Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

High Resolution Validation Of Next Generation Turbulent Flow Models Using Neutron Beams, Laser Fluorescence, And Cryogenic Helium, Landen G Mcdonald

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Turbulent fluid flow is an incredibly unpredictable subject that continues to confound scientists and engineers. All of the empirical data that has been the basis of conventional turbulent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models for decades only extends to roughly the equivalent turbulence created when Michael Phelps swims in a pool. The problem is that this data is then extrapolated out many orders of magnitude in order to design cruise ships, airplanes, and rockets which operate in significantly more turbulent flow regimes. This creates an incredible degree of uncertainty in the design process that demands over-engineering and increased expenditures.

The development …

Fungal Response To Wildfire In A Southeastern Wildland-Urban Interface, Vanessa Rosanne Harpe

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Fungi are key to belowground ecosystem function, yet post-fire recovery of fungal communities has not been examined in many ecosystems. A massive wildfire in 2016 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) and surrounding urban landscape (Gatlinburg, TN) presented a novel opportunity to study post-fire fungal response within an urban-forest ecosystem. We surveyed soils and plants in GSMNP and Gatlinburg, TN 1.5-2 years post-fire to assess colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF, aseptate hyphae) and decomposers/pathogens (septate hyphae) from 13 plant species across 18 sites, (9 park, 9 urban).

Overall, colonization by aseptate (intraradical R²= 0.46, P …

Assessing The Habitability Of Mars Using Impact Crater Statistics, Emily N. Shaver

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Because Mars lacks a global magnetic field or protective ozone layer, its surface is unshielded to harsh radiation from space. This ionizing radiation breaks down any organic components in the soil at the martian surface on timescales of tens to hundreds of millions years (10–100 Ma). In planetary geology, we use the density of impact craters as a proxy for time: older surfaces tend to accumulate more craters. Using impact craters, we can assess the exposure age and therefore organic preservation potential of the Martian surface from orbit.

The goal of this ongoing project is to better understand exposure ages …

Using Atran Telluric Correction To Investigate The 3Μm-Region, Lucas Trent Mcclure

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Small-bodies of the Solar System, such as asteroids, provide an abundant amount of information about planetary formation and evolution. In particular, the characterization of asteroids is vital to understanding the distribution and abundance of water throughout the Solar System. Recent findings in asteroid spectroscopy have provided evidence for the surface presence of water-ice and hydroxide, likely due to silicates on asteroid surfaces interacting with H⁺ ions from the solar wind. To investigate surface hydration, astronomers analyze the 3µm region, where an absorption feature is exhibited. Atmospheric water, however, affects the quality of the data around this particular region, but …

Movement Of Lifetime Maximum Intensity Locations During The North Atlantic Hurricane Season, Morgan Steckler

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

Where a storm reaches its lifetime maximum intensity (LMI) can be a powerful indicator of tropical cyclone intensification patterns. Any changes in this location may demonstrate how hurricanes are affected by climate change. Studies on the annual and decadal trends in LMI location have shown that the latitude where storms are reaching their LMI is shifting, but at different rates and in different directions depending on the ocean basin. In the North Atlantic, for example, LMI location seems to be moving slightly closer to the equator, especially for those storms with the greatest intensities. LMI location patterns have yet to …

Computational Studies Of Alkanol Reaction Pathways On A Srtio3 Perovskite Surface, Kyle R. Mason

EURēCA: Exhibition of Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement

No abstract provided.