Browsing by Author "Gannon, Paul"

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Building Primary Preservice Teachers’ Identity as Engineering Educators
(MDPI AG, 2022-09) Lux, Nicholas; Hammack, Rebekah; Wiehe, Blake; Gannon, Paul
The purpose of this qualitative case study was to investigate how two primary preservice teachers built their engineering education identities during a clinical field experience that emphasized engineering education. More specifically, we explored the development of their engineering education identities while facing unforeseen circumstances and unfamiliar engineering content. We used a nested qualitative case study approach that was bounded by a university practicum field experience that took place at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data sources included preservice teacher interviews and reflective field notes. We found that the preservice teachers faced a series of contextual factors in the clinical experience that both afforded and constrained professional learning opportunities that influenced their identity development. The affordances made professional learning opportunities possible, while the constraints limited professional growth. We also found that it was the negotiation of the factors, where the preservice teachers worked to mitigate the effect of the constraints while maximizing the advantages of the affordances, that had the greatest influence on their engineering pedagogical knowledge and engineering teaching self-efficacy. Findings from this study could provide teacher educators with insight into preparing primary teachers for unexpected challenges when teaching engineering, as well as how to best prepare engineering-efficacious teachers.
Chromium Volatility: Assessment of Quantifying Techniques
(2013-03) Eziashi, Jude; Gannon, Paul
Chromium volatility is a phenomenon with significant implications in any process that involves flowing a gaseous stream over a Cr-containing solid (e.g., stainless steel) sample at high temperatures. The chromium present within the steel substrate has been observed to migrate into the surface oxide scale that forms during exposure and subsequently vaporizes off the oxide surface as chromium-containing vapor species. In fuel cell environments, the vaporized chromium species could interact with the cathode forming non-conducting species and would be deleterious to the cell function. The primary objective of this University Scholars Program (USP) project is to research and explore chromium volatility as well as the techniques available to quantitatively measure and account for the chromium lost from a steel sample in the hopes that once the chromium evaporating from a metal surface can be calculated, materials can then be developed to reduce this chromium evaporation and lengthen cell lifetime. Two techniques, Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS) and the Transpiration method are applied to quantify vaporized chromium and compared and the relative advantages and disadvantages of both techniques are evaluated. The anticipated significance of the project will be contribution to ongoing research aimed at combating a reoccurring problem observed in industry.
Determination of Thin Film Thickness
(2013-03) Hjelvik, Eric; Gannon, Paul
Thin films are used in the coating of various metals and can change the surface properties of their coated substrates to produce desired results in several applications. Faraday Technologies, a company based in Clayton, OH, is actively pursuing research in this field in order to determine optimal coating compositions and thicknesses for a variety of situations. They are currently searching for a fast, economic, and efficient method to determine the thicknesses of their coatings. A device produced by CSM Instruments, the CalotestTM, boasts an ability to quickly and easily determine the thickness of metallic coatings ranging from 0.1 to 50 μm. This machine does so by spinning a stainless steel ball with a diamond slurry against the coated substance to produce a “scar” on the surface. Geometrical analysis of this scar via optical microscopy can determine the coating thickness, provided the scar is relatively symmetrical. The goal of this research project is to determine a proficient protocol for use of the CalotestTM in this and other thin film applications. Reported here are preliminary findings from this project in regards to test parameters and resulting scar characteristics, which have significantly informed the development of test protocols to be used in industry.
High-Temperature (550-700 degrees C) Chlorosilane Interactions with Iron
(2016-08) Aller, Josh; Mason, Ryan; Walls, Kelly; Tatar, Greg; Jacobson, Nathan; Gannon, Paul
Chlorosilane species are commonly used at high temperatures in the manufacture and refinement of ultra-high purity silicon and silicon materials. The chlorosilane species are often highly corrosive in these processes, necessitating the use of expensive, corrosion resistant alloys for the construction of reactors, pipes, and vessels required to handle and produce them. In this study, iron, the primary alloying component of low cost metals, was exposed to a silicon tetrachloride-hydrogen vapor stream at industrially-relevant times (0-100 hours), temperatures (550-700 degrees C), and vapor stream compositions. Post exposure analyses including FE-SEM, EDS, XRD, and gravimetric analysis revealed formation and growth of stratified iron silicide surface layers, which vary as a function of time and temperature. The most common stratification after exposure was a thin FeSi layer on the surface followed by a thick stoichiometric Fe3Si layer, a silicon activity gradient in an iron lattice, and finally, unreacted iron. Speculated mechanisms to explain these observations were supported by thermodynamic equilibrium simulations of experimental conditions. This study furthers the understanding of metals in chlorosilane environments, which is critically important for manufacturing the high purity silicon required for silicon-based electronic and photovoltaic devices.
Is Nuclear Energy the Most Promising Energy Source for a Sustainable Future?
(Undergraduate Scholars Program, 2024-04) Kahle, Grant; Gannon, Paul; Catlett, Duane
The use of nuclear power to produce electricity is a promising source for safe, clean, and reliable energy. Though in the past public opinion has inhibited the growth and success of this electricity source; today, with the pressure of climate change forcing the world to make a lasting change in the way our society generates electricity, nuclear power is the most prominent source for a clean energy future. The first main goal of our research is to gain knowledge to further understand Montana’s public opinion and knowledge of nuclear power, more importantly, the foundation and reasoning for their views. We have conducted a survey that asks whether the respondent is favorable or unfavorable and why they hold that opinion, then whether they feel knowledgeable or unknowledgeable about nuclear power to produce electricity. We have surveyed students at the end of two Montana State University energy and sustainability courses, and in the next semester will conduct the survey in the beginning and end of courses from the science and business backgrounds. The second main goal of our research is to gain an understanding of why nuclear power has such a high price tag associated with it. We are researching the costs through summaries of techno-economic analyses of the construction and operation of previous nuclear power plants. To achieve this goal, we have been in contact with Northwestern Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, NuScale Power, and other sources from the internet. These sources have been gracious enough to share abundant information and data regarding their economic and financial knowledge and research into the field. With this information, a further goal is to identify where nuclear power can decrease costs to make it more economically viable and competitive.
Quantifying National Biomechanics Day’s Impact on Student Perceptions toward Biomechanics: A Multisite Pilot Study
(Elsevier BV, 2021-12) Monfort, Scott M.; Bigelow, Kimberly E.; Vallabhajosula, Srikant; Evertz, Loribeth Q.; Becker, James N.; Wittstein, Matthew W.; Gannon, Paul; DeVita, Paul
National Biomechanics Day (NBD) is an international celebration of biomechanics that seeks to increase the awareness and appreciation of biomechanics among the high school community. Initial research supports the positive effects of NBD on students’ attitudes toward the field of biomechanics; however, quantitative evidence remains scarce. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in high school students’ perceptions toward biomechanics after participating in NBD events to better understand the impact of NBD. Data were collected at two locations during the 2019 NBD season. Surveys were collected before and after NBD events for 112 high school students from Montana and North Carolina. Paired pre- versus post-NBD surveys for the aggregate sample population suggest that students perceived biomechanics as more appealing (p = 0.050), exciting (p = 0.007), and important (p = 0.018) following the NBD events. Students did not report a change in whether they could see themselves in a biomechanics-related career (p = 0.49). These findings further support the ability for NBD events to positively impact students’ perceptions toward biomechanics, although opportunities persist to increase student career interest in biomechanics. This paper presents and discusses the study’s results, interpretations, limitations, and implications for future research on biomechanics outreach activities.
Reactive Condensation of Cr Vapor on Aluminosilicates Containing Alkaline Oxides
(The Electrochemical Society, 2024-08) Van Leeuwen, Travis; Guerrero, Amberly; Dowdy, Ryan; Satritama, Bima; Rhamdhani, Akbar; Will, Geoffrey; Gannon, Paul
This study is part of a series with the objective of improving fundamental understanding of reactive condensation of Chromium (Cr) vapors, which are generated from Cr containing alloys used in many high-temperature (>500 °C) process environments and can form potentially problematic condensed hexavalent (Cr(VI)) species downstream. This study specifically focuses on the effects of alkaline oxide additives in aluminosilicate fibers on Cr condensation and speciation. Cr vapors were generated by flowing high-temperature (800 °C) air containing 3% water vapor over chromia (Cr2O3) powder, with aluminosilicate fiber samples positioned downstream where the temperature decreases (<500 °C). Total condensed Cr and ratios of oxidation states were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and diphenyl carbazide (DPC) colorimetric/direct UV–vis spectrophotometric analyses. Results indicate presence of hexavalent Cr (Cr(VI)) species condensed on all samples investigated. The ratio of Cr(VI) to total Cr detected was consistently higher on aluminosilicate fiber samples containing alkaline oxide (CaO and MgO) additions. Computational thermodynamic equilibrium modelling corroborated experimental results showing stabilities of Ca and Mg chromate (Cr(VI)) compounds. Comparative results and analyses are presented and discussed to help inform mechanistic understanding and future related research and engineering efforts.
Silicon Carbide Oxidation and Environmental Barrier Coating Investigation
(2013-03) McCambridge, Michael; Gannon, Paul
Silicon Carbide (SiC) fiber-reinforced SiC matrix ceramic matrix composites (SiC/SiC CMCs) have high temperature properties that make them great candidates for the next generation of jet turbine components. They have improved high temperature mechanical properties compared to nickel superalloys. The use of SiC/SiC CMCs is currently restricted by reaction with water vapor that causes surface recession, and eventually leads to failure. At high temperatures, typically over 1000oC, the CMC material will form a silicon oxide (SiO2) layer that can volatilize to silicon oxy-hydroxide (Si(OH)4) upon contact with water vapor. This project is a fundamental step in addressing this problem using an environmental barrier coating (EBC) approach. In a similar manner, SiC tubes (HexoloyTM) have potential applications in the poly-crystalline silicon industry. To meet purity requirements, the Hexoloy cannot outgas any significant amount of boron (B) under exposure to chlorine-containing gasses. We have developed a testing procedure to flow hydrogen (H2) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) over the Hexoloy samples to determine outgassing characteristics. This setup has yielded valuable information on boron outgassing, and provides a basis for developing a procedure to evaluate CMC high temperature corrosion.
Zinc-Air Technology: A Proposal for Clean and Sustainable Energy Research
(2013-03) Kratz, Christopher; Gannon, Paul
As the effects of anthropogenic climate destabilization manifest themselves in increasingly aggressive surges, a transition to a carbon neutral environment has become imperative. What is more, the present state of economic affairs in the United States demands a restorative and stimulating alternative to fossil fuels. This transition may be realized through the application of zinc-air technology. Consequently, an investigation of economic feasibility, capital expenses, and environmental costs has been instigated. In addition to providing an assessment of efficiency in present technology, experimental procedures have been designed and implimented to arrive at suggestions for improvement. Specifically, a comprehensive flowchart containing principles of electrochemistry particular to zinc-air primary batteries, fuel cells, and flow batteries has been assembled to distinguish between systems. Each device handles the demand for cycled energy with a unique mechanism. Primary batteries are discarded after the reactants are spent, whereas fuel cells are drained and reloaded with charged materials. The most ingtriguing of the three is the flow air battery (ZFAB), which aims to recharge its internal components by reversing current, and correspondingly, reduction-oxidation reactions. A significant interest has peaked in the realization of this capacity to recharge, which requires surmounting of obstructive dendritic formation and hydrogen evloution reactions.