MFA, Kent State University, 2012, College of the Arts / School of Art

The burden of dreams, employment, injury, and interactions with others has often created overwhelming and frightening emotions in me. This installation is a way of expressing the magnitude of these hindrances as I have seen them at times. Resolving problems, making choices, dealing with events out of my control and taking responsibility for my actions has brought these obstacles on. Though they impede the way I want things to be, I feel fortunate they exist. I grow stronger, wiser and more experienced once I succeed. I see beasts in the wild as unpredictable and unrestricted. Some times I see problems either self- inflicted or inevitable as being a towering menacing bull and feels like a stampede of cloven hoofs in my head. At times I exaggerate situations. It is like the giant scale of the American Bison, which seems to me larger than life and immeasurable.

Committee: Kirk Mangus (Advisor); Janice Lessman-Moss (Committee Member); Isabel Farnsworth (Committee Member) Subjects: Fine Arts

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1924, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Bachelor of Arts (BA), Ohio University, 2023, Art History

This thesis and body of work examines the experiences and collective histories of Appalachians and clay. It analyzes and responds to readings about the history of the material starting with the geological formation of clay, and moving through stories of the civilizations that have inhabited this region. Because of its history of glaciation, the Ohio Valley has an abundance of clay. For this reason, it is also one of the earliest places in the archeological record that we see pottery in North America. The use of clay in this region continued after Anglo-Americans settled on the land, with industrial uses of clay expanding and eventually leading to fine art potteries taking root in southern and central Ohio. In this body of work, I continue this collective experience in clay by engaging with my personal history in Appalachia and telling the story of how I have come to make sense of the world around me.

Committee: Cory Crawford (Advisor); Melissa Haviland (Committee Member); Jennie Klein (Committee Member) Subjects: American History; Archaeology; Art Criticism; Art History; Earth; Environmental Philosophy; Fine Arts; Geology; Native American Studies

MFA, Kent State University, 2016, College of the Arts / School of Art

The definition of ANONYMITY is the idea that a person be non-identifiable, unreachable or untraceable. My work is based on the human form and its abstraction in clay. When looking at the physical human form, I try and focus on certain areas of the body and then express them within the clay pieces. I look at clay as a skin that can be shaped and molded, and just like skin, it can hold memories and emotions over time. I am intrigued by how the light plays across the pieces, how it touches a certain area and the shadow it causes on another, and how it changes as the viewer moves around the piece. The focus of this show is on the form and therefore I have been working with a variety of naked clay bodies to create physical abstraction. Just like humanity the different shades of the clay will bring out the unique qualities within each piece but will also show the similarities between these pieces.

Committee: peter johnson (Committee Chair); isabel farnsworth (Committee Member); janice lessman-moss (Committee Member) Subjects: Art Criticism

MS, Kent State University, 2016, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Earth Sciences

Clays are used widely in sanitary landfills, embankment dams, highway embankments, hydraulic barriers, and foundations. In most of these applications, clays are compacted at maximum dry density (MDD) and optimum water content (OWC). Density and water content have a profound effect on the strength and deformation behavior of compacted clays. However, this effect has not been quantified in detail, especially the water content at which transition from brittle to plastic behavior occurs for low, medium, and high plasticity clays. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of varying water content and density on the strength and deformation behavior of low, medium, and high plasticity clays, and to quantify the transition water content between brittle and plastic behavior for each type of clay. Initially, six samples each of low, medium, and high plasticity clays were compacted, three on the dry side and three on the wet side of OWC, to establish their compaction curves. The compacted samples were failed axially under unconfined compression and were visually inspected to determine the water content at which transition occurred between brittle and plastic deformation. Additionally, three samples of each type of clay were compacted at different water contents and failed using the direct shear test. The stress-strain curves from both tests were used to determine the transition water content between brittle and plastic behaviors. The MDD values for low, medium, and high plasticity clays were found to be 102.5 lb/ft3 (1.64 Mg/m3), 95 lb/ft3 (1.52 Mg/m3), and 89.5 lb/ft3 (1.43 Mg/m3), with the corresponding OWC values of 18%, 25%, and 27%, respectively. The compressive strength values for the low, medium, and high plasticity clays at MDD and OWC were 54 psi (344.8 kPa), 59 psi (413.8 kPa), and 60 psi (420.7 kPa), respectively. The unconfined compressive strength first increased and then decreased with increasing water content, with the change in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Abdul Shakoor (Advisor); Daniel Holm (Committee Member); Neil Wells (Committee Member) Subjects: Engineering; Geology; Soil Sciences

Master of Science, University of Akron, 2015, Geology

The clay mineralogy of the Upper Devonian age Chagrin and Huron Shale Members of the Ohio Shale was analyzed over in eastern Ohio to evaluate the usefulness of comparing the ratio between illite and smectite within mixed layer clay minerals to estimate thermal maturity. The process by which smectite diagenetically converts over time to illite via burial diagenesis has been rigorously studied in the past because of its relationship with thermal maturity. While simply understanding the thermal maturity of target formations is important, studies of illitization with depth can also give insight to hydrocarbon generation windows. This relationship allows for a prediction to be made on the stages of hydrocarbon generation that have occurred in a target formation based on the ratio of illite to smectite and the Reichweite ordering within the mixed layer clay. Eighty-four samples were taken across an 8 county study area from the top and center of the Chagrin Shale Member and the center of the Huron Shale Member. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was carried out on both bulk powder and clay fraction powder samples to gain an understanding of both clay and nonclay minerals present in each sample. Clay fraction samples were analyzed in the air-dried state, after treatment with ethylene glycol, and after heating to 550º for 30 minutes, to identify all clays present. The Kubler index, the measure of full width at half maximum (FWHM), of the 10 A illite peak in the air-dried state was also recorded using XRD analysis for each sample. This was done to help identify the presence of mixed layer clays containing only a small expandable component. Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) imaging was carried out to evaluate clay authigenesis with depth, and total organic carbon (TOC) was measured via elemental combustion in a CHN analyzer. XRD analysis revealed that illite is the dominant clay mineral in all of the samples analyzed in the study and, on average, illite in (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ira Sasowsky (Advisor) Subjects: Geology; Geophysics

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2009, Civil Engineering

A series of monotonic (single-direction) and dynamic (bi-directional) direct shear tests were performed involving the interface of a textured geomembrane (GMX) and a needle-punched geosynthetic clay liner (GCL). A large dynamic direct shear machine was used to perform the test procedure. The GCL was hydrated and placed on a stationary bottom plate consisting of an aggressive gripping surface with steel teeth approximately 1.5 mm in height. The textured side of the GM was then placed against the top-half of the GCL. The smooth side of the GM was secured to a steel pullout plate with epoxy. The interface was tested in monotonic shear at varying displacement rates and in cyclic shear at multiple displacement amplitudes. All cyclic tests were followed by a post-cyclic static interface shear test.The series of shear tests were performed to investigate a number of factors: (1) whether internal GCL failure could be induced at high normal stresses, (2) the effect that a range of normal stresses (13 to 1382 kPa) can have on interface behavior, and (3) the effects of displacement rate and displacement amplitude on static and dynamic shear response, respectively. The results presented in this report indicate that monotonic displacement rates have no effect on shear strength at high normal stresses (348, 692, and 1382 kPa), and little effect at low normal stresses (13 kPa). Displacement rate may have an effect on failure mode as partial internal failures were present at slower displacement rates, and interface failures occurred at higher displacement rates. Partial internal failures only occurred at a normal stress of 1382 kPa. This normal stress appears to be close to the normal stress where complete internal GCL failure would occur for the geosynthetic material used in this study. Interface failures had smaller peak shear strengths and greater large-displacement shear strengths than internal GCL failures. Cyclic shear tests indicate a displacement amplitude of approximately (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Patrick Fox PhD (Advisor); Dr. Tien H. Wu PhD (Committee Member); Dr. Halil Sezen PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Civil Engineering

MS, Kent State University, 2008, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Earth Sciences

The versatility of diffuse spectral reflectance (DSR) was investigated as a complementary methodology to XRD and XRF when studying clay minerals in stratigraphic sequences. The Analytical Spectral Device (ASD) LabSpec® Pro FR UV/VIS/nIR spectrometer provides an innovative nondestructive methodology that is cost effective, portable, quick, and easy to use with samples in the lab or field. LabSpec® Pro FR spectrometer and similar equipment are remarkable research tools underutilized in the area of clay mixtures. This study develops a new methodology that demonstrates the versatility of the LabSpec® Pro FR and the use of DSR as a tool for generating a spectral library and then determining clay mineralogy of various core samples. Samples from two sources were evaluated: (1) sediment from core MNK3, from a slack water Pleistocene lake near St. Louis, in which stratigraphic changes in clay mineralogy occur down core, and (2) the Ordovician Millbrig K-bentonite (samples from AL, GA, KY, TN, and VA), an altered tephra in which the changes occur laterally in a single horizon. DSR spectral data is validated against XRD, ICP-MS, and XRF data. This spectral library was generated from four primary clays and clay mixtures, consisting over 231 two variable mixtures in 5% increments, by weighted percents and is augmented with spectra from the USGS spectral library. Clay mineral standards were obtained from the Clay Mineral Repository and Wards Natural Science. The aim is to close the gap that currently exists for an expanded spectral library of clay mixtures and explore the DSR variability of clay mixtures. PCA (Principal Component Analysis) was used to correlate the spectral data of the library with the two MNK3 and Millbrig sample sets. Stepwise Linear Regression (SLR) analysis was used with the composite library as an identification tool. By combining PCA analysis of unknowns with SLR against our clay mixture library, we identify our components in an objective, quantifiable way. (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Joseph Ortiz PhD (Committee Chair); John Haynes PhD (Committee Member); Ernest Carlson PhD (Committee Member); Nancy Grant PhD (Other) Subjects: Geology; Soil Sciences

MFA, Kent State University, 2007, College of Fine and Professional Arts / School of Music

This thesis explores my clay sculptures that celebrate the diversity of life that is revealed in natural objects and living organisms in and along the ocean and its shores. Each individual piece is inspired by the multitude of intricate details of sea-plants, coral, driftwood and ocean sea creatures that I have encountered throughout my life. The ocean is a place to explore, contemplate and relax, enjoying the variety nature has to offer. Through the process of creating, my work is at once familiar and strange, projecting a level of wonder and mystery. The pieces are static in the nature of sculpture, yet appear to possess a life of their own cultivating a unique, animated and sensuous presence. These sculptures suggest individuality, a fantasy creature that is inviting in form, texture and color. I chose ceramics as a medium to convey my ideas because of its organic composition and its ties to the environment. The pliable, plastic nature of clay allows me to be playful and spontaneous in my decision making. They are decisions that have been made to draw attention to the mysteries of the ocean and how it provides an endless source of inspiration. These sculptures are to be acknowledged as individual pieces representing a view into my nature, a nature that can be shared and enjoyed by those who are fascinated by the natural world of the ocean and the fantasy of the created object.

Committee: Kirk Mangus (Advisor) Subjects: Fine Arts

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2006, Polymer Engineering

Chaotic mixing of immiscible polymer blends has been known to produce morphological features such as lamellas, fibrils and droplets. In this research work, we studied the effect of fillers, such as carbon black (CB) and organically treated nanoclay, on morphology development in an immiscible polymer system, consisting of polyamide 6 (PA6) and polypropylene (PP) in a chaotic mixer. Operating conditions were chosen such that chaotic mixing was widespread inside the mixer. The filler particles were mixed with minor component PP before blending with PA6. It was found that continuous lamellar and fibrillar morphology of PP formed early in mixing produced double percolating conductive networks with only 1 wt% CB particles. The conductive networks sustained their existence even after fibrils broke into droplets. This was attributed to migration of CB particles from the bulk of PP droplets and selective localization at the interfaces of closely spaced PP droplets. It was also found that much smaller PP droplets resulted in the presence of CB particles. Prior reports in literature indicated that organically treated nanoclay particles can act as compatibilizer of immiscible polymer blends, although no study showed that how nanoclay would influence morphology development. In this study, we showed that clay particles helped produce PP droplets of much smaller size and with narrower size distribution due to their direct influence on breakup of PP domains. The clay particles reduced interfacial tension between PP and PA6 phases. Consequently, the PP domains sustained lamellar and fibrillar forms and significantly thin fibrils were formed. These thin fibrils in turn broke rapidly into smaller droplets. It was also found that a large fraction of clay particles migrated into PA6 phase and contained intercalated PA6 chains in their galleries. This indicated that clay particles did not participate in compatibilization in this system. The effect of degradation of surface treatment of n (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Sadhan Jana (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science in Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, 2005, Polymer Engineering

As a result of the degradation experienced by polymers during their use and the impurities acquired during the recycling process, recycled polymers tend to have weaker mechanical properties than their virgin counterparts. Efforts have been made to upgrade recycled high-density polyethylene so that it may compete with virgin material, both economically and performance wise. This study focuses on the improvement of the mechanical properties of recycled high-density polyethylene (RHDPE) through the addition of multi-scale reinforcements. RHDPE composites reinforced with nanoclay, cellulose fibers, and a combination of the two were made. The effects of the reinforcements on the mechanical properties of the composites as well as the effect of compatibilization on the composite properties are highlighted. To address the economic objective of this study, bentonite is investigated as a possible alternative to montmorillonite as the nanofiller in the hybrid system. Bentonite is the ore from which montmorillonite is refined. So, it is less expensive than montmorillonite, but possesses the same layered silicate structure. In this study, a hybrid composite was made and shown to have increased tensile strength and elastic modulus compared to that of virgin HDPE. The nanoscale clay reinforcement was found to provide effective stiffening to the composite, while the microscale cellulose reinforcement was found to have effective strengthening.

Committee: Lloyd Goettle (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2013, Polymer Engineering

The major objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ultrasonic treatment on the dispersion of modified clay particles in LLDPE and PA6 matrices and the final properties of nanocomposites. LLDPE and PA6 are two polymers that are widely used in packaging industry. Blown and cast films were manufactured from the prepared nanocomposites. To achieve one step film processing, an online ultrasonic film casting was developed. Ultrasonic waves caused high-energy mixing and dispersion due to the acoustic cavitation, causing the clay agglomorates to separate into individual platelets in polymer matrix. Ultrasonic waves also broke down the polymer molecular chains reducing viscosity of the melt, facilating dispersion of the clay platelets throughout the matrix. Ultrasound also led to a breakage of the clay platelets reducing the particle size and improving their distribution. Clay particles acted as a heterogenous nucleation agent generating smaller size polymer crystals. In turn, these improved different properties including mechanical properties, oxygen permeability and transparency of films. In LLDPE/clay 20A nanocomposites, the effect of ultrasound was more obvious at higher clay loadings. Exfoliated structure for ultrasonically treated nanocomposites containing 2.5, 5 and 7.5 wt% of clay 20A and highly intercalated structure for ultrasonically treated nanocomposites containing 10 wt% of clay 20A were achieved. However, in blown films, the exfoliated structure transferred to the intercalated structure due to the addition of more shear and thermal degradation of surfactants of the clay particles. While, manufacturing cast films using the new developed online ultrasonic cast film machine revealed the exfoliated structure with ultrasonic treatment till 7.5 wt% of clay loadings. Cast films of nanocomposites containing 5 wt% of clay loadings were also prepared with addition of different compatibilizers. The compatibilizer containing higher amount of grafted malei (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Avraam I. Isayev Dr. (Advisor); Kevin Cavicchi Dr. (Committee Member); Thein Kyu Dr. (Committee Member); H. Michael Cheung Dr. (Committee Member); Jae-Won Choi Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Engineering; Polymers

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1970, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2006, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1969, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1971, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1963, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1969, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1924, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects:

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 1960, Graduate School

Committee: Not Provided (Other) Subjects: