Digital Commons Network^™

The Trgb–Sbf Project: Creating A New Distance Ladder With Surface Brightness Fluctuations, Mikaela Cowles, Joseph B. Jensen, Sydney Holt

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Many current observational methods to measure the expansion rate of the universe (H₀) rely on the same zero-point calibrations. Values of the Hubble constant derived from those local calibrations are in conflict with the predicted value of H₀ from the successful ΛCDM cosmological model, resulting in the "Hubble tension." In order to decrease systematic uncertainties, and to address this tension, we have created a new and independent sequence of distance measurement techniques. We have used James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) distances to 14 giant elliptical galaxies that we used …

Far-Field Uav-Enabled Antenna Radiation Pattern Mapping, Jack Fernald

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This paper presents an overview of an research project at Weber State University (WSU) focused on developing a UAV-based system for measuring far-field radiation patterns of physically large antennas operating in the High-Frequency (HF, 3–30 MHz) and Very-High-Frequency (VHF, 30–300 MHz) ranges. Leveraging commercially available unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) components, software-defined radios (SDRs), open-source software tools, and advanced simulation environments, this project aims to create a cost-effective, scalable measurement solution that addresses the logistical challenges of traditional methods. By enabling autonomous three-dimensional radiation mapping of operational antennas in open-field environments, the proposed system refines industry practices and expands our understanding …

High-Frequency Satellite Imagery Reveals Spatial And Temporal Dynamics Of Algal Blooms On Utah Lake, Kaylee B. Tanner

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Utah Lake is a large, shallow freshwater lake in Utah Valley, Utah, USA. It faces a number of water quality issues, with one of the most significant being the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABS) that impair its ecological health and economic value. We use data from the Sentinel 2 mission to investigate spatial and temporal bloom dynamics in four different regions of the lake. We leverage the frequent, spatially comprehensive satellite data to analyze the frequency, intensity, and duration of algal blooms on Utah Lake, and find that the southern end of the lake typically experiences the most intense …

Reconstruction Of Cad Models Into Analysis-Ready Single Trimmed Surfaces With Aerospace Applications, Rebecca Rasmussen, Royce Pablo Harline, Kendrick Shepherd

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Classical methods by which computer-aided design (CAD) geometries are represented for both design and analysis involve meshing. However, the current process of converting a CAD model into an analysis-suitable surface mesh takes a significant amount of time and labor [23, 4, 18], results in a faceted representation of the original smooth geometry, and generates representations that are prohibitively expensive for use in high-order explicit dynamics computations [35, 9].

This research focuses on accurately and efficiently rebuilding given CAD surfaces or meshes, such as shell-like components of aeronautical structures or automotive vehicles, into smooth, single trimmed spline surface approximations (rather than …

Production Of Iron Powder From Lunar Regolith By Carbonyl Iron Refining, Jason Sheets

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Carbonyl Iron Refining (CIR) is a promising method of iron production to be used in a lunar environment. Commercially, CIR operates at pressures > 200 bar, which is a challenge in a lunar landscape due to vessel weight constraints. Here we explore the feasibility of CIR operations at pressures < 60 bar in order to optimize the process for largescale lunar iron production. Many different forms of tests were conducted, and it was concluded that it is possible for CIR to perform at a lower pressure maximum. However, further experimentation and development needs to be perused in order to optimize the parameters to justify the processes usage.

Scalable Compliant Louvres Manufactured Via Sheet Lamination, Tyler R. Stevens, Benjamin Allen, Garrett Graham, Nathan B. Crane

Utah Space Grant Consortium

As space missions increase, relying on Earth-based supply chains for spacecraft components becomes increasingly unsustainable. In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) offers an alternative, yet many fabrication methods depend on gravity, utilize hazardous materials, require large amounts of energy, or introduce thermal challenges in spacecraft environments. Sheet materials show strong potential for ISM because they store and transport efficiently, offer functionalization options, and provide robust in-plane properties. However, most sheet-based manufacturing techniques require bulky equipment ill-suited for on-orbit deployment. Sheet Lamination (ShL), an underutilized additive manufacturing process that bonds and cuts thin sheets to create near-net-shape parts, presents a compact and scalable alternative, …

Solvent Variability With Gold And Silver Nanoparticle Production Using Reverse Micelles, Cameron Ashton, Wendy E. Schatzberg, Samuel Tobler

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The synthesis of nanoparticle using reverse micelles is increasing in versatility, popularity, and effectivity. Nanoparticles have unique characteristics including a strong antimicrobial trait that can be effective and sterilizations and decomposition of microbes. Gold and silver have been effective as the ions used in the synthesis of such nanoparticles and have been successful for testing different solvent concentrations and production. Research has shown that different structures and sizes of nanoparticles are efficient at accomplishing different objective, however, trends show that the smaller the nanoparticle, the more efficient a nanoparticle is at fighting microbes.

Predicting Residual Stress Of High Entropy Allow Si-Hf-Cr-Ta-Zr For Directed Energy Deposition 3d Printing, J. Barton, Davin Stevens, Yanqing Su

Utah Space Grant Consortium

• Directed energy deposition (DED) is a developing additive manufacturing branch finding applications in aerospace, nuclear, and automotive industries.

Working On An Incubator To Image Cancer Cells: Development Of A Custom 3d-Printed Imaging Incubator For Refractive Index-Based Cell Classification, Spencer Brown, Vincent M. Rossi

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This project aims to develop a compact, 3D-printed incubation chamber for live-cell imaging using Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI), a technique that can distinguish cancerous cells from healthy ones based on refractive index. The chamber was designed in OnShape and built using FDM 3D printing, offering rapid prototyping, customizability, and cost efficiency.

While print failures and material limitations present challenges, the current design provides a stable, optically clear environment compatible with digital holography. The system is intended for 24–48 hour imaging experiments, with future work focusing on capturing differences in refractive index between healthy and cancerous cells.

This approach could support …

Astrometric Measurements Of Wds 12281-4448 Stf 1645 Ab, Millie Christensen, Elizabeth Willden

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This project focuses on a binary star system which has been observed for over 200 years, however, inconsistencies in older data make it of interest for further study.

Understanding The Barriers To Hybrid Control, Jared Coen, Stephen Whitmore

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Hybrid rockets combine a solid fuel with a liquid or gaseous oxidizer, offering a balance of safety, simplicity, and throttleability not found in solid or liquid systems. Their modular design and low cost make them attractive for academic, commercial, and small-space applications. However, challenges in dynamic control—such as O/F shift, delayed system response, and variable injector behavior—limit their precision and practical use in responsive missions.

Searching For Something In Nothing: Density Analysis Of Cosmic Void Fn2, Jace Dixon, James Howick, Taylor Tenbrink, Christian Draper

Utah Space Grant Consortium

We have begun a search for emission line galaxies in the center of the void FN2 using new software developed by our group. We are using images taken in three redshifted narrow-band filters. If a galaxy has strong emission lines and is far enough away the Galaxy will be brighter in one or two of the filters. By comparing the galaxies brightness in the three filters we can find galaxies which are possibly in the center of the void. In our preliminary study, we created a catalogue of any interesting objects that appear in the birhgtness comparison images.

Educational And Engaging Scientific Outreach: A Dinosaur Case Study, Auriana Dunn, Holly Gerber, Brandon Bennett, Sharol Gauthier, Greta Geary

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Clear communication of scientific findings is critical in academic settings. However, it is just as important, if not more so, in settings where researchers are trying to educate the public. Through engaging and entertaining methods, science communication can effectively share advancements from the scientific community with the general public.

Low-Cost Ai-Powered Biometric Monitoring For Astronaut Health: A Feasibility Study Using Open-Source Models, Tawananyasha Dzenga

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Context: Human spaceflight presents unique physiological challenges (microgravity, radiation, isolation) requiring careful health monitoring for mission success. Key systems affected include cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurovestibular. Continuous monitoring is vital, especially for long -duration missions.

Unlocking Pl Ddr Memory On The Rfsoc 4x2, Isaac Garfield

Utah Space Grant Consortium

CASPER provides open-source tools for FPGA (a configurable integrated circuit) design for radio telescopes worldwide

Experimental Workflow: Assessing Lead (Pb) Cytotoxicity In Vaginal Epithelial Cells, Alex Grimm, Sagan Wilkinson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The vaginal epithelium is a highly absorptive mucosal barrier that plays a vital role in defending against pathogens and maintaining reproductive health. However, its permeability also raises concern about the bioaccumulation of potentially harmful elements (PHEs), particularly in relation to products designed for intimate use. Recent studies have identified the presence of heavy metals, including lead (Pb), in a wide range of cosmetic and hygiene products such as tampons. Lead is a well-known toxic element that interferes with essential cellular functions, mimicking biologically important metals like zinc, calcium, and iron.

This study investigates the absorption of lead by an immortalized …

Investigation Of Changes In Emission Lines From Galaxies Through Time, Chloe Guerrero, Christian Draper

Utah Space Grant Consortium

We investigate the percentage of galaxies with strong emission lines at increasing redshift. From the Sloan Digital Sky Survey we selected 792,392 galaxies at varying redshifts, z. We grouped the total number of galaxies by absolute magnitude, compared them with those that had strong Hα, OIII, and other relevant emission lines, and looked for the trend of shifting emission lines with z. We found a general trend of a drop in the percentage of galaxies with strong emission lines from z = 0.2 to z = 0.5, spanning from about 2.5 Gyr to 5Gyr ago. We are not sure of …

Computational Analysis Of Molten Salt Eutectics, Sarah Heywood

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) operate at higher temperatures and lower pressures than traditional Light Water Reactors (LWRs), making them up to 20% more efficient, inherently safer, and more compact. Furthermore, all nuclear waste isotopes are reusable, making them a promising candidate for clean, sustainable energy.

Optimizing Continuous Wave Nd:Yvo4 Laser Performance For Longwave Infrared Generation, Benjamin J. Holt, Micah C. Laing, York E. Young

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The Photonic Fury research group is working to create a nonlinear optical (NLO) system to scan human tissue for early warning signs of disease.

Data Reduction And Photometry For Surface Brightness Fluctuation Measurements, Sydney Holt, Mikaela Cowles, Joseph Jensen

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Among the most pressing issues in modern cosmology is the Hubble tension, in which early-universe measurements of H₀ differ from late-universe measurements by > 5σ. This tension, now verging on crisis, implies continued systematic errors in either early or late universe measurement, or deeper issues with the widely accepted ΛCDM model of cosmology. To reduce systematic uncertainty, we have been developing an independent distance ladder relying on surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) and tip of the red-giant-branch (TRGB) star calibrators with data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Before distance measurements can be …

Updated Measurements Of Wds 11218+1811, Tyler Johnson, Emily Pattee

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Double stars are an essential part of understanding stars and their masses. Our double star observations of WDS 11218+1811, first observed in 1828 help contribute to this important research.

Potential Of Genetic Modification In Brine Shrimp For Biotechnological Applications, Hannah Jones, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Brine shrimp (Artemia salina) are hardy organisms capable of surviving extreme environmental conditions, making them an ideal candidate for genetic modification in biotechnological research. This study investigates the potential of genetically modifying brine shrimp to unlock new possibilities in biotechnology. By integrating foreign genes into their genome, we explore how genetic engineering can enhance their adaptability, stress tolerance, and overall viability, providing opportunities for novel applications in fields such as environmental monitoring, bioengineering, and sustainable aquaculture. Our findings highlight the promise of brine shrimp as a versatile and sustainable platform for genetic modification, opening doors to innovative approaches in biotechnology …

Period Analysis Of 3 Binary Star Systems In Ngc 188, Jasleen Kaur, Christian Draper

Utah Space Grant Consortium

It is known that the open cluster NGC 188 has a multitude of variable stars. Variable stars change in luminosity over time. SIMBAD, an astronomical database, contains information on several of these stars. We have used data taken by Brigham Young University and cross-compared it to observe the period of these stars and see if the data between the two match or if future data needs to be collected. To fulfill this task, the BYU telescope data was analyzed through AstroImageJ, and the light curves were constructed from the data and put into a Python script to graph the full …

Watersaver: A Smart Solution For Sustainable Water Reuse, Mendrita Kurti

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Water conservation is crucial worldwide, and the WaterSaver device addresses this by collecting and reusing water from sinks, showers, and faucets. It purifies the water without harmful chemicals, making it safe for reuse. This system reduces water waste, promotes eco-friendly habits, operates efficiently with low energy consumption, and produces no harmful emissions.

Mapping X-Ray Binaries Across The Milky Way With Erosita And Gaia, Carly Lader, Benjamin Coughenour

Utah Space Grant Consortium

eROSITA is an X-ray telescope array on board the Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma spacecraft, in a halo orbit around the L2 point. eROSITA is equipped with seven Wolter-1 mirror modules with each module containing 54 nested mirror shells for increased sensitivity¹. The main mission for eROSITA is to perform the first all sky survey in the medium X-ray band, about 0.2-8 keV, over a 7-year duration period accompanied by three planned data releases, the first of which was published in early 2024. The eROSITA data release is, to date, the most detailed and sensitive all-sky X-ray survey ever completed, providing stunning …

Testing Of An Acousto-Optic Modulator For Implementation As A Laser Q-Switch, Micah Laing, Benjamin Holt, York E. Young

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Long wave infrared (LWIR) spectroscopy can detect early disease indicators in human tissue by measuring wavelength dependent absorption of specific molecules. Despite its effectiveness, this technique is not widely used due to the high cost and slow speed of LWIR detectors. Additionally, typical LWIR light sources, like quantum cascade lasers (QCL), are challenging to tune over very wide wavelength ranges, limiting the types of molecules and diseases that can be probed.

Astrometric Measurements Of Wds 12115+5325 Stf 1608 Ab, Keira Lentz, Spencer Bailey, Joshua Thalman, Dawa Decha Lama, Jonathan Pugmire

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Star systems gravitationally bound to one another offer valuable insights into stellar properties through orbital analysis. Developing binary star orbits provides information to determine stellar masses.¹

Advancing Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii Growth To Mitigate Psychological Stressors In Space, Alina Loseva, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Isolation and Confinement are two of the five main hazards of human spaceflight identified by NASA, leading to sleep loss, circadian desynchronization, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. These conditions can impair intestinal barrier function and decrease populations of butyrate-producing bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increasing the risk of stress-related brain disorders. Different fiber sources in diet can affect the growth and butyrate production of F. prausnitzii. This study reviews existing data on F. prausnitzii's fiber response and suggests new fiber combinations for testing, aiming to prevent reductions in F. prausnitzii populations and mitigate psychological disorders in astronauts, …

Favorite Seek K-6 Experiments, Morgan Madsen, Robyn M. Hyde

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Although women make up 51% of the U.S. population and underrepresented minorities comprise 32.8%, they are significantly underrepresented in the STEM workforce, accounting for only 35% and 26.6%, respectively (Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, 2021). This SEEK project was designed to help close that equity gap by increasing access to hands-on STEM education for children, with a particular focus on engaging girls and students from underrepresented minority groups.* Westminster University, with its strong history of community engagement, proposed to continue engaging in community work with the goal of also establishing a new partnership with Guadalupe …

From Forest Floor To Future Food: Cultivating And Engineering Lion's Mane Mushrooms, Chris Morris, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

We intend to create a vegan meat alternative by genetically modifying Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom) to express the soy leghemoglobin gene. This gene, commonly used in plant-based meats, contributes both color and umami flavor reminiscent of animal-derived hemoglobin. Our approach involves extracting and sequencing Lion's Mane DNA, identifying viable genomic insertion sites, and applying CRISPR-Cas9 to insert the leghemoglobin gene. Concurrently, we are optimizing lab-based cultivation methods to ensure reliable growth and propagation of both wild-type and genetically modified strains. This project integrates fungal biotechnology, genetic engineering, and sustainable food innovation.