Digital Commons Network^™

300-900 Mhz Midband Array Design For The Lunar Farside Technosignatures And Transients Telescope, Daniel A. Kemp, Jamie A. Frei, Caleb S. Edmunds, Karl F. Warnick

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The Lunar Farside Technosignature & Transients Telescope (LFT3), planned as an ultra-high frequency (UHF) phased array near the lunar antipode, is introduced as a pioneering mission capitalizing on recent advancements in analog beamforming. LFT3's midband array specifically leverages a described analog beamformer to achieve critical baseline measurements, enabling observations of astrophysical phenomena free from terrestrial interference. The authors describe the development of a wideband, low-power analog beamformer suitable for lunar-based radio astronomy, evaluating the primary architectures: a combiner tree, Rotman lens, Butler matrix, Nolen matrix, and Blass matrix. Each approach is analyzed in terms of performance, complexity, reliability, and suitability …

Multiple Wavepacket Decomposition Of F404 Engine Military Jet Noise, Tyce W. Olaveson, Kent L. Glee

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Jet noise sources are challenging to measure directly due to the extreme environment. Inverse methods, such as acoustic beamforming, using data collected near these sources can be used to construct equivalent source models that accurately describe the acoustic radiation. However, generating these models for a complex source can require thousands of parameters for a complete description. To address this challenge, a multiple wavepacket decomposition is introduced, reducing the source model into a set of analytic wavepackets, which recreate the full-rank model. This paper provides an overview of the decomposition procedure and applies it to acoustic data collected near a T-7A-installed …

A Comparison Of Surrogate Modeling Techniques For Predicting Radial Turbomachinery Flow Fields, Chase Oliphant

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Radial pumps and compressors are used in various engineering applications, including rocket turbopumps, automotive turbochargers, refrigeration systems, etc. Several different physical effects, including viscous losses, flow separation, compressibility, and rotational dynamics, dominate the flow in a radial impeller. These effects make predicting the flow field in a radial impeller very difficult, requiring computationally expensive CFD. However, a majority of an individual flow field calculated using CFD is often not pertinent to a designer, who only requires information at certain positions within the flow field. This often results in most of the simulation data generated being unused. Accurately predicting the flow …

Bistatic Continuous Wave Radar Using Sdrs, Matthew Finger

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This paper describes a research project at Weber State University (WSU) to create a small-scale passive-bistatic radar (PBR) using a low-cost software-defined-radio (SDR). SDRs have improved (in terms of performance versus cost) to where an affordable, low-power, receive-only radar system may be used in suitable RF environments.

The initial effort will generate a PBR testbed. Controlled measurement campaigns will validate radar-signal processing algorithms using two-dimensional geometries with a controllable transmitted signal. Follow-on research will integrate a two-element phased-array antenna at the receive SDR.

Using Nasa Awe Observations To Investigate The Global Distribution Of Concentric Gravity Waves, Anastasia King-Brown, Ludger Scherliess

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Upward propagating atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) originating from various lower atmosphere sources can transport energy and momentum into the Earth's upper atmosphere. In the ionosphere, GWs produce traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), generate electric fields, and appear to contribute to the seeding of equatorial plasma bubbles that have detrimental effects on navigation, communication, and surveillance systems. Despite their importance and decades of research there are still many open questions regarding the morphology and dynamics of gravity waves. Of particular interest are concentric gravity waves (CGWs), as they are the direct result of the coupling between lower and upper atmosphere . For …

Biosignature Analysis In Saline Environments Using The Microfluidic Organic Analyzers For Biosignatures (Moab), Andrew Pack, Parker Jenkins, Jungkyu (Jay) Kim

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study examines amino acid stability in high-salinity environments to enhance biosignature detection technologies. Using both absorption spectroscopy and capillary electrophoreses (CE), we investigated the survivability of valine and serine in laboratory-created brines simulating those found on celestial bodies throughout the solar system. Our findings reveal a protective effect of brines on amino acids, with reduced degradation rates compared to control samples containing no salts. During the 12-day observation period, both polar and non-polar amino acids showed enhanced stability in high-salinity environments, though non-polar amino acids exhibited more pronounced benefits from this protective effect. Valine concentrations in saline conditions decreased …

A Novel Modular Spherical Joint For Truss Robots, Ivyann O. Running, Simon Charles, Eli Francom, Bryce Parkinson, Adam Rose, Hunter Pruett, Larry Howell, Nathan Usevitch

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Truss robots and structures are beneficial for lunar missions because of their high strength-to-mass ratio. Even better are robots and structures that are highly modular, allowing the same materials to be rearranged to perform various tasks. The joints of these robots are what must be connected and disconnected to create different truss forms. Therefore, it is necessary to develop highly mobile, modular spherical joints that allow multiple truss elements to attach. Moreover, these joints must be resistant to the lunar regolith. Our contribution in this paper is the design of a new spherical joint and its application to an isoperimetric …

Bi-Level Route Optimization And Path Planning With Hazard Exploration, Grant Stagg, Cameron K. Peterson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Effective risk monitoring in dynamic environments such as disaster zones requires an adaptive exploration strategy to detect hidden threats. We propose a bi-level unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) monitoring strategy that efficiently integrates high-level route optimization with low-level path planning for known and unknown hazards. At the high level, we formulate the route optimization as a vehicle routing problem (VRP) to determine the optimal sequence for visiting known hazard locations. To strategically incorporate exploration efficiency, we introduce an edge-based centroidal Voronoi tessellation (CVT), which refines baseline routes using pseudo-nodes and allocates path budgets based on the UAV's battery capacity using a …

Dynamic Riskscapes For Prey: Disentangling The Impact Of Human And Cougar Presence On Deer Behavior Using Gps Smartphone Locations, Heather N. Abernathy, Mark A. Ditmer, David C. Stoner, Kent R. Hersey, Kathryn A. Schoenecker, Pat J. Jackson, Kristin N. Engebretsen, Julie K. Young, George Wittemyer

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Prey species adjust their behavior along human-use gradients by balancing risks from predators and humans. During hunting seasons, prey often exhibit strong antipredator responses to humans but may develop tolerance in suburban areas to exploit human-mediated resources. Additionally, areas with high human activity may offer reduced predation risk if apex predators avoid such locations. This study examined mule deer Odocoileus hemionus behavioral responses to risks from humans and their primary predators, cougars Puma concolor, contextualized by differences in risk levels between study sites, individual risk exposure, and human habituation. We framed our investigation using three non-mutually exclusive hypotheses: (H1) …

Ability Of Strained C Atoms To Act As An Electron Donor, Mariusz Michalczyk, Wiktor Zierkiewicz, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

There is a great deal of strain within the propellane and pyramidane hydrocarbon molecules. Quantum chemical calculations evaluate how this strain affects the ability of the bridgehead C atom to act as an electron donor in hydrogen, halogen, chalcogen, pnicogen, and tetrel bonds, despite the absence of a formal C lone pair or CC multiple bond. The strain induces the formation of a substantial region of negative electrostatic potential on this C atom which can attract the σ-hole of an electrophile. Each such molecule also contains an occupied molecular orbital that can be described as either a C lone pair …

Cultivating Confidence, Curiosity, And Motivation In The Second Language Classroom, Janelle Carter

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

This portfolio documents the author's journey through the Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program at Utah State University, highlighting the evolution of their teaching philosophy and pedagogical practices through theoretical exploration, hands-on classroom experiences, and reflective practice. It details the integration of current research, collaborative learning, and innovative assessment strategies, such as self-created rubrics, to foster student engagement and agency in teaching German as a second language. Additionally, the portfolio includes a co-authored research study that examines the motivational factors influencing university students’ decisions to continue learning Arabic, French, and German. This study explores how personal, academic, and social …

Transportation’S Influences On Wellbeing: A Literature Review And Scoping Framework, William Bouck, Patrick Singleton, Louis Alloro, Kim Clark

Curiosity

This study investigates the relationship between transportation and wellbeing: the conditions humans need to flourish at all levels. Using the results gleaned from our literature review of 44 articles, we found correlations linkages between transportation elements and components of physical, psychological, economic, and social wellbeing. These transportation factors affected overall wellbeing, not merely wellbeing during travel. We find that active travel, followed by public transit, are the best travel modes for wellbeing, and that congestion, pollution, and transport disadvantage harm wellbeing. Our findings also indicate that multimodal, people-focused infrastructure corresponds to higher wellbeing. Generally, the four areas of wellbeing we …

Supporting Students With Cerebral Palsy, Kayleigh Kearsley, Elizabeth Leishman, Brooklyn Miller

Curiosity

A vital element of being an educator is understanding how to meet students where they are at and support their individual needs and dreams. Through this essay, we describe how to support students with cerebral palsy. It is important to understand this orthopedic impairment and different accommodations that exist to assist these students. Due to the nature of cerebral palsy, each student will require unique forms of support, but educators can become aware of the possible resources that exist. Additionally, it is important for educators to collaborate with the students, their parents/guardians, other educators, the school counselor, and other resources …

Art Historical Research Of The Intercession Of Christ And The Virgin, Attributed To Lorenzo Monaco, Lauren Watts

Curiosity

This research examines The Intercession of Christ and the Virgin, a painting attributed to Lorenzo Monaco. The painting is tempera on canvas, and is housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This research looks at the painting through a phenomenological lens in context of its original site, iconographic themes, and feminine spirituality. The research posits that the painting’s intercessory figures—Christ and the Virgin Mary—construct a narrative amplifying themes of feminine spirituality, challenging the misogynistic structures of quattrocento Florentine ecclesiastical culture while remaining within the bounds of contemporary orthodoxy. Studying the painting at Metropolitan Museum facilitated in-depth visual analysis, supplemented by …

Women’S Evolving Roles: Gender, Authority, And The History Of Latter-Day Saint Patriarchy, Zachary Brady

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This project aims to further understand contemporary women’s issues within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by answering three questions. 1) What social and doctrinal factors have influenced the development of patriarchal structures within the LDS Church, and how have these factors evolved? 2) What are the current leadership and decision-making roles available to LDS women, and how does church membership feel about them? 3) What ideas exist for progress in gender equality and women’s leadership? This discussion provides relevant historical context, outlines current issues regarding LDS women’s authority challenges and theological interpretations, and numerous proposed solutions from …

Beyond The Finish Line: How Mindset And Setbacks Shape Future Success Of High School Sprinters, Hannah L. Lybbert

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

How does mindset shape sports performance? Using data from high school track and field 100- meter sprint times, I examine how exogenous psychological shocks—caused by running faster or slower than expected due to tailwinds or headwinds—influence subsequent athletic performance. By leveraging instrumental variable analysis and random wind variation, I isolate the purely psychological effects (referred to throughout this paper as “mindset effects”) of performance confidence. I parse out the sustained mindset effects, taking into account athlete-specific fixed effects, and estimate mindset-driven performance effects. In the discussion, I will explore “perceived self-efficacy” (PSE) as a potential mechanism by which these mindset …

The Impact Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Absorption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, And Menstrual Health In Women, Mia Dustin

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Iron is an essential trace mineral involved in oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and cellular function, yet deficiency remains prevalent among women of reproductive age. In the U.S., approximately 20% of women aged 18-45 years fail to meet daily iron requirements due to lack of iron consumption in the diet, menstrual blood loss, or intense exercise, often leading to anemia, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. While ferrous sulfate is a common form of iron supplementation, it frequently causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Researchers have explored lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immune and iron-binding properties, as an adjunct to traditional supplementation. This study examines the effects …

Discovering The True Meaning Of Federalist No. 27, Mckenzie Pedersen-Campbell

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The Federalist Papers are widely known as they helped explain the Constitution and gather support for its ratification. However, what they mean is not always clear. This is problematic, especially when Supreme Court Justices look to the Federalist Papers to help them make decisions. A particularly fascinating example of this problem arose in the case Printz v. United States (1997). Both the majority and dissent argued that their interpretation was supported by Federalist No. 27. That leads to the question of what Federalist No. 27 actually means. By looking at the context surrounding Alexander Hamilton (the author) and previous Supreme …

On The Challenges Posed By Non-Machian Solutions To Relationalism In General Relativity, Zachary Matthew Zito

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The relationship between Mach’s Principle and solutions to Einstein’s field equations is examined, with special attention to Friedmann-Lematre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmology. Mach’s Principle is outlined, and the extent to which general relativity fulfills Machs vision is assessed. It is argued that several important solutions to Einsteins equations, particularly the FLRW cosmological models, embody key Machian features. In order to elucidate the FLRW cosmological model, the associated energy-momentum tensor for a perfect fluid under the assumptions of large-scale homogeneity and isotropy is derived and used to obtain the Friedmann equations that govern cosmic expansion. It is shown that FLRW cosmology can be …

Reevaluating The Drumian Carbon Isotope Excursion (Dice) In Western-Central Utah, Michelle M. Norman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The Drumian Stage of the Cambrian Period is defined by the First Appearance Datum (FAD) of the cosmopolitan trilobite Ptychagnostus atavus in 504.5 Ma strata deposited on the slope and shelf of the Laurentia margin. The Drumian Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), showing the best preserved example of P. atavus compared to global outcrops, is defined in the Drum Mountains of west-central Utah. Due to the inconsistent nature of fossil preservation, researchers have sought secondary proxies to identify Drumian-aged strata in the absence of age-diagnostic fauna. One key proxy is the Drumian Carbon Isotope Excursion (DICE), an ~-2.5‰ carbon …

Ghostlight: A Fargedy, Ethan Thomas Shaw

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Frequently, throughout art media, artists rarely venture from realism. With the stylistic tools and artistic innovations made over the last 150 years that venture past realism, it is time for artists everywhere to take the next big step and begin the ombre of style and genre within works, challenging society in new ways. The goal of this project is to research the function and effect of different genres and styles within theatre and find what is required to successfully communicate them both textually and within a production. This includes reading and researching plays, theatre history, and the influence/evolution of style …

Declining Democracy Amid Historical Legacies: Democratization Across The Maghreb, Jacob Sagers

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Institutions and security forces are vital in determining democratization’s success or failure, but how do they interact with civilians to counteract, or support, existing regimes? Hopes for a fourth wave of democratization were dismantled over the past decade as the Arab uprisings have had inconclusive results, posing a threat to the ideological basis for U.S. foreign policy and Western states' legitimacy. Broad economic and Western foreign policies applied worldwide over the past few decades have also been ineffective at supporting this process and producing sustainable democratic transitions. But what specifically about these factors in the Maghreb gave way to Tunisia’s …

Ethical Concerns And Implications Of Expanded Carrier Screening, Emily Andres

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The rapid evolution in the field of genetics is often met with uncertainty and skepticism. With the advancements in genetic technologies, expanded carrier screening (ECS) has emerged as a powerful tool in reproductive medicine. Traditionally, carrier screening was provided less broadly, often relying on ethnic-based approaches. However, further advancements have deemed this practice no longer equitable or widely accepted. While ECS provides prospective parents with insight into their genetic risk and may prevent severe genetic conditions, it also raises serious ethical questions for many. These concerns span medical, political, and societal facets including medicalization, defining severity, abortion, legislation, insurability, the …

The Stem Gender Gap: Can It Be Closed?, Makenna Roberts

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Despite increasing gender parity in many professional fields, women remain underrepresented in STEM industries, particularly in math-intensive areas such as engineering, computer science, and physics. This report explores the persistent gender gap in STEM through analysis of two data sources: gendered differences in the US national Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) performance and post-graduate employment patterns among scientists and engineers.

The first portion of the analysis examines SAT score data from 2018 to 2024, with a focus on high-performing test-takers. Using Python and R, data was extracted and visualized to compare male and female performance on the Math and Evidence-Based Reading …

Training Lander For Rover Arm Testing, James Peck

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The purpose of this honors capstone project is to design and fabricate a training lander to support the Utah State University (USU) rover team in preparation for the University Rover Challenge (URC). The URC is an international collegiate competition featuring four missions, one of which—the Equipment Servicing Mission—demands a high level of robotic arm functionality and operator skill. Historically, USU's rover teams have struggled to qualify for the URC finals, in part due to limited hands-on training opportunities with the robotic arm.

To address this gap, the training lander replicates the tasks found in the URC Equipment Servicing Mission, such …

Reimagining Utah’S Block: Walkability As A Housing Shortage Solution, Jordan Taft Sheppard

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Utah, like much of the United States, is experiencing a housing crisis driven primarily by a shortage of available housing. Rising home prices, increasing infrastructure costs, and restrictive zoning policies have limited the supply of varied housing options, forcing many families into unsustainable housing and transportation patterns. While conventional development patterns have focused on outward expansion, this approach requires costly infrastructure investments and perpetuates car-dependent communities. This study explores an alternative solution—leveraging existing walkable urban land to accommodate growth more efficiently and sustainably.

Using a 15-minute city framework, this research identifies 2,528 acres of highly walkable land in Cache County, …

To Bee Or Not To Bee: Investigating Pesticide Behavior Inside And Outside Of Semi-Field Cages, Mallory Bingham

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Bees play an important role in ecosystems and food production through pollination. One such bee, the alfalfa leaf cutting bee (ALCB) is a very efficient pollinator and is essential in alfalfa seed production. However, bees face increasing harm, most notably due to the deleterious effect of pesticides used in agriculture, and much research is dedicated to investigating the extent of effects that pesticides have on different bee populations. One common tool used to study the effects of pesticide exposure on bees is semi-field cages. These cages have some key advantages, such as restricting bee foraging to plots sprayed with pesticides …

Weaving Freedom: A Sustainable And Autonomous Approach To Community Development In Rural Argentina, Caroline Johnson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This paper examines how culturally sensitive, inclusive, and climate-responsive design can empower weavers in Blanca Pozo, Argentina by addressing the unique social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region, fostering autonomy and community resilience through innovative housing and communal spaces. AWANAY is a boutique rug design studio that makes custom artisanal pieces in remote Northern Argentina. Home to AWANAY’s skilled artisans, Blanca Pozo faces environmental pressures, including extreme heat, flooding, and limited access to electricity and fresh water. Drawing on the history of Argentine architecture and global sustainable design principles, this project proposes solutions tailored to the local climate and …

Data Science For Engineers, Heidi Moulton

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Undergraduate research is a core pillar of Utah State University’s College of Engineering. Many students become involved with research during their Junior and Senior years and begin to generate various forms of data. Most students, however, have received little formal education on how to process data, and there are currently no readily available resources within the College of Engineering. As a Mechanical Engineering and Data Science double major, I found the data processing techniques I learned in my Data Science courses invaluable as an undergraduate researcher, and now as a Mechanical Engineer at Apogee Instruments, I frequently draw upon these …

Domestic Challenges, Cultural Factors Driving Ecuador's Authoritarianism Acceleration, Benjamin F. Berlin

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Using the Cultural Topography (CTops) methodology, this paper provides insight to US policymakers into the cultural factors, combined with current domestic challenges, that are driving Ecuadorians toward authoritarianism. The CTops methodology requires practitioners to conduct primary research on a specific group, which is the population of Ecuador in this paper. To conduct this research, cultural texts and artifacts such as newspaper articles, monuments honoring national heroes, websites and blog posts, and many others were analyzed. Secondary research and an evaluation of current operational realities were also used to inform this paper. Once considered an “Island of Peace,” Ecuador is in …