Digital Commons Network^™

Secure Peer-To-Peer Messaging Using Distributed Servers, Jack Stoller

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Traditional messaging systems that rely on centralized infrastructure often introduce three security vulnerabilities: single points of failure susceptible to availability attacks, metadata leakage, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

This project designs, implements, and validates a distributed peer-to-peer messaging system that addresses each of these concerns through architectural design. A consistent hash ring is used with virtual nodes to distribute user data across a mesh of connected nodes, eliminating centralized dependency on any single server. Message contents travel directly between browser clients over a WebRTC data channel secured with end-to-end DTLS encryption, bypassing the server infrastructure. Inter-node communication is protected by mutual TLS …

Brrbox, Shawn J. Myers, Lane Cline, Michael Davis, Christian Secrest

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This report details the project known as “The BRRBOX”, a reusable, insulated thermoelectric cooler developed to keep internal temperatures at refrigeration levels or cooler for at least 48 hours. The cooler will track its internal temperature during this period and be able to give the data at the end of its delivery cycle to keep up with food and pharmaceutical standards during delivery. The BRRBOX uses Peltier-based cooling alongside vacuum insulation panels and fans to achieve efficient thermal control. An onboard microcontroller will monitor temperature, record the data, and adjust the cooling output to minimize power consumption. The box will …

Automated Pill Dispenser, Ryan Oderkirk, Connor Beaven, Rachelle Labrie, Josue Panchana

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The project we propose is an automated system for dispensing dosages of medication throughout the day. It will be able to alert a user when their pills need to be taken and give them the correct dosages of up to four different medications. These dosages are configurable as well as the scheduled time they are to be taken. In addition, the pill dispenser will alert users when they are low on medications and need to refill the machine.

Automated Soil Resetting System For Extraterrestrial Regolith Simulation, Parker W. Brennan, Anthony C. Daniels

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project focuses on designing an automated soil resetting system for extraterrestrial regolith simulation. The system will prepare a regolith simulant testbed to a desired, repeatable density, enabling reliable wheel–terrain testing for planetary rover research. Manual soil preparation currently exposes testers to hazardous particulates and produces inconsistent results.

The proposed system will integrate mechanical and control elements to reset the soil bed safely and efficiently. A combination of raking and vibrational methods will be explored, with feedback sensors and automation to achieve target density control. The research will proceed through literature review, benchtop experimentation, prototype design, and full-scale testing over …

Adjustable Car-Camping Bed Frame, Zachary Lamonica, Mitchell Mcgrath

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project explores an innovative camping solution designed to enhance mobility, comfort, and accessibility for outdoor enthusiasts. The first is the Adjustable Car-Camping Bed Frame, engineered to be lightweight, collapsible, and adjustable to various vehicle interiors. It prioritizes ease of setup, compact storage, reliability, and affordability, enabling convenient travel without sacrificing comfort. The design aims to simplify camping while maintaining durability. As an aerospace systems engineering student, I will apply systems engineering to the Bed Frame, using aerospace software and principles. The scope includes research, design, prototyping, and testing, with a focus on real-world usability and environmental adaptability. Additionally, my …

Automatic Pet Feeder Network, Daniel J. Herttna, David A. Bechtel, Alexander Deskovich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will describe the design process and research behind the Automatic Pet Feeder Network, otherwise known as The Petwork. The system consists of a tank to hold the food, a latching system to drop the food at the desired time, a weight sensor to verify that the proper amount of food has been dispensed, a power supply unit that steps down 120V AC standard wall outlet power, & a microcontroller that will interpret the user's input from a mobile phone application. The networking portion is covered by having a primary and a secondary feeder. The mobile application will communicate …

Development Of A Hypersonic Aerodynamic Analysis Methodology For Conceptual Design, Stephen Atkins

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Theses

This research promotes the advancement of the Aerospace Vehicle Design Synthesis (AVDS) system through the development of a low order numerical hypersonic aerodynamic analysis methodology. The AVDS methodology outlines how to utilize disciplinary tools and relies on the careful selection or development of those tools to carry out the aerospace vehicle sizing and evaluation processes. An overview of the aerodynamic analysis process from both industrial and academic perspectives is presented to provide context for the present work. The different philosophies of design are discussed insofar as they dictate how aerodynamic tools are used in the design process. Next, a literature …

Analyzing A Benchtop Model Of Combined Heat Power To An Industrial Scale, Chase Steven Carlton, Ashley Leach, Andrew Martin-Biggs, Tessa Wilker

UNH URC Open (2026 and after)

Analyzing a Benchtop Model of Combined Heat Power to an Industrial Scale

A Three-Stage Causal Root-Cause Diagnostic Protocol For Nonstationary Industrial Time Series Data, Cansu Yalim, Resit Unal, Holly A. H. Handley

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Faculty Publications

Predictive maintenance (PdM) systems effectively forecast failures, but they often fail to find root causes, particularly when system dynamics change over time. This limitation arises from applying static causal models or decoupled segmentation to handle nonstationary industrial time series. For regime-aware causal diagnostics and interventional effect estimation, we introduce a three-stage time-varying dynamic Bayesian network (TV-DBN) protocol. Using a minimum description length (MDL) objective that connects segmentation to mechanism changes, Stage I jointly infers change points and regime-specific graph structure. Stage II produces a completed partially directed acyclic graph (DAG) by orienting edges within each regime using a combination of …

Evaluating High-Strength Steel Welded Connections For Future Aws Welding Standards, Parker Minter

2026 Research Poster Competition

Welding plays a critical role in many civil engineering applications as it is a common method used to connect structural steel components. Because of how widespread the practice is, the American Welding Society (AWS) has developed a set of standardized welding guidelines to ensure consistent quality in structural welds. These standards allow common weld types to be fabricated using pre-approved procedures (e.g. welding materials, temperatures, and positions). Recently, high-strength structural steels have begun to be available domestically. Current AWS standards do not allow for high strength steels (yield strength greater than 80ksi) and need to be evaluated for the inclusion …

Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle Safety Reporting And Analysis Of Incidents Utilizing Machine Learning, Cody Harrison

2026 Research Poster Competition

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are rapidly evolving and being integrated into a wide range of applications, from commercial deliveries to police surveillance and recreational use. As UAVs become more prevalent, the complexity of operations and potential for incidents or accidents will continue to increase. Understanding why these incidents and accidents occur is critical to ensure safe and reliable drone operations as the industry continues to grow. To combat these issues, it is invaluable to analyze UAV incidents quantifiably to identify leading causes and risks in a streamlined and efficient matter. Current manual reporting systems often struggle with the sheer volume …

How Do Different Flight Training Programs Impact Pilot Proficiency?, Abigail Henson

2026 Research Poster Competition

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), founded in 1958, ensures safe and efficient use of national airspace by regulating aircraft and pilot certification, setting standards for airports, and managing the National Airspace System. One such regulation is in the certification process for aspiring student pilots. Students who want to obtain their private pilots license can do so by picking either a Part 61 or Part 141 flight school. While both lead to the same certification, these two options differ significantly in terms of structure; Part 61 programs offer flexibility with their individualized approach and fewer requirements while Part 141 schools follow …

Analysis Of Loss Of Engine Power Events In General Aviation, Saloni Satappagol

2026 Research Poster Competition

Among different parts of aviation, general aviation (GA) stands out as one of its largest and most vital sectors. GA is defined as any civil aviation activity excluding scheduled commercial flights and military operations. While loss of engine power is a serious subset of general aviation accidents, accounting for more than 200 fatal accidents per year, several gaps remain in our current understanding of these accidents. While current literature includes older studies from 2000-2014, new data from the past decade have not been analyzed for trends yet. With this significant gap of more than a decade in understanding, it is …

Monitoring Eye Movements To Assess The Impact Of Sensory Feedback On Cognitive Workload During Myoelectric Prosthetic Hand Use, Naomi Tchoungang, Hailey Dirrigl, Justin Asbee

2026 Research Poster Competition

Modern prosthetic hands allow users to grasp and manipulate objects, but many users must constantly watch the device to complete even simple tasks. This heavy reliance on vision increases cognitive effort, slows movement, and makes prosthetic use feel less natural. An important question in prosthetics research is whether providing sensory feedback (enabling users to feel what the prosthetic hand is doing) can reduce this cognitive load and improve performance. In this study, sensory feedback refers to a system that provides clear tactile cues to the user upon contact between the prosthetic hand and an object, helping replace information normally felt …

Assessing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Phenotype After Heparan Sulfate Supplementation, Isani Patel

2026 Research Poster Competition

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that damages the protective coating of nerves, often causing lasting neurological symptoms. Current treatments slow disease activity but rarely repair existing damage. In response to this, a novel treatment option has emerged: mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy. MSCs are cells found in different adult tissues like bone marrow, and they have the potential to release repair-supporting signals and moderate inflammation. Nevertheless, results in a clinical setting have been inconsistent due to variations in cell potency. As a potential strategy to enhance MSC therapeutic potential, the addition of heparan sulfate, a naturally occurring signaling molecule, …

Cardiovascular Monitoring For Maternal Health Using Wearable Devices, Daniela Alejandra Vasquez

2026 Research Poster Competition

Cardiovascular disease represents the leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States, accounting for over 30% of maternal deaths, with preeclampsia and hypertensive disorders contributing significantly to this burden. In Arkansas, maternal mortality rates reach 41.9 deaths per 100,000 live births. Current prenatal care relies on intermittent office-based blood pressure measurements conducted during 12-14 clinical visits, may not capture critical cardiovascular changes in a timely manner. Preeclampsia is characterized by new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, affects 3-7% of pregnancies, and requires early detection to enable timely intervention. The limited accessibility of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in rural …

Uav-Based Sensor Integration For In-Situ Lake Water Quality Monitoring, Alec Campbell

2026 Research Poster Competition

Current water quality assessment methods rely heavily on manual sampling and laboratory analysis, which are time-consuming and difficult to perform in remote or hazardous environments. In surface water monitoring, spatial and temporal resolution is often constrained by labor, access, and logistical limitations of manual sampling programs. This research aims to develop a drone-based system for real-time, in situ lake water quality monitoring. To address these challenges, the project focuses on integrating multiple water quality sensors, including oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, and a multispectral spectrometer, into a compact, UAV-compatible design capable of collecting spatially referenced data. Methods: …

Enhancing Prosthetic Hand Training Through A Virtual Reality–Based Framework Integrated With The Coapt Control System., Iruoghene Ojoh

2026 Research Poster Competition

Enhancing Prosthetic Hand Training Through a Virtual Reality–Based Framework  Integrated with the Coapt Control System. Ojoh, I.1,2, Shell, A.1,  Asbee, J.1, Aguilar, D.1 ,Abbas, J.1,2,   1Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR;  2Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR  Introduction: Advances in upper-limb prosthetic hardware have greatly improved strength, durability, and mechanical performance; however, achieving intuitive control of EMG-based myoelectric prosthetic hands remains a significant challenge for individuals with trans-radial amputations. These devices rely on electromyography (EMG) signals generated by residual forearm muscles, which require consistent and well-coordinated muscle activation. Many users experience difficulty …

A Probabilistic Approach To Multiscale Simulation: Evaluating Machine-Learned Backmapping Models Of Diphenylalanine, Sage Paschall

2026 Research Poster Competition

Diphenylalanine (FF) has demonstrated the tendency to form several nanostructures, a subset of which are electrically conductive and have exciting potential applications in biotechnology and nanoelectronics. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this self-assembly process remain largely ambiguous. Atomistic-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations allow for the evaluation of atomic-level interactions crucial in understanding the driving thermodynamic forces behind self-assembly, but are too computationally expensive to span the necessary timescale to observe the self-assembly process in action. Coarse-grained (CG) models allow for simulation at the appropriate timescale but come at the cost of vital atomistic detail. It is therefore important to develop …

Testing The Effects Of Mechanical Stimulation On Mesenchymal Stem Cell Cultures, Ella Collis

2026 Research Poster Competition

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising treatment option for a variety of diseases due to their ability to migrate to far-off sites, modulate inflammatory immune responses, secrete factors that aid in tissue healing, and their capacity to become several cell types. These cells can be found and isolated from various body tissues including bone marrow and adipose tissue, even so the number of cells obtained from these tissues is minimal compared to the amounts needed for their transplantation in cell therapy treatments. Therefore, their culture in plastic dishes is required to increase the number of cells and obtain the …

Flair- Flow-Level Anomaly Intrustion Recognition, Joseph Dumond

2026 Research Poster Competition

Industrial control systems (ICS) and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) networks support critical infrastructure such as power generation, water treatment, and manufacturing. As these systems become more connected, they are increasingly exposed to cyber threats. However, many existing intrusion detection approaches rely on detailed packet inspection or supervised machine learning techniques that require labeled attack data and extensive tuning, making them difficult to deploy in real industrial environments.ICS networks typically generate highly regular and predictable communication patterns due to periodic control logic and deterministic device behavior. Because of this structure, abnormal or malicious activity often appears as a disruption to …

When Relevant Isn’T Readable: Evaluating Cognitive Accessibility In Search, Kaija Frierson

2026 Research Poster Competition

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people worldwide experience some form of disability. Many of them may affect cognitive processing and reading comprehension rather than vision or mobility, which creates barriers when accessing written information online. Web search is a critical modern literacy skill used for learning, decision-making, and everyday problem solving, yet most search systems are designed with the assumption that all users can process complex written language equally. As a result, people with dyslexia, other cognitive disabilities, low literacy levels, or who are English language learners may struggle to access relevant information even when …

Monitoring Streambank Morphology Using Iphone Lidar Technology, Lily C. Stitt

2026 Research Poster Competition

Monitoring stream morphology is crucial for maintaining the health and safety of fluvial environments, particularly as these naturally dynamic systems are shifted out of equilibrium due to climate and land-use change. Quantifying these changes in stream geometry is useful for infrastructure design, water quality assessment, water resource management, and stream restoration, among other applications. Traditional stream surveying methods contain limitations that inhibit affordable and accessible stream surveying needed for evaluating fluvial systems with high accuracy and large data samples. In recent years, several advancements have been made in the use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology as an alternative …

P4 Driven Data Plane Analytics For Industrial Control Network Security, Haden Fowler

2026 Research Poster Competition

Industrial control systems manage critical infrastructure such as power grids, water treatment plants, and manufacturing facilities. These systems rely on specialized network protocols to send measurements and commands between sensors, controllers, and operator workstations. Protecting these networks from cyberattacks is essential because a successful intrusion could disrupt services that millions of people depend on daily. Most current security monitoring approaches analyze copies of network traffic after it has already passed through the system. This delay means that malicious commands may reach their targets before any alarm is raised. More importantly, when alerts do occur, operators often lack the evidence needed …

Analysis Of Potential Alkali Reactivity Of Aggregates In Arkansas, Brigita Dowling

2026 Research Poster Competition

Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) is a deleterious chemical reaction in concrete that leads to the deterioration of concrete structures. This reaction occurs between minerals present in aggregates and alkalis in the cement, and produces a gel-like substance called alkali silicate gel. Gradually, these gels absorb water from the environment and expand, leading to internal stresses in the concrete. This damage results in expansion, cracking, and deformation, reducing the strength and durability of the concrete significantly. While this damage appears minor initially, eventually they can lead to the need for costly repairs or replacement of the concrete. ASR has been observed …

Development Of A Scalable 32x32 Capacitive Sensing Array Using Fpga Controlled Multi-Bus I2c Communication, Jonathan Digby

2026 Research Poster Competition

High-resolution capacitive sensor arrays are widely used in applications such as robotics, wearable devices, and biomedical devices where accurate detection of touch, proximity, and motion is crucial. As these systems are scaled up to achieve higher resolutions, challenges pertaining to communication reliability, data synchronization, and system latency become more important. Capacitive sensor arrays detect changes in capacitance caused by disturbances in nearby electric fields. While these arrays are effective at small scales, large arrays often suffer from signal degradation and latency when all sensors rely on a single controller and communication bus. This research addresses these challenges by developing a …

Developing A Cpp-Conjugated Cas9 Library For Efficient Non-Viral Delivery To The Dmd Gene, Amie Donathan

2026 Research Poster Competition

Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or DMD, is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the mutation of the DMD gene, resulting in alterations in the functionality or production of dystrophin, a protein essential to maintain muscle fiber integrity and strength. This mutation leads to progressive muscle degeneration, causing motor loss, cardiopulmonary failure, and ultimately, premature death. Gene therapies using CRISPR aim to replace the mutated gene to provide long-term correction. Although this has promise, CRISPR-based therapies use a viral vector to deliver, which presents notable challenges, such as immune problems and liver toxicity. A non-viral delivery method is a viable approach, but …

Application Of Matlab Simulation For Quantum Wells And Absorption Modelling, Mohamed Nur

Electrical Engineering Theses

The Quantum-Well User Entered Simulation Tool (QUEST), originally developed at the University of Texas at Arlington in 2005, is a simulation program built in MATLAB for computing energy eigenvalues and wavefunctions in user-defined semiconductor quantum well structures. This thesis presents a new revision and extension of QUEST with three primary contributions: compatibility updates to the existing MATLAB codebase, intersubband absorption modelling, and a redesigned graphical user interface for ease-of-use in testing.

The modernization effort for this program addresses incompatibilities introduced by changes to the MATLAB runtime environment since QUEST’s original release in 2005, including corrections to the self-consistent Schrödinger-Poisson solver …

Seeing The Invisible Load: Xr+ Multimodal Sensing For Cognitive Ergonomics In Industrial Training, Jessica M. Johnson, Andwele Grant

Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) Faculty Publications

Extended reality (XR) technologies are increasingly positioned as disruptive Industry 5.0 tools for human-centric industrial training and intelligent human–system integration. Coupled with multimodal sensing (eye tracking, EEG, HRV, GSR, and other physiological signals), XR environments promise to make otherwise invisible cognitive demands observable, especially for novice trainees entering complex industrial settings. Yet the evidence base is fragmented: (1) there is no quantitative synthesis of the cognitive ergonomics benefits of XR plus sensing; (2) little is known about which XR–sensor configurations yield the strongest effects; (3) prior reviews rarely focus on industrial and manufacturing tasks; (4) multimodal signals are used predominantly …

Make It Maritime: A Simulation-Based Engineering Design Challenge Using Multimodal Technologies, Jessica M. Johnson, Jennifer Renne, Jason Dudley

Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) Faculty Publications

This paper presents The Incredible Bulk, a multimodal, simulation-based engineering challenge that introduces Grades 4–12 to maritime careers and digital transformation. Students assume the roles of different maritime careers to assemble aircraft carrier bulkhead systems using: VR for spatial orientation and task preview; a 3D model as visual work instruction; paper blueprints for part identification and dimensioning; 3D-printed components for hands-on assembly; and an AR app for quality assurance/inspection. Grounded in constructionism and cognitive apprenticeship, the plan–build–inspect loop externalizes thinking and situates coached, authentic practice that advances engineering design, systems thinking, and technological literacy.