolymerfilme wurde nach Belichtung mit hohen Lichtdosen geführt, da er sich nur in diesem Energiebereich mit der erforderlichen Empfindlichkeit realisieren ließ. Für die Aminoterpolymerfilme wurden Strukturen durch Fluoreszenzmarkierung nachgewiesen, welche sich als sehr sensitiv herausstellte. Im Anschluß an die Belichtung konnten topographische Modifikationen mit dem AFM gemessen werden. Mit dem SNOM konnten diese Modifikationen bereits während der Belichtung direkt analysiert werden. Die getesteten Methoden der Raman-Spektroskopie und der Metallisierung mit anschließender Röntgen-Photoelektronenspektroskopie zeigten weder die benötigte Sensitivität noch Selektivität. Die untersuchten Polymersysteme können in Form ultradünner Filme auf unterschiedliche Substrate aufgebracht werden. In diesen Polymerfilmen wurden Strukturen von der Millimeter-Skala bis Nanometer-Skala erzeugt. Anhand von an die Größenskala angepaßten direkten und indirekten Nachweismethoden konnten Veränderungen der optischen, mechanischen und chemischen Eigenschaften der Polymere analysiert werden.

<p>  </p> <p>Printed electronics (PE) is one of the fastest growing technologies in the 21^st century. Recent reports have shown that PE market will reach 4.9 billion by 2032. PE refers to additive deposition of materials to fabricate electrical circuits, interconnects, and devices. </p> <p>The quest for developing nondestructive processes that enables additive manufacturing of low-cost PEs on heat-sensitive substrates with novel functionalities has resulted in several recent developments in the field which includes investigation of selective and optical sintering processes such as photonic sintering and laser sintering, to name a few. Broadly, this dissertation is an effort to study these sintering technologies for additive manufacturing of bimodal (metal/metal, metal/inorganic, and metal/organic) printed material compositions.  </p> <p>In the first section, nondestructive sintering technologies is combined with chemical sintering to develop bimodal metallic conductive pastes for the fabrication of biodegradable and non-biodegradable printed devices for applications in food packaging and wireless smart drug delivery.</p> <p>Next, a process is developed via near-infrared (NIR) technology to enable soldering and mounting electrical components onto printed materials using low-temperature bimodal metal/organic solder pastes. The developed optimized process is used to fabricate a flexible printed hybrid device for remote assessment of the wound exudate absorption in dressings.</p> <p>Lastly, laser processing is used to fabricate an antibacterial bimodal silver containing glass ceramics coating directly on temperature-sensitive polymeric surgical meshes. The integrated bioceramic coating on the mesh exhibits long-lasting antibacterial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains of bacteria. </p> <p>The results of this dissertation will open a new route of research to fabricate low-cost devices with bimodal materials with applications in medical device, healthcare, and packaging industries. </p> <p><br></p>

<p>Multifunctional additive manufacturing has the immense potential of addressing present needs within structural health monitoring by enabling a new additive manufacturing paradigm that redefines what a sensor is, or what sensors should resemble. To achieve this, the properties of printed components must be precisely tailored to meet structure specific and application specific requirements. However due to the limited number of commercially available multifunctional filaments, this research investigates the in-house creation of adaptable piezoresistive multifunctional filaments and their potential within structural health monitoring applications based upon their characterized piezoresistive responses. To do so, a rigid polylactic acid based-filament and a flexible thermoplastic polyurethane based-filament were modified to impart piezoresistive properties using carbon nanofibers. The filaments were produced using different mixing techniques, nanoparticle concentrations, and optimally selected manufacturing parameters from a design of experiments approach. The resulting filaments exhibited consistent resistivity values which were found to be less variable under specific mixing techniques than commercially available multifunctional filaments. This improved consistency was found to be a key factor which held back currently available piezoresistive filaments from fulfilling needs within structural health monitoring. To demonstrate the ability to meet these needs, the piezoresistive responses of three dog-bone shaped sensor sizes were measured under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions for the optimally manufactured filaments. The characterized piezoresistive responses demonstrated high strain sensitivities under both tensile and compressive loads. These piezoresistive sensors demonstrated the greatest sensitivity in tension, where all three sensor sizes exhibited gauge factors over 30. Cyclic loading supported these results and further demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of the printed sensors within SHM applications.</p>

<p>Micro- and nanoparticles (MNP) attract much attention owing to their unique properties, structural tunability, and wide range of practical applications. To deposit these important materials on surfaces for generating functional coatings, a variety of special delivery systems and coating/printing techniques have been explored. Herein, spray coating technique is a promising candidate to advance the field of nanotechnology due to its low-cost, high-deposition rate, manufacturing flexibility, and compatibility with roll-to-roll processing. Despite great advances, direct scalable spray writing of functional materials at high-spatial resolution through fine patterning without a need of vacuum and mask equipment still remains challenging. Addressing these limitations requires the development of efficient spray deposition techniques and novel manufacturing approaches to effectively fabricate functional coatings. To this end, this dissertation employs three different spray coating methods of (1) cold spray; (2) atomization-assisted supersonic spray, and (3) dual velocity regime spray to address the aforementioned limitations. A comprehensive set of coating materials, design principles, and operational settings for each spray system are tailored for rapid, direct, and sustainable deposition of MNP on various substrates. Besides, through the two-phase flow modeling, droplets dispersion and deposition characteristics were investigated under both subsonic and supersonic flow conditions to uncover the process-structure-property relationships of the established spray systems. Moreover, novel spray-based manufacturing approaches are developed to fabricate functional coatings in various applications, including (i) functional polymer metallization, (ii) printed flexible electronics, (iii) advanced thin-film nanocoating, (iv) laser direct writing, and (v) electronic textiles.</p>

<h4>A generalized physics-based modeling framework is presented to analyze: (a) the effects of temperature on identified degradation mechanisms, (b) interfacial debonding processes, including deterministic and stochastic mechanisms, and (c) establishing model performance benchmarks of electrochemical porous electrode theory models, as a necessary stepping stone to perform valid battery degradation analyses and designs. Specifically, the effects of temperature were incorporated into a physics-based, reduced-order model and extended for a LiCoO₂ -graphite 18650 cell. Three dimensionless driving forces were identified, controlling the temperature-dependent reversible charge capacity. The identified temperature-dependent irreversible mechanisms include homogeneous SEI, at moderate to high temperatures, and the chemomechanical degradation of the cathode at low temperatures. Also, debonding of a statistically representative electrochemically active particle from the surrounding binder-electrolyte matrix in a porous electrode was modeled analytically, for the first time. The proposed framework enables to determine the space of C-Rates and electrode particle radii that suppresses or enhances debonding and is graphically summarized into performance–microstructure maps where four debonding mechanisms were identified, and condensed into power-law relations with respect to the particle radius. Finally, in order to incorporate existing or emerging degradation models into porous electrode theory (PET) implementations, a set of benchmarks were proposed to establish a common basis to assess their physical reaches, limitations, and accuracy. Three open source models: dualfoil, MPET, and LIONSIMBA were compared, exhibiting significant qualitative differences, despite showing the same macroscopic voltage response, leading the user to different conclusions regarding the battery performance and possible degradation mechanisms of the analyzed system.</h4>