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Articles 1 - 25 of 25
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Development Of Quantitative Methods To Study Pfas Using Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission, Colin Langton
Development Of Quantitative Methods To Study Pfas Using Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission, Colin Langton
Honors Theses
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have become a major environmental concern. They can be found in a broad range of everyday products and pose a significant risk to the public due to their adverse health effects. They are persistent, bioaccumulate and do not break down in the environment. This project specifically aims to determine the concentration of Fluorine, a key identifier of PFAS, in environmental samples. To do this, we employ proton induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) to screen for Fluorine within our samples. PIGE is performed at the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory using a …
Investigating The Thermodynamics And Seismic Profile Of The Europan Hydrosphere Through Pure-Water Modeling And Saltwater Experiments, Samantha Rosenfeld
Investigating The Thermodynamics And Seismic Profile Of The Europan Hydrosphere Through Pure-Water Modeling And Saltwater Experiments, Samantha Rosenfeld
Honors Theses
We explore the properties of the hydrosphere on Europa involving both a modeling technique and experimental methods. We perform a computational analysis of the thermodynamic properties for an ideal, pure-water Europan ice shell using a Python programming framework called SeaFreeze. We create four models assuming surface temperatures of either 50 K or 140 K and ice shell thicknesses of either 3 km or 30 km. We observe mostly linear trends for the density and seismic wave velocities with respect to depth and find that surface temperature has the greatest effect on the models. Simultaneously, we experimentally investigate the phase diagram …
External Beam Alignment System For Quantitative Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission (Pige) Spectroscopy, Elias Ottens
External Beam Alignment System For Quantitative Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission (Pige) Spectroscopy, Elias Ottens
Honors Theses
The effects of pollution on the ecosystem are paramount in our society, permeating air, soil, and drinking water. One contaminant of concern is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also referred to as "forever chemicals", which contains fluorine (F), a potentially harmful element to humans. To investigate pollution in the environment, it is necessary to make accurate measurements of the distribution and concentrations of these PFAS chemicals. To do this, soil samples are collected and analyzed using Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) via the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory's (UCIBAL) particle accelerator. A 2.2 MeV proton beam comes into contact …
Pixe Analysis Of Heavy Metals In Soil Along The East River, Mia Villeneuve
Pixe Analysis Of Heavy Metals In Soil Along The East River, Mia Villeneuve
Honors Theses
We collected samples of soil from along the East River in Queens, New York, near the Hell Gate Bridge, on the Astoria Park side of the bridge in 2019 and on the Randall’s Island Park side in 2021. We performed proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis on the samples and found that soil closer to the Hell Gate Bridge contained higher concentrations of heavy metals, specifically lead and zinc. Many of the soil samples contained lead concentrations greater than the EPA standard of 400 ppm. We also performed PIXE analysis on a sample of the paint used on the bridge and …
Electron-Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy Of Mgo And Aluminum-Doped Mgo, Elise Liebow
Electron-Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy Of Mgo And Aluminum-Doped Mgo, Elise Liebow
Honors Theses
Radiation is a form of energy that can damage materials at an atomic level. This has implications for the mobility of radioactive waste through containment materials. We are characterizing atomic defects in materials by using Electron-Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (EPALS). When an electron and positron come into contact with each other, they annihilate and release two antiparallel 511-keV gamma rays. In a pristine crystalline sample, positrons can easily annihilate with electrons, but in a sample with vacancies/defects in the crystal structure, positrons take longer to annihilate. Therefore, the more vacancies in a sample, the longer the average lifetime of a …
Analysis Of Possible Hybrid Meson Decay, Jasper Bergh
Analysis Of Possible Hybrid Meson Decay, Jasper Bergh
Honors Theses
This research looked at data from the GlueX experiment at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility to search for evidence of the π1(1600) particle, an exotic hybrid meson, decaying to an eta' and π0. We specifically looked into decays of the eta' to an eta, π+, and π-, with the eta decaying to 3 πo's. We successfully reconstructed an eta from the 3 πo's, and an eta' from the eta, π+, and π-. However, we did not observe the π1(1600), but, a 6:1 ratio of signal to background in the eta' mass. With more statistics this would be a viable …
Elementary Computational Fluid Dynamics Using Finite-Difference Methods, Jason Turner, Scott Labrake
Elementary Computational Fluid Dynamics Using Finite-Difference Methods, Jason Turner, Scott Labrake
Honors Theses
Fluids permeate all of human existence, and fluid dynamics serves as a rich field of research for many physicists. Although the mathematics involved in studying fluids tends to get complicated, the physical intuition gained through daily exposure to such systems bridges the gap between abstract calculations and their physical meaning. We discuss the mathematical treatment and simulations of fluid flows found in everyday life, such as flow in a cavity and through a pipe. Our discussions follow the example set by several notable texts, referenced in the document.
Ion-Beam Analysis Of Artificial Turf, Morgan Clark
Ion-Beam Analysis Of Artificial Turf, Morgan Clark
Honors Theses
There have been considerable concerns in recent years that artificial turf used in many playing fields around the world may be unsafe. While the presence of heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals have been reported in a number of studies more data and research are needed to determine if there is a real link between artificial turf and adverse health effects. We performed PIXE and PIGE analysis of artificial turf blade and infill samples to search for heavy metals and other possibly toxic substances. The samples were bombarded with proton beams from the 1.1-MV Pelletron tandem accelerator in the Union College …
Colliding Wind Binaries With Orbital Motion: Line Wind Formulation, Brendan O'Connor
Colliding Wind Binaries With Orbital Motion: Line Wind Formulation, Brendan O'Connor
Honors Theses
Stars lose mass in the form of supersonic winds. In a binary star system, these winds collide to produce shockwaves. Such stellar wind collisions are observed in many binary star systems. Due to the orbital motion of the system, a trailing spiral structure is produced. We present a solution method in the co- rotating frame of the stars, which allow us to consider steady state solutions. This requires the inclusion of Coriolis and centrifugal forces, including their effects on the pre-shock winds, for which we were restricted to orbital speed slower than wind speeds. We assume efficient post-shock cooling, which …
Atomic Force Microscopy Of Poly(Ethylane-Oxide) Crystalization, Xavier Capaldi
Atomic Force Microscopy Of Poly(Ethylane-Oxide) Crystalization, Xavier Capaldi
Honors Theses
Polymer crystallization is a complex process which is influenced by a variety of factors. Atomic force microscopy is used to explore the material properties of polymer crystals. Poly(ethylene-oxide) is used in a variety of molecular weights as the sample. In addition, a variety of sample preparation methods and microscopy modes were tested. A relatively new imaging technique was identified for the characterization of polymer crystals: amplitude modulation-frequency modulation viscoelastic mapping. This mode was used to measure material properties such as stiffness and dissipation.
Gasoline Confined In Nano-Porous Media, Matthew Giso
Gasoline Confined In Nano-Porous Media, Matthew Giso
Honors Theses
The heat of combustion was determined for gasoline confined in nano-porous media of differing pore size by bomb calorimetry. The heat of combustion of the confined fuels was comparable to that of bulk within the experimental uncertainty. This suggests that all of the confined fuel burns without any flame quenching and no chemical interactions at the interface between pore walls and fuel mitigate combustion.
Heat Of Fusion Of Primary Alcohol Confined In Nanopores, Harrisonn Griffin
Heat Of Fusion Of Primary Alcohol Confined In Nanopores, Harrisonn Griffin
Honors Theses
Melting behavior of physically confined 1-decanol in nano porous silica was probed using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). In agreement with the Gibbs-Thomson prediction, we observe that the melting temperature of the confined 1-decanol scales inversely with the physical size of the pores. Contrary to the assumption used in developing the Gibbs-Thomson equation, however, the apparent heat of fusion decreases as the pore size decreases. Previously, several models have been proposed where interfacial layers of molecules do not participate in the phase transition and thereby would not contribute to the heat of fusion. While these could reconcile the seeming contradiction, …
Direction Of Lead Diffusion In Geological Samples Using Rutherford Backscattering Sepctrometry, Andrew Mccalmont
Direction Of Lead Diffusion In Geological Samples Using Rutherford Backscattering Sepctrometry, Andrew Mccalmont
Honors Theses
A Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) analysis experiment was performed on several pyrrhotite samples in order to understand their lead (Pb) diffusive properties and determine the diffusion coefficients for Pb into the sample. The pyrrhotite samples were prepared at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and were subsequently annealed for one to several days at temperatures on the order of 500–800℃. A 1.1–MV Pelletron Accelerator in the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory was used to produce beams of 3.3–MeV alpha particles. The beam of alpha particles collided with the samples and the backscattered alpha particles’ energies were detected using a silicon surface barrier detector. …
General Relativity And Differential Geometry, Harry Hausner
Pixe Analysis Of Aerosol Soil Artificial Turf And Running Track Samples, Joshua Yoskowitz
Pixe Analysis Of Aerosol Soil Artificial Turf And Running Track Samples, Joshua Yoskowitz
Honors Theses
Proton-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) has been performed on aerosol, soil, artificial turf, and running track samples using the 1.1-MV tandem Pelletron accelerator in the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory. PIXE analysis of the aerosol and soil samples was performed with 2.2-MeV proton beams. X-ray energy spectra were measured with a silicon drift detector and analyzed with GUPIX software to determine the elemental concentrations in the aerosol and soil samples. Of particular interest are the concentrations of airborne pollutants, such as sulfur that can contribute to acid rain and the acidification of Adirondack lakes such as Piseco Lake. PIXE …
Developing A Parametric Downconversion Apparatus For Single-Photon Experiments In Quantum Optics, Stephen Dilorio
Developing A Parametric Downconversion Apparatus For Single-Photon Experiments In Quantum Optics, Stephen Dilorio
Honors Theses
We report our progress toward developing a parametric down conversion apparatus for studying single photon quantum optics in undergraduate laboratory classes, following the model of Galvez et al. [1]. We pump a beta barium borate (BBO) crystal with a 405 nm diode laser to produce correlated pairs of single photons that we detect using avalanche photodiodes (APD). We can conduct coincidence and anticoincidence counts and a measurement of the degree of second-order coherence with the apparatus, and we report a g(2) < 1. We also discuss the headway towards developing a single-photon interferometer.
Optimizations For Rendering Realistic Lens Flares In Polynomial Optics, Stephen Dilorio
Optimizations For Rendering Realistic Lens Flares In Polynomial Optics, Stephen Dilorio
Honors Theses
Lens flare is a common optical phenomenon exhibited by lens systems, like those used for professional photography or film. As light travels from the front of a lens system towards the sensor at the back, it can either refract through or reflect off of the surfaces of the lenses. A lens flare is the result of (typically) unwanted reflections and scattering caused by imperfections in the lenses. This reflected or scattered light then travels to the sensor following unexpected paths. While considered by some to be degrading artifacts, lens flares have grown to become an essential ingredient for realistic imagery …
Partial Differential Equations, Nathaniel James Onnen
Partial Differential Equations, Nathaniel James Onnen
Honors Theses
This paper will discuss methods for solving many different partial differential equations, as well as real world applications in physics. We are interested in finding solutions to the wave and heat equations in one dimension, the wave equation in two dimensions, as well as a solution to Schrodinger’s equation. In order to do this, we will study different methods including Fourier series, Bessel functions, and Hermite polynomials. I will use these methods to derive solutions for the mentioned problems, as well as to produce visualizations for many of them.
Annealing 2-Decanol In Nano-Confined Systems: Effects Of Annealing Time, Caleb Novins
Annealing 2-Decanol In Nano-Confined Systems: Effects Of Annealing Time, Caleb Novins
Honors Theses
We studied melting and freezing of 2-decanol nano-crystals (100 Angstrom to 1000 Angstrom) using a Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). In agreement with the Gibbs-Thompson equation, the melting temperature of nano crystals decreases with physical size and its change scales linearly with the inverse of physical size. The apparent heat of fusion of the nano scaled systems, however, has been found to be lower than the heat of fusion for the bulk. Although this is in agreement with previous experimental observations, it is in contradiction with the assumptions used to develop the Gibbs-Thompson equation. We believe that the apparent heat of …
Analysis Of Atmospheric Aerosols Collected In An Urban Area In Upstate Ny Using Proton Induced X-Ray Emission (Pixe) Spectroscopy, Jeremy Smith
Honors Theses
We have performed a PIXE analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples collected in Schenectady, NY, to study airborne pollution in an urban environment. The samples were collected using a PIXE International, 9-stage, cascade impactor that separates the airborne particles according to aerodynamic diameter and deposits them on thin Kapton foils. The impacted foils were bombarded with 2.2-MeV proton beams from the Union College 1.1-MV Pelletron accelerator and the emitted X-rays were detected with an Amptek silicon drift detector. The X-ray energy spectra were analyzed using GUPIX software to determine the elemental concentrations in the samples. A broad range of elements from …
A Comparative Study Of Gupix And Geopixe Software In The Analysis Of Pixe Spectra Of Aerosol Samples, Sean Collison
A Comparative Study Of Gupix And Geopixe Software In The Analysis Of Pixe Spectra Of Aerosol Samples, Sean Collison
Honors Theses
Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy is a powerful tool used in the Union College Ion-Beam Analysis Laboratory for the elemental analysis of environmental pollution. Samples are bombarded with proton beams from the 1.1‐MV Pelletron accelerator and characteristic X-rays emitted from the samples are detected, resulting in X-ray energy spectra. These spectra are analyzed using software packages that fit the data and calculate the concentrations of elements in the samples. I have performed a comparative study of two of the most popular software packages, GUPIX and GeoPIXE, in the analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples to assess the strengths and weaknesses of …
Design And Construction Of An Optical Tweezers, Pavel Aprelev
Design And Construction Of An Optical Tweezers, Pavel Aprelev
Honors Theses
We constructed an optical tweezers apparatus, used it to trap transparent micron-sized particles, and moved those particles within a sample by moving the sample relative to the focal point of the trapping beam. The optical trap was based on the fact that focused coherent light creates forces on dielectric objects that point towards the focal point. The magnitude and the span of the force are dependent on the size of the focal point of the beam - generally around 1µm - and the intensity of light. We used an 808 nm 200 mW laser and a piezoelectric stage to trap …
Production And Characterization Of Electrospan Polymer Nano-Fibers, Anna Sise
Production And Characterization Of Electrospan Polymer Nano-Fibers, Anna Sise
Honors Theses
Electrospinning is a process of generating polymer fibers by accelerating a polymer solution through an electric field. The polymer solution is released at a designated rate through a syringe; once the droplet enters the high voltage region, it whips throughout the chamber, landing upon a grounded collector. This procedure results in fibers with a range of diameter from several nanometers to a few micrometers. These fibers can be used in a variety of applications, including drug delivery, filter media, material substrates, optical media, tissue scaffolds, and wound dressing. For my senior thesis, I established the most successful method of creating …
Comparative Study Of Aerosols Using Particle Induced X-Ray Emission, Colin L. Gleason
Comparative Study Of Aerosols Using Particle Induced X-Ray Emission, Colin L. Gleason
Honors Theses
A comparative study of atmospheric aerosols was performed on samples collected in Schenectady, NY using Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) spectroscopy. PIXE is an elemental analysis technique used to measure the elemental concentration of a sample. This is part of a systematic study to identify the sources and understand the transport, transformation, and e˙ects of airborne pollutants and the connection between aerosols, the deposition of pollution, and the uptake of pollutants by wildlife and vegetation. The atmo-spheric aerosols were collected with a nine-stage cascade impactor that allows for the analysis of the particulate matter as a function of particle size. …
Ion-Beam Analysis Of Airborne Pollution, Charles I. Harrington
Ion-Beam Analysis Of Airborne Pollution, Charles I. Harrington
Honors Theses
A research program in ion-beam analysis (IBA) of atmospheric aerosols is being developed to study pollution in the Capital District and Adirondack Mountains of New York. The IBA techniques applied in this project include proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE), proton induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE), Rutherford backscattering (RBS), and proton elastic scattering anal-ysis (PESA). These methods are well suited for studying air pollution because they are quick, non-destructive, require little to no sample preparation, and capable of investigating microscopic samples. While PIXE spectrometry is used to analyze most elements from silicon to uranium, the remaining techniques an-alyze some of the lighter …