Graduate Student Web Pages - Nadir Yildirim

NADIR YILDIRIM

Contact Information

PhD. Student

School of Forest Resources

Advanced Structures & Composites Center

35 Flagstaff Road

University of Maine

Orono, Maine

Mobile: +01 (207) 735-7898

Phone: +01 (207) 581-2402

Fax: +01 (207) 581-2074

E-mail: nadir.yildirim@umit.maine.edu

E-mail: nadir.yildirim@maine.edu

 

Research Interest

CELLULOSIC AEROGELS (AEROCELLS)

 

The environmental, economic, and political impacts of energy production and use are one of the central issues of the world. One of the largest uses of energy is for the heating and cooling of buildings. One way to increase the energy efficiency of buildings is through improved insulation performance of the building envelope. The potential role of using renewable cellulosic aerogels for structural insulating foams is being evaluated for meeting this need.

My main scientific interest is nanomechanics of cellulosic aerogels (Aerocells). Gaining an understanding of the material behavior at this scale offers the potential to define the optimal nanostructure for a structural foam application. Aerogels are the lightest solid materials and the best insulation materials in the world and they still holds 15 entries in the Guinness Book of Records. Cellulose is one of the most ubiquitous and abundant renewable polymers on the planet and can be used in various applications such as building/constructions, packaging, automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. In this document, I summarize my research contributions that have direct relevance to cellulosic aerogels reinforced with microfibrillated cellulose.

Cellulosic Aerogels Reinforced with Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) for Structural Insulating Foams

During this study, an atomic force microscope (AFM) is couple with a nanoindenter for characterization and determining nanomechanical behavior of aerocells.

Figure 1. The MFP Nanoindenter

In nanoindentation small loads and tip sizes are used, so the indentation area may only be a few square micrometers or even nanometers. This presents problem in determining the mechanical properties, as the contact area is not easily found. Atomic force microscopy may be utilized to image the indentation. The Atomic Force Microscope is an instrument that can analyze and characterize samples at the nano and micro level.

     

Figure 2. AFM images of wood samples

      

Figure 3. AFM images of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNC)

The surface characteristics can be viewed with very accurate resolution ranging from 100 μm to less than 1μm. The best resolution for an optical microscope is about 0.2 microns. The AFM operates by allowing an extremely fine sharp tip to either come in contact or in very close proximity to the sample that is being imaged. This tip is usually a couple of microns long and often less than 100Å in diameter. The tip is located at the free end of a cantilever that is 100 to 200μm long.

Education

• PhD. 09/2011 ~             – University of Maine, School of Forest Resources, AEWC, Orono, ME, USA
• MSc. 09/2007 ~ 12/2010 – Mugla University, Faculty of Technology, Wood Science &Technology, Mugla Turkey
• BSc.  09/2003 ~ 06/2007 Karadeniz Technical University, Department of Forestry, Trabzon, Turkey, Forestry Industrial Engineer

Work Experience

• 2012-2013 Teaching Assistant (2012-2013) School of Forest Resources, AEWC, University of Maine, Orono/ME, USA
• 2011-2012 Graduate Research Assistant (2011- 2012) School of Forest Resources, AEWC, University of Maine, Orono/ME, USA
• 2011-2011 Lecturer (2011-2011) Wood Science and Techhnology, Mugla University, Turkey
• 2008-2010 Graduate Research Assistant, Wood Science and Techhnology, Mugla University, Turkey (2008- 2010)

Posters, Publications and Congresses

• Micro/Nano Fibrillated Cellulose (M/NFC) Aerogels for Structural Insulating Foams, The Advancements in Fiber-Polymer Composites: Wood Fiber, Natural Fibers and Nanocellulose, May 6-7, 2013, Milwaukee, WI, USA
• Polymer Nanocomopsites from the Surface Energy Perspective: A Critical Review, Rev. Adhesion Adhesives, 1-2: 175-215, April 2013
• Characterization of the surface energetics of cellulosic micro/nano-fibers using inverse gac chromatography, June 4-7, 2012 Tappi International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewabe Materials, Hyatt Regency Montreal, Quebec, CANADA
• Cellulosic Aerogels Reinforced with Microfibrillated Cellulose (MFC) for Structural Insulating Foams, Polymer Nanocomposites Conference, March 5-7, 2012 Rauch Business Center, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania USA
• Materials Research Society Fall Meeting & Exhibit, November 28 – December 2, 2011, Hynes Convention Center, Boston, MA, USA
• “Determination of Anthropometric Measurements of Mugla University Students”, 17th. National Ergonomics Congress, 14^rd – 16^th October,2011
• “IDI: Intercultural Devolopment Inventory Qualifying Seminar”, Alicante, Spain, 1^th-l-3^rd April, 2011
• “Ultimate Failure Load and Stiffness of Screw Jointed Furniture Cabinets Constructed of Particleboard and Medium Density Fiberboard”,  Forest Product Journal, 61-2, February 2011
•  “Wheelchair Users Problems at Cinemas and The Suggestions”, 16th. National Ergonomics Congress, 3^rd – 5^th December,2010
• “Encountered Problems With Use of A Laptop Computer and Ergonomic Solutions of Them”, Ergonomics Congress, 3^rd – 5^th December,201

Activities

• Certified Swim Trainer 2006
• Open Water Diver, PADI 2006
• Advanced Open Water Diver, PADI 2007

Honors and Professional Organization

• 1^st Prize in a graduate student oral presentation competition at the Grad Expo 2013, Homemade Nanofoams, March 28-29, 2013 Innovative Media Research and Commercialization Center, University of Maine, Orono, Maine USA
• 2^nd Prize in a graduate student poster competition at the Grad Expo 2012, April 12-13, 2012 Wells Conference Center, University of Maine, Orono, Maine USA
• Member of SWST (Society of Wood Science and Technology)
• Member of MRS (Materials Research Society)
• School of Forest Resources, University of Maine, Awarded with full scholarship for Doctor of Philosophy, August, 2011
• IDI QA: Intercultural Devolopment Inventory Qualified Administrator, Alicante, Spain, 1^th-l-3^rd April, 2011
• Ranked first in Faculty of Technology, 2007 ~2010, Mugla University, Mugla-Turkey
• Ranked first in exam in Wood Science and Furniture area, Awarded with full scholarship for Master of Science in the Turkey
• Ranked fourth in the Department, 2003 ~2007, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon- Turkey
• Member of IFSA
• Member of TEMA

Projects

• “VALEU: Validation of immigrants’ vocational skills and competences in tourism services as an integration warrant in the EU” 2010-2012

• VALEU-Kick-off Meeting, Dobrich, Bulgaria (8th November 2010 -12th November 2010)

• VALEU Kick off Meeting, Bragança, Portugal (28th April 2011 to 1st May 2011)

• “SKILLS: Sustainable Know-How in Intercultural Learning in Student Placements and the Knowledge Transfer to Enterprises” 2010-2012

• SKILL2E 1st Progress Control Meeting, Alicante, Spain (30^th March 2011-3^rd April 2011)

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