Improvements in the strength and durability of frost-susceptible soils and aggregates can be achieved through chemical stabilization using portland cement, where the efficacy of cement stabilization for improving durability depends on the degree to which hydraulic conductivity is reduced. Hydraulic conductivity is commonly estimated from basic soil properties using Moulton's empirical equation. However, the hydraulic conductivity estimation does not consider the detrimental effects of freezing or the benefits of cement stabilization. The purpose of this research was to derive new equations relating hydraulic conductivity after freezing to specific material properties of cement-treated soils and aggregates stabilized with different concentrations of cement. This research included material samples from two locations in Alaska and from single locations in Minnesota, Montana, Texas, and Utah, for a total of six material samples. Each soil or aggregate type was subjected to material characterization by the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) classification system. Moisture-density curves were developed, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) testing was performed to determine cement concentrations generally corresponding to low, medium, and high 7-day UCS values of 200, 400, and 600 psi, respectively. After being cured for 28 days at 100 percent relative humidity, the prepared specimens were subjected to frost conditioning and hydraulic conductivity testing. The Alaska-Elliott, Minnesota, Montana, and Utah materials exhibit decreasing hydraulic conductivity with increasing UCS, the Texas material exhibits increasing hydraulic conductivity with increasing strength from the low to medium cement concentration levels but decreasing hydraulic conductivity from the medium to high cement concentration levels, and the Alaska-Dalton material exhibits increasing hydraulic conductivity with increasing strength. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to investigate relationships between hydraulic conductivity and several material properties, including soil gradation and classification, fineness modulus, specific gravity, cement content, porosity, compaction method, dry density, and 7-day UCS for each specimen. The R2 values computed for the six-parameter, four-parameter, USCS, and AASHTO-classification models are 0.795, 0.767, 0.930, and 0.782, respectively. Further research is recommended to investigate the effects of cement on hydraulic conductivity for USCS and AASHTO soil types not covered in this research.

A new kind of wave power generator is being developed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology which potentially can reach an efficiency of 98 %. However, this generator’s small air gap sets strict requirements on the stiffness of the structure to withstand the large magnetic forces. The structure, therefore, need to be both stiff and non-magnetic. To tackle that problem austenitic stainless steel will be used. Then again, austenitic stainless steel tends to become slightly magnetic because of impurities and mechanical stress. The purpose of this report is to study the magnetic properties of the austenitic stainless steel and observe how mechanical stress can change their properties. Moreover, economic and environmental aspects considering the use and production of the steel are studied. Two experiments were applied to measure the magnetic properties, using an LCR-meter and an electrical circuit with a current amplifier. Both methods showed that mechanical stress will result in changing the magnetic property of austenitic stainless steel. Some steel types were less affected by the mechanical stress applied leading to the conclusion that they are more effective when placed near the generator’s air gap. Regarding sustainable development, it is uncertain to determine the impact the generator has on the environment, mainly because of the steel types manufacturing process is unknown. On the contrary, the maintenance costs of the generator are predicted to be low and if the prototype fulfills the efficiency expectations it will have a huge impact on the future of wave power technology. / En ny typ av vågkraftsgenerator utvecklas på KTH som potentiellt kan uppnå en verkningsgrad på 98%. Denna generators lilla luftgap ställer dock strikta krav på strukturens styvhet för att stå emot de stora magnetiska krafterna. Strukturen måste därför vara både styv och icke-magnetisk. För att ta itu med det problemet kommer austenitiskt rostfritt stål att användas. Sedan tenderar austenitiskt rostfritt stål att bli något magnetiskt på grund av föroreningar och mekanisk stress. Syftet med denna rapport är att studera austenitiskt rostfritt ståls magnetiska egenskaper och observera hur mekanisk stress kan förändra deras egenskaper. Dessutom studeras ekonomiska och miljömässiga aspekter som beaktar stålets användning och produktion. Två experiment utfördes för att mäta de magnetiska egenskaperna, med användning av en LCR-mätare och en elektrisk krets med en strömförstärkare. Båda metoderna visade att mekanisk stress kommer att leda till förändring av den magnetiska egenskapen hos austenitiskt rostfritt stål. Vissa ståltyper påverkades mindre av den mekaniska påfrestningen som ledde till slutsatsen att de är mer effektiva när de placeras nära generatorns luftgap. När det gäller hållbar utveckling är det osäkert att bestämma vilken påverkan generatorn har på miljön, främst på grund av att detrostfria stålets tillverkningsprocess är okänd. Tvärtom förmodas att underhållskostnaderna för generatorn komme vara låga och om prototypen uppfyller effektivitetsförväntningarna kommer det att ha en stor inverkan på framtiden för vågkrafttekniken.

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Firebrand pile ignition of adjacent materials requires an in-depth understanding of heat transfer and flow profile within the firebrand pile. Modeling the firebrand pile as a fibrous porous medium, this study identified a porosity-permeability correlation that accurately describes the transport properties of a firebrand pile. The conduction-based model and Kozeny-Carman model were identified and examined by experiment, where firebrand porosity and permeability were collected with a wind tunnel. The conduction-based model was more stable and more accurate in the porosity range of interest. Pore network models were developed for the simulation of flow profiles utilizing the permeability data collected. The non-uniform network, which better represents a randomly stack firebrand pile, resulted in a more complex multidimensional flow within the pile. / Master of Science / Firebrands are known to be one of the primary ways wildfires can spread. They are mostly small pieces of flammable materials originating from vegetation or wooden structures that can be carried by wind ahead of the fire. The accumulation of firebrands on flammable materials tends to create ignitions, which calls for an in-depth understanding of temperature and airflow within the firebrand pile. Simplifying the firebrand pile as a porous medium, this study identified a relationship between how much void is present in the pile and the resistance of airflow of a firebrand pile. The conduction-based model and Kozeny-Carman model were identified and examined by experiment with a wind tunnel. The conduction-based model was determined to better describe the relationship. Pore network models were developed for the simulation of flow through the firebrand pile utilizing the data collected in the experiment, which provided an understanding of how airflow behaves inside the pile. A non-uniform flow network inside the pile led to a more complex, multidimensional flow through the firebrand pile.

<p> Lower Cretaceous Mannville Group sandstones of Alberta were deposited in non-marine and marginal environments. A shallow sea transgressed several times over the study area and left evidence of tidal action. The proportion of rock fragments increases from Lower Mannville to Upper Mannville sandstones due to the uplifting of strata to the west. </p> <p> Observed petrographic and SEM textures indicate that authigenic pyrite, quartz and calcite cements were precipitated in that order followed by the dissolution of carbonate material and feldspar grains with the simultaneous precipitation of kaolinite and quartz. The secondary (or dissolution) porosity is the result of an influx of acidic pore waters. This secondary porosity is best developed in the Ellerslie Sandstone because its remnant intergranular porosity and permeability are superior to the porosity and permeability in the overlying sandstones. The present degree of diagenesis in the sandstones is largely controlled by the permeability of the rock. </p> / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

<p> Poly (dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) has been widely used as a biomaterial in ophthalmic and other applications due to its good compatibility, high mechanical strength and excellent oxygen permeability and transparency. For use as an artificial cornea, contact lens and in other applications, modifications are necessary to improve glucose permeability and wettability for cell and tear protein and mucin interactions through modification with hydrophilic functional groups or polymers. Poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAM) is a biocompatible and hydrophilic polymer that has been extensively studied in controlled drug release applications due to its lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phenomenon. In this study, a composite interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of PDMS and PNIPAAM was formed to generate material with reasonable oxygen and glucose permeability as well as improved wettability and mechanical properties compared to the PDMS and PNIPAAM homopolymers.</p> <p> Semi-IPNs, with low water uptake and mechanical strength, were found not to be suitable as biomaterials. Vinyl terminated PDMS/PNIPAAM IPNs had reasonable water uptake and excellent tensile stress and strain, but low glucose permeability (< 10^-10 cm^2/s). Hydroxyl terminated PDMS/PNIPAAM IPNs (PDMS-OH IPN) were successfully synthesized with reasonable mechanical properties and significantly higher glucose permeability (~10^-7 cm^2/s). Curing the PDMS-OH film with solvent was found to improve glucose transport.</p> <p> The presence of PNIPAAM in the composite networks was confirmed by FT-IR and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images verified the structure of interpenetrating networks. Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) suggested that PNIPAAM was also present on the surface and this translated to increased roughness compared with the PDMS control as determined by AFM. The LCST phenomena still remained in the IPN, although the change was not as abrupt as with pure PNIPAAM. These results suggest that the copolymer may be useful as an ophthalmic biomaterial and for controlled drug release applications.</p> / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

It is well known that the elderly often manifest chronic low-grade inflammation. This phenomenon, called “inflamm-aging,” is postulated to contribute to increased susceptibility towards infectious diseases and an overall increase in frailty. We have proposed examining the gut microbiome as a potential mediator of these changes. Gut microbial communities influence the host immune system; often dictating an individual’s health status. Thus, harmful gut microbiome changes, termed dysbiosis, are associated with poor health in the elderly. We first sought to understand the key immunological, physiological and microbiome changes occurring with age (Chapter 3). Our data reveals immune impairments in aged mice, with increased intestinal permeability, systemic inflammation and alterations in the functions of myeloid cell populations. However, our aged germ-free (GF) mice are protected from these outcomes, indicating that the old microbiome may play a strong role in these age-associated impairments. To study this further, we have colonized young and old GF mice with the “young” or “old” microbiota in order to determine whether the relationship between microbial dysbiosis with age and health status is correlative or causative (Chapter 4). Interestingly, young GF mice colonized with old microbiota have significantly increased permeability, systemic inflammation and an influx of Ly6Chigh monocytes when compared to those colonized with the young microbiota. By using transgenic mice (TNF-/- mice), or by reducing systemic TNF levels via therapeutics, we were able to reduce some aspects of microbial dysbiosis and age-associated inflammation (Chapter 5). Our data suggests that harmful changes to the gut microbiome composition with age initiate a cycle of negative events that ultimately result in increased inflammatory myeloid cell recruitment, increased intestinal permeability and an overall increase in systemic inflammation in old mice. By identifying these key changes, we can work towards developing effective therapeutics that promotes healthy aging and protection against infectious diseases. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Élie Metchnikoff first coined the term “dysbiosis” when he described the imbalance in microbial populations that could result anywhere in the body. Since then, numerous studies have examined the role of the intestinal microbiota in defense against pathogens. Metchnikoff also suggested that the gut composition and function is altered with age and this can in turn; increase the host’s susceptibility towards infectious diseases. My research aims to characterize the role of microbial dysbiosis on the immune defects with age. To do so, I will be utilizing a unique set of mice, called gnotobiotic mice. These mice are housed under specific germ-free conditions and contain no microbiome. Thus, they provide us with the ideal model to study the effects of the microbiome on immune function. The findings from these studies will help in the development of preventative and therapeutic alternatives to provide the elderly with more years of healthy, independent living.

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Open-graded friction course (OGFC) is a porous mix primarily used to improve pavement safety. OGFC is characterized by air voids ranging from 15 to 20 percent which allows surface water to drain through its structure and then laterally from the pavement structure. The ability of OGFC to drain water quickly results in less water ponding on the pavement surface, thereby reducing hydroplaning, reducing vehicle spray, and providing improved skid resistance. Research objectives were to evaluate the use of OGFC mixes containing 100 percent gravel and 50 percent gravel/50 percent limestone and to determine specifications to be employed by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). Specimens were prepared at design asphalt binder content and evaluated for permeability, durability, stability, and moisture resistance. Research findings show mixes containing 100 percent gravel and 50 percent gravel/50 percent limestone perform comparably in laboratory testing.

No description available.