<p>Biofouling, the accumulation of biomolecules, cells, organisms and their deposits on submerged and implanted surfaces, is a ubiquitous problem across various human endeavors including maritime operations, medicine, food industries and biotechnology. Since several decades, there have been substantial research efforts towards developing various types of antifouling and fouling release approaches to control bioaccumulation on man-made surfaces. In this work we hypothesized, investigated and developed dynamic change of the surface area and topology of elastomers as a general approach for biofouling management. Further, we combined dynamic surface deformation of elastomers with other existing antifouling and fouling-release approaches to develop multifunctional, pro-active biofouling control strategies. </p><p>This research work was focused on developing fundamental, new and environment-friendly approaches for biofouling management with emphasis on marine model systems and applications, but which also provided fundamental insights into the control of infectious biofilms on biomedical devices. We used different methods (mechanical stretching, electrical-actuation and pneumatic-actuation) to generate dynamic deformation of elastomer surfaces. Our initial studies showed that dynamic surface deformation methods are effective in detaching laboratory grown bacterial biofilms and barnacles. Further systematic studies revealed that a threshold critical surface strain is required to debond a biofilm from the surface, and this critical strain is dependent on the biofilm mechanical properties including adhesion energy, thickness and modulus. To test the dynamic surface deformation approach in natural environment, we conducted field studies (at Beaufort, NC) in natural seawater using pneumatic-actuation of silicone elastomer. The field studies also confirmed that a critical substrate strain is needed to detach natural biofilm accumulated in seawater. Additionally, the results from the field studies suggested that substrate modulus also affect the critical strain needed to debond biofilms. To sum up, both the laboratory and the field studies proved that dynamic surface deformation approach can effectively detach various biofilms and barnacles, and therefore offers a non-toxic and environmental friendly approach for biofouling management.</p><p>Deformable elastomer systems used in our studies are easy to fabricate and can be used as complementary approach for existing commercial strategies for biofouling control. To this end, we aimed towards developed proactive multifunctional surfaces and proposed two different approaches: (i) modification of elastomers with antifouling polymers to produce multifunctional, and (ii) incorporation of silicone-oil additives into the elastomer to enhance fouling-release performance.</p><p>In approach (i), we modified poly(vinylmethylsiloxane) elastomer surfaces with zwitterionic polymers using thiol-ene click chemistry and controlled free radical polymerization. These surfaces exhibited both fouling resistance and triggered fouling-release functionalities. The zwitterionic polymers exhibited fouling resistance over short-term (∼hours) exposure to bacteria and barnacle cyprids. The biofilms that eventually accumulated over prolonged-exposure (∼days) were easily detached by applying mechanical strain to the elastomer substrate. In approach (ii), we incorporated silicone-oil additives in deformable elastomer and studied synergistic effect of silicone-oils and surface strain on barnacle detachment. We hypothesized that incorporation of silicone-oil additive reduces the amount of surface strain needed to detach barnacles. Our experimental results supported the above hypothesis and suggested that surface-action of silicone-oils plays a major role in decreasing the strain needed to detach barnacles. Further, we also examined the effect of change in substrate modulus and showed that stiffer substrates require lower amount of strain to detach barnacles.</p><p>In summary, this study shows that (1) dynamic surface deformation can be used as an effective, environmental friendly approach for biofouling control (2) stretchable elastomer surfaces modified with anti-fouling polymers provides a pro-active, dual-mode approach for biofouling control, and (3) incorporation of silicone-oils additives into stretchable elastomers improves the fouling-release performance of dynamic surface deformation technology. Dynamic surface deformation by itself and as a supplementary approach can be utilized biofouling management in biomedical, industrial and marine applications.</p> / Dissertation

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were used to reinforce wood polymer composites (WPCs) in order to achieve multifunctionality. Multifunctionality could be achieved through the GNPs because of their excellent mechanical and electrical properties. The research consists of two parts: HDPE/GNP/WF composites and LLDPE/GNP composites. The HDPE part is a continuation of previous work. Here further mechanical characterisation was done (impact testing), impurities in the composites were identified, the manufacturing process that results in damaged wood particles was investigated and the Young's modulus of the composites were modeled. The impact strength was improved due to the addition of GNPs. WF composites exhibited more brittle behaviour and therefore a lower impact strength. The impurities were identified as some form of nanoclay introduced during the extrusion process. The particles were damaged during the extrusion processes. Little can be done about this as different shear configurations and/or screw speeds will result in a poor GNP dispersion and distribution. Modeling of the Young's modulus was the most accurate through applying the laminate analogy and rule of thumbs. The rule of mixtures does not represent the composites which have a preferred orientation. During the previous work done, it was found that the HDPE composite were not electrically conductive and therefore not multifunctional. The work was therefore continued with LLDPE and GNPs. LLDPE has more branches and is less dense, resulting in potential opportunities for the GNPs to form a network through the polymer. This could lead to a better conductivity. Mechanical and electrical characterisation was done of the LLDPE/GNP composites. Here multifunctionality could also not be achieved as the composites were highly electrically resistant. Mechanical testing indicated that the GNPs significantly enhance the LLDPE matrix. Here an increase of up to 170% could be seen in tensile modulus and an increase of 46% in tensile strength. Furthermore the GNPs improved the flexural properties and increase the resistance to viscoplastic deformation during residual strain testing. Overall the GNPs improve the mechanical properties significantly, but at 10wt.% GNP contents, multifunctionality could still not be achieved.

Neste trabalho, foi realizado um estudo da obtenção de nanomateriais luminomagnéticos visando potenciais aplicações biológicas, a partir de dois diferentes tipos de estruturas, sendo elas: a formação de heteronanoestruturas luminomagnéticas de NPM de FePt/Fe3O4-CdSe recobertas com sílica; e a formação de nanomateriais luminomagnéticos por ligação covalente entre NPM de FePt/Fe3O4-Dopa-PIMA-PEG-NH2 e pontos quânticos de CdSe/ZnS-LA-PEG-COOH. Para o primeiro tipo de nanomaterial citado, foram testadas duas metodologias para obtenção das heteronanoestruturas: a mudança da estabilidade coloidal pela adição de pequenas quantidades de NaCl no meio contendo as NPM e os pontos quânticos previamente sintetizados; e o método de injeção a quente do precursor de selênio em um meio contendo as NPM como sementes, o precursor de cádmio e os agentes de superfície. O método de injeção a quente foi o que apresentou melhores condições para a formação das heteronanoestruturas. Para providenciar estabilidade coloidal em meio aquoso e superfície com biocompatibilidade, foi realizado o recobrimento com sílica na superfície das heteronanoestruturas luminomagnéticas com melhores condições. Para essa amostra, o tamanho médio obtido foi de 25,0 nm, com polidispersividade de 8,4 %, Ms = 11,1 emu.g-1 e comportamento superparamagnético, além de duas bandas de emissão (com excitação de 400 nm) centradas em 452 nm e 472 nm, respectivamente. Já para o segundo tipo de nanomaterial obtido neste trabalho, foram primeiramente obtidas NPM de FePt/Fe3O4 pelo método do poliol modificado acoplado à metodologia do crescimento, e pontos quânticos luminescentes de CdSe/ZnS pelo método de decomposição térmica de precursores organometálicos, sendo que ambas nanoestruturas apresentaram superfície hidrofóbica. Para a troca de ligantes para transferência das nanoestruturas para a fase aquosa e para providenciar biocompatibilidade visando aplicações biológicas, foram previamente preparados ligantes poliméricos de Dopa-PIMA-PEG-NH2 para recobrimento das NPM e de LA-PEG-COOH para recobrimento dos pontos quânticos. A conjugação química entre as nanoestruturas de FePt/Fe3O4-Dopa-PIMA-PEG-NH2 e CdSe/ZnS-LA-PEG-COOH foi realizada pelo método da carbodiimida em solução aquosa para a formação de uma ligação covalente amida entre os grupos amina e carboxilato em cada uma das nanoestruturas. Os nanomateriais luminomagnéticos obtidos apresentaram estabilidade coloidal em meio aquoso, com estreita distribuição de tamanho, apresentando RH de 79,96 nm, Ms de, aproximadamente, 10 emu.g-1 com coercividade e remanência quase nulos e intensa banda de emissão centrada em 580 nm. Espera-se que os nanomateriais obtidos neste trabalho possam ser promissores nanomateriais com propriedades multifuncionais para potenciais aplicações biológicas. / Here, luminomagnetic nanomaterials were obtained for potential biological applications. We have studied two different types of luminomagnetic nanomaterials, which are: formation of silica-coated FePt/Fe3O4-CdSe heteronanostructures; and formation of luminomagnetic nanomaterials from covalent bond between FePt/Fe3O4-Dopa-PIMA-PEG-NH2 magnetic nanoparticles and CdSe/ZnS-LA-PEG-COOH luminescent quantum dots. For the first type of luminomagnetic nanomaterials obtained, two methodologies were studied for formation of heteronanostructures, which are: modification of colloidal stability by addition of small amounts of NaCl into a solution with hydrophobic magnetic nanoparticles and luminescent quantum dots; and hot injection method of selenium precursor into a solution with magnetic nanoparticles seeds, cadmium precursors and surface agents. The hot injection method obtained better results than the other method studied for formation of heteronanostructures. To provide colloidal stability in aqueous solution and biocompatibility, the heteronanostructures were coated using silica shell. After silica coating, the heteronanostructures showed average diameter of 25 nm and polidispersivity of 8.4%, with Ms = 11.1 emu.g-1 and superparamagnetic behavior. Moreover, these nanomaterials showed two emission peaks centered at 452 and 472 nm. For the second type of nanomaterials obtained, FePt/Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by modified polyol method coupled to seeded-mediated growth, and CdSe/ZnS luminescent quantum dots were obtained by thermal decomposition of organometallic precursors. For the ligand exchange to transfer the nanostructures from organic media to aqueous solution, were used Dopa-PIMA-PEG-NH2 and LA-PEG-COOH polymers to provide colloidal stability and biocompatibility on magnetic nanoparticle surface and quantum dot surface, respectively. The chemical conjugation between FePt/Fe3O4-Dopa-PIMA-PEG-NH2 and CdSe/ZnS-LA-PEG-COOH nanostructures was obtained by EDC coupling in aqueous solution, which linked amine and carboxylate groups in each nanostructure to provide the formation of amide bond. The luminomagnetic nanomaterials obtained showed colloidal stability in aqueous solution, narrow size distribution, with RH equal to 79.96 nm, MS around 10 emu.g-1 with low coercivity and remanent magnetization, and intense emission peak centered at 580 nm. We expect these luminomagnetic nanomaterials be promisor nanomaterials with multifunctional properties for potential biological applications.

abstract: Multiaxial mechanical fatigue of heterogeneous materials has been a significant cause of concern in the aerospace, civil and automobile industries for decades, limiting the service life of structural components while increasing time and costs associated with inspection and maintenance. Fiber reinforced composites and light-weight aluminum alloys are widely used in aerospace structures that require high specific strength and fatigue resistance. However, studying the fundamental crack growth behavior at the micro- and macroscale as a function of loading history is essential to accurately predict the residual fatigue life of components and achieve damage tolerant designs. The issue of mechanical fatigue can be tackled by developing reliable in-situ damage quantification methodologies and by comprehensively understanding fatigue damage mechanisms under a variety of complex loading conditions. Although a multitude of uniaxial fatigue loading studies have been conducted on light-weight metallic materials and composites, many service failures occur from components being subjected to variable amplitude, mixed-mode multiaxial fatigue loadings. In this research, a systematic approach is undertaken to address the issue of fatigue damage evolution in aerospace materials by: (i) Comprehensive investigation of micro- and macroscale crack growth behavior in aerospace grade Al 7075 T651 alloy under complex biaxial fatigue loading conditions. The effects of variable amplitude biaxial loading on crack growth characteristics such as crack acceleration and retardation were studied in detail by exclusively analyzing the influence of individual mode-I, mixed-mode and mode-II overload and underload fatigue cycles in an otherwise constant amplitude mode-I baseline load spectrum. The micromechanisms governing crack growth behavior under the complex biaxial loading conditions were identified and correlated with the crack growth behavior and fracture surface morphology through quantitative fractography. (ii) Development of novel multifunctional nanocomposite materials with improved fatigue resistance and in-situ fatigue damage detection and quantification capabilities. A state-of-the-art processing method was developed for producing sizable carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes for multifunctional composites. The CNT membranes were embedded in glass fiber laminates and in-situ strain sensing and damage quantification was achieved by exploiting the piezoresistive property of the CNT membrane. In addition, improved resistance to fatigue crack growth was observed due to the embedded CNT membrane. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Mechanical Engineering 2018

L'hydrogène n'étant pas une énergie primaire, il faut donc le produire, le transporter et le stocker avant de l'utiliser. Il peut être produit par des procédés chimiques, électrolytiques ou biologiques à partir de ressources renouvelables, ou non. Les énergies fossiles représentent la première ressource d'hydrogène, avec 96% de la production totale mondiale, dont 48% se fait à base de gaz naturel qui contient essentiellement du méthane. Dans cette thèse, nous nous intéressons à la génération de l'hydrogène par le procédé de vaporeformage du méthane qui reste le procédé le plus utilisé pour sa conversion. Les objectifs consistent premièrement à explorer, par des études numériques, les performances thermiques et massiques d'un vapo-reformeur à parois catalytiques, dans lequel une répartition discrète du catalyseur est adoptée, combinée ou non, avec une insertion d'un matériau cellulaire à haute porosité, de type mousse métallique, et deuxièmement à analyser, par une approche expérimentale complétée par une procédure numérique inverse, afin d'estimer le flux de chaleur inconnu reçu par le mélange gazeux. Les configurations géométriques adoptées dans les études numériques sont modélisées par les équations deconservation et complétées par les conditions aux limites. La cinétique de la réaction est régie par un modèle basé sur les lois de puissance, et le système d'équations est résolu par la méthode des volumes finis. Pour l'estimation du flux de chaleur, un dispositif expérimental approchant le système de chauffage du réacteur est conçu afin de mesurer la distribution de la température et un code de calcul inverse basé sur la méthode spécification de fonctions. Les résultats montrent que les performances du procédé de vaporeformage peuvent être améliorées en adoptant une bonne distribution du catalyseur sur les parois du réacteur muni d'une mousse métallique dans sa région catalytique. Les améliorations obtenues en termes de conversion de méthane, par rapport à une configuration classique, sont de l'ordre de 44.6%. De plus, la combinaison des approches expérimentale et numérique a permis de déterminer la quantité de chaleur nette transférée par le système de chauffage du vaporeformeur. / Hydrogen is not a primary energy; we must produce it, transport it and store it before use. It cans be produced by chemical, biological or electrolytic processes from renewable resources or not. Fossil fuels represent the first hydrogen resource, with 96% of total world production, which 48% is made from natural gas containing methane. In this thesis, we focus on the generation of hydrogen by the steam-methane reforming process, which is the most used conversion method. The aims consist first to explore, through numerical studies, the thermal and mass performances of a wall coated steam-methane reformer, wherein a discrete distribution of the catalyst is adopted, combined or not, with an insertion of a highly porous metal foam, and secondly to analyze, by an experimental approach completed by a numerical inverse procedure to estimate the unknown heat flux received by the gas mixture. The geometric configurations adopted in the numerical studies are modeled by the conservation equations and the boundary conditions. The kinetic reaction is governed by a model based on power laws, and the system of equations is solved by the finite volume method. For the estimation of heat flux, an experimental device approachingthe reactor heating system is designed to measure the temperature distribution, and an inverse code based on the function specification method. The results show that the steam methane reforming process performances can be improved by adopting a good distribution of the catalyst on the walls of the reactor fitted on its catalytic region with metal foam. The improvements obtained in terms of methane conversion, compared to a conventional configuration, are of the order of 44.6%. In addition, the combination of experimental and numerical approaches was used to determine the net quantity of heat transferred from the heating system to the steam reformer.

<p>This thesis explores the potential of multifunctional silicon-based microsystems for advanced integrated nanospacecraft (AIN). Especially, multifunctional microsystems with the coexistant functions of communications and thermal management implemented in multilayer silicon stacks are approached with systems study. Host vehicles, composed of microsystems, including micro/nano-spacecraft and spherical rovers are contemplated with respect to future performance and implications, system level design, and breadboard realizations. A module of great importance, named the "integrated communications and thermal management system for advanced integrated spacecraft" or ICTM, symbolizes the achievements within the field of self-contained microsystems and is a prioritized entity throughout the thesis. The ICTM is natively placable onboard all types of highly miniaturized craft.</p><p>The single AIN spacecraft and future clusters of these are investigated with respect to future full scale implementation of space systems designed and implemented with the distributed reconfigurable nanospacecraft cluster (DRNC) concept. Here, a true entanglement of microsystems technology (MST) and miniaturized spacecraft technology can revolutionize the applications, cost, and span of conceivable space missions.</p><p>An intended communications scenario supporting a data rate of 1 Mbps, for the transmitter, is achieved during 6 minutes with a maximum continuous power dissipation of 10 W. Thermal simulations support the expectation, of a thermally biased ICTM, that the module is capable of supporting this energy burst, by using the mechanisms of heat storage and heat switches, and still fulfilling the requirements imposed by AIN type of spacecraft. In addition, multiple functional surfaces for the ICTM are evaluated with respect to equilibrium temperature and process compatibility. The tailored surfaces provide temperature control using micromachining methods.</p><p>A design of a micromachined Ka-band front end with several MST enabled features is presented including e.g. vias, phase-shifters, and antennas. Similar antennas have been manufactured resulting in an evaluation of ring- and slot-antennas on silicon substrate. Based on a primitive version of the ICTM, a S-band patch antenna has been successfully implemented and characterized. Included in the thesis is a microthruster, an enabling technology for DRNC.</p>

This thesis explores the potential of multifunctional silicon-based microsystems for advanced integrated nanospacecraft (AIN). Especially, multifunctional microsystems with the coexistant functions of communications and thermal management implemented in multilayer silicon stacks are approached with systems study. Host vehicles, composed of microsystems, including micro/nano-spacecraft and spherical rovers are contemplated with respect to future performance and implications, system level design, and breadboard realizations. A module of great importance, named the "integrated communications and thermal management system for advanced integrated spacecraft" or ICTM, symbolizes the achievements within the field of self-contained microsystems and is a prioritized entity throughout the thesis. The ICTM is natively placable onboard all types of highly miniaturized craft. The single AIN spacecraft and future clusters of these are investigated with respect to future full scale implementation of space systems designed and implemented with the distributed reconfigurable nanospacecraft cluster (DRNC) concept. Here, a true entanglement of microsystems technology (MST) and miniaturized spacecraft technology can revolutionize the applications, cost, and span of conceivable space missions. An intended communications scenario supporting a data rate of 1 Mbps, for the transmitter, is achieved during 6 minutes with a maximum continuous power dissipation of 10 W. Thermal simulations support the expectation, of a thermally biased ICTM, that the module is capable of supporting this energy burst, by using the mechanisms of heat storage and heat switches, and still fulfilling the requirements imposed by AIN type of spacecraft. In addition, multiple functional surfaces for the ICTM are evaluated with respect to equilibrium temperature and process compatibility. The tailored surfaces provide temperature control using micromachining methods. A design of a micromachined Ka-band front end with several MST enabled features is presented including e.g. vias, phase-shifters, and antennas. Similar antennas have been manufactured resulting in an evaluation of ring- and slot-antennas on silicon substrate. Based on a primitive version of the ICTM, a S-band patch antenna has been successfully implemented and characterized. Included in the thesis is a microthruster, an enabling technology for DRNC.

In this work, carbon nanotubes were deposited onto the insulative glass fibre surface to form a semiconductive network. Utilizing the unique properties of CNTs network, a multifunctional composite interphase could be achieved. The interfacial adhesion strength was improved by CNTs distributed in the interphase. The semiconductive interphase have been used as a chemical/phaysical sensor, strain sensor and microswitch.

Trough waveguides (TWG) have been utilized in a variety of radio frequency (RF) and other related applications including radar, the treatment of hypothermia and in the generation of plasmas. Perturbing the guided wave in these structures with blocks, rods, dielectrics, and other structures can create reconfigurable periodic line sources. These trough waveguide antennas (TWA) are then capable of providing both fixedfrequency and frequency-dependent beam steering. This was originally performed using electro-mechanical “cam-and-gear” mechanisms. Previous work related to the excitation of TWG and the performance of TWA topologies are limited when compared to more common antenna designs, yet they possess many desirable features that can be exploited in a modern system. This thesis will examines an S-band rectangular-to-trough waveguide transition and trough guide antenna that has been designed for broadband reconfigurable antenna applications considering as well the airflow characteristics for sensing applications. The design, fabrication, and electromagnetic performance (mode conversion, impedance matching, and antenna performance) are discussed, including the use of metallic cantilever perturbations placed along the troughguide sidewalls that are designed to provide improved impedance matching when steering the beam from the backward quadrant through broadside, towards the forward quadrant. Impedance matching techniques such as use of circular holes at the edge of each actuated cantilever are used to reduce power reflections and provide a low voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) along the S-band. Finite element simulations will provide a demonstration of the airflow and turbulence characteristics throughout the entire structure, where the metallic cantilevers are used to manipulate the flow of air, to distribute it across the surfaces of the structure better and improve its potential for sensing operations.

The topic of this master thesis is the historical investigation of kitchen tools that evolved towards a multifunctional nature. The history of kitchen tools will be discussed with particular attention given to industrialization, technological developments and the effects of mechanization. Following this analysis, there will be a classification that could serve as a resource material for future studies, made according to the activity flow within the kitchen, in order to understand the interrelations within and between these products. This classification will be put forward in the form of a visual table that includes morphological analyses of specifically mixing and beating tools under the topic of food preparation, how they developed historically following the industrial revolution, and how they carry a tendency to become increasingly multifunctional. According to this table, the dispositions and interrelations of these products will be considered, concluding with a situational analysis and previsions for future designs and studies.