Student Defenses

Title: Investigation into Pyrolysis and Gasification of Solid Waste Components and Their Mixtures Author: Kiran Raj Goud Burra Date/Time: March 29th, 2021 | 11:00 AM Dissertation Committee:Professor Ashwani K. Gupta, ChairProfessor Nam Sun WangProfessor Bao YangProfessor Gary A. PertmerProfessor Dongxia Liu, Dean’s Representative Abstract:Carbon neutral sources such as abundant biomass reserves and landfill-destined high energy density wastes

TItle: Atomistic and theoretical description of liquid flows in polyelectrolyte-brush-grafted nanochannels Author: Harnoor Singh Sachar Date/Time: March 30, 2021 (Tuesday), 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT Zoom Link: https://umd.zoom.us/j/9765159282 List of Committee MembersDr. Siddhartha Das (Chair)Dr. Amir RiazDr. Peter W. ChungDr. Don DeVoeDr. Silvina Matysiak (Dean’s Representative) AbstractPolyelectrolyte (PE) chains grafted in close proximity stretch out

Title: Numerical and Experimental Studies on Dynamic Interactions of Robot Appendages with Granular Media Date/Time: Mar 25, 2021, 12:15 PM EST Committee Members:Professor Balakumar Balachandran, Chair and AdvisorProfessor Abhijit Dasgupta, Department of Mechanical EngineeringProfessor Teng Li, Department of Mechanical EngineeringProfessor Peter W. Chung, Department of Mechanical EngineeringProfessor Derek Richardson, Department of Astronomy (Dean’s Representative) Abstract:

Title: Additive Manufacturing of Microfluidic Technologies via In Situ Direct Laser Writing Day/Time: Thursday Feb 11th 2021, 10:45am-12:45pm Examining Committee: Ryan Sochol (Chair)Don DeVoeEleonora TubaldiAxel KriegerReza Ghodssi (Dean’s Represenative) Abstract: Innovations in microfluidic technologies hold great promise for a wide range of chemical, biomedical, and soft robotic applications. Unfortunately, key drawbacks associated with soft lithography-based microfabrication processes hinder

Title: ADVANCED ABSORPTION MATERIALS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN REFREGIATION Date/Time: January 12, 2021 2:00PM – 4:00PM Committee: Prof. Bao Yang (Chair)Prof. Amir RiazProf. Peter B. SunderlandProf. Teng LiProf. Chunsheng Wang (Dean Representative). Zoom Link: https://umd.zoom.us/j/94210112455?pwd=MjVWRS9TVXR4cENFb2t3aTlTR0ljUT09 Abstract: Absorption chillers, which utilize heat as the primary energy input, have been considered a more environment-friendly alternative to vapor-compression cooling systems. The thermodynamic properties

DEVELOPMENT OF COOLING SYSTEMS WITH ACTIVE ELASTOCALORIC REGENERATORS Date/Time: Tuesday, December 15th of 2020, 3:30 PM EST List of committee members Professor Reinhard Radermacher, Chair Professor Ichiro Takeuchi Professor Yunho Hwang Professor Olivier Bauchau Professor Marino di Marzo Professor Bao Yang Chun-cheng Piao, Ph.D. Zoom or Webex Link: https://umd.zoom.us/s/98205535196 Abstract: The vapor compression cycle (VCC) has

Title: Underfill Selection to Improve Solder Joint Reliability For Down Hole Drilling Applications Author: Sriram Jayanthi Date/Time: November 19, 2020 10:00am-12:00pm Examining Committee: Professor Patrick McCluskey, Chair Professor Abhijit Dasgupta Dr. Michael Azarian Abstract: Underfill materials were originally developed to improve the solder joint reliability of the BGA packages under the thermal cycling when they are experiencing stresses

Title: Physics-Based and Data-Driven Modeling of Hybrid Robot Movement on Soft Terrain Author: Guanjin Wang Advisory Committee: Professor Balakumar Balachandran, Chair & Advisor Associate Professor Amir Riaz (Co-Advisor) Professor Teng Li Professor Amr Baz Professor Peter Chung Professor Derek Richardson (Dean’s Representative) Date & Time: November 13, 2020 2pm-4pm Abstract: Navigating the unmapped environment is one

Title: Reduction of Mixture Property Variation Through Control on Initial Mixing Dynamics Author: Marcelo Arispe-Guzman Date/Time: November 20, 2020 9:00am-11:00am Examining Committee:Professor David Bigio, ChairProfessor Balakumar BalachandranProfessor Peter ChungProfessor Ryan Sochol Zoom Link: https://umd.zoom.us/j/5898885184 Abstract: Blend homogenization of a liquid-solid mixtures is achieved through mixer agitation which disperses the liquids and breaks up the agglomerates. Creating