Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Development And Characterization Of Multi-Functional Probes For Use With Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Jiwon Lee, Colleen Leonard, Melinda Baur, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) with electrode probes that make simultaneous current and impedance measurements is useful for analysis of biological substrates. The current and impedance measurements are both dependent upon the proximity to a surface.

Experiments with the single carbon fiber electrodes show that the impedance measurements are independent of the current and applied potential. In order to detect neurotransmitter release from a cell, the electrode must be positioned very close to the cell surface. Impedance-based positioning eliminates the need for addition of biologically toxic redox mediators to position the electrode. Furthermore, it was found that multiple carbon fiber …

A Look At Multi-Decompositions Of Complete Graphs Into Graph Pairs Of Order 4, Yizhe Gao, Daniel Roberts, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Firstly, a graph G consists of a vertex set V (G), and an edge set E (G) of endpoints which relate two vertices with each edge. Also, a decomposition of a graph is a list of subgraphs such that each edge appears in exactly one subgraph in the list. In the field ofgraph theory, graph decomposition is an active field of research. One type of decomposition is graph pairs. A graph pair is a pair of graphs on the same vertex set whose union is the complete graph. Abueida and Daven studieddecompositions of complete graphs into graph-pairs of order four. …

Elitist Schema Overlays: A Multi-Parent Genetic Operator, Nick Nichols, Mark Liffiton, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Genetic Algorithms are programs inspired by natural evolution used to solve difficult problems in Mathematics and Computer Science. The theoretical foundations of Genetic Algorithms, the schema theorem and the building-block hypothesis, state that the success of Genetic Algorithms stems from the propagation of fit genetic subsequences. Multi-parent operators were shown to increase the performance of Genetic Algorithms by increasing the disruptivity of genetic operations. Disruptive genetic operators help prevent suboptimal genetic sequences from propagating into future generations, which leads to an improved fitness for the population over time. In this paper we explore the use of a novel multi-parent genetic …

Frames And Spline Framelets, Tung Nguyen, Nahee Kim, Tian-Xiao He, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Frames can be seen as a generalization of orthonormal bases, which not only maintain useful characteristics of orthonormal bases but also allow more flexibility in applications. The applications of frames include communication and image processing, as its characteristic inherited from orthonormal bases helps speed up the transmitting and processing time while its additional flexibility adds to frames the ability to reconstruct lost information. In this project, we study the construction of a class of tight frames in Euclidean spaces. Also, we use Fourier transforms and the techniques of Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA) in wavelet analysis to investigate a class of tight …

A Graphical Introduction To Special Relativity Based On A Modern Approach To Minkowski Diagrams, Boxiang Liu, Thushara Perera, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

We present a graphical method that can be used to learn/teach Einstein’s special theory of relativity. The “Minkowski diagram”, developed in 1908 by Hermann Minkowski, has long been recognized as an effective graphical tool for introducing special relativity. In our study, we adapted and modernized this graphical method in a way that would help current college students progress from Galilean transformations (based on Newton's Three Laws of Motion) to the kinematics of relativity and other key results. This study has revealed new ways to apply Minkowski diagrams to well known problems in relativity. Here, we will introduce our graphical technique …

Tests Of A Novel Technique For Finding Galaxies In Millimeter Wavelength Maps, Alejandro Mancera, Thushara Perera, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

The study of very distant “dusty” galaxies whose visible light is obscured by cosmic dust is a developing field in astronomy. To discover such galaxies, images of the sky are made with telescopes sensitive to millimeter-wavelength light. Because these images are inherently low in signal-to-noise, special image processing techniques are needed to reliably identify galaxies in them. Usually, a software “filter” is applied to a sky image in order to better distinguish galaxies from noise. We have developed a novel filter that, in principle, performs better than the standard filter used in the astronomical community. Our study, which involved testing …

The Feasibility Of Eliminating Disposable Plastic Water Bottles At Illinois Wesleyan University, Joseph Daniels, Abigail Jahiel, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

The bottled water industry is polluting, costly, and dangerous to the health of the consumers and the environment. Chemicals in the plastic bottles often leach into the water, which can be harmful to the consumer. Water bottles also create many problems after disposal, often ending up in landfills or in waterways rather than being recycled.

This report looks into what needs to be done to eliminate the sale of disposable plastic water bottles at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU). It discusses the negative effects of the bottled water industry, and why a ban would benefit IWU students, faculty, and staff. What …