MVC 5 Awards Gallery

“SODA-LIME GLASS BEADS“

Hamed Maraghechi, Graduate Student, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Scientific Process: The image shows two soda-lime glass bead particles (cores) with approximately 60 micron diameter which were exposed to 1 molar sodium hydroxide solution at 60°C. At this high pH environment,
glass particles have slowly dissolved and formed crystalline calcium silicate hydrate (the main cementitious component in concrete materials) seen as a porous shell surrounding the particles.

FIRST PLACE

“ELECTRON BEAM VAPOR DEPOSITION“

Daniel Grave, Graduate Student, Materials Science and Engineering

Scientific Process: A one micron thick gadolinium oxide (Gd2O3) film was grown on a gallium nitride (GaN) substrate by reactive electron beam physical vapor deposition. A dense nucleation zone is present during the start of the deposition process and is observed near the substrate / film interface. The film then undergoes strongly textured columnar growth as the deposition proceeds and gives rise to a feather-like morphology as observed in this low magnification TEM image. Color was added to enhance the effect.

SECOND PLACE

“TITANIA NANOPARTICLE’“

Payam Khodaparast, Graduate Student, Materials Science and Engineering

Scientific Process: Titania particles were synthetized by aids of a polycondensation reaction of TiBuO4 chemical precursor and water at controlled pH and temperature. The surface of the particle has formed a peculiar wrinkled shape. The wrinkles on the particles’ surface increase total surface area, which can improve the interface contact with a matrix in case of composite applications. (Colors were added using Adobe Photoshop©)

THIRD PLACE

“POLYMER MICRO SPHERICAL CAVITIES“

Pouria Fattahi and Gloria Kim, Graduate Students, Materials Science and Engineering

Scientific Process: This FESEM image presents conducting polymer micro spherical cavities (CPMSCs) designed for triggered delivery of drug agents from opening space using electrical stimulation. Fabrication process includes electrochemical polymerization of conducting polymer monomer around microspheres using hard template method. Next step is dissolving hard templates in solvent to obtain open cavities. Most significant achievement is that we are able to control openings of microcavities by adjusting electrochemical deposition parameters.

FIRST PLACE

“PEDOT COATED CARBON NANOTUBES“

Suppanat Kosolwattana, Graduate Student, Materials Science and Engineering

Scientific Process: Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) were synthesized via thermal catalytic chemical vapor deposition with a thin catalyst layer of Fe/Al2O3 at 750 oC. The aligned MCNTs arrays approximately 200 micron thickness then were deposited with poly(ethylenedioxythiophene) ( PEDOT) conducting polymer by an oxidative chemical vapor deposition process. This image shows the MCNTs still aligned uniformly as array sheet after performing the conducting polymer coating process. The conducting polymer was evenly coated around the tubes and was distributed around surfaces. This unique aligned MCNTs structure could improve the ion accessibility, electrical conductivity and mechanical stability for electronic and energy storage devices such as actuators, and electrochemical double-layer capacitors. The integration of this conducting polymer PEDOT to the aligned MCNTs could enhance energy storage performance.

SECOND PLACE

“CURLED SILICON FILMS“

Subhasis Chaudhuri, Graduate Student, Chemistry

Scientific Process: FESEM image of silicon films grown inside silica capillary by high-pressure chemical vapor deposition. The silica capillary has a diameter of 150 μm and the silicon films are approximately 1 μm thick.
Silane (SiH4) mixed with Helium is used as precursor, which under high pressure and temperature decomposes to form layers of Si inside confined geometries such as a silica capillary. Reaction conditions like very high temperature can lead to thermal mismatch and Si films can get dislodged off the silica capillaries and roll up to give petal like structure as evident in the FESEM image.

THIRD PLACE

“MOLTEN GLASS AND COPPER MESH“

Beresford Pratt, Undergraduate Student, Architecture 

Scientific Process: This experiment focused on molten glass that would be blown into a copper mesh to create an interlocking of viscous glass and solid metal. The 1,320 Celsius heat of molten glass would both alter the ribbed effect of the copper mesh as well as change the copper’s chemical properties. So much so the mesh begins to oxidize and take on a more dark and vein like visual appearance. As the metal oxidizes air bubbles and pockets begin to escape; however some forever frozen in the solid glassy state of the sphere.