Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

2015 Program, Office Of Academic Affairs

Programs

A university is more than an amalgamation of several colleges. It also is an organization which celebrates the full richness of faculty contributions including those vital and exciting contributions in research, scholarship and creative activity within their disciplines. These contributions come in many forms: journal articles, book chapters, monographs, art works, music compositions, performances of many varieties and a host of others. Funded research contributions are similarly varied. Through such activities, faculty members stay at the growing edges of their fields, and in so doing, they enrich their intellectual lives as well as those of their students.

Once again, I …

Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel B. Johnson, Peter Ping Liu, Thomas Canam

Thomas Canam

Purpose: Lignocellulosic biomass has been regarded as an important future energy source due to its excessive availability; however, the wide application of this material for many applications is restricted by the high costs associated with densification, transportation, thermo-chemical pretreatment and conversion. In order to increase the density of lignocellulosic biomass, it is typically compressed into pellets or briquettes. This frequently requires the addition of additives, which may negatively impact the economics of the process. Environmentally-friendly binding agents that can be obtained inexpensively are therefore desirable. This study examines the change in physicochemical properties of densified Miscanthus straw where algae were …

Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel Johnson, Peter Liu, Thomas Canam

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Purpose: Lignocellulosic biomass has been regarded as an important future energy source due to its excessive availability; however, the wide application of this material for many applications is restricted by the high costs associated with densification, transportation, thermo-chemical pretreatment and conversion. In order to increase the density of lignocellulosic biomass, it is typically compressed into pellets or briquettes. This frequently requires the addition of additives, which may negatively impact the economics of the process. Environmentally-friendly binding agents that can be obtained inexpensively are therefore desirable. This study examines the change in physicochemical properties of densified Miscanthus straw where algae were …

Algal Biomass As A Binding Agent For The Densification Of Miscanthus, Sunil Thapa, Daniel B. Johnson, Peter Ping Liu, Thomas Canam

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

Purpose: Lignocellulosic biomass has been regarded as an important future energy source due to its excessive availability; however, the wide application of this material for many applications is restricted by the high costs associated with densification, transportation, thermo-chemical pretreatment and conversion. In order to increase the density of lignocellulosic biomass, it is typically compressed into pellets or briquettes. This frequently requires the addition of additives, which may negatively impact the economics of the process. Environmentally-friendly binding agents that can be obtained inexpensively are therefore desirable. This study examines the change in physicochemical properties of densified Miscanthus straw where algae were …

Restricted Random Labeling: Testing For Between-Group Interaction After Controlling For Joint Population And Within-Group Spatial Structure, Barry J. Kronenfeld, Timothy F. Leslie

Faculty Research and Creative Activity

Statistical measures of spatial interaction between multiple types of entities are commonly assessed against a null model of either toroidal shift (TS), which controls for spatial structure of individual subpopulations, or random labeling (RL), which controls for spatial structure of the joint population. Neither null model controls for both types of spatial structure simultaneously, although this may sometimes be desirable when more than two subpopulations are present. To address this, we propose a flexible framework for specifying null models that we refer to as restricted random labeling (rRL). Under rRL, a specified subset of individuals is restricted and other individuals …

A Simpler Route To Building Photochromic Cinnamaldehyde Semicarbazones, Byron R. Ebbert

Masters Theses

Photochromic semicarbazones are an interesting group of compounds that show potential in a broad range of applications, including as a more environmentally friendly replacement for photochromic metal complex compounds. Previous work has shown the feasibility to synthesize photochromic cinnamaldehyde semicarbazones (CSCs) from a benzaldehyde and a protected acetaldehyde Wittig reagent. A new, quicker, and cheaper approach to constructing these CSCs from crotonaldehyde was explored in this research. A three reaction sequence would convert crotonaldehyde to a CSC; first, an allylic bromination of the semicarbazone with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS); second, an Arbuzov reaction to prepare the semicarbazone phosphonate; and finally a condensation …

Derivatization And Separation Of Natural Estrogens (Estrone, 17Β-Estradiol, And Estriol) Using Gas Chromatography With Flame Ionization Detection (Gc-Fid), Dena L. Guptill

Masters Theses

A major cause of concern for estrogens found in the environment is that even at very low concentrations (10-100 ng/L) they can have a negative effect on aquatic ecosystems by disrupting endocrine systems. Due to the increasing importance of monitoring the levels of estrogens in the environment, a detection method was developed to identify and quantify three natural estrogens (estrone, 17β-estradiol and estriol) using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). In addition, the efficacy of two derivatizing agents, N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl) acetamide (BSTA) and N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA), was evaluated. The GC detector (FID) was most responsive with E3, followed by E1 and …

Channel Morphology At A Meander Bend Chute Cutoff Partially Obstructed By Woody Debris, Drew Sobczak

Masters Theses

Field and flume experiments have examined the conceptual model for a meander bend in depth. Large woody debris piles are often associated with the development of a chute cutoff due to local aggradation and deflection of flow. This paper examines the bed morphology of a meander bend chute cutoff that is partially obstructed by woody debris. The bed morphology of the channel around the woody debris pile as well as the head of the cutoff are mapped. The pile is shielding the point bar immediately behind it and causing a narrow, deep channel on either side of the pile. The …

Hyperbolic Geometry With And Without Models, Chad Kelterborn

Masters Theses

We explore the development of hyperbolic geometry in the 18th and early 19th following the works of Legendre, Lambert, Saccheri, Bolyai, Lobachevsky, and Gauss. In their attempts to prove Euclid's parallel postulate, they developed hyperbolic geometry without a model. It was not until later in the 19th century, when Felix Klein provided a method (which was influenced by projective geometry) for viewing the hyperbolic plane as a disk in the Euclidean plane, appropriately named the "Klein disk model". Later other models for viewing the hyperbolic plane as a subset of the Euclidean plane were created, namely the Poincaré disk model, …

Investigation Of Β-Cyclodextrin's Ability In Differentiating Chiral Guest Molecules And Synthesis Of 1,6-Diphenyl-2,4-Hexadiene-1,6-Dione, Guang Yang

Masters Theses

This research work comprised two projects. The first one mainly focused on the synthesis of 12 alanine derivatives and analysis of their interactions with β-cyclodextrin through ¹H NMR titration. And the other project was an investigation of the conjugation effect of alkynones in its addition reactions with tributyltin hydride.

The synthesis of the alanine derivatives involved methyl esterification of alanine and then the substitution of an NH hydrogen with a benzoyl group. A total of 4 different substitution groups, labeled as the "A" groups, were introduced on the para-position of the benzoyl's phenyl group. Since alanine has one chiral …

Novel Bodipy Dyes For Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells, Hafsah Klfout

Masters Theses

Dyes-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) are of importance to efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity. The modern version of a DSC is a titanium dioxide nanoparticles-based electrochemical device, in which solar energy is absorbed by dye molecules and electrons from excited dye molecules are injected into the conduction band of titanium dioxide nanoparticle. The electrons are then transported through a network of interconnected TiO₂ particles to the fluorine- tin -oxide layer to the external circuit. In this process dye molecules are crucial to the device's energy conversion efficiency.

Boron-dipyrromethenes, known as BODIPY dyes, show strong absorption in the visible …

The Effects Of Industrial Biomass Gasification Ash As A Soil Amendment On The Earthworm Eisenia Fetida, Michael J. Blackowicz

Masters Theses

Soil application of solid residues from thermal conversion of biomass (i.e. combustion and pyrolysis) has become a topic of interest in recent years. However, there exists a gap in the literature with regard to soil application of gasification residues and their effects on soil health and soil macroorganisms. This study investigates the effects of three different ashes (hardwood oak/hickory, hardwood willow, corn stover), collected from industrial biomass gasification reactors (University of Minnesota Morris, Eastern Illinois University), as a soil amendment on the composting worm Eisenia fetida. Additionally, ash samples were analyzed for total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and potentially toxic …

A Glance At Tropical Operations And Tropical Linear Algebra, Semere Tsehaye Tesfay

Masters Theses

The tropical semiring is ℝ ∪ {∞} with the operations x ⊕ y = min{x, y}, x ⊕ ∞ = ∞ ⊕ x = x, x ⊙ y = x + y, x ⊙ ∞ = ∞ ⊙ y = ∞. This paper explores how ideas from classical algebra and linear algebra over the real numbers such as polynomials, roots of polynomials, lines, matrices and matrix operations, determinants, eigen values and eigen vectors would appear in tropical mathematics. It uses numerous computed examples to illustrate these concepts and explores the relationship between certain tropical matrices and graph …

Comparison Of Agency And Volunteer Stream Assessments Using Macroinvertebrate Assemblages, David William Petry

Masters Theses

Professional stream assessments can be both time and cost intensive. Many states have developed citizen science programs in an effort to provide reliable data to supplement agency assessments. To test how two of these protocols and their conclusions compare, I sampled 16 sites in seven streams within east central Illinois using techniques from two different organizations: Illinois RiverWatch and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, spring RiverWatch, fall RiverWatch, and fall IEPA sampling all produced unique results and conclusions. Compared to fall IEPA assessments, spring RiverWatch was affected by differences in both sampling protocol and season. RiverWatch sampling in fall reduced …

Effects Of Treated Wastewater Effluent On Microbial Community Structure In A Natural Receiving Aquatic System, Matthew D. Hladilek

Masters Theses

Despite our dependency on treatment facilities to condition wastewater for eventual release to the environment, our knowledge regarding the effects of treated water on the local watershed is extremely limited. Responses of these lotic systems to the treated wastewater effluent have been traditionally investigated by examining the benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and community structure; however, these studies do not address the microbial diversity of the water systems. In the present study, planktonic and benthic bacterial community structure were examined at fourteen sites (from 60 m upstream to 12,100 m downstream) and at two time points along an aquatic system receiving treated …

Morphological And Surface Chemistry Characteristics Of Silica Nanoparticle Based Cryogels From Specific Processing Parameters, Ben Walusiak

Masters Theses

The goal of this research was to determine the effects of processing conditions on the morphology and surface chemistry of silica nanoparticle based cryogels. All processing conditions resulted in a change in morphology or surface chemistry compared to the starting material, CAB-O-SIL HS5 fumed silica. N₂ adsorption isotherms were used to characterize surface area and pore size distributions of fumed silica and silica cryogels. TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) was performed on all samples in order to characterize the adsorbed water and hydroxyl group content of the silica surface. Solid state ²⁹Si NMR was also used to evaluate surface chemistry …

Collaboration Portal For Researchers At Eastern Illinois University, Fatemeh Khastkhodaardekani

Masters Theses

This thesis addresses a need for an online collaboration environment for the researchers at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). As the solution, it provides a portal for researchers (students and faculties) who wish to explore and collaborate on projects based on ideas from those who may not have the necessary skills. This is considered to help developing projects based on the ideas as well as making teams, and teach different groups of people different perspectives. Therefore, it offers a learning environment. I started off by examining existing tools and methodologies to satisfy this purpose. As the result, the deliverable project is …