Microcellular (methylmethacrylate)-(butyl acrylate)-(Methylmethacrylate) triblock copolymer foams were prepared by a foaming process using CO2. CO2 was first dissolved into sheets of the polymer, and then the pressure was released over different time periods, from 2 to 30 minutes. The density, cellular structure, and thermal conductivity of these foams were then investigated. It was determined that the density decreased with increasing depressurization time; however, the density did not change ...
Two organic phase change materials (PCMs) were investigated to determine their effects on the thermal management capabilities of electronics. The thermo-physical properties of n-eicosane and 1-hexadecanol were determined experimentally, and the two PCMs were then added to unfinned, and finned heat sinks. It was determined that a PCM with a high melting point is able to increase the time of protection from overheating; however, it was also determined that if ...
The transient plane source (TPS) technique was used to determine the anisotropy of titanium aluminide bars with different microstructures. The thermal conductivity of the bars was measured at temperatures up to 700oC. It was determined that the anisotropy in the bars was approximately 15% at all temperatures....
Nanoparticle suspensions were prepared in two PCMs to determine the effect of the addition of nanoparticles on thermal conductivity and expediting freezing. The base PCMs used were cyclohexane and eicosane, and copper oxide nanoparticles were suspended in these hydrocarbons to produce nano-enhanced PCMs (nePCMs). The enhancement of thermal conductivity and expedited freezing were investigated by analytic, experimental, and numerical methods. The thermal conductivity in the liquid phase was significantly enhanced ...
A rigid, self-supporting material derived from flax tow was prepared and its mechanical, thermal, hydrous, and acoustic properties were investigated. The study was performed to determine if this material would be a viable option for use as a biodegradable thermal and acoustic insulation in walls. The effect of flax-tow size after grinding on these properties was also investigated. It was determined that increasing the flax-tow size resulted in a reduction ...
