Digital Commons Network^™

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.

Machine Vision In C. Elegans Locomotion Analysis, Maxwell Lynch, Jocelyn Cuthbert

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Existing tracking systems for C. elegans motion research can be redesigned to create low-cost microscopes for motion data collection from multiple model species.

Enhanced 3d Image Reconstruction Using Scattered Light Tomography, Tyler O'Loughlin, Vern Hart

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) is a powerful technique for reconstructing phase shifts occurring in biological samples by capturing the interference between scattered light. These diffraction patterns contain spectral information, where shorter wavelengths (higher spatial frequencies) yield images with enhanced spatial resolution, improving detail and accuracy. However, higher spatial frequencies are located further from the central axis, rendering them fainter and more challenging to measure. To address this, our group developed a gyroscopic CDI system featuring a rotating platform driven by a stepper motor. This platform positions the sample between a broadband light source and a beam profiler, which are mounted …

Genetic Analysis Of Great Salt Lake Microbialites, Alivia Preston, Bonnie Baxter

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Among the major contributors to the bottom of the food chain in Great Salt Lake (GSL), microbialites are mats of microorganisms supported by rock-like structures. The microbiome includes photosynthesizers such as cyanobacteria, but they also include more complex organisms such as algae. The microbialites are the foundation for the food chain in the lake, and without them, the food chain will likely face a collapse. As GSL is shrinking, more areas are exposed to drying out and high salt conditions. This project aims to analyze the genetic microbial community of the microbialites form 2016 and 2023 to see the effects …

Further Investigation Of Using Rr Lyrae Periods As A Tracer Of Multiple Populations In Globular Clusters, Brent Lane Racker Jr., Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Recent work (Racker & Barnes 2024) using Gaia spacecraft data appeared to show a weak but noticeable correlation between the spread of periods for both the ab- and c-type RR Lyrae variable stars in certain Milky Way Globular Clusters (GCs) and the fraction of first-generation to the total number of stars as determined in (Milone et al. 2017). This research further suggests that the correlation is unaffected by angular distance from the GC center relieving the question of whether crowding or other effects impact the results. Then, looking outward, this correlation was used on just over one thousand RR Lyrae …

Cracking The Code For Pcb Cleanup: Pcr Optimization Meets Synthetic Biology, Leptzy Romero, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study focuses on the construction of a plasmid harboring biphenyl (BPH) genes, with the aim of enabling potential degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Optimization experiments were conducted to enhance PCR amplification and assembly efficiency. PCR conditions were refined using a primer concentration gradient and by varying magnesium chloride levels through adjustments in reaction buffer volume, resulting in improved specificity and yield. Six BPH gene fragments were successfully litigated into the pSHDY vector using Gibson Assembly, alongside a GA+ positive control. The resulting construct represents a foundational step toward engineering organisms capable of PCB biodegradation.

Extremophile Community Dynamics At Great Salt Lake As A Model For Astrobiology, Lauren Rothman, Bonnie Baxter

Utah Space Grant Consortium

In 1959 a causeway was constructed dividing the terminal Great Salt Lake, increasing salinity and decreasing diversity in the North Arm.

Optimizing Satellite Handoffs In Leo Constellations, A Predictive Model, Savanna Sanborn

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are huge players in the modern space infrastructure and are used for a variety of human needs, including public communication, weather imaging, and scientific research. Typically these satellites orbit at altitudes between 300km and 600km above the earth's surface, complete an entire orbit around the Earth in 90-100 minutes, and make several orbits around the earth in a given day.

Poly(2-Methyl 1-Pentene Sulfone) (Pmps) As A Potential Oxidation Retardant For Aluminum Mirrors For Space Telescopes, Kira Sand, Matthew Clarkson, Morgan Peterson, David Allred

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The reflectivity of aluminum mirrors, essential for capturing high-quality far-ultraviolet (FUV) images in space telescopes, is compromised by oxidation caused by exposure to Earth's atmosphere. Barrier coatings like magnesium fluoride can protect aluminum but still permit slow oxidation over time. To address this, we propose using photodegrading polymer films, which depolymerize under UV light in a vacuum, as a protective coating for aluminum mirrors until they exit Earth's atmosphere. Our research focuses on Poly(2-methyl 1-pentene sulfone) (PMPS), which depolymerize when exposed to ultraviolet light in vacuum, ensuring stability until reaching space.

Mapping Accretion Around The Black Hole X-Ray Binary Maxi J1803-298 With Reflection, Brianna Searle, Benjamin Coughenour

Utah Space Grant Consortium

MAXI J1803-298 is a recently discovered transient black hole (BH) X-ray binary that went into outburst on May 1st, 2021, and was detected with MAXI/GSC¹ onboard the ISS. NuSTAR observed MAXI J1803-298 four times during its outburst (see Table 1, Figure 1)^2,3. I modeled the spectrum to see reflection features and learn about the inner accretion disk and the environment around the BH. Figure 1 and Table 1 show that the outburst started roughly on May 1st, the peak was on May 14th, and the last observation was on June 17th.

Raman Imaging Of Carbon Materials, Seth Stringham, Dustin Shipp

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Graphene, a single atom-thick layer of carbon, is a focal point in various research fields due to its unique properties. With researchers developing new methods to create this material, it's crucial to establish tools to confirm the authenticity of graphene samples.

Increasing Rocket Reusability Via Guided Recovery Systems, Chandler Taylor

Utah Space Grant Consortium

As rocketry continues to emphasize reusability and cost-effectiveness, the question arises: how can these goals be achieved in the context of sounding rockets? One promising method is the use of air brakes. These systems can serve multiple purposes, such as assisting in stage separation or guiding a rocket safely back to the ground. Much of the recent air brake testing has taken place at events like the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), often to meet specific altitude targets. But this paper aims to use air brakes to increase the rockets recoverability and reusability by employing air brake gird fins to …

High-Velocity Pulsar Kicks Via Anisotropic Neutrino Emission, Tate R. Thomas, Alexander M. Panin

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Observations reveal that some neutron stars (NS) exhibit high velocities, reaching over 1000 km/s in some instances. This cannot be attributed to the orbital velocity of the NS around our Milky Way galaxy, as it is around 250 km/s on average. The origin of this phenomenon, known as a pulsar kick, is not fully understood and remains a subject of debate among astrophysicists.

During NS formation, the rotation and strong (potentially asymmetric) magnetic field of its progenitor star may result in an asymmetric collapse of the star's core plasma. If this is the case, we might anticipate the formation of …

Vocs In Heat-Stressed Poplar-Mycorrhizae Systems, Luis Valdez, Peter Doust, Kastin Ricord

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Plants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as gases into the atmosphere, including small molecules like alcohols, ketones, and terpenes, as well as products of the lipoxygenase (LOX) and the mevalonate (MVP) metabolic pathways.

Increased Angle Space For A Fourier Scatter Microscope Via Simultaneous Axial And Off-Axis Imaging, Haley Blackburn, Marren Williams, Vincent M. Rossi

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Fourier Scatter Imaging (FSI) has proven to be an innovative tool for measuring particle size. This research incorporates Fourier optics into a scatter imaging system with the addition of an off-axis pathway in a Fourier Scatter Microscope. The system uses 0.28 numerical aperture (NA) long working distance objectives that provide angular resolution over +/- 16.3° in the forward direction and 90° +/- 16.3° in the off-axis direction. This setup enables simultaneous capture of axial and off-axis scatter signals using a shared camera, significantly enhancing the angular scattering measurement capabilities. This proof-of-principle system demonstrates the potential for improvements in scattering image …

Untethered And Modular Inflatable Robot For Lunar Applications, James Wade, Chris Paul, Mihai Stanciu, Jared Berger, Spencer Stowell, Henry Smith, Kaitlyn Bell, Simon Charles, Logan Yang, Ashleigh Cerven, Jayden Coe, Brian Bodily, Lais Olivera, Eli Francom, Annie O'Bryan, Bryce Parkinson, Ivyann Running, Jake Sutton, Adam Rose, Katie Varela

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Sustained operations on the moon will require robotic structures that can perform tasks like building solar arrays and habitats, servicing equipment, exploring, or rescuing astronauts.