Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of "Sticky Stuff" On The Spin Rate And Break Of A Baseball Pitch, Natalie Dale

Scripps Senior Theses

In June 2021, Major League Baseball cracked down on the use of foreign substances by pitchers on the ball (Castrovince, 2021a). It is believed the sticky substances give the pitchers an unfair advantage over batters since they increase spin rate, consequently, through the Magnus Effect, creating more movement or “break” in the pitch, making it harder to hit. There are existing gaps in empirical research on this topic, thus the goal of this project was to determine the effect the banned substances have on the spin rate and related break of the pitches. By using pitch tracking technology, two types …

Drawing Parallels In Art Science For Collaborative Learning: A Case Study, Karen Westland

The STEAM Journal

This research paper explores drawing as a tool to facilitate interdisciplinary practice. Outlined is the personal experience of PhD researcher [name removed] in their physics/craft research project, combined with thoughts and opinions from collaborators gathered through group discursive interviews. Interdisciplinary projects face interpersonal and conceptually ambiguous challenges which can be addressed through adopting drawing techniques for educational purposes. Findings highlight that drawing can assist across a breadth of applications as a learning tool for everyone, regardless of drawing ability, to improve the functionality of collaborative projects. Specifically, drawing combined with other communication techniques develops a performative communicative approach that enriches …

Practical Chaos: Using Dynamical Systems To Encrypt Audio And Visual Data, Julia Ruiter

Scripps Senior Theses

Although dynamical systems have a multitude of classical uses in physics and applied mathematics, new research in theoretical computer science shows that dynamical systems can also be used as a highly secure method of encrypting data. Properties of Lorenz and similar systems of equations yield chaotic outputs that are good at masking the underlying data both physically and mathematically. This paper aims to show how Lorenz systems may be used to encrypt text and image data, as well as provide a framework for how physical mechanisms may be built using these properties to transmit encrypted wave signals.

Shakespeare, A Supernova, And A Little Green Man Walk Into A Mathematics Classroom, Sheila Kirstin Miller

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Creativity amidst constraints is a hallmark of the STEM researcher. It is precisely what is required to see what has never been seen. It is also at the core of creative mathematics, more commonly called “research”. We in the 21^st century tell ourselves that science and story are separate enterprises. One goal of this article is to tell parts of the human story—featuring Shakespeare, Tycho Brahe, visiting stars, Little Green Men, and modern astrophysics—that might erode belief in that duality and illustrate why dissolving the artificial barriers between talents within individuals is to the benefit of ourselves, our students, …

The Physicist's Basement, Nora Culik

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Turbulence, Climate And Supercomputers, Georgios Matheou

The STEAM Journal

Turbulence is often referred to as the last mystery of classical physics. Although turbulence is ubiquitous and prominent in our daily lives – from the mixing of milk in a cup of coffee to the perpetual motion of the atmosphere and the resulting weather variation – our understanding of this complex phenomenon is comparatively very limited (e.g., Davidson et al., 2011).

Creating 'Reflection And Refraction', Tara Prescott

The STEAM Journal

This essay offers personal narrative about the creation of Reflecting and Refracting, a collage artwork integrating literary and scientific texts regarding light. Reflecting and Refracting was made specifically for the STEAM journal’s first issue and elements were incorporated into the issue’s collaborative cover image, Equations of Light. The current essay, however, is the first time the original artwork is being published in its entirety.

Bottled Sky, Ioannis Michalou(Di)S

The STEAM Journal

Cloud-hunter Ioannis ΜICHALOU(di)S, lies in wait of air streams, grapping pieces of sky, shaping them, molding them, and baptizing them as ‘aerosculptures’. MICHALOU(di)S is the first visual artist worldwide to use art and science in a unique way. His latest Art-Science achievement is ‘Bottled Sky’. He states:

“In October 2001, while I was trying to create a cubic nephele, in the Visual Arts Research Centre of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), I came upon the silica aerogel for the first time... It is a space technology material, intangible -consisting of 99.9% air and 0.1% glass - which has been recently …

Breaking Glass: Exploring The Relationship Between Kinetic Energy And Radial Fracturing In Plate Glass, Andrea Hulman

Scripps Senior Theses

When glass breaks from the impact of an object, it exhibits a distinctive shattering pattern comprised of two different regions. This pattern was investigated using experimental impacts and predicted using Young’s Modulus. Results were not as expected, and it is likely that there exists error in some measurements. Further investigation of this topic is recommended.

Nonlinear Dynamics In Combinatorial Games: Renormalizing Chomp, Eric J. Friedman, Adam S. Landsberg

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

We develop a new approach to combinatorial games that reveals connections between such games and some of the central ideas of nonlinear dynamics: scaling behaviors, complex dynamics and chaos, universality, and aggregation processes. We take as our model system the combinatorial game Chomp, which is one of the simplest in a class of "unsolved" combinatorial games that includes Chess, Checkers, and Go. We discover that the game possesses an underlying geometric structure that "grows" (reminiscent of crystal growth), and show how this growth can be analyzed using a renormalization procedure adapted from physics. In effect, this methodology allows one to …

Determining The Agn Fraction Of Galaxy Groups, Rachel Paterno-Mahler

Pomona Senior Theses

Using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Martini et al. (2006) found that the AGN fraction of galaxy clusters was five times higher than previous optical studies suggested. Using visual observations only, Dressler et al. (1985) estimated the AGN fraction of field galaxies to be 5%, while that of clusters was thought to be 1%. To understand the role that the environment plays in AGN fueling, the author studied a variety of environments, ranging from the field to groups to clusters. Will the AGN fraction of groups also be higher than that of the field? The author demonstrates how the AGN fraction …

Fuzzy Blackholes, Anand Murugan

Pomona Senior Theses

The fuzzball model of a black hole is an attempt to resolve the many paradoxes and puzzles of black hole physics that have revealed themselves over the last century. These badly behaved solutions of general relativity have given physicists one of the few laboratories to test candidate quantum theories of gravity. Though little is known about exactly what lies beyond the event horizon, and what the ultimate fate of matter that falls in to a black hole is, we know a few intriguing and elegant semi-classical results that have kept physicists occupied. Among these are the known black hole entropy …

Certifications Offered By Cost Estimating Organizations, Donald S. Remer, Karen M. Ahle, Kevin J. Alley, John Silny, Karen Hsin

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

There has been an increasing trend in professional and engineering circles to place greater emphasis on official credentials. These credentials commonly come in the form of certificates – documented recognition by a professional body that an engineer or other professional has the qualifications and technical knowledge to be a practitioner in that field. These certificates are somewhat analogous to merit badges in scouting – the certification is evidence that the holder has a certain minimum level of competence in the subject area. This review will help you decide what certifications are applicable to you and the requirements to obtain a …

Investigation Of Carbon Nanotube Growth Using A Nozzle Cvd Method, James Mcfarland

Pomona Senior Theses

This work uses a modification of the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique to study the effects of source gas flow geometry (and the corresponding parameters) on carbon nanotube growth. Our approach is to flow the carbon-containing source gas through a nozzle, projecting the gas stream onto targeted regions of the substrate. This technique not only allows the potential for localized nanotube growth, but also offers an interesting opportunity to provide an experimental test of theoretical nanotube growth models.

The Viscous Catenary, John Koulakis

Pomona Senior Theses

Variational techniques are used to develop a theory for the time evolution of a thin strand of viscous fluid suspended from two points. The shape of the strand is approximated to be a parabola and energy conservation is used to derive a differential equation modeling the change in height over time. Data is collected with a high resolution camera and a strobe light to obtain the position and shape of the strand over multiple intervals of time. Three very different and unexpected types of behaviors are observed depending on the initial thickness and shape of the filament. The approximation fits …

Deep-Uv Light Emitting Diodes: An Experimental Investigation Of Characterization And Optimization Techniques, Eric M. Fraser

Pomona Senior Theses

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) have many advantages over conventional light sources. Current commercial LEDs span the spectrum from IR to near- UV. There are a variety of applications for devices that extend into the deep-UV, including biological agent detection and optical storage. The nitride material system is a set of semiconducting compounds that have wavelengths that span a broad range, from yellow to deep-UV. AlGaN has a direct bandgap that extends into the deep-UV range; we will try to grow device-quality material, deposited epitaxially using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on sapphire substrates.

Deep-Uv Light Emitting Diodes: An Experimental Investigation Of Characterization And Optimization Techniques, Eric M. Fraser

Pomona Senior Theses

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) have many advantages over conventional light sources. Current commercial LEDs span the spectrum from IR to near- UV. There are a variety of applications for devices that extend into the deep-UV, including biological agent detection and optical storage. The nitride material system is a set of semiconducting compounds that have wavelengths that span a broad range, from yellow to deep-UV. AlGaN has a direct bandgap that extends into the deep-UV range; we will try to grow device-quality material, deposited epitaxially using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on sapphire substrates.

Patterning Polymer Thin Films: Lithographically Induced Self Assembly And Spinodal Dewetting, Regina C. Carns

Pomona Senior Theses

In an age in which the microchip is ubiquitous, the rewards for novel methods of microfabrification are great, and the vast possibilities of nanotechnology lie just a little ahead. Various methods of microlithography offer differing benefits, and even as older techniques such as optical lithography are being refined beyond what were once considered their upper limits of resolution, new techniques show great promise for going even further once they reach their technological maturity. Recent developments in optical lithography may allow it to break the 100-nm limit even without resorting to x-rays.

Behavior Of Coupled Automata, Reuben Gann, Jessica Venable, Eric J. Friedman, Adam S. Landsberg

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

We study the nature of statistical correlations that develop between systems of interacting self-organized critical automata (sandpiles). Numerical and analytical findings are presented describing the emergence of "synchronization" between sandpiles and the dependency of this synchronization on factors such as variations in coupling strength, toppling rule probabilities, symmetric versus asymmetric coupling rules, and numbers of sandpiles.

Steps Toward The Creation Of A Carbon Nanotube Single Electron Transistor, R. Matthew Ferguson

Pomona Senior Theses

This report details work toward the fabrication of a single-electron transistor created from a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). Specifically discussed is a method for growing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via carbon vapor deposition (CVD). The growth is catalyzed by a solution of 0.02g Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, 0.005g MoO2(acac)2, and 0.015g of alumina particles in 15mL methanol. SWNT diameter ranges from 0.6 to 3.0 nm. Also discussed is a method to control nanotube growth location by patterning samples with small islands of catalyst. A novel “maskless” photolithographic process is used to focus light from a lightweight commercial digital projector through a microscope. Catalyst islands …

Maskless Projection Lithography, J. David Musgraves

Pomona Senior Theses

Photolithography is a key element of the modem integrated circuit process. It is photolithography, combined with metal deposition, that allows a three dimensional circuit to be built up on a two dimensional surface. Since it is such an important part of the semiconductor manufacturing industry, a massive base of research in this area already exists. The problem with this pre-existing research is that it is geared solely toward industrial purposes, as opposed to more academic research areas. The goal of my research is to move this industrial process into the academic setting of Pomom College.

Steps Toward The Creation Of A Carbon Nanotube Single Electron Transistor, R. Matthew Ferguson

Pomona Senior Theses

This report details work toward the fabrication of a single-electron transistor created from a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT). Specifically discussed is a method for growing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via carbon vapor deposition (CVD). The growth is catalyzed by a solution of 0.02g Fe(NO3)3·9H2O, 0.005g MoO2(acac)2, and 0.015g of alumina particles in 15mL methanol. SWNT diameter ranges from 0.6 to 3.0 nm. Also discussed is a method to control nanotube growth location by patterning samples with small islands of catalyst. A novel “maskless” photolithographic process is used to focus light from a lightweight commercial digital projector through a microscope. Catalyst islands …

Women In Physics In The United States, Megan Urry, Sheila Tobias, Kim Budil, Howard Georgi, Kristine Lang, Dongqi Li, Laurie Mcneil, Peter N. Saeta, Jennifer Sokoloski, Sharon Stephenson, Aparna Venkatesan, Yevgeniya Zastavker

All HMC Faculty Publications and Research

Presents an overview of the status of women in physics in the U.S. Under-representation of women; Highlights of the report 'Women in Physics, 2000'; Efforts to increase the number of women in the profession; Issues for women activists.

Large-Scale Synchrony In Weakly Interacting Automata, Eric J. Friedman, Adam S. Landsberg

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

We study the behavior of two spatially distributed (sandpile) models which are weakly linked with one another. Using a Monte Carlo implementation of the renormalization-group and algebraic methods, we describe how large-scale correlations emerge between the two systems, leading to synchronized behavior.

Spectral Equivalence Of Bosons And Fermions In One-Dimensional Harmonic Potentials, Michael Crescimanno, Adam S. Landsberg

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

Recently, Schmidt and Schnack [Physica A 260, 479 (1998)], following earlier references, reiterate that the specific heat of N noninteracting bosons in a one-dimensional harmonic well equals that of N noninteracting fermions in the same potential. We show that this peculiar relationship between heat capacities results from a more dramatic equivalence between Bose and Fermi systems. Namely, we prove that the excitations of such Bose and Fermi systems are spectrally equivalent. Two complementary proofs of this equivalence are provided; one based on a combinatoric argument, the other from analysis of the underlying dynamical symmetry group.

Disorder-Induced Desynchronization In A 2x2 Circular Josephson Junction Array, Adam S. Landsberg

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

Analytical results are presented which characterize the behavior of a dc-biased, two-dimensional circular array of overdamped Josephson junctions subject to increasing levels of disorder. It is shown that high levels of disorder can abruptly destroy the synchronous functioning of the array. We identify the transition boundary between synchronized and desynchronized behavior, along with the mechanism responsible for the loss of frequency locking. Comparisons with recent results for arrays with rectangular lattice geometries are described.

Dynamical Effects Of Partial Orderings In Physical Systems, Adam S. Landsberg, Eric J. Friedman

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

We demonstrate that many physical systems possess an often overlooked property known as a partial-ordering structure. The detection and analysis of this special geometric property can be crucial for understanding a system's dynamical behavior. We review here the fundamental dynamical features common to all such systems, and describe how the partial ordering imposes interesting restrictions on their possible behavior. We show, for instance, that though such systems are capable of displaying highly complex and even chaotic behaviors, most of their experimentally observable behaviors will be simple. Partial orderings are illustrated with examples drawn from many branches of physics, including solid …

Oscillatory Doubly Diffusive Convection In A Finite Container, Adam S. Landsberg, Edgar Knobloch

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

Oscillatory doubly diffusive convection in a large aspect ratio Hele-Shaw cell is considered. The partial differential equations are reduced via center-unstable manifold reduction to the normal form equations describing the interaction of even and odd parity standing waves near onset. These equations take the form of the equations for a Hopf bifurcation with approximate D4 symmetry, verifying the conclusions of the preceding paper [A.S. Landsberg and E. Knobloch, Phys. Rev. E 53, 3579 (1996)]. In particular, the amplitude equations differ in the limit of large aspect ratios from the usual Ginzburg-Landau description in having additional nonlinear terms with O(1) coefficients. …

Oscillatory Bifurcation With Broken Translation Symmetry, Adam S. Landsberg, Edgar Knobloch

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

The effect of distant endwalls on the bifurcation to traveling waves is considered. Previous approaches have treated the problem by assuming that it is a weak perturbation of the translation invariant problem. When the problem is formulated instead in a finite box of length L and the limit L--> [infinity] is taken, one obtains amplitude equations that differ from the usual Ginzburg-Landau description by the presence of an additional nonlinear term. This formulation leads to a description in terms of the amplitudes of the primary box modes, which are odd and even parity standing waves. For large L, the equations …

Effect Of Disorder On Synchronization In Prototype 2-Dimensional Josephson Arrays, Adam S. Landsberg, Yuri Braiman, Kurt Wiesenfeld

WM Keck Science Faculty Papers

We study the effects of quenched disorder on the dynamics of two-dimensional arrays of overdamped Josephson junctions. Disorder in both the junction critical currents and resistances is considered. Analytical results for small arrays are used to identify a physical mechanism which promotes frequency locking across each row of the array, and to show that no such locking mechanism exists between rows. The intrarow locking mechanism is surprisingly strong, so that a row can tolerate large amounts of disorder before frequency locking is destroyed.