At the start of this project, the possible choices of metal soaps had already been narrowed to include some of the zinc soaps used in this project. These zinc soaps are mixtures of zinc stearate and zinc palmitate of varying ratios purchased from a supplier. Zinc soap was chosen as result of its common use in various industries as a lubricant and mold release, which implied potential benefits in an electrophotographic printing system. These potential benefits include, but are not limited to, a more efficient transfer from a photoconductive drum and protection of the drum from mechanical and chemical degradation. Nanoindentation of these soaps was implemented in an effort to characterize each soap mixture and compare how the soap types differed from one another. Each sample was indented under a variety of different maximum loads and at different holding times to observe effects on the modulus, hardness, and, creep. The mechanical properties measured were then used to help distinguish differences between each type and provide an insight as to how or why one mixture may be preferable over another. The data could be utilized in conjunction with further testing to be used in a simulation of an interface of interest.

Nanoporous (np) materials with pore size below 100 nano-meters exist naturally in biological and mineral structures, and synthetic np materials have been used industrially for centuries. Np materials have attracted significant research interest in recent decades, as the development of new characterization techniques and nanotechnology allow the observation and design of np materials at a new level. This study focuses on two np materials: nanoporous silicon (np-Si) and nanoporous palladium (np-Pd). Silicon (Si), because of its high capacity to store lithium (Li), is increasingly becoming an attractive candidate as anode material for Li ion batteries (LIB). One significant problem with using Si as an anode is the large strain that accompanies charge-discharge cycling, due to swelling of the Si during Li insertion and deinsertion. Np-Si offers a large amount of free volume for Li absorption, which could allow the anode material to swell without cracking. A new method to fabricate thin films of high-purity (100% Si content) np-Si, which is promising as an anode material for LIB, is demonstrated and discussed in this study. Microstructural characterization, chemical analysis, battery performance testing and mechanical behavior of thin film np-Si are discussed here. Palladium (Pd) is considered an ideal and reliable hydrogen sensor and storage material, due to its fast response and selectivity for hydrogen gas. This research not only demonstrates a method to fabricate np-Pd thin films, but also proposes a method to fabricate bulk np-Pd. The uniformly crack-free and sponge-like np-Pd thin film provides high sensitivity to low concentrations of H2, showing promise as a hydrogen sensor material. Stress changes during hydrogenation/dehydrogenation were measured using wafer curvature. For bulk np-Pd, ultra-fine pore sizes were achieved by electrochemically dealloying bulk PdNi alloy. Mechanical behavior of bulk np-Pd was studied using in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction were also used to characterize the structure and morphology of np-Pd. This doctoral research has involved the optimization of fabrication conditions and investigations of microstructural evolution during processing, yielding an improved understanding of the properties, mechanical behavior and potential applications of np-Si and np-Pd.

In Malawi 2.5 % of the forest disappears each year. The use of firewood and charcoal, deriving from forest resources, accounts for about 99 % of the household energy demand in Malawi and is a cause to the deforestation. The Government of Malawi recently launched a programme called Promotion of Alternative Energy Sources Programme (PAESP) with the aim to reduce the use of firewood and charcoal. One of the fuels included in the programme is the biomass briquette. The aim with this study is to evaluate the viability of biomass briquettes as a sustainable alternative energy source to firewood and charcoal for households in Malawi. Research for the study was carried out during three months in Malawi. Visits were made to a number of briquette production sites to study the manufacturing methods and to collect briquette samples. The briquettes were tested using various methods and then compared with results for firewood and charcoal. At the moment various production methods are used in Malawi, with a high difference in technical complexity and cost. Machines produced from wood using very basic mechanics can apply similar pressure as more advanced metal pressers. They also seem to be better suited than those made of metal, in terms of price and availability. The majority of the briquette producers in Malawi use waste paper as base material. Although the paper briquettes are good, other raw materials will be needed if the production is supposed to be significantly increased. The briquettes burn well using the most common stoves in Malawi, including the commonly used charcoal stove. While firewood is cheaper to use than other available fuels, the briquettes seem to be able to compete with the fuel costs for charcoal.

Rapporten beskriver ett designprojekt, som är en del av examensarbetet på 15p, Vad händer när mode påverkar möbeldesign? En kollektion strandmöbler och badkläder, utfört av Veronica Lindahl, avgångsstudent på utbildningsprogrammet möbeldesign på Carl Malmsten, Centrum för Träteknik & Design vid Linköpings universitet. Syftet med denna rapport är att beskriva processen av detta examensarbete. Valet av produkter tog avstamp från min bakgrund i Halmstad. En möbel för stranden och något att ha på sig. Att koppla samman mode och möbeldesign tilltalar mig. Målet var att produkterna skulle komplettera och inspirera varandra. Att tänka på hur produkterna skulle presenteras var också en del i arbetet. Upplägget i denna rapport är enligt ordningen i min designprocess. Det börjar med en insamlingsetapp. Efter detta följer en lång skissetapp, därefter material, tillverkning och slutligen en resultatanalys med tankar och reflektioner över vad jag kommit fram till. Arbetet startade med samtal med handledaren Daniel Östman, där vi diskuterade val av examensarbete samt vad jag ville få ut av arbetet. Jag valde att göra ett projekt med mig som uppdragsgivare, eftersom det är så jag vill arbeta i framtiden. Ledorden i mitt arbete har varit modedesigns påverkan på möbeldesign, en möbel för stranden och något att ha på sig, trä och tyg, material som klarar utomhusklimatet. Resultatet är en funktionell, bärbar strandstol med två lägen som är lätt, går att fälla ihop och kan bäras på ryggen. Detta är en produkt som jag skulle vilja se på stranden. Detsamma gäller badplaggen, de väcker nyfikenhet och är ett mer påklätt badmode. Vid presentationen av produkterna använde jag mig av en stiliserad strand som gav en känsla av hur produkterna skulle användas i den miljö de var avsedda för. I framtiden vill jag arbeta med att kombinera modeskapande och möbeldesign. Jag har upptäckt många intressanta möjligheter och uppslag i vad som händer när mode påverkar möbeldesign.

Nanoporous (np) metals and alloys are the subject of increasing research attention due to their high surface-area-to-volume ratio. Numerous methods exist to create np metals, with dealloying being a common approach. By dissolving one or more elements from certain alloy systems, porous structure can be generated. Utilizing this method, multiple np metals, including np-Ni, np-Ir, and np-Au were created. By carefully adjusting precursor type and dealloying conditions for each system, nanoporous Ni/Ir/Au with different morphologies and even controllable ligament/pore size were achieved. The mechanical behavior of porous materials is related to their fully dense counterparts by scaling equations. Established scaling laws exist and are widely applied for low relative density, micro- and macro-scale open-cell porous materials. However, these laws are not directly applicable to nanoporous metals, due to higher relative density and nanoscale cells. In this study, scaling laws were reviewed in light of the thermomechanical behavior of multilayer np-Ir thin films subjected to thermal cycling. Thermal cycling allows measurement of biaxial modulus from thermoelastic segments, and also causes film thickness to contract, with increases in relative density. A modified scaling equation was generated for biaxial modulus of np-Ir, and differed significantly from the classic equation.

Dispenser cathodes emit electrons through thermionic emission and are a critical component of space-based and telecommunication devices. The emission of electrons is enhanced when coated with a refractory metal such as osmium (Os), osmium-ruthenium (Os-Ru), or iridium (Ir). In this work the microstructure, thermionic emission, and work function of thin film Os-Ru coatings were studied in order to relate microstructural properties and thermionic emission. Os-Ru thin film coatings were prepared through magnetron sputtering and substrate biasing to produce films with an array of preferred orientations, or texture. The effect of texture on thermionic emission was studied in detail through closely-spaced diode testing, SEM imaging, and x-ray diffraction. Results indicated that there was a strong correlation with emission behavior and specific preferred orientations. An ultra-high vacuum compatible Kelvin Probe was used to measure the work function of W-Os-Ru ternary alloy films to determine the effect W interdiffusion has on work function. The results indicated that a high work function alloy coating corresponded to low work function cathodes, as expected. It was inferred that a high work function alloy coating results in a low work function cathode because it aligns more closely with ionization energy of Ba. The results also proved that this method of evaluating dispenser cathode coatings can distinguish small variations in microstructure and composition and may be a beneficial tool in the development of improved dispenser cathode coatings. A novel experimental apparatus was constructed to measure the work function of dispenser cathode coatings in-vacuo using the ultra-high vacuum Kelvin Probe. The apparatus is capable of activating cathodes at high temperature and measuring the work function at elevated temperature. The design of this apparatus allows for more rapid evaluation of dispenser cathode coatings.

The ability to fabricate a charge-driven water pump is a crucial step toward mimicking the catalytic ability of natural enzyme systems. The first step towards making this water pump a reality is the ability to make a carbon nanotube (CNT) membrane with uniform, 0.8 nm pore diameter. Proposed in this work is a method for synthesizing these carbon nanotubes via VPI-5 zeolite templated, transition metal catalyzed pyrolysis. Using a membrane composed of these CNTs, it is possible to get water molecules to flow single file at a high flow rate, and to orient them in such a way that would maximize their ability to be catalyzed. Additionally, using the ability to plate a monolayer of precious metal catalyst molecules around the exit to the membrane, catalyst efficiency can be maximized by making every catalyst atom come into contact with a substrate molecule. In this work, we also demonstrate the ability to plate a monolayer of precious metal catalyst atoms onto an insulating, mesoporous, support material. By combining these two chemical processes, it is possible to mimic the catalytic efficiency of natural enzyme systems.

Hydrogen has been considered as a potentially efficient and environmentally friendly alternative energy solution. However, one of the most important scientific and technical challenges that the “hydrogen economy” faces is the development of safe and economically viable on-board hydrogen storage for fuel cell applications, especially to the transportation sector. Ammonia borane (BH3NH3), a solid state hydrogen storage material, possesses exceptionally high hydrogen content (19.6 wt%).However, a fairly high temperature is required to release all the hydrogen atoms, along with the emission of toxic borazine. Recently research interests are focusing on the improvement of H2 discharge from ammonia borane (AB) including lowering the dehydrogenation temperature and enhancing hydrogen release rate using different techniques. Till now the detailed information about the bonding characteristics of AB is not sufficient to understand details about its phases and structures. Elemental substitution of ammonia borane produces metal amidoboranes. Introduction of metal atoms to the ammonia borane structure may alter the bonding characteristics. Lithium amidoborane is synthesized by ball milling of ammonia borane and lithium hydride. High pressure study of molecular crystal provides unique insight into the intermolecular bonding forces and phase stability. During this dissertation, Raman spectroscopic study of lithium amidoborane has been carried out at high pressure in a diamond anvil cell. It has been identified that there is no dihydrogen bond in the lithium amidoborane structure, whereas dihydrogen bond is the characteristic bond of the parent compound ammonia borane. It has also been identified that the B-H bond becomes weaker, whereas B-N and N-H bonds become stronger than those in the parent compound ammonia borane. At high pressure up to 15 GPa, Raman spectroscopic study indicates two phase transformations of lithium amidoborane, whereas synchrotron X-ray diffraction data indicates only one phase transformation of this material. Pressure and temperature has a significant effect on the structural stability of ammonia borane. This dissertation explored the phase transformation behavior of ammonia borane at high pressure and low temperature using in situ Raman spectroscopy. The P-T phase boundary between the tetragonal (I4mm) and orthorhombic (Pmn21) phases of ammonia borane has been determined. The transition has a positive Clapeyron slope which indicates the transition is of exothermic in nature. Influence of nanoconfinemment on the I4mm to Pmn21 phase transition of ammonia borane was also investigated. Mesoporus silica scaffolds SBA-15 with pore size of ~8 nm and MCM-41 with pore size of 2.1-2.7 nm, were used to nanoconfine ammonia borane. During cooling down, the I4mm to Pmn21 phase transition was not observed in MCM-41 nanoconfined ammonia borane, whereas the SBA-15 nanocondfined ammonia borane shows the phase transition at ~195 K. Four new phases of ammonia borane were also identified at high pressure up to 15 GPa and low temperature down to 90 K.

The purpose of this thesis was to develop microscale fracture toughness tests to be performed in situ based off previously used macroscale fracture toughness tests. The thesis also was to use these tests to perform in situ analysis and imaging of reinforced adhesives during crack propagation. Two different fracture toughness tests were developed for this thesis through developing fixtures and sample geometry. A microscale double cantilever beam (DCB) test was developed for mode I fracture (opening mode). A microscale end notch flexure (ENF) test was developed for mode II fracture (sliding mode). Three different types of materials were used as a reinforcing agent and tested using the micro-DCB and micro-ENF tests. Magnetoelectric nanoparticles (MENs) doped adhesive showed a 12% increase in mode II toughness and 33% increase in total fracture energy for micro-DCB. Similarly, the graphene foam (GrF) doped adhesive showed an approximate 34% increase in mode II toughness and a 71% increase in total fracture energy for mode I. In situ imaging provided real time imaging of crack propagation for all three reinforcing agents that allowed for a novel analysis of the crack propagation and general fracture.

Garnets are major silicates from the upper mantle to the transition zone. Elastic properties of garnets are essential to interpret the variation of seismic velocities at different depths and construct a model of the Earth’s composition. Due to the chemical flexibility at octahedron sites of the crystal structures, garnets usually exist with multiple components and have many composition variations. Pyrope is an important member in the garnet group. Fe2+-Mg2+ substitution in pyrope is one of the common solid solutions. We have synthesized and measured three synthetic solid solutions samples (Py83Alm17, Py54Alm46 and Py30Alm70). Equations of state yielded their isothermal bulk moduli K0 to be 172(4)GPa, 174(2)GPa, and 183(2)GPa, respectively, which confirmed that almandine content (Fe2+ substitution) increased the bulk modulus of the garnet. A relation between the bulk modulus and the almandine mole fraction (n) was derived to be K0 = 170 + 15 n, showing it is a nearly ideal mixing model. Another factor that also significantly influences the elasticity of pyrope is water. Water is transported to the deep Earth by subduction slabs and mainly exists in nominally anhydrous minerals (NAM) as hydroxyl (OH-). Its content in minerals varies as depth increases. We therefore investigated pressure influence on water solubility in pyrope. A suite of pyrope single crystals was synthesized in a water-saturated environment at 6, 7, 9 and 12GPa and water was characterized by FTIR. IR spectra showed a typical peak at 3630 cm-1. At 9 and 12GPa, new peaks at 3572 cm-1 and 3504 cm-1 appeared and indicated that a new substitution mechanism, other than hydrogarnet substitution SiO4=(OH)4, was adopted in the pyrope crystal structure. Water solubility in pyrope reached 0.2wt% at 7GPa. From 4-7GPa, water solubility increased. At 9GPa, water content dropped to 0.07wt% and increased to 0.3wt% at 12GPa, where a cubic to tetragonal phase transition was observed. Water showed a weakening effect on the bulk moduli of hydrous pyrope. Their bulk moduli were 166GPa, 173GPa and 161GPa with water contents of 0.07wt%, 0.1wt% and 0.2wt%, respectively. An approximate linear relationship was proposed about the bulk modulus as a function of water content.