Visualization of Material Collection

Visualization technology has advanced in the last few years where it can now spearhead many challenges we face today. Such as in my project of hazardous material collection where the visualization can be used to develop new technologies that can one day do the work that puts others at risk and eliminate the threat to human life. Simplified and made directly available for industries to see the benefits of using visual models first before development. Can also be a cost-efficient resource to industries and efficient way of training through virtual reality. In conclusion not only is visualization marketable it has a wide scope a usage such as training, visual aid learning and engineering modeling for task usage

Nanostructured Polymer Lithography for Photovoltaic Applications

The self-assembly of diblock copolymers into ordered domains holds great potential to furthering the efficiency of photovoltaic devices. Solutions containing polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were applied to silicon wafers from toluene solutions. Hexagonally ordered domains, with pore sizes ranging from 10-30 nm, were obtained by annealing films in solvent vapor, with the best results produced from a humidified benzene environment. Exposing the films to UV light cross-linked the polystyrene matrix and degraded the PMMA. Removal of the PMMA and PEO produced an ordered polystyrene template, which can be used for nanolithography for the deposition of quantum dots onto the wafers. Details of the film preparation, annealing times and conditions, and characterization will be presented

Additive Manufacturing for the Rapid Prototyping of Economical Biosensors

Current methods of developing wearable electronics through reductive manufacturing pose a substantial ecological footprint. To address this issue, it is imperative to investigate alternative additive manufacturing techniques. Aerosol jet printing (AJP) is a promising approach that relies on the optimization of gas flow rates and ink rheology to produce high-resolution printed structures. Implementing a low-intensity layered delamination approach to synthesize titanium carbide MXene, and further produce MXene ink, reduces environmental impact while enhancing the device performance. MXene ink yields desirable rheology, including viscosity, surface tension, density, and contact angles compatible with AJP technique. In terms of cost, ecological effect, time, and process development, traditional manufacturing exacerbates the level of e-waste produced. However, this additive manufacturing technique offers a unique solution for rapidly prototyping and manufacturing economical biosensors while minimizing resource consumption, reducing environmental impact, and addressing the growing issue of e-waste

Synthesis of Graphene Foam via Chemical Vapor Deposition

Graphene, a material made up of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice has garnered lots of attention due to its extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties in recent years. Graphene has been investigated for many uses due to its high thermal conductivity, strength, flexibility, and electron mobility. In our research, we focus on the synthesis and development of graphene foam, using a method called chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The synthesis process results in a three dimensional, foam-like material that allows for rapid movement of electron carriers through its interconnected network, while allowing for a lightweight and flexible material. In this study, we develop a methodology for the synthesis of graphene foam which produces consistent results using the CVD process. We examine the effects of the precursor – methane- by varying the duration and concentration, and substrate - nickel foam on the establishment of a procedure that consistently yields high quality graphene foam. The quality of the graphene foam has been analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively via optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Future plans for this graphene foam include the integration of carbon nanotubes, with an overall goal of developing flexible sensors

Fabrication of a Nanoscale Electrical Thermometry Platform for 2D Materials

Nanoscale Electrical Thermometry is a technique for characterizing the thermal properties of 2D materials. Fabrication of a nanoscale electrical thermometry platform requires the use of nanoscale processing techniques, such as photolithography and electron beam lithography (EBL). Photolithography is the most common method to create patterns on thin films for integrated circuits and microelectromechanical systems. Using silicon as a semiconductor substrate, we are able to add a single layer of positive photoresist (such as poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA) and cover the resist with a photomask. By subsequent fixing and developing, the pattern in the resist layer can be transferred into the underlying substrate by etching or deposition processes. The resolution of patterns formed by photolithography is determined by the diffraction limit of light. Another form of lithography is called Electron Beam Lithography, which is a maskless technique that uses a fine beam of electrons to write a pattern directly into a resist. The control system called Nanometer Pattern Generation System (NPGS) is used to write the 2-D pattern as part of a scanning electron microscope. The resolution of EBL is determined by the size of the electron beam which can be as small as 10 nm. The use of these two forms of lithography to fabricate an electrical thermometry platform for 2D materials will be described

Bioscaffold Synthesis for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering (TE) is a regenerative treatment that focuses on restoring, maintaining, and improving damaged tissues and organs. One of the ailments that can be treated through TE are musculoskeletal disorders, which are injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal disks. An estimated 1 in 2 adults will be affected by a musculoskeletal disorder in their lifetime. Beyond this, TE can also be used to address the organ shortage crisis in the world. In the US alone, 110,000 people are on the organ transplant waiting list, with another person added every 10 minutes. Generally conditions such as this are treated through several expensive surgeries and organ transplants when organs become available. This project looks at filling the gaps in TE today and to create patient specific tissues and organs by controlling bioscaffold parameters through direct light processing (DLP) bioprinting. The goal of this work is to develop a compatible bioink for the DLP LumenX bioprinter in order to print porous bioscaffolds, control the mechanical and material properties of these scaffolds through ink formulation and scaffold design, and benchmark them to previous work done using graphene foam as a scaffold