Session D: 3:30PM – 5PM
Engineering. Session D – Oral Presentations, Dumke Conference, Alumni House
SESSION D (3:30PM – 5PM)
Location: Dumke, Alumni House
Effects of Gas Flow Rates and Sample Position on Carbon Nanotube Growth
Grant Ogilvie, Brigham Young University
Isaac Harriman, Brigham Young University
Faculty Mentor Brian Jensen, Brigham Young University
SESSION D 3:30-3:45PM
Dumke, Alumni House
Engineering
The goal of this experiment was to better characterize the effects of gas flow rate and sample position on carbon-infiltrated carbon nanotubes (CICNTs) grown via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a silicon substrate. Methods: 18 batches of 3 samples each (52 samples) were prepared by CVD coating silicon wafer substrates with alumina (400nm) and iron (4nm). Standard processes were generated for creating CICNT samples, with carbon nanotube (CNT) growth at 750C and subsequent carbon infiltration at 900C. In each batch, samples were positioned linearly with samples located centrally, downstream, and upstream in the furnace. Three batches had -20% gas flows (both hydrogen and ethylene), three batches had standard gas flows, and three batches had +20% gas flows. The experiment was then repeated with hydrogen flow held constant (only the ethylene was varied). Results: At all gas flow rates for both experiments, samples that were located further forward in the tube furnace had larger CICNT diameters and increased CICNT heights. Increasing the flow rate of both gases increased the nanotube diameter on average, but the average height of the nanotubes was greatest at standard flow rates. Preliminary results from the second experiment indicated that varying only the ethylene concentration had a negligible effect on CICNT diameter. We saw clear correlations between sample position in the furnace and CICNT diameter and height. Our results also indicated that variation in hydrogen flow rate has a greater effect on nanotube growth than the ethylene flow rate.
Increasing Infiltration Time During Carbon-Infiltrated Carbon Nanotube Growth Results in Increased Nanotube Diameter
Michelle Arias, Brigham Young University
Faculty Mentor Brian Jensen, Brigham Young University
SESSION D 3:50-4:05PM
Dumke, Alumni House
Engineering
Carbon-infiltrated carbon nanotube (CICNT) surfaces are cylindrical sheets of carbon atoms with a honeycomb molecular structure. CICNT possess structural anti-biofilm activity against bacteria. Their ability to prevent the formation of these biofilms depends on specific parameters, including the average nanotube diameter. Nanotube growth occurs when carbon-rich gas flows over certain surfaces in a high temperature furnace.This study develops a growth method for CICNT diameter changes on Ti6Al4V, a titanium alloy commonly used as a medical implant material due to its strong biomechanical properties. For this experiment, we analyzed the effect of carbon infiltration times on average nanotube diameter. Ti6Al4V samples were cleaned and prepared for nanotube growth by the deposition of a barrier layer of alumina, followed by a catalyst layer of iron. The prepared samples were then placed in a furnace with hydrogen gas flowing. A nanotube growth step was performed at 750 degrees Celsius for 1 minute with ethylene and hydrogen gasses flowing. During this phase the nanotubes gain their height. Following the growth step, an infiltration step was performed at 900 degrees Celsius at times ranging from 2 to 16 minutes, with three samples in each group. During this phase the nanotubes grow in diameter. Once the CICNT samples were completed they were imaged in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to determine the average diameter of each sample. These diameters were correlated with infiltration time, and it was found that there was a strong positive linear correlation between infiltration time and CICNT diameter, d = 18.8833t – 30.8409 where d represents the diameter in nanometers and t is the time in minutes. These results illustrate that the CICNT infiltration time can be fine-tuned to control nanotube diameter, which will allow us to better investigate the mechanism behind the way they affect bacterial biofilms.
Data Aggregation for Discrete Equipment
Damon Gale, Brigham Young University
Faculty Mentor Yuri Hovanski, Brigham Young University
SESSION D 4:10-4:25PM
Dumke, Alumni House
Engineering
Industry 4.0 is a new initiative in manufacturing to apply modern, cutting-edge technologies on the manufacturing floor with the goal of accessing real-time data monitoring, gain performance insights, facilitate informed decision-making, reduce waste, and enhance market agility. Some of the Industry 4.0 technologies being developed include industrial internet of things (IIOT), augmented reality, big data analytics, and machine learning predictions; all of which rely on a foundation of unified connection throughout the factory. The unique challenge facing manufacturers is the aggregation of data from the wide range of equipment utilizing disparate machine protocols present in their factory. This research demonstrates how to connect to several discrete pieces of equipment and aggregate that data in one location. This is done using PTC Inc. Kepware and ThingWorx software products. Kepware is a connectivity platform that can translate disparate protocols and tunnel data to ThingWorx, an industrial data solution platform, which then aggregates the data. To validate the use of Kepware and ThingWorx in a diverse industrial hardware setting, connections between Kepware and an Allen-Bradly PLC, a Siemens PLC, Fanuc Robot (GE open), UR Robot (Modbus), Manual Mill (Toshiba Motor Controller), Manual Lathe (via Lab View OPC UA), and Haas CNC mill (MT Connect) were established. Then data points from each piece of equipment were defined in ThingWorx. Resulting in unified connectivity with aggregated data from discrete industrial equipment. Setting the foundation for further Industry 4.0 implementation across the factory.
Stabilizing Wireless Communication for a Tissue Bioimpedance Diagnostic Device
Nathan Hansen, University of Utah
Faculty Mentor Benjamin Sanchez, University of Utah
SESSION D 4:30-4:45PM
Dumke, Alumni House
Engineering
The purpose of this research is to develop further The User Tongue Electronic System, a Bluetooth-based device capable of measuring volume conduction properties of the tongue. These electrical properties can be used to detect changes in tongue composition and quantify the progression of dysphagia and dysarthria, common symptoms of neurological diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, a.k.a. Lou Gehrig’s Disease). The device combines the convenience of a non-invasive measurement approach with the repeatability of quantitative data. The device currently uses Bluetooth communication to send tongue bioimpedance information to an Android application, but the application experiences frequent crashes, and Bluetooth communication has been unreliable. The first phase of this project replaces the current Bluetooth communication hardware with a WiFi-based communication system, which will potentially provide increased stability and robustness to the device. The app interface will be redesigned based on Human Factors Engineering practices. Measurements made with the WiFi device will be compared with Bluetooth device measurements and statistically analyzed for repeatability. All measurements will be made using printed circuit board devices that simulate tongue electrical impedance. If proven robust, the WiFi-based device will be prepared for deployment in future clinical trials. This presentation will highlight the physical underpinnings of the device and how the WiFi device performs compared to the Bluetooth device.