Digital Commons Network^™

Public Perceptions Of Incarceration And Rehabilitation: The Business Of Private Prisons Within Societal Values Of America, Maile P. Mcpherson

Journalism

With the tough on crime mentality, incarceration rates have rose throughout the country in regard to drug, alcohol, mental health and crime related issue(s). Because of this, our nation has been plagued by inequality in criminal justice along with inequity in incarceration sentencing. This literature discusses the background of the issue, along with the Who, what, where and most importantly, why. Finally, we are given proposed solutions by experts in the industry and guidance on where we can go from here.

Mug For Tremors, Logan J. Smith, Allen Tecson, Jaret Wedow, Kai Workman

Mechanical Engineering

Melissa Oliver, an occupational therapist at McGuire VA Medical Center, works extensively with veterans who struggle with certain daily activities due to their hand tremors. Hand tremors caused by essential tremor, Parkinson’s Disease, or other physical or neurological impairments can greatly affect an individual’s ability to perform daily tasks. One of these tasks include the ability to handle beverages, as hand tremors can cause excessive sloshing and spilling of liquid. Melissa reached out to find a way to help veterans with hand tremors easily consume liquids. Our team, consisting of Logan Smith, Allen Tecson, Jaret Wedow, and Kai Workman, was …

Electromagnetic Actuator For Camless Engines, Nicholas Olesh, Charlie Thomas Glenwright, Tim Wills De Tone, Darya Daniel Darvish

Mechanical Engineering

This document summarizes the research, objectives, project plan, and design for developing an electromagnetic actuator valve for use in a camless internal combustion engine. While electromagnetic valve actuators have not been implemented into a working product to date, there have been many attempts to research and develop working prototypes. Similar products have been developed, but they do not use purely electromagnetic actuation. This research is significant because it shows the challenge that must be overcome and outlines potential design solutions to the problem. The objectives section highlights the problem statement and what is aimed to be achieved in this project. …

Atmospheric Water Harvester, Adam C. Goldstein, Scott Seno, Kristen E. Dentici

Mechanical Engineering

Access to potable water is a global issue that has yet to be adequately solved. In regions with limited access to electricity and ground or surface water, it is not always possible to provide clean water requiring external power or extensive infrastructure to implement. This Final Design Report document will outline the background, design and manufacturing plan involved in the development of a passive atmospheric water harvester. This report builds on the earlier Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review documents to reflect further research, analysis, comments from reviewers, and detailed design documentation. While a final design was decided on …

Composite Lattice Tooling, Rachel Greene, Isaiah De Leon, Patrick O'Donnell, Alec Fuoti

Mechanical Engineering

Composite lattice structures allow for a high strength to weight ratio which is favorable in the aerospace industry where mass is a driving design consideration. Maxar Technologies has tasked the senior project team with creating a process and subsequent tooling to effectively manufacture their patented composite lattice structure as shown in United States patent #10326209B2. The only current industry solution to manufacture similar structures is Isotruss’s utilization of filament winding. The project team was asked to deliver a two-cube-by-four-cube lattice structure manufactured for properties testing and proof of a working manufacturing process. They also required that the process is well …

Miniaturized Ultraviolet Imager Phase Iii, Bradley D. Albright, Nicolas A. Armenta, Colin W. Harrop

Mechanical Engineering

This document details the work to date, June 9, 2020, done by the Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering senior project team, Miniaturized Ultraviolet Imager: Phase III (MUVI III), sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley – Space Sciences Laboratory (UCB SSL). MUVI III is the third senior project team of an ongoing design, MUVI: the prototype of a 2U sized CubeSat intended to capture aurora images in the ionosphere. The first team, MUVI I, finished development of the UV imager. The second team, MUVI II, designed the mirror mounting and deployable door mechanisms. The goal of MUVI phase III is to …

Prosthetic Foot Shell, Ql+, Kathryn Victoria Versteeg, Jackson A. Tucker, Ethan William Frey

Mechanical Engineering

This final design review includes an overview of our project and the steps we have taken to create our final product. We discuss the background research conducted, including various products like the foot shell we are trying to design and its related patents, along with similar past senior projects. As our product is considered a medical device, there are also certain standards that we must comply with. After determining our problem statement, we established what we believe to be the wants and needs of our user. These wants and needs were converted into specifications for our design, with durability as …

Sub-Lunar Tap-Yielding Explorer, Styx, Alexander J. Krenitsky, Ryan J. Locatelli, Aaron B. Erickson, Christoopher B. Boone, Westin R. Mchaney

Mechanical Engineering

To diversify the idea pool that NASA has to draw from for future manned and unmanned missions to the Moon and Mars, a design/build competition has been posed to collegiate teams across the country. The challenge is to reach, extract, and purify underground ice reserves in a setting analogous to mars. Along the way, teams will be collecting telemetry to mimic prospecting objectives on the moon.

The Sublunar Tap-Yielding eXplorer, STYX, is the team’s proposed design for the 2020 NASA RASC-AL competition. Some novel design features STYX will use are a rotary tool changer with swappable tools, a sleeve driving …

Alternative Epinephrine Auto-Injector, Joshua Wong, Uriel Nieves-Cruz, Tara Howard

Biomedical Engineering

Project: Alternative Epinephrine Injector started as a solution for Bianca Aleman’s little brother however the scope has evolved to include the many millions of individuals across the world who struggle with a life-threatening allergen. The stakeholders of this project are Cal Poly and Dr. Michael D. Whitt. Our goals are the following:

● Develop a foolproof method of injection that consistently delivers a dosage of epinephrine

● Be equal or less than the current size of an EpiPen (6 in)

● Be easy to transport or store when not-in-use

● Create an isolated environment where the epinephrine will not be …

Folded! High-Rise, Alejandra Bravo, Riley Joseph Denis

Architectural Engineering

The authors of this report are undergraduate Architectural Engineering students at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. This report documents their experience in an interdisciplinary studio of high‐rise building design and the process by which they produced a schematic design of a high‐rise residential building in San Francisco. It will address the organization of the studio, the development of concept as well as form and structure, the studies and structural analyses, as well as the review process and the competitions the final proposals were entered in, and include some final takeaways from each Architectural Engineering group member.

Rf Power Amplifier, Angel De Jesus Delgado, Rachanon Wajanakunakorn, Andrew John Ferguson

Electrical Engineering

Wireless devices are part of everyday life, cellphones and radio receivers impact more people than any piece of technology. Thus, the respective building blocks continue to advance and achieve better performance. A primary component of all wireless communication systems is the power amplifier that drives the antenna. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) holds the International Microwave Symposium (IMS) every year where teams compete internationally for the most efficient RF Power Amplifier (PA). Power amplifier technologies strive to maximize efficiency and linearity. Topologies to consider are D, E, F, F-1 and Doherty since they have a maximum theoretical …

High Speed, High Current Monitoring System, Nicolette Lila Ray

Electrical Engineering

Electronics testing requires lengthy data collection and analysis. Streamlining at least part of this process allows resource reallocation, and faster data processing. Verifying a signal’s efficiency is key specification for a component’s datasheet. This project focuses on streamlining data collection when measuring a device’s output current. It combines amplifier design and digital interfacing to perform monitor a device’s output current. A computer-enable interface displays a graphical output current representation. It ensures accurate, high speed, high current measurements while removing a person’s need to manually plot data after testing. A new testing method provides room for company and product growth with …

Fuzz Distortion Guitar Stompbox, James Dennis Cleary

Electrical Engineering

My Fuzz Distortion Pedal offers guitar players a full-fledged fuzz distortion pedal with gain, frequency cutoff and volume controls. The pedal offers a true bypass when inactive which allows the signal to pass through the effect with no coloration. The distortion pedal offers hard clipping of the input signal by amplifying it by a high amount, and then clipping the voltage of the signal through the use of diodes.

Stability Analysis Of Systems With Time Delay Simulation Program, Matthew Carroll, Brandon Replogle

Electrical Engineering

A small company wants to develop a CAD tool, ideally as part of the MATLAB suite of tools, for system stability analysis of nonlinear control systems with time-delay. The program must allow the designer to input the system block diagram graphically, then using symbolic expansion, automatically generate the Laplace domain stability boundary and disturbance settling time. The stable regions are then to be graphically plotted as a set of 2- or 3-dimensional parametric stability boundaries. The designer can then input performance constraints on the system through the MATLAB console and a Simulink environment will automatically be generated.

This program is …

Neutrino Detection Antenna, Samuel D. Keechler

Electrical Engineering

Neutrinos carry valuable information about deep space events that researchers can utilize to study the early universe. Since the first neutrino was detected in 1956, it is a relatively new physics research topic. A new state-of-the-art research facility, the Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G), was developed to detect Ultra-High Energy (UHE) neutrinos, ones with energy greater than 100 PeV (1015 electronvolts). For reference, this amount of energy lifts an apple 5 cm, or drives a neutrino, a particle 1034 times smaller by mass, near the speed of light [1]. UHE neutrino events typically occur less than five times a …

Acl Recovery Aid, Zongyi Li, Nathaniel Anthony Huck, Jarrett Rei Shirouzu

Biomedical Engineering

This project changed its scope throughout the two quarters. Originally, it was a student proposed project to create a low-cost brace to help patients after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The brace was to be worn during the day and help stretch the ACL to speed up the recovery time. After meeting with Dr. McSorley, a physical therapist local to San Luis Obispo, we decided to change the scope of the project. Dr. McSorley mentioned that the recovery process for ACL patients stops at night when they go to sleep. Creating a brace that could be worn at night …

Wine Sampler, Lance L. Litten

Computer Engineering

Quality testing is an important part of the wine industry. Without proper quality control, thousands of dollars could be wasted on bottling and recalling hundreds of gallons of wine. Due to this, labs are set up that collect wine samples from the tanks in a wine production plant and test them. A big part of this testing is determining exactly what tanks need to be tested and what tanks are at risk. My project aims to help automate this task by collecting data from the tanks wirelessly and keeping track of simple indicators such as pH and temperature. Automating this …

Wind/Hydro Power Generation Simulator, Justin Shaun Otus, Nicholas Joseph Steele, Patrick Daniel Murphy

Electrical Engineering

This project aims to design a wind or hydro power generation simulator. The original scope of this project was to construct a physical simulation apparatus in which wind/water speed data is fed to a microcontroller that adjusts the control voltage of a motor drive. The spinning DC motor would generate power via a coupled generator whose power output would be a scaled down version of wind/hydroelectric generator power output given the same wind/water speed input. Due to Covid-19, the project was altered to be entirely virtual and was made through Simulink in MATLAB. The virtual simulator attempts to mimic physical …

Biometric Identification With Ecg Signals, Connor Lindstrom, Jonathan Wood, Jacob Torchia, Jonathan Lee

Electrical Engineering

This project introduces a new form of biometric identification with an ECG signal with the use of machine learning concepts. The ECG signal makes a good candidate for identification because of its unique characteristics that make it easy to distinguish individuals from one another. A patient who has previously had ECG scans stored in a database before, can be verified using this program. This project has the capability of identifying a person or verifying a person solely using their ECG signal. Utilizing this biometric identification, hospitals would be able to add to the reliability of their identification process. Additionally, companies …

Controller Area Network (Can) Bus Simulator And Data-Logger For In-Vehicle Infotainment Testing, Sandra Roksic

Electrical Engineering

In the infotainment testing environment, various tools simulate a select range of Controller Area Network (CAN) bus signals onto the infotainment workbench. The integration of signal input devices and trace-gathering tools often results in a cluttered workspace and an inefficient testing environment. This project eliminates the need for multiple signal simulators and allows for a single system source for various input CAN-bus messages. This system enables the tester to store output CAN-bus data from the test vehicle for future reference and analysis through the same integrated system. It optimizes the time it takes the tester to complete testing catalogs and …

Conducted And Radiated Emi Measurements Of Parallel Buck Converters Under Varying Spread Spectrum Parameters, Elena Postupalskaya, Nathan Wang

Electrical Engineering

The Conducted and Radiated EMI Measurements with Parallel Buck Converters Under Varying Spread Spectrum Parameters research senior project aims to explore the effects from Spread Spectrum Frequency Modulation (SSFM) on the input electromagnetic interference (EMI) or noise of a switching power supply, specifically with LM53601MAEVM hardware. The input EMI is important as the main input bus needs to be clean to provide a reliable source for other sensitive devices connected to it. SSFM can replace a conventional EMI filter and save weight, space, and cost. This project provides a basis in terms of the impacts of variable SSFM in simulation …

Wideband Characterization And Alternate Test Technique For Rf Amplifiers, Hannah Nicole Bonderov, Arthur Yuriychuk

Electrical Engineering

This project requires that we select a high frequency amplifier that most fits the desired specifications of our client, who is hoping to use our data and results for a senior technical elective at Cal Poly SLO. In order to do this, we use an amplifier trade to compare specs for select amplifiers and choose one to use for testing. Through this trade, the ERA-3+ is shown as the best option for us to use in the lab. The ERA-3+ amplifiers are characterized by their s-parameters and metrics of nonlinearity which includes 1dB compression point, carrier to third order intermodulation …

Polyone Smartphone, Joshua Zalmanowitz, Chi Nguyen, Gerome Cacho, Chris Lim

Electrical Engineering

The Poly One Smartphone is a student designed smartphone built to explore the implementation of 5G, provide a hardware solution to ensure personal information security and privacy, and provide longer battery life. The key features of this smartphone include but are not limited to a main cpu, some form of network connectivity in the form of Wi-fi or Cellular Data, calling functionality, a rechargeable battery that works with common power connection protocols, and compatibility with popular applications.

High Efficiency Rf Amplifier Design, Evan W. Johnson

Electrical Engineering

High efficiency RF power amplifiers are key to the operation of modern wireless systems. From reducing power consumption at base stations to increasing battery life in handsets, high efficiency amplifiers help system designers to meet key performance criteria for their customers. The advent of the Internet of Things and 5G will lead to mass proliferation of battery operated wireless devices, increasing demand for high efficiency systems. In this project, a high efficiency 4W narrowband PA operating at 1GHz is designed, built and tested for the IMS2020 high efficiency power amplifier (HEPA) design competition. Emphasis is placed on achieving maximum power-added …

Design And Development Of Laboratory Single-Axis Pv Module Tracker, Helen A. Rice, Delaney Berger, Avishek Maitra

Electrical Engineering

Solar energy is an integral part of the renewable energy industry. Advanced solar farms actively track solar movement and update solar panel angles to maximize the system’s output power. Cal Poly boasts its own Solar Farm that features a single-axis tracking system. Single-axis tracking aims to get panels as close to perpendicular as possible given the panel arrangements and given the time of year. Single-axis tracking is a more robust measurement and tracking option. Single-axis tracking systems usually only have East-West panel arc movement, following the sun’s rotation. Dual-axis trackers have both East-West and North-South panel arc movements. Dual-axis systems …

Efficiency Optimization Of Miso Converter, Gabriel Leonides, Christopher S. Peters, Lauren N. Rotsios

Electrical Engineering

In recent years, there has been a rapidly growing need for sustainable energy sources. This need comes from the increasing threat of climate change, significant population growth, as well as the effort to bring electricity to rural and underdeveloped areas across the world. The DC House project at Cal Poly aims to address these issues. The Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) converter is an integral part of the DC House project. The MISO converter is a system that connects multiple power sources to a DC bus. This allows the DC House to be powered by multiple types of renewable energy …

Automated Score Tracking Cornhole Game, Mondona Behroozian, Harrison Overturf, Daniel Hurwitz

Electrical Engineering

Automated Score Tracking (AST) for Cornhole is a wireless system that allows for ease of game flow. Cypress Semiconductor’s new Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology inspired the idea. The CYBT-213043-Mesh evaluation module allows for users to receive real time score data, from round to round. The CYW20819 Bluetooth Module located on the mesh evaluation board integrates the use of components on the module to reduce the use of external components. The Bluetooth module allows for the two game boards to communicate scores for each team per round. The system first needs to accurately award points to each team in order …

Post-Quantum Encryption Benchmark, Jordan David Churi

Electrical Engineering

Recent advancements in quantum computing bring the weaknesses in modern RSA encryption to the foreground. Shor's algorithm, though not implementable on today's quantum computers, shows that RSA asymmetric key encryption is not secure for the coming future. This flaw in the security has prompted the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to start a search for a new post-quantum encryption algorithm that will be resistant to future quantum computers. There are several implementations of preforming this encryption scheme. One promising technique is using lattices in an application called ring Learning with Errors (rLWE). Several algorithms have been submitted to …

Electric Motorcycle Lithium-Ion Battery System, Amman Fasil Asfaw, Donald J. Alexander

Electrical Engineering

This project entails the processes of design, construction, implementation, and testing of a lithium-ion battery system, including a battery management system, dedicated to converting a 1999 Honda XR100R motorcycle into a fully functional electric motorcycle. The battery system powers the motorcycle with enough voltage and amperage to sustain the needed power capability for a reasonable range. Providing an estimate of the voltage needed, the two largest loads, the DC motor and controller, draw about 48 to 60 volts from the battery for proper operation. Additionally, different aspects of the design also ensure safe operation, correct sizing, and maximum lifetime of …

Electrocardiographic (Ecg) Biometric Identification, Ryan Morosa, Charbel Ghantous

Electrical Engineering

Electrocardiography (ECG) is being used a lot more in biometrics for applications where protection of privacy is important. Other methods like facial recognition can be falsified by using different colored contacts to manipulate identification. For this reason, ECG is a viable option for biometric identification since it relies solely on the heartbeat to classify characteristics of an individual. The Pan-Tompkins method was used for feature extraction, and both ELM and correlation were used for classification. ELM through MATLAB achieved an average accuracy of 85%. Correlation achieved an average accuracy of 89.2%.