Sintering of powders is a common means of producing bulk materials when melt casting is impossible or does not achieve a desired microstructure, and has long been pursued for nanocrystalline materials in particular. Acceleration of sintering is desirable to lower processing temperatures and times, and thus to limit undesirable microstructure evolution. Here we show that markedly enhanced sinter...

Several methods for fabricating a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) are introduced for enhancing its photo-chacracterisitics 1 , 2 . The novel method, nano-particle deposition system (NPDS), suggests one of the outstanding ways to be applied in DSSC. NPDS is a novel method to deposit ceramic and metallic powders on substrate at room temperature, by accelelating particles up to supersonic veloc...

High energy synchrotron diffraction is introduced as a new method for residual stress analysis in the bulk of materials. It is shown that energy dispersive measurements are sufficiently precise so that strains as small 10-4 can be determined reliably. Due to the high intensity and the high parallelism of the high energy synchrotron radiation the sample gauge volume can be reduced to approximate...

The study carried out laboratory measurements with a full-scale timber frame structure to determine penetration of inert particles with size distribution from 0.6 to 4 microm and spores of Penicillium and Cladosporium through the structure. Pressure difference over and air leakage through the structure were varied. Measurements at moderate pressure differences resulted in the penetration factor...

In this paper we review the latest developments in the use of severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques for enhancement of hydrogen sorption properties of magnesium and magnesium alloys. Main focus will be on two techniques: Equal Channel Angular Pressing (ECAP) and Cold Rolling (CR). After a brief description of these two techniques we will discuss their effects on the texture and hydrogen s...

Crack measurement after thermal shock is usually considered as a replacement because real-time observation of experiments difficult to achieve. This paper presents an experimental approach for displaying cracking using oxygen-acetylene flame and high-speed imaging translucent ceramic. We capture the crack propagation process, calculate speed, discuss effect sample size heat flux on propagation,...

Design criteria for high strength tool materials have to include wear resistance of the abrasive particle, high hardness and adequate toughness. Cold compaction and vacuum sintering of PM high speed steels (HSSs) to full density is now a well established technique [1-3]. In recent years, work has been undertaken to sinter metal matrix composites that contain ceramic particles in HSSs by the sam...

UTEP has developed a dedicated E85 vehicle with superior emissions and cold starting characteristics when compared to the original gasoline vehicle, and with no apparent differences in performance and driveability. All fuel system components that were not E85 compatible have been replaced or modified. Cold start characteristics are improved by incorporating a high frequency multiple spark ignit...

The Plutonium Immobilization Project (PIP) is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop technology for dispositioning excess weapons grade plutonium. This program introduces the “Can-in-Canister” (CIC) technology that immobilizes the plutonium by encapsulating it in ceramic forms (or pucks) and ultimately surrounding it with high-level waste glass to provide a deterrent to re...