Titan is a unique moon in the solar system as it is the only one with a thick atmo- sphere, and surface lakes and seas. Observations made by the Cassini/Huygens probe showed the potential of a subsurface ocean hidden below the outer crust made of ice. This thesis analyzes the heat transfer through the crust of Titan to understand the long term evolution of the ocean. We developed a finite element model of the heat transfer through a thickening ice crust and investigated the effect of viscosity, internal heat flux, and ammonia concentration in the ocean. While other explanations cannot be ruled out, it was found high values of viscosity and possible ammonia presence could keep the ocean liquid for long periods. 1

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OFAPARNA REDDY KOTTE, for the Master of science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, presented on November 5,2020, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: MEMRISTOR BASED SRAM MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Haniotokis Themistoklis The easy usage and less standby leakage are the main reasons SRAMs are mostly used for mobile applications both on chip and off chip memories. Various SRAM cells have been under research for many years. In post-CMOS era, rising of memristor technology is expected to be a key driver due to its outstanding features to replace the present memory technologies. Memristor is a non-volatile component that memorizes the proportion of current passed through it, reserving the data in the form of resistance. With its non-volatile characteristics, ultra-low power consumption, higher density capability, fast operating speed, ability to function as a multi-level cell and good scalability and compatibility with CMOS technology, memristor technology is found to be best to replace the SRAM cells. Memristor based SRAM cell can be an efficient circuit component that is being proposed in this thesis which consumes less power and allows the conventional SRAM cell to retain data with lesser number of transistors at power-down without any auxiliary circuit. This thesis contains the operating procedure and simulated results of the proposed four transistor and two memristor SRAM using 90nm technology performed on Cadence Virtuoso tool.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Researchers have shown links between various hydrocarbons and carbonyl compounds and diseases, such as cancer using exhaled breath analysis through gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Trained canines can detect these VOCs and can differentiate a patient suffering from cancer from a healthy control patient. In this project, an attempt has been made to develop highly sensitive sensors for the detection of low concentrations of aldehyde VOCs, such as nonanal, using conductive polymer composites (CPCs) and functionalized gold nanoparticles (f-GNPs). Facile methods have been used to enhance the sensitivity and cross-selectivity of the fabricated sensors towards nonanal. Interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) are fabricated through a photolithography process. Sensors of PEI/carbon black (CB) composite were developed via spin-coating of the material followed by the heat treatment process. Sensors of 1-Mercapto-(triethylene glycol) methyl ether functionalized GNPs are developed via drop-casting of nanomaterial and f-GNP/PEI sensors are fabricated by spin casting PEI film on top of f-GNPs. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis, contact angle measurement, and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) analysis was conducted to characterize the fabricated devices. The fabricated sensors have been tested with a low concentration of nonanal, nonanone, dodecane, and 1-octanol in dry air. Multiple sensors are fabricated to ensure sensors reproducibility. The sensors have been exposed repeatedly to the targeting VOC toxiv assess the repeatability of the sensors. PEI/CB sensor degradation was studied over a period of 36 days. The fabricated PEI/CB film could detect (1-80 ppm) of nonanal with higher selectivity, than the f-GNPs. The sensor0s sensitivity to nonanal was over fourteen times higher than 2-nonanone, 1-octanol, and dodecane. This shows the high selectivity of the fabricated sensor toward nonanal. In addition, the proposed sensor maintained its sensitivity to nonanal over time showing minimal degradation. The sensor response to nonanal at a relative humidity (RH) of 50% and 85% dropped less than 13% and 32% respectively. The Response of f-GNP sensors to nonanal (400 ppb - 15 ppm), dodecane (5 - 15 ppm), 1-octanol (5 - 15 ppm), and 2-nonanone (5 - 15 ppm) presented a sensitivity (∆R=R0) of 0.217%, 0.08%, 0.192% and 0.182% per ppm of the VOCs respectively. Despite the high sensitivity to the targeting VOCs, the fabricated sensors were damaged in an environment with relative humidity (RH) at 45%. A thin layer of PEI over the film was developed to ensure the sensor could tolerate longtime exposure to water vapor in an environment with RH up to 85% and enhance the sensor selectivity towards nonanal. The f-GNP/PEI sensors with nonanal (400 ppb- 15 ppm), dodecane (100 -200 ppm), 1-octanol (5 - 15 ppm) and 2-nonanone (5 - 15 ppm) presented sensitivity (∆R=R0) of 0.21%, 0.017%, 0.0438% and 0.0035% per ppm of the VOCs respectively. / 2021-04-24

<p> The sulfur cycle is perhaps one of earth's most important cycles. Biologically sulfur is the main constituent needed to form building blocks such as amino acids. Ecologically, it can devastate forests, lakes and ecosystems in one of it's many forms. Industrially (and perhaps naturally) it is the source of our acid rain problem. </p> <p> An estimation of sulfide fluxes emitted into the atmosphere is extremely variant due to the lack of efficient means of measuring these fluxes. Several simplistic measuring devices have been employed to estimate the oceanic, continental and atmospheric fluxes. Problems have arisen due to the non-uniform distribution of sulfur sources such as industries, volcanoes and marshlands. </p> <p> In the specific case estimates of fluxes have of organic volatile been deduced and not sulfides, actually measured to any great extent. The fundamental reason for this being the lack of an efficient means of recording data in the field to support the flux estimates. </p> <p> This study has attempted to secure the efficiency of adsorption tubes used to sample in situ freshwater sulfide fluxes. Optimal preparation involved using Molecular Sieve SA (60/80 mesh) contained and activated in pyrex glass tubing (6mm. o.d.). Proper activation occurred at 300C for 8 hours under a constant helium flow. </p> <p> Adsorption of sulfides was by helium induced release of gases at room/atmospheric temperatures. After 15 minutes, the adsorption tube was recapped and stored at (-8C) for no more than 7 days. At this time, the tubes were analyzed. </p> <p> Analysis was by GC/HECD in the laboratory. A custom made heat desorber (at 270C), in conjunction with liquid nitrogen and hot water sufficiently trapped the released sulfides from the adsorption tube. Calibrated data obtained in the laboratory provided for proper analytical interpretations of the flux of sulfides emitted from the sample. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

No description available.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are those chemical species having sufficiently high vapor pressures to exist largely or entirely in the gaseous phase, whereas reactive organic carbon (ROC) encompasses all organics except methane. ROC can be emitted biogenically and anthropogenically, usually in a pure hydrocarbon form that is susceptible to reaction with common atmospheric oxidants such as hydroxyl and ozone in the initial steps to the formation of particulate matter, the criteria pollutant most strongly implicated in human mortality. The diversity of both the emitted VOCs and their possible atmospheric reactions yields countless different compounds existing in the atmosphere with a correspondingly wide range of volatility, solubility, reactivity, etc.. Moreover, the temporal and spatial variability of a given analyte is often large. Real-time chemical characterization of gaseous and particulate organic compounds can be achieved by instrumentation utilizing chromatographic and/or mass spectrometric techniques, but these methods are expensive, often logistically challenging, and require high levels of skills for both operation and data analysis. Conversely, filter-based measurements for organic particulates are inexpensive and straightforward, but do not give real-time data and analytes may be lost or transformed before analysis. There is a niche for robust, low-maintenance, moderate-cost instrumentation that offers chemical information on atmospheric carbon. Presented here are two projects that develop and validate instrumentation for measuring ROC. The first combines flame ionization detection (FID) with a CO2 detector to estimate the O/C ratios of sampled gases and particulates. O/C ratios are a particularly valuable piece of chemical information as higher ratios give lower volatility and higher solubility, meaning increased propensity to partition into the condensed phase. The second project utilizes portable VOC samplers with sorbent tubes that trap and protect analytes for detailed analysis. The samplers' portability and programmable microcontrollers offers the investigator great flexibility, both spatially and temporally. A third project analyzed the chemical composition of commercially available fragrance mixtures and modeled their emissions' impact on oxidant reactivity. It was observed that terpenes, despite their low mole fractions in the mixtures, represent the vast majority of emitted reactivity and are quantitatively evolved from the mixtures in a matter of hours. / Doctor of Philosophy / Organic (i.e., carbon-containing) compounds are emitted into the atmosphere from a variety of natural and anthropogenic sources. Respective examples would include the agreeable aroma of a pine forest (from terpene compounds) or the pungent smell of gasoline (from additives such as toluene). These emitted compounds are often pure hydrocarbons (molecules formed of carbon and hydrogen atoms), and the category VOCs (volatile organic compound) encompasses hydrocarbons and the products of their chemical reactions with atmospheric oxidants like the hydroxyl radical and ozone. In the presence of pollutant nitrogen oxides, oxidants modify these VOCs; adding oxygen lowers the VOCs' vapor pressure and increases aqueous solubility, resulting in higher likelihood of condensation from the gaseous phase into particulates (liquid or solid phases). "Smog" is a colloquial term for the entire suite of noxious chemical compounds produced in the air from reactions of largely anthropogenic organic precursors. Particulates, a.k.a. aerosols, are the most concerning atmospheric pollutant due to deleterious effects on respiratory and cardiovascular health and has shown strong correlations with increased mortality in exposed groups such city dwellers. Determining the chemical identities of the VOCs is useful for pollution forecasting and possibly identifying and quantifying VOC sources. Current methods for chemical identification are cumbersome, expensive, complex, and wholly unsuitable for many investigators. In this work, we introduce two new approaches to gathering chemical information about organic gases and particulates. The first instrument has been demonstrated to give accurate estimates of oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratios; higher O/C ratios represent higher propensities to condense into particulate forms. The second instrument developed is a portable VOC sampler, which traps (and prevents reaction of) a broad range of organics on a sorbent (such as activated charcoal) in a small metal tube. After sampling in remote locales, the tubes can be analyzed in the lab and the VOCs identified and quantified. The third study investigated the chemical composition of fragrance mixtures (present in perfumes, cleaning agents, etc.) and modeled (i.e., estimated) VOC emissions based on the fragrance components as well as the effects on atmospheric oxidant levels. Fragrance mixtures represent a significant source of atmospheric carbon, so a more thorough understanding of the fragrances' impacts on oxidant levels gives further insight into atmospheric processes and aerosol formation.

Volatile fatty acids (VFA) are important products of ruminal fermentation. The VFA are not only the major source of energy to the ruminant animals but also influence methane production in the rumen. Therefore it is important to understand mechanism controlling VFA production and to depict VFA production in a model. This will allow us to devise strategies to enhance energy utilization and reduce methane production in ruminant livestock. An evaluation of a mechanistic model in predicting VFA production was conducted and equations were introduced into the model to improve the predictions. Later a continuous culture experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis on which those equations were based on. A mechanistic model -" Molly, was evaluated using a dataset with reported VFA production rates. The results of residual error analysis indicated that the root mean square prediction errors (RMSPE) were 63, 63, and 49% for acetate, propionate and butyrate, respectively. An assessment from two studies reporting VFA production revealed a potential of reducing errors of prediction by representing interconversion among VFA. In the second study, equations based on thermodynamics influence of pH and VFA concentration were introduced in the model to represent interconversion among VFA. The parameters for de novo VFA production and VFA absorption were re derived with (VFAInt) and without (BASE) the new interconversion equations. There were some improvements in the VFA concentration predictions but the improvements were both in VFAInt and BASE models. The RMSPE of VFA production were still above 50% for acetate, propionate and butyrate. The larger errors of predictions were attributed to measurement variation in VFA production literature, or possible incorrect rate constants for interconversion equations. Finally, a third study was conducted to assess the effect of pH, and VFA concentration on VFA and methane production in continuous culture. The treatments consisted of control, 20 mmol/d acetate infusion (INFAC), 7 mmol/d propionate infusion (INFPR), and low pH (LOWPH). Individual isotopes of acetate, propionate and butyrate were infused in the fermenters to estimate interconversions among VFA. With LOWPH treatment methane emission was reduced whereas production of propionate was increased. Hydrogen production was higher in INFAC indicating that some of the acetate could have been degraded to CO2 and H2. It was estimated that around 3 % of de novo acetate was converted to propionate and 9 % to butyrate. Exchange between propionate and butyrate was insignificant and below 1% of de novo production of either VFA. However, treatments did not affect interconversion rates among VFA. These results indicated that pH and VFA concentration do not have thermodynamic influence on VFA interconversion as hypothesized. / Ph. D.

Dewatered sludges and biosolids generated from wastewater treatment facilities are known to emit malodorous odors causing public inconvenience. The odors typically comprise of reduced organo sulfur based compounds and nitrogen containing compounds. Lime stabilization is a technique which is commonly used in the wastewater industry to produce biosolids having reduced odors that can be safely land disposed. In this research, odors produced from dewatered sludges and lime stabilized biosolids were investigated. Lime dosing and incorporation in sludge play an important role in generation of reduced sulfur and trimethylamine (TMA) odor compounds. Results revealed that poor lime dosing can lead to an increase in odors due to biological generation of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) during storage. In this study, a belt filter press gave a higher production of sulfur and TMA odors compared to a vacuum filter for the same sludge, which is attributed to the shear imparted to sludge during the dewatering process. Preliming studies suggested incomplete mixing of lime with sludge led to biological activity. The achievement of the correct pH and its maintenance during storage is considered critical for effective odor management from lime stabilized biosolids. A positive linear relation was obtained between sulfur based odor production and labile protein content in sludge. Furthermore, as the Al/Fe ratio increased, the labile proteins was observed to decrease. Trivalent metals are found to play an important role in binding of labile proteins thus effecting odor potential contained in sludge/biosolids. This was found true for most sludge irrespective of their liming status and independent of upstream process conditions. Further work in this area is needed to be able to provide a better understanding of odor production to aid in development of odor control techniques. Trimethylamine odors, having a characteristic fishy odor, are commonly found in lime stabilized biosolids. Cationic polymers used as dewatering aids are the primary precursors for TMA production. Proteins present in sludge are also associated with odor forming compounds but they produce much lower levels than polymers. These two components under the action of shear present in dewatering devices such as centrifuge are more likely to cause an increase in odor production from lime stabilized biosolids. It was also determined that abiotic polymer degradation to produce TMA either does not occur, or the rate is so slow that TMA production in this way is insignificant for actual field situations. / Master of Science

M. Tech. (Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Science), Vaal University of Technology / The dissertation deals with volatile organic compounds that evaporate from the water-oil separate in the refinery, which causes bad odour around the neighbouring communities, the existence of these compounds are being identified and quantified in different seasons for the year. VOC are emitted whenever wastewater is exposed to the atmosphere. As such, emission points include open drains ditches, manhole sewer outfalls and surface fore bays, separators and treatment ponds. Refinery units such as reactors, fractionators are periodically shutdown and emptied for internal inspection and maintenance. The amount of VOC entering the wastewater is not monitored. The effluent water discharged from the refinery is not checked for the amount ofVOC present. The monitoring of the amount of VOC in wastewater stream may lead to a decrease in the emission. From the quantified results at different season, the summer session has the highest VOC emission due to the heat that causes more vapours. The preparation of a method for determination of VOC's in air presents many difficulties, because of their high volatilities and low concentrations in air. As well, the results of determination are affected by the properties of the sorbent used, mainly its sorption capacity, depending on the properties of the compound under determination. The methods for sampling and analytical procedures for the measurements of volatile organic compounds that are hazardous to air pollution are compendium method T0-14 and sorbent tube method compendium T0-17. Both methods (sorbent tube and canister) differ from each other in their extraction and detection techniques. The well suitable method for the VOC determination is canister method; this method gives more representative sample of the ambient monitoring of 24 hours, where as sorbent tube can do for 2 hours only. The canister method is more advantages due to the sample that will be still remaining for further analyses or re-check. The integrity of API water-oil separator has been improved to cause less evaporation during high temperature season. As the temperature drops from season to season, the VOC also comes down as its being seen in this study that on the winter results that all the VOC were below 90 1-lg/kg. / National Petroleum Refiners of South Africa laboratory

Le marché de l’électronique flexible devrait atteindre un chiffre d’affaire de plus de 10 milliards de dollars à l’horizon 2020. La réalisation de circuits dotés de flexibilité mécanique accompagnera l’essor de nouvelles applications liées à l’internet des objets ou à l’électronique grande surface. Après la logique, la mémoire est un organe fondamental de tout système électronique. Dans cette thèse, nous nous sommes intéressés au développement de mémoires non-volatiles de type CBRAM (Conductive Bridge Random Acces Memory) pour les applications électroniques flexibles. Ces mémoires possèdent une structure MEM (Métal-Électrolyte-Métal) et font partie des mémoires non volatiles émergentes de type ReRAM (Resistive RAM). L’effet mémoire est basé sur une commutation de résistance due à des phénomènes d’oxydo-réduction et de migration ionique aboutissant à la formation/dissolution d’un filament conducteur dans l’électrolyte solide. La possibilité d’utiliser des verres de chalcogénures ou encore des polymères comme électrolytes solide offre à ces mémoires un avenir prometteur pour les applications flexibles. Après avoir passé en revue les différents matériaux exploités pour la réalisation de CBRAM, nous exposerons des travaux concernant la fabrication et la caractérisation de mémoires basées sur des électrolytes de GeS$_x$ et de Ge$_X$Sb$_Y$Te$_Z$ sur substrats de silicium. Les caractéristiques I-V obtenues (phénomènes de set et reset) sont ensuite confrontées à des simulations réalisées à l’aide d’un modèle électro-thermique qui considère le courant ionique comme facteur limitant. La dernière partie de ce travail est quant à elle dédiée au développement de mémoires flexibles. / Flexible electronics market revenue is expected to exceed $10B by 2020. Duento their mechanical flexibility, flexible circuits will enable numerous developmentsnin various fields from internet-of-things applications to large area electronics. Besides logic devices, memory is the second fundamental component of any electronic system. During this thesis, we aimed at developing nonvolatile memories referred as CBRAM (Conductive-Bridge Random Access Memories) for flexible electronics applications. These devices consist in a simple Metal-Electrolyte-Metal structure. The memory effect relies on resistance switching due to the formation/dissolution of a metallic conductive filament within a solid electrolyte. The use of chalcogenide glasses or polymers layers as solid-electrolytes offers many opportunities for future for flexible applications. In a first part, memory devices based on of GeS$_x$ and de Ge$_X$Sb$_Y$Te$_Z$ solid electrolytes on silicon substrates we fabricated and electrically tested. Experimental results were then confronted to an electro-thermal model, based on ionic current, developed during this thesis. The final chapter of this manuscript is devoted to the development of flexible memories.