Digital Commons Network^™

Skyforge—Autonomous Robot For On-Orbit Assembly Of Space Structures, Kate Keeler, Garrett Farnham, Logan Trier, Ainsley West

Senior Project

As interest in deep space exploration and satellite communications increases around the world, the need for large orbital structures such as space stations, solar fields, and telescopes increases in parallel. Current methods include monolithic modular assembly, expanding deployable structures or requiring Extra-Vehicular Activities, all of which are costly and highly specialized. This paper proposes a form of robotic on-orbit assembly for structures beyond the size constraints of the launch vehicle. The SkyForge system consists of a launch capsule containing construction materials and a pair of tripedal robots, identical in form and task. These robots would autonomously locomote on, and assemble …

Machine Learning In Fundamental Physics: From Early Universe Signatures To Qcd Evolution, Brandon Stevenson

Physics Theses and Dissertations

In both cosmology and small-x quantum chromodynamics, the relevant theoretical predictions are well-defined but expensive to evaluate repeatedly over broad parameter spaces or large ensembles of simulated data. The central question of this thesis is when machine learning can accelerate those calculations without weakening the reliability of the final physics conclusions. The thesis develops and tests this idea in three settings. First, it studies the Derivative Approximation for Likelihoods (DALI) as a means of diagnosing when Fisher-matrix forecasts cease to be trustworthy in cosmological parameter inference. Second, it investigates graph-based spherical neural networks for estimating primordial non-Gaussianity directly from simulated …

Inferring The Breakdown Scales Of The Chiral Expansions For GA And MN, Andreas Ekström, Daniel R. Phillips, Lucas Platter, Matthias Schindler

Faculty Publications

We apply Bayesian inference to the order-by-order chiral perturbation theory (χPT) expansions for the axial-vector coupling constant g_A and the nucleon mass m_N, and thereby infer the scales at which χPT breaks down for these two observables. Using a pointwise Bayesian analysis, we find that the inferred breakdown scales are notably different for the two observables. For the chiral expansion of g_A, we obtain 251⁺²⁰₋₅₀ MeV and 211⁺²⁰₋₃₀ MeV using two distinct sets of low-energy constants, while for the chiral expansion of m_N we infer a significantly …

Correlated Many-Body Quantum Dynamics Of The Peregrine Soliton, D. Diplaris, G. A. Bougas, P. G. Kevrekidis, C. L. Hung, P. Schmelcher, S. I. Mistakidis

Physics Faculty Research & Creative Works

We explore the correlated dynamics underlying the formation of the quantum Peregrine soliton, a prototypical rogue-wave excitation, utilizing interaction quenches from repulsive to attractive couplings in an ultracold bosonic gas confined in a one-dimensional box trap. The latter emulates the so-called semiclassical initial conditions and the associated gradient catastrophe scenario facilitating the emergence of a high-density, doubly localized waveform. The ensuing multiorbital variant of the Peregrine soliton features notable deviations from its mean-field sibling, including a reduced peak amplitude, wider core, absence of the side density dips, and earlier formation times. Moreover, Peregrine soliton generation yields coherence losses, while experiencing …

Breathing Kagome Lattice-Based Nb3i8 Monolayer: Theoretical Insights Into Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis, Narender Kumar, Radha Somaiya, Ravindra Pandey, Nacir Tit

Michigan Tech Publications

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising strategy for clean energy production, but its efficiency is restricted by poor light absorption, charge recombination, and slow reaction kinetics in photocatalytic materials. To address these challenges, a breathing Kagome lattice-based Nb3I8 monolayer is considered in the present study. Its photocatalytic performance is assessed via descriptors including the effective d-band center, spin-dependent carrier mobility, Gibbs free energy, and exchange-current density. The results based on density functional theory predict that the Nb3I8 monolayer is a type II magnetic semiconductor, with spin-up and spin-down bandgap energies of 1.06 and 1.77 eV, respectively. The application of biaxial …

Numerical Study Of Nutrient Mixing In Trabecular Bone In Microgravity, Disuse And Normogravity, Sagar Gharti

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Mechanical loading is known to regulate bone remodeling by driving interstitial fluid flow which stimulates cells and drives nutrient transport within the trabecular network. In microgravity, the absence of mechanical stimulation or loading suppresses convective flow processes, causing diffusion-driven nutrient mixing and renewal, and accelerated bone loss. This thesis investigates how oscillation frequency and trabecular bone density jointly control nutrient mixing and wall shear stress within trabecular cavities.

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) framework is developed in STAR-CCM+ using a soft-cap oscillation model that mimics cyclic compression. Three idealized trabecular morphologies are simulated across different frequencies to represent microgravity or …

Developing A Multi-Band Gnss Remote Sensing Station To Measure Precipitable Water Vapor For Flash Flood Nowcasting, Madison Gleydura

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Flash flood nowcasting in Central and Southern Appalachia is particularly challenging due to steep terrain, narrow valleys, highly localized rainfall patterns, and limited measurement coverage. Traditional remote sensing methods, such as Doppler radar and microwave radiometry, suffer from reduced resolution at long range and signal blockage by mountains. GNSS-meteorology offers an established alternative for measuring precipitable water vapor and is currently integrated into several numerical weather models. Recent research demonstrates that commercial-grade GNSS receivers can produce tropospheric products comparable to those from geodetic-grade equipment. The gaps in mountain coverage can be addressed by developing a low-cost, self-contained embedded system that …

Quantum Dot Solar Cells: Background, Progress, And Perspective, Kumar Neupane, Jeff Kabel, Join Uddin, Raksha Dubey, Rojina Ojha, Dongyan Zhang, Yoke Khin Yap

Michigan Tech Publications

The discovery of quantum dots (QDs) earned a Nobel Prize and has led to widespread applications in research and technology. In this review, we focus on the use of QDs in solid-state solar cells (QDSCs). We begin with an overview of the basic principles of SCs. Then, we discuss how device architecture has developed over recent decades, setting the stage for the final section on fourth-generation solar cells (Perspective section). We also highlight progress in material development, starting with lead- and cadmium-based QDs and progressing to more recent carbon- and perovskite-based QDs. Additionally, we review materials used for electron-transport layers …

Studying Quantum Optics And Spdc With Single Photon Experiments, Chloe Pistelli

Physics Student Projects

Quantum optics is a specialized area of physics that focuses on using light sources, lenses, mirrors, beam splitters, photon detectors, and other optics equipment to demonstrate the wave-particle nature of light. We take advan tage of the spontaneous down-conversion of photons through a beta-barium borate (BBO) crystal, which splits one higher energy photon into two lower energy photons, conserving energy. We confirm the down conversion in our experiment by precisely aligning two detectors in each of the expected paths of the two down-converted photons and counting the number of coincidences detected, or number of times a photon was detected in …

Automation Of Discovery And Classification Of Compact X-Ray Binaries In Globular Clusters, Justin Brooks

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

The discovery and classification of Compact X-ray Binaries (CXRBs) within globular clusters improves our understanding of stellar encounters, the evolution of globular clusters, accretion physics, and the high-energy physics of the compact objects involved in these systems. For this reason, scientists compare X-ray observations from the Chandra X-ray Observa?tory with visible and UV observations from the Hubble Space Telescope to find objects of unusual colors and magnitudes which might be CXRBs. However, this process is time-consuming and requires significant amounts of data and expertise to achieve reliable classifications. This paper de?scribes this process, as well as a proposed automated process …

Measuring The Flux Of Cosmic Ray Muons With A Coincidence Telescope, Carlos C. Sifuentes

Posters - 2026

❖ Cosmic Ray Muons are short-lived fundamental particles formed in the upper atmosphere, and have a half-life of 2.2 microseconds.[3] They travel down to surface level due to relativistic effects.

❖ Cosmic Watch Muon detectors were placed in coincidence. [1]

❖ Varied the angle from zenith using a 3D printed telescope designed in AutoCad.

❖ Varied the distance of the detectors and viewed changes in flux

Thermal Vacuum Technical Report, Taiye Ibukun Fatima Ougundare, Ryan Bade

Senior Project

This system enables ground-based testing of components prior to space deployment. It replicates key Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions, including both pressure and temperature. The chamber reduces pressure from atmospheric conditions (~760 Torr) to ~7.6 × 10⁻⁶ Torr. The thermal vacuum system achieves temperatures ranging from −60 °C to +125 °C for realistic environmental simulation.

Skyforge: Payload Isolation, Denzel Ezekiel, Brayden Gogis

Senior Project

As humanity looks to expand its reach into space, there is an increasing need for large space structures. The existence of these structures would enable large-scale infrastructure for further exploration and long-term habitation of humans beyond earth. However, creating such large structures in space is extremely challenging. Extreme environmental conditions (temperature, vacuum, microgravity) make construction and material handling difficult. Manual construction is dangerous and expensive; it is unrealistic for astronauts to complete this work. The “SkyForge” project, inspired by “Skyworker” (2003), attempts to make large space structure construction possible. SkyForge is envisioned as a fully autonomous construction robot designed for …

Time-Correlated Photons From Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (Spdc), Aaron Dubois , ‘26, Tanvir Islam , ‘26, Prashan Thapa Magar , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Time-correlated photons can be used to demonstrate emerging technical applications such as ghost imaging, and they can demonstrate quantum-based phenomena in order to interest undergraduate students in engineering applications involving optics and quantum mechanics. In this work, we use spontaneous parametric down-conversion to generate time-correlated photons. To achieve this, we simulated laboratory parameters with MATLAB and designed optical and electrical setups. Specifically, we used a 405 nm diode laser, various common optical components, and a nonlinear crystal designed to generate time-correlated photons, and we used single-photon detectors, time-to-amplitude converters, custom flash-conversion analog-to-digital converters, a Teensy 4.1 microcontroller, and the Arduino …

Exploring Single Photon's Wave And Particle Property Utilizing Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion And Mach-Zehnder Interferometer, Nianen Lin

Physics Student Projects

Two experiments that focus on spontaneous parametric down conversion have been performed to verify photon's particle nature. The last experiment that involves both spontaneous parametric down conversion and Mach-Zehnder Interferometer have been performed to verify photon's and wave nature. All these three experiments combined prove that photons have both particle and wave nature.

Modeling And Constraining Beyond Standard Model Neutrino Self-Interactions, Sabrina Hanning , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Neutrinos are the ideal subject for theories of Beyond Standard Model (BSM) physics. This is because small neutrino interaction cross-sections make them incredibly difficult to detect and result in many open questions regarding neutrino properties, particularly those that do not fit nicely into the Standard Model of particle physics, such as the existence of neutrino masses. BSM neutrino self-interactions are an interesting possibility with connections to dark matter candidates, neutrino mass generation, and in general any measurement that relies on accurate modeling of incident astrophysical neutrino flux.

These self-interactions may take various forms, with different mediator particles; we present a …

Evaluating The Collision-Coalescence Process In Idealized Cloud Convection Using Large-Eddy Simulations With Lagrangian Microphysics, Yangze Ren, Kamal Kant Chandrakar, Fan Yang, Raymond Shaw

Michigan Tech Publications

Drizzle initiation through the collision and coalescence of cloud droplets plays a crucial role in warm cloud precipitation. Recent theoretical studies suggest that the influence of collisional growth on the droplet size distribution can be quantified by a non‐dimensional drizzle number (Dz). Here, large‐eddy simulations with Lagrangian microphysics are employed to evaluate the theory by simulating a tall convection‐cloud chamber under various conditions. Results show that the smaller the Dz, the larger the impact of collisions on the right tail of the droplet size distribution, consistent with the theory. The simulations confirm that the collision rate can be estimated from …

A Model Intercomparison Study To Investigate Mixing Characteristics In Non-Precipitating Stratocumulus Clouds, Fan Yang, Kyoung Ock Choi, Kamal Kant Chandrakar, Fabian Hoffmann, Pei Hou, Steve Krueger, Chunsong Lu, Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Yangze Ren, Shin Ichiro Shima, Peng Wu, Chongzhi Yin, Zeen Zhu, Seong Soo Yum

Michigan Tech Publications

Recent aircraft observations of marine stratocumulus clouds consistently showed that cloud microphysical relationships vary with altitude, indicating inhomogeneous mixing characteristics near cloud top and homogeneous mixing characteristics in mid-levels of clouds. Here, we conduct model intercomparison of an idealized, non-precipitating stratocumulus cloud to evaluate model consistency and examine whether simulations can reproduce the observed mixing characteristics. The results show that eleven large-eddy simulations with various dynamics and microphysics schemes show good agreement on the thermodynamical, microphysical, and dynamical properties of the stratocumulus-topped boundary layer in a steady state. The inter-model spread in steady-state liquid water path is significantly reduced compared …

Fluid-Mediated Particle Transport: Revisiting Snowstorm Simulations In 2d With An Updated Pressure Calculation Algorithm, E. Maldonado, Michael W. Roth

The Compass: Earth Science Journal of Sigma Gamma Epsilon

We develop and present computer simulations of snowfall and snowfall management near buildings using deflection fins. Our approach first entails a numerical solution to the Navier – Stokes fluid dynamics equations in order to determine wind velocity profiles with and without deflection fins. Subsequent to finding the velocity field, snow particles are introduced and are subject to Newton’s Laws in order to allow transport, sticking to surfaces, landing and ultimately accumulation. We revisit previous work, presenting and discussing program construction and validation, along with cursory systematic studies of varying geometrical parameters in the simulation. The utility of the simulations is …

Experimental And Computational Investigations Of Li-Ion And Na-Ion Battery Cathode Materials, Shintaro Inaba , ‘26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Batteries allow storage of chemical energy and controlled conversion of energy as electricity. Known to mankind since the eighteenth century, batteries have been vital in manufacturing, service industry, and use of portable electronics and electric vehicles. These systems utilize rechargeable batteries, where redox reactions are practically reversible. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are two rechargeable systems that are widely explored in the field of electrochemistry and electrical engineering due to their abundance of materials, relative safety, energy density and power density. Discovery and optimization of those battery materials are crucial in improving their performance and accelerating commercialization. In …

Agglomeration Of Particles Streaming Down A Zigzag, Juan Llamas

Posters - 2026

Zigzags or “letdown ladders” limit the flow speed of dry grains as they flow downward by gravity when loading silos, ships, barges, railcars, or trucks.

• Reduce cracking and shattering of grains.

• Increase grain shelf life.

• Increase grain resale value. • Increase ability of grain to germinate.

• Reduce generation of grain dust, an explosion and environmental hazard.

How can we design a zigzag that we know will not plug?

Information Theory Analysis Of The Solar Wind Magnetic Structures For Space Weather Prediction, Katherine Holland

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Forecasting space weather at Earth is highly complicated, because of the limited measurements of the dynamic processes in the Sun that span multiple temporal, spatial, and energy-scales. The solar wind is a highly structured, multi-scale, evolving plasma and consists of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), stream interaction regions (SIRs), expanding flux tubes (Borovsky, 2008), and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) discontinuities and fluctuations. The aim of this research is to improve our understanding of the evolution and dissipation of different scale-size solar wind magnetic structures as they move from the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 1 (L1) to Earth's bow shock and, ultimately, to …

Antimicrobial Performance Of Amorphous Vs. Crystalline La1-Xsrxcoo3 Perovskites, S. M. Au Shohag, Fahmida Akhter, Ahmed Touhami, Swati Mohan, Md. Wasikur Rahman, Mohammed Jasim Uddin

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Perovskite materials, with their unique crystal structure and chemical properties, are emerging as promising antimicrobial agents for potential biomedical applications. In this research, different weight percentages of Sr2 + doped amorphous and crystalline Lanthanum Cobaltite (La1-xSrxCoO3 defined as LSCO) (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15) perovskite was synthesized by using a simple combination of sol-gel and molten-salt processes and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) ensures the uniform morphology of the materials. During antimicrobial study using the Kirby Bauer method, amorphous LSCO showed much better activity than crystalline LSCO against Escherichia coli, Vibrio …

Discovery Of A New Cataclysmic Variable, Galex J211240.9–422959, Via The Exoasteroids Citizen Science Project, Mei Lin, Aaron Meisner, Siyi Xu, Arttu Sainio, Liliana E. Rivera Sandoval, Paula Szkody, Christopher Tanner, Laura K. Rogers, Sarah Casewell, Austin Humphreys

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report the discovery and spectroscopic classification of a new cataclysmic variable (CV), GALEX J211240.9–422959 (Gaia DR3 source ID 6580244356829724928). This object was initially identified as a source exhibiting strong mid-infrared variability in Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) time-series data by a volunteer participating in the Exoasteroids citizen science project. Prompted by this strong variability at 3–5 μm, we obtained a follow-up optical spectrum using the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph at the Gemini South Observatory. The resulting spectrum displays a blue continuum dominated by strong, broad emission lines of the hydrogen Balmer series and neutral helium, spectral signatures characteristic of …

A Search For Magnetically Active Binary Counterparts To Chandra X-Ray Sources In 47 Tucanae With Hst Imaging, Haldan N. Cohn, Phyllis M. Lugger, Craig O. Heinke, Maureen Van Den Berg, Liliana Rivera Sandoval, Jay Anderson

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Using Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging, we searched for candidate magnetically active binary (AB) counterparts to low-luminosity Chandra X-ray sources in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae (NGC 104). We consider the catalog of 300 Chandra sources within the half-light radius of 47 Tuc compiled by C. O. Heinke et al. (2005). The 10-band HST imaging used to identify these sources spans the range from 275–658 nm. We generated a cross-matched catalog of objects detected by photometric reductions. We used this catalog to search for counterparts within Chandra source error circles using color–magnitude diagrams and a color–color plot. We …

Exclusive Neutral Pion Electroproduction Cross Section Measurements With A Neutral Particle Spectrometer, Mitchell R. Kerver

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Deep Virtual Compton Scattering (DVCS), the exclusive electron-proton scattering process ep →e′p′γ, provides access to generalized parton distributions (GPDs), which correlate informa tion about the longitudinal momentum and transverse spatial structure of quarks inside the nucleon. Experiment E12-13-010 in Hall C at Jefferson Lab was designed to take high-precision measure ments of the DVCS cross section over an extended kinematic range using the newly commis sioned Neutral Particle Spectrometer (NPS). The NPS features a high-resolution electromagnetic calorimeter and a streaming data acquisition system optimized for operation at high luminosities. This thesis presents the detector and analysis work carried out to …

Optimization Of Niobium Film For Particle Accelerators And Quantum Applications, Bektur Abdisatarov

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Niobium (Nb) films play a central role in superconducting technologies used in particle accelerators and superconducting quantum circuits. Optimizing the physical properties of Nb films is therefore critical for improving both radiofrequency (RF) performance in superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities and coherence in superconducting qubits. This thesis investigates the relationship between Nb film microstructure, impurity content, and electromagnetic response across these two application domains.

For particle accelerator applications, we studied Nb films deposited using high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) with DC bias onto a 1.3 GHz elliptical SRF cavity. Nb film cavities exhibit a pronounced medium-field Q-slope, limiting their achievable accelerating …

A Study Of Short-Range Correlated Pair Formation Mechanisms, Noah S. Swan

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Short-Range Correlations (SRCs) refers to pairs of nucleons that are temporary high density fluctuations with high relative momenta and lower center-of-mass momenta com pared to the nuclear Fermi momentum (kF). SRCs account for 20–25% of the nucleons in medium to heavy nuclei, make up essentially all nucleons with momentum greater than kF, and contribute most of the kinetic energy carried by nucleons in nuclei.

The existing semi-inclusive and exclusive measurements only cover a handful of light nu clei or heavy elements. This does not allow for a systematic study of the dependence of SRC pairs on nuclear mass and proton-neutron …

Observations Of An Oscillatory Mechanochemical Reaction Between Tetrathiafulvalene And Chloranilic Acid, Alastair Deans

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Mechanochemistry is the study of chemical reactions driven by the input of mechanical en ergy in addition to thermal activation. Mechanochemical reactions from powders are carried out by manual grinding or milling using various types of ball mills, or in twin extruders. While mechanochemistry has great potential affording economically and environmentally advantageous “green” synthetic methods, a drawback is that its chemical mechanisms are not well understood. One example of such a reaction currently under study involves tetrathiafulvalene, an organic elec tron donor with two polymorphs (orange and brown), and chloranilic acid, an electron acceptor. Previous results show that neat grinding …

Ultra-High Vacuum Outgassing Characterization Of Thermally Processed Low-Carbon Steel For Advanced Particle Accelerator And Gravitational Wave Detector Applications, Aiman H. Al-Allaq

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigated AISI 1020 low-carbon steel as an alternative vacuum chamber material to conventional stainless steel for ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and extreme-high vacuum (XHV) applications. After a 400 °C/48 h bake, AISI 1020 tube chambers achieved a hydrogen outgassing rate of 2.4 × 10⁻¹⁶ Torr·L·s⁻¹·cm⁻², approximately 2,300 times lower than the prebaked 316L stainless-steel comparator, among the lowest hydrogen outgassing rates ever reported for an uncoated metallic vacuum chamber. Bare and magnetite-coated AISI 1020 chambers were then compared using throughput and rate-of-rise methods. The magnetite coating yielded 5× lower water outgassing at room temperature, but this advantage disappeared after …