Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- Australian National University, 2008. / CD Rom contains Appendix - movie files in .mpg format produced using the Aramis optical strain measurement system during this project.

The present work aims to develop Aluminium metal matrix composites by incorporating of reinforcements such that combination of best properties could be achieved. The metal base was selected was Aluminium 6082 and it is reinforced with varying volume percentage of Alumina oxide and Fly ash. These AMC were developed by using stir casting technique, in which predetermined reinforcement is added to the molten matrix is stirred well to obtain desired castings. These castings were studied for behaviour and subjected to mechanical testing to study the effects of various reinforcements. The Rockwell hardness and tensile tests revealed that composite with 7.5 % Al2O3 5% Fly ash shows highest hardness value of 69 HRB and 100.370 N/mm2, which is better than base alloy as well as impact is more without reinforcement ratio shows highest impact strength value 9 joules. Highly reinforced composites show higher variations due to the agglomeration of particles.

Amine bis(phenolate) ligands synthesis can be easily prepared by the reaction of a substituted 2-(bromomethyl)phenol, a substituted phenol, potassium carbonate, triethylamine and the appropriate amine to form the desired compounds in high yields and purities. A series of amine bis(phenolate) ligand precursors with group 4 metals and aluminum complexes have been prepared, characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and tested for ring opening polymerisation of £`-caprolactone. Group 4 metals complexes which are shown to be active catalysts for the ROP of £`-caprolactone with excellent conversions and polydispersities. All aluminum compounds as four-coordinate aluminum methyl complexes show excellent catalytic activity toward the ring opening polymerization of £`-caprolactone in the presence of benzyl alcohol. And amine bis(phenolate)s ligand ([tert-ButylONO]2-) bond cleavage with zirconium and hafnium complexes that have been prepared, characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Another zirconium complexes of dianionic amine bis(phenolate) ligands have been synthesized, their X-ray structures solved, and their activity as 1-hexene polymerization catalysts study. Upon treatment with B(C6F5)3, a series of pentacoordinate [ONO]Zr(CH2Ph)2 complex, having no extra donor group, shows only poor activity as a polymerization catalyst. Final reaction of diamine-bis(phenol) ligands containing a mixture of [i-PropylONO]Ti(OiPr)2 in dry THF under RT without exclusion of air and moisture gives {[i-PropylONO]TiO}3 (characterised by X-ray crystallography) is hydrolysed with H2O.

Thesis (M.S.) -- Mississippi State University. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.