Employer Highlight: Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's largest research centers. It is also the nation's first national laboratory, chartered in 1946.
Today, the laboratory has about 2,900 employees, including about 1,000 scientists and engineers, of whom about 750 hold doctorate degrees. Argonne's annual operating budget of about $475 million supports upwards of 200 research projects, ranging from studies of the atomic nucleus to global climate change research. Since 1990, Argonne has worked with more than 600 companies and numerous federal agencies and other organizations.
Our undergraduates are required to submit a senior thesis. It is a document describing the culmination
of their co-op work. Below are the most recent non-private theses.
Hydrogen Storage by Adsorption in Polymer MaterialsIn this study methods used to characterize adsorbents via gas storage apparatuses are investigated, with specific emphasis on experiments in the presence of cryogenic baths along with ascertaining isosteric heats of adsorption. Leading assumptions such as ideal gas behavior and strong temperature boundaries are forgone in favor of a ?finite element? approach. An empirical method of modeling temperature gradients within gas adsorption systems is discussed, along with its applications to gas storage measurements. It was found that incorporating temperature gradient effects into experimental analysis shows a distinct increase in adsorption capacity of the well known Cu-BTC MOF material over previously published data. To check this approach, a standard volumetric adsorption titration was conducted on a cell with zero adsorbent present. The results of this experiment were analyzed with the conventional method, and the newly proposed method. It was found that the newly proposed method predicted negligible adsorption of gas on the interior of the cell walls when compared against a microporous material, while the conventional model shows significant adsorption when compared against a microporous adsorbent.
Development of a Microfluidic System for Biological Particle Concentration and SortingThis thesis details the investigation of two techniques for concentrating and sorting microscopic biological particles within microfluidic systems. The first technique is optical sorting done by focusing a diode bar laser into a microfluidic channel at low flow rates (~1 microliter/hour). The second is a hydrodynamic sorting techique carried out in spiral microchannels at high flow rates (~1 milliliter/minute). This thesis demonstrates the conditions under which these techniques are effective, and proposes a design for an integrated concentrating/sorting system using both of these techniques.
Development of an approach and apparatus for the determination of hydrogen adsorption characteristics in polymer samplesIn order to achieve safe affordable on-board hydrogen storage for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, new technologies must be developed. One strong candidate is a class of materials that can adsorb great quantities of hydrogen, thereby lowering the pressure required to store large amounts of hydrogen. In this thesis the development of a test stand for characterizing this adsorption is documented. Included in detail are the experimental methods used to maximize accuracy and relevence of results, as well as the analytical tools used to create useful information out of the data collected. The final result shows that this test stand can closely reproduce literature results for well documented materials.
Process Development of Functionalized Aligned Carbon Nanotubes for use as Electrodes in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel CellCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been considered a promising material for various applications. Electro-catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is one of them. There have been a number of reports on CNT based membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in PEMFC, but CNTs in these electrodes are oriented randomly and the advantages associated with the structural properties of CNTs were not fully utilized. We report here our progress in fabricating and evaluating MEA made of catalyst decorated, vertically aligned carbon nanotube (ACNT) layers. For comparison, a commercial MEA prepared through the ink-based process was also tested under similar conditions. Improved performance was observed for ACNT-based MEA, particularly at high current region, suggesting enhancement in mass transport and improved water management.
Arbitrary Geometry Beamforming Microphone ArrayBeamforming using a microphone array is becoming an increasingly popular technique for cancelling out unwanted noise from audio recordings. One of the main difficulties encountered with the practical application of beamforming is that the exact positions of the microphones used need to be known. This system solves that problem by using speakers attached to the microphones in order to find the distance between each unit. Once these distances are known, an algorithm calculates the position of every microphone on an arbitrary coordinate system using a mathematical technique called trilateration.
Variation in Impact Response of Rear Facing Convertible Child SeatsThis thesis project serves to create a standardized test method for finding the variation in rear facing child restraints in their response during a Rear facing infant seat (RFIS) passenger airbag deployment. This method of testing shows the variation in terms of how it affects HIC. It includes the use of a linear impacting device, an ECE standard Steel seat, and a 12-month-old Child Restraint Air Bag Instrumentation (CRABI) anthropomorphic testing device. The test method was developed using and best applies to The Graco Comfort Sport child restraint.
Electrode Development for Solid Oxide Electrolytic CellsSolid oxide electrolytic cells (SOECs) are key components in demonstrating the feasibility of high temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE). The extreme operating conditions, however, limit performance by degrading the materials, particularly the oxygen electrodes. Pr2NiO4 has shown to be an excellent oxygen electrode, but a possible degradation mechanism occurs with a structural phase shift near 800°C that changes the thermal expansion and increases resistance. This project investigated Pr2NiO4 and the impact of neodymium substitutions on polarization resistance at various temperatures. Five compositions based on Pr2-xNdxNiO4 (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2) were produced by the glycine nitrate process and fabricated into symmetric half-cell samples by screen printing. The cells were tested with impedance spectroscopy at temperatures from 550°C to 800°C in 50°C increments. The polarization resistances of all samples except for pure Nd2NiO4 were on the order of 0.1 Ù?cm2 at 800°C. The results also suggest that Pr2NiO4 and Pr1.5Nd0.5NiO4 have nearly similar characteristics, implying that small substitutions of neodymium may avoid the phase shift and prevent increasing resistance.
The Effects of Crankshaft Configuration on Engine VibrationThe purpose for this engine design exercise is to provide a solid answer in regards to the crankshaft configuration and their effect on overall vibration. This project looks at crankshaft configurations for gasoline inline four cylinder internal combustion engine. The conclusions are drawn from calculated bearing loads and other vibration data obtained via computer simulation. The secondary result of this project provides a computer model that may be used to assist with the design of similar engines in the future.
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS AND BENCHMARKING OF POWER MODULE UNITSThis thesis outlines the operational parameters of interest for power regulation in automotive HVAC systems. It summaries the parameters and metrics of interest at a system and component level. Several test methods are discussed to improve and standardize testing of blower speed controllers. Testing is carried out and the results are given for several competitive devices. Recommendations for improved processes and product are given.
Automation of the HVAC Acoustic Testing ProcessThe student presents the results of the project to automate the acoustic testing of automobile HVACs at Valeo Climate Control. The student provides the necessary steps to automate the testing and the methodology for each step, and establishes the criteria to define a successful project. Once the steps have been established, the student describes the process of building the components, wiring the electrical components, and programming the software needed for test automation. Finally, the student presents the results of the project.
Measurement of Surface Contour and Determination of Refractive Index Distribution Quality of Thick Plastic LensesFuture headlamps will require more complex projector lenses requiring plastic. These lenses show undesirable photometric results. Results may be attributed to inhomogeneous refractive index, geometrical inconsistency, or birefringence. Laser ray-tracing, beam-plane, and Abbe refractometer methods show that inhomogeneous refractive index and birefringence are not significant. Surface contour analysis with optical simulation shows that plastic shrinkage is the major problem. Therefore, methods to reduce shrinkage can be developed without concern for inhomogeneous refractive index or birefringence.
Advanced Spectroscopic Sensors for Prevention of Proliferation in Nuclear Fuel Reprocessing TechniquesThere is a high risk of nuclear material proliferation in current waste reprocessing techniques. Given that nuclear energy has gained much attention recently due to the increase in the global demand for energy. This paper examines ways to increase materials accountability in waste processing. TARIS, quantum dots, nucleus activation analysis and MXRF are examined according to thier characteristics desirable to the task of waste stream monitoring.
Detecting Automotive Seat Chuck Using Operating Deflection Shape DataLear Corporation customers specify static and dynamic measurement methods to quantify chuck, or looseness, in a seat. Neither measurement is an accurate indicator of seat chuck. Therefore, a better method is needed for identifying chuck. Analyzing operating deflection shape data is a promising opportunity for developing a method for seat chuck detection.
Implementation of Transreflective Fims for Automotive Lighting ApplicationsAutomotive reflex reflectors are subject to specific federal regulations in order to ensure public safety. For this reason reflex reflectors must meet specific photometric requirements.
Most reflex reflectors are composed of many corner cubes. These corner cubes reflect the light of a vehicle?s headlights so the driver can see other cars at night, even if the car is parked or the lights are off.
As an alternative to standard corner cube reflex, 3M has developed transreflective films that behave in a similar fashion to corner cubes. Transreflective films allow for better transmission of rear light functions by reducing internal reflection and provide new options for inserting reflex into automotive lamps. Establishing functional parameters for this film could provide Hella North America with an alternative to standard reflex, encouraging new projects to utilize transreflective films.
