The transition from an academic laboratory setting to an industrial research setting can be difficult. A large number of students enter the industry after obtaining degrees, and project-based curricula involving the partnership of universities and industry provided at the lab, ease the transition and increase the probability of our young professionals’ success. By partnering with local industries, we are able to participate in challenging research projects that are associated with cutting edge technology. Likewise, through partnerships, industries gain fresh ideas while educating a new employee pool. The mission of the Thermal Analysis Laboratory at Western Kentucky University is to work alongside governmental, industrial research and production laboratories.
Cooperation with governmental organizations includes collaborations with the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, the United States Navy—Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and NASA. The research with the United States Air Force involved the determination of the thermal stability of organically modified layered silicates (OLS) and also a mapping of the thermal decomposition kinetics of these materials. The Thermal Lab used evolved gas analysis to identify combustion products of materials that were to be used on submarines to determine what potential hazards these materials may pose. The work with NASA is focused on the modification of single-wall carbon nanotubes to enhance solubility and degradation studies of the modified nanotubes.
Recently, surface characterization, chemical analysis and bio-fuel characterization capabilities were also added into the Thermal Analysis Laboratory. The surface characterization includes x-ray diffractometer, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, surface area and pore volume analysis. The chemical analysis includes elemental analysis, bomb calorimeter, and pyroprobe-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The bio-fuel characterization includes: thermal stability, oxidation resistance, low temperature properties, elemental analysis, glycerin content and compositional analysis.
The Thermal Lab teamed up with an electronic device manufacturing company and worked on the evolved gas analysis of structural adhesives during cross-linking. Thermogravimetry-Mass-spectrometry (TG-MS) was used for the analysis of weight loss and evolved gases during heating of adhesives. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used for the determination of cure parameters and correlated with the TGA and Mass-spectrometry data. The three techniques together were very useful in the evolved gas analysis and obtaining the cure parameters for adhesives.
Over the past 21 years, the thermal analysis group has presented over 80 papers at the North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS) annual conferences. Students from the thermal analysis group at WKU attend the NATAS Conference each year to serve as aides. The Thermal Lab organizes at least two thermal analysis short courses every year--one with a national/international focus at the NATAS Meeting while the other one is of a more regional nature at WKU. Over 50 participants per year come from all over North America to attend these two-day short courses. The Thermal Lab has organized other thermal analysis symposia, including the 2nd International Symposium on Micro-Thermal Analysis at WKU. The Symposium featured talks by invited speakers, poster presentations by WKU students, and attracted participants from all around the world. The Thermal Analysis Laboratory also hosted the 2006 NATAS Conference in Bowling Green, Kentucky. More than 200 thermal analysts attended this conference. The Thermal Analysis Laboratory has managed the North American Thermal Analysis Society since 2005.
Current Research Projects:
Thermal degradation of modified carbon nanotubes
A study of the thermal stability, degradation mechanisms and properties of polymer/organically modified layered silicate nanocomposites
Thermal properties of ethylene octene copolymer/dimethylldioctadecyl quaternary ammonium chloride-modified montmorillonite clay nanocomposites
Instrumentation:
High-Resolution/Modulated Thermogravimetric Analysis
Modulated and Pressurized Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Evolved Gas Analysis Systems (TG-FTIR and TG-MS)
Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
Thermomechanical Analysis
Dielectric Analysis
Micro-Thermal Analysis
Pyroprobe-GC/MS system
SEM/EDX and Optical Microscope/Image Analysis System
X-Ray Differaction Spectrometer
Thermo-IR
Capabilities:
Formulation and optimization
Materials selection
Application development
End-use performance prediction
Competitive product evaluation
Theoretical research on new materials and process
Vendor certification
Incoming/outgoing materials consistency
Process optimization
Finished product performance
Troubleshooting
Selected Publications
Ganesh Latta, Quentin Lineberry, Riko Ozao, Hou-Yin Zhao, Wei-Ping Pan "Thermal Properties of ethylene octene copolymer (Engage)/ dimethyldioctadecyl quatemary ammonium chloride-modified montmorillonite clay nanocomposites," J. of Materials Science (in press), 2008
Pan, Wei-Ping; Judovits, Lawrence. “Techniques in Thermal Analysis Hyphenated Techniques, Thermal Analysis of the Surface, and Fast Rate Analysis,” Editor, 134pp, ASTM, STP 1466, West Conshohocken, PA, 2007.
Zhang, Yan; Cui, Hong; Ozao, Riko; Cao, Yan; Chen, Bobby; Wang, Chia-Wei; Pan, Wei-Ping. “Characterization of Activated carbon Prepared from Chicken Waste and Coal,” Energy & Fuels, 2007, 21(6), 3735-3739.
Riko Ozao, Yuko Nishimoto, Wei-Ping Pan, and Toshihiro Okabe, “Thermoanalytical Characterization of Carbon/carbon Hybrid Material, Apple Woodceramics,” Thermochimica Acta, 2006, 440, 75-80.
Nathan Whitely*, Riko Ozao, Ramon Artiaga, Yan Cao and Wei-Ping Pan, “Multi-utilization of Chicken Litter as Biomass Source – Part I. Combustion,” Energy & Fuels, 2006, 20, 2660-2665.
Nathan Whitely*, Riko Ozao, Yan Cao and Wei-Ping Pan, “Multi-utlization of Chicken Litter as Biomass Source – Part II. Pyrolysis,” Energy & Fuels, 2006, 20, 2666-2671.
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