Date of Award

2011

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Mechanical Engineering

Department

Mechanical Engineering

College

Engineering

Faculty Advisor

Karami, Ghodrat

Description

Synthetic metals are a branch of material science that deals with conducting organic molecules. The quantum mechanics of these materials show that doping can fundamentally change the conduction method and significantly increase their conductivity. Addition of conductive fillers to these synthetic metals can create a composite with even higher conductivities, with the most promising being carbon nanotubes. Ultimately, most of the research into synthetic metals is utilized for the creation of new technologies, but replacing metal in existing systems has many benefits, such as lighter weight and improved corrosion resistance. Industrial vehicle electrical systems are one such system that could benefit from synthetic metals via simplified manufacturing, assembly, and increased robustness. This paper explores the conduction methods in synthetic metals and carbon nanotubes, looks at past research on synthetic metals and conductive composites, and postulates what future research would be required to, make synthetic metals commercially viable in existing industrial vehicle applications.

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/33446

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