The purpose of this study is to investigate the torrefaction and pelletization behavior, hydrophobicity, storage behavior, ash analysis on three different biomasses: one (willow pellets) from wood products, one (oat pellets) from agricultural products and one (poultry litter) from the non-lignocellulosic biomass products during the processes. Four different torrefaction temperatures from 200°C-300°C, at 10-60 minute residence times, 0%-2.4% oxygen concentration, were considered. Of these, 285°C for willow pellets, 270°C for oat pellets and 275°C for poultry litter were found to be optimum for hydrophobicity. Studies of XRD and SEM of biomass ash at 800°C, 900°C and 1000°C were also carried out. The aforementioned results indicate that torrefaction is a feasible alternative to improve energy properties of ordinary biomass and prevent moisture re-absorption during storage.

Organic conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylene dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), is widely recognized for its electro-actuation mechanism and is used in flexible electronics. Its high potential as actuator is based on a strong coupling between chemical, mechanical and electrical properties which directly depends on external stimuli. There is no model today to describe the interplay between moisture absorption, mechanical expansion and electrical stimulus. Elucidating the role of each component in the effective actuation properties is needed to further optimize and tailor such materials. The objective of this thesis is to develop a macroscopic model to describe water sorption kinetics of the PEDOT:PSS film. We used gravimetric analysis of pure PEDOT:PSS film of three different thicknesses to investigate absorption kinetics over a broad range of temperatures and relative humidity. Our results revealed that the moisture uptake of PEDOT:PSS film does not follow Fickian diffusion law due to the retained amount of water after desorption process. We used an existing diffusionreaction model to describe this behavior, and COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB software programs to implement it. We observed that the generic model we used in our work could predict polymer behavior with 95% accuracy. However, our model was not able to properly represent the data at very high relative humidity at low temperature, which was attributed to the excessive swelling of the film. Also, we examined a relation between the moisture content of PEDOT:PSS and its mechanical strain and electrical conductivity. The results presented here are the first step towards a general multiphysics electro-thermo-mechanical description of PEDOT:PSS based actuators.

Research is presented which encompasses a study of epoxies based on diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured with 2-ethyl-4-methylimidazole (EMI-24) in the presence of the nonionic surfactant Triton X-100. Interest in this epoxy system is due partially to the potential application as a waterborne replacement for solvent cast epoxies in E-glass laminated printed circuit boards. This research has revealed that the viscoelastic behavior of the cured epoxy is altered when serving as the matrix in a glass composite. The additional constraining and coupling of the E-glass fibers to the segmental motion of the epoxy matrix results in an increased level of viscoelastic cooperativity. Current research has determined that the cooperativity of an epoxy/E-glass composite is also sensitive to the surface chemistry of the glass fibers. Model single-ply epoxy/E-glass laminates were constructed in which the glass was pretreated with either 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) or 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPS) coupling agents. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was then used to create master curves of the storage modulus (E') in the frequency domain. The frequency range of the master curves and resulting cooperativity plots clearly varied depending on the surface treatment of the glass fibers. It was determined that the surfactant has surprisingly little effect in the observed trends in cooperativity of the composites. However, the changes in cooperativity due to the surface pretreatment of the glass were lessened by the aqueous phase of the waterborne resin. Moisture uptake experiments were also performed on epoxy samples that were filled with spherical glass beads as well as multi-ply laminated composites. No increases in the diffusion constant could be attributed to the surfactant. However, the surfactant did enhance the final equilibrium moisture uptake levels. These equilibrium moisture uptake levels were also sensitive to the surface pretreatment of the E-glass. / Ph. D.

The influence of silane treated amorphous fumed silica fillers on properties of the cured epoxy was examined in the first part of the study. Silica particles were treated with 3- aminopropyldiethoxymethylsilane (APDS) and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) coupling agents. The filler and coupling agents decreased the mobility of the polymer chains in the vicinity of the filler leading to an increase in the activation energy for the glass transition and an increase in cooperativity. Fumed silica did not significantly affect moisture diffusion properties. Next, a linear dilatometer was used to investigate the effects of cure conditions, mold types, and the presence of filler in the model epoxy. These studies revealed that there was substantial shrinkage in the cured epoxy on heating it through its glass transition region. The shrinkage was determined to be the result of stress in the epoxy generated during cure and could be minimized by curing at lower temperatures, followed by a postcuring heat treatment. Additional free volume in the sample increased the magnitude of the shrinkage by allowing increased stress release through increased network mobility. Decreasing the polymer mobility by adding fillers decreased the observed shrinkage. The influence of the model epoxy crosslink density was examined by varying the content of 1,4-butanediol in the model system. Addition of 1,4-butanediol led to a decrease in the modulus and glass transition temperature, which resulted in a reduction in residual stress and subsequent shrinkage. Moisture uptake increased with the addition of 1,4-butanediol due to an increase in the free volume of the epoxy. However, even with greater moisture uptake, the addition of 1,4-butanediol to the epoxy increased its adhesion to quartz by promoting lower residual stress and increased energy dissipation. These results indicate that bulk diffusion of water is not the controlling factor in adhesive degradation in this system. / Ph. D.

<p>Elevated temperatures accompanying climate warming are expected to have adverse effects on sensitive lichen species. This premise was examined by measuring the sensitivity of different lichen species to elevated temperatures in the laboratory and in the field. Laboratory studies involved the exposure of nine hydrated lichen species (Xanthoparmelia austro-africana, X. hyporhytida, Xanthoparmelia sp., Xanthomaculina hottentotta, Teloschistes capensis, Ramalina sp., Flavopuntelia caperata, Lasallia papulosa, Parmotrema austrosinensis) collected from sites of different aridity and mean annual temperature for 2 hourly intervals to temperatures ranging from 24&ordm / C to 48&ordm / C in a forced daft oven and measuring their respiration rates and maximum quantum yield of PSII. Field studies involved simultaneous hourly measurements of ground surface air temperatures and Lichen effective quantum yield of PSII of hydrated lichen species populations under ambient and artificially modified environmental conditions.</p>

<p>Elevated temperatures accompanying climate warming are expected to have adverse effects on sensitive lichen species. This premise was examined by measuring the sensitivity of different lichen species to elevated temperatures in the laboratory and in the field. Laboratory studies involved the exposure of nine hydrated lichen species (Xanthoparmelia austro-africana, X. hyporhytida, Xanthoparmelia sp., Xanthomaculina hottentotta, Teloschistes capensis, Ramalina sp., Flavopuntelia caperata, Lasallia papulosa, Parmotrema austrosinensis) collected from sites of different aridity and mean annual temperature for 2 hourly intervals to temperatures ranging from 24&ordm / C to 48&ordm / C in a forced daft oven and measuring their respiration rates and maximum quantum yield of PSII. Field studies involved simultaneous hourly measurements of ground surface air temperatures and Lichen effective quantum yield of PSII of hydrated lichen species populations under ambient and artificially modified environmental conditions.</p>

Magister Scientiae (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / Elevated temperatures accompanying climate warming are expected to have adverse effects on sensitive lichen species. This premise was examined by measuring the sensitivity of different lichen species to elevated temperatures in the laboratory and in the field. Laboratory studies involved the exposure of nine hydrated lichen species (Xanthoparmelia austro-africana, X. hyporhytida, Xanthoparmelia sp., Xanthomaculina hottentotta, Teloschistes capensis, Ramalina sp., Flavopuntelia caperata, Lasallia papulosa, Parmotrema austrosinensis) collected from sites of different aridity and mean annual temperature for 2 hourly intervals to temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 48ºC in a forced daft oven and measuring their respiration rates and maximum quantum yield of PSII. Field studies involved simultaneous hourly measurements of ground surface air temperatures and Lichen effective quantum yield of PSII of hydrated lichen species populations under ambient and artificially modified environmental conditions. / South Africa

Materials, Processes, and Characterization of Extended Air-gaps for the Intra-level Interconnection of Integrated Circuits Seongho Park 157 pages Directed by Dr. Paul A. Kohl and Dr. Sue Ann Bidstrup Allen The integration of an air-gap as an ultra low dielectric constant material in an intra-metal dielectric region of interconnect structure in integrated circuits was investigated in terms of material properties of a thermally decomposable sacrificial polymer, fabrication processes and electrical performance. Extension of the air-gap into the inter-layer dielectric region reduces the interconnect capacitance. In order to enhance the hardness of a polymer for the better process reliabilities, a conventional norbornene-based sacrificial polymer was electron-beam irradiated. Although the hardness of the polymer increased, the thermal properties degraded. A new high modulus tetracyclododecene-based sacrificial polymer was characterized and compared to the norbornene-based polymer in terms of hardness, process reliability and thermal properties. The tetracyclododecene-based polymer was harder and showed better process reliability than the norbornene-based sacrificial polymer. Using the tetracyclododecene-based sacrificial polymer, a single layer Cu/air-gap and extended Cu/air-gap structures were fabricated. The effective dielectric constant of the air-gap and extended air-gap structures were 2.42 and 2.17, respectively. This meets the requirements for the 32 nm node. Moisture uptake of the extended Cu/air-gap structure increased the effective dielectric constant. The exposure of the structure to hexamethyldisilazane vapor removed the absorbed moisture and changed the structure hydrophobic, improving the integration reliability. The integration processes of the air-gap and the extended air-gap into a dual damascene Cu metallization process has been proposed compared to state-of-the-art integration approaches.

Biomass has been used as a fuel since ancient times. In recent decades the use has increased and the technology has developed considerably in large parts of the world. In Sub Saharan Africa, traditionally used biomass, such as wood or charcoal, is still the main source of energy in households. Zambia consumes charcoal corresponding to 6 089 000 tonnes/year. The use of biomass is very ineffective and with increasing population and energy requirements, this is placing Zambia on the top ten list of highest deforestation rates in the world.  Emerging Cooking Solutions Zambia Ltd. [ECS], started in 2012 with a vision to establish a pellet production in Africa. They provide modern cooking stoves and fuel pellets to counteract the unsustainable use of biomass and the health risk with traditional fuels. ECS aims to expand their production and are now striving to find a biomass that can increase hardness of pellets. The purpose of this work is to increase knowledge of the ability of raw materials to be pelletized, to support ECS expansion in a sustainable manner.  In this report fourteen different biomasses was evaluated at three different moisture content, 5%, 7,5% and 10%. Peanut shell, Pigeon Pea, Pine and Sicklebush was assumed to be able to be used as a base material. Remaining biomasses as additive; Bamboo, Cassava peel, Cassava stem, Eucalyptus, Gliricidia, Peanut shell, Lantana, Miombo seed capsules, Olive tree and Tephrosia. Pellet production was performed in a single pellet press located at the department of environmental and energy system at Karlstad University, Karlstad. Compression energy, friction energy, hardness and moisture uptake was some of the operating characteriztics and properties that were evaluated. Additionally, four blends were pelletized with the aim to increased hardness.  Pigeon Pea resulted in hardest pellets of the base materials, it managed a radial pressure of 46.3 kg, Pine resulted in low hardness, 17.7 kg. For the additives, the following materials were hardest as pellets; Tephrosia, 70.0 kg, Gliricidia 58.7 kg, Cassava peel 48.6 kg och Miombo seed capsules, 48.3 kg. Pine was the material that required relatively more energy pelletizing, 183.0 J. Lowest energy, Cassava stem, 49,1 J.  All blends resulted in higher hardness of pellets. Most advantageous were Cassava peel and Tephrosia. Cassava peel in Pigeon Pea increased hardness even at 10% and reduced energy requirements. Pigeon Pea with 50% Tephrosia increased hardness with 21.1 kg to 67.4 kg, slightly increasing energy requirements. Though logistic chain for Cassava peel was evaluated higher than Tephrosia.  For ECS to expand their production they are recommended, accordingly to the results in this study, to use Pigeon Pea at about 6% moisture content, as a base material. In order to increase hardness of pellets, they should primarily use Tephrosia, about 7% and Cassava peel at approximately 8% moisture content as an additive. / Biomassa har använts som bränsle sedan urminnes tider. Användningen har ökat och olika tekniker för nyttjande har utvecklats avsevärt i stora delar av världen de senaste decennierna. I Afrika söder om Sahara utgör traditionellt använd biomassa, såsom ved eller träkol fortfarande den huvudsakliga källan till energi i hemmet. Zambia konsumerar träkol motsvarande 6 089 000 ton ved varje år. Användningen av biomassan är mycket ineffektiv och med en ökande befolkning och energibehov sätter detta Zambia på topp tio listan med högsta avskogningshastigheter i världen.  Emerging Cooking Solutions Zambia Ltd [ECS], startade 2012 med visionen att etablera en pelletsproduktion i Afrika. De tillhandahåller moderna pelletsbrännare och producerar bränslepellets för att motverka problemet med den ohållbara användningen av biomassa och hälsorisker i samband med detta. ECS har som mål att öka sin produktion och eftersträvar nu främst att hitta en spetsråvara som kan öka hårdheten på pellets. Syftet med denna rapport är att öka kunskapen om råvarors möjlighet att pelleteras för att bidra till att Emerging Cooking Solutions verksamhet ska kunna expandera på ett hållbart sätt.  I denna rapport utvärderades fjorton olika biomassor vid tre olika målfukthalter 5%, 7,5% och 10%. Jordnötsskal, Pigeon Pea, Pine och Sicklebush ansågs kunna användas som basdrift, resterande biomassor som spetsråvaror, Bambu, Cassavaskal, Cassavastam, Eucalyptus, Gliricidia, Lantana, Miombo, Olivträd och Tephrosia. Pelletsproduktion gjordes i en enpetare vid Karlstads universitet, avdelningen för miljö-, och energisystem. Kompressions- och friktionsenergi samt hårdhet och fuktupptag är några av de variabler som testades, dessutom pelleterades fyra blandningar av olika biomassor med syfte att öka hårdheten på pellets.  De basmaterial som resulterade i hårdast pellets var Pigeon Pea som klarade ett radiellt tryck på 46,3 kg, Pine medförde låg hårdhet, 17,7 kg. Av spetsråvarorna medförde följande högsta hårdhet på pellets, Tephrosia, 70 kg, Gliricidia 58,7 kg, Cassavaskal 48,6 kg och Miombo frökapslar, 48,3 kg. Vid kompressionsstudierna visade sig Pine kräva relativt hög energi vid komprimering, 183,0 J. Lägst Cassavastam 49,1 J.  Samtliga blandningar med Tephrosia, Cassavaskal eller Gliricidia som spetsråvaror medförde hårdare pellets. Mest fördelaktigt som spetsråvara var Tephrosia och Cassavaskal. Cassavaskal ökade hårdheten redan vid 10% inblandning i Pigeon Pea och minskade samtidigt energibehovet. Vid inblandning av 50% Tephrosia i Pigeon Pea ökade hårdheten mest av samtliga blandningar med 21,1 kg till 67,4kg. Logistikkedjan bedömdes dock bättre för Cassavaskal än för Tephrosia.  ECS skulle enligt resultaten i denna studie kunna använda sig av Pigeon Pea vid cirka 6% fukthalt för att bredda sin råvarubas. För att öka hårdheten på pellets bör de i första hand använda sig av Tephrosia cirka 7% och Cassavaskal cirka 8% fukthalt som spetsråvara.

Advanced composite materials have enabled the conventional aircraft structures to reduce weight, improve fuel efficiency and offer superior mechanical properties. In the past, materials such as aluminum, steel or titanium have been used to manufacture aircraft structures for support of heavy loads. Within the last decade or so, demand for advanced composite materials have been emerging that offer significant advantages over the traditional metallic materials. Of particular interest in the recent years, there has been an upsurge in scientific significance in the usage of adhesively bonded composite joints (ABCJ’s). ABCJ’s negate the introduction of stress risers that are associated with riveting or other classical techniques. In today’s aircraft transportation market, there is a push to increase structural efficiency by promoting adhesive bonding to primary joining of aircraft structures. This research is focused on the issues associated with the durability and related failures in bonded composite joints that continue to be a critical hindrance to the universal acceptance of ABCJ’s. Of particular interest are the short term strength, contamination and long term durability of ABCJ’s. One of the factors that influence bond performance is contamination and in this study the influence of contamination on composite-adhesive bond quality was investigated through the development of a repeatable and scalable surface contamination procedure. Results showed an increase in the contaminant coverage area decreases the overall bond strength significantly. A direct correlation between the contaminant coverage area and the fracture toughness of the bonded joint was established. Another factor that influences bond performance during an aircraft’s service life is its long term strength upon exposure to harsh environmental conditions or when subjected to severe mechanical loading. A test procedure was successfully developed in order to evaluate durability of ABCJ’s comprising severe environmental conditioning, fatiguing in ambient air and a combination of both. The bonds produced were durable enough to sustain the tests cases mentioned above when conditioned for 8 weeks and did not experience any loss in strength. Specimens that were aged for 80 weeks showed a degradation of 10% in their fracture toughness when compared to their baseline datasets. The effect of various exposure times needs to be further evaluated to establish the relationship of durability that is associated with the fracture toughness of ABCJ’s.