<p> Solid lubrication of space-borne mechanical components is essential to their survival and the continued human exploration of space. Recent discoveries have shown that PTFE when blended with alumina nanofillers exhibits greatly improved physical performance properties, with wear rates being reduced by several orders of magnitude. The bulk processes used to produce the PTFE-alumina blends are limiting. Co-sputter deposition of PTFE and a filler material overcomes several of these limitations by enabling the reduction of particle size to the atomic level and also by allowing for the even coating of the solid lubricant on relatively large areas and components. The goal of this study was to establish a baseline performance of the sputtered PTFE films as compared to the bulk material, and to establish deposition conditions that would result in the most bulk-like film possible. In order to coax change in the structure of the sputtered films, sputtering power and deposition temperature were increased independently. Further, post-deposition annealing was applied to half of the deposited film in an attempt to affect change in the film structure. Complications in the characterization process due to increasing film thickness were also examined. Bulk-like metrics for characterization processes the included Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray spectroscopy (XPS), nanoindentation via atomic force microscopy, and contact angle of water on surface measurements were established. The results of the study revealed that increasing sputtering power and deposition temperature resulted in an increase in the similarity between the fluorocarbon films and the bulk PTFE, at a cost of affecting the potential of the film thicknesses, either by affecting the deposition process directly, or by decreasing the longevity of the sputtering targets.</p>

<p> Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂Ox (Bi2212) superconducting round wires are a well-known high temperature superconductor due to their isotropic properties, high fill factor, and ease of winding. There have been extensive experiments to improve the wires&rsquo; performance, yet there is little understanding of how the internal microstructure of the wires influences the mechanical behavior. This is due to the multiple phases and their complex arrangements inside the wires, making it challenging for traditional approaches to investigate and simulate the wires&rsquo; behavior. The peridynamic theory, using non-local interactions and integral constitutive equations, can provide a solution to these challenges from the Bi2212 wires microstructure. To reduce computation cost, in this study the peridynamic formulas are developed for 2D simulations. Dynamic relaxation and energy minimization methods to find the steady-state solution are used and compared. The model shows m-convergence and &delta;-convergence behaviors when m increases and &auml; decreases. Model verification shows close quantitative matching to finite element analysis results. The 2D peridynamic model is then used to simulate mechanical behavior of Bi2212 wires. Various types of natural and artificial defects are simulated and compared quantitatively. Both defect geometry and physical characteristics are investigated to study their influence on the stress concentration in the material. The results show significant stress concentration around defects and protruding growths of the Bi2212 phase.</p>

<p> Polymeric membrane based separation technologies are crucial for addressing the global issues such as water purification. However, continuous operations of these processes are often hindered by fouling which increases mass transport resistance of the membrane to permeation and thus the energy cost, and eventually replacement of the membrane in the system. In comparison to other anti-fouling strategies, the use of controlled surface topography to mitigate fouling has not been realized mainly due to the lack of methods to create targeted topography on the porous membrane surface. </p><p> This thesis aims to develop a new methodology to create surface-patterned polymeric separation membrane to improve their anti-fouling characteristics during filtration. First, successful fabrication of sub-micron surface patterns directly on a commercial ultrafiltration (UF) membrane surface using nanoimprint lithographic (NIL) technique was demonstrated. Comprehensive filtration studies revealed that the presence of these sub-micron surface patterns mitigates not only the onset of colloidal particle deposition, but also lowers the rate of growth of cake layer after initial deposition, in comparison with un-patterned membranes. The anti-fouling effects were also observed for model protein solutions. Staged filtration experiments, with backwash cleaning, revealed that the permeate flux of the patterned membrane after protein fouling was considerably higher than that of the pristine or un-patterned membrane. </p><p> In addition to the surface-patterning of UF membranes, successful fabrication of a surface-patterned thin film composite (TFC) membrane was shown for the first time. A two-step fabrication process was carried out by (1) nanoimprinting a polyethersulfone (PES) support using NIL, and (2) forming a thin dense film atop the PES support via interfacial polymerization (IP). Fouling experiments suggest that the surface patterns alter the hydrodynamics at the membrane-feed interface, which is effective in decreasing fouling in dead end filtration system. </p><p> In summary, this thesis represents the first ever fabrication of functional patterned polymeric separation membrane and systematic investigation of the influence of submicron surface patterns on pressure-driven liquid membrane separations. The results presented here will enable an effective non-chemical surface modification anti-fouling strategy, which can be directly added onto current commercial separation membrane manufacturing route.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-02, Section: B, page: 1261. Adviser: Taher Saif. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-78) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-11, Section: B, page: 7621. Advisers: Harley T. Johnson; Jonathan B. Freund. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 99-105) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-11, Section: B, page: 7093. Adviser: Huseyin Sehitoglu. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-147) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 69-11, Section: B, page: 7094. Adviser: Huseyin Sehitoglu. Includes bibliographical references. Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Lehigh University, 2009. / Adviser: Wojciech Z. Misiolek.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-06, Section: B, page: 4096. Adviser: Nick Glumac. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-95) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-06, Section: B, page: 4099. Adviser: Nancy R. Sottos. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 118-121) Available on microfilm from Pro Quest Information and Learning.