The intention of this project is to research the potential of emergent technologies for developing sustainable composites for the building industry. It is divided into three parts: Part 1 Identifies emergent practices which are being applied to the development of new sustainable building prototypes such as developments using nanotechnologies, the influence of biomimetics, the development of intelligent interactive systems and the use of digital technologies to generate complex cellular structural systems. Part 2 Outlines existing processes involved in selecting and manufacturing prototypes, as many existing processes have been opportunistically applied to emergent practices to generate innovative sustainable prototypes. Part 3 By synthesising the research gathered in the previous parts of this thesis, this section documents the design process for developing a sustainable building system. The design is based on a minimal surface structure to reduce materiality and to optimise strength and its manufacturing process exploits emergent and existing technologies for its generation.

The intention of this project is to research the potential of emergent technologies for developing sustainable composites for the building industry. It is divided into three parts: Part 1 Identifies emergent practices which are being applied to the development of new sustainable building prototypes such as developments using nanotechnologies, the influence of biomimetics, the development of intelligent interactive systems and the use of digital technologies to generate complex cellular structural systems. Part 2 Outlines existing processes involved in selecting and manufacturing prototypes, as many existing processes have been opportunistically applied to emergent practices to generate innovative sustainable prototypes. Part 3 By synthesising the research gathered in the previous parts of this thesis, this section documents the design process for developing a sustainable building system. The design is based on a minimal surface structure to reduce materiality and to optimise strength and its manufacturing process exploits emergent and existing technologies for its generation.

Hydrophobic colloidal suspensions are common in nature and industry. DLVO theory has been used to model the interactions between colloidal particles for decades, however the origin of long-ranged attractive forces observed between hydrophobic colloids remains the subject of much debate. In an effort to understand these forces and improve the prediction of colloidal stability, the colloidal stability of synthetic silica and titania was studied at various concentrations of dissolved gas, KCl electrolyte and pH. / Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2003

Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) is a relatively new plastic that is becoming widely used in many applications. In fact the production rate of LLDPE is vital in determining the process characteristics and subsequent properties of the end products. In this work we have examined, specifically, the influence of surfaces and structure on the rheology and processing properties of LLDPE. A review of the effect of surfaces on the rheology and processing of polymers is given, with particular emphasis on the interaction between metals and polymers. The influence of oxidative degradation and radiation on the structural modification of polymers is also reviewed. Standard rheological characterisation tests determined there was no effect of various metal and teflon surfaces on the rheology of LLDPE. There was also no evidence of wall slip on metal or teflon surfaces. The generalised Maxwell model (with Wagner's damping function) predicted dynamic and steady shear properties at standard characterisation rates well. The effects of degradation of LLDPE were quantified, and an increase in elasticity due to increased crosslinking of long polymer chains was noted during degradation tests. This effect increased with time (after a degradation time) and temperature. There was no effect of metals on the degradation properties of LLDPE, however, there was evidence of increased carbon-oxygen species (or increased oxidation) at the metal/LLDPE interface for metals containing copper at the interface (copper and brass). The migration of copper was facilitated by the low heat of formation of the oxides on the copper-containing metals. Increasing gamma and ion beam radiation dose decreased melting temperatures, heats of melting and crystallinity due to increased crosslinking at the crystallite surfaces and the reduction in crystal sizes. Gel fraction and tightness of gel increased with radiation dose due to increased crosslinking. Increased radiation dose also increased the elasticity and flow resistance of the samples as shown by rheological tests. The extension of a power law representation of the relaxation modulus of irradiated samples was extended to predict stress build-up and relaxation properties in steady shear tests. There was little effect of type of radiation (gamma or ion beam) on physical and rheological properties. However, there was a marked increase in the effects of irradiation in the melt (150degC) on the physical and rheological properties of LLDPE, which was due to the increased effective amorphous nature of the sample in the melt. The equivalence of the effects of degradation and irradiation are discussed. Viscosity was well predicted by the generalised Maxwell model (with Wagner's damping function) at processing rates. The normal stress differences calculated by Boger and Denn's model correlated well with this generalised Maxwell model, which was due to the inclusion of a flow rearrangement term. There was a marked increase in exit pressures, exit losses, flow rearrangement length, flow singularity, and exit stresses for flow over brass inserts at the die exit. These effects coincided with the production of a porous, copper-rich brass surface and it was postulated that this was the results of surface dezincification which caused increased adhesion between the LLDPE and the brass via physical interlocking at the porous surface. Extension of these results to melt fracture are discussed.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Oregon, 2007. / Typescript. Includes vita and abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-150). Also available for download via the World Wide Web; free to University of Oregon users.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 77 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-77). WVU users: Also available in print for a fee.

Thesis (Ph. D. - Hydrology and Water Resources) - University of Arizona. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 372-381).

Thesis (M.D.S.)--University of Adelaide, 1984. / Some ill. mounted. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 186-197).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 179-187). Also available via World Wide Web.