Digital Commons Network^™

Optimization Of Nozzle Profiles To Achieve Higher Thrust Performance And Lowering Manufacturing Costs, Chandler Taylor

Utah Space Grant Consortium

With the growing popularity in high-powered rockery the question of cost and performance is on every rocketeer’s mind. Then paired with the interest of flying higher and breaking records for armature rocketry flight the question is proposed, how does one make a rocket motor to increase its performance and lower its costs? In this we intend to answer that question. We will design a test for ammonium perchlorate motors and define methods to increase the performance and lower the cost. The way we can achieve this is testing in computer simulations with focused being on nozzle and materials optimization. Computer …

The Influence Of Mycorrhizal Associations On Monoterpene And Isoprene Emissions In Plants, Luis Valdez, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The Purpose of this research is to determine the extent of the influence of AMF symbiosis can exert on the VOC emissions profiles of plants, particularly whether AMF symbiosis has a positive or negative effect on isoprene and monoterpene emissions.

Development Of A Nano-Encapsulation Platform With A Novel Antioxidant Indigoidine For The Mitigation Of Space Radiation, Kyle Jackson, Jie Ren, Jixun Zhan, Yu Huang

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Space includes many hazards to the human species, one of the most detrimental to us is the biological damage from radiation. Loading an astronaut's immune system with free radical scavenging molecules as a potential shield from this damage is one method to prevent biologically relevant damage that has only been slightly explored. Unfortunately, the pharmacological potential of many antioxidants is severely restricted because of their low solubility/absorption. Here, I characterize a powerful delivery system that can deliver many different hydrophobic antioxidants to the cell, increasing their bioavailability. The novel antioxidant Indigoidine has been explored in this delivery system. It has …

Magnetically-Stabilized Let Joints For Origami-Based Space Arrays, Hunter Pruett, Spencer Magleby

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A review of surrogate folds is presented. From said review, a concept set of surrogate folds is generated and concept selection criteria are generated. The surrogate fold concept set is refined and the LET array is selected with justification. Novel stress considerations are presented for LET arrays seeking to minimize panel thickness and be as proximate as possible in the stowed state. The MaNO hinge is introduced, and the MaLDO, MaLO, and MaNO hinges are successfully incorporated into LET arrays demonstrating viable options for actuation and stabilization of origami-inspired mechanisms and arrays.

Ultra-Low Power Adcs For Space Sensors And Instruments, Shea Smith, Wood Chiang

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A 28nm 0.1V 10-bit 20kS/s time domain ADC with 225Hz bandwidth is proposed. This design opens the doors to both low supply and low power space sensors and instruments. Due to the stringent voltage supply, unique challenges arise that are met with innovation in the sample switch and the quantizer design. These components of the ADC architecture are aggressively optimized to perform successfully at a 0.1V supply with a sample rate suitable for most sensor applications.

Preliminary Exploration Of Approaches To Increase The Stability Of Flat-Foldable Origami-Adapted Designs In The Open, Flat State, Collin Ynchausti, Spencer Shirley, Larry L. Howell

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Deployable spacecraft-based systems are benefitted from origami-adapted systems because they can be folded compactly and then deployed to larger areas. This unfolding motion must be stopped and held in specific configurations. In the case of reflectarrays, the panels need to deployed to flat and be kept there. Strain energy can be utilized to stabilize these systems. This works shows three ways, based on three different thickness accommodation techniques, that strain energy may be used to stabilize the systems in their deployed, flat positions. Additionally, each technique shown creates co-planar top surfaces to benefit reflectarray antenna design cases.

Advances In Noninvasive Urine Oxygen Monitoring For Detection Of Acute Kidney Injury, Lars Lofgren, Kai Kück, Natalie Silverton

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of cardiac surgery that is associated with increased hospital length of stay and mortality risk. The most common diagnostic criteria come from the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes Guidelines. These criteria rely on detecting changes in serum creatinine relative to a baseline measurement and decreased urine output. These markers are meant to capture a decrease in the overall filtration rate. However, the filtration rate may or may not change depending on the baseline health of the individual patient and the type and severity of the injury. In addition, these markers are influenced …

Notes Of Black Holes, A. B. Chanson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Fully leveraging Analysis onto physics proves fruitful, as a number of results are displayed; in particular, emergent symmetries are, generally, categorized as information symmetries; together with Noether’s theorems, these laws are found dual to the Laws of Thermodynamics as well as the Three Isomorphism Theories (alongside the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra). Most remarkably, the fine structure constant is analytically derived (using monodromy techniques), the cosmological hierarchy problem is resolved (using thermodynamic techniques), and a new duality between quantum information, celestial holography, and black holes is exhibited and exploited to resolve the Arrow of Time.

Aerodynamic Effects Of Phase Offset Between Synchronized Propellers In Hover, Nathan Welker, Daniel Maynes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Emerging advances in electric-propulsion technology are enabling aircraft to use distributed electric propulsion (DEP) to increase performance and maneuverability. Distributed electric propulsion can also provide unique take-off and landing abilities which are not commonly found on traditional aircraft. The implementation of DEP effectively decreases the spacing between propellers, introducing complex aerodynamic interactions that are not well understood. This study aims to present the findings of the effects of phase offset on the flow fields of synchronized propellers at close-proximity using a particle image velocimetry system. The tip vortex locations and peak vorticities were tracked and plotted for various phase offset …

Steering Colloids Using Chemical Gradients And Model Predictive Control, Mark N. Mcdonald, Cameron K. Peterson, Douglas R. Tree

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Creating the next generation of dynamic colloidal materials that change their structure based on external stimuli may require the capability to precisely manipulate colloidal particles. Colloidal particles can be manipulated using a variety of forces, such as electric, magnetic, and optical, but so far chemical reactions have been neglected. We consider here a novel paradigm for using chemical gradients to precisely manipulate colloidal particles in a microfluidic device. Specifically, we show in simulation that model predictive control can be applied to a set of spatially localized chemical reactions to move a small number of colloidal particles on a circular trajectory.

Modeling The Effects Of Space Travel On The Cardiovascular System Using A Bio-Mimetic In Vitro Hagfish Protein Model Of The Myocardium, Emilee Rickabaugh, Elizabeth Vargis

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Long-term space travel is a harsh experience for the human body. Astronauts exposed to the effects of space travel often experience bone and muscle loss, as well as an increased risk of diseases, including heart disease[1]. While the human heart has shown an impressive ability to adapt to spaceflight, many of the long-term effects on cardiovascular health are unknown [2]. To plan for missions requiring longer flight durations, understanding these effects is neccessary to assess the risk to the astronauts undertaking these missions. However, evaluating these risks is difficult due to the lack of a sufficiently accurate model. While animal …

Using Landsat And Sentinel To Investigate Drivers Of Algal Growth In Utah Lake, Kaylee B. Tanner

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Earth observation satellites provide a valuable opportunity to study spatial and temporal water quality trends in ways that are not possible with research based on in-situ water sampling. We used data from Sentinel 2 and the Landsat missions to analyze algae blooms on Utah Lake, a large, shallow, freshwater lake in Utah that is experiencing water quality challenges. We found that algae blooms mainly occur in the shallow bays and along the eastern shoreline of the lake, and are correlated with water temperature and turbidity. Our results suggest a need for further research and use of remote sensing data to …

Principles And Categorization Of Compliant Surrogate Folds For Deployable Origami-Inspired Mechanical Systems, Ivyann O. Running, Phebe Ramsdell, Spencer Magleby

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Origami principles, patterns, and thickness accommodation techniques have been explored and tested for engineering applications in many fields. Two of the main difficulties of transferring a design from folded paper to thicker, stiffer materials are accommodating thickness and replicating folding motion with surrogate folds. While literature reviews exist for thickness accommodation, it is difficult for a designer to survey and assess work that has been on the subject of surrogate folds. Currently, many engineering origami instances limit themselves to using pin hinges, adjusting all other design parameters to accommodate pure revolute motion. The possibilities for origami design and application are …

Venturi Adapters – Feedback Control And Dynamic Modeling Simulation, Trey Blackwell, Joseph Orr

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Administration of CPAP in moderate sedation medical procedures has been shown to reduce the risk of oxygen desaturation. Venturi adapters provide a more cost-efficient and logistically feasible alternative to non-invasive ventilators for administering CPAP. Flow-to-pressure tables provided with commercially available CPAP Venturi adapters do not account for inherent variables such as mask leak flow and inhalation flow rate. A dynamic model was developed to describe the pressure and oxygen behavior of a CPAP system utilizing a Venturi adapter. The model was evaluated to reflect system behavior with reasonable accuracy but high computational expense. PID and sliding mode controllers were implemented …

Establishing Big Sagebrush Seedlings On The Colorado Plateau, Kari E. Veblen, Eric Thacker, Mark Larese-Casanova, Kyle Nehring, Mike Duniway, Colby Brungard

All Current Publications

Factors such as soil type and precipitation vary across rangeland landscapes, and these factors affect restoration outcomes and ultimately mean that “one size fits all” management strategies are not effective across large, complex landscapes. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a foundational rangeland species that is important to wildlife habitat across the western U.S. On the Colorado Plateau, sagebrush is important browse for ungulates, such as mule deer and pronghorn, which motivates a great deal of restoration effort. However, most scientific knowledge of big sagebrush comes from the Great Basin, and we know much less about how to restore sagebrush on …

Factors Affecting Remote Workers’ Job Satisfaction In Utah: An Exploratory Study, Amanda D. Ali, Lendel K. Narine, Paul A. Hill, Dominic C. Bria

Extension Research

With structural changes in work arrangements, employee retention becomes more important for organizational success. Guided by the Ability, Motivation, Opportunity (AMO) framework, this study investigated the factors affecting remote workers’ job satisfaction and personal wellbeing in Utah. From a sample of n = 143 remote workers, the study used a correlational design to identify the significant predictors of job satisfaction and personal wellbeing. It mapped the relationships between significant predictors of job satisfaction and personal wellbeing and explored the role of human resources (HR) policies and organizational culture in a remote work environment. Results showed intrinsic motivation, affective commitment, opportunity, …

Multiscale Damage Modelling Of Notched And Un-Notched 3d Woven Composites With Randomly Distributed Manufacturing Defects, S.Z.H. Shah, Juhyeong Lee, P.S.M. Megat-Yusoff, Syed Zahid Hussain, T. Sharif, R.S. Choudhry

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This work proposes a stochastic multiscale computational framework for damage modelling in 3D woven composite laminates, by considering the random distribution of manufacturing-induced imperfections. The proposed method is demonstrated to be accurate, while being simple to implement and requiring modest computational resources. In this approach, a limited number of cross-sectional views obtained from micro-computed tomography (µCT) are used to obtain the stochastic distribution of two key manufacturing-induced defects, namely waviness and voids. This distribution is fed into a multiscale progressive damage model to predict the damage response of three-dimensional (3D) orthogonal woven composites. The accuracy of the proposed model was …

Connections: Library Orientation, Usu Libraries

All E-Learning Resources

Attention: As of 2026 updated versions of this module will no longer be available on Digital Commons. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

This module is a library introduction for incoming USU Connections students. This module will discuss library spaces on USU campuses, money-saving resources, and research tips and resources. This module can be embedded in USU-1010 Canvas courses.

Assessing The Possibility And Properties Of Types I And Ii Chalcogen Bonds, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Type I and II halogen bonds are well-recognized motifs that commonly occur within crystals. Quantum calculations are applied to examine whether such geometries might occur in their closely related chalcogen bond cousins. Homodimers are constructed of the R1R2C=Y and R1R2Y monomers, wherein Y represents a chalcogen atom, S, Se, or Te; R1 and R2 refer to either H or F. A Type II (T2) geometry wherein the lone pair of one Y is closely aligned with a σ-hole of its partner represents a stable arrangement for all except YH2, although not all such structures are true minima. The symmetric T1 …

Utah State University Commencement, 2023 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

2023 Commencement Ceremony for the main campus of Utah State University.

What Carbon County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Angie Kleven, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2023 gathering of 26 leaders in Carbon County. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: education (K-12 and higher ed), home and family, health and wellbeing, business and economics, and culture and community engagement.

Radon In Utah Homes, Madison Mackay

Physics Capstone Projects

Radon gas can be found nearly everywhere. It is formed by the decay of radium, which is found in rocks, soil, plants, and animals. Radon gas can become trapped in buildings and is dangerous at high levels. It is particularly known to be high in many areas of the state of Utah. It is important for the average citizen in Utah to understand more about radon and what levels they may be exposed to. An experiment was done to try an alternate, faster method of testing for radon gas. This experiment was performed in several different locations in Utah. While …

Growth, Morphological, And Biochemical Responses Of Four Native Species To Salinity Stress, Asmita Paudel, Youping Sun

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Native plants are of great value in landscape maintenance. Despite their importance in the landscape, the salt tolerance of most native plants has received little attention. The present research was designed to assess morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of four Utah-native plants [Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick), Cercocarpus ledifolius (curl-leaf mountain mahogany), Cercocarpus montanus ‘Coy’ (alder-leaf mountain mahogany), and Shepherdia ×utahensis ‘Torrey’ (hybrid buffaloberry)] at different salinity levels. Each species was irrigated with a nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.2 dS·m^-1 (control) or saline solutions at ECs of 5.0 or 10.0 dS·m^-1 for 8 …

Preparation, Characterization And Electron Yield Analysis On Highly Insulating Granular Particles, Heather Allen

Physics Capstone Projects

This study focuses on obtaining reliable electron yield measurements of highly insulating granular particles of various shape, size, and composition. Measurements of this kind have long been considered too difficult to collect on granular samples due to experimental complexities leading to a critical knowledge gap in the fundamental electrostatic behaviors of dust. A significant portion of this study was spent on preparing and characterizing granular samples before any type of measurement took place. Particles of varying sizes ranging from ~1 μm to ~100 μm, shapes including cubical, spherical, and angular, and composition including NaCl, MgO, Al₂O₃ and …

Improving Access To General Education Via Co-Teaching In Secondary Mathematics Classrooms: An Evaluation Of Utah's Professional Development Initiative, Kaitlin Bundock, Kristen Rolf, Anna Hornberger, Chamy Halliday

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

Co-teaching may be a promising strategy to improve inclusive secondary mathematics education in rural schools. Professional development (PD) aids in special and general education teachers' co-teaching implementation, yet little empirical research examines how to effectively train and support co-teachers. In this study we describe one U.S. state's PD model for secondary mathematics co-teaching, evaluate outcomes of the PD on co-teachers' behaviors and beliefs, and examine the impact of co-teaching on students' mathematics achievement. We examined data from observations, surveys, and students' pre/post assessments across nine classes within seven U.S. school districts, including three rural school districts, over 3 years. We …

Senior Recital - Betsy Tullis, Betsy Tullis

All Music Department Programs

This recital is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Music in Music Performance.

Artificial Intelligence In Landscape Architecture: A Literature Review, Phillip Fernberg, Brent Chamberlain

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Faculty Publications

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly common in landscape architecture. New methods and applications are proliferating yearly and are being touted as viable tools for research and practice. While researchers have conducted assessments of the state of AI-driven research and practice in allied disciplines, there is a knowledge gap for the same in landscape architecture. This literature review addresses this gap by searching and evaluating studies specifically focused on AI and disciplinary umbrella terms (landscape architecture, landscape planning, and landscape design). It includes searches of academic databases and industry publications that combine these umbrella terms with the …

The Utah Statesman, May 1, 2023, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Tremblings, May 2023, Western Aspen Alliance

Tremblings

The WAA: Fifteen Year Status

Paul C. Rogers

Aspen, the species, unites our member community. We reach out, connect, sprout new growth, and respond to ever-present change like a hidden root web supporting an above-ground grove of swaying pale stems and flickering foliage. Carbohydrates, stored subterranean, represent the future of such networks; linkages unseen nourish future forests, enrich ecosystems, and fuel organizations like ours. After 15 years, the Western Aspen Alliance has flourished following disturbance, but faces an uncertain outlook given uncertain funding prospects. The good news is that this WAA community, buried junctures and all, represents a resilience in …

Metasurfaces For Holography, Scott Howell

Physics Capstone Projects

Holography uses the interference of light waves to store information about an object, which can then be seen from different angles to create a partial 3D view. A simple experiment can be done using a laser diode, photographic plate, and a set of dice to create a holographic image. The holographic film is thin and can only hold a single image. Reflection holography can create a 3D diffraction pattern and allows more information to be packed into a single medium. Computer generated holograms can be designed to create holograms without a real object to be used in augmented reality. High …