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Ghose, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Ghose, S..

At least 19 records

Structural origin of recovered ferroelectricity in BaTi O 3 nanoparticles

Nanoscale BaTiO 3 particles (≈10 nm) prepared by ball-milling a mixture of oleic acid and heptane have been reported to have an electric polarization several times larger than that for bulk BaTiO 3 . In this work, detailed local, intermediate, and long-range structural studies are combined with spectroscopic measurements to develop a model structure of these materials. The X-ray spectroscopic measurements reveal large Ti off-centering as the key factor producing the large spontaneous polarization in the nanoparticles. Temperature-dependent lattice parameter changes reveal the sharpening of the structural phase transitions in these BaTiO 3 nanoparticles compared to the pure nanoparticle systems. In conclusion, sharp crystalline-type peaks in the barium oleate Raman spectra suggest that this component in the composite core-shell matrix, a product of mechanochemical synthesis, stabilizes an enhanced polar structural phase of the BaTiO 3 core nanoparticles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Proton irradiation effects in Molybdenum-Carbide-Graphite composites

The High Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) has prompted the investigation of novel materials for beam-intercepting devices, and in particular for the collimators responsible for protecting the machine from beam losses. The HL-LHC collimation system will inevitably experience increased levels of radiation damage and undergo changes in their crucial physio-mechanical properties. Graphite-matrix composite materials containing molybdenum carbide particles, along with small amounts of titanium carbide, were developed with the objective of enhanced in-beam performance and tested under proton irradiation. The physical degradation observed in early grades of molybdenum carbide compounds, even after modest proton fluences, has prompted the development of advanced compounds. In this work, we examine the effects of proton irradiation on the microstructural and thermophysical properties of new grades of Molybdenum-carbide-graphite compounds up to fluences of ~2 × 10 20 p/cm 2 . Here, we employ a combination of precision dilatometry and high-energy X-ray diffraction to quantify the dimensional stability and crystallographic phase evolution both pre- and post-irradiation. Our results reveal that these new compounds exhibit superior resilience to radiation damage than their predecessors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Radiation damage of a two-dimensional carbon fiber composite (CFC)

Carbon fiber composites (CFC) are, among other applications, already in use as low-impedance collimating elements for intercepting TeV-level protons machines, like the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Towards a comprehensive understanding of these materials’ properties and behavior, a series of radiation damage campaigns have been undertaken in order to quantitively investigate the response of AC-150 K CFC to high proton fluences. The CFCs dimensional changes, stability, micro-structural evolution, and structural integrity below and above 5 × 10 20 p/cm 2 fluence threshold were studied. The irradiating particles were protons of kinetic energies in the range of 130–200 MeV. The effects of the irradiation temperature (~90–180°C and 280–500°C) combined with the proton fluence on the dimensional stability and the microstructural evolution of this anisotropic two-dimensional composite structure were studied using precision dilatometry and X-ray diffraction. Our results shed light on the fluence-based limitations for these composite materials. Furthermore, we compare these results with reference unirradiated graphite, and we discuss the similarities and differences in the dimensional changes and post-irradiation annealing properties.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Fast Neutron Irradiation Embrittlement-ductilitization of an Iron-based Amorphous Alloy using In Situ Synchrotron X-ray Diffraction

Amorphous Fe-based nanostructured alloy coatings thermally sprayed on bcc steel substrate, were subjected to neutron irradiation doses up to 2 × 10 19 n/cm 2 . It is shown that the interplay between embrittlement and recovery of ductility is governed by amorphous to crystallization transition and phase decomposition in which temperature and irradiation dose have reciprocal effects. Microscopic (X-ray diffraction) observations on the behavior of the amorphous Fe-based alloy are correlated with relevant macroscopically observed mechanical behavior. It is shown that amorphous Fe-based alloy coatings maintain and even enhance their amorphous structure with irradiation, exhibit radiation-induced restoration of thermally-induced embrittlement and finally exhibit resistance to ductility loss up to the fluence of 2 × 10 18 n/cm 2 and good thermal stability up to 350 °C. The latter is deduced from X-ray diffraction experiments of in-situ tensile strain application on the irradiated coating.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Oxygen Plasma Modification of Poss-Coated Kapton(Registered TradeMark) HN Films

The surface energy of a material depends on both surface composition and topographic features. In an effort to modify the surface topography of Kapton(Registered TradeMark) HN film, organic solutions of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, octakis(dimethylsilyloxy)silsesquioxane (POSS), were spray-coated onto the Kapton(Registered TradeMark) HN surface. Prior to POSS application, the Kapton(Registered TradeMark) HN film was activated by exposure to radio frequency (RF)-generated oxygen plasma. After POSS deposition and solvent evaporation, the films were exposed to various durations of RF-generated oxygen plasma to create a topographically rich surface. The modified films were characterized using optical microscopy, attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy, and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). The physical properties of the modified films will be presented.

Wohl, C. J.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer/Nanofiller Blends

To reduce weight and increase the mobility, comfort, and performance of future spacesuits, flexible, thermally conductive fabrics and plastic tubes are needed for the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment. Such improvements would allow astronauts to operate more efficiently and safely for extended extravehicular activities. As an approach to raise the thermal conductivity (TC) of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (Elvax 260), it was compounded with three types of carbon based nanofillers: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and expanded graphite (EG). In addition, other nanofillers including metallized CNFs, nickel nanostrands, boron nitride, and powdered aluminum were also compounded with Elvax 260 in the melt at various loading levels. In an attempt to improve compatibility between Elvax 260 and the nanofillers, MWCNTs and EG were modified by surface coating and through noncovalent and covalent attachment of organic molecules containing alkyl groups. Ribbons of the nanocomposites were extruded to form samples in which the nanofillers were aligned in the direction of flow. Samples were also fabricated by compression molding to yield nanocomposites in which the nanofillers were randomly oriented. Mechanical properties of the aligned samples were determined by tensile testing while the degree of dispersion and alignment of nanoparticles were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. TC measurements were performed using a laser flash (Nanoflash ) technique. TC of the samples was measured in the direction of, and perpendicular to, the alignment direction. Additionally, tubing was also extruded from select nanocomposite compositions and the TC and mechanical flexibility measured.

Ghose, S.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate Copolymer/Carbon Nanofiller Blends

To reduce weight and increase the mobility, comfort, and performance of future spacesuits, flexible, thermally conductive fabrics and plastic tubes are needed for the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment. Such improvements would allow astronauts to operate more efficiently and safely for extended extravehicular activities. As an approach to raise the thermal conductivity (TC) of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (Elvax 260), it was compounded with three types of carbon based nanofillers: multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and expanded graphite (EG). In addition, other nanofillers including metallized CNFs, nickel nanostrands, boron nitride, and powdered aluminum were also compounded with Elvax 260 in the melt at various loading levels. In an attempt to improve compatibility between Elvax 260 and the nanofillers, MWCNTs and EG were modified by surface coating and through noncovalent and covalent attachment of organic molecules containing alkyl groups. Ribbons of the nanocomposites were extruded to form samples in which the nanofillers were aligned in the direction of flow. Samples were also fabricated by compression molding to yield nanocomposites in which the nanofillers were randomly oriented. Mechanical properties of the aligned samples were determined by tensile testing while the degree of dispersion and alignment of nanoparticles were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. TC measurements were performed using a laser flash (Nanoflash ) technique. TC of the samples was measured in the direction of, and perpendicular to, the alignment direction. Additionally, tubing was also extruded from select nanocomposite compositions and the TC and mechanical flexibility measured.

Ghose, S.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Copoly(ethylene vinyl acetate)/Nano-Filler Blends

The development of flexible, thermally conductive fabrics and plastic tubes for the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) are needed to reduce weight and improve the mobility, comfort, and performance of future spacesuits. Such improvements would allow astronauts to operate more efficiently and safely for extended extravehicular activities. As a continuation of our work on the improvement of thermal conductivity (TC) of polymeric materials, nanocomposites were prepared from copoly(ethylene vinyl acetate), trade name Elvax 260TradeMark), metallized carbon nanofibers (CNFs), nickel (Ni) nanostrands, boron nitride both alone and as mixtures with aluminum powder. The nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing at various loading levels and subsequently fabricated into several material forms (i.e., ribbons, tubes, and compression molded plaques) for analysis. Ribbons and tubes were extruded to form samples in which the nanoparticles were aligned in the direction of flow. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nanoparticles were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Tensile properties of the aligned samples were determined at room temperature. TC measurements were performed using a laser flash (Nanoflash(TradeMark) technique. The TC of the samples was measured in both the direction of alignment as well as transverse. Tubing of comparable dimensions to that used in the LCVG was extruded from select compositions and the thermal conductivities of the tubes measured.

Ghose, S.↗

Effect of LEO Exposure on Aromatic Polymers Containing Phenylphosphine Oxide Groups

As part of the Materials on The International Space Station Experiment (MISSE), aromatic polymers containing phenylphosphine oxide groups were exposed to low Earth orbit (LEO) for approximately 4 years. All of the aromatic polymers containing phenylphosphine oxide groups survived the exposure despite the high fluence of atomic oxygen that completely eroded other polymer films such as Kapton and Mylar of comparable or greater thickness. The samples consisted of a colorless polyimide film and a poly(arylene ether benzimidazole) film and thread. The samples were characterized for changes in physical properties, thermal/optical properties (i.e. solar absorptivity and thermal emissivity), surface chemistry (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and surface topography (atomic force microscopy). The data from the polymer samples on MISSE were compared to samples from the same batch of material stored under ambient conditions on Earth. In addition, comparisons were made between the MISSE samples and those subjected to shorter term space flight exposures. The results of these analyses will be presented.

Watson, K. A.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Polymer Copoly(Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)/Nano-Filler Blends

The development of flexible, thermally conductive fabrics and plastic tubes for the Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment (LCVG) are needed to reduce weight and improve the mobility, comfort, and performance of future spacesuits. Such improvements would allow astronauts to operate more efficiently and safely for extended extravehicular activities. As a continuation of our work on the improvement of thermal conductivity (TC) of polymeric materials, nanocomposites were prepared from copoly(ethylene vinyl acetate), trade name Elvax 260 , metallized carbon nanofibers (CNFs), nickel (Ni) nanostrands, boron nitride both alone and as mixtures with aluminum powder. The nanocomposites were prepared by melt mixing at various loading levels and subsequently fabricated into several material forms (i.e., ribbons, tubes, and compression molded plaques) for analysis. Ribbons and tubes were extruded to form samples in which the nanoparticles were aligned in the direction of flow. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nanoparticles were investigated using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Tensile properties of the aligned samples were determined at room temperature. TC measurements were performed using a laser flash (Nanoflash ) technique. The TC of the samples was measured in both the direction of alignment as well as transverse. Tubing of comparable dimensions to that used in the LCVG was extruded from select compositions and the thermal conductivities of the tubes measured.

Ghose, S.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Polyimide/Carbon Nanofiller Blends

In efforts to improve the thermal conductivity (TC) of Ultem(TM) 1000, it was compounded with three carbon based nano-fillers. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNF) and expanded graphite (EG) were investigated. Ribbons were extruded to form samples in which the nano-fillers were aligned. Samples were also fabricated by compression molding in which the nano-fillers were randomly oriented. The thermal properties were evaluated by DSC and TGA, and the mechanical properties of the aligned samples were determined by tensile testing. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nanoparticles were investigated with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The thermal conductivity of the samples was measured in both the direction of alignment as well as perpendicular to that direction using the Nanoflash technique. The results of this study will be presented.

Ghose, S.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Polyimide/Carbon Nanofiller Blends

Ultem(TM) was mixed with three different carbon-based nanofillers in efforts to increase the thermal conductivity of the polymer. After initial mixing, the nanocomposites were extruded or processed via the Laboratory Mixing Molder (LMM) process. High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) revealed significant alignment of the nanofillers in the extruded samples. Thermal conductivity measurements were made both in the direction and perpendicular to the direction of alignment of nanofillers as well as for unaligned samples. It was found that the largest improvement in thermal conductivity was achieved in the case of aligned samples when the measurement was performed in the direction of alignment. Unaligned samples also showed a significant improvement in thermal conductivity and may be useful in applications when it is not possible to align the nanofiller. However the improvements in thermal conductivity did not approach those expected based on a rule of mixtures. This is likely due to poor phonon transfer through the matrix.

Delozier, D. M.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Polyimide/Nanofiller Blends

In efforts to improve the thermal conductivity of Ultem(TM) 1000, it was compounded with three carbon based nano-fillers. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNF) and expanded graphite (EG) were investigated. Ribbons were extruded to form samples in which the nano-fillers were aligned. Samples were also fabricated by compression molding in which the nano-fillers were randomly oriented. The thermal properties were evaluated by DSC and TGA, and the mechanical properties of the aligned samples were determined by tensile testing. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nanoparticles were investigated with high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. The thermal conductivity of the samples was measured in both the direction of alignment as well as perpendicular to that direction using the Nanoflash technique. The results of this study will be presented.

Ghose, S.↗

Thermal Conductivity of Ultem(TradeMark)/Carbon Nanofiller Blends

In an effort to improve polymer thermal conductivity (TC), Ultem(TradeMark) 1000 was compounded with nano-fillers of carbon allotropes. Ultem(TradeMark) 1000 was selected since it is both solution and melt processable. As-received and modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), vapor grown carbon nanofibers (CNF) and expanded graphite (EG) were investigated. MWCNTs were modified by functionalizing the surface through oxidization with concentrated acids, mixing with an alkyl bromide, and addition of alkyl and phosphorus compounds after initial treatment with n-butyl lithium. Functionalization was performed to improve the TC compatibility between the resin and MWCNTs. It was postulated that this may provide an improved interface between the MWCNT and the polymer which would result in enhanced TC. The nano-fillers were mixed with Ultem(TradeMark) 1000 in the melt and in solution at concentrations ranging from 5 to 40 wt%. Ribbons were extruded from the blends to form samples where the nano-fillers were aligned to some degree in the extrusion direction. Samples were also fabricated by compression molding resulting in random orientation of the nano-fillers. Thermal properties of the samples were evaluated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA). Tensile properties of aligned samples were determined at room temperature. The specimens were cut from the ribbons in the extrusion direction; hence the nano-fillers are somewhat aligned in the direction of stress. Typically it was observed that melt mixed samples exhibited superior mechanical properties compared to solution mixed samples. As expected, increased filler loading led to increased modulus and decreased elongation with respect to the neat polymer. The degree of dispersion and alignment of the nano-fillers was determined by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). HRSEM of the ribbons revealed that the MWCNTs and CNFs were predominantly aligned in the flow direction. The TC of the samples was measured using a Nanoflash(TradeMark) instrument. Since the MWCNTs and CNF are anisotropic, the TC was expected to be different in the longitudinal (parallel to the nanotube and fiber axis) and transverse (perpendicular to the nanotube and fiber axis) directions. The extruded ribbons provided samples for transverse TC measurements. However, to determine the TC in the longitudinal direction, the ribbons needed to be stacked and molded under 1.7 MPa and 270 C. Samples were then obtained by cutting the molded block with a diamond saw. The largest TC improvement was achieved for aligned samples when the measurement was performed in the direction of MWCNT and CNF alignment (i.e. longitudinal axis). Unaligned samples also showed a significant improvement in TC and may be potentially useful in applications when it is not possible to align the nano-filler. The results of this study will be presented.

Ghose, S.↗

Cation ordering in orthopyroxenes and cooling rates of meteorites: Low temperature cooling rates of Estherville, Bondoc and Shaw

The cooling rates of meteorites provide important constraints on the size of their parent bodies, and their accretionary and evolutionary histories. However, the cooling rates obtained so far from the commonly used metallographic, radiometric and fission-track methods have been sometimes quite controversial, such as in the case of the mesosiderites and the meteorite Shaw. We have undertaken a systematic study of the cooling rates of meteorites using a different approach, which involves single crystal x-ray determination of Fe(2+)-Mg ordering in orthopyroxenes (OP(x)) in meteorites, subject to bulk compositional constraints, and numerical simulation of the evolution of the ordering state as a function of cooling rate, within the framework of the thermodynamic and kinetic principles governing cation ordering. We report the results obtained for OP(x) crystals from Shaw and two mesosiderites, Estherville and Bondoc.

Ganguly, J.↗

An elliptic representation of coupled boundary layers and inviscid core for computation of separated internal flows

This report presents a viscous-inviscid calculation method for the prediction of turbulent incompressible flows in diffusers with small regions of stall. Integral turbulent boundary layer equations (BLE) are used to provide boundary conditions for a finite difference representation of the inviscid core. The BLE are applied at the floating displacement-thickness line, resulting in a simulataneous set of nonlinear block tridiagonal equations which are solved iteratively using a sucessive line-relaxation technique. Results of the method have been applied to calculate the performance of a variety of asymmetric stalled diffusers.

Ghose, S.↗