Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Engineering Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Brigham Young University

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 2971 - 3000 of 4850

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Visual Based Reverse Engineering, C. Porter Bassett, Dr. C. Greg Jensen Sep 2013

Visual Based Reverse Engineering, C. Porter Bassett, Dr. C. Greg Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Reverse engineering, or the process of taking an implemented idea and taking it back to the design stage, has many applications in many different types of engineering. One common application of reverse engineering is to take a manufactured part, measure its dimensions and shape, and then make new drawings or Computer-Aided Design (CAD) models of the part. When done manually, this is a very tedious process that includes measuring dimensions and manually inputting them into the CAD program. This also leaves a lot of room for human error either on measuring the part or inputting the dimensions. The reverse engineering …

Go to article

Wind Field Classification For Satellite Scatterometer Fieldwise Wind Estimation, Charles G. Brown, Dr. David G. Long Sep 2013

Wind Field Classification For Satellite Scatterometer Fieldwise Wind Estimation, Charles G. Brown, Dr. David G. Long

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since near-surface ocean winds affect global climate, several space-borne instruments have been deployed to measure ocean winds. The most widely known of these instruments are the satellite scatterometers, such as the Seasat Scatterometer (SASS), the NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT), and the Active Microwave Instruments (AMI) aboard the European Remote Sensing satellites ERS-1 and ERS-2. All of these devices measure near-surface ocean wind by transmitting microwave radiation to the ocean’s surface and then measuring the power level of the radiation scattered back to the satellite. The recorded power measurements provide information on the roughness of the ocean’s surface. Since wind alters the …

Go to article

Computational Analysis Of Prosthetic Voice-Producing Elements, Britton Olson, Dr. Scott L. Thomson Sep 2013

Computational Analysis Of Prosthetic Voice-Producing Elements, Britton Olson, Dr. Scott L. Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many voice disorders impede normal speech production. In severe cases such as laryngeal carcinoma, the total laryngectomy procedure is required, resulting in the loss of the natural ability to produce sound for speech. In this case synthetic forms of speech are employed. One method of synthetic speech that has demonstrated potential is a “voice-producing element” (VPE) . Recent VPE designs consist of two latex membranes within a cylindrical housing that is placed in the tracheoesophageal wall in a “double-reed” configuration. Air flowing from the lungs between the membranes results in regular, large-amplitude, self-sustained vibrations. The membranes are loaded on the …

Go to article

Ultra-Small Scale Hydroelectric As A Supplemental Energy Source, Andrew Thompson, Dr. Daniel Maynes Sep 2013

Ultra-Small Scale Hydroelectric As A Supplemental Energy Source, Andrew Thompson, Dr. Daniel Maynes

Journal of Undergraduate Research

For centuries water has been used as a source of power; from the middle ages where waterwheels were used for simple mechanical tasks to the 21st century where large hydroelectric power plants supply megawatts of electricity to the power grid. In recent decades developing and remote regions in Tibet, Laos, Uganda and parts of Latin America, have begun using small scale hydroelectric generators to provide electricity to their areas. With the rising concerns of greenhouse gas emissions, developed nations have also begun to look into ‘small scale hydro.’1

Go to article

Development Of Models Of Laryngeal Cartilage Using Mri Images, Brianne Hamilton, Dr. Scott L. Thomson Sep 2013

Development Of Models Of Laryngeal Cartilage Using Mri Images, Brianne Hamilton, Dr. Scott L. Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The study of vocal fold vibration allows for greater understanding of how speech production occurs and of the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of associated physiological disorders. Until now an environment to test vocal fold models which are anatomically similar in both form and function has not been available. It was necessary to have a larynx model in which artificial vocal folds can be placed and subjected to conditions found in the human body in order to attain a more comprehensive understanding of vocal folds and their function. This project was part of a team working with Dr. Scott L. Thomson …

Go to article

Fiber-Optic Chemical Sensor, John D. Gordon, Dr. Stephen Schultz Sep 2013

Fiber-Optic Chemical Sensor, John D. Gordon, Dr. Stephen Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are valuable throughout many industrial and academic settings. These chemicals, however, often raise environmental and health related concerns. For example, chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHC’s) are often used as cleaning solvents but have significant ozone depleting potential. In addition, many CHC’s are known human carcinogens, requiring restrictions to their use.

Go to article

Polyurethane (Pu) Foam Synthesis And Lean Manufacturing An Effective Business Suitable In Developing Countries, Sebastian Acosta, Danny Parades, Dr. Robert Todd Sep 2013

Polyurethane (Pu) Foam Synthesis And Lean Manufacturing An Effective Business Suitable In Developing Countries, Sebastian Acosta, Danny Parades, Dr. Robert Todd

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our ORCA project was motivated by the realization that many South American countries have not taken full advantage of the polyurethane industry. The manufacturing of PU and its applications may contribute to the economic and social growth in less-developed nations. This may be accomplished if this potential industry is appropriate for development by small/medium enterprises and other business partnerships. The main goal of our ORCA research project was to learn by study and personal experience if the synthesis of PU foam truly is a suitable business in developing nations.

Go to article

Correlating Thomboembolism To Individual Platelet Aggregation Rate, Luke Werrett, Dr. Kenneth Solen Sep 2013

Correlating Thomboembolism To Individual Platelet Aggregation Rate, Luke Werrett, Dr. Kenneth Solen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective of this research project was to identify a correlation between a traditional platelet activity test using an aggregometer, and a new test that measures interactions between blood and man-made materials in a simulated blood flow environment. A correlation between these data would give artificial organ recipients and open-heart surgery candidates a more thorough risk analysis of their situation, and indicate the need for caution or additional medication.

Go to article

The Mechanism Of Gravity Induced, Counter-Current Flow Of Oil And Water In Porous Beds, Kari Cook, Dr. Hugh Hales Sep 2013

The Mechanism Of Gravity Induced, Counter-Current Flow Of Oil And Water In Porous Beds, Kari Cook, Dr. Hugh Hales

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Computerized simulation of the flow in underground petroleum reservoirs is widely used by oil companies to optimize the production of oil and gas. Such simulations are known in the Industry as “reservoir simulation”. They are based on Darcy’s Law, smoothly varying flow potentials, and the assumption that all phases move uniformly through the pore spaces. It seems possible that at low flow rates, such as those resulting when gravitational forces predominate, a different mechanism applies. The more dense phases may move downward in some pores, while the lighter fluids move upward through others. This would result in much more rapid …

Go to article

Coastal Wind Retrieval Using Satellite Scatterometer Data, Michael Owen, Dr. David Long Sep 2013

Coastal Wind Retrieval Using Satellite Scatterometer Data, Michael Owen, Dr. David Long

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The SeaWinds scatterometer aboard the QuikSCAT satellite has been functioning to measure radar backscatter over the ocean since its launch in 1999. The backscatter data from the scatterometer is used to infer wind speeds over the ocean and is vital to ocean wind measurement as the satellite covers nearly the entire ocean daily. Backscatter measurements made by QuikSCAT in the vicinity of land are contaminated by land as it is generally much more reflective than ocean. Land contamination of backscatter measurements causes wind speeds near the coast to be vastly overestimated and to be so inaccurate as to be useless. …

Go to article

Impedance Detection Of Biological Molecules In Microfluidic Channels, Daniel Evans, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Sep 2013

Impedance Detection Of Biological Molecules In Microfluidic Channels, Daniel Evans, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

At the current time, the most sensitive detection methods for biological molecules are based on fluorescent tags. This requires the use of optical sources and detectors as well as the introduction of a fluorophore that can be attached to a molecule of interest. In light of these challenges, my research goal was to create a sensitive method of detection based on electrical impedance measurements rather than optical measurements. In theory, this technique has the potential for providing a detection method that can be easily implemented on multiple parallel channels on a microfluidic chip.

Go to article

Zero Power Shock Sensors Using Bistable Compliant Mechanisms, Brett Hansen, Dr. Stephen Schultz Sep 2013

Zero Power Shock Sensors Using Bistable Compliant Mechanisms, Brett Hansen, Dr. Stephen Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

There are various applications for shock sensors, ranging from cell phones, to postal packaging, to automobile safety designs. These devices are designed to indicate when a predetermined threshold of impact force has been experienced. The designs of these sensors are varied. Some employ electrical stimuli while others utilize magnetic force. Much of the fabrication complexity and cost comes from the packaging and need to supply power to the sensor. To make practical the wide spread, every day use of shock sensors (i.e. postal packages), the sensors must be very cheap to make and require no electrical power. Therefore, there is …

Go to article

Development Of Synthetic Composite Materials To Simulate Vocal Fold Tissue, Allyson Pulsipher, Dr. Scott Thomson Sep 2013

Development Of Synthetic Composite Materials To Simulate Vocal Fold Tissue, Allyson Pulsipher, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past 25 years, research has been done to analyze the response of vocal fold tissue to tensile loading. Although the research provided better understanding of vocal fold behavior, there has been significant variability in the results of each research endeavor. Many factors may have contributed to the differences, such as dissimilar experimental set-ups, difficulty of obtaining and analyzing vocal fold samples, etc. However, the most significant factor of variance is most likely related to the structure of the tissue itself.

Go to article

Palatometer, Art Krahenbuhl, Dr. Brian Jensen Sep 2013

Palatometer, Art Krahenbuhl, Dr. Brian Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The palatometer is a device previously designed by Dr. Sam Fletcher to aid in his work of speech therapy. The device consists of a series of sensors laid out on a grid that is attached to a mold of the user’s palate. As the user talks, the sensors react to the places where the tongue touches and sends a signal through wires to a processing chip, housed in a little black box. This black box is suspended around the user’s neck, and relays the data from the mouth to a computer that creates a digital representation of the sensor’s information …

Go to article

The Effects Of A User Interface On Productivity The Whiteboard Lms, Jeremiah Jackson, Dr. Barry Mark Lunt Sep 2013

The Effects Of A User Interface On Productivity The Whiteboard Lms, Jeremiah Jackson, Dr. Barry Mark Lunt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Common among modern universities, BYU included, is usage of Learning Management Systems, commonly known as LMS. LMS are electronic classrooms, often online, that allow for the learning process to continue outside of the traditional classroom setting. For several years, BYU has strived to use the Blackboard LMS to enhance the student experience. Unfortunately, many students and teachers dislike the program, and only use it sparingly, if at all. Initial interviews with students and teachers revealed that the problem behind Blackboard was that it has a poor user interface. Without proper training and/or experience using it, the features of Blackboard can …

Go to article

Thermal Management Of Lithium Iron-Phosphate Batteries, Nicholas V. Riedel, Perry Carter Sep 2013

Thermal Management Of Lithium Iron-Phosphate Batteries, Nicholas V. Riedel, Perry Carter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The BYU Electric Vehicle Competition Team (EVCT) elected to use Lithium-iron phosphate batteries as the power source for their streamlined electric race car. This car will be used to attempt a land speed record for electric vehicles under 1800 lbs at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 2008. These batteries were chosen because they were light-weight and relatively durable. However, there was some concern about using them in place of a more durable battery, like lead acid, because of the extreme temperatures and high electrical loads which the batteries would experience during a run.

Go to article

A Model Worth A Thousand Pictures, Tyson Triplett, Paul Skaggs Sep 2013

A Model Worth A Thousand Pictures, Tyson Triplett, Paul Skaggs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Model-making is an essential part of the Industrial Design profession. An idea, no matter how good, is only as valuable as you are able to present it to others. Model-making can be seen as a language by which we share and validate our ideas as designers. More than that, it is a universal language that everyone understands no matter origin, education, or level of understanding. For this reason, we spend more time learning to convince others of our concepts than generating those ideas. A common saying around the department is: “If a picture is worth a thousand words then a …

Go to article

A Course Grain Model For Protein-Surface Interactions, Shuai Wei, Thomas A. Knotts Iv Sep 2013

A Course Grain Model For Protein-Surface Interactions, Shuai Wei, Thomas A. Knotts Iv

Faculty Publications

The interaction of proteins with surfaces is important in numerous applications in many fields—such as biotechnology, proteomics, sensors, and medicine—but fundamental understanding of how protein stability and structure are affected by surfaces remains incomplete. Over the last several years, molecular simulation using coarse grain models has yielded significant insights, but the formalisms used to represent the surface interactions have been rudimentary. We present a new model for protein surface interactions that incorporates the chemical specificity of both the surface and the residues comprising the protein in the context of a one-bead-per-residue, coarse grain approach that maintains computational efficiency. The model …

Go to article

A Race Vehicle Data Acquisition System, B. Taylor Newill, Dr. Mark Colton Sep 2013

A Race Vehicle Data Acquisition System, B. Taylor Newill, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Society of Automotive Engineers hosts the annual Formula SAE student design competition. This year 70 teams will design, build, and race a one man, open-wheeled road racer. Formula SAE is considered by many to be the most prestigious university engineering design competition in the world. For the first time, a team of undergraduate BYU students will participate in the Formula SAE competition.

Go to article

Computer Modeling And Mapping Of Ultrasound Intensity In Human Tissues For Gene And Drug Delivery, Spencer Smith, Dr. William Pitt Sep 2013

Computer Modeling And Mapping Of Ultrasound Intensity In Human Tissues For Gene And Drug Delivery, Spencer Smith, Dr. William Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past years ultrasound has been used extensively in medical treatments. It is now being developed and tested in localized drug and gene delivery. One of the main applications for drug delivery is treating cancer.

Go to article

Nanoemulsions Of Non-Toxic Fluorocarbon Liquids Used To Transfect Genes With Applied Ultrasound, Cody L. Martin, Dr. William Pitt Sep 2013

Nanoemulsions Of Non-Toxic Fluorocarbon Liquids Used To Transfect Genes With Applied Ultrasound, Cody L. Martin, Dr. William Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gene delivery has been an important topic of medical and scientific research today, due to its potential in aiding the fight against cancer, heart disease and many genetic disorders. By transfecting appropriate genes into diseased cells, specific proteins can be produced that will alleviate problems at the cellular level. In addition, if the gene delivery is done by a targeted non-viral approach, such as ultrasound combined with contrast agent bubbles, the efficiency of transfection always increases. The targeted non-viral approach consists of applying focused ultrasound to a specific tissue in the presence of microbubbles. The application of ultrasound will cause …

Go to article

Progressing Bicycle Design For People With Hip Disarticulation, Luke Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Colton Sep 2013

Progressing Bicycle Design For People With Hip Disarticulation, Luke Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

People with hip disarticulation are those who have had a leg surgically removed above the hip, taking away every muscle and movement in one of their limbs. A surgery of this type makes it extremely difficult for its recipients to lead an active lifestyle. This project aimed to design a bicycle for use by people with hip disarticulation, thus enabling them to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle despite their obstacles.

Go to article

Vapor Deposition Methods For Synthetic Vocal Fold Modeling, Mitchell Hortin, Dr. Scott Thomson Sep 2013

Vapor Deposition Methods For Synthetic Vocal Fold Modeling, Mitchell Hortin, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a reliable method to create the epithelial layer of silicone rubber vocal fold models. The method needed be able to repeatedly create a uniform layer of silicone rubber that is 70-80 microns in thickness. The type of silicone rubber used was to have similar or identical properties to the type currently in use. In an attempt to accomplish this purpose, three types of nozzles, an ultrasonic mist maker and an airbrush were tested to see if they could efficiently atomize the silicone mixture. This testing showed that the airbrush setup has the …

Go to article

A New Design For Low Voltage Microfluidic Pumps (Pulse Driven Electro-Osmotic Pumps With 3d Configuration For Uniform Size Microelectrodes), Nathan Ives, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Sep 2013

A New Design For Low Voltage Microfluidic Pumps (Pulse Driven Electro-Osmotic Pumps With 3d Configuration For Uniform Size Microelectrodes), Nathan Ives, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project is to test a new design for low voltage microfluidic pumps. Mechanical pumps are sometimes too large, unreliable, or difficult to integrate in lab-on-a-chip applications. DC electro-osmosis is unsuitable for many biomedical and portable applications due to the high voltages needed. AC electro-osmosis has been proposed as an alternative because of the lower voltages it requires to pump fluids1, 2. Our design uses a 3D configuration for microelectrodes with alternating DC pulses that should produce a more linear flow of fluid and prevent “eddies” that occur in other ACEO pump designs3. This should result in …

Go to article

Enabling Quantum Optics On A Chip, Thomas Wall, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Sep 2013

Enabling Quantum Optics On A Chip, Thomas Wall, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rubidium vapor has certain physical properties that allow it to be optically probed in order to produce many interesting quantum effects; however, due to its reactive nature rubidium can be very difficult to encapsulate. Historically bulk rubidium vapor cells have been used, which rely on high temperature glass forming and sealing. The potential that rubidium vapor has in real-world application can be greatly increased by creating a smaller, more versatile vapor cell that does not require high temperatures to be created. We are working to create a rubidium vapor cell that can be integrated with a chip-scale device in order …

Go to article

Dynamic Shape Sensing Using A Fiber Bragg Grating Mesh, Douglas Bailey, Dr. Stephen Schultz Sep 2013

Dynamic Shape Sensing Using A Fiber Bragg Grating Mesh, Douglas Bailey, Dr. Stephen Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Shape sensing is useful in a variety of applications including medicine, health monitoring of structures such as offshore oil vessels, windmills, spacecrafts, etc. Knowing an object’s shape allows evaluation of its condition during stress or its position in relation to other objects. One common method of shape sensing involves the use of Fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). FBGs have very high strain sensitivity and thus can be used to measure even the smallest changes in shape.

Go to article

High Yield-Displacement Frames For Earthquake Resistance, Daniel Miller, Dr. Paul Richards Sep 2013

High Yield-Displacement Frames For Earthquake Resistance, Daniel Miller, Dr. Paul Richards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since the early twentieth century, engineers have recognized the suitability of steel construction for design of earthquake resistant structures. Beginning in the 1990’s, building codes have provided specifications for seismic steel design that are intended to allow inelastic behavior while preventing catastrophic collapse (Hamberger, 2009). However, this inelastic response leads to permanent structural deformation which can require costly building repair or rehabilitation for continued use (Pettinga et al., 2007). A study conducted by Christopoulos and Pampanin (2004) proposes the use of a flexible secondary structural system to act in parallel with the main system in order to limit permanent deformation. …

Go to article

A Characterization Of Force Patterns And Power Flow In The Golf Swing Using A Three Dimensional Model, Shad Roundy, Dr. Craig Smith Sep 2013

A Characterization Of Force Patterns And Power Flow In The Golf Swing Using A Three Dimensional Model, Shad Roundy, Dr. Craig Smith

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Of the many specific studies published on the golf swing, few if any give a holistic mechanical understanding of the swing. The purpose of this study was to develop a holistic three dimensional model and characterize the force and power patterns in an elite golfer. Because of the emphasis in golf instruction on lower body motion, particularly the hip turn, particular attention was given to the relationship between the force generated in the lower body, and the resulting hip, trunk, and arm motion. This same model could be used in the future to more widely characterize force patterns of golfers …

Go to article

The Radial Turbine: A Simple Encapsulation Of Its Design, Matthew B. Parkinson, Dr. Jordan J. Cox Sep 2013

The Radial Turbine: A Simple Encapsulation Of Its Design, Matthew B. Parkinson, Dr. Jordan J. Cox

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The design, manufacture, and testing of turbines involves many aspects of engineering: fluid mechanics, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, instrumentation, heat transfer, and optimitization. This project encapsulates these and provides for rapid design, manufacture, and testing of a prototype turbine wheel (figure 1). Although the models are simplified and do not address countless design considerations, they do provide a feel for the many issues encountered.

Go to article

A Propane Oven For The Uros Islands, Jeffrey Perry, Dr. Randy Lewis Sep 2013

A Propane Oven For The Uros Islands, Jeffrey Perry, Dr. Randy Lewis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

High in the Andes Mountains lives a group of Peruvians who spend their lives on the Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca. To purchase supplies at the nearest city, Puno, islanders must take a 20 minute motorboat trip and 10 minute taxi ride. Because trips to the city are infrequent, islanders rarely have the opportunity throughout the week to eat fresh baked breads, meats and desserts. The oven building team from the Global Engineering Outreach Class (GEO) at Brigham Young University decided to design, build and implement a portable oven, heated by propane that could be easily used and manufactured by …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last