Nanomaterial synthesis and characterization for energy storage and conversion devices

Synthesis conditions and characterization techniques were investigated for a variety of nanomaterials that have potential for use in a plethora of energy storage and conversion devices, such as photovoltaics, thermionic emitters, lithium-ion batteries, and PEM fuel cells. A portion of this work focused on the development of a chemical vapor deposition synthesis technique for multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) using an iron dimer in xylene as a liquid catalyst precursor. The optimization of synthesis conditions for this technique was subsequently followed by the development of a quantitative purity assessment method for MWNTs from Raman spectroscopy, which involves the ratios of peak heights in Raman spectra. Initial work in the development of this purity assessment method was extended to a second Raman excitation energy, and a universal equation of purity was developed for two excitation laser energies. The capability exists to develop free-standing electrode papers from these synthesized MWNTs for several of the aforementioned applications. A large portion of this work also focused on the characterization of materials commonly used in organic solar cells with the technique of cyclic voltammetry. Electrochemical measurements of semiconducting CdSe quantum dots, fullerene derivatives, and polymers (MEH-PPV, P3HT, and MDMO-PPV) were completed to determine the band gap, ionization potential, and electron affinity of these materials in order to improve device fabrication by offering the capability of pre-selecting the materials incorporated in a given composite. This reduces time, energy, and expenses involved with fabrication, along with furthering the understanding of interactions between materials in a composite at the electronic level. This work has offered important contributions to the field of alternative energy by making strides in synthesizing, characterizing, and selecting appropriate materials for use in energy storage and conversion devices

Evaluating Capital and Maintenance Costs for Four Low Impact Development Treatment Systems, and their Efficiency in Removing Total Suspended Solids from Storm Water Runoff

Storm water runoff is the leading source of surface water pollution. To reduce the amount of contaminants in storm water runoff, municipalities and city governments require developers to construct storm water treatment measures, or low impact development (LID) systems, as part of the development project. LID storm water treatment systems utilize a mix of sedimentation, filtration, adsorption, and phytoremediation as mechanisms that remove pollutants from storm water prior to discharging to waterbodies. Existing studies have shown that LID storm water measures are effective in reducing runoff and improving water quality, but studies that can assist decision makers in selecting the most effective practices for their water quality needs and budgets are limited. This master’s project study compared the percentage of total suspended solids (TSS) removed, and capital and maintenance costs required for each treatment measure. Data were collected from primary literature from previous studies and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was performed to determine any differences in TSS removal efficiencies between the four treatment types. Physical, biological, and chemical properties involved with each treatment LID were assessed to determine potential causes for differences observed in removal efficiencies. Data from primary literature were also collected for capital and maintenance costs for each treatment measure, and bar graphs were generated to visually determine the least costly LID over a 20-year time period. Maintenance requirements for each treatment measure were evaluated to provide insight into potential differences observed in treatment costs. By comparing the costs and TSS removal for each LID structure, owners and operators can now better understand and select the most cost effective and efficient solution for treating storm water runoff at their development site. Sand Filters, Porous Pavement, and Vegetated Swales were not significantly different, and achieved high removal of TSS in storm water runoff. Detention Basins were the least costly per volume of storm water runoff the LID is capable of treating due to its open-pit structural design, and minimal maintenance involved. Vegetative Swales were the most cost effective due to its high TSS removal efficiency and affordable costs relative to Sand Filter and Porous Pavement systems

Estrogen Binding Protein Activity in Morris Hepatoma 7777 Compared With Normal Rat Liver

Estrogen binding protein activities were determined in the cytosol from adult male Buffalo rat liver and Morris hepatoma 7777. Estrogen receptors were prepared using the protamine sulfate precipitation technique of Chamness. The ability of various unlabeled steroids competing with [3H]estradiol was examined to establish the binding specificity. Estradiol binding in Morris hepatoma 7777 cytosol was greatly decreased compared with that present in hepatic cytosol prepared from normal rat liver. The receptor concentration expressed as femtomoles per milligram of cytoplasmic protein was 31.1 ± 2.9 SD for normal rat liver and 0.41 ± 0.88 SD for the hepatoma. Gel filtration chromatography revealed the presence of an estrogen binder in hepatoma cytosol which was not present in either normal liver or in the protamine sulfate precipitates of hepatoma cytosol. The molecular weight, binding specificity, and precipitation of this protein by specific antiserum suggests that it is α-fetoprotein. © 1984, American Gastroenterological Association. All rights reserved

Sex Hormone-Related Functions in Regenerating Male Rat Liver

Sex hormone receptors were quantitated in normal male rat liver and in regenerating liver at several different times after partial (70%) hepatectomy. Both estrogen and androgen receptor content were altered dramatically by partial hepatectomy. Total hepatic content and nuclear retention of estrogen receptors increased, with the zenith evident 2 days after partial hepatectomy, corresponding to the zenith of mitotic index. Serum estradiol increased after 1 day, and reached a maximum at 3 days after surgery. In contrast, total and nuclear androgen receptor content demonstrated a massive decline at 1, 2, and 3 days after resection. Serum testosterone displayed a parallel decline. In addition, hepatic content of two androgen-responsive proteins was reduced to 15% and 13% of normal values during this period. The activity of these various proteins during regeneration of male rat liver is comparable to that observed in the liver of normal female rats. Taken together, these results indicate that partial hepatectomy induces a feminization of certain sexually dimorphic aspects of liver function in male rats. Furthermore, these data provide evidence that estrogens, but not androgens, may have an important role in the process of liver regeneration. © 1986, American Gastroenterological Association. All rights reserved

Supported Employment and Systems Change: Findings from a National Survey of State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

This paper presents findings from a national survey of state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies regarding systems change in supported employment. Respondents from the 50 states and the District of Columbia assessed the impact of state systems change activities and policy implementation efforts on supported employment. Activities perceived to be most important to the implementation and expansion of state supported employment programs were training, technical assistance, capacity building, and policy and funding initiatives. While respondents reported that significant efforts were devoted to conversion during state Title III supported employment system change projects, they reported a lower level of sustained effort following the conclusion of these projects. Respondents from 26 states reported that fiscal incentives exist to provide supported employment services over segregated services. Fiscal disincentives were also reported. Federal and state policies and practices were perceived to influence the administration and operation of state supported employment programs

The effect of estrogen and tamoxifen on hepatocyte proliferation in Vivo and in Vitro

We have previously shown that changes in estrogen‐hepatocyte interaction occur during liver regeneration. Following 70% hepatectomy, estrogen levels in the blood were elevated, the number of estrogen receptors in the liver was increased and there was an active translocation of estrogen receptors from the cytosol to the nucleus. The injection of tamoxifen, an estrogen antagonist, inhibits hepatocyte proliferation following partial hepatectomy. The administration of 1 μg tamoxifen per gm body weight at zero time or 6 hr after the operation resulted in a significant inhibition both of DNA synthesis and of the number of cells in mitosis. Injections of tamoxifen 12 hr or later after the operation had no effect. Concomitant injections of equimolar amounts of estrogen abolished the inhibition by tamoxifen. The effects of estrogen and tamoxifen were also tested on hepatocytes in primary culture. Estrogens in the presence of 5% normal rat serum stimulated hepatocyte DNA synthesis as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and the labeling index, whereas epidermal growth factor‐induced DNA synthesis in the absence of normal rat serum was strongly inhibited. Tamoxifen, in contrast, inhibited DNA synthesis of hepatocytes in the presence of 5% normal rat serum and reversed the stimulatory effect of estrogen in the same system. Attempts to elucidate the mechanism of tamoxifen inhibition in vitro indicated that one effect of tamoxifen is to prevent the amiloride‐sensitive Na+ influx necessary to initiate hepatocyte proliferation. Copyright © 1989 American Association for the Study of Liver Disease

Methane Creation from Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic digestion is a process which organic material decay in an oxygen free or low oxygen environment. The process releases heat and biogas, which contains methane, and other gases. The first known use of anaerobic digestion was in 1859. Today, anaerobic digestion is commonly used for animal waste from farms, food waste from restaurants or food processing plants and wastewater treatment plants. Biogas generated from anaerobic digesters can be used to generate thermal or electrical energy, which also reduces methane emissions. Anaerobic digestion can be used in many more parts of the world. The parameters that affect it\u27s usage is the size of the plant or farm, amount of manure being produced, initial capital cost, frequent maintenance,land land use laws and utility companies

Induction of hepatocyte stimulating activity by T<inf>3</inf> and appearance of the activity despite inhibition of DNA synthesis by adriamycin

A hepatocyte stimulating activity (HSA) has been extracted from rats that had received an injection of a pharmacological dose of T3 20 hours earlier. The injection of HSA from T3-treated rats into different recipient rats that had previously had 40% of their liver removed resulted in a significant increase in hepatic DNA synthesis. The injection of saline or HSA from normal rat liver had little or no effect on hepatic DNA synthesis in recipient rats. HSA from the T3-treated rats also stimulated DNA synthesis in Novikoff hepatoma cells and primary hepatocytes in culture, and in isolated normal rat liver nuclei in a nuclear incorporating system. In further experiments in which the increased DNA synthesis that follows partial hepatectomy was blocked by adriamycin, HSA appeared in these non-regenerating livers. This latter observation had indicated that the development of HSA is not merely an accompaniment of DNA synthesis