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Full-Text Articles in Physics
External Beam Alignment System For Quantitative Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission (Pige) Spectroscopy, Elias Ottens
External Beam Alignment System For Quantitative Proton Induced Gamma-Ray Emission (Pige) Spectroscopy, Elias Ottens
Honors Theses
The effects of pollution on the ecosystem are paramount in our society, permeating air, soil, and drinking water. One contaminant of concern is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also referred to as "forever chemicals", which contains fluorine (F), a potentially harmful element to humans. To investigate pollution in the environment, it is necessary to make accurate measurements of the distribution and concentrations of these PFAS chemicals. To do this, soil samples are collected and analyzed using Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission (PIGE) via the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory's (UCIBAL) particle accelerator. A 2.2 MeV proton beam comes into contact …
A Fractal Geometry For Hydrodynamics, Jonah Mears
A Fractal Geometry For Hydrodynamics, Jonah Mears
Honors Theses
Experiments have shown that objects with uneven surfaces, such as golf balls, can have less drag than those with smooth surfaces. Since fractal surfaces appear naturally in other areas, it must be asked if they can produce less drag than a traditional surface and save energy. Little or no research has been conducted so far on this question. The purpose of this project is to see if fractal geometry can improve boat hull design by producing a hull with low friction.
Experimentally Investigating Water Aerosol Formation Via Alpha Radiation In A Humid Nitrogen Atmosphere, Megan Payne
Experimentally Investigating Water Aerosol Formation Via Alpha Radiation In A Humid Nitrogen Atmosphere, Megan Payne
Honors Theses
This project aims to verify the formation of water aerosols induced by an ionizing radiation source in a Nitrogen atmosphere with various levels of humidity. This work is part of an effort to characterize the overall signature of ionizing radiation in Earth’s typical atmosphere. By signature, it is meant all the chemical reactions and physical processes that take place between Earth’s atmosphere and the ionizing radiation. This signature can potentially be used to identify a radiation source out in the field. The identification of a radiation source could potentially be used in a variety of defense applications. To characterize this …
The Talbot Effect, Malia Kawamura
The Talbot Effect, Malia Kawamura
Honors Theses
The goal of this project is to experimentally investigate the optical Talbot effect and the electron Talbot effect. The Talbot effect is a near-field diffraction effect which occurs when plane waves are incident upon a grating. The Talbot effect creates full grating revivals at integral Talbot lengths and revivals with greater spatial periodicity at fractional Talbot lengths. We use a green helium neon laser and Ronchi rulings to take CCD camera images of the fractional Talbot revivals directly. Additionally, a photodiode records light intensity as a function of time as a second identical grating is moved to verify the presence …
Combination Effects Of Irradiation And Chemical Doping On High Temperature Superconductors, Russell J. Fedewa
Combination Effects Of Irradiation And Chemical Doping On High Temperature Superconductors, Russell J. Fedewa
Honors Theses
The goal of this project is to investigate some methods that improve the critical transport current in high temperature superconductors. A superconductor is a material which can allow an electrical current to flow through it with no resistance. This makes them ideal for a wide variety of applications. Most of the present use is in science or medicine, and show promise in computer circuitry materials and electromagnetic trains. This experiment explores a means of increasing the critical current, the maximum amount of electric current that can pass, and which at present is too low to permit the use of superconductors …
Design And Construction Of A Lithium Vapor Oven, Corey A. Leon
Design And Construction Of A Lithium Vapor Oven, Corey A. Leon
Honors Theses
A lithium vapor oven to be used as a source of lithium target atoms in atomic collision experiments was designed and constructed. The oven was installed in the beamline of the Van de Graaff accelerator at Western Michigan University. Test results indicated the oven produced a diffuse cloud of evaporated lithium instead of the intended concentrated jet spray. Recommendations concerning the design are made for future efforts.