Quantum Smoluchowski equation: Escape from a metastable state

We develop a quantum Smoluchowski equation in terms of a true probability distribution function to describe quantum Brownian motion in configuration space in large friction limit at arbitrary temperature and derive the rate of barrier crossing and tunneling within an unified scheme. The present treatment is independent of path integral formalism and is based on canonical quantization procedure.Comment: 10 pages, To appear in the Proceedings of Statphys - Kolkata I

Environmental Degradation and Durability of Epoxy-Clay Nanocomposites

This experimental investigation reports on the durability of epoxy-clay nanocomposites upon exposure to multiple environments. Nanocomposites are fabricated by mixing the clay particles using various combinations of mechanical mixing, high-shear dispersion, and ultrasonication. Clay morphology is characterized using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Specimens of both neat epoxy and the epoxy-clay nanocomposite are subjected to two environmental conditions: combined UV radiation and condensation on 3-hour repeat cycle and constant temperature-humidity, for a total exposure duration of 4770 hours. The presence of nanoscale clay inhibits moisture uptake, as demonstrated by exposure to constant temperature-humidity. Nonetheless, both materials lose mass under exposure to combined UV radiation and condensation due to the erosion of epoxy by a synergistic process. Surprisingly, the epoxy-clay specimens exhibit greater mass loss, as compared to neat epoxy. Mechanical testing shows that either environment does not significant affect the flexure modulus of either material. On the other hand, both materials undergo degradation in flexural strength when exposed to either environment. However, the epoxy-clay nanocomposite retains 37% more flexure strength than the neat epoxy after 4072 hours of exposure

Stress-Sensing Nanomaterial Calibrated with Photostimulated Luminescence Emission

Calibration of high spatial resolution stress-sensing alumina-epoxy nanomaterials is presented. The piezospectroscopic property of luminescent chromium-doped alumina nanoparticles embedded as nano-sensors in epoxy-based materials is the basis for the stress sensing capabilities. The stress-optical properties are determined as piezopectroscopic coefficients in compression experiments for nanomaterials containing varying volume fractions of alumina nanoparticles. An increasing stress-sensitivity was demonstrated with higher volume fractions. Thermal variations were shown to have negligible effects on the stress sensing property. The development of this material sensing system will enable quantitative measurement and non-invasive monitoring of stress distributions within a polymer system applied as adhesives or as coatings on a substrate under loading conditions. © 2011 American Chemical Society

Adhesives with nanoparticles

© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2018. All rights are reserved. The increased commercial availability and the reduced prices of nanoparticles are leading to their incorporation in polymers and structural adhesives. This chapter outlines the principal types of nanoparticles, and the methods that may be used to disperse the particles in a polymer matrix. It discusses how nanoparticles can alter the mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness), electrical properties (e.g., conductivity), functional properties (e.g., permeability, glass transition temperature), and fracture performance of thermoset polymers. The effect of nanoparticles on joint performance is also discussed