Digital Commons Network^™

Large-Scale Production Of Polyethylene Furanoate From Algae- Derived Feedstocks, Anjolaoluwa Buraima, Jasmine Gordon, Christian Jung, Brianna Oropeza

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Student Publications

This work presents a process to convert microalgal feedstocks (Chlorella vulgaris) into Polyethylene Furanoate (PEF), a biobased alternative to Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) with improved barrier properties, proving a sustainable pathway for bioplastic production.

Halo: High Autonomous Low-Swap Operations, Sloan Hatter, Blake Gisclair

Mathematics and System Engineering Student Publications

Orbital object detection is a vital aspect of space operations, particularly for identifying satellite components. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are typically used for such operations by running onboard models directly on satellite systems. However, a new neural network architecture, known as Vision Transformers (ViTs), have shown greater effectiveness due to their ability to capture global context. One main issue of deploying systems with such capabilities is resource allocation. One solution is to run models on a Low-SWaP system; however, this results in inefficient performance. To enable efficient ViT operations on Low-SWaP systems, the model must be scaled down through quantization, …

Stochastic Network Resilience Under Random Failures, Blake Gisclair

Mathematics and System Engineering Student Publications

This project investigates threshold-crossing probabilities in stochastic networks. Using probabilistic modeling and transform-based analytical methods, the work derives expressions that characterize when cumulative losses exceed prescribed limits with the goal of providing insight into the relationship between local random behavior and global network risk.

Determining Material Transport Method For Moon Colony Using Differential Equations, Scott Meeson, Anthonie Page, Matas Vaitkevicius

Mathematics and System Engineering Student Publications

NASA Artemis Missions: NASA’s Artemis program marks a fundamental shift from short-term lunar exploration to sustained, permanent colonization.

Slait - Secure Language Assembly Inspector Tool, Michael Bratcher, Maria Linkins-Nielsen

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Develop a secure web-based platform that enables users to:

• Upload assembly programs through a browser
• Select instruction inspection points
• Execute code inside an isolated sandbox
• Capture register and flag state changes
• Visualize execution behavior step-by-step

Diode-Pumped Solid-State (Dpss) Laser, Ryan Farrar, Kiahna Taylor, Jules Stone, Finn Mcmanus, Zoe Kreisler, Reis Knowles

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

The objective of this project is to create a working Nd:YAG laser design using an 808nm laser instead of a traditional flashlamp. The reason for the 808nm laser is to enable controlled lasing, and furthering accuracy & efficiency relative to a flashlamp.

Rapid Reach, Rishi Ammanabrolu, Alex Dumbell, Peyton Hay, Ashley Hurtado, Ryan Matthews, Mac Mchale, Sean Miller, Dan Zschau

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Survival of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest depends on rapid heart defibrillation, yet automated external defibrillator (AED) retrieval, high acquisition costs, and maintenance requirements often limit unit availability. Consequently, the delay inherent in traditional manual retrieval and EMS arrival frequently prevents aid from reaching victims in time.

Chess Observation Based Operable Technology (Cobot), Brandon Goerz, Jeremy Hay, Luke Jacobsen, Sean Kalkiewicz, Logan Steele

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

This project aims to develop an autonomous robotic chess system capable of interpreting board state and physically executing moves. With a focus in real time against a human opponent. Utilizing integrating computer vision, game logic, user friendly GUI, and a robotic arm.

Srcis: Human-Robot Collaboration In Urban Search And Rescue Operations, Younghoon Cho, Yavanni Ensley, Jaylin Ollivierre

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Search and Rescue Coordinated Intelligence System (SRCIS) is a human-agent system designed to:

• Improve the effectiveness of real-time search and rescue operations.
• Integrate human judgement with robotic autonomy and capabilities
• Enable coordinated action and adaptive response in dynamic environments.

Nocap: Article Fact-Checking With Ai, Thomas Chamberlain, Anthony Ciero, Varun Doddapaneni, Joshua Pechan

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Fact checking media is important for properly obtaining information

Create a website that uses AI knowledge to allow users to fact check an article

Give these articles an authenticity score and report on what is fact or fiction

Aggregate scores of articles by the same publisher in a database allowing users to view their scores and article authenticity reports

Wallee. Personal Finance App, Emma Bahr, Matteo Caruso, Joshua Cajuste, Kyle Gibson

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

Traditional finance apps assume fixed monthly income. Fail users with variable income:

a. Students

b.Freelancers

c. Gig workers

Require constant manual updates. Provide low adaptability to real-life finances

Brainbench - Llm Evaluation, Daniella Seum, Orion Powers

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Student Publications

As large language models become more widely used, there is a growing need for reliable and consistent methods to evaluate their performance. Existing benchmarks often lack transparency, consistency across runs, or the ability to handle varied answer formats. BrainBench was developed to address these gaps by providing an automated, reproducible evaluation framework that enables fair comparison of models and deeper insight into their strengths and limitations.

Comparison Of Faa Forecasted And Actual Annual Enplanements At U.S. Airports In 2007, 2011, And 2023, Jordan Alexander Kattner, Ninthushan Nithiyanandan, Yunjae Son, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Accurate forecasting of passenger demand is essential for effective airport planning, infrastructure, and policy decision-making particularly from a risk management perspective (Mandel, 2014). However, making long-term forecasts is extremely difficult with many different factors at play leading airport planners to make misinformed investments. This study used publicly available data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) forecast and Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) actual annual enplanements to examine the difference between forecasted and actual observed annual enplanements at 30 large hub airports in the United States to improve passenger demand forecasts. The result showed a statistically significant difference but small effect …

Aircraft Violations Related To Temporary Flight Restrictions & Operations​ From 2017 To 2021, Mark Lipp, Tea Yankova, Hudson Schnier, Vivek Sharm, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are temporary airspace limitations issued to protect sensitive operations, events, and public safety within the United States and Territories National Airspace System (NAS). Despite widespread dissemination of TFR information, violations continue to occur. This study examined the relationship between the monthly number of active TFRs, total aircraft operations, and TFR violations from 2017 to 2021. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze publicly available Federal Aviation Administration datasets, including TFR records and incident reports from the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS). Descriptive statistics and Pearson product–moment correlations were calculated using 59 monthly observations. Results …

Effects Of Pilot Seeking Mental Health Treatment On Passenger Willingness To Fly Before And After An Educational Intervention, Angela Thompson, Emily Mongeon, Elizabeth Brewer, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Willingness to fly before and after an intervention showed no significant difference, but there was a significant difference in willingness to fly with a pilot who is versus is not seeking mental health treatment.

Human Error-Related Aviation Accidents And Incidents Scheduled Vs. Non-Scheduled Operations, Aidan J. Cosgrove, Christopher K. Budiman, Julia Palma Gil, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Scheduled operations had higher monthly human error (HE) related aviation accidents and incidents than nonscheduled operations; however, the effect size is small.

Student Perceived Stress Correlated With Study Approaches In A Collegiate Part 141 Flight School, Jonathan Doherty, Nate Petrie, Jonathan Vroman, Brooke Wheeler, Vivek Sharma

Aeronautics Student Publications

Collegiate flight students experience unique academic and technical challenges that may contribute to stress levels. Although previous research has examined stress in aviation students, limited research has investigated how students’ approaches to studying relate to perceived stress within this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived stress and two study approaches, Surface and Deep Approach, among collegiate flight students enrolled in their university’s Part 141 flight training program. A correlational research design was used. Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising the Revised Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F) to measure Deep and Surface study approaches …

Traffic Alert:​ Correlation Between Near Midair Collision Reports And Takeoffs And Landings At U.S. Class Bravo Airports: 2010 To 2025, Nash Slettom, Brooklyn Stellato, Taylor Jackson, Vivek Sharma, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

A significant, positive correlation was identified between airport operations and near midair collision(NMAC) reports.

Annual Wildlife Strikes Per Operation By Runway Configuration In The Southern U.S. From 2015 To 2024, Cam Mann, Arie Ebanks, Vivek Sharm, Brooke Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

Research on wildlife strikes is vital to the understanding of wildlife behavior at airports. This study focused on reported wildlife strikes per operation by differing runway configurations, parallel and intersecting, in 16 southern states from 2015 to 2024. Parallel runway configurations experienced more reported wildlife strikes per operation than intersecting runway configurations, consistent with previous research. Wildlife strikes that occur at critical phases of flight bring detrimental effects to aviation economies and wildlife habitats. Wildlife Hazard Management Programs (WHMP) in effect at airports do show success, but with limited range. The study used an ex post facto design due to …

Difference In Weather Delays At U.S. Large Hub Airports By Season, Momoka Okabe, Mitchell Riordan Rivers, Julian Waller, Vivek Sharma, Brooke E. Wheeler

Aeronautics Student Publications

At 31 large hub airports in the United States, there was a statistically significant difference in weather delays between Fall and both Winter and Summer, and Summer and Spring.

Observing Jovian Atmospheric Features Using Junocam Projections, Persea Halloran, Athena Klos

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

JunoCam is a non-scientific camera attached to the Juno Probe, and takes images approximately every 30 days, at each perijove (PJ). These images can be projected into a 3D array in Python. Sankar’s Citizen Scientist project aimed to make this process accessible to amateur scientists. Using parts of the method Sankar’s team developed, our aim was to investigate the circumpolar regions of Jupiter’s atmosphere. Around five notable features during PJ 53 and 54 were identified. The primary feature noted was looked at using an open-source particle image velocimetry (PIV) software, OpenPIV, during PJ52 - PJ54. It was found that this …

Hybrid Aerospace Winged Kit (Hawk), Michael Brannock, Diego Robles Cortes, Aidan Harrison, Kale Bronder, Dillon Nobles, Cameron Monast, Nathan Panek, Joseph Ficorilli

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

The HAWK project is focused on creating a compact unmanned aerial system that can perform both vertical takeoff and forward flight. HAWK uses a blade-tip-mounted propulsion system allowing the craft to maintain vertical and horizontal flight.

Radm-S (Rocket Assisted Drone Mission Start), Connor Fitzpatrick, Jacob Minsky, Karl Leonard, Anthony De Sapio, Samuel Johnston, Andrew Smith, Mateo Tolosa, Reuben Kohn, Aaron Conley, Charles Amoury, Matteo Romeo

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

Design a system capable of delivering a fixed-wing drone into the air via a solidpropellent rocket. Manufacture both a drone and a rocket, each optimized for their mission objectives. Execute qualitative and quantitative tests to verify the performance of the integrated system. Analyze overall system performance to validate design requirements.

Rapid Ascent Payload Integrated Drone (Rapid), M. Babe, B. Degraw, E. Green, K. Lucas, K. Mobley, S. Ribeiro, I. Shah, G. Thierry, K. Walker, S. Zimmerman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

The Rapid Ascent Payload Integrated Drone (RAPID) Project is an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be launched from a compressed air launch system. This project demonstrates a quick, theoretical payload delivery without the need for a large takeoff area or for total flight time during ascent to support disaster response efforts.

Aeris - Autonomous Experimental Rendezvous And Inspection System, Delaney Ahr, Ashton Clark, Sandro Gardella, Ava Nieburg, Keoni Power, Lindsey Reilly, Joshua Sundet, Ryan Wehe

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Student Publications

Project AERIS is focused on developing a realistic test environment and an autonomous platform to support and validate advanced satellite inspection technologies, rendezvous, and proximity operations (RPO). The system integrates four main elements: - A drone-based chaser vehicle - A visually-accurate satellite model mounted on a one-degree-of-freedom (1 DOF) test stand - A space-like ground environment

Role Of Rpm-1 In A C. Elegans Apoe4 Alzheimer’S Disease Model, Lucille Mcdonald

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is characterized by the aggregation of β-amyloid plaques. The ε4 allele of APOE (APOE4) is linked to increased plaque formation in AD. Therefore, identifying genetic modifiers of APOE4 could present novel drug targets for AD treatment.

Vitasense: Noninvasive Physiological Signal Measurement From Video Data, Ava Dorow, Justin Mcparland, Ashley Schindler

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

• Heart rate monitoring enables proactive patient care
• Imaging Photoplethysmography (iPPG) enables noncontact measurement 
• Improves access to remote and virtual care

Assessing Developmental Neurotoxicity Due To Pyrethroid Insecticide Exposure In C. Elegans, Katharine Boyd, Timothy A. Crombie

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Pyrethroids are a type of insecticide widely used in agriculture and public health programs. These insecticides disrupt neuronal signaling in target insects through voltage-gated sodium channels and have been linked to cardiovascular and neurological disease in humans.The nervous system of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is fully mapped, and specific behavioral circuits can be tested, making it a powerful model for studying neurotoxicity. Because the primary target of pyrethroids is not conserved in C. elegans, secondary mechanisms of pyrethroid neurotoxicity can be identified by testing whether specific behavioral circuits are affected.

Biopulse: Split Hopkinson (Kolsky) Bar, Andrew Carr, Sebastian Deniz, Rachel Hizon, Stefan Paton

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

A Split Hopkinson (Kolsky) Bar is a device used to find a material’s mechanical response under high strain rate loading scenarios (10² – 10⁴ s⁻¹) [1]. It is commonly used to simulate vehicle crashes or ballistic impacts. The novelty of the device is its size and cost of its components compared to other SPHBs on the market. The motivation is to further the capabilities on campus by providing the first dynamic material testing device.

Biostress: An Engineered Platform For Detecting Cellular Damage Upon Mechanical Impact, Lindsay Avila, Nina Fiordaliso, Mai Tran

Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Student Publications

Mechanical impact stimuli are commonly associated with cellular damage and lower cell survival rates. However, mild impacts can promote responses that are adaptive. The heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is a stressinducible protein that serves as an early biomarker for cellular stress. The relationship between impact severity and cellular response remains unclear.