Recent Semantic Changes For The Term "Digital", Tore Brattli

Proceedings from the Document Academy

The term digital originates from the Latin word for finger/counting and has for many years been used to denote discrete signals and information, as opposed to analog. Discrete representation is an important principle, not only in computers, but also for (printed) text, music scores and even our genes. Recently however, the use of the term has increased and the meaning expanded to include almost everything related to information technology, e.g. digital natives and digital addiction. This study investigates the core principles of digital representation and compares this concept with the recent usage, with a focus on Norwegian media. The purpose …

Economical Retrofit System To Reduce Cooking Emissions In Third World Dwellings, Jonathan Vanzummeren, Tyler Sturgeon, Ben Dalessandro

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract:

The purpose of this document is to propose and demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of substituting an open flame biomass cooking process with a closed system with the capabilities of sustaining an adequate fire. Clay ovens or “chulhas” are the traditional piece of cooking equipment used in poorer areas of the world. They are often built inside cramped one-room housing units with little or no ventilation. The emissions released from burning fuel sources such as wood, coal, or animal waste bring with them detrimental and often fatal health problems and results in approximately 1.3 million deaths per year.

The …

Emlighten, Emily Mulvany

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project is focused on creating a system to increase patient satisfaction in hospitals. My senior design team has been working hand in hand with the emergency department of Akron General to design this system called EMlighten. The goal is to create an experience for patients where they exit the hospital feeling more satisfied than they currently are. Patient satisfaction is a key performance indicator used by many hospitals to determine how much additional funding each hospital department is granted. If patients feel more satisfied, not only is that indicative of better care, but departments will receive extra funding. EMlighten …

Analysis Of Sensor Coil Implemented In Maxwell-Wien Bridge Circuit For Detecting Ferrous And Non-Ferrous Particles, Kue Z. Yang, Robert J. Veillette, Joan E. Carletta

Electrical and Computer Engineering Student Research

This paper presents an analysis of a wear debris sensor coil implemented in a Maxwell-Wien Bridge circuit used in detecting ferrous and non-ferrous particles. The sensor coil is designed to have a diameter approximately 15 times larger than the largest particle being detected. To detect particles up to 2 mm in diameter, a coil 30 mm in diameter was constructed. Simulations of the experiment indicate that the available particles should be detectable by the sensor coil. However, experimental results indicate that the Maxwell-Wien Bridge does not detect the available particles. Further simulations are presented accounting for parasitic capacitance of the …

The Effect Of Green Structures On Hydrology In Urban Areas Of Akron, Ohio, Brooke Hayes, Brian Long

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Stormwater runoff is a major environmental concern in dense urban areas. Runoff in these areas contributes to flooding as well as water quality problems in the streams, lakes, and reservoirs downstream. The Cuyahoga River is the receiving waterbody for the City of Akron’s stormwater runoff. Currently, combined sewer overflow (CSO) from the city's outdated sewer system is the overriding reason for poor water quality in the Cuyahoga River.

Implementation of green infrastructure is one way to mitigate problems associated with stormwater runoff from urban areas. In this study, hydrologic modeling of the Little Cuyahoga watershed was conducted to determine how …

Operational And Water Quality Analysis For The City Of Akron's Water Treatment Plant And Distribution System, Chelsea James

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Chlorination is one of the most common methods of treating pathogens and ensuring microbial water quality in water treatment and distribution. As chlorinated water leaves the source and travels through the water distribution system, the chlorine reacts with both the organic compounds (dissolved organic carbon, DOC) in the source water and the corrosion or biofilm of the pipe walls. The chlorine concentration, or chlorine residuals, at any point in the water distribution system is a good measure of water quality. At the same time, chlorination produces disinfection byproducts as the chlorine also reacts with other naturally-occurring materials in the water. …

Reducing Fretting Corrosion At The Femoral Neck To Taper Junction In Total Hip Arthroplasty, Andrea M. Carly, Nicholas S. Moyer, Abel S. Pietros

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Fretting corrosion due to micromotion between the femoral head and neck of hip implants is a growing concern of surgeons and patients. Debris from corrosion can lead to severe adverse effects for patients of total hip arthroplasty and reduce the lifespan of the product. Previous studies conducted by Zimmer Biomet show a connection between higher impaction force and reduced fretting corrosion and debris. This design project explored this issue and developed a training device using a current technology, a dynamic force sensor, and data analysis software for surgeons to obtain muscle memory of a 4kN strike on the head impactor, …

Hvac Monitoring System, Ryan Gerhart, Tyler Miller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report outlines the design and implementation stages of the development of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) airflow, humidity, and temperature monitoring device. The purpose of the device is to collect data to inform manufacturers and users about the current operational status of the HVAC system in place. Information about the airflow, humidity, and temperature is to be collected and wirelessly transmitted to a central database, where the data can be stored for later use and processing. The sensors and transmitter are to be powered using only energy harvested from the system, so that this data can be …

Hydroband: The Continuous Hydration Monitoring System, Karina E. Atkinson, Catherine P. Benedict

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Dehydration is defined as a mild, moderate, or extreme loss of water in the body. It can result in fever, muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness, or heat stroke in athletes. Ways to determine hydration levels include analysis of the urine, blood, or sweat, body weight changes, skin elasticity tests, and increases in core temperature. Patent search, research journals, and outside studies in the health and fitness market showed that a convenient and continuous hydration monitoring system was not available. Changes in core body temperature proved to be the quickest way to measure hydration levels. The HydroBand system is geared towards athletes …

Separation Of Water From Ulsd Using Superhydrophobic Ps Nanofiber Mats, Alisa G. Webel

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Superhydrophobic polystyrene nanofiber membranes have potential to separate micron scale water droplets from organic due to their hydrophobicity and small pore openings. Polystyrene nanofibers were electrospun into flat sheets and cylindrical filter membranes. The fibers were crosslinked to increase strength and reduce solubility in diesel fuel. The filters were tested and the filtration efficiency was compared to their non-crosslinked counterparts. The optimal electrospinning conditions to create superhydrophobic nanofibers were found to be 20 wt. % PS fibers at 1 mL/hr. under a current of 20kV and at a distance of 20 cm away from the ground. It was found that …

Galvanic Corrosion On Monel K-500 And 1018 Carbon Steel Couple, John K. Nnyanzi

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this research project was to evaluate galvanic damage on 1018 Carbon Steel coupled to Monel K-500 at varying rotation speeds on a rotating cylinder electrode in an aerated solution of ASTM artificial seawater. The work in this project is and attempt to study corrosion behavior for a Monel fastener coupled to a Carbon Steel plate. Polarization curves of each material at different rotation speeds were created to predict the corrosion behavior for a galvanic couple of Carbon Steel and Monel. The Potentiodynamic sweeps predict an increase in the corrosion current density for the galvanic couple when then …

Plc Water Pump Control, Kevin Logsdon

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project set out to use a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to control a water pump to maintain the water level in a tank at a desired setpoint. A proximity sensor is mounted above the upper reservoir to detect the distance to the water level from the sensor, which will be communicated back to an Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLC. To control the water level, an AC variable speed drive, that can receive instructions from the PLC, is connected to a water pump that will ramp up the RPM as the water level drops below the setpoint to bring it back to …

Stress Corrosion Cracking Evaluation Of Carbon Steel In Biodiesel And The Effect Of Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (Unsm) On 304 Stainless Steel, Josh Geyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The project that was performed was stress corrosion cracking (SSC) of carbon steel in biodiesel, petroleum diesel and a mixture. The project also included the effect of Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification (UNSM) on 304 stainless steel. It included the assembly of a slow strain rate (SSR) machine and carrying out testing using the SSR machine. The assembly of the machine will require purchasing and building a stand to house the electrical equipment which includes the computer, actuator control panel and the actuator power supply. The assembly will also include designing and purchasing the connections to connect the actuator to the …

Home Networking With Enterprise Equipment, Alex Lowers

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project tested various wired and wireless topologies and benchmarked download speeds and quality for various types of media. For music, topology had a negligible impact. High quality video streams were impacted by latency introduced in the wireless topologies. Likewise, video game streaming, especially games of high graphical fidelity, were negatively impacted when streamed over a wireless network. For all types of media, a fully wired topology is recommended.

Below-Grade Structurla Flexibility Study For Seismic-Resistant, Self-Centering, Concentrically-Braced Frames, Derek A.J. Hauff

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Self-centering, concentrically braced frames (SC-CBFs) are seismic-resistant lateral-load resisting systems for buildings that increase the lateral drift capacity in comparison to conventional CBFs. Two different substructures were examined on a six-story and a ten-story building to see which below grade structure was more efficient and how the flexibility from the addition of a basement compares to previous research of SC-CBFs structures without basements.

The study was completed in phases: modeling of forces in SAP2000, sizing of structural members, coding of structure into the modeling program Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (OpenSees), and comparison of the output data.

Substructure one …

Impacts Of Water Sources On The Effectiveness Of Point-Of-Use Water Treatment, Robert Brophy

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Disinfection of drinking water provides a safe, reliable, and clean water supply and has been protecting public health successfully throughout the 20th century. However, factors such as deteriorating infrastructure, introduction of microbial pathogens, or disinfection byproducts create problems and reduce the effectiveness of a drinking water treatment plant. Every day the public is drinking known carcinogens that are regulated by the EPA and tested for quarterly by treatment plants. To combat rising costs involved with upgrading source water treatment, point-of-use treatment is a popular option that treats water as it leaves the distribution system instead of being treated before discharge. …

Construction Of Polyurethane Fabric Nanocomposites For Use In Resistance Temperature Detectors-Effect Of Polyurethane Concentration, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, And Oxidant, Jordan M. Shaffer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Current resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) are rigid and create pressure points when used in contact with the human body. The current RTDs can also not be used in confined areas like the inside of a prosthetic. The research done for this paper explores the possibility of creating a soft fabric like RTD that can accurately measure temperature. This RTD could be used in medical devices, be placed in prosthetic legs, and be worn for a long period of time creating no discomfort for the user. Polyurethane scaffolds were created through an electrospinning process and multiwalled carbon nanotubes were adhered to …

Protein Sequence-Structure-Function Relationship: Testing Ke-50 Modification On Recombinant Green Fluorescent Protein (Acgfp), Anna E. Burkey

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Protein modification shows promise for improving the effectiveness of protein therapy, including the use of Interferon-beta-1b for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. The addition of a chain of 50 lysine and glutamic acid residues (also called a KE50 modification) was tested on green fluorescent protein (AcGFP) to determine its effect on the bioactivity of the protein. Standard transformation protocol was used to grow the normal and modified proteins in E.Coli, and the bioactivity of the protein was measured using quantum yield and extinction coefficients to determine the reduction in brightness from the native form to the modified form. The …

Calcium Alginate Microbead Production Via An Air Assisted Shearing Process, Ryan Loftus

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this project was to model the size of calcium alginate microbeads produced by extruding a solution of 1.5 wt.% alginate from a syringe and needle with air shear generated from a pneumatic line flowing in an annular tube around the extrusion needle. The air shear would create microdroplets that would fall into a solution of 2 wt.% calcium chloride in water, crosslinking the droplets into beads. These microbeads can be used in drug dispersion applications or in encapsulation of cells throughout the body due to their biocompatibility. The goal was to create uniform beads that ranged from …

The Effect Of Drying On The Release Of Small Hydrophilic Molecular Drugs From Polyelectrolyte Complex Beads, Dounsavanh Letdara

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The effects of bead composition and dryness on the release rate of small molecules, like a drug or dye, from polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) beads were studied. Release studies were performed on dried and not dried beads prepared using different PEC to drug ratios. The beads were dried for two hours, which allowed them to reach a constant weight. The beads were loaded with a dye, so their release could be detected through the visible light regime. A plate reader was used to determine the absorbance of a sample, and then the amount of dye released was determined. The data presented …

Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion: Rhamnolipid Effects, Andrea M. Wildroudt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this experiment was to identify if a rhamnolipid could inhibit the growth of a biofilm on carbon steel coupons and result in less corrosion activity. This type of research impacts various industries (with one of the largest being the oil and gas industry). Multiple systems with varying concentrations of the rhamnolipid were created to determine, if any, the optimum concentration to inhibit biofilm growth. The systems were created and exposed to optimum physio-chemical environments to promote SRB induced corrosion. Coupons were immersed for 28 days. Seven systems were created with varying rhamnolipid concentrations; to ensure accurate results, …

Oxidation Resistance Of Nanocrystalline 316l Stainless Steel Processed By High Pressure Torsion, Kevin J. Meisner

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

High Pressure Torsion (HPT) is a materials processing method used to refine the grain size of metallic materials through the application of simultaneous axial and torsional strain. HPT is reported to result in nanocrystalline structure, which the current scientific literature suggests may improve the high temperature oxidation resistance by enhancing diffusion of solutes, particularly Cr, to the surface to form a protective external oxide scale. If oxidation resistance is improved, this possibly allows the use of 316L in oxidizing environments where more expensive alloys are typically used. However, the influence of grain refinement to nanoscale on various properties have been …

Diffusive Behavior Of Physically Cross-Linked Hydrogels, Morgan A. Stilke

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

A hydrogel is a water swollen polymeric network that has the potential to transform a variety of biomedical applications because of its biocompatibility and water content. Unfortunately, hydrogels typically have poor mechanical robustness. The majority of the content is water, while the remaining structure consists of a physical network, a covalent network, or a combination of both, yielding strength and toughness. There are several strategies attempted to improve mechanical properties including double network hydrogels comprised of two interpenetrating networks: one being a highly crosslinked sacrificial network and the other being a weakly crosslinked network that maintains reversibility after deformation. However, …

Smart Tail-Light System, Julia Wood, Donald G. Haiss

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Vehicle Research, 29% of all vehicle accidents are rear end collisions. Many are a result of failure to respond to a slowing or stopped vehicle. [1] The purposed LED rear lighting system will incorporate attention getting techniques to increase vehicle visibility to other drivers. Due to the small size and stature of the 2015 human powered vehicle called Joey, it will be out of the ordinary when traveling on roadways. “Three in four (72%) bicyclists who rode after dark said they tried to do something to make themselves more visible.” …

Passivation And Potential Fluctuation Of Az31b Alloy In Alkaline Environments, Ana C. Bacco

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are used in many industries because of their distinctive properties, but their high chemical reactivity and poor oxide film protection make them inferior. This project focused on investigating the effects of secondary phases and intermetallic particles (IMPs) on the corrosion behavior of AZ31B Mg alloy. The test solution was chloride free NaOH with varying pH levels between 10-14, as well as testing under deaerated conditions. The open circuit potential (OCP) measurements using AZ31B in static NaOH solutions showed potential fluctuation between approximately -1.6 V_SCE (active state) and -0.4 V_SCE (passive state) during the 24-h immersion. …

An Exploration Of Structural Timber Innovation, Simon Beskitt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

In many undergraduate programs of study, civil and structural engineering students are exposed to introductory material regarding timber construction. The information received in the undergraduate experience typically consists of a brief summary of the basic mechanical properties of wood but does not significantly cover timber design. Much greater emphasis is placed on design practices involving steel and concrete, likely due to their prominence in contemporary building trends in civil engineering. While it is true that wood is one of the older materials in terms of its utilization in structural and architectural design, it is certainly not an antiquated choice. Wood …

Investigation Of Degradation Of Amine Sorbent, Elijah Arendt

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance of amine-grafted sorbents, specifically when they are degraded at 120°C. This study varied the amine source and the amount of it in the sorbent. The additive type and the amount of it was also manipulated. The performance of sorbents is characterized by CO₂ capture capacity, which is the amount (in mmol) of CO₂ captured per gram of sorbent at 40°C. The best performing sorbents are ones that maintain their CO₂ capture capacity after degradation. When the amount of additive was manipulated, the sorbents containing 2% b.w. and …

Prediction Of Vapor/Liquid Equilibrium Behavior From Quantum Mechanical Data, Marshall J. Gnap

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

MOSCED (Modified Separation of Cohesive Energy Density) is a particularly attractive model for activity coefficients because it offers intuitive insights into how to tune solvent-solute interactions to achieve optimized formulations. Unfortunately, only 133 compounds have been characterized with the MOSCED method. Furthermore, there is no convenient method for extending MOSCED predictions to new compounds. The hypothesis of the present research is that the surface charge density of a molecule, once normalized over the molecule surface area, provided graphically by a σ-profile from density functional theory (DFT) computations, can be used to estimate the parameters used in the MOSCED model. DFT …

Fatigue Performance Of Glass Fiber/Epoxy Composite At Low Temperature, Prajakta Govande 2817401530, Dominic R. Cross, Kwek Tze Tan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Due to technological advancement in the manufacturing methods of composites, these materials find a plethora of applications which include but are not limited to wind energy projects in the form of turbine blades. These blades at times are exposed to temperatures as low as -40ᵒC. Therefore, there is a need to study low-temperature effects on such materials under different loading scenarios. This study investigates the possibility of utilizing MAC/GMC as a simulation tool to match trends of mechanical properties such as fatigue performance and stiffness variation of a given Glass fiber/Epoxy composite at 23ᵒC (room temperature) and -40 ᵒC, under …

Compact Electric Personal Transport, James M. Maganja Mr.

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of this project was to design a compact and powerful personal transport vehicle around the high performance electric power systems associated with large radio controlled aircraft. The relatively powerful and lightweight components associated with these models are the perfect candidate for this application. The selected electric motor for instance is rated at 3kW of continuous power with a mass of just 384 grams.

There were engineering challenges that arose from using these types of components for a vehicle application. At its designed operating voltage the motor will be spinning at around 25,000 rpm. This will require a novel …