A “noodle” or deltoid shape fills the gap created when composite materials formed to a radius are brought together to for a tee intersection. This student research project investigated the use of different noodle materials and their impact on the pull-off force required to separate the vertical portion of the tee from the horizontal base.
Exploration of composite fiber-matrix interactions through mechanical testing of composite materials comprised of heterogenous matrix adhesives plus carbon fiber for improving strength and fracture toughness properties of materials.
Electrical engineering students designed coils and an attachment to a plasma, then used microscopy to characterize the cut surfaces. Funding provided by a 2023 Seubert engineering entrepreneurial design challenge.
Thermoplastics (think Teflon) are difficult to adhesively bond due to their low surface energy. Atmospheric plasma removes any lightly adhered contaminants and modifies the surface chemistry so that organic coatings (aka paint) will create strong bonds to thermoplastic composite surfaces.
White light interferometry is used to accurately Leasure the surface profile of samples tested in the Tribology Lab. Using a white light laser source, the system can determine when the reflected laser light is in focus and then calculate a height map and 3-D image of the surface.
The inorganic material mineral that makes up most of human teeth is susceptible to softening from the acids in multiple beverages, including coffee. Microhardness testing in the Materials Lab measures the strength of hydroxyapatite before and after soaking in coffee.
