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Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in particular the vertically-aligned variety grown through a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD)-based process, are highly versatile nanostructures that can be used in a variety of ...

Gasification-based energy systems coupled with carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from continued use of abundant and secure fossil fuels. Dynamic reduced ...

Code reuse is essential for productivity and software quality. Code reuse based on abstraction mechanisms in programming languages is a standard approach, but programmers also reuse code by taking an ad-hoc approach, in ...

Dynamic sealing systems, such as mechanical face seals and piston rings in internal combustion engines are critical components of modern machines. These sealing systems present a unique challenge in controlling the lubricant ...

A new method for aligning and actuating membranes for 3D nano-assembly based on the interactions of nanomagnets has been developed. Arrays of nanopatterned magnetic material are integrated onto thin-film membranes. It is ...

The controllable properties of magnetorheological (MR) fluids offer reliable and efficient actuation means to a number of far-ranging engineering applications. In this thesis we are motivated by the applications of MR ...

Cell-mediated mechanical forces drive closure of severe wounds in adult mammalian organs, including the sciatic nerve following neurotmesis. Without experimental intervention the defect closes rapidly via contraction of ...

Proteins are essential to organisms and play a central role in almost every biological process. The analysis of the conformational dynamics and mechanics of proteins using numerical methods, such as normal mode analysis ...

The electric power grid is recognized as an essential modern infrastructure that poses numerous canonical design and operational problems. Perhaps most critically, the inherently large scale of the power grid and similar ...

Natural ventilation (NV) can considerably contribute to reducing the cooling energy consumption of a building and increase occupant productivity, if correctly implemented. Such energy savings depend on the number of hours ...