Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Design And Construction Of A Modular Nai(Tl) Detector Array For Use In The Parity- And Time Reversal Violation Measurements For Noptrex, Jon Mills, Jason Fry

Posters-at-the-Capitol

The goal of the NOPTREX collaboration is to probe the Standard Model by utilizing the properties of low energy neutron-nucleus resonances to find evidence of parity- and time-reversal-odd violations. In order to conduct these sensitive experiments, it is needed to design and simulate an array of modular, high precision NaI(Tl) detectors. These detectors will be designed to operate in both pulse and current modes. We have tentative beam time at LANSCE to perform a search for new parity violation in heavy nuclei as candidates for time reversal and to perform a research and development effort on the n+d=t+gamma experiment. We …

A Neutral Model Of 100 Million Years Of Chromosome Inversions In The Yeast Genus Lachancea, Brian Clark

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

A Quantum Mechanics Approach For The Dynamics Of An Immigration, Emigration Fission Model, Leon Arriola

Annual Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology Education and Research

No abstract provided.

High Speed Impact On Graphene Composites, Giovanny A. Espitia

Symposium of Student Scholars

Since the isolation of Graphene occurred in 2004, numerous studies attempting to exploit the properties of this carbon allotrope have been conducted. Graphene exists in a 2-D manner with sp2 bonds, which provides the allotrope with great electrical, conductive, and mechanical properties. In this paper however, we will focus on the latter in order to examine the feasibility of graphene composites for bulletproof material in the military. Pure graphene sheets count with high porosity density that leads to structural defects as well as poor mechanical properties due to physical contact being sole retainer. For this reason, the selected composite is …

Therapeautic Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles, Angel E. Vasquez

Symposium of Student Scholars

The overall goal of the research project is to create a glass that produces cerium oxide nanoparticles and as an efficient delivery mechanism. Cerium is able to exist as Ce3+ and Ce4+ because it has two partially filled subshells. This coexistence allows cerium oxide to have antioxidant properties that reduce the number of free radicals in that body that are associated with cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. In our laboratory, using a soluble borate glass, cerium oxide nanoparticles are created to coexist in Ce3+ and Ce4+ valences This borate glass composition is doped with different amounts of Cerium(IV) Oxide and …

Physical Properties Of Polar Magnetic Oxides Hofewo6

Symposium of Student Scholars

Polar magnetic oxides are interesting systems to study due to the possibility of hosting functional properties such as ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, etc. In this work, a new compound HoFeWO₆ is synthesized using high-temperature solid-state reaction and characterized using x-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, magnetization measurements, and dielectric measurements. The x-ray and neutron diffraction results indicate that HoFeWO₆ crystallizes in polar (non-centrosymmetric and achiral) orthorhombic structure P n a 21. The magnetization measurements indicate that HoFeWO₆ exhibit paramagnetic to antiferromagnetic transition at T_N = 18 K. The dielectric properties at room temperature indicate that the dielectric constant decreases with …

Solid State Synthesis Of Chiral Magnetic Alloys, Connor Quick

Symposium of Student Scholars

Solid State Synthesis of Chiral Magnetic Alloys

Connor Quick, Chetan Dhital

The cubic magnetic alloys such as MnSi, FeGe, and MnSi crystallize in non-centrosymmetric chiral crystal structure. Due to the combination of non-centrosymmetric structure and the magnetism, these magnetic alloys lead to the discovery of new type of magnetic configurations called magnetic skyrmion in certain temperature and field ranges. Such magnetic skyrmions are considered to provide energy efficient and high storage capacity alternatives to currently used domain wall based random access memory. There are two major problems in this field of research: (a) availability of limited number of materials (b) …

Development Of A Low Field Mri-Based Approach For Observation Of Water Penetration Into Clay: Preliminary Results, Shivam Gupta

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are considered one of the most efficient and non-invasive methods of observing water content in permeable substances. MRI can visualize and quantify the movement of water in real time. In this study, MRI was used to observe the water penetration through clay. Furthermore, MRI can acquire three-dimensional data due to its radio-frequency signals from any orientation. The contrast of the images produced by MRI is a display of the fluid concentration. As such, any change in the contrast intensity is interpreted as a regional change in the concentration of fluid. This report summarizes the preliminary results …

Simulating 129-Xe Hyperpolarization, Jacob F. Abiad

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Hyperpolarized 129-Xe is an important resource in many fields of medical physics and MRI research. The physics of the efficient production of hyperpolarized 129-Xe is therefore equally worth investigation. The main process of hyperpolarizing 129-Xe is Spin Exchange Optical Pumping (SEOP) and is dependent on several physical factors that can be difficult to constantly change in a lab setting. Physical modelling of 129-Xe hyperpolarization allows for the more efficient testing of hyperpolarization physics in a wide array of experimental setups to better determine the optimal values for hyperpolarization. This research project attempted to create a working model for 129-Xe hyperpolarization …

Detecting Graphene Nanosheets On Leaves​ Of Ceratophyllum Demersum ​, Teresa A. Buragina

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Since its discovery, applications of graphene, a material that is a single layer of carbon atoms, have been useful in many different fields. In this project, we aim to image graphene flakes, formed from graphene-RNA nanocomposites, on the surface of aquatic plant leaves. Graphene-RNA 6 solutions were vacuum filtrated onto leaves of Ceratophyllum Demersum, which were then imaged at different heights using confocal microscopy, producing 3D images of graphene flakes.

Comparing Semi-Automated Segmentation Of Traditional-Resolution And High-Resolution Hyperpolarized 129xe Mri On Covid-19 Survivors, Tingting Wu

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Hyperpolarized gas MRI using inert gases like Xe is a valuable tool in visualizing lung ventilation in patients, and can be used as a longitudinal monitoring tool for patients with lung diseases. However, use of this method requires segmentation and quantification of parameters such as ventilation defect percentage (VDP), which is often very subjective depending on the observer. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and consistency of VDP calculation using the same MRI scans from COVID-19 patients, but with high resolution and low (traditional) resolution versions. Using a MATLAB script developed previously, it was found that in general, using …

Stability Of Dispersive-Dissipative Wave Equations, Mahima Siali

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

No abstract provided.

Numerical Simulation Of Adaptive Metabolic Response To Anti-Angiogenic Treatment In Renal Cell Carcinoma, Saranya Varakunan

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

Renal cell carcinoma, a malignant kidney cancer, is often treated using anti-angiogenic drugs to prevent the growth of blood vessels within the tumour. Although tumours initially respond to this treatment, they eventually develop resistance. This resistance is hypothesized to be caused by a switch to a symbiotic metabolism that allows cells to survive even with a low blood supply.

This project seeks to computationally model the transport of oxygen, lactate, and glucose within a tumour in order to examine how cancer metabolism adapts to changes in blood vessels.

Numerical Modelling Of A Novel 3d T-Junction Microfluidic Droplet Generator, Andrew G.H. Roberts

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

No abstract provided.

Speed And Accuracy For Partial Differential Equation Solvers, Aidan Grasby

Undergraduate Student Research Internships Conference

This Research project consisted of testing multiple software used to solve partial differential equations to determine the fastest solver while not compromising other aspects such as accuracy. The larger project involved using electrodes and electric fields to treat brain tumours. An optimization program is required to determine electrode placement and this program must solve partial differential equations to determine the electric field for each electrode configuration. This optimization step is extremely slow so it is critical a faster partial differential equation solver is found. Therefore, I tested various software to determine the fastest solver that could then be linked with …

Sustainable And Biodegradable Nanocellulose Composite Materials, Jacob Scheel, Tim Kidd Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Nanocellulose is made from a mixture of cellulose powder, and a variety of different materials and liquids. Unfortunately the cost to produce nanocellulose isn’t ideal, thanks to shrinkage. The goal of my research this year was to try to make nanocellulose more cost effective, by reduce shrinkage.

Electronic, Magnetic, And Structural Properties Of Comnvsb, Adam Ramker, Pavel Lukashev Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Background

• Spin degree of freedom in electronic devices.
• Ideal candidate – room temperature half-metal.
• Heusler compounds attractive because of high Curie temperature
• Various mechanisms altering degree of spin polarization – mechanical strain, structural disorder, temperature, termination surface/interface, etc.
• CoMnVSb: nearly a spin gapless semiconductor.

Chemical Substitution Induced Half-Metallicity In Crmnsb0.5si0.5, Lukas Stuelke, Pavel Lukashev Ph.D.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Background

⮚Research on magnetic materials for potential applications in spin-based electronics: one of the most active fields in academia and industry. ⮚High degree of spin polarization – wanted in spintronics. ⮚Spintronics – an emerging technology utilizing a spin degree of freedom. ⮚Various mechanisms alter degree of spin polarization – mechanical strain, structural disorder, temperature, termination surface/interface, etc. ⮚Magnetic materials that conduct electrons of only one spin are called half-metals, and have a great potential in spintronics.

Solid State Synthesis Of Polar Magnetic Oxides, Duy Pham

Symposium of Student Scholars

Non-centrosymmetric polar oxides are subjects of considerable interest due to varieties of important phenomena and associated functional properties. Magnetoelectric multiferroic oxides are one such system where the magnetic properties can be controlled by electric field or the electric properties can be controlled by the magnetic field. This cross tunability magnetic and electrical properties makes multiferroic materials ideal candidates for making actuators, field sensors and memory devices. Simultaneous presence of broken inversion symmetry (electric polarization) and magnetism are two key requirements for multiferroicity. Non-centrosymmetric polar magnetic oxides simultaneously offer both (polarization and magnetization) properties. Therefore, we are working toward synthesis and …

Electrochemical And Spectroscopic Characterization Of Cerium Salts And Nanoceria Material, Emily Velarde, Wei Zhou

Symposium of Student Scholars

The nanoscale form of cerium oxide, nanoceria (nano-CeO_x), has drawn great attention in recent years in electrochemical, nanomaterial research and medicinal studies due to its antibacterial properties, UV absorption, and its biochemical function as possible radical scavenger. Many new synthesis methods have achieved uniform and biocompatible nanoceria particles, and our lab has created cerium oxide particles that shows UV/Vis. absorption and X-ray patterns similar to the commercial nanoceria and nanoceria made in other research laboratories with novel synthetic methods.

This study focuses on charactering and comparing electrochemical properties of cerium inorganic salts and synthesized nanoceria. Preliminary results …

Electron Yield Decay Curves For Analysis Of Sample Charging And Neutralization, Matthew Robertson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Excess charge on a material will affect the electron yield of the material. Electron yield is an attribute of materials which describe how the material behaves when irradiated with electrons. It is the ratio of the number of electrons going into the material over the number of electrons leaving the material. Understanding how a sample charges is important in both how it affects the electron yield and how it can be neutralized.

Comparing P-11b To D-3he Fusion For Direct Drive Fusion Rockets, Christopher Hooper

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Direct Fusion Drive (DFD) is a theoretical configuration that uses a magnetically confined fusing plasma to provide thrust for a rocket. In the words of the original authors, Princeton Satellite Systems (PSS) and Razinet al., it is “...a compact, anuetronic fusion engine [which] will enable more challenging exploration missions in the solar system.” DFD is proposed as a theoretical alternative to chemical and ion propulsion rockets – as seen in Table 1, it has clear advantages over both in exhaust velocity (specific impulse) and mass ratio, and a large advantage over ion propulsion in thrust and thrust-to-weight ratio. Despite being …

A Study Of Oxidation In Thin-Film Uranium-Niobium Alloys, Logan C. Page

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Uranium, a nuclear fuel material, can oxidize and degrade in reactor conditions. Previous studies have shown oxidation resistance in a uranium-niobium alloy, U-6Nb (six weight percent niobium in uranium). The nature of the oxides that form on sputtered U-6Nb thin films after long exposure to air was previously explored using neutron diffraction at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In the present work, we deposited thin films of uranium-niobium alloys for oxidation studies. We used ellipsometry to quantify the oxide growth over time as a function of niobium content. We found that the oxide thickness increases linearly with the logarithmic of time. …

Comparison Of Rayleigh-Scatter Lidar Temperature Climatologies In The Mesosphere And Lower Thermosphere Between The Traditional Reduction Method And The New Optimal Estimation Method, Jonathan Price

Utah Space Grant Consortium

An optimal estimation method (OEM) was used to obtain all-night temperature profiles from Rayleigh-scatter lidar (RSL) observations obtained by the original and updated lidar systems at Utah State University (USU). These data were used to produce annual climatologies of temperatures above USU. The climatology of temperatures from the original lidar, which operated from late 1993 through 2004, was compared with the climatology produced using the widely used Hauchecorne-Chanin method (HC). This comparison highlights the similarities at lower altitudes and differences, which start between 70 km and 80 km and extend to the top altitudes with the OEM temperatures warmer on …

Seeking The Origin Of Electromagnetic Signatures Of Black Holes, Alexandra B. Chanson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Relativistic-jet formation in astrophysical black holes lacks a rigorously understood mechanism of energy extraction in the high-energy regime although, in recent years, progress has been made in extending the non-linear equations of Force-Free Electrodynamics (FFE) into the high-spin regime. In particular, M. J. Rodriguez and A. Strominger were able to show, using the Near Horizon Extremal Kerr spacetime, that the near horizon FFE solutions have an additional scaling symmetry which allows the construction of a pseudo-analytical infinite tower of solutions. These families of solutions stand in stark contrast to the relatively few full Kerr solutions found analytically: this tension can …

Tempered Fbm With Reflecting Walls, Zachary Miller

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Fractional Brownian Motion (FBM) is a Gaussian stochastic process with long-range correlations and a paradigmatic model for anomalous diffusion. For FBM confined by reflecting boundaries, recent work [1] demonstrated unusual accumulation and depletion of particles close to the walls. In many applications of FBM to physics, chemistry, and beyond, the long-range correlations are cut off (tempered) beyond a certain time scale [2]. Here, we study the behavior of tempered FMB in the presence of reflecting walls. More specifically, we analyze the probability density of tempered FBM on a one-dimensional interval between two reflecting wall.

Effect Of Magnetic Moment On Thermal Conductivity, Anthony Lonsdale

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Insulating non-magnetic solids conduct heat through the lattice vibrations, also colloquially known as phonons. However, in magnetic solids, additional channel for the heat transport is available through the interaction of magnetic moments with each-other. On the other hand, lattice vibrations couple with the magnetic moments on the atoms and thus provide additional resistance to the heat flow. Currently, there is no complete understanding of the magnitudes of these contributions and the overall effect of the magnetic contribution is largely unknown. Using a combination of spin dynamics and molecular dynamics simulations, we simulated the contribution of the magnetic subsystem to the …

Machine Learning Optimizes A Survey Of Dark Energy, Steven Karst

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Measuring the history of cosmic expansion via the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation (BAO) scale from a three-dimensional galaxy map is a well established technique to probe the nature of dark energy. In fact, a forthcoming galaxy redshift survey, the Subaru Prime Focus Spectrograph (PFS), is designed mainly for this purpose. An essential optimization problem in such galaxy redshift surveys is the target selection. Namely, it is not clear how we should select our targets to maximize the number of galaxies which provide successful redshift measurement in a desired cosmic epoch, while avoiding other galaxies. Taking PFS as an example, we apply …

The Effect Of Irradiating Aln On Its Dielectric Properties, Sean Anderson

Undergraduate Research Conference at Missouri S&T

Aluminum Nitride is an active element of sensors that monitor the performance and well-being of the nuclear reactors due to its piezoelectric properties. Yet, the variations of its properties under irradiation are largely unexplored. Here, we report the results of the molecular dynamics simulations of the structural changes in AlN under irradiation via the knock-on atom technique. By creating and evolving the irradiation cascades due to energetic particle interaction with the atom of the crystalline lattice we determine the rate of the defect production as a function of the deposited energy. Further, we determine a displacement energy, a key characteristic …

382— Wiyn Open Cluster Study: Ubvri Photometry Of Ngc 2204, Kylie Snyder, Dante Scarazzini

GREAT Day Posters

The purpose of this project was to study the open star cluster NGC2204 using images taken at Kitt Peak National Observatory using the WIYN 0.9m telescope. These images were analyzed photometrically with the intention of determining the reddening, metallicity, age, and distance modulus of the star cluster. Each image was analyzed using software that determined the point spread function and applied that function to determine the magnitude of each star in that image. These magnitudes were taken for each filter, UBVRI, and then combined and averaged to create a single catalog. Standard stars, taken on the same night, were used …