Detailed investigations of molecular collisions at the gas-surface interface provide insight into the dynamics and mechanisms of important interfacial reactions. A thorough understanding of the fundamental interactions between a gas and surface is crucial to the study of heterogeneous chemistry of atmospheric organic aerosols. In addition to changing the chemical and physical properties of the particle, reactions with oxidizing gases may alter aerosol optical properties, with implications for the regional radiation budget and climate. Molecular beams of CO₂, NO₂ and O₃ were scattered from long-chain methyl (CH₃-), hydroxyl (OH-), vinyl (H₂C=CH-) and perfluorinated (CF₃(CF₂)₈-, or F-) ω-functionalized alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold, to explore the reaction dynamics of atmospherically important triatomics on proxies for organic aerosols. Energy exchange and thermal accommodation during the gas-surface collision, the first step of most interfacial reactions, was probed by time-of-flight techniques. The final energy distribution of the scattered molecules was measured under specular scattering conditions (θi = θf = 30°). Overall, extent of energy transfer and accommodation was found to depend on the terminal functional group of the SAM, incident energy of the triatomics, and gas-surface intermolecular forces. Reaction dynamics studies of O3 scattering from H2C=CH-SAMs revealed that oxidation of the double bond depend significantly on O₃ translational energy. Our results indicate that the room-temperature reaction follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism, requiring accommodation prior to reaction. The measurements also show that the dynamics transition to a direct reaction for higher translational energies. Possible environmental impacts of heterogeneous reactions were probed by evaluating the change in the optical properties of laboratory-generated benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-coated aerosols, after exposure to NO₃ and NO₂, at 532 nm and 355 nm by three aerosol analysis techniques: cavity ring-down aerosol spectroscopy (CRD-AS) at 355 nm and 532 nm, photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) at 532 nm, and an aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS). Heterogeneous reactions may lead to the nitration of organic-coated aerosols, which may account for atmospheric absorbance over urban areas. Developing a detailed understanding of heterogeneous reactions on atmospheric organic aerosols will help researchers to predict the fate, lifetime, and environmental impact of atmospherically important triatomics and the particles with which they collide. / Ph. D.

The work deals with the design, control, precision and dynamics of linear piezoelectric motors from PiezoMotor Uppsala AB. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the applicability of the loaned engine in a mass spectrometer. In introduction‘s section of this work is discussing the design principles of functionality, materials used, procedure and types of piezoelectric motors. It focuses the choice of hardware and design of mechanical assemblies, which could replace the current mechanism with electromagnetic motors. Then we designed and fabricated a test report with hired piezoelectric motor. In NI LabView development environment is created test application for control and measurement. The final section is devoted to a summary of the positive and negative features of the hired piezoelectric motor and evaluation of accuracy and dynamics.

Background: One part of manufacturing a Plate Heat Exchanger (PHE) is to leak test them before delivery. Today, helium is used extensively in leak testing. How-ever, it is unsustainable to use helium in leak testing, because of its non-renewability and therefore becoming more and more expensive. Also, this technology is relatively complex. At the same, PHEs are rising in demand due to lack of energy resources in Europe. Therefore, possibilities emerged for using air based leak testing technologies in upcoming test lines and that is why an evaluation needs to be done to find the most suitable technology. Objectives: The objective of this master’s thesis is to evaluate and identify the most suitable leak testing technology for validating the watertightness requirement of 10−3 mbar·l/s at 1 bar pressure difference. There is a scientific gap in comparing how different air based leak testing technologies perform with different volumes of the test vessels. This thesis will identify the most suitable air based leak testing technology by evaluating three technologies: Pressure Decay, Differential Pressure Decay and Vacuum Decay. With the main focus on how different volumes impacts the performance of each technology. Lastly, this study aims to determine an optimal test pressure that achieves the shortest cycle time for the selected test technology. Choosing the most suitable test technologies will result in fewer production break-downs and interruptions. Additional, being able to phase out helium in leak testing. Methods: The workflow for evaluating the different leak testing technologies began with the implementation and installation of each test setup and ensuring the reliability of the gathered data. After verifying the absence of leakage in the system, a simulated leak was calibrated to match the requirement’s leak rate. Four test vessels with original volumes of 0.10, 0.45, 1.66 and 2.50 l were utilized. Various tests were then performed to answer the research questions, including measurements of leak rate at different pressures, analysis of outgassing characteristics, and determination of cycle time. Finally, by utilizing concept scoring, the most suitable leak testing technology was identified with respect to the volume. Results: The exhibited results in this thesis manifest how the different leak testing technologies perform depending on the volume. The relationship between leak rates and overpressures was obtained, which was then utilized to derive the theoretical detection time. The cycle time and accuracy were determined across various volumes. According to concept scoring, Pressure Decay was deemed the most suitable leak testing technology in terms of six different criteria.   Conclusions: All three technologies were able to determine a leak rate corresponding to the watertightness requirement. From the evaluation, Pressure Decay was the most suitable technology to use across the majority of the volumes, with an accuracy below 15%. The test cycle times were optimizable by selecting an optimum testing pressure.  Therefore, being able to replace the helium leak testing in future test lines. / Bakgrund: En del i processen av att producera värmeväxlare är att de ska genomgå en täthetskontroll innan de levereras till kunden. I dagsläget används helium till största del för att göra täthetskontroller. Däremot är det inte hållbart att bruka helium för täthetskontroller, då det inte är förnyelsebart. Därför blir allt dyrare samtidigt som teknologin som används är komplex. Samtidigt har efterfrågan på värmeväxlare ökat markant till följd av brist på energiresurser i Europa. Som ett resultat av detta uppkom möjligheten att använda luftbaserade tätkontrolls teknologier i framtida testbanor och därför behövs en utvärdering göras av vilken metod som är lämpligast att använda. Syfte: Syftet med arbetet var att utvärdera och identifiera den mest lämpliga test-teknologin för att validera att vattentätskravet uppfylls. Det finns idag ett vetenskapligt gap på hur olika luftbaserade testteknologier presterar beroende på vilken volym som testas. Denna studie identifierade den mest lämpliga luftbaserade tätkontorllstekniken genom att utvärdera följande tre tekniker: Pressure Decay, Differential Pressure Decay och Vacuum Decay. Huvudfocus var på hur olika volymer påverkar tätkontrollens prestanda. Slutligen bestämms det optimala testtrycket som ger den lägsta cykeltiden för den valda testteknologin. Att välja den mest lämpliga test-tekniken kommer resultera i färre haverier och avbrott i produktionslinjen, samt ge möjligheten att byta ut helium som spårgas för täthetskontollerna. Metod: Arbetsflödet för att utvärdera de olika teknologierna för täthetskontroller började med att implementera och installera varje testuppställning och säkerställa att datan var trovärdig. Efter att ha verifierat att inga läckor fanns i systemen,kalibrerades en simulerad läcka för att matcha vattentätskravet läckhastighet. Fyra testobjekt användes med volymerna, 0.10, 0.45, 1.66 och 2.50 l. Olika tester ut-fördes sedan för att svara på forskningsfrågorna, samt gjordes en mätning av läck-hastigheten vid olika övertryck, analys av utgasningskarakteristiken och cykeltiden bestämdes. Slutligen, genom att använda concept scoring identifierades den mest lämpliga teknologin för täthetskontroller beroende på vilken volym som testas. Resultat: Resultatet i detta examensarbete visar hur olika testteknologier presterar beroende på volym. Relationen mellan läckhastighet och övertryck bestämdes och an-vändes för att härleda den teoretiska detektionstiden. Cykeltiden och noggrannheten bestämdes för olika volymer. Utifrån concept scoring var Pressure Decay den mest lämpliga testteknologin utifrån sex olika kriterier.   Slutsatser: Alla tre testteknologierna kunde hitta en läcka motsvarande vattentätskravet. Utifrån utvärderingen var Pressure Decay den mest lämpliga testteknologin för majoriteten av volymerna med en noggrannhet under 15%. Cykeltiden var optimerbar genom att välja det optimala testtrycket. Därför kan Pressure Decay användas som en ersättare för helium vid tätkontroller i framtida testbanor.

Catfish fillets that were enhanced with salt and various phosphate treatments through vacuum tumbling or multi-needle injection were evaluated for yield, protein exudate (only tumbling), surface color, pH, cooking loss, tenderness, purge loss and shelf-life. An agglomerated sodium phosphate blend (AGSP) was the optimum treatment for both vacuum tumbling and multi-needle injection and was further utilized in conjunction with potassium lactate (PL) and/or potassium acetate (PA) through vacuum tumbling to determine their effect on the quality, shelf-life and sensory characteristics of enhanced catfish fillets. In addition, the combination of AGSP and PA+PL that maximized shelf-life was further utilized in conjunction with liquid or wood smoking to evaluate the quality and inhibition of L. monocytogenes growth in ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked catfish fillets. All phosphate treatments increased (P<0.05) tenderness, but AGSP that contained mono-, tri-, and polyphosphates increased (P<0.05) pH and yield and decreased (P<0.05) yellowness in both tumbling and injection systems when compared to the control treatment. In addition, AGSP decreased (P<0.05) protein exudate when fillets were tumbled and increased (P<0.05) solution pick-up when injected. Psychrotrophic plate counts (PPC) for all phosphate treatments were similar to the control at each storage time and reached 7 log CFU/g by day 7 of storage; however, when AGSP was used in conjunction with PA+PL, PPC and sensory spoilage scores of raw catfish fillets were lower (P<0.05) than the control at each storage time. Marinating with a combination of 0.25% PA and 0.58% PL increased shelf-life (P<0.05) to between 10 and 14 days when compared to the control which had a shelf-life between 7 and 10 days. In addition, consumers preferred (P<0.05) fried catfish fillets that were treated with AGSP with and without PA+PL when compared to non-marinated controls with respect to appearance, flavor and overall acceptability. In conclusion, AGSP optimized yield and improved the quality of refrigerated catfish fillets, and extended shelf-life three days over other treatments when combined with PA+PL. This combined treatment also enhanced sensory properties of fried catfish fillets and had a synergistic effect with wood smoke constituents that inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes on RTE smoked catfish fillets.

Although a robot vacuum cleaner is a well-known product, development is still interesting. Better working sensors and more sophisticated algorithms and sensors are used in new cleaners. The purpose with this thesis was to learn more about different sensors, algorithms, and designs of robot vacuum cleaners, to try ideas and to find improvements to implement on the demonstrator. The initial work was to make a market investigation to find customer needs and expectations. Also making a rough design and layout for the mechanical and electrical system. The budget for the demonstrator was 1000 SEK. Using laser cut plastic sheets, 3D printed parts, and receiving motors for free, costs did not exceed budget. Literature and theses in the area of interest were studied to find answers to some of the research questions. The theses studied subjects such as driving pattern and designs to find back to charge station. Some ideas for driving patterns were implemented on a demonstrator. The development method used was iteration of finding useful information, testing components, codes and also the complete demonstrator. The components used were DC motor, stepper motors, ultrasonic sensors, Arduino mega micro controller, switches and AA batteries. The different components required different voltage and the stepper motors used driver cards. / Även om robot dammsugare är en välkänd produkt är produktutveckling fortfarande intressant. Bättre sensorer och mer sofistikerade algoritmer och sensorer används i dammsugare. Syftet med denna avhandling var att lära sig mer om olika dammsugare, algoritmer och konstruktioner av robot dammsugare, för att prova idéer och möjliga hitta förbättringar att implementera på demonstranten. Det första arbetet var att göra en marknadsundersökning för att hitta kundens behov och förväntningar. Även att göra en grov design och layout för det mekaniska och elektriska systemet. Budgeteringen för demonstranten var 1000 kr. Kostnaderna översteg inte budgeten eftersom vi använde oss av laser skurna plastplattor, 3D-printade delar och erhöll motorer utan kostnad. Sex olika avhandlingar studerades för att hitta svar på några av frågorna. Avhandlingarna studerade ämnen som körmönster och mönster för att hitta tillbaka till laddstationen. Vissa idéer för körmönster implementerades på demonstranten. Den använda utvecklingsmetoden var iteration av att hitta användbar information, testa komponenter, koder och även den fullständiga demonstranten. De komponenter som användes var likströmsmotor, stegmotorer, ultraljudssensorer, Arduino mega-mikrokontroller, strömbrytare och AA-batterier. De olika komponenterna krävde olika spänningar och stegmotorn använder ett specifikt drivkort.

Urbanisation and a growing population has created new demands for compact living and households. Household appliances perform an important role in modern homes, where the life-cycle of the products play a significant role. Products that spend most of their time in storage are required to answer new user demands to interplay and integrate into the household, including products such as vacuum cleaners. A master thesis project for KTH Industrial Design Engineering master track, carried out in collaboration with ESSIQ AB, investigated the user needs for vacuum cleaners in-uselifecycle. The research question was: How can a vacuum cleaner be designed and adapted to facilitate compact and easy storage for the user in a modern home, without compromising its current efficiency? The goal of the project was to design an innovative product concept through a human-centred design methodology. The methodology would lead to the creation of a product designed to fulfil the user needs by focusing on user experience. Knowledge about how vacuum cleaners are stored, used, interact and how it is interpreted in everyday life, were firstly found and then analysed. To develop a suitable concept proposal, needs and requirements were gathered through interviews and observations. New concept ideas were generated and evaluated through an iterative process resulting in the development of a final concept proposal. A proof-of-concept was developed to further support the final concept. The concept is a proposal for future development and introduces a new product category. / Urbanisering och en växande population ställer nya krav för kompakta och smarta ekosystem. Hemelektronik spelar en viktig roll i många moderna hem och är betydande för ett fungerande hushåll. Produkter som spenderar mesta av sin tid i förvaring erhåller således en essentiell funktion i ett ekosystem för individen, sådana produkter inkluderar dammsugare. Ett masterexamensarbete för den Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, KTH, mastersprogram i Industridesign, utfördes tillsammans med ESSIQ AB för att undersöka de användarbehov som finns på dammsugare under sin livscykel. Problemformuleringen utgjordes av: Hur kan en dammsugare bli designad och anpassad för en användare, för att ge en kompakt och smidig förvaring i ett modernt hem, utan att kompromissa på sin nuvarande effektivitet? Målet för detta projekt var att designa ett innovativt koncept genom en användarfokuserad designmetod. En användarfokuserad process inkluderar en definition av användarens behov och fokuserar på att skapa en produkt utefter användarupplevelsen som svarar på de funna behoven. Hur dammsugaren förvaras, används, interagerar och hur den upplevs i det vardagliga livet, undersöktes för att kunna uppfylla målet. Ett anpassat konceptförslag var utvecklad genom identifiering av behov och problem hos användaren funna i intervjuer och tester. Idegenerering på nya konceptförslag utvecklades och utvärderades till ett slutgiltigt konceptförslag. Resultaten resulterade i ett konceptbevis, ett konceptförslag som uppfyller användarens behov. Konceptet fungerar som ett förslag och en grund för fortsatt arbete samt introducerar för en ny typ av produktkategori.

Resin infusion of composite parts has continually been reaching to achieve laminate quality equal to, or exceeding, the quality produced with prepreg in an autoclave. In order for this to occur, developers must understand the key process variables that go in to producing a laminate with minimal void content. The purpose of this research is to continue efforts in understanding 1) the effect of process conditions on the resultant void content, with a focus on resin infusion flow rate, 2) applying statistical metrics to the formation, location and size of voids formed, and 3) correlate these metrics with the local mechanical properties of the composite laminate. The variation in dispersion and formation of micro-voids and macro-voids varied greatly between the rates of flow the infusion occurred, especially in the non-crimp carbon fiber samples. Higher flow rates led to lower volumes of micro-voids in the beginning section of the carbon fiber laminates with macro-voids being introduced approximately half-way through infusion. This was determined to have occurred decreasing pressure gradient as the flow front moved away from the inlet. This variation in void content per location on the laminate was more evident in the carbon fiber samples than the fiberglass samples. Micro-voids follow void formation modeling especially when coupled with a pressure threshold model. Macro-void formation was also demonstrated to correlate strongly to void formation models when united with void mobility theories and pressure thresholds. There is a quick decrease in mechanical properties after the first 1-2% of voids signaling strength is mostly sensitive to the first 0-2% void content. A slight decrease in SBS was noticed in fiberglass laminates, A-F as v0 increased but not as drastically as represented in the NCF laminates, G and H. The lower clarity in the exponential trend could be due to the lack of samples with v0 greater than 0% but less than 1%. Strength is not well correlated to void content above 2% and could possibly be related to void morphololgy.

Out-of-autoclave manufacturing processes for composite materials are increasing in importance for aerospace and automotive industries. Vacuum Infusion processes are leading the push to move out of the autoclave. An understanding of the various process parameters associated with resin infusion is necessary to produce quality product. Variance in compaction, resin, and vacuum pressures are studied, concentrating on developing a compaction pressure profile as it relates to fiber volume fraction. The purpose of this research is twofold: (1) to show and quantify the existence of a resin pressure gradient in compression testing using rigid tooling, and (2) to use measured test data to validate and improve resin flow simulation models. One-dimensional compression tests revealed a pressure gradient across the diameter of the compression tool. The pressure gradient follows trends consistent with Darcy's Law. Compression tests revealed fabric hysteresis during compaction as shown in previous studies. Fiber compaction pressure was found to not be directly equal to compressive forces of the Instron when resin is present in the system. The relationship between Instron, resin and compaction pressures is defined. The compression study was used to validate previously developed flow simulation models. Resin pressures are critical to developing an accurate two-dimensional radial flow simulation for low permeability fabrics. It is feasible to determine final fiber volume fraction at a given compaction pressure.

<p>  </p> <p>High altitude test facilities are needed for ground testing of upper stage rocket engines or small satellite thrusters with high expansion ratio nozzles to ensure full-flowing nozzle conditions. Rocket exhaust diffusers and ejector systems are essential components of these facilities and are frequently used to set desired simulated altitude/low pressure conditions and pump out rocket exhaust products. </p> <p>This dissertation combined experimental and numerical efforts on diffuser-ejector systems. The experimental efforts included the development of a Second Throat Exhaust Diffuser (STED) to aid with the qualification of space thrusters in the Purdue Altitude Chamber Facility. While performing these experiments, we characterized the single and two-stage ejector systems operating in conjunction with the diffuser to obtain and maintain specific simulated altitudes. </p> <p>The concurrent numerical effort focused on validating a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach based on Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations flow simulations. After validating the ejector CFD, we used it to derive a corrective coefficient of a lumped parameter ejector model (LPM) developed previously for the ejectors used in the Purdue Altitude Facility. We created variable coefficient maps for the stages of the two-stage ejector system using the same LPM and the test data from one of our experiments. </p> <p>We designed, manufactured, and then validated a STED for altitude testing of a ~50 lbf hypergolic hybrid motor as a part of a NASA JPL project. The designed STED enabled the operation of the hybrid motor for the full duration of the test firing (about 2 seconds) at a simulated altitude of 102,000 feet, slightly above the targeted altitude of 100,000 feet. We also validated our diffuser CFD approach by creating a simulation using the measured diffuser back pressure and the average motor chamber pressure. </p> <p>We then devised an experiment to investigate several diffuser–ejector system configurations using cold gas thrusters with conical and bell nozzles. The main aim of that experiment was to explore the effects of different thruster nozzle geometries, diffuser geometries, and thruster/ejector operational parameters on the performance of a diffuser–ejector system. For all the configurations tested, we reported on the minimum starting and operating pressure ratios and corresponding correction factors on the normal shock method. The large hysteresis regions obtained mostly with bell nozzles having a high initial expansion angle provided an opportunity to economize the facility resources. In some cases which were later found to violate STED second throat contraction limits, we experienced a choking flow at the second throat. Then, we studied the second throat contraction limits in detail using CFD in addition to the experimental data and explored minimum diffuser second throats enabling diffuser starting and improving aerodynamic efficiency. </p> <p>Finally, we machined a larger scale cold gas thruster with different nozzle geometries (having throat diameters in the range of 0.367 – 0.52 inches) from acrylic rods to study possible flow separation and gas condensation events that could occur during tests in the altitude chamber. The main difference here with the previous experiment was that the diffuser (JPL STED) was fixed, and the two-stage ejector system was used to create the necessary back pressure. With the experiments performed at varying axial gaps between the nozzle exit and diffuser inlet, we were able to investigate the effect of that on the diffuser performance. The experimental data collected in this work and the complementary numerical efforts served to generate the operating envelope of the Purdue Altitude Chamber Facility.  </p>

Additive Manufacturing (AM, 3D printing) has made significant advancements over the past decade and has become a viable alternative to traditional machining techniques. AM offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing techniques including improved geometric freedom, reduction in part lead time, cost savings, enhanced customization, mass reduction, part elimination, and remote production. There are many different AM processes with the most commonly used process being Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). Small satellites have also made significant advancements over the past two decades with the number of missions launched annually increased by orders of magnitude over that time span. Small satellites offer several advantages compared to traditional spacecraft architectures including increased access to space, lower development costs, and disaggregated architectures. On-orbit manufacturing and assembly have become major research and development topics for government and commercial entities seeking the capability to build very large structures in space. AM is well suited on-orbit manufacturing since the process is highly automated, produces little material waste, and allows for a large degree of geometric freedom. This dissertation seeks to address three major research objectives regarding applications of additive manufacturing in space systems: demonstrate the feasibility of 3D printing an ESPA class satellite using FFF, develop a FFF 3D printer that is capable of operating in high vacuum and characterize its performance, and analyze the coupled dynamics between a satellite and a robot arm used for 3D printing in-space. This dissertation presents the design, finite element analysis, dynamic testing, and model correlation of AdditiveSat, an additively manufactured small satellite fabricated using FFF. This dissertation also presents the design, analysis, and test results for a passively cooled FFF 3D printer capable of manufacturing parts out of engineering grade thermoplastics in the vacuum of space. Finally, this dissertation presents a numerical model of a free-flying small satellite with an attached robotic arm assembly to simulate 3D printing structures on-orbit with analysis of the satellite controls required to control the dynamics of the highly coupled system. / Doctor of Philosophy / 3D printing has made significant advancements over the past decade and has become common place in offices, schools, and even the homes of hobbyist. 3D printing has become an alternative to traditional machining techniques, such as machining parts from blocks of material. 3D printing offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing techniques including improved geometry freedom, reduction in part lead time, cost savings, enhanced customization, mass reduction, part elimination, and remote production. There are many different types of 3D printing with the most commonly used process being Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) in which a thermoplastic is melded by a hotend and then extruded through a nozzle to deposited material layer-by-layer onto a printed part. Small satellites have also made significant advancements over the past two decades with the number of missions launched annually greatly increased over that time span. Small satellites offer several advantages compared to traditional spacecraft including increased access to space and lower development costs. On-orbit manufacturing and assembly have become major research and development topics for government and commercial entities seeking the capability to build very large structures in space. This dissertation seeks to address three major research objectives regarding applications of additive manufacturing in space systems: demonstrate the feasibility of 3D printing an ESPA class satellite using FFF, develop a FFF 3D printer that is capable of operating in high vacuum and characterize its performance, and analyze the coupled dynamics between a satellite and a robot arm used for 3D printing in-space. This dissertation presents the design, analysis, and test results of AdditiveSat, a 3D printed small satellite made using FFF. This dissertation also presents the development of a FFF 3D printer capable of operating in the vacuum of space. Finally, this dissertation presents a numerical simulation that models 3D printing structures on-orbit with a small satellite equipped with a robot arm.