Physics Commons^™

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 …

Electron Yield Of A Carbon Fiber Composite, Matthew Robertson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

As electron yield models continue to evolve and improve, a study of carbon fiber materials was conducted to try and understand more complex nanoscale structures and their influence on electron yield.

Using Geologic And Geodetic Analyses To Define The Location, Slip Rate, And Geometry Of Off Fault Deformation, Hidden Spring Fault Zone, Southern California, Rebekah Riemann, Andrea Donnellan, Jay Parker

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A strain deficit of about 10 mm/yr exists across the San Andreas Fault system on the boundary between the North American and Pacific plates. We investigate the role of the Hidden Spring Fault Zone, east of the Salton Sea in Southern California, and related structures in accommodating some of this slip. We compile data from historic and current aerial and satellite imagery, coupled with UAVSAR and LiDAR data have allowed us to identify and map hundreds of new fault segments in the region. Where possible, we correlate some of these data with geologic evidence for the faults. These data emphasize …

Byu Rocketry, Joseph Andrews, Bradley Buttars, Mark Johnson, Zachary Lawless, Jodi Pham, Harris Rothaermel, Mark Sweeney

Utah Space Grant Consortium

BYU Rocketry competed in the 2019 Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition at the 3^rd Annual Spaceport America Cup in Las Cruces, NM by building an 8-foot High Power rocket to send an 8.8 lb. CubeSat payload 10,000 ft. above ground level. Over 100 collegiate teams from around the world will competed.

Applying Real-World Learning Through Amusement Parks To Help Teach The Upcoming Changes To Utah Core Standard, Phil Lundgreen, Amanda Otterstrom

Utah Space Grant Consortium

To assist educators in satisfying the Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards the Utah State University (USU) Physics Department has developed a curriculum centered around USU Physics Day at Lagoon.

With an upcoming change to Utah's core standards and a shift to more hands-on learning styles, the use of real-world learning offered by amusement park applications is analyzed in its ability to satisfy the Utah State Bureau of Education’s (USBE) SEEd standards. Amusement park learning allows educators a vehicle to capture students’ attention in the classroom by discussing science principles in a fun and exciting manner with a promise of …

Leveraging Commercial Nuclear Reactors To Power Space Exploration, Ben Johnson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study is aimed at exploring the adaptation of commercial nuclear reactors as an alternative to NASA’s current high-power fission reactor systems, particularly with respect to applications on the surface of Mars. The study concludes that while the Kilopower architecture is brilliantly poised to provide affordable, near-term power in the 1-10 kilowatts electric (kWe) range, the financial barrier to higher power scaling of such systems is significant. This financial barrier adds risk to the development of greater than 10kWe systems and is likely to result in the failure to successfully scale the technology to higher powers for space exploration applications. …

Internal Waves Generated From Asymmetric Topographies, Kyle Hakes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Internal waves are a key part of the energy budget of the ocean and atmosphere. The generation of internal waves in the ocean from tides is dependent on the frequency of oscillation, the profile of the underwater mountain range, and the density of water in the surrounding ocean. A study of the effect of an asymmetric mountain range, with varying pro-files, on the generation of internal waves is presented. Results begin to indicate that the wave is mostly similar when generated on either side of the topography, but might extend to higher wavenumbers in Fourier space when generated on the …

Resistivity Of Nickel Silicide Thin Films, Rylan Woods

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The characterization of resistivity within thin films is paramount for proper integration into modern electronics wherein they show promise as contact materials due to their low contact resistance and high conductivity. Nickel silicide compounds often form in microelectronics at intersections between nickel and silicon, traditionally forming as a variety of intermetallic compounds including NiSi, Ni₂Si, Ni₃Si, Ni₃Si₂, and NiSi₂. Within this study, nickel silicide thin films ranging in thickness from 25nm to 110nm were synthesized on a silicon wafer substrate utilizing vapor deposition at a temperature of 900°C in low …

Implementing Theta-2-Theta Measurements To Measure Mirror Reflectance, Kylie Wolfe

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Our research group studies multilayer mirrors for use in space-based telescopes. The mirror property we are most interested in optimizing is reflectance. In the past, measuring the reflectance of our sample mirrors was difficult, as we either had to travel to the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley, California or we had to conduct and combine the data from many single-axis scans by hand. This made measuring reflectance tedious, error-prone, and time-consuming. By adding an automated theta-2-theta scan to our system, I removed these issues, allowing us to study our mirrors much more efficiently.

A Miniaturized Multi Sensor Array For Balloon-Borne Air Measurements, Phase Ii, Drew Huber, Huiling (Renee) Xie, John E. Sohl, Jeffrey D. Page

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Weber State University’s High-Altitude Ballooning team, HARBOR, is developing a lightweight, flexible, expandable sensor array for both high-altitude balloon flight and low-altitude drone flight.

The system will have the following capabilities:

1.Gas sensor and air quality board/chamber:

a. Gases: CO, CO₂, NO₂, NH₃, SO₂, O₃, VOCs

b. Particulates: PM1, PM2.5, PM10.

2. Metrological data measurement suite:

a.Temperature, pressure (with two sensors), %RH.

b. Wind by proxy for balloon flights via the GPS.

3. Flight dynamics and geolocation suite:

a. High altitude GPS

b. 9-axis inertial measurement: acceleration, gyroscope, and magnetometer. …

Mineralogy Of Great Salt Lake: An Analogue For Martian Evaporites, Calli B. Cahill, Adrik Z. Da Silva

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Gypsum (CaSO₄ · 2H₂O) and mirabilite (Na₂SO₄ · 10H₂O) are common precipitates at the Great Salt Lake (GSL). NASA’s Mars Exploration Rover, Opportunity, found veins of gypsum deposited by water in 2011 and gypsum has been detected on Mars as early as 2005 by the ESA’s Mars Express Orbiter. On Earth, gypsum is formed in hypersaline environments, in minerals left behind when water evaporates, trapping microorganisms in fluid inclusions. Likewise, GSL mirabilite develops when mineral-rich groundwater meets cold winter air to create crystalline structures. While there is no physical evidence of mirabilite …

Lunar Mining: Designing A Robust Robotic Mining System, Ted Goodell, James Ehlers, Rian Simpson, Tina Hayward, Ali Almiskeen, Logan Peterson, Joshua Miraglia, Alexander Charters, Palmer Clegg, Chandler Millar, Emerson Labon, Jonathan Warner, Matthew Cohen, Evan Cleveland, Jackson Dean, Todd Renner, Sergio Nunez, Pramit Chalise, Arthur Steur, Jake Erickson, Kenny Ho

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The annual NASA Robotic Mining Challenge: Lunabotics tasks teams with building robots capable of traversing and mining simulated Lunar terrain. The competition goal is to utilize automation and sensing alongside mechanical systems to harvest icy regolith (gravel) from beneath the satellite’s surface.

This year, Utah Student Robotics sought to improve upon the design from last year. The 2019-2020 rover is based on proven NASA concepts, such as the RASSOR 2.0 digging drum, and the Rocker-Bogie mobility platform.