Digital Commons Network^™

Integrating Sustainability And Engineering In Partnership With Hanley Sustainability Institute, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

At the University of Dayton, students from all disciplines actively participate in sustainability initiatives on campus and in the community.

Ud In The News Aug. 29-Sept. 5, University Of Dayton

News Releases

Media near and far featured or reported on faculty and student expertise and research, including The Conversation, The National Desk, and eight stories on work in the University of Dayton Research Institute and School of Engineering.

Empowering Engineering Students In The Ud Honors Program, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

The University of Dayton’s academic programs promote an interdisciplinary approach to education, encouraging students to think critically and develop well-rounded, holistic perspectives.

Ud Researcher Wins $1.41m Grant To Create Audiovisual System For Safer Work Zones, University Of Dayton

News Releases

A University of Dayton researcher, with $1.41 million from the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, is striving to make work zones safer with additional "eyes" and "ears" to improve situational awareness and early warning of hazards.

2025 School Of Engineering Vision Award Winners Recognized, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

The University of Dayton School of Engineering Vision Awards recognize the innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and outstanding performance of our faculty and staff for their work as it relates to our School's values of community, innovation, excellence, and engagement and service.

Proceedings Of The 2025 Berry Summer Thesis Institute, University Of Dayton. University Honors Program, Dorian Borbonus, Nicholas J. Canfield, Triet M. Cao, Thomas Crossman, Jeffrey Huettemann, Aung Myat Khaung, Chase Kinder, Elizabeth Krahe, Anh Duc Nguyen, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Anna M. Petre, Kayden G. Rothery, Anna M. Schmitz, Rachel Zeller

Proceedings of the Berry Summer Thesis Institute (2013-Present)

Thanks to a gift from the Berry Family Foundation and the Berry family, the University Honors Program launched the Berry Summer Thesis Institute in 2012. The institute introduces students in the University Honors Program to intensive research, scholarship opportunities and professional development. Each student pursues a 12-week summer thesis research project under the guidance of a UD faculty mentor. This contains the product of the students' research.

Long-Term Degradation Of Natural-Fiber Coir Turf Reinforcement Mat Installed Along An Urban Stream In South Carolina, Kayden G. Rothery, Bob L. Lowe

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Nature-based (or “living”) solutions to shoreline restoration are attractive due to their positive contributions to ecosystem function and service provision in coastal and estuarine environments. However, non-biodegradable plastics are widely used in their implementation; for instance, plastic-based geotextile fabrics are used to stabilize soil and organic matter to prevent loss of sediment fill. Paradoxically, these polymer-based geotextiles intended to protect the estuarine environment are unintended sources of plastic pollution as they inevitably degrade over time. Consequently, there is significant interest in transitioning from synthetic polymer-based geotextiles to sustainable non-plastic alternatives. To begin addressing this compelling research opportunity, this project aims …

A Study On Webassembly And Its Security, Thomas Crossman

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

This project studies WebAssembly, a binary language specification that enables non-native languages, such as C/C++ and Rust, to run efficiently on webpages, supporting complex tasks like gaming or data processing. It functions by translating a non-native language into a WebAssembly binary, which is natively supported by most browsers. Notably, WebAssembly uses a linear memory model, storing all non-code data in a single linear array. Unfortunately, this design compromises some security principles, introducing security risks and complications.

Our overall project goal is to investigate WebAssembly functionality, develop a test program, and address a critical security challenge to enhance the safety of …

3d-Printable Hydrogel With Rapid Ambient Self-Healing, Anna M. Petre

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Inspired by nature, soft robots composed of compliant (“soft”) materials are well-suited for uncertain, dynamic tasks requiring safe interaction between a robot and its environment. Soft robots with the ability mend minor damage (e.g. perforations, tears) have been enabled by the rapid development of self-healing soft materials. Recently, one of these hydrogel materials (internally dubbed “BeckOHflex”) – made entirely from commercially available precursors – was developed with several appealing characteristics including rapid ambient self-healing, 3D printability on commercial machines, and competitive mechanical properties. However, the self-healing performance of BeckOHflex falls short of competitors that leverage custom-synthesized precursors. This project aims …

Co-Culture 3d Model For Breast Cancer, Anh Duc Nguyen

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

The ability to replicate the tumor microenvironment using 3D models have allowed researchers to study the tumors in vitro closer to their in vivo counterparts without the drawbacks of those models. The 3D co-culture model is an improved version of the 3D monoculture model, capable of replicating the tumor microenvironment, letting researchers study cancer response mechanism, tumor metastases, drug resistance, simulate cell-cell interactions, etc., in breast cancer. The models can be classified into four classes based on their formation method and content, all of which have different advantages and disadvantages.

Intelligent Motion Tracking: A Low-Cost Surveillance Framework Using Soc Devices And Sensor Fusion, Aung Myat Khaung, Nicholas Michael Stiffler

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

This thesis presents the design and implementation of a lightweight surveillance system capable of realtime motion detection, object tracking, and behavioral history reconstruction in controlled environments. The system uses System-on-Chip devices such as Raspberry Pi boards equipped with NOIR cameras, monocular cameras, and break-beam sensors that work together to detect and track single or multiple moving objects like colored balls. The prototype is validated in structured settings with the goal of eventual deployment in more dynamic environments, addressing the challenge of reliably tracking visually similar objects with minimal distinguishing features. The architecture integrates computer vision with sensor fusion by combining …

Federated Boolean Matrix Factorization Using Integer Programming, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Ngoc Nguyen, Nhat Phan

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Identifying the underlying structural patterns in data and extracting meaningful insights is a key challenge in data analysis. One effective approach to this problem is matrix factorization (MF), which approximates large matrices with lower-dimensional representations, making it effective for uncovering hidden patterns. MF techniques are widely applicable across various domains, such as recommender systems, cancer genomics, system identification, clustering, and image processing. Despite their effectiveness, existing MF methods often struggle with computational constraints and convergence challenges when tackling large-scale, nonsmooth, and nonconvex optimization problems, which are common in real-world applications.

This project aims to explore both the theoretical understanding and …

Ud Among Nation's Best On The Princeton Review Lists, University Of Dayton

News Releases

Dreaming of a college with top-tier campus food, outstanding dorms, and students who are happy and passionate about their sports teams? According to The Princeton Review, the University of Dayton might just be your ideal choice.

In Memoriam: Perry Yaney, Professor Emeritus Of Physics, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Respected for "his dedication for and impact on optics research and education, and scientific outreach," Perry Yaney continued to advise and mentor graduate students after his retirement in 2004.

Building Momentum: Ud Civil Engineering Team Stands Out In 2025 Steel Bridge Challenge, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

The University of Dayton's American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Steel Bridge Team delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Student Steel Bridge Competition, held as part of the ASCE student symposium hosted at Michigan Technological University.

University Of Dayton Adds Seven Trustees, Welcomes New Board Chair, University Of Dayton

News Releases

The University of Dayton added seven highly accomplished members to its 2025-26 board of trustees, including significant contributors to its record-breaking "We Soar" campaign, senior business executives, a young legal standout and two Marianists with decades of service in the Society of Mary.

Ud Hosts Mandarin Chinese Summer Camp With $136k Nsa Startalk Grant, Dave Larsen

College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Twenty U.S. high school and college students participated in the free residential summer camp, where they cultivated their Chinese language and cultural competencies.

Ud In The News July 12-18, University Of Dayton

News Releases

A pair of publications listed the schools of engineering and business among the best in the nation. Local media highlighted biology research, legal expertise, and the transition from outgoing board chair Rick Omlor to new board chair Deb Tobias.

From Class To Competition, Mechanical Engineering Students Take On Autonomous Robotics, University Of Dayton

Blog: The Dayton Engineer

In the School of Engineering's Autonomous Systems course, engineering students challenged their technical skills through designing fully autonomous robots.

University Of Dayton Board Of Trustees Leadership Transition, University Of Dayton

News Releases

The University of Dayton’s Board of Trustees has a new chair. Deb Tobias '73 assumed the role on July 1, succeeding Rick Omlor '79, who concluded 14 years of dedicated board service, including a three-year term as chair.

Assessing The Lgbtq+ Beliefs, Behaviors, And Competency Of Nutrition Professionals: A Mixed-Methods Study, Anthony Dissen, Christina Riccardo, Liam Oliver Lair

Journal of Dietetic Education

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals often experience disproportionate levels of physical and mental health issues including nutrition-specific issues such as eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and food insecurity related to psychological distress from discrimination and stigmatization. This study sought to understand nutrition professionals’ LGBTQ+ competence, beliefs, and behaviors. Researchers distributed 2 data collection tools to registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs): the Gay Affirmative Practice Scale (GAP-Scale) and the LGBT Competency Assessment Tool (LGBT-CAT). Data from the GAP-Scale were numerically scored using a 5-point Likert scale, and data from LGBT-CAT were scored on a scale of 0 to 3 points. …

Earthjustice: The Role Of The African Regional Human Rights System In Containing Climate Change, Bright Nkrumah, Ebenezer Durojaye, Maria Usang Assim

Journal of African Policy Studies

At the turn of the millennium, the landscape of Africa has been punctuated by intense weather conditions. With a disproportionate percentage of the continent’s population bearing the brunt of climate-induced heatwaves, deluges, and drought, it is expected that this phenomenon will spur regional climate litigation. The essay argues that although there is an evolution of climate cases submitted at the national level, this development has not evolved to the African regional human rights system. The lack of cases at the regional level beckons one to explore why (potential)victims are unable or unwilling to explore these mechanisms given their role in …

Technology And The Sustainable Implementation Of The African Continental Free Trade Area (Afcfta) Through Women’S Integration, Philip Ademola Olayoku

Journal of African Policy Studies

The desire for economic prosperity on the African continent led to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), in line with the vision of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), when it proposed the creation of an African Economic Community (AEC) by 2028. However, sustainable economic development will remain a mirage without inclusivity where no one is left behind, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. This study explores the challenge of restricting women to economic margins in trade agreements under the AfCFTA and how this would undermine its implementation. It subsequently contends that women are integral to Africa’s …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Temperature- And Ph-Responsive Pia-B-Pnipam@Fe3O4 Nanocomposites, Swati Kumari, Cayla Cook, Fatema Tarannum, Erick Salvador Vasquez-Guardado, Olufemi Ogunjimi, Keisha B. Walters

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

Stimuli-responsive polymers (SRPs) have garnered significant attention in recent decades due to their immense potential in biomedical and environmental applications. When these SRPs are grafted onto magnetic nanoparticles, they form multifunctional nanocomposites capable of various complex applications, such as targeted drug delivery, advanced separations, and magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, we employed a one-step hydrothermal method using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTES) to synthesize APTES-modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (APTES@Fe₃O₄) featuring reactive terminal amine groups. Subsequently, via two consecutive surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerizations (SI-ATRP), pH- and temperature-responsive polymer blocks were grown from the Fe₃O …

3d Solid Models, Bradley M. Ratliff

Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT Dataset

3D solid models for model vehicles, target panels, objects, and the desert terrain model in STL file format.

Ground Truth Images, Bradley M. Ratliff

Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT Dataset

Laboratory and scenario ground truth images for the Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT dataset.

Asl File Reader (Matlab), Bradley M. Ratliff

Source Code

This zip file contains the necessary files for reading binary ASL data and reading and parsing ASL header file metadata in MATLAB.

Polarimetric Data: Scenario 01, Bradley M. Ratliff

Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT Dataset

Polarimetric data Scenario 01 collected within the Automated Remote Sensing Solar Simulation Lab at the University of Dayton. The data were collected using a visible monochromatic division-of-time imaging polarimeter. The dataset is parameterized across different sensor, scene, and illumination geometries that mimic outdoor solar irradiance conditions.

Dataset Description, Bradley M. Ratliff

Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT Dataset

Polarimetric dataset containing data collected within the Automated Remote Sensing Solar Simulation Lab at the University of Dayton. The data were collected using a visible monochromatic division-of-time imaging polarimeter. A model desert terrain model was constructed and imaged for eight different scenarios consisting of different model panel and vehicle targets. The dataset is parameterized across different sensor, scene, and illumination geometries that mimic outdoor solar irradiance conditions.

Data Annotations, Bradley M. Ratliff

Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT Dataset

Pixel-wise object masks for each polarimetric scene in ASL file format for the Model Desert Terrain Monochromatic DoT data.