Engineering Commons^™

Machine Learning Prediction Of Hea Properties, Nicholas J. Beaver, Nathaniel Melisso, Travis Murphy

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

High-entropy alloys (HEA) are a very new development in the field of metallurgical materials. They are made up of multiple principle atoms unlike traditional alloys, which contributes to their high configurational entropy. The microstructure and properties of HEAs are are not well predicted with the models developed for more common engineering alloys, and there is not enough data available on HEAs to fully represent the complex behavior of these alloys. To that end, we explore how the use of machine learning models can be used to model the complex, high dimensional behavior in the HEA composition space. Based on our …

Characterization Of Ground Albedo Materials For Bifacial Solar Farms, Fernanda De Los Angeles Garcia, Benny Tam, Jean Lee, James Vance

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Bifacial photovoltaics can collect solar energy from both sides, unlike regular one-sided solar panels. With the ability to collect energy from both sides, the energy production of bifacial photovoltaic farms is about 2-6% more efficient than typical solar farms. However, the increase in efficiency is highly dependent on the reflectivity of the ground material. This project explores six different materials to determine which material would be best to implement as a ground material for a bifacial photovoltaic farm, based on their mechanical properties and albedo value. Albedo refers to the ratio between the reflected solar radiation to the incident solar …

Additive Manufacturing For Medical Education, Michael Noon

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

A growing body of evidence is suggesting that anatomical knowledge, the keystone of many medical specialties, is suffering among new graduates. While a host of reasons are provided, one common thread that many point to is the decline of cadaver dissections in the classroom. Many virtual audio-visual tools are used to address this gap, yet evidence has shown their ineffectiveness. Given this gap, the high degree of flexibility found in additive manufacturing (AM), and the many uses AM has already found in the medical field, we propose its use to fill this gap, allowing for students to learn with touch …

Teaching Top-Down Approaches To The Engineering Design Process, Joshua E. Katz, Joshua E. Katz

STAR Program Research Presentations

One of the main focuses of metacognition is to have students think about their learning. By bringing the engineering design process with educational psychology together, it can lead to a society that thinks more in-depth on various topics. The goal of the internship was to utilize and teach top-down educational and instructional objectives. Throughout the project, we followed a modified progression of the System Architecture Methodology to help other interns think in a top-down fashion. The purpose of this procedure is to create and induce new innovative and creative ideas for different projects. As teaching this methodology was tasked, research …

Usage Of Fomblin Y To Improve Water Repellence Of Surface Coatings, Shawn Pj Kirby, Jeffrey Alston, Andrew Guenthner

STAR Program Research Presentations

Fluoro-Decyl POSS (FDP) has shown strong potential as a water repellant surface coating. Additionally, Fomblin is a solvent believed to have the ability to control the crystallization of POSS compounds on surfaces. Controlling the crystallization is key to improving water repelling abilities of surfaces. Thus, dip coating FDP and Fomblin onto surfaces is being investigated for water repulsion, mechanical stability, and deposition feasibility. Relative water repelling abilities of different coatings were determined by measuring contact angle of surfaces with water. Coatings with and without POSS and Fomblin were compared. It was shown that the surfaces treated with both POSS and …

Usage Of Fomblin Y To Improve Water Repellence Of Surface Coatings, Shawn Pj Kirby, Jeffrey Alston, Andrew Guenthner

STAR Program Research Presentations

Fluoro-Decyl POSS (FDP) has shown strong potential as a water repellant surface coating. Additionally, Fomblin is a solvent believed to have the ability to control the crystallization of POSS compounds on surfaces. Controlling the crystallization is key to improving water repelling abilities of surfaces. Thus, dip coating FDP and Fomblin onto surfaces is being investigated for water repulsion, mechanical stability, and deposition feasibility. First, temperature dependence of solubility of Fluoro-Decyl POSS in Fomblin was tested using Dynamic Light Scattering. Relative water repelling abilities of different coatings were determined by measuring contact angle of surfaces with water. Coatings with and without …

Comparative Solubility Of Poss Compounds In Fomblin Y, Shawn Pj Kirby, Jeffrey Alston, Andrew Guenthner

STAR Program Research Presentations

Fluoro-Decyl POSS (FDP) has shown strong potential as a water repellant surface coating. Additionally, Fomblin is a solvent believed to have the ability to control the crystallization of POSS compounds on surfaces. Controlling the crystallization is key to improving water repelling abilities of surfaces. Thus, dip coating FDP and Fomblin onto surfaces is being investigated for water repulsion, mechanical stability, and deposition feasibility. However, in order for this to be successful, POSS must be soluble in Fomblin. Temperature dependence of solubility of Fluoro-Hexyl, Fluoro-Octyl, Fluoro-Decyl POSS in Fomblin was tested using Dynamic Light Scattering. The values were compared, and it …

Gc Verification Of The Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor, Jessica S. Castro, Richard D. Kidd, Jeffrey D. Hein

STAR Program Research Presentations

International Space Station crew members face the unique challenge of maintaining air quality due to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have the potential to accumulate at unsafe levels. The Spacecraft Atmosphere Monitor (SAM) is a miniature gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GCMS) designed to measure major constituents (such as N₂, O₂ and CO₂) and trace VOCs within the cabin of the spacecraft. The gas chromatograph is responsible for separating the sample into its components in order to be characterized. The oven of the gas chromatograph must reach a temperature of 150°C in order to heat constituents …

Comparison Of Beta Backscatter And X-Ray Fluorescence Methods To Measure Coating Thickness, Sergio Palomo, Bernice Mills

STAR Program Research Presentations

This work compares and assesses the effectiveness of beta backscatter (BB) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for measuring the thickness of gold coatings on two substrates: silicon and an iron-nickel alloy. A set of samples of known gold coating thickness, ranging from 0.5 – 4.0 microns, was measured in each case along with the substrate alone. In BB the number of electrons (beta particles from a very small radioactive source, Pm-147 in this case) backscattered from a sample in a fixed time period is counted. The XRF method uses x-rays generated in the sample from a primary x-ray beam of higher …

Radiographic Density Of Selected Materials At Different Thicknesses, Thien Quang Vu-Nguyen, Bernice Mills

STAR Program Research Presentations

X-rays are widely used in medicine and materials science to identify impurities or fractures within the target object. In material science, x-rays can be used to identify the thickness of samples with different material densities. The current method is to collect a radiograph using estimated conditions, evaluate the results, then make changes to the conditions. The residual image can be rescanned making it possible to obtain an image of lower radiographic density. By tabulating or graphing the effects of energy changes and rescans, a more informed choice of conditions is possible.

For this study, six materials were chosen with a …

Wet Chemical Synthesis And Characterization Of Nanomaterials For Solar Cell Applications, Krystle N. Sy, Ramprasad Gandhiraman, Jessica E. Koehne

STAR Program Research Presentations

During long term space missions, it is necessary to have a reliable source of energy. Solar cells are an easy and reliable way to convert energy from the sun to electrical energy. NASA has used solar cells manufactured on Earth as an energy source for many of its missions. In order to develop technologies that will enable high efficiency solar cells, we are synthesizing nanostructured materials. A range of nanostructured materials, such as titanium dioxide nanowires, nickel nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles, and silver nanoparticles/nanowires, are synthesized. In this work, we are reporting on the synthesis of these nanomaterials and the electron …

Radiographic Density Of Selected Materials At Different Thicknesses, Thien Quang Vu-Nguyen, Bernice Mills

STAR Program Research Presentations

X-rays are widely used in medicine and materials science to identify impurities or fractures within the target object. In material science, x-rays can be used to identify the thickness of samples with different material densities. The current method is to collect a radiograph using estimated conditions, evaluate the results, then make changes to the conditions. The residual image can be rescanned making it possible to obtain an image of lower radiographic density. By tabulating or graphing the effects of energy changes and rescans, a more informed choice of conditions is possible.

For this study, six materials were chosen with a …

Enhanced Presentation Of Tomographic Data, Carmen Watts Clayton, Bernice E. Mills, George Buffleben, Thien Vu-Nguyen

STAR Program Research Presentations

Solid materials can now be viewed non-destructively with x-rays by tomography; a technique for taking many 2D images of an object at many angles and reconstructing the images into a 3D data cube. The data is next rendered into 2D or 3D still images or movies. By nature, x-ray tomography yields a very large amount of data in three dimensions. Effectively displaying this data to an audience is a challenge.

In this work techniques are explored to improve the presentation methods of movies of both 2D and 3D tomographic data for visual appeal and correct perspective. Finding the optimal ways …

Characterization Of Samples For Optimization Of Infrared Stray Light Coatings, Carey L. Baxter, Rebecca Salvemini, Zaheer A. Ali, Patrick Waddell, Greg Perryman, Bob Thompson

STAR Program Research Presentations

NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) is a converted 747SP that houses a 2.5 m telescope that observes the sky through an opening in the side of the aircraft. Because it flies at altitudes up to 45,000 feet, SOFIA gets 99.99% transmission in the infrared. Multiple science instruments mount one at a time on the telescope to interpret infrared and visible light from target sources. Ball Infrared Black (BIRB) currently coats everything that the optics sees inside the telescope assembly (TA) cavity in order to eliminate noise from the glow of background sky, aircraft exhaust, and other sources. A …

C-Ring Contaminate Identification By Spectroscopy And Elemental Mapping, Thien Q. Vu-Nguyen, Bernice Mills

STAR Program Research Presentations

A silver plated steel c-ring used to seal two steel pieces together was found to have contamination upon disassembly. Auger and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and mapping were used to identify the contaminate as molybdenum disulfide lubricant. Recommendations were made to avoid such contamination in the future.

Graphene Refinement By High Temperature Anneals, Benjamin A. Calvopina, Justin Bult, Jeff Blackburn

STAR Program Research Presentations

Graphene’s intrinsic properties of being a good conductor as well as having efficient optical transmission make it a potentially useful material in photovoltaic cells as a transparent conducting electrode. One problem preventing graphene from being fully utilized stems from contaminates created and deposited during the transfer process of multiple graphene layers. After synthesis, TRT (Thermal Release Tape) is applied to the graphene supported on the copper growth substrate. TRT utilizes a unique formulation of adhesive that is temperature sensitive so that it will release when heated. Upon removing the growth substrate in a chemical bath, the TRT is used to …

Commissioning Of The Asta Laser Lab With Uv Pulse Length Characterization, Daniel Kelley, Jeff Corbett

STAR Program Research Presentations

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC depends on a photocathode electron gun to provide the linear accelerator with the raw material – electrons – used for making X-ray laser pulses. The photocathode used in the LCLS Injector is a clean copper plate in high vacuum. When the cathode is struck with high energy UV light, electrons are liberated from its surface and then accelerated down the linac with radio-frequency electric fields. These fast-moving bunches of electrons are directed through an undulator magnet to radiate X-ray light.

Although scientists have been using photocathode techniques at SLAC for 25 years, …

Selective Laser Sintering; A Design Of Experiments, Philip David Hopkins, Victor Castillo Phd

STAR Program Research Presentations

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also commonly known as 3D Printing or Rapid Prototyping, is a method of manufacturing that provides for the ability to make intricate internal features and easily customizable parts. The concept is to break a Computer Aided Design (CAD) file into a series of thin layers that are sent to the machine and laid down one layer at a time. Just like any other form of processing, material properties can alter by undergoing this process. Manipulating various parameters of the AM process can allow for different properties to be achieved. For this reason, an in depth study will …

Challenges In Transdisciplinary, Integrated Projects: Reflections On The Case Of Faculty Members’ Failure To Collaborate, Linda Vanasupa, Kathryn E. Mccormick, Carolyn J. Stefanco, Roberta J. Herter, Margot Mcdonald

Materials Engineering

In this article we describe the challenges of transdisciplinary teamwork involving four faculty members from dissimilar epistemological traditions in the process of developing a manuscript on the lessons learned in our teaching collaboration. Our difficulty originated in implicit mental models and assumptions that caused incongruence between our intent to collaborate and the (habituated) relationship structure of the partnership. The dynamics are described through the lens of Tannenbaum and Schmidt’s leadership model and Aristotle’s causality. We suggest that successful collaboration necessitates careful attention to the process of establishing the collaboration, its structure, and the metacognitive capacities to see one’s own thinking, …

Transformational Innovation: Reflections On How To Foster It In Engineering Education Systems, Roger Burton, Lizabeth Schlemer, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This paper describes the educators’ disposition that we believe is required for transformational innovation. Innovating in this domain relies on interrupting existing patterns. This interruption requires the conscious recognition of patterns through an active practice of self observation. Though self observation does not necessarily need a collective process, it is served by encountering the diversity of views present in groups. Innovation in this sense consists of a fundamental identity shift in the human system and the innovators themselves. Unlike the processes of problem solving and process improvement, transformational innovation requires insight into the individual and collective attention of the designers. …

Sustainable Development - Learning Objectives, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This document is a list of learning objectives based on the framework of Fink’s taxonomy of significant learning: foundational knowledge, application, integration, human dimension, caring, and learning how to learn. It represents the aspirations for learning that the sustainable development is based on.

Sustainable Development, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This document is a set of learning materials to support the teaching of Sustainable Development issues particularly related to sustainability in engineering. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. The document is a fully-editable set of slides in open source format (pptx) that includes references to targeted learning objectives on each slide and annotations in the notes section of each slide.

Sustainable Development - Activities, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

The document contains activities for students in higher education. These activities are focused on sustainable development issues related to sustainability. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. Each activity includes a profile that indicates whether the activity involves direct or indirect information sources, whether the experience is doing or observing and whether it involves individual or group reflection. The profile also includes notes for faculty, an estimate of the time investment, a graphic of the developmental aims with respect to the six areas …

Energy - Activities, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

The document contains activities for students in higher education. These activities are focused on energy issues related to sustainability. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. Each activity includes a profile that indicates whether the activity involves direct or indirect information sources, whether the experience is doing or observing and whether it involves individual or group reflection. The profile also includes notes for faculty, an estimate of the time investment, a graphic of the developmental aims with respect to the six areas of …

Energy, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This document is a set of learning materials to support the teaching of energy issues particularly related to sustainability in engineering. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. The document is a fully-editable set of slides in open source format (pptx) that includes references to targeted learning objectives on each slide and annotations in the notes section of each slide.

Energy - Learning Objectives, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This document is a list of learning objectives based on the framework of Fink’s taxonomy of significant learning: foundational knowledge, application, integration, human dimension, caring, and learning how to learn. It represents the aspirations for learning that the energy is based on.

Fink Taxonomy Of Significant Learning, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This document is graphical summary of the framework within the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning and the definition of each of the six areas of significant learning.

Systems Thinking - Activities, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

The document contains activities for students in higher education. These activities are focused on systems thinking issues related to sustainability. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. Each activity includes a profile that indicates whether the activity involves direct or indirect information sources, whether the experience is doing or observing and whether it involves individual or group reflection. The profile also includes notes for faculty, an estimate of the time investment, a graphic of the developmental aims with respect to the six areas …

Systems Thinking, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

This document is a set of learning materials to support the teaching of systems thinking issues particularly related to sustainability in engineering. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. The document is a fully-editable set of slides in open source format (pptx) that includes references to targeted learning objectives on each slide and annotations in the notes section of each slide.

Systems Thinking - Assessment, Jane Qiong Zhang, Linda Vanasupa

Materials Engineering

The document contains an assessment activity for an individual or team project in higher education. These assessments are focused on systems thinking issues related to sustainability. It is designed for the general engineering or science audience. Its design is based on the framework of the Fink Taxonomy of Significant Learning. Each assessment consists of a scenario in which the student is an actor who must address some design dilemma. The assessment also includes an estimate of the time investment, a detailed list of learning objectives with respect to the six areas of development within the Fink Taxonomy, and a suggested …