The performance of thin-film Li-ion batteries under flexural deflection

A method is introduced to study the effects of flexural deformation on the electrical performance of thin-film lithium-ion batteries. Flexural deformation of thin films is of interest to engineers for applications that can be effective in conformal spaces in conjunction with multi-functional composite laminates in structural members under mechanical deflections such as thin airfoils used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). A test fixture was designed and built using rapid prototyping techniques. A baseline reference charge/discharge cycle was initially obtained with the device in its un-flexed state, in order to later contrast the performance of the thin-film battery when subjected to defle…

Electrical Performance of Thin-Film Li-ion Batteries Under Uniform Pressure

CuO nanoparticle filled vinyl-ester resin nanocomposites: Fabrication, characterization and property analysis

Abstract Both unmodified cupric oxide (CuO) nanoparticles and those functionalized with a bi-functional coupling agent methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPS) were used to fabricate vinyl-ester resin polymeric nanocomposites. The nanoparticle functionalization was observed to have a significant effect on the physical properties of the cupric oxide filled vinyl-ester resin nanocomposite. Thermal degradation study by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed the increased thermo-stability in the functionalized-nanoparticle-filled vinyl-ester resin nanocomposites as compared with the unmodified-nanoparticle-filled counterparts. The more uniform particle dispersion and the chemical bond betwee…

Surface Functionalization and Nanofiller Effect on Poymeric Nanocomposites

Electrical Performance of Thin-Film Li-ion Batteries Under Flexural Deflection

Particle surface engineering effect on the mechanical, optical and photoluminescent properties of ZnO/vinyl-ester resin nanocomposites

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles functionalized with a bi-functional coupling agent methacryloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane (MPS) were used to fabricate a vinyl-ester resin polymeric nanocomposite, which shows an improved interfacial interaction between the particle and matrix. As a result, in comparison to the unmodified particle-filled nanocomposites, the functionalized particle-filled composites possessed higher resistance to thermal degradation, and demonstrated improved UV shielding and enhanced photoluminescent properties. The more uniform particle dispersion, passivation of the particle surface with MPS and increased oxygen vacancies were justified to contribute to the increased thermal st…

An investigation of polymeric nanocomposite: Surface functionalization and nanofiller effect