Assessing the Long-Term Performance of Adhesive Joints in Space Structures during Interplanetary Exploration

Spacecraft experience minimal mechanical loads in space, but with the development of reusable spacecraft for interplanetary exploration and repeated landings, structures will be subjected to increased mechanical stress. The impact of the space environment on the aging of adhesive materials used in space structures over long-term applications is...

The durability of adhesively joints in space structure during interplanetary exploration

Spacecrafts are subjected to very few mechanical loads but in the future with reusable spacecraft designed for interplanetary explorations and with the repetition of landing and take off, structures will be subjected to significant mechanical loads. The degradation due to space aging conditions, of the adhesive materials used as joints in space...

Strong graphene oxide nanocomposites from aqueous hybrid liquid crystals

Combining polymers with small amounts of stiff carbon-based nanofillers such as graphene or graphene oxide is expected to yield low-density nanocomposites with exceptional mechanical properties. However, such nanocomposites have remained elusive because of incompatibilities between fillers and polymers that are further compounded by...

Small-molecule azomethines: Organic photovoltaics via Schiff base condensation chemistry

Conjugated small-molecule azomethines for photovoltaic applications were prepared via Schiff base condensation chemistry. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) devices exhibit efficiencies of 1.2% with MoOx as the hole-transporting layer. The versatility and simplicity of the chemistry is illustrated by preparing a photovoltaic device directly from the...

Thin layers of Cu2O on three-dimensional copper current collectors for Li-ion microbatteries (abstract)

Multiple healing in multi-functional polymer composites

In this work, we investigate the formation of self-healing systems that are able to recover more than once more than one (mechanical or other physical) functionality. To this aim composites were created consisting of a polysulfide thermoset rubber matrix having intrinsic self-healing properties filled with thermally/electrically conductive...

Monitoring the restoration of interfacial contact for self healing thermal interface materials for LED and microelectronic applications

While conventional self healing materials focus on the restoration of mechanical properties, newer generations of self healing materials focus on the restoration of other functional (i.e. non-mechanical) properties. Thermal conductivity is an example of an important functional property of a Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for LED’s and...

Monitoring the restoration of interfacial contact for self healing thermal interface materials for LED and microelectronic applications

While conventional self healing materials focus on the restoration of mechanical properties, newer generations of self healing materials focus on the restoration of other functional (i.e. non-mechanical) properties. Thermal conductivity is an example of an important functional property of a Thermal Interface Material (TIM) for LED’s and...

Multiple healing in multi-functional polymer composites

In this work, we investigate the formation of self-healing systems that are able to recover more than once more than one (mechanical or other physical) functionality. To this aim composites were created consisting of a polysulfide thermoset rubber matrix having intrinsic self-healing properties filled with thermally/electrically conductive...

Conjugated poly(azomethine)s via simple one-step polycondensation chemistry: Synthesis, thermal and optoelectronic properties

Three conjugated triphenylamine-based poly(azomethine)s were prepared via well-known polycondensation chemistry using cheap and readily available starting materials and the results were contrasted with rrP3HT. Three functionalized diaminetriphenylamines (TPA(X), X ¼ –H, –OMe, –CN) were polymerized in a simple one-step process with 2,3...

Piezoelectric and mechanical properties of structured PZT–epoxy composites

Structured lead zirconium titanate (PZT)–epoxy composites are prepared by dielectrophoresis. The piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the composites as a function of PZT volume fraction are investigated and compared with the corresponding unstructured composites. The effect of poling voltage on piezoelectric properties of the composites is...

Sol–gel one-pot synthesis in soft conditions of mesoporous silica materials ready for drug delivery system

The present work reveals a new and simple strategy, a one-step sol–gel procedure, to encapsulate a low water-soluble drug in silica mesostructured microparticles and to improve its release in physiological media. The synthesis of these new materials is based on the efficient solubilisation of a poorly water-soluble drug in surfactant micelles ...

Self-healing approach for enhanced reliability of light emitting diodes (poster abstract)

Synthesis and Deposition of Nanostructured Lithium Nickel Manganese Film as Material for 3D Microbatteries

Electrochemical Performance of Nanocomposite Fe2O3 and CuO Negative Electrodes for Li-Ion Batteries

Lithium Storage in Amorphous TiO2 Nanoparticles

Amorphous titanium oxide nanoparticles were prepared from titanium isopropoxide. In situ measurements reveal an extraordinary high capacity of 810 mAh/g on the first discharge. Upon cycling at a charge/discharge rate of 33.5 mA/g, this capacity gradually decreases to 200 mAh/g after 50 cycles. The origin of this fading was investigated using X...

Size Effects in Li4+xTi5O12 Spinel

Generation of nanoparticles by spark discharge

The production of nanoparticles by microsecond spark discharge evaporation in inert gas is studied systematically applying transmission electron microscopy, mobility analysis and BET surface area measurement. The method of spark discharge is of special interest, because it is continuous, clean, extremely flexible with respect to material, and...