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Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner 2013 Brigham Young University

Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The progress of a cheap, simple and practical substitute for the common crutch for us has had many design improvements and successes in this year. We were able to meet with medical, educational, and engineering professionals who were all able to input their criticisms and advice. We have decided on a final design that is not the best design for use, but the best when considering cost. See figure 1 for a visual of the final design.


Unilateral Human Vocal Fold Stiffness, Paul Gollnick, Dr. Scott Thomson 2013 Brigham Young University

Unilateral Human Vocal Fold Stiffness, Paul Gollnick, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sounds produced in human speech originate from the vocal folds (also known as vocal chords). In order to speak, the vocal folds must close together. Air is then forced between them causing the folds to vibrate and produce sound.


Improvement Of Body-Powered Prostheses Using Supplemental Power, Kasey Greenland, Dr. Mark Colton 2013 Brigham Young University

Improvement Of Body-Powered Prostheses Using Supplemental Power, Kasey Greenland, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many upper-limb amputees are fitted with body-powered prostheses. These are typically operated by the user wearing a harness and making a certain body movement. That movement pulls a cable which then moves the terminal device, which may be an artificial hand or a hook, to perform desired functions. With such prostheses the user is typically limited in their use of the individual fingers and many opt for a hook. Some have voluntary-closing terminal devices, meaning that the hand is in an open position when no force is applied . Though these devices are useful, they often do not provide the …


Investigation Of The Effects Of Intraosseous Pressure Rise In The Formation Of Spinal Burst Fractures: A Biphasic Material Approach, Spencer Shore, Dr. Anton Bowden 2013 Brigham Young University

Investigation Of The Effects Of Intraosseous Pressure Rise In The Formation Of Spinal Burst Fractures: A Biphasic Material Approach, Spencer Shore, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Burst fractures are high-speed spine injuries caused by rapid axial compression of the vertebrae. The traditional explanation for the burst fracture mechanism points to an intraosseous pressure rise due to the entrance of the intervertebral disc through a fractured endplate. Recent experiments [1], however, indicate an actual decrease in both internal pressure and hydraulic resistance in high-speed tests that result in burst fractures. These results cast doubt on the validity of the traditional burst fracture theory. The current study seeks to model the intraosseous pressure rise using the finite element method. In this model, the trabecular core and marrow of …


High-Resolution Bulk Measurement Of Crystal Defects During Deformation Of Highly Textured Copper, Colin Landon, Dr. Brent Adams 2013 Brigham Young University

High-Resolution Bulk Measurement Of Crystal Defects During Deformation Of Highly Textured Copper, Colin Landon, Dr. Brent Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Plastic deformation of crystalline materials is accommodated by crystallographic slip, and the formation and motion of dislocations. Of particular interest to deformation predictions are the dislocation structures that form internal to grains (i.e. the cellular structures), because of their impact on the plastic behavior of the crystal. However, no generally acceptable models that link the dislocation structures and crystal plasticity exist, as is shown by the number of new theories emerging in the literature.


Csf Sniffer Final Report, Alyssa Huber, David Miller, Dr. Brian Jensen 2013 Brigham Young University

Csf Sniffer Final Report, Alyssa Huber, David Miller, Dr. Brian Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of our research was to create a tool to help in the treatment of hydrocephalus; hydrocephalus is a disease in which an obstruction causes a build-up of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), a liquid found in the brain. Artificial shunts or passageways are used to relocate excess CSF in the treatment of hydrocephalus. Shunts are commonly misplaced, further aggravating patients’ symptoms. We developed an instrument, the CSF Sniffer, to increase the accuracy of shunt placement; it informs the neurosurgeon of the location of the instrument tip in the brain by measuring the intensity of light reflected off the brain. …


Collision Avoidance Using Haptic Feedback For A Quadrotor Helicopter, Adam Brandt, Dr. Mark Colton 2013 Brigham Young University

Collision Avoidance Using Haptic Feedback For A Quadrotor Helicopter, Adam Brandt, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The remote operation of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) presents unique challenges to the pilot. When flying a traditional aircraft a camera can be directed so that the field of view points out the nose, which is always in the direction of flight, assuming small side-slip angles. Using this camera, a remote pilot can always see obstacles that the aircraft is approaching and respond appropriately to avoid them.


The Influence Of Superhydrophobicity On Laminar Jet Impingement And Turbulent Flow In A Channel With Walls Exhibiting Riblets, Joseph Fletcher Prince 2013 Brigham Young University - Provo

The Influence Of Superhydrophobicity On Laminar Jet Impingement And Turbulent Flow In A Channel With Walls Exhibiting Riblets, Joseph Fletcher Prince

Theses and Dissertations

The object of this work is to explore the influence superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces exert in laminar jet impingement and when they are combined with riblets in turbulent channel flow. A SH surface generates an apparent slip due to the combination of micropatterning and chemical hydrophobicity. Because of surface tension, water does not enter the cavities between the features, increasing the contact angle of a water droplet on the surface and reducing the liquid-solid contact area. An analysis based on the integral momentum approach of Karman and Pohlhausen is presented that predicts jet impingement behavior on SH surfaces. The model is …


A Parametric Study On Power Variation For Model Wind Turbine Arrays, Dominic DeLucia 2013 Portland State University

A Parametric Study On Power Variation For Model Wind Turbine Arrays, Dominic Delucia

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis presents the results of wind tunnel experiments performed for various model wind turbine arrays. The aim is to understand how siting affects power output. To optimize wind farm efficiency the experiments vary the parameters of the model wind turbines and the layout of the wind turbine array. The parameters include the alignment, height, spacing, and the rotational direction of the model wind turbines. These experiments employ mechanical torque sensors to simultaneously measure the torque and rotor angular velocity, which yields a direct measurement of the fluid mechanical power extracted by the turbine at multiple locations. For a 4 …


Thermal Transport To Sessile Water Droplets On Heated Superhydrophobic Surfaces Of Varying Cavity Fraction, Robb C. Hays 2013 Brigham Young University - Provo

Thermal Transport To Sessile Water Droplets On Heated Superhydrophobic Surfaces Of Varying Cavity Fraction, Robb C. Hays

Theses and Dissertations

The hydrophobicity of a surface is defined as the degree to which it repels water molecules, and the internal contact angle that the droplet makes with the surface is a measure of the hydrophobicity. Contact angles less than 90° occur on hydrophilic surfaces, while contact angles greater than 90° occur on hydrophobic surfaces. If a surface's contact angle is greater than 120° the surface is commonly defined as superhydrophobic (SH). Superhydrophobicity is accomplished through a combination of microscale surface roughness and water repellant surface chemistry. The roughness creates cavities, or pockets, of vapor underneath the droplet which act to increase …


Identification Of Markov Processes Within A Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer, Matthew Scott Melius 2013 Portland State University

Identification Of Markov Processes Within A Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer, Matthew Scott Melius

Dissertations and Theses

The Markovianity within a wind turbine array boundary layer is explored for data taken in a wind tunnel containing a model wind turbine array. A stochastic analysis of the data is carried out using Markov chain theory. The data were obtained via hot-wire anemometry thus providing point velocity statistics. The theory of Markovian processes is applied to obtain a statistical description of longitudinal velocity increments inside the turbine wake using conditional probability density functions. It is found that two and three point conditional probability density functions are similar for scale differences larger than the Taylor micro-scale. This result is quantified …


Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, Russell Dibb, David Williams, Dr. Mark Colton 2013 Brigham Young University

Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, Russell Dibb, David Williams, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of the prosthetic leg project was to research and design a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that could be used in developing countries. Many prosthetic legs that are currently on the market are very expensive and difficult to manufacture in undeveloped areas of the world. The engineering challenges that the prosthetic leg design addressed include a device that is 1) capable of being manufactured at a low cost ($100-$500), 2) simply and easily reproducible in a developing country, 3) durable enough to hold up to the vigorous conditions that exist in a developing country, and 4) able to effectively modeling …


Parametric Human Spine Model, Simeon Smith, Dr. Anton Bowden 2013 Brigham Young University

Parametric Human Spine Model, Simeon Smith, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Three-dimensional computer models are commonly used to understand and analyze pathological conditions of the spine. Models of the spine are most beneficial when they match each patient’s spinal geometry. Currently, making a model for a specific patient is a long, multi-step process that must be started anew for each person. The goal of this project was to create a parametric model that can be used to instantly generate the spinal geometry of any particular patient based on the input of a few controlling parameters.


Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, Kyle Smith, Dr. Mark Colton 2013 Brigham Young University

Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, Kyle Smith, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a simple process to manufacture a useful and affordable prosthetic leg to be made available to below-the-knee amputees in a sub-Saharan African country. This project was motivated by a desire for learning and experience and also by humanitarian and social entrepreneurship ideals. The project was carried out as a joint effort by a larger research team composed of members of the BYU Biomedical Engineering Club. As this was a joint team effort, many of the tasks detailed in this report were shared between several team members. Currently, the team has identified partners …


Sustainable Bulding Materials In Mozambique, Jared Geddes, Dr. Robert Todd 2013 Brigham Young University

Sustainable Bulding Materials In Mozambique, Jared Geddes, Dr. Robert Todd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The research that I conducted this year was in the area of sustainable building materials. I worked with a team of six engineers to develop a sustainable building material that would be able to withstand the heavy monsoon rains common to the area of Beira, Mozambique. Every year, these rains destroy up to 60% of the local buildings, consisting mainly of local residences made from mud, straw, and sticks. This destruction and the resultant flooding causes an unsafe and unsanitary condition for the local residents. One of the most dangerous aspects of this flooding is the problem of the sanitation. …


Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, John Christiansen, Dr. Mark Colton 2013 Brigham Young University

Development Of A Simple Manufacturing Process For A Prosthetic Leg, John Christiansen, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a simple process to manufacture a useful and affordable prosthetic leg to be made available to below-­‐the-­‐knee amputees in a sub-­‐ Saharan African country. This project was motivated by a desire for learning and experience and also by humanitarian and social entrepreneurship ideals. The project was carried out as a joint effort by a larger research team composed of members of the BYU Biomedical Engineering Club. As this was a joint team effort, many of the tasks detailed in this report were shared between several team members. Currently, the team has identified …


Prosthetic Leg Project, Carl Ellingson 2013 Brigham Young University

Prosthetic Leg Project, Carl Ellingson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The idea of this project was to research prosthetic leg designs in an effort to create a below-the-knee prosthetic device. The goal was to come up with a device that could be used in third world countries where the need is most considerable. In the past year we have come up with a design and are still in the process of testing the leg. We did not finish as fast as we would have liked, and we are still working on additional testing before we can present our idea to the scholarly community.


Pace Global Collaboration Race Car Project And Pace Emerging Market Engine Project, Jesse Davis, Dr. C. Greg Jensen 2013 Brigham Young University

Pace Global Collaboration Race Car Project And Pace Emerging Market Engine Project, Jesse Davis, Dr. C. Greg Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I have been involved with Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) since January 2008. The goal of this organization involving industry sponsors and student teams is to teach and foster engineering collaboration in today’s global market. Various projects are undertaken in PACE, but the main focus is design and engineering in the automotive field. I participated in two projects during the past year.


Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, David Williams, Russell Dibb, Dr. Mark Colton 2013 Brigham Young University

Analysis Of Prosthetic Leg Shock Absorption And Structure, David Williams, Russell Dibb, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of the prosthetic leg project was to research and design a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that could be used in developing countries. Many prosthetic legs that are currently on the market are very expensive and difficult to manufacture in undeveloped areas of the world. The engineering challenges that the prosthetic leg design addressed include a device that is 1) capable of being manufactured at a low cost ($100-$500), 2) simply and easily reproducible in a developing country, 3) durable enough to hold up to the vigorous conditions that exist in a developing country, and 4) able to effectively modeling …


Mechanical Characterization Of Accelerated Human Lumbar Disc Degeneration, John Sessions, Dr. Anton Bowden 2013 Brigham Young University

Mechanical Characterization Of Accelerated Human Lumbar Disc Degeneration, John Sessions, Dr. Anton Bowden

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is reported by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons that in 2005, 24% of the population sought treatment for back pain [1]. Additionally, Americans spent over $85.9 billion (2005) on health treatment costs related to back problems with the vast majority being connected to disc degeneration [1]. Despite the vast sum of money being spent on treatment of disc degeneration, the leading surgical treatments for disc degeneration (spinal fusion, total disc replacement) have been shown to increase degeneration at the discs in adjacent levels to the surgery [2].


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