Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

Matthew L. Bolton, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

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Breakdowns in complex systems often occur as a result of system elements interacting in unanticipated ways DisplayedValue ≠ PrescribedDelay• Unanticipated normative and erroneous human-system interactions DisplayedValue ≠ Change DisplayedValue = Accept PrescribedDelay Delay PrescribedDelay are often associated with these failures • Formal verification analyses (like those supported by model checking) or_seq ord allow analysts to prove whether or not a model of a system satisfies Change Select Press Clear Digit Next Enter safety properties ord ord xor • Human factors engineers have models capable of representing Verification Press Press Press Press Model Up Report Left Right Clear normative human task behavior and erroneous acts Checker • This work is focused on synthesizing these technologies into novel tools capable of predicting when normative and erroneous human behavior can Erroneous Behavior contribute to system failure ord

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Normative human behavior is represented using a task modeling notation A translator automatically converts this into formal modeling notation As part of this translation, erroneous human behavior can be generated in the formal representation of the human behavior model The formal human behavior model is integrated with a larger formal system model that includes human mission goals, device behavior, and the operational environment A specification asserts desirable properties about the operation of the system using a temporal logic A model checker is used to prove whether or not the system model adheres to the specification The model checker produces a verification report that contains a confirmation or a counterexample (counter proof)

Key Achievements and Future Goals Key Achievements: • A novel, formal, task analytic modeling notation • A task-model-to-formal-model translator • Two novel methods for generating erroneous human behavior • A counterexample visualization tool • Successful application of the method to the design of aircraft checklist procedures, an automobile cruise control system, and a patient controlled analgesia pump Future Goals • Improve method scalability • Model human-human interaction and communication error • Integrate method with other analysis approaches

Ivan Zivkovic & Farid Amirouche, Mechanical Eng.; Mark Gonzalez, Orthopedic Surgery Primary Grant Support: Zimmer Orthopedic

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Total hip replacement surgery has become a common procedure to alleviate pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fractures, and other hip related problems for patients over 55 years of age.

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With the aging of the global population, the demand for hip replacements is increasing, along with the required clinical lifetime.

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The goal of this research is to study the effect of aging and surgical technique on stability of a hip prosthesis and ultimately to improve durability of hip joint prosthesis.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

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Experimental cadaveric study was conducted to measure initial relative micromotion at the prosthesis/bone interface and to investigate the effect of bone density and surgical technique on the early micromotion at the interface that may predispose to a prosthesis loosening.

Sensor technology was used to capture the micromotion of acetabular prosthesis Image-processing package (SeScan 3.0) was designed to generate a 3-D bone geometry and material distribution from ST scan and MRI data.

Parametric patient based finite element model, validated with experimental results, was developed to further analyze the conditions affecting the initial stability and loosening of the interface for different loading conditions.

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Patient specific computer system is developed which couples clinical imaging with finite element method

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This increased interpretive power has the potential to streamline biomedical diagnosis, analysis, non-invasive surgical planning and most importantly computer-assisted surgery

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At the initial clinical consultation proposed system would warn orthopedic surgeon of any anatomical abnormalities that could jeopardize the implant fixation, helps in determining optimal positioning of the prosthesis, insertion method, etc. which leads to reduction of operating time and to enchased patient care.

Elisa Budyn, Mechanical Engineering Primary Grant Support: UIC; Collaboration: Ecole Centrale Paris (Thierry Hoc, Material Science)

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Determination of the effects of the local geometrical and material heterogeneities in sane and pathological cortical bone at the micro and nano scales over the local strain and stress fields and global response of the unit cells.

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A better understanding of the effect of pathologies over cortical bone quality

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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Multi-scale numerical models to characterize the mechanics of materials and biomaterials with multi-phase complex microstructures.

Failure mechanics of these microstructures though damage and fracture processes studied over the micro and nano scales, modeled through FEM and X-FEM approaches.

Concomitant experiments over the multiple scales.

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Determination of the RVE

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Determination of the Macroscopic Moduli

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Effect of the cement lines over the local strain field and the work of separation due to crack propagation

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Determination of localization patterns

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Crack initiation and crack propagation in cortical bone

Laxman Saggere, Mechanical and Industrial Engineer David Schneeweis, Bioengineering Primary Grant Support: National Science Foundation

Problem Statement and Motivation • Motivation: Photoreceptor degeneration in diseases such as ARMD and RP is the leading cause of blindness in the world. No cures or therapies are available for these diseases, but a retinal-based prosthesis offers a promising treatment option. Most current retinal prostheses rely on the concept of electrical stimulation of neurons, which is conceptually simple, but faced with many challenges • Objective: To develop a biomimetic technology enabling a fundamentally different and technically superior approach to a retinal prosthesis. This approach, in principle, mimics a natural photoreceptor’s function of transducing visual stimuli into chemical signals that stimulate the surviving retinal neurons.

Technical Approach • Approach: A microdispenser unit integrated with a miniaturized solar cell and a thin-film piezo actuator on one side and several micron-scale ports on the other side contains liquid chemical (neurotransmitter). An array of such microdispenser units constitutes the core of a prosthesis.

• Principle of Operation: Light falling on the retina irradiates the solar cell, which generates voltage across the piezo actuator. The actuator pressurizes the liquid and dispenses it through the micro ports. The liquid diffuses through micro-capillaries in a soft encapsulation and stimulates retinal cells.

• Technologies: MEMS, microfluidics, thin-film piezoelectric actuators, solid-sate solar cells, chemical cellular signaling.

Key Achievements and Future Goals • Challenges: i) Low intensity light at the retina; ii) Integration of array components and microfluidics; iii) Chemical dispensing rate, mechanism, long-term operation; iv) Biocompatible packaging.

• Key Achievements: i) Completed preliminary system design and established the concept feasibility; ii) Established a technique to chemically stimulate neuronal cells and record the cellular response; iii) Fabricated and characterized the light powered actuator; iv) Established techniques to quantify nanoliter flow • Future Goals: i) To fabricate and test an in-vitro proof of the concept device; ii) To lead the technology developed towards clinical relevancy through interdisciplinary collaborations with neuroscientists and retina specialists.

P. Pat Banerjee, Cristian J. Luciano, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Primary Grant Support: NIH

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Ultrasound has been the main technique for clinic palpation and procedural guidance, even after the invention of CT/MRI technology.

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Identification of different anatomical regions is crucial to successfully carry out surgical procedures using real-time ultrasound imaging. It has been proposed and well studied, but it has not been extensively explored and implemented.

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The computer generated ultrasonic application of the real-time visualization and haptic rendering is able to train the surgeons and residents to properly place the medical instrumental with considerable cost reduction and obtain greater performance outcomes.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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Volume models obtained from DICOM data set are used for anatomical structure identification and visualization

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The performance of the simulation has been benchmarked and demonstrated qualified for the real time use.

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2-Dimensional raw images are clipped according to the placement of transducer during the palpation.

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The application has been applied to the multi-discipline training category as a curriculum in the commercialized simulator.

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Computer generated ultrasound image can illustrate the percutaneous veins and arteries and reflect the deformation under the pressing force.

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The quality of the ultrasound image is to be improved, while the volume deformation in 3-Dimensional space is to be probed.

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Haptic rendering on different types of interaction between the instruments and the percutaneous structures as well as the skin surface.

Suresh K. Aggarwal, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Primary Grant Support: NASA, NSF, Argonne National Laboratory

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Application of the advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods using detailed chemistry and transport models

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Simulation of flame structure, extinction and fire suppression

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Multi-scale modeling of combustion and two-phase phenomena

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Extensive use of computer graphics and animation

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Technical Approach (See flame images above.) The image on the left shows a comparison of simulated and measured triple flames that are important in practical combustion systems, while the five images on the right depict a simulated flame propagating downward in a combustible mixture.

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“A Numerical Investigation of Particle Deposition on a Square Cylinder Placed in a Channel Flow," Aerosol Sci. Technol. 34: 340, 2001.

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“On Extension of Heat Line and Mass Line Concepts to Reacting Flows Through Use of Conserved Scalars," J. Heat Transfer 124: 791, 2002.

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“A Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Droplet Evaporation," Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 46: 3179, 2003.

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“Gravity, Radiation and Coflow Effects on Partially Premixed Flames,” Physics of Fluids 16: 2963, 2004.

Professor Sabri Cetinkunt, Mechanical and Indusrial Engineering Primary Grant Support: Caterpillar, NSF, Motorola

Problem Statement and Motivation •

The world needs more affordable, reliable, energy efficient, environmentally friendly construction and agricultural equipment.

Energy efficiency improvements can help overcome poverty in developing world.

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Embedded computer control and information technology applications in construction and agricultural equipment: closed loop controls, GPS, autonomous vehicles.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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Developed a new steer-by-wire EH system (for wheel loaders)

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Developed a new closed center EH hydraulic implement control system

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Developed semi-active joystick controls

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Developed payload monitoring systems

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Closed loop control for graders, site planning with GPS

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Three US patents awarded (fourth filed)

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12+ former graduate students employed by CAT

Ahmed A. Shabana, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering Primary Grant Support: Federal Railroad Administration (USA)

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Develop new methodologies and computer algorithms for the nonlinear dynamic analysis of detailed multi-body railroad vehicle models.

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The computer algorithms developed can be used to accurately predict the wheel/rail interaction, derailment, stability and dynamic and vibration characteristics of high speed railroad vehicle models.

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Develop accurate small and large deformation capabilities in order to be able to study car body flexibility and pantograph/ catenary systems.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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Methods of nonlinear mechanics are used to formulate the equations of motion of general multi-body systems; examples of which are complex railroad vehicles.

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Fully nonlinear computational algorithms were developed and their use in the analysis of complex railroad vehicle systems was demonstrated.

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Small and large deformation finite element formulations are used to develop the equations of motion of the flexible bodies.

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The results obtained using the new nonlinear algorithms were validated by comparison with measured data as well as the results obtained using other codes.

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Numerical methods are used to solve the resulting system of differential and algebraic equations.

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Computer graphics and animation are used for the visualization purpose.

Advanced large deformation problems such as pantograph/catenary systems have been successfully and accurately solved for the first time.

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The tools developed at UIC are currently being used by federal laboratories and railroad industry.

Investigators: John Cuttica, Clifford Haefke (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Midwest SEOs

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Anaerobic digesters provide the necessary conditions to foster the natural occurring decomposition of organic matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen.

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Anaerobic digestion provides an effective method for treating the waste products from livestock farming and food processing industries into:

The ERC fosters anaerobic digester alternative energy project identification and implementation in the 12 state Midwest region through targeted education, unbiased information, and technical assistance.

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Biogas that can be used to provide heat and/or electricity, injected into the natural gas pipeline, or converted to a compressed or liquid transportation fuel

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Solids (fiber) that can be used as compost, animal bedding, granule fertilizer, and/or medium density fiberboard

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Liquid (filtrate) for liquid fertilizer land application

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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The ERC, working closely with several of the State Energy Offices and State Agriculture Departments, has formed partnerships with the anaerobic digester stakeholders in the Midwest.

Since 2004, the ERC has co-organized and/or co-sponsored 14 waste-toenergy workshops on anaerobic digester technologies and their market applications in the agriculture, food processing, and wastewater treatment industries reaching over 1,300 interested attendees: IA (2), IL (5), IN (3), OH (2), MI (1), and MN (1).

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The ERC has implemented a full gamut of outreach services, including web site, targeted market workshops, project profiles, site technical and financial analyses, and specialty reports.

The ERC has assisted the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in awarding state grants to 5 Illinois anaerobic digester biogas projects.

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The ERC has completed 14 technical feasibility assessments and 12 project profiles on anaerobic digester alternative energy projects.

Investigator: Steffen Mueller, PhD (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: Argonne National Laboratory

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The ERC is co-developing an interface to the GREET model called the Carbon Calculator for Land Use Change from Biofuels Production CCLUB-GREET to assess the emissions from land use changes prompted by different biofuels policies The CCLUB-GREET interface is MS excel based but currently being integrated into the new GREET. Net graphic interface The model itself is populated with results from other modeling efforts including those conducted by Purdue University’s GTAP team and Winrock International. The ERC is working to integrate the various models into CCLUB-GREET Furthermore, the ERC is continuously collecting industry data to support the CCLUB-GREET modeling efforts All information is published in peer reviewed journals

Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels are a major contributor to climate change Biofuels blended into the petroleum based-fuel supply can provide a way to reduce GHG emissions but the overall emissions benefits vary by biofuels feedstock and production method Argonne National Laboratory is the developer of the key life cycle emissions modeling framework used in the United States for fuel cycle emissions modeling: the GREET model The ERC is working closely with Argonne National Laboratory to expand and refine GREET across the various biofuels pathways considered in the model

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Elliott, Sharma, Best, Glotter, Dunn, Foster, Miguez, Mueller, and Wang; ”A Spatial Modeling Framework to Evaluate Domestic Biofuel-Induced Potential Land Use Changes and Emissions”; Environmental Science & Technology, 2014 Dunn, Mueller, Kwon, and Wang; “Land Use Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Corn and Cellulosic Ethanol”; Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2013 Kwon, Mueller, Dunn, Wander; “Modeling state-level soil carbon emission factors under various scenarios for direct land use change associated with United States biofuel feedstock production”; Biofuels and Bioenergy, 2013 Dunn, Mueller, Wang; “Energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from enzyme and yeast manufacture for corn and cellulosic ethanol production”; Biotechnol Lett; October 2012

Investigator: Stefano Galiasso (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Problem Statement and Motivation • • • •

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ERC supports the Illinois State Energy Office at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in multiple ways: • Program analysis and planning • Market Potential Studies • Outreach and Education (market transformation) • Program Implementation (Boiler Tune-Up, Green Nozzle direct install)

Illinois is one of the forefront States in Energy Efficiency The State has set aggressive Energy reduction targets to be achieved every year New technologies are constantly introduced in the market, changing the landscape and requiring constant adaptation The State Energy Office is managing the Public and Low Income sectors, and faces challenges in meeting the targets

Key Achievements and Future Goals Achievements: • Over 2.5 Million Therms/year saved and independently evaluated over 2 years of program administration • IL Public Sector and Low Income market potential study • Filed 3-year plan to ICC Future goals: Introduce new programs and help Illinois achieve higher savings

Investigators: Jennifer Klemundt, Dragan Nikolovski (Energy Resources Center ) Prime Grant Support: Illinois Department of Central Management Services

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The ERC utilizes proven data management tools and technologies coupled with in-house expertise to provide quality data management service The ERC developed a series of billing, modeling, and analytical tools to store, audit, analyze and summarize supplier’s and utilities’ billing data The ERC has developed a variety of analytical and reporting tools that generate periodic as well as ad-hoc reports for CMS Energy Manager and CMS fiscal office The ERC has designed, developed and implemented a comprehensive billing data repository consisting of consumption and cost data for all state facilities, as well as billing data from participating public utilities.

Since the deregulation of natural gas and electricity markets in Illinois, the Department of Central Management Services implemented a single-buyer market-oriented bulk procurement program for energy commodities and services State of the art data analysis tools and expertise are needed to support decision management and long term strategy development CMS needs a strategic partner to provide data management and analysis for state’s large energy portfolio, as well as in-house data management and analysis tools easily accessible by CMS stakeholders The ERC was selected to manage, monitor and audit deregulated commodity billing data for participating state facilities The ERC was selected to design and develop centralized utility billing data repository for all state facilities.

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The ERC has been providing billing data management and reporting service to CMS for over 15 years The ERC has designed, developed and implemented the State of Illinois Utility Database Management System (SUDMS), a comprehensive utility billing data repository for all state facilities The ERC has been maintaining SUDMS for 4 years The ERC has assisted CMS in the expansion of Natural Gas Bulk Procurement program to incorporate facilities from Ameren territory The ERC has responded to CMS RFP regarding the continuation and expansion of billing auditing and reporting services.

Investigators: Graeme Miller, Henry Kurth (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Problem Statement and Motivation • Due to the recent events over the past decade with natural disasters severely disrupting energy infrastructure the state of Illinois thought it prudent to create and maintain and energy assurance plan.

• The ERC works with state officials to gather data on how to prevent future energy supply disruptions and to minimize future outages.

Technical Approach • The ERC is responsible for the implementation of the project. This includes development and maintenance of the geospatial database, monitoring energy supply and potential disruptions and working with state officials during energy emergencies.

• Through ArcGIS, Python and other programming skills the ERC is able to follow weather patterns, real time energy pricing, and grid constraint and their effect on current disruptions and potential interruptions to the state energy network.

Key Achievements and Future Goals • Prepare annual update to the State of Illinois Energy Assurance Plan • Update and maintain the geospatial database of state energy assets • Maintain Supply Disruption Tracking Process Plan • Monitor potential disruption in Illinois energy supply and pricing • Map potential sites of micro-grids that would strengthen the overall electric grid and create a more reliable network.

Kenneth Brezinsky Kenbrez@uic.edu

Problem Statement and Motivation In order to improve internal combustion engine fuel efficiency and mitigate the emission of harmful pollutants, there is a need for predictive chemical and physical models that can predict the behavior of real fuels from the fuel tank to the exhaust.

Chemical details of how fuels burn determine their • Burning efficiency: i.e. energy saving, • Cleanness : i.e. soot, NOx, particulates, priority pollutants • Applications: i.e. aviation, spark ignited, or diesel engines; stationary power plants

Single Pulse High Pressure Shock tube Lower Pressure Single Pulse Shock Tube

Future, alternative, fuels will have different chemical burning characteristics; • Combustion chemistry information is necessary of future application

Funding sources: NSF, AFOSR, DOE, NASA, DOD

Technical Approach Develop a chemical experimental and kinetic modeling validation database at real combustor conditions.

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Experiments conducted in two different shock tubes 1) Very high pressure tube: 15-1000 bar 2) Lower pressure tube: 1 -10 bar Chemical species obtained as a function of temperature (6002500K) for a given pressure and time (1- 3 msec) • Species concentrations simulated with detailed chemical models developed in our laboratory

Key Achievements and Future Goals Representative Publications: • “Experimental and modeling study on the pyrolysis and oxidation of n-decane and n-dodecane”, Proc. Combust. Inst., 34, 361-368, 2013. (T. Malewicki, K. Brezinsky) • “Experimental and modeling study on the oxidation of Jet A and the n-dodecane/iso-octane/n-propylbenzene/1,3,5trimethylbenzene surrogate fuel “, Comb. Flame, 160(1), 1730, 2013 (T. Malewicki, S. Gudiyella and K. Brezinsky).

• “Pyrolysis of n-Heptane and Oxidation in Mixtures of Ethylene/Methane and iso-Octane” , J. Prop. Power 29, 732743, 2013 (A. Fridlyand, A. Mandelbaum and K. Brezinsky).

Carmen M. Lilley, Mechanical Engineering Primary Grant Support: NSF

Problem Statement and Motivation

FIG. 1: (a) Micrograph of a Ag nanowire under 4-probe I-V measurement, (b) STM scan of the cross-section from left-to-right, (c) line scan profile of cross-section from left-to-right (solid curve) and right-to-left (dashed curve).

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Successful integration of nanosystems into microelectronics depends on stable material properties that are reliable for at least a 10 year lifecycle with over a trillion cycles of operation.

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Fundamental understanding of the physics of deformation and failure in nanometer scale capped or layered structures, where surfaces play a dominant role, does not exist. Prior work has mostly focused on monolithic nanometer scale materials.

FIG. 2: Electromigration of a Cu nanowire with the current stress of 4.2 mA (length = 2.04 µm, width = 90 nm, and thickness = 50nm): (a) 0 min, (b) 40 min, (c) 80 min, (d) 120 min, and (e) 137.5 min.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

Identify surface contaminants present in as-synthesized nanowires according to metallic, organic, and mixed-materials classifications.

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Measure the electrical properties of as-synthesized nanowires and identify contamination effects on electrical properties with an accuracy of 5%.

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Measure the stability of electrical properties of nanowires under accelerated electrical testing and classified according to structure.

[1] [2] [3] [4]

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Preliminary results on measuring the presence of surface contaminants and their influence on electrical properties completed [1].

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In depth study on size and surface effects on electromigration for Cu and Au nanowires have been performed [2-4]

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Additionally, this work has been extended to studying electron surface scattering for single crystalline Ag nanowires.

C. M. Lilley, Q. J. Huang, Applied Physics Letters 2006, 89, 203114.

Q. J. Huang, C. M. Lilley, M. Bode, R. Divan, Journal of Applied Physics 2008, 104, 23709.

Q. Huang, C. M. Lilley, R. Divan, Nanotechnology 2009, 20, 075706.

Q. Huang, C. M. Lilley, R. S. Divan, M. Bode, IEEE Transactions in Nanotechnology 2008, 7, 688.]

Investigators: John Cuttica, Clifford Haefke (Energy Resources Center) Primary Grant Support: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

Problem Statement and Motivation

For more information: www.midwestchptap.org

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The U.S. DOE Midwest CHP Technical Assistance Partnership (CHP TAP) was established at the Energy Resources Center (ERC) to promote and assist in transforming the market for Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Waste Heat-to-Power (WHP), and District Energy (DE) with CHP throughout the 12 state Midwest region.

The focus of the ERC work is to Market Opportunity Analysis, Education and Outreach, and Technical Assistance. The applied research areas include reciprocating engines, combustion turbines, microturbines, steam turbines, fuel cells, waste heat-to-power systems, organic rankine cycle, absorption chillers, desiccant dehumidification, grid interconnection, and anaerobic digestion.

The Midwest target market sectors emphasized include: healthcare, higher education, commercial office buildings, data centers, ethanol plants, industrial manufacturing facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, food processing plants, dairy/hog farms, etc.

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Combined Heat & Power (CHP), Waste Heat-to-Power (WHP), and District Energy (DE) with CHP systems can provide substantial energy savings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reliable electric power, and electric utility grid relief. The ability to generate electricity on-site combined with the ability to recycle the waste heat from the prime mover results in fuel use efficiencies as high as 75% - 85% in Conventional (topping cycle) CHP systems.

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The major barriers to the significant increase in implementation of CHP, WHR, and DE systems is lack of understanding of the technologies by the potential customers, concern by electric utilities that these systems invade their business space and reduce their revenues, ability to secure long term contracts and financing, and lack of state policies that encourage the implementation of these technologies.

Key Achievements and Future Goals In 2013, the Midwest CHP TAP: • was tasked by the U.S. DOE with providing technical assistance to 270+ industrial and institutional facilities in 24 states with coal and oil boilers that are facing stringent emissions limits under the Clean Air Act pollution standards of Boiler Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT).

• provided education and unbiased information to Midwest state energy offices, public utility commissions, utilities, and other stakeholders towards the understanding and evaluation of CHP/WHP technologies in state energy efficiency and renewable energy portfolio standards (EEPS / RPS).

• assisted MidAmerican Energy Company in the creation of revised standby rates.

F. Mashayek, MIE/UIC; D. Kopriva/FSU; G. Lapenta/LANL Primary Grant Support: ONR, NSF

Problem Statement and Motivation The goal of this project is to develop advanced computational techniques for prediction of various particle/droplet-laden turbulent flows without or with chemical reaction. These techniques are implemented to investigate, in particular, liquid-fuel combustors for control of combustion and design of advanced combustors based on a counter-current shear concept. The experimental components are conducted at the University of Minnesota and the University of Maryland.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach • Turbulence modeling and simulation • Direct numerical simulation (DNS) • Large-eddy simulation (LES) • Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) • Droplet modeling • Probability density function (PDF) • Stochastic • Combustion modeling • PDF • Eddy-breakup • Flamelet • Flow simulation • Spectral element • Finite volume • Finite element

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Pioneered DNS of evaporating/reacting droplets in compressible flows.

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Developed a multidomain spectral element code for large clusters.

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Developed user-defined functions (UDFs) for implementation of improved models in the CFD package Fluent.

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Developed several new turbulence models for particle/droplet-laden turbulent flows.

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In the process of development of a new LES code with unstructured grid.

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Investigating advanced concepts for liquid fuel combustors based on counter-current shear flow.

Farzad Mashayek, MIE/UIC; John Shrimpton, Imperial College London Primary Grant Support: NSF

Problem Statement and Motivation Bio-fuel combustion in direct injection engines and stationary gas turbines is now widely considered as a potential solution to the future energy crisis.

Burning bio-fuels reduces CO2 production by naturally recycling this gas.

It is also strategically favored because of reducing our dependence on foreign mineral oil. The main impediment to existing technology for combustion of bio-fuels, however, is the difficulty of atomization due to higher viscosity of these oils.

The nozzle

Spray without (left) and with Combustion of Diesel (right) charge injection oil in open air

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach We use an electrostatic process which has proven extremely efficient in improving atomization, dispersion, evaporation rate, and hence combustion mixture preparation. The novelty of this work lies in the implementation of this process for electrically insulating liquids such as bio-fuels. This is accomplished by injecting charge into the liquid prior to its flow through the orifice. The charging process is more efficient for more viscous fluids and requires a negligible (~ mW) electric power with a small (~ 3-4 bar) pressure. This makes these nozzles ideal for injection of highly viscous liquid fuels without any need for preheating.

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Electrostatic spraying has already been successfully implemented for a range of mineral oils.

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A workable theory exists for predicting the size of the drops by assuming a negligible role of hydrodynamics.

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The main goal of this project is to extend this process to bio-fuels which are viscous than common diesel oil.

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The role of hydrodynamic and the physics behind the charge injection process will be investigated theoretically to improve the design of the atomizer.

C. M. Megaridis, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Primary Grant Support: Motorola, NASA

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Droplet impact ubiquitous in nature and relevant to many practical technologies (coatings, adhesives, etc.)

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Spreading/recoiling of droplets impacting on solid surfaces (ranging from wettable to non-wettable) features rich inertial, viscous and capillary phenomena

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Objective is to provide insight into the dynamic behavior of the apparent contact angle  and its dependence on contact-line velocity VCL at various degrees of surface wetting

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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Perform high-speed imaging of droplet impacts under a variety of conditions

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Surface wettability has a critical influence on dynamic contact angle behavior

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By correlating the temporal behaviors of contact angle  and contactline speed VCL, the  vs. VCL relationship is established

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There is no universal expression to relate contact angle with contactline speed

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Common wetting theories are implemented to extract values of microscopic wetting parameters (such as slip length) required to match the experimental data

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Spreading on non-wettable surfaces indicates that only partial liquid/solid contact is maintained

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The present results offer guidance for numerical or analytical studies, which require the implementation of boundary conditions at the moving contact line

A. Salehi-Khojin, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Problem Statement and Motivation • To perform a fundamental understanding of chemical sensing in graphene-based chemical field effect transistors for the development of next generation chemical sensors.

• To examine the sensing performance of external defects on insulating substrate and internal defects on graphene surface.

• To study the effect of humidity and different dopant on the sensitivity of graphene sensors.

Technical Approach • Device fabrication, characterizations and sensing experiments under different conditions • Density Functional Theory calculations to explore the sensing mechanism in graphene

• Suspended graphene fabrication to deconvolute the role of external defects on substrate B. Kumar, K. Min, M. Bashirzadeh, A. Barati-Farimani, M.-H. Bae, D. Estrada, , Y. D. Kim, P. Yasaei, Y. D. Park, E. Pop, N. R. Aluru, A. Salehi-Khojin, The Role of External Defects in Chemical Sensing of Graphene Field-Effect Transistors, NanoLetters, 3 (5), 1962–1968, 2013.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Suresh K. Aggarwal, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Use of Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamics methods to investigate thermodynamics and flow processes at nanoscales

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Dynamics of droplet collision and interfacial processes

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Interaction of a nanodroplet with carbon nanotube

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Solid-liquid Interactions and Nanolubrication

Vaporization of a non-spherical nano-droplet

Key Achievements and Future Goals

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Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Droplet Evaporation, Int. J. of Heat & Mass Transfer, 46, pp. 3179-3188, 2003.

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Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Droplet Collision. M.S. Thesis, K. Shukla, 2003.

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40

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80

MD simulation of the collision between two nano-droplets

Carmen M. Lilley, Mechanical Engineering (a)

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Problem Statement and Motivation

Undeformed NW centerline

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Deformed NW centerline

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Surface effects, such as a surface elastic modulus and surface stress have been predicted for FCC NWs from atomistic simulations.

(c)

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Experimentally, elastic modulus measurements of FCC metal NWs have been found to vary widely. Some results indicate apparent size effects, other studies indicate no size effects.

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For Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS), accurate elastic properties are necessary to design devices.

p(x)=Hv'' (b)

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t1 Right t z

O y Bottom

t1

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O θ y Surface

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Note: Drawings are not to scale.

Modeling Surface Stress Effects on the Static Bending Behavior of Nanowires (NW). (a) Schematic of the undeformed and deformed NW centerline. (b) Crosssectional view of a rectangular NW with the surface highlighted. (c) Crosssectional view of circular NW with the surface highlighted..

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

Model the elastic bending behavior of face centered cubic (FCC) metals with continuum mechanics.

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Derived analytical solutions for NWs under static and dynamic bending. [1,2]

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Apply Young-Laplace Theory to study transverse load effects as a result of surface stress of nanowires (NWs) due to undercoordinated atoms at the surface.

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Validated theory that surface stress and boundary conditions affect the apparent elastic modulus measured experimentally. [1,2]

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Study the influence of boundary conditions on the resultant bending mechanical behavior of nanowires.

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Proposed a surface effect factor as a qualitative parameter predict the influence of surface stress and geometry on the elastic behavior of static bending nanowires. [1,2]

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Test hypothesis that surface stress and boundary conditions affect the apparent elastic modulus of NWs.

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Extending the method to large deformation of nanowires for application to NEMS resonators. [3]

[1] J. He, C. M. Lilley, Nano Letters 2008, 8, 1798.

[2] J. He, C. M. Lilley, Applied Physics Letters 2008, 93, 263108.

[3] J. He, C. M. Lilley, Computational Mechanics In Press.

Farzad Mashayek, MIE/UIC; Themis Matsoukas, ChE/Penn State Primary Grant Support: NSF

Problem Statement and Motivation

Simulated flow of ions over a nanoparticle

Nanoparticles of various materials are building blocks and important constituents of ceramics and metal composites, pharmaceutical and food products, energy related products such as solid fuels and batteries, and electronics related products. The ability to manipulate the surface properties of nanoparticles through deposition of one or more materials can greatly enhance their applicability.

Nanolayer coating on a silica particle

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach A low-pressure, non-equilibrium plasma process is developed using experimental and computational approaches. Two types of reactors are being considered. The first reactor operates in “batch” mode by trapping the nanoparticles in the plasma sheath. Agglomeration of the particles is prevented due to the negative charges on the particles.

The second reactor is being designed to operate in a “continuous” mode where the rate of production may be significantly increased.

This reactor will also provide a more uniform coating by keeping the nanoparticles outside the plasma sheath.

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The batch reactor is already operational and has been used to demonstrate the possibility of coating nanoparticles.

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A reaction model has been developed to predict the deposition rate on the nanoparticle surface.

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The possibility of using an external magnetic field to control the trapping of the particles has been investigated computationally.

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The experimental effort is now focused on the design of the “continuous” mode reactor.

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The computational effort is focused on development of a comprehensive code for simulation of the plasma reactor, nanoparticle dynamics, and surface deposition.

C. M. Megaridis, A. Yarin, Mechanical and Industrial Eng., UIC; Y. Gogotsi, J.C. Bradley, Drexel Univ.; H. Bau, Univ. Pennsylvania Primary Grant Support: National Science Foundation

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Investigate the physical and chemical properties of aqueous fluids contained in multiwall carbon nanotubes

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Determine the continuum limit for fluid behavior under extreme confinement

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Provide experimental data for parallel modeling efforts

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Evaluate the feasibility of fabricating devices using carbon nanotubes as building blocks

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

Multiwall carbon nanotubes filled by high-pressure high-temperature processing in autoclaves

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Gas/Liquid interfaces in carbon nanotubes with diameter above 10nm resemble interfaces in macroscopic capillaries

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Nanotube diameter in the range 5nm-200nm, and lengths 500nm10μm

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Non-continuum behavior observed in nanotubes with diameter below 10nm

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Gas/liquid interfaces used as markers of fluid transport

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Wettability of carbon walls by water observed; important property for adsorption applications

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High-resolution electron microscopy and chemical analysis techniques used to resolve behavior of fluids stimulated thermally in the electron microscope

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Future applications include drug delivery systems, lab-on-a-chip manufacturing, electrochemical cells, etc.

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Model simulations used to interpret experimental observations

C. M. Megaridis, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering; C. Takoudis, Bioengineering; J. Belot, Univ. Nebraska-Lincoln; J. McAndrew, Air Liquide, Inc. Primary Grant Support: Air Liquide

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Patterned metal films are essential to a wide range of applications ranging from printed circuits, to thin-film displays and electrodes in biomedical implants

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Inkjet printing has environmental benefits while offering flexibility, cost savings, and scalability to large area substrates

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Initial focus on Copper due to its very low resistivity. Future extension to bio-compatible metals

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Homogeneous metal inks eliminate obstacles encountered while using nanoparticle ink suspensions

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

Synthesis of metal compounds as primary ingredients of homogeneous inks

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Ink physical and rheological properties (viscosity, surface tension) optimized for printability

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Printing tests for optimal line formation; thermal treatment to reduce the deposit to pure metal; final product testing/evaluation

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X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy used to characterize deposit chemical composition and surface quality

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Candidate organocopper compounds and solvents have been identified, providing facile decomposition to metallic copper (removal of ligands + reduction of Cu2+ to Cu0), and copper content > 10% wt.

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Copper lines printed in the laboratory indicate that homogeneous solutions of organocopper compounds can be developed with suitable properties for ink-jet printing

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Research has the potential to catapult progress in metal ink fabrication and in-situ formation of metallic lines with feature size in the 10-100 m range

Laxman Saggere, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Primary Grant Support: NSF

Problem Statement and Motivation A 20-m sphere gripped & moved by two fingers SEM of the micromanipulator chip Integrated micromanipulator system

A 20-m sphere rotated between two fingers

A micro-object gripped & moved by the fingers

Motivation: Nanomanufacturing is critical for building new functional and useful products. Nanomanufacturing by an assembly-based approach promises to fill the void between the current “bottom-up” and “top-down” approaches and enable assembly of building blocks in future NEMS. However, despite recent advances, currently available tools and techniques for mechanical manipulation of micro/nano-scale objects lack dexterity to accomplish complex assembly of nano-scale objects. The success of assembly-based nanomanufacturing will depend on a micromanipulator tool with high-degree of dexterity beyond that provided by current simple cantilevers and parallel jaw grippers and tweezers.

Objectives: To investigate the principles and fundamental issues in a novel manipulation methodology based on the coordinated action of multiple agile fingers at a chipscale to accomplish controlled contact manipulation tasks such as grasp, rotate, regrasp, move and position micro- and nano-scale objects in a defined 2D workspace.

Experimental setup including user control inputs and visual feedback A micro-object rotated between two fingers

Technical Approach The approach involves a novel chipscale micromanipulator comprised of four (or more) tiny compliant fingers, each of which can be independently actuated by integrated piezo actuators. By providing controlled actuation, the fingers can be guided to move in-plane and coordinate with each other to carry out controlled manipulation tasks such as grasp, rotate, move point-to-point and position micro- and nano-scale objects and perform assembly operations in a defined 2D workspace in the plane of the chip. The actuation, and thus, the motion of the micromanipulator fingers can be controlled by means of external user inputs via a gaming controller or a programmed software and visual feedback of locations and motions of the fingers/objects on a video monitor.

Key Achievements and Future Goals Key Achievements: A novel micromanipulation system comprised of a multifingered micromanipulator chip integrated with piezo actuators and enclosed in a precision-machined custom housing has been developed.

This micromanipulator system enables highly dexterous manipulations of micro-scale objects on the chip by coordinated action of the fingers when controlled in a close-loop by external user inputs supplied via a wireless gamming controller.

Future Goals: To achieve high precision coordinated manipulation of micro/nano-scale objects incorporating a more sophisticated position/force feedback and a fully programmed motion planning for assembly of the objects in the manipulator workspace.

S. Sinha-Ray, Y. Zhang, Prof. A.L. Yarin (MIE, UIC)

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Development of a novel method of solution blowing of monolithic and core-shell nanofibers.

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Incorporation of such by-products of BioDiesel production as soy protein into solution blown nanofibers.

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Demonstration of robust nanofiber nonwovens containing soy protein.

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Carbonization of core-shell polymer nanofibers and transforming them into amorphous carbon nanotubes.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

Solution blowing with gas speeds of about 230-270 m/s.

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Solutions of soy protein and Nylon-6 in formic acid.

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Collection of nanofibers on rotating drums.

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Carbonization to make carbon nanotubes.

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SEM, staining and fluorescence imaging.

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To appear in Biomacromolecules (in press, 2011)

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Demonstration that solution blowing can produce nanofibers at a high rate.

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Formation of carbon nanotubes from core-shell nanofibers.

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Formation of robust nanofiber nonwovens containing about 40% of soy protein.

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Future work will explore strength of soy protein nonwovens; nanofibers will be decorated with silver nanoparticles for applications in catalysis.

S. Sinha-Ray, Y. Zhang, Prof. A.L. Yarin (MIE, UIC)

Problem Statement and Motivation •

Nano-textured surfaces for the enhanced spray cooling, especially for microelectronics, avionics and space applications.

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Drop cooling with local heat removal rates of about 1 kW/sq.cm.

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Electrokinetic delivery of coolant to nano-textured surfaces (joint with IIT).

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Suppression of drop receding and bouncing.

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Significant surface area enhancement.

Key Achievements and Future Goals

Technical Approach •

Electrospinning of polymer (PAN) nanofiber mats onto a wafer.

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Sputter coating with Pt-Pd to a thickness of 15 nm.

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Metal-plating onto nanofibers with control of grain sizes.

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Drop impact: water and Fluorinerts.

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SEM and CCD Camera imaging.

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Published in Langmuir 27, 215-226 (2011) and Physical Review E v. 83, 036305 (2011)

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Contact line of a fully spread-out drop is pinned, practically no splashing, receding and bouncing.

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The physical mechanism of pinning and millipede-like drop structure is kindred to the shaped-charge (Munroe) jets.

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Local heat removal rates of the of about 0.7 kW/sq.cm have been demonstrated with water.

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Future work will explore pinning of drops at substrates at temperatures of 200-300 C, detail impacts of Fluorinerts and measure heat removal rates for them.