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The Electro-Magnetic Properties of Combined Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon-Coated Iron Nanoparticles-Modified Polymer Composites
No full textPolymer based multifunctional material systems (MFMS) have gained increasing attention in the past two decades. The addition of nanofillers and nanoparticles allows for modification of physical properties as well as the discovery of new features. Multifunctionalization of composites allows us to “do more with less”. For example, electrically conductive additives can eliminate the need for sensors through self-sensing principles, shape morphing matrices can reduce the need for actuators, and the inclusion of fire-resistant constituents can reduce flammability in stringent fire protection measures. With added capabilities, the applications of multifunctional composites extends beyond the aerospace and automotive industries to healthcare, infrastructure, electronics, among others, and optics.The current state of the art is largely focused on single-filler composites or multifiller composites with complementary attributes. For example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) when mixed with graphene produces higher conductivity than can be achieved via modification with either CNTs or graphene alone. The majority of investigations conducted in this domain have fillers selected with the aim of imparting a singular property. Much less has been done in the area of multifiller and multifunctional polymer matrix composites (PMCs) which can exhibit multiple properties. Consequently, this work seeks to contribute towards the field of synergisticfunctional composites. That is, a multifiller composite material system comprised of differently functional fillers. This approach has potential to yield smart material systems that outperform single-filler or single-functionality materials through the discovery of novel synergistic coupling between the differently functional phases.In light of the preceding motivation, this work presents the results on the experimental electromagnetic and mechanical characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) + carbon-coated iron nanoparticle (CCFeNP)-modified polymers. Carbon nanotubes with their electrical properties and iron nanoparticles with their magnetic attributes present potential for synergistic electromagnetic interactions in a well-percolated network. We report on the electro-magnetic properties of MWCNT + CCFeNP/epoxy composites including DC and AC conductivity, dielectric permittivity, magnetic permeability, and piezoresistance as a function of varying relative MWCNT and CCFeNP concentrations. The results are in a large part linked to the manufacturing process described herein. This work seeks to establish the foundations of synergistic functional filler combinations that could lead to new multifunctional capabilities in the future
Paper Spray-Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive-Based Collection for the Recovery and Detection of Drugs of Abuse
No full textIllicit drug abuse is a widespread issue in the United States and worldwide. Many methods seek to ease the analytical workload required to collect, analyze, and identify these drugs. Paper spray-mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is one response to this analytical workload as it offers a rapid, affordable, and simple means for drug identification by mass spectrometry. This work centers on the use of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) lined paper as a PS-MS substrate for drug recovery and detection. The use of PSA paper as a sampling and analysis substrate has been previously established but is expanded herein with new capabilities and applications. Chapter 2 introduces the combination of color tests followed by PS-MS for presumptive and confirmatory drug identification. Three color tests (cobalt thiocyanate, Simon, or Marquis) were performed on the PSA paper with subsequent drug confirmation occurring by PS-MS. Chapter 3 examines the use of PSA paper and PS-MS for the recovery and detection of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, and analogs from shipping-related surfaces and in the presence of high amounts of cutting agents. The use of a cartridge that accommodates a full-sized PSA paper ticket was also explored for drug detection. Chapter 4 assesses PS-MS with PSA paper on portable MS instrumentation. Analyte recovery and carryover as well as instrument robustness were evaluated. The color test and PSMS protocol examined in Chapter 2 was also successfully applied to a portable MS instrument. Application of PS-MS to the portable system highlights the potential fieldability of the technique
Improving Object Detection Using Enhanced Efficientnet Architecture
No full textEfficientNet is designed to achieve top accuracy while utilitzing fewer parameters, in addition to less computational resources compared to previous models.In this paper, we are presenting compound scaling method that re-weight the network’s width (w), depth(d), and resolution (r), which leads to better performance than traditional methods that scale only one or two of these dimensions by adjusting the hyperparameters of the model. Additionally, we are presenting an enhanced EfficientNet Backbone architecture.We show that EfficientNet achieves top accuracy on the ImageNet dataset, while being up to 8.4x smaller and up to 6.1x faster than previous top performing models. The effectiveness demonstrated in EfficientNet on transfer learning and object detection tasks, where it achieves higher accuracy with fewer parameters and less computation. Henceforward, the proposed enhanced architecture will be discussed in detail and compared to the original architecture.Our approach provides a scalable and efficient solution for both academic research and practical applications, where resource constraints are often a limiting factor
Getting Off on the Right Foot: Addressing Severe Lymphedema through a Novel Shoe Design
Get PDFEngineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) is a service-learning design program run by the College of Engineering at Purdue University. EPICS teaches students design skills by providing solutions for individuals, communities, and organizations in the surrounding area while mirroring engineering industry standards. Biomedical Engineering is a team within EPICS that strives to serve community partners through biomedical applications. HR is a patient who suffers from severe lymphedema. This condition results in her foot swelling three times its original size and requires her to utilize weekly leg compression therapy. Prescription shoes are slightly adequate. However, they lead to sores and pain due to fitting improperly and the expansion of her legs before her next compression treatment. HR reached out to the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering to seek a solution. This project entails the design and fabrication of a prototype shoe that addresses the patient’s need to walk with shoes while effectively accommodating her symptoms. The user needs include condition accommodation, aesthetics, comfort, ease of use, cost, utility, and standardized documentation language. The design uses a novel break-sole passive expansion system that exceeds the normal passive expandable properties of other shoes, in addition to several expandable points that aid in functionality and comfort. The goal is that with this product, HR can get back to the things that she loves, including photography and hiking
Klondike Elementary School: Serving Purdue and the Local Community and Empowering Students from around the Globe through High-Quality Learning Experiences Accenting Diversity and Inclusion
Get PDFDisabilities Awareness Program (DAP) aims to cultivate an understanding of disability and inclusion among young children through accessible instructions, age-appropriate activities, and engaging discussions. We want to take this opportunity to introduce one of our school partners - Klondike Elementary School (KES), to recognize its contributions to DAP in providing service-learning opportunities and showcase KES as one of the community partners
Multisensory Adaptations: Creating Art with Students Who Are Blind and Low Vision
Get PDFThe main purpose of this article is to present approaches and strategies to making 2-D visual arts instruction meaningful and accessible for students who are blind or low vision. The suggestions provided within this article are based on current literature, researcher observations, and the contributions of an experienced, practicing art teacher at the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Plasticulture banana pepper response to clomazone applied pretransplanting
Get PDFFew published studies exist documenting banana pepper tolerance to clomazone. Therefore, field trials were conducted in 2022 at two Indiana locations [Meigs Horticulture Research Farm and the Pinney Purdue Agricultural Center (PPAC)] to evaluate crop safety in plasticulture-grown banana pepper. The experimental design was a split-plot in which the main plot factor was the clomazone rate (0, 840, and 1,680 g ai ha–1) and the subplot factor was cultivar (‘Pageant’ and ‘Sweet Sunset’). Clomazone was applied over the top of black polyethylene mulch-covered raised beds and their respective bare-ground row middles 1 d prior to transplanting 12 pepper plants per subplot. Data collected included crop injury on a scale from 0% (no injury) to 100% (crop death) at 2, 4, and 6 wk after treatment (WAT), and plant stand. Two harvests were performed in which mature fruits were counted and weighed. Injury presented as interveinal bleaching only at PPAC 2 and 4 WAT. At this location 1,680 g ha–1 clomazone resulted in greater injury to ‘Sweet Sunset’ at 2 and 4 WAT (53% and 15%, respectively) than to ‘Pageant’ (19% and 3%, respectively); however, plant stand and yield were not affected by either clomazone rate. These results suggest that the clomazone rate range currently used for bell pepper (280 to 1,120 g ai ha–1) can be applied prior to transplanting plasticulture-grown banana pepper with minimal crop injury and without reducing yield
Evaluation of 13 Round Tomato Cultivars in Southwest Michigan in 2023
Get PDFA round tomato cultivar trial was planted at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (42.081985, -86.354087, Benton Harbor, Michigan). Bejo (BJ), Enza Zaden (EZ), Seminis (SM), Sakata (SK), and Seedway (SW) seed companies donated round tomato cultivars for plastic-mulch bedded and trellised hand harvest. Overall trial quality was excellent, despite a dry start that brought in insects, and hard rains that flared bacterial diseases
Evaluation of Five Cauliflower Cultivars for Summer Harvest in Southwest Michigan in 2023
Get PDFA cauliflower cultivar trial was planted at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (42.081985, -86.354087, Benton Harbor, Michigan). Bejo (BJ), Clifton (CL), Sakata (SK), and Tozer (TZ) seed companies donated five cauliflower cultivars for plastic-mulch bedded hand harvest. The trial quality was good for collecting data on stressed plants. A dry start and cabbage maggot attack reduced stand with replacement plants lagging behind, and heat around head formation created a high proportion of non-marketable heads