No description available.

The main purpose of this work is the physical understanding and the numerical description of the reaction of the dense metastable intermolecular composition (MIC). Energy density of MIC is much higher than conventional energetic material; therefore, MIC finds more applications in the propellant and explosive system. The physical model includes the speed of propagation and rate of reaction, and the relationship between the layer thickness, heat rate, and length of the flame based on physical model. In Part I of this thesis, a one-dimensional model based on Weihs was developed for 20 pairs of a multi-layer of aluminum and copper oxide. This problem was solved using an assumed value of constant atomic diffusion in Arrhenius' equation to obtain the velocity of self- propagation. Using the maximum and minimum measured velocities in a similar configuration, the activation energy was computed and was found to be significantly different. When the velocity was used to obtain a linear temperature profile, the margin of error was significant as well. Therefore, this method was seen to have severe shortcomings. In Part II of this thesis, adiabatic unit cell of one layer of aluminum and copper oxide in an ideal reaction was considered. Temperature profile based on chemical heat generation and phase transformation of reactants has been calculated. This model confirmed the highest possible temperature during reaction of 2920 C ± 5% obtained in the literature, however, the model was unable to provide other important flame characteristics. In Part III, a two-dimensional model was developed introducing the flame at the interface. A black box theory has been used to simplify some of the characteristics of the flame, ignoring diffusion characteristics. Using this model, the length of flame was calculated using the measured value of the speed of propagation of the flame. Measuring some of the characteristics of the flame was the main goal of Part III of this thesis. Controllable environment was created for the multilayer thin film of aluminum and copper oxide to eliminate the number of effective variables that affect the speed of propagation. Transformable heat of reaction was used to control the speed of propagation. In addition, a MIC sample was designed and fabricated to measure the speed of propagation with an accuracy of 0.1 m/s. This measurement technique was used to measure the speed of propagation on variable substrate up to 65 m/s. The flame length was also calculated for different speeds of propagation over different substrates. The temperature distribution on the substrate was calculated numerically. Significant improvements have been made in Part III; however, this model does not provide concentration profiles. For future work, a more complete two-dimensional physical model will be developed for self-propagation reaction of multilayer thin film of aluminum and copper oxide based on thermal transport and atomic diffusion. This two-dimensional model includes the reaction rate, speed of propagation and the temperature profile. Since this model relies on a number of physical variables that are as yet unknown, further work is warranted in this area to carry out a thorough computational study.

Surface tension driven flow is studied in films of viscous polymer liquid by monitoring the spreading of droplets or the capillary levelling of films with excess surface area. The research presented in this thesis is focused on three major themes where molecular details are important to flow: molecular anisotropy, interfacial friction, and the initial state of the film. The effect of molecular anisotropy is studied by examining the dynamics of partially wetting diblock copolymer droplets using optical microscopy. The shape of the droplets is measured as they evolve towards equilibrium. In this system, it is found that energy is dissipated at the base of the droplets. This is consistent with a reduced interfacial friction at the liquid-substrate interface. Flow dynamics are also found to depend on the symmetry of the initial film thickness profile. Thickness perturbations with different degrees of symmetry were created in an initially flat film using focused laser spike annealing. The films were allowed to flow under the driving force of surface tension, and using atomic force microscopy, the film thickness profile was measured as a function of time. We find the depth of the perturbations decreases as a power law in time, with a power law exponent that depends on the symmetry of the thickness perturbation. The role of interfacial effects are explored by studying the flow in a film with zero interfacial friction: a freely-suspended film. Flow is measured in films with no interfacial friction using a technique which creates a film with a sharp step in the initial thickness profile. The excess surface area at the edge of the step drives flow, and information about the dynamics of the fluid is obtained by measuring the width of the step over time with atomic force microscopy. We observe flow that is consistent with plug flow: where the velocity of the fluid in the plane of the film is constant along the direction perpendicular to the film. Finally, freely-suspended films provide a model system to study the nucleation and growth of pores in a membrane. By purposefully creating pores of different initial size, the critical radius for nucleation is measured as a function of the membrane thickness. The experimental results agree with a simple model in which the free energy cost at the perimeter of a pore is determined by the excess surface area due to the curved interface of the pore edge. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thin film heaters, corrosion-resistance electrode, thin film inductors / Stretchable electronics are soft and light weight. Compared with conventional wafer-based electronics, which are rigid and planar, stretchable electronics can conform to curved surfaces and movable parts. The unique properties of stretchable electronics enable their integration with the human body, and open the door for ever more compelling applications, such as advanced surgical tools, wearable monitoring electronics, implantable prosthesis, and many others. However, the development of stretchable electronics is still at an early stage since their mechanical robustness and electrical performance are still far from satisfying. In this work, I have developed a method to fabricate thin film stretchable devices by solvent-assisted transfer of wrinkled thin films from rigid polystyrene (PS) substrates to elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates. Using this approach, structured thin films containing multiple materials and hybrid structures could be lifted off simultaneously, facilitating the fabrication of stretchable thin film devices. With this approach, I have built corrosion-resistant stretchable electrodes, stretchable thin film heaters, and stretchable thin film inductors. These applications demonstrate the simplicity and effectiveness of this stretchable electronics fabrication strategy. Finally, I made the first step towards fabricating dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with room temperature processes, including the preparation of mesoporous TiO2 layers through mechanical compression and the integration of an interdigitated electrode that was fabricated solely by bench-top patterning, alignment, and sputtering deposition. These steps lay the foundation for the future development of stretchable DSSC. I anticipate that the fabricated stretchable thin films electronic components will contribute to the advancement of wearable and implantable electronics. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Electronics that can be deformed and conform to the irregular surfaces are attractive because they can be better integrated with the human body. For example, they could improve disease diagnostics and therapeutic treatments by providing wearable continuous monitoring devices and more advanced surgical tools. In this work, I created wrinkled thin films that could be affixed onto an elastic substrate and stretched. The principle of operation of these wrinkled devices mimics the way that the wrinkled skin on our knuckles and elbows allows us to bend our fingers and elbows. This approach makes wrinkled thin films stretchable and could lead to robust electronic devices. I have showcased this approach building a corrosion-resistant stretchable electrode, thin films heaters that can closely conform to joints, and a spiral-shaped inductor that could be used to wirelessly transfer data or power wearable devices. I believe that this work will contribute to the development of electronics that can be worn or implanted in the human body.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.