Engineering topics

Baniassadi, Majid

Publications and source records attributed to Baniassadi, Majid.

4 records

DOE OSTI2015

3D reconstruction of carbon nanotube networks from neutron scattering experiments

Structure reconstruction from statistical descriptors, such as scattering data obtained using x-rays or neutrons, is essential in understanding various properties of nanocomposites. Scattering based reconstruction can provide a realistic model, over various length scales, that can be used for numerical simulations. In this study, 3D reconstruction of a highly loaded carbon nanotube (CNT)-conducting polymer system based on small and ultra-small angle neutron scattering (SANS and USANS, respectively) data was performed. These light-weight and flexible materials have recently shown great promise for high-performance thermoelectric energy conversion, and their further improvement requires a thorough understanding of their structure-property relationships. The first step in achieving such understanding is to generate models that contain the hierarchy of CNT networks over nano and micron scales. The studied system is a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS). SANS and USANS patterns of the different samples containing 10, 30, and 50 wt% SWCNTs were measured. These curves were then utilized to calculate statistical two-point correlation functions of the nanostructure. These functions along with the geometrical information extracted from SANS data and scanning electron microscopy images were used to reconstruct a representative volume element (RVE) nanostructure. Generated RVEs can be used for simulations of various mechanical and physical properties. This work, therefore, introduces a framework for the reconstruction of 3D RVEs of high volume faction nanocomposites containing high aspect ratio fillers from scattering experiments.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2013

Three-Dimensional Reconstruction and Microstructure Modeling of Porosity-Graded Cathode Using Focused Ion Beam and Homogenization Techniques

In this study, microstructure of a porosity-graded lanthanum strontium manganite (LSM) cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) has been characterized using focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) combined with image processing. Two-point correlation functions of the two-dimensional (2D) images taken along the direction of porosity gradient are used to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) microstructure. The effective elastic modulus of the two-phase porosity-graded cathode is predicted using strong contrast (SC) and composite inclusion (CI) homogenization techniques. The effectiveness of the two methods in predicting the effective elastic properties of the porositygraded LSM cathode is investigated in comparison with the results obtained from the finite element model (FEM).

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2012

Three-dimensional Reconstruction and Homogenization of Heterogeneous Materials Using Statistical Correlation Functions and FEM

In this study, a previously developed reconstruction methodology is extended to three-dimensional reconstruction of a three-phase microstructure, based on two-point correlation functions and two-point cluster functions. The reconstruction process has been implemented based on hybrid stochastic methodology for simulating the virtual microstructure. While different phases of the heterogeneous medium are represented by different cells, growth of these cells is controlled by optimizing parameters such as rotation, shrinkage, translation, distribution and growth rates of the cells. Based on the reconstructed microstructure, finite element method (FEM) was used to compute the effective elastic modulus and effective thermal conductivity. A statistical approach, based on two-point correlation functions, was also used to directly estimate the effective properties of the developed microstructures. Good agreement between the predicted results from FEM analysis and statistical methods was found confirming the efficiency of the statistical methods for prediction of thermo-mechanical properties of three-phase composites.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2011

Three-Phase Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Anode Microstructure Realization Using Two-Point Correlation Functions

A Monte Carlo methodology is developed as a means for three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the microstructure of a three-phase anode used in solid oxide fuel cells, based on two-point statistical functions. The salient feature of the presented reconstruction methodology is the ability to realize the 3D microstructure from its 2D SEM image for a three-phase medium extendable to n-phase media. In the realization procedure, different phases of the heterogeneous medium are represented by different cells which are allowed to grow. The growth of cells, however, are controlled via several optimization parameters related to rotation, shrinkage, translation, distribution and growth rates of the cells. Indeed, the proposed realization algorithm can be categorized as a member of dynamic programming methods and is designed so comprehensive that can realize any desired microstructure. To be more specific, at first the initial 2D image is successfully reconstructed and then the final optimization parameters are used as the initial values for the initiation of the 3D reconstruction algorithm. This paper presents a novel hybrid stochastic methodology based on the colony and kinetic algorithm for the simulation of the virtual microstructure. The simulation procedure involves repeated realizations where each realization in turn consists of nucleation and growth of cells. For each of the subsequent realizations, the controlling parameters get updated by minimization of an objective function at the end of the preceding realization. Here, the objective function is defined based on the two-point correlation functions from the simulated and real microstructures. The kinetic growth algorithm is established on the cellular automata approach which facilitates the simulation procedure. Comparison of the two-point correlation functions from different sections of the final 3D reconstructed microstructure with the initial real microstructure shows a satisfactory agreement which confirms the proposed methodology.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗