Surface Nanocrystallization and Hardening (SNH) Process:
SNH is a new process developed recently at the University of Connecticut. It entails impacting metallic parts such as turbine blades and machine components with high-energy balls under a controlled atmosphere. This novel process can produce metallic engineering components with a nanocrystalline surface and coarse-grained interior along with the compositional hardening and the introduction of a desired residual stress distribution. Components with such engineered microstructures and strengthening are expected to offer superior fatigue and wear properties derived from the synergy of the tailored microstructure, the smooth gradients of both composition and grain size, and the desired residual stress distribution. (Sponsored by the National Science Foundation)

Rapid Prototyping of Dental Restorations:
There are currently more than 10,000 dental laboratories in the US and a majority of these laboratories use porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) restoration for permanent fixed prosthodontics. PFM restoration is a very time consuming and labor intensive work. This study is to develop a novel multi-materials laser densification (MMLD) process for dental restorations. The MMLD process utilizes laser-assisted solid freeform fabrication (SFF) to fabricate artificial dental units layer-by-layer directly from a computer model without part-specific tooling and human intervention. As such, the labor cost will be substantially reduced, and better and faster dental restorations will be achieved. (Sponsored by the National Science Foundation)

Advanced Hydrogen Storage Materials via Mechanical Activation and Nanostructures:
The objective of this project is to establish a scientific foundation for developing mechanically activated, nanoscale, hydrogen storage materials that can meet DOE�s FreedomCAR requirements (i.e., store and release ~ 10 wt% hydrogen at temperatures below 1000C with near ambient pressures). A system approach integrating comprehensive experiments and quantum-chemical modeling has been taken in this project with a focus on Li3N-based materials. At the end of this project, a prototype hydrogen delivery system with Li3N-based materials possessing ~ 10 wt% reversible hydrogen and capable of delivering 1 kg of hydrogen at ambient temperature and near ambient pressure will be demonstrated. If successful, this program will lead to novel hydrogen storage materials needed to make hydrogen vehicles a reality. (Sponsored by the Department of Energy)

Carbon-Filled Polymer Blends for Applications of PEM Fuel Cell Bipolar Plates:
A novel concept of a triple-continuous structure to provide carbon-filled polymer blends with high electrical conductivity and tensile strength simultaneously has been proposed. Low cost fabrication of such a triple-continuous structure through injection molding has been demonstrated using several different polymer blends. The concept proposed has the potential to produce low cost conductive polymers with superior conductivity and strength for bipolar plate applications of PEM fuel cells. Such a potential has been investigated in the carbon-nanotube (CNT)-filled PET/PVDF blend which exhibits 2,500% improvement in electrical conductivity, 36% increase in tensile strength, and 320% improvement in elongation over the CNT-filled PET at the same carbon loading. (Sponsored by U.S. Army through the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center)