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Articles 3181 - 3210 of 4850

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Creation Of An Interactive Early-Stage Design Environment, Braden Hancock, Dr. Christopher Mattson Apr 2013

Creation Of An Interactive Early-Stage Design Environment, Braden Hancock, Dr. Christopher Mattson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In my proposal for an ORCA grant, I provided a plan to assist design engineers in the early stages of the design process. This I proposed to do through the development of a computational environment wherein design engineers could more fully and simply analyze the relationships between the various design objects (variables, constraints, and objectives) that define a multiobjective optimization problem (MOP). Thanks to the opportunity that I received to pursue this research, that technology has been developed and disseminated in the scientific community through two academic journals, two professional conferences, and one student conference.

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Radio-Frequency Microfluidic Interferometer In Printed Circuit Board Process, Shiul Khadka, Dr. Brian Mazzeo Apr 2013

Radio-Frequency Microfluidic Interferometer In Printed Circuit Board Process, Shiul Khadka, Dr. Brian Mazzeo

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In this project, we developed a process to integrate microfluidic channels on standard radio- frequency (RF) A 10.56 GHz RF microstrip interferometer was fabricated using the proposed technique and used to compare electrical responses for liquids with various dielectric properties and thereby demonstrate the capability of RF PCB-integrated microfluidic devices for biological sensing. Microchannels were milled into a substrate and prepreg outlines for microchannels were cut using a laser system. Substrates were adhered and bonded by clamping and baking. The RF interferometer responded to changes in liquid permittivity with high sensitivity relative to many other types of dielectric sensors.

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Research And Design Of Transtibial Prosthetic Shower Legs, Angelina Schwartz, Dr. Eric Homer Apr 2013

Research And Design Of Transtibial Prosthetic Shower Legs, Angelina Schwartz, Dr. Eric Homer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The aim of 2ft Prosthetics is to design, test, and distribute low-cost prostheses to below-the-knee amputees in developing countries. To do this, a research and development team focuses on the design and construction of the prosthesis. It is then tested on local amputees by the clinical trials team. During this interaction we gain many insights regarding improvements that can be made to the prosthesis to make it more comfortable, reliable, and versatile. We learned that many high- level prostheses commonly used here in the United States are not designed to be used in wet environments. Amputees must remove it to …

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Android Gloves To Control Smart Phone: Providing A Mouse And Keyboard To Every Smart Phone User, Skyler Greenman, Dr. Bret Swan Apr 2013

Android Gloves To Control Smart Phone: Providing A Mouse And Keyboard To Every Smart Phone User, Skyler Greenman, Dr. Bret Swan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I am reporting to the MTC on August 15th. I am therefore submitting my final report a few months early of the December deadline. However, I have put nearly a year’s amount of work into this project as I started researching early knowing that there were many different ideas and concepts that I had to understand before I could begin experimenting with the hardware. For example, I had to understand how an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) when attached to a user’s hand could navigate a phone like a mouse and how to overhaul the Android operating system to create a …

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Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation With A2 Protein In Vlp For Symmetrical Alignment, Matthew Burnham, Dr. Brad Bundy Apr 2013

Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation With A2 Protein In Vlp For Symmetrical Alignment, Matthew Burnham, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A Virus-like Particle (VLP) is a nanostructure composed of many coat proteins. They differ from real viruses in that they are synthesized to be non-infectious. VLPs have many useful applications in vaccines, drug delivery, gene therapy, and material science1. Last year, I attempted to create a high resolution image of the VLP Q-beta. This was to be accomplished by making modifications to the virus’ structure after its creation. Conjugating a gold nanoparticle to the Q-beta VLP-A2 protein complex would, in theory, provide a site of orientation and allow us to image the VLP (Figure 1). Although the goal …

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Scaffold Design Of A Novel Nano-Particle For Single-Target Imaging, Chad Varner, Dr. Brad Bundy Apr 2013

Scaffold Design Of A Novel Nano-Particle For Single-Target Imaging, Chad Varner, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project has been to help develop a novel nano-imaging particle. Current methodologies have limitations that preclude them from being used for nanometric (1-500nm) imaging processes in living organisms. These include, but are not limited to, low signal to noise ratios, limited target specificity, and bio-incompatibility. To further the possibilities available for nano-imaging, we have attempted to create a scaffold, or framework, for a biocompatible nanoparticle that is capable of imaging specific targets in living systems.

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Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Extract Preparation Methods, Troy Holland, Dr. Brad Bundy Apr 2013

Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Extract Preparation Methods, Troy Holland, Dr. Brad Bundy

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My ORCA project proposed to test and optimize various low capital cost cell lysis methods, while leaving the internal cell machinery intact and viable for cell-free protein synthesis research. Our cells of interest were a strain of the bacterium E. coli, and their cellular machinery consists of the chemicals and enzymes they use in their every-day life processes, including (and of particular interest to us) the synthesis of proteins. These proteins have an almost limitless number of potential applications in medicine, food services, and chemical production, so the various methods of protein synthesis are of significant importance, both financially, and …

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Geographic Information Systems And Transportation Safety: A Prototype, Clancy Black, Dr. Grant Schultz Apr 2013

Geographic Information Systems And Transportation Safety: A Prototype, Clancy Black, Dr. Grant Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this report is to describe work completed for the ORCA sponsored research project “Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Transportation Safety: A Prototype”. A literature review was conducted to identify the best existing tools and technology. From the research, a GIS model prototype was created to assist in data processing and identification of high-risk crash locations. Applications of the model were tested.

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Compressive Strength Of Emulsion-Treated Base Material Stabilized With Cement, Lisa Gurney, Dr. Spencer Guthrie Apr 2013

Compressive Strength Of Emulsion-Treated Base Material Stabilized With Cement, Lisa Gurney, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) in conjunction with stabilization is becoming an increasingly popular method for flexible pavement reconstruction. FDR can be more economically and environmentally friendly than excavation and replacement; however successful reconstruction greatly depends on the stabilization method employed, base material properties, and site conditions.

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Using Photolithographically-Produced Micro-Channels With Controlled Pores To Create A Bacteria Filter For Blood, Sara Ehlert, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Apr 2013

Using Photolithographically-Produced Micro-Channels With Controlled Pores To Create A Bacteria Filter For Blood, Sara Ehlert, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The importance of blood to humans cannot be understated. Its important functions include transporting oxygen and nutrients around the body, preventing blood loss, fighting infection, carrying antibodies to fight infection, delivering waste products to the kidneys and liver to be removed from the body, and regulating body temperature [1]. Unfortunately, there are several severe diseases that are directly related to blood, including anemia, hemophilia, blood cancers, blood clotting problems, septicemia (blood poisoning), and sepsis. Furthermore, many important diagnostic tests are performed using blood, such as evaluating organs (e.g. kidney, liver, thyroid, and heart), diagnosing cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and medicine effectiveness …

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Intensive Mentoring And Micro-Electronics Research For Students In Engineering, Dr. Stephen Shultz Apr 2013

Intensive Mentoring And Micro-Electronics Research For Students In Engineering, Dr. Stephen Shultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The 2010 MEG funds were used to run the program that we call the Intensive Mentoring and Micro-Electronics Research for Students in Engineering (IMMERSE) program.

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Solar Powered Airplane: Student Design/Build/Fly Project, Dr. Jerry Bowman Apr 2013

Solar Powered Airplane: Student Design/Build/Fly Project, Dr. Jerry Bowman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Involve a significant number of students in a multi-semester project with intense technical challenges and a well-defined objective: The creation of a solar powered airplane with the goal of indefinite flight.

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Improved Channel Probing For Secret Key Generation With Multiple Antenna Systems, Britton T. Quist Apr 2013

Improved Channel Probing For Secret Key Generation With Multiple Antenna Systems, Britton T. Quist

Theses and Dissertations

Establishing secret keys from the commonly-observed randomness of reciprocal wireless propagation channels has recently received considerable attention. In this work we propose improved strategies for channel estimation between MIMO or beamforming systems for secret key generation. The amount of mutual information that can be extracted from the channel matrix estimates is determined by the quality of channel matrix estimates. By allocating increased energy to channel estimation for higher gain beamforming combinations at the expense of low-gain combinations, key establishment performance can be increased. Formalizing the notion of preferential energy allocation to the most efficient excitations is the central theme of …

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Programming Literacy Needs To Be A Core Content Standard: A Case Study Of Teaching 7th And 8th Grade Students Computer Programming, Dr. Geoffrey Wright Apr 2013

Programming Literacy Needs To Be A Core Content Standard: A Case Study Of Teaching 7th And 8th Grade Students Computer Programming, Dr. Geoffrey Wright

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Just as typing has replaced calligraphy and hand-writing as the most common form of written language, programming is ready to replace many domains of the English language. Regardless of whether you perceive this, as negative or positive, programming is how many students are communicating. In a recent study (paper) a teacher found the following grammatical errors (as she defined them): ttyl, sg, L2G, 2G2BT, 2M2H, 404, 411, 511, LOL (double meaning), NMU, N1, W@, WU

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The Video Club, Dr. Peter Rich, Dr. Geoffrey Wright Apr 2013

The Video Club, Dr. Peter Rich, Dr. Geoffrey Wright

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The goals of this project was to bring students together to research the use of video analysis in varied contexts. Through two different projects, we were able to successfully carry out research in four different contexts: seminary, a private school for autistic children, the English Language Center at BYU, and BYU-Provo. We initially set up and began an study at LDS Business college, but due to unexpected medical emergencies, were unable to continue our work with the college. Overall, we feel this has been a successful experience, as we have discovered an approach that seems to work best for conducting …

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An Investigation Into Ground Moving Target Indication (Gmti) Using A Single-Channel Synthetic Aperture Radar (Sar), Joseph W. Winkler Mar 2013

An Investigation Into Ground Moving Target Indication (Gmti) Using A Single-Channel Synthetic Aperture Radar (Sar), Joseph W. Winkler

Theses and Dissertations

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) was originally designed as an airborne ground-imaging radar technology. But it has long been desired to also be able to use SAR imaging systems to detect, locate, and track moving ground targets, a process called Ground Moving Target Indication (GMTI). Unfortunately, due to the nature of how SAR works, it is inherently poorly suited to the task of GMTI. SAR only focuses targets and image features that remain stationary during the data collection. A moving ground target therefore does not focus in a conventional SAR image, which complicates the process of performing GMTI with SAR systems. …

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Transforming Synthetic Biology With Cell-Free Systems, Arnaz Ranji, Jeffrey C. Wu, Bradley Charles Bundy, Michael C. Jewett Mar 2013

Transforming Synthetic Biology With Cell-Free Systems, Arnaz Ranji, Jeffrey C. Wu, Bradley Charles Bundy, Michael C. Jewett

Faculty Publications

Cell-free synthetic biology offers an unprecedented level of control and freedom of design for understanding, harnessing, and expanding the capabilities of natural biological systems. Inspired by advances in synthetic biology projects in vivo, recent years have witnessed the emergence of cell-free systems not only as a testing ground for our ability to engineer and analyze biology, but also as technologies capable of efficient and scalable synthesis of complex biological products. Dominant efforts in the field include: programmable nucleic acid circuits; nanomachines; cell-free protein synthesis; cell-free metabolic engineering; and minimal cells. The goals are understanding why nature’s designs work the way …

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A Multiplicative Extended Kalman Filter For Relative Rotorcraft Navigation, Robert C. Leishman, Timothy W. Mclain Mar 2013

A Multiplicative Extended Kalman Filter For Relative Rotorcraft Navigation, Robert C. Leishman, Timothy W. Mclain

Faculty Publications

In this article we detail the fundamentals of a new approach to GPS-denied navigation for aerial vehicles in confined indoor environments. We depart from the common practice of navigating within a globally referenced map, and instead keep the position and yaw states relative to the current node in the map. The approach combines elements of graph SLAM with a multiplicative extended Kalman filter (MEKF). The filter provides quality state estimates at a fast rate and a graph SLAM algorithm maintains a pose graph. We provide specific details for the relative MEKF. We verify the relative estimation approach with hardware flight …

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Foundational Work In Bioelectrochemical Anaerobic Reactor Design With Electron Mediators, Christopher D. Hoeger Mar 2013

Foundational Work In Bioelectrochemical Anaerobic Reactor Design With Electron Mediators, Christopher D. Hoeger

Theses and Dissertations

Bioelectrical reactors (BER) have potential to be utilized in a wide variety of industrial applications. This work explores the kinetics involved with reduction of electron mediators (anthraquinone disulfonate and methyl viologen) in bioelectrical reactors. It also discusses on possible application of BER technology to produce ethanol from CO2 and electricity. It is established that Clostridium ragdahlei is capable of sustaining life and product formation with CO2 as the only carbon source. This means it is theoretically possible to utilize CO2 as he source of carbon and electricity as the source of reducing equivalents for bacterial growth and product formation. A …

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Immobilized Viologen Polymer For Use In Direct Carbohydrate Fuel Cells, Yining Pan Mar 2013

Immobilized Viologen Polymer For Use In Direct Carbohydrate Fuel Cells, Yining Pan

Theses and Dissertations

Glucose and other carbohydrates are some of the most abundant renewable energy sources in the world. The oxidation of carbohydrates in a fuel cell allows their chemical energy to be converted directly into electrical energy. Viologen has been indentified and shows promising ability as an electron-transfer catalyst or mediator for carbohydrate oxidation in an alkaline carbohydrate fuel cell. Building on the previous results, the objective of this work was to develop an immobilization chemistry of viologen onto an electrode and to investigate the catalytic activity for carbohydrate oxidation in direct carbohydrate fuel cells.The immobilization was achieved by electropolymerizing a novel …

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Investigations Of Partially Immersed Spinning Spheres In A Liquid Bath And Butterfly Flight, Kenneth Roy Langley Mar 2013

Investigations Of Partially Immersed Spinning Spheres In A Liquid Bath And Butterfly Flight, Kenneth Roy Langley

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines two important problems in fluid dynamics: that of a partially immersed sphere spinning in a bath of liquid and the measurement of flow velocities around a free flying butterfly. Although the actual problems are quite different, each problem incorporates many of the same principles and techniques. When a hard-boiled egg spins through a pool of milk on the kitchen counter, the milk rises up the sides of the egg and droplets are ejected. This phenomenon occurs when any partially submerged object whose radius increases upward from the fluid surface (e.g., spheres, inverted cones, rings, etc.), spins in …

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Application Of Fuel Element Combustion Properties To A Semi-Empirical Flame Propagation Model For Live Wildland Utah Shrubs, Chen Shen Mar 2013

Application Of Fuel Element Combustion Properties To A Semi-Empirical Flame Propagation Model For Live Wildland Utah Shrubs, Chen Shen

Theses and Dissertations

Current field models for wildfire prediction are mostly based on dry or low-moisture fuel combustion research. To better study live fuel combustion behavior and develop the current semi-empirical bush combustion model, a laminar flow flat-flame burner was used to provide a convection heating source to ignite individual live fuel samples. In this research project, four Utah species were studied: Gambel oak (Quercus gambelii), canyon maple (Acer grandidentatum), big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma). Leaf geometrical parameters and time-dependent combustion behavior were recorded. Qualitative results included various combustion phenomena like bursting, brand formation and bending. Quantitative results included …

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Microfabrication Processes And Advancements In Planar Electrode Ion Traps As Mass Spectrometers, Brett Jacob Hansen Mar 2013

Microfabrication Processes And Advancements In Planar Electrode Ion Traps As Mass Spectrometers, Brett Jacob Hansen

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents advances in the development of planar electrode ion traps. An ion trap is a device that can be used in mass analysis applications. Electrode surfaces create an electric field profile that trap ionized molecules of an analyte. The electric fields can then be manipulated to mass-selectively eject ions out of the trap into a detector. The resulting data can be used to analyze molecular structure and composition of an unknown compound. Conventional ion traps require machined electrode surfaces to form the electric trapping field. This class of electrode presents significant obstacles when attempting to miniaturize ion traps …

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A Trophic State Analysis Of Lakes In Yellowstone National Park, Anthony Alexander Melcher Mar 2013

A Trophic State Analysis Of Lakes In Yellowstone National Park, Anthony Alexander Melcher

Theses and Dissertations

Eutrophication is of interest in the field of water quality. Eutrophic lakes, when used as sources for drinking water, can cause problems during the treatment process, for example algae blooms can clog filters, requiring more water and energy to be used during the cleaning and backwashing of the filters. Excess nutrient loading and eutrophication can also harm fish and aquatic life habitats. Certain species of algae and cyanobacteria can be toxic to humans as well. Since 1998, Dr. A. Woodruff Miller has collected water samples from 46 lakes and ponds in Yellowstone National Park. The Carlson Trophic State Index, the …

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Passive Stiffness Of Coupled Wrist And Forearm Rotations, Will Brandon Drake Mar 2013

Passive Stiffness Of Coupled Wrist And Forearm Rotations, Will Brandon Drake

Theses and Dissertations

The dynamics of wrist rotations are dominated by joint stiffness, which the neuromuscular system must account and compensate for when controlling wrist movements. Because wrist stiffness is anisotropic, movements in some directions require less torque than movements in others, creating opportunities to follow "paths of least resistance." Forearm pronation-supination (PS) can combine with wrist flexion-extension (FE) and radial-ulnar deviation (RUD) to allow the wrist to rotate in directions of least stiffness. Evaluating this hypothesis, and understanding the control of combined wrist and forearm rotations in general, requires a knowledge of the stiffness (the dominant mechanical impedance) encountered during combined wrist …

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Research And Publication Opportunities In Structure Of Materials, Dr. David Fullwood, Dr. Brent Adams, Dr. Chris Mattson Mar 2013

Research And Publication Opportunities In Structure Of Materials, Dr. David Fullwood, Dr. Brent Adams, Dr. Chris Mattson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The MEG award has been used by our research group as a springboard to launch undergraduates to levels of excellence in academia and the engineering community, and as seed money for research initiatives that will benefit these and future undergraduates. It has been used to leverage significant other funding sources and multiply its effects. Here are some highlights:

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Protein-Surface Interactions With Coarse-Grain Simulation Methods, Shuai Wei Mar 2013

Protein-Surface Interactions With Coarse-Grain Simulation Methods, Shuai Wei

Theses and Dissertations

The interaction of proteins with surfaces is a major process involved in protein microarrays. Understanding protein-surface interactions is key to improving the performance of protein microarrays, but current understanding of the behavior of proteins on surfaces is lacking. Prevailing theories on the subject, which suggest that proteins should be stabilized when tethered to surfaces, do not explain the experimentally observed fact that proteins are often denatured on surfaces. This document outlines several studies done to develop a model which is capable of predicting the stabilization and destabilization of proteins tethered to surfaces. As the start point of the research, part …

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Passive Force On Skewed Abutments With Mechanically Stabilized Earth (Mse) Wingwalls Based On Large-Scale Tests, Bryan William Franke Mar 2013

Passive Force On Skewed Abutments With Mechanically Stabilized Earth (Mse) Wingwalls Based On Large-Scale Tests, Bryan William Franke

Theses and Dissertations

Passive force-deflection behavior for densely compacted backfills must be considered in bridge design to ensure adequate resistance to both seismic and thermally induced forces. Current codes and practices do not distinguish between skewed and non-skewed bridge abutment geometries; however, in recent years, numerical models and small-scale, plane-strain laboratory tests have suggested a significant reduction in passive force for skewed bridge abutments. Also, various case studies have suggested higher soil stresses might be experienced on the acute side of the skew angle. For these reasons, three large-scale tests were performed with abutment skew angles of 0, 15 and 30 degrees using …

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Lateral Resistance Of Piles Near Vertical Mse Abutment Walls At Provo Center Street, Kent R. Nelson Mar 2013

Lateral Resistance Of Piles Near Vertical Mse Abutment Walls At Provo Center Street, Kent R. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Full scale lateral load tests were performed on four piles located at various distances behind MSE walls. Three of the four test piles were production piles used to support bridges, and the other pile a production pile used as part of the bridge abutment. The objective of the testing was to determine the effect of spacing from the wall on the lateral resistance of the piles and on the force resisted by the MSE reinforcement. Lateral load-displacement curves were developed for pile at various spacing and with various reinforcement ratio (reinforcement length, L divided by wall height, H). The force …

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Evaluation Of Passive Force On Skewed Bridge Abutments With Large-Scale Tests, Aaron Kirt Marsh Mar 2013

Evaluation Of Passive Force On Skewed Bridge Abutments With Large-Scale Tests, Aaron Kirt Marsh

Theses and Dissertations

Accounting for seismic forces and thermal expansion in bridge design requires an accurate passive force versus backwall deflection relationship. Current design codes make no allowances for skew effects on the development of the passive force. However, small-scale experimental results and available numerical models indicate that there is a significant reduction in peak passive force as skew angle increases for plane-strain cases. To further explore this issue large-scale field tests were conducted at skew angles of 0°, 15°, and 30° with unconfined backfill geometry. The abutment backwall was 11 feet (3.35-m) wide by 5.5 feet (1.68-m) high, and backfill material consisted …

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