2008 Project Presentation Day

Mechancial Engineering Department
Materials Science and Engineering

April 15, 2008

Effect of Shear on the Crystallization of Chocolate

Laura Clark, Melissa Wheeler

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of shearing on the crystal structure of chocolate. The crystal structure was examined with various techniques including x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermal analysis and optical microscopy. This report found that shearing during tempering increases crystallinity in chocolate

Advisor: Prof. Satya Shivkumar

Electrospinning an Organometallic Compound to Create Metallic Fibers

Brendan Malloy

The goal of this project is to fabricate nanowires by electrospinning an organometallic solution and burning off the organic component of the compound. Several different solutions were electrospun with varying results. Solutions consisting of organometallic, a solvent and a polymer showed a much higher degree of electrospinnability than solutions composed of just organometallic and a solvent. After thermal degradation, SEM analysis revealed that no significant metallic or polymer structure remained. While this was not the anticipated result, these experiments showed that both fibrous and bead-like structures could be formed by electrospinning organometallic-based solutions.

Advisor: Prof. Satya Shivkumar

Fabrication Methods for the Characterization of Nanorods Using Multilayer Polymer Thin Films

Nick Souviney, Ryan Blair

Nanoporous templates have seen increased use as a method of creating controlled size nanotubes and nanorods. Currently, the metod has focused on the creation of nanomaterials composed of singular polymers or polymer blends. Our study focuses on creating nanomaterials composed of alternating sections of various polymers in a highly controlled manner. The heterostructured, one dimensional polymer nanomaterials may serve for various uses, including biosensors, drug delivery, and biomimetic applications.

Advisors: J. Liang, S. Dougherty

Nano-materials for Bone Implants

Garrett Cavanaugh, Justin Perron

An increase of geriatric patients requires improved orthopedic implant technology. Hydroxyapatite is a material naturally found in bone tissue, but the use of synthesized hydroxyapatite in orthopedic implants is limited because of its poor mechanical properties. The goal of this project is to use nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite and epoxy resin to create composite materials with the best approximation of bone tissue's nano-structure, test their mechanical properties to determine the affect of said structure, and characterize the failure mechanisms using electron microscopy.

Advisor: Prof. Jianyu Liang

Template Assisted Layer-By-Layer Fabrication of Protein Nanotubes

Keith T. Harrison

This paper investigates the process variables involved in layer-by-layer (LbL) fabrication of protein nanotubes. Three main provess variables were identified as having potential to significantly affect end results. These included protein concentration, solution volume used per layer, and storage time. The effects of each variable on protein activity were studied through controlled experiments and then rationalized in this report.

Advisors: J. Liang, S. Dougherty

The ASM Judges and Visitors attending event

Kathy Trudeau, David French, and Diana Lados	Visitors in WB113	Visitors in WB108

Students working on their Projects

Brendan Malloy analyses data	Brendan Malloy preparing specimen	Keith Harrison preparing specimen

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Last modified: May 12, 2008, 11:00 EDT