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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

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Articles 1 - 8 of 8

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Quantifying Complex Systems Via Computational Fly Swarms, Troy Taylor May 2019

Quantifying Complex Systems Via Computational Fly Swarms, Troy Taylor

Senior Theses

Complexity is prevalent both in natural and in human-made systems, yet is not well understood quantitatively. Qualitatively, complexity describes a phenomena in which a system composed of individual pieces, each having simple interactions with one another, results in interesting bulk properties that would otherwise not exist. One example of a complex biological system is the bird flock, in particular, a starling murmuration. Starlings are known to move in the direction of their neighbors and avoid collisions with fellow starlings, but as a result of these simple movement choices, the flock as a whole tends to exhibit fluid-like movements and form …


Exploring The Electrical Properties Of Twisted Bilayer Graphene, William Shannon May 2019

Exploring The Electrical Properties Of Twisted Bilayer Graphene, William Shannon

Senior Theses

Two-dimensional materials exhibit properties unlike anything else seen in conventional substances. Electrons in these materials are confined to move only in the plane. In order to explore the effects of these materials, we have built apparatus and refined procedures with which to create two-dimensional structures. Two-dimensional devices have been made using exfoliated graphene and placed on gold contacts. Their topography has been observed using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) confirming samples with monolayer, bilayer, and twisted bilayer structure. Relative work functions of each have been measured using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) showing that twisted bilayer graphene has a surface potential …


Transferring Power Through A Magnetic Couple, Nickolas Cruz Villalobos Jr. May 2019

Transferring Power Through A Magnetic Couple, Nickolas Cruz Villalobos Jr.

Senior Theses

Properties of several working magnetic coupled rotors have been measured and their performance compared to theoretical models. Axial magnetic couplers allow rotors to work within harsh environments, without the need for seals, proper alignment, or overload protection on a motor. The influence of geometrical parameters, such as distance from the center of the rotors, polarity arrangement, and the number of dipole pairs were experimentally tested. These results can be used to improve rotor designs, to increase strength and efficiency.


Manufacturing And Testing The Permanent Magnet Linear Motor, Renjie Kang May 2019

Manufacturing And Testing The Permanent Magnet Linear Motor, Renjie Kang

Senior Theses

Controlled mechanical motion is vital in many useful applications in technology. Among them, linear motors have advantages over traditional rotating motors. In this work, we built a permanent magnet linear motor to test and measure its energy efficiency. A maximum 29% total energy efficiency, and 67% energy transfer rate, were detected. In addition, a C-shape support structure was added to the moving part in order to increase the moving accuracy. The tests show that, with the support structure, the fluctuation in the vertical direction decreases significantly, but the friction of the system slightly increases.


Ethical Problems With Plastic In The Ocean, Brennan Cotter May 2019

Ethical Problems With Plastic In The Ocean, Brennan Cotter

Senior Theses

In the year 2018 this paper argues that plastic use and waste is destroying our oceans and that we should address the problem by fully adopting the principle and practices of sustainability. The first section outlines the advent of our plastic disposable culture. The second section gives evidence of how plastic waste is negatively affecting marine life. The third section draws from literature in environmental philosophy to develop the concept of sustainability, and the concluding section outlines several steps we can take as individuals and nations to practice sustainability.


Estimating And Visualizing Debt Using Debt Calculator, Donald E. Landrum Jr., Caleb D.H. Parks Apr 2019

Estimating And Visualizing Debt Using Debt Calculator, Donald E. Landrum Jr., Caleb D.H. Parks

Senior Theses

Debt Calculator is a web application that our team developed this year to assist users in understanding and visualizing both their current debt sources, such as student loans, car loans, and credit card debt, and the impact that upcoming career choices, such as where they attend graduate school or which job offer they accept, will have on their standards of living and savings accounts. All of the data that our application bases its analysis upon is entered by the user, and none of the algorithms that our application performs are particularly unique or proprietary; rather, the value that our application …


Guided Alligator Tours Or Raccoon Schooling (Gators), Paul List Apr 2019

Guided Alligator Tours Or Raccoon Schooling (Gators), Paul List

Senior Theses

In my two main internships during college, I worked closely with two very different animals: raccoons and alligators. Additionally, I gained experience in presenting educational programs during my internship at Fripp Island, where my most common program was our Gator Walk. For my thesis project, I built upon my experience in interpretive programming, drawing on my experience with alligators and raccoons to develop a unique educational program to present at Congaree National Park. This report will describe the process of developing this program as well as it’s implementation and outcomes. In addition, it includes a review of scholarly literature on …


Congruence Relations Mod 2 For (2 X 4^T + 1)-Colored Partitions, Nicholas Torello Apr 2019

Congruence Relations Mod 2 For (2 X 4^T + 1)-Colored Partitions, Nicholas Torello

Senior Theses

Let p_r(n) denote the difference between the number of r-colored partitions of n into an even number of distinct parts and into an odd number of distinct parts. Inspired by proofs involving modular forms of the Hirschhorn-Sellers Conjecture, we prove a similar congruence for p_r(n). Using the Jacobi Triple Product identity, we discover a much stricter congruence for p_3(n).