Digital Commons Network^™

Dynamics Simulation And Optimal Control Of A Multiple-Input And Multiple-Output Balancing Cube, Felix K. Haimerl

Master's Theses

This thesis document outlines the development of a multibody dynamics simulation of an actively stabilized multiple-input, multiple-output, coupled, balancing cube and the process of verifying the results by implementing the control algorithm in hardware. A non-linear simulation of the system was created in Simscape and used to develop a Linear Quadratic Gaussian control algorithm. To implement this algorithm in actual hardware, the system was first designed, manufactured, and assembled. The structure of the cube and the reaction wheels were milled from aluminum. DC brushless motors were installed into the mechanical system. In terms of electronics, a processor, orientation sensor, motor …

Neuro-Silicon Interface Of A Hirudo Medicinalis Retzius Cell Integrated With Field Effect Transistor, Kurt Christian Sjoberg

Master's Theses

The focus of this thesis was to measure the intracellular voltage of a living neural cell using a silicon transistor. The coupling of neurological tissues with silicon devices is of interest to the fields of neurology, neuroscience, electrophysiology and cellular biology. In previous work by Peter Fromherz, single neurons were successfully coupled to transistors [1]. This thesis aims to show proof of concept of the fabrication of a simple neuro-silicon interface using wafer processing methods currently available at Cal Poly. The types of transistors and cells used, the methods for dissecting and preparing the cells, the electrophysiology methods for validating …

Modeling The Spatially Varying Point Spread Function Of The Kirkpatrick-Baez Optic, Nathan Adelman

Master's Theses

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) National Ignition Facility (NIF) uses a variety of diagnostics and image capturing optics for collecting data in High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) experiments. However, every image capturing system causes blurring and degradation of the images captured. This degradation can be mathematically described through a camera system's Point Spread Function (PSF), and can be reversed if the system's PSF is known. This is deconvolution, also called image restoration. Many PSFs can be determined experimentally by imaging a point source, which is a light emitting object that appears infinitesimally small to the camera. However, NIF's Kirkpatrick-Baez Optic …

Influencing Exploration In Actor-Critic Reinforcement Learning Algorithms, Andrew R. Gough

Master's Theses

Reinforcement Learning (RL) is a subset of machine learning primarily concerned with goal-directed learning and optimal decision making. RL agents learn based on a reward signal discovered from trial and error in complex, uncertain environments with the goal of maximizing positive reward signals. RL approaches need to scale up as they are applied to more complex environments with extremely large state spaces. Inefficient exploration methods cannot sufficiently explore complex environments in a reasonable amount of time, and optimal policies will be unrealized resulting in RL agents failing to solve an environment.

This thesis proposes a novel variant of the Actor-Advantage …

Catheter Localization Utilizing A Sensor-Enabled Guidewire: Design Of A Proof-Of-Concept System, Adam Edward Evard

Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis project was to develop a proof-of-concept system for tracking the tip of a catheter without an embedded electromagnetic sensor by utilizing a sensor enabled guidewire. The motivation for the project was a reduction fluoroscopy radiation dose for clinicians in the interventional cardiology lab and the extension of navigation technology to be used with a wider variety of interventional devices through the implementation of expanded capabilities of the Abbott MediGuide system. The focus of the project was on the development of a proof-of-concept system capable of using an external device to track relative guidewire and catheter …

Characterization Of Arterial Flow For Junctional Bleeding Control, Nick Bosio

Master's Theses

This study investigated reducing volumetric flowrate under steady flow conditions by varying lengths of compression with constant cross-sectional area and varying cross-sectional area reduction with constant length in order to better understand how to control junctional hemorrhaging. The hypotheses of this study were that length reduction will have little effect on volumetric flowrate and that cross-sectional area reduction would need to be approximately 80 percent in order to obtain bleeding control. The study found that length reduction has little effect on changing the flowrate. However, in order to obtain at least 80 percent reduction in flow, the area needs to …

Thermal Modelling And Validation Of Heat Profiles In An Rf Plasma Micro-Thruster, Alec Sean Henken

Master's Theses

The need and demand for propulsion devices on nanosatellites has grown over the last decade due to interest in expanding nanosatellite mission abilities, such as attitude control, station-keeping, and collision avoidance. One potential micro-propulsion device suitable for nanosatellites is an electrothermal plasma thruster called Pocket Rocket. Pocket Rocket is a low-power, low-cost propulsion platform specifically designed for use in nanosatellites such as CubeSats. Due to difficulties associated with integrating propulsion devices onto spacecraft such as volume constraints and heat dissipation limitations, a characterization of the heat generation and heat transfer properties of Pocket Rocket is necessary. Several heat-transfer models of …

Validation Of A 1d Algorithm That Measures Pulse Wave Velocity To Estimate Compliance In Blood Vessels, James Leung

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research is to determine if it is possible to validate the new 1D method for measuring pulse wave velocity in the aorta in vivo and estimate compliance. Arterial pressure and blood flow characterize the traveling of blood from the heart to the arterial system and have played a significant role in the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases. Blood vessel distensibility can give some information on the evolution of cardiovascular disease. A patient’s aorta cannot be explanted to measure compliance; therefore we are using a flow phantom model to validate the 1D pulse wave velocity technique to estimate …

Automated Pruning Of Greenhouse Indeterminate Tomato Plants, Joey M. Angeja

Master's Theses

Pruning of indeterminate tomato plants is vital for a profitable yield and it still remains a manual process. There has been research in automated pruning of grapevines, trees, and other plants, but tomato plants have yet to be explored. Wage increases are contributing to the depleting profits of greenhouse tomato farmers. Rises in population are the driving force behind the need for efficient growing techniques. The major contribution of this thesis is a computer vision algorithm for detecting greenhouse tomato pruning points without the use of depth sensors. Given an up-close 2-D image of a tomato stem with the background …

Comparative Analysis Of Physiological Measurements And Environmental Metrics On Predicting Heat Stress Related Events, Mckenzie Lee Barlow

Master's Theses

Exposure to high heat and humidity can lead to serious health risks, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and heat index have historically been used to predict heat stress events, but individualized factors are not included in the measurement. It has been shown that there is a relationship between cardiovascular measurements and heat stress, which could be used to measure heat stress risk on an individual level. Research has been done to find relationships between cardiovascular metrics in a workplace environment, however the study did not include the use of a controlled environment as a …

Calibration And Limitations Of The Mg Ii Line-Based Black Hole Masses, Jong-Hak Woo, Huynh Anh N. Le, Marios Karouzos, Dawoo Park, Daesong Park, Matthew A. Malkan, Tommaso Treu, Vardha Nicola Bennert

Physics

We present single-epoch black hole mass () calibrations based on the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) and optical measurements of Mg ii 2798 Å and Hβ 4861 Å lines and the active galactic nucleus (AGN) continuum, using a sample of 52 moderate-luminosity AGNs at z ~ 0.4 and z ~ 0.6 with high-quality Keck spectra. We combine this sample with a large number of luminous AGNs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to increase the dynamic range for a better comparison of UV and optical velocity and luminosity measurements. With respect to the reference based on the line dispersion of H …

Carbon Sequestering Bio Concrete As A Solution To Growing Atmospheric Concentrations Of Co2, Connor Cech, Jackson Walker

Construction Management

High levels of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions into the atmosphere are propelling climate change, which has been proven to be highly detrimental to the planet. Cement production for the construction industry is a leading cause of these harmful carbon emissions. This project introduces a potential solution to this issue in the form of a new biological concrete that is treated with carbon sequestering bacteria of the Bacillus family to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. The consolidated research presented in this project will explain the biology behind this process, and how it can be implemented in construction …

Value Analysis Of Cm Professional Certifications For Newly Graduated Cm Students, Christopher J. Coglianese

Construction Management

The construction industry has a staggering amount of professional certifications available to those who want to prove experience and expertise. There is usually a financial reason behind this. The more certifications a person has, the more likely he will be promoted and be paid more. As Cal Poly seniors entering the job market, they share these same incentives, and luckily there are plenty of certifications available to them. However, there are too many to choose from and some are too expensive. The question then lies, which certifications should graduating seniors spend their resources on? To answer this simple question, an …

San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School Photovoltaic Project (Belize), John Angelo M. Pezzini

Construction Management

In December 2016, the California Polytechnic State University National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Student Chapter, along with Construction Management faculty and alumni/industry members, installed a photovoltaic system in San Pedro, Belize. This student-led team won the Student Passport Initiative grant from ELECTRI International, with the purpose of designing and constructing a photovoltaic system for the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School, in order to reduce dependence on the grid, encourage carbon neutrality, and aim for net-zero energy consumption. This paper will discuss the preconstruction tasks associated with the project, focusing mainly on maintaining the schedule, the installation of the system …

Are Illegal Direct Actions By Animal Rights Activists Ethically Vigilante?, Michael P. Allen, Erica Von Essen

Between the Species

Constructed as terrorist, illegal direct actions by animal rights activists have become the subject of draconian law enforcement measures in the US and UK. Some scholars respond to this phenomenon by interpreting such actions to protect vulnerable animals not as terrorist but civilly disobedient. This approach highlights their ethical character, as a normatively relevant consideration in the state’s law enforcement response. Consistent with this approach, we argue that illegal direct actions by animal rights activists are not terrorist, although their motivations are sometimes anti-statist and anarchist. However, we also argue that civil disobedience is an awkward fit for many such …

Academic Senate - Agenda, 5/29/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Academic Senate - Meeting Minutes, 5/29/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

As-854-18 Resolution On Proposed New Degree Program: Master Of Science In Environmental Sciences Management, Greg Brown

Academic Senate Resolutions

The program is distinctive within the CSU and UC systems in requiring the integration of environmental science knowledge with applied environmental management; and Cal Poly graduates with a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management can assist the state of California in addressing major environmental Concerns such as water quality and supply, forest health, energy supply, and conservation of biodiversity; therefore be it That the proposed new degree program for the Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Management be approve.

Executive Committee - Meeting Minutes, 5/22/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 5/22/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Agenda, 5/15/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

Executive Committee - Meeting Minutes, 5/15/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Autonomy, Slavery, And Companion Animals, Heather M. N. Kendrick

Between the Species

I attempt to resolve the question of whether keeping animals as pets is akin to slavery by considering the significance of liberty to human beings and to nonhuman animals. I distinguish between two senses of liberty: preference liberty and autonomous liberty. Preference liberty is the freedom to satisfy the preferences that one in fact has. Autonomous liberty is the ability to satisfy the preferences that one might have regardless of whether one actually has those preferences. Preference liberty has a value for animals, but autonomous liberty is meaningless for them. As the core wrong of slavery is the restriction of …

As-853-18 Resolution On Proposed New Degree Program: Master Of Science In Food Science, Stephanie Jung

Academic Senate Resolutions

The Food and Beverage processing in California accounts directly for $25.2 billion in value added and 198,000 jobs and is engaged in vital strategies to continue to produce and deliver food nationally and internationally, and Cal Poly graduates with a Master of Science in Food Science will successfully contribute to these efforts; therefore be that the proposed new degree program for the Master of Science in Food Science be approved.

As-852-18 Resolution On Change Of Degree Designation From B.A. To B.S. For Liberal Arts And Engineering Studies (Laes), David Gillette, Michael Haungs

Academic Senate Resolutions

That the Academic Senate of the California State University of San Luis Obispo approve the request to change the designation of the B.A. for Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies to a B.S.

As-851-18 Resolution On Migration Of Current Area D4 Classes To Area E, General Education Governance Board

Academic Senate Resolutions

That Subarea D4: Self-Development will be renamed Area E; Lifelong Learning and Self-Development, beginning with the 2019-21 Cal Poly catalog, and be it further That all current Area D4 courses will be moved to the new Area E, and be it further That the existing Subarea D4 learning objectives and criteria will be revised to reflect the description of CSU Area E in the revised EO 1100, including the expanded content and the emphasis on lifelong learning.

As-849-18 Resolution To Support Cal Poly Opportunity Grant And Fee, Academic Senate Executive Committee

Academic Senate Resolutions

That the Academic Senate support the proposed Opportunity Grant and Fee, as presented by President Armstrong at the May 8, 2018 meeting of the Academic Senate and indicated in the attached summary, and be it further. That the Academic Senate request that Chancellor Timothy White reevaluate any requirements for any financial set aside because of Cal Poly's unique situation in the California State University system regarding its underrepresentation of students receiving financial aid.

Academic Senate - Meeting Minutes, 5/8/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

Academic Senate - Agenda, 5/8/2018, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Agendas

No abstract provided.

As-855-18 Resolution Condemning Recent Racist Events At Lambda Chi Alpha, Gregory F. Domber, Seth D. Hanna

Academic Senate Resolutions

That the Academic Senate condemns the racist actions of the Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Sigma Zeta Chapter as well as their inactions as an affront to our community standards, our academic endeavors, and the desire to create a more diverse and inclusive environment, and be it further That the Academic Senate stands in solidarity with all student groups, administrators, and community members seeking to transform the University into a more diverse and welcoming environment for students from historically underrepresented populations.