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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Factors Affecting United States Geological Survey Irrigation Freshwater Withdrawal Estimates In Utah, J. Levi Manley May 2022

Factors Affecting United States Geological Survey Irrigation Freshwater Withdrawal Estimates In Utah, J. Levi Manley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Utah is, on average, one of the driest states in the United States, second only to Nevada, and drier conditions are projected. Irrigation is the largest water user in the state, representing about 80% of the total freshwater withdrawn each year. Withdrawals are obtained from sources like reservoirs or streams, or underground water from wells and springs, and supplied for use. The United States Geological Survey, a reputable federal science agency, has provided irrigation freshwater withdrawal estimates every five years since 1950. Understanding what factors affect irrigation withdrawals can better inform water resource planning to reduce withdrawals and conserve surface …


A Review Of Avian-Inspired Morphing For Uav Flight Control, Christina Harvey, Lawren L. Gamble, Christian R. Bolander, Douglas F. Hunsaker, James J. Joo, Daniel J. Inman Apr 2022

A Review Of Avian-Inspired Morphing For Uav Flight Control, Christina Harvey, Lawren L. Gamble, Christian R. Bolander, Douglas F. Hunsaker, James J. Joo, Daniel J. Inman

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

The impressive maneuverability demonstrated by birds has so far eluded comparably sized uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Modern studies have shown that birds’ ability to change the shape of their wings and tail in flight, known as morphing, allows birds to actively control their longitudinal and lateral flight characteristics. These advances in our understanding of avian flight paired with advances in UAV manufacturing capabilities and applications has, in part, led to a growing field of researchers studying and developing avian-inspired morphing aircraft. Because avian-inspired morphing bridges at least two distinct fields (biology and engineering), it becomes challenging to compare and contrast …


Electric Vehicles: Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Tyler Hansen Apr 2022

Electric Vehicles: Lowering Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Tyler Hansen

Student Research Symposium

The amount of greenhouse gasses in the earth’s atmosphere has led to rapid climate change. In order to remedy this, the amount of annual greenhouse gas emissions needs to be decreased. As of 2019, transportation accounted for 29 percent of the Nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, one important way to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S will be a switch from traditional vehicles powered by gasoline and diesel, to electric vehicles. Despite challenges of infrastructure, resources, and consumer access, a national switch to electric vehicles is possible and necessary.


A Novel Composite Hybrid Energy Storage System For Hybrid And Electric Vehicles, Marium Rasheed Apr 2022

A Novel Composite Hybrid Energy Storage System For Hybrid And Electric Vehicles, Marium Rasheed

Student Research Symposium

This work introduces a composite hybrid energy storage system (CHESS) architecture that combines energy-dense and capacitively-coupled power-dense battery packs in a unique configuration that requires minimal energy balancing using low-power DC-DC converters. A power-dense battery is coupled to an energy-dense battery using a relatively small supercapacitor module that naturally distributes the system current between the two packs, requiring no additional contactors or full-power processing DC-DC converters. A design procedure is developed to size the system for plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles (PHEVs and BEVs). The procedure results in designs that achieve weight reduction for a PHEV/BEV battery-energy-storage system (ESS) …


Nuclear Fusion: Powering The Future, Maxwel Head Apr 2022

Nuclear Fusion: Powering The Future, Maxwel Head

Student Research Symposium

There has always been a concern for power generation for the world. With limited fossil fuels and the inefficiency of our current, renewable, power generation, a solution to our issue has been in the works for many years. Engineers, scientists, and civil workers are hard at work attempting to apply nuclear fusion to create massive amounts of power for the foreseeable future. Research was conducted using internet and library resources to find primary and secondary sources. For this study, interviews and news reports and case studies were reviewed to provide diverse information. To summarize what was found, engineers are hard …


Effect Of Cannabidiol On Crystallization Behavior And Physical Properties Of Cocoa Butter And Palm Oil, Isaac Hilton Apr 2022

Effect Of Cannabidiol On Crystallization Behavior And Physical Properties Of Cocoa Butter And Palm Oil, Isaac Hilton

Student Research Symposium

Demand for lipid-based products containing cannabidiol (CBD) is increasing following the legalization of industrial hemp production. This study investigates the impact of CBD on the crystallization behavior and physical properties of cocoa butter (CB) and palm oil (PO) for possible food applications. CB and PO samples with 0%, 1%, and 2.5% CBD were crystallized at 22°C and 26°C, respectively and the crystallization as a function of time was measured using a pulsed NMR for 165 min and 90 min, respectively. Melting behavior, crystal morphology, and viscoelasticity were measured at this time. Viscoelasticity and hardness were also measured after storing the …


Detection Of Hydrophilic Coating On Biomedical Devices Via Fluorescent Nanoparticles, Emilee Rickabaugh, Sadie Clark, Jamen Cannon, Jessop Oliver Apr 2022

Detection Of Hydrophilic Coating On Biomedical Devices Via Fluorescent Nanoparticles, Emilee Rickabaugh, Sadie Clark, Jamen Cannon, Jessop Oliver

Student Research Symposium

Coatings are an important component of many medical devices. They can change the characteristics of these medical devices including biocompatibility, lubricity, and effectiveness. Many of Merit Medical’s devices, including their transradial catheter, rely on hydrophilic coating to function properly. The hydrophilic coating found on the introducer sheath comes into direct contact with a patient’s vascular and dermal tissue to ease the insertion of the catheter. An incomplete coating on this device could lead to tissue damage, patient discomfort or pain, and device failure. These coatings are often difficult to detect since the coating is completely colorless. In current practices, the …


Meso-Biliverdin Ixα Production By Conversion Of Cyanobacteria-Derived Phycocyanobilin​, Clayton Lords, Matt Armbrust, Abby Edward, Nathan Harward, Keetch Mecham Apr 2022

Meso-Biliverdin Ixα Production By Conversion Of Cyanobacteria-Derived Phycocyanobilin​, Clayton Lords, Matt Armbrust, Abby Edward, Nathan Harward, Keetch Mecham

Student Research Symposium

Meso-biliverdin IXα (MBV) is a valuable bioproduct with antioxidant and cytoprotective properties that is of great interest and importance forthe medical industry as an anti-inflammatory, agricultural industry as a livestock feed additive, and other commercial applications. MBV is aheme-derivedbilinthat can be synthesized by chemical conversion of cyanobacterial phycocyanobilin (PCB). Phycocyanin (PC) is an abundantpigment composed of protein complexed with PCB and responsible for harvesting light for photosynthesis by cyanobacteria. Logan LagoonsCyanobacteria 2 (LLC2) is a novel strain of cyanobacteria recently discovered in Logan, Utah that produces PC in appreciable amounts. LLC2 iscapable of growing with shale/oil extraction-derived produced water as …


Assessing Bacterial Adhesion To Metallic Coating On Silicone For Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters, Lexi Phillips, Trent Peterson, Mark Mortensen Apr 2022

Assessing Bacterial Adhesion To Metallic Coating On Silicone For Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters, Lexi Phillips, Trent Peterson, Mark Mortensen

Student Research Symposium

The aim of this project is to design a test to demonstrate the effectiveness of a coating applied to the lumen of peritoneal catheter extensions to reduce biofilm formation. Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients currently struggle with infections caused by biofilm growth in the intraluminal tubing. Once established, biofilms are very difficult to get rid of and can cause reoccurring infection issues which can lead to a discontinuation of PD, poorer quality of life, and a greater risk of death. Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) has recognized similar problems with their patients and seeks to reduce infection rates. Fresenius Medical …


Bioprinting Of Hagfish Keratin Proteins, Nathan Harward Apr 2022

Bioprinting Of Hagfish Keratin Proteins, Nathan Harward

Student Research Symposium

Proteins make up most tissue scaffolding within the human body, making novel proteinaceous biomaterials highly sought-after since they can be designed to mimic the natural ECM of various tissues. Hagfish secrete a proteinaceous slime when threatened that clogs the gills of predators, and the keratin proteins found in the slime show promise as a potential tissue scaffold material. In this study, recombinant hagfish proteins were used to formulate a bioink which was crosslinked into hydrogels. Characterization of the hydrogel porosity and mechanical properties revealed a tunable nature valuable for artificial tissue scaffold engineering. The availability of in-house genetic modification of …


Investigating Factors That Predict Progress High Achieving Engineering Students Make Towards Desired Outcomes Of College, Ibukun Osunbunmi Apr 2022

Investigating Factors That Predict Progress High Achieving Engineering Students Make Towards Desired Outcomes Of College, Ibukun Osunbunmi

Student Research Symposium

In an effort to increase the retention and progress undergraduate engineering students are making towards the desired outcome of college, researchers have been investigating what factors influence the academic achievement of students. The desired outcomes of college in this study include intellectual and scholarly development, workforce preparedness, advance in general knowledge, personal development, and scientific and technological skill development. While some studies have shown evidence that students’ engagement and learning skills are important predictors, others have suggested that educational policies, background, and demography of students are significantly associated with students’ academic achievement. In this study, predictive modeling of parents’ educational …


Efficacy Of Excipients Against Cytomegalovirus, Alisa Dabb, Dallin Fairbourn Apr 2022

Efficacy Of Excipients Against Cytomegalovirus, Alisa Dabb, Dallin Fairbourn

Student Research Symposium

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpesvirus that affects most of the world’s population. Although most people infected with CMV experience only mild symptoms, it can result in death for those who are immunocompromised. It is one of the leading causes of sensorineural hearing loss in infants. Currently, the most common treatment for CMV is ganciclovir (GCV), but GCV is highly cytotoxic. It has also been shown to cause birth defects in mice. Even though GCV is cytotoxic, GCV needs to be taken frequently for it to be effective. Recent studies in our lab have found using the excipients quercetin and poloxamer …


Financial Literacy In America, John Cappelli Apr 2022

Financial Literacy In America, John Cappelli

Student Research Symposium

After graduation most people do not have enough financial knowledge to be successful. This research project looks at how financial literacy courses impact students of different backgrounds. Research was conducted using online databases to evaluate primary and secondary sources including surveys and Add something specific about the sources you used. From this research I found that US high school graduates are lacking in financial education. In conclusion I think that all US highschools need to include mandatory financial education courses in order to ensure students have at least a basic understanding before having to make major decisions.


Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor Design For Optimization Of Nutrient Uptake And Bioproducts, Amy Cox, Kolton Hauck, Carson Miller, Kade Fish Apr 2022

Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor Design For Optimization Of Nutrient Uptake And Bioproducts, Amy Cox, Kolton Hauck, Carson Miller, Kade Fish

Student Research Symposium

This project will aim to develop a rotating algae bioreactor (RABR) design that maximizes biofilm assimilation rate (BAR) for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) reduction from reclaimed water. The optimization variables that will be tested are photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and duty cycle. The industry established constraints for this project are that nutrient concentration must be reduced from 500 mg/L to 200 mg/L total nitrogen (TN) and from 50 mg/L to 15 mg/L total phosphorous (TP). The reclaimed water and algae will be collected from the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility (CVWRF) in Salt Lake City, Utah.Further, this …


Optimization Of Endoscope Bending Section, Tyson Barnes, Jess Papenfuss, Ellie Siddoway, Emily Brotherson Apr 2022

Optimization Of Endoscope Bending Section, Tyson Barnes, Jess Papenfuss, Ellie Siddoway, Emily Brotherson

Student Research Symposium

Current endoscope bending sections are unable to resist strong compressive forces. The purpose of this design is to optimize an endoscope backbone that meets the following requirements: Bending requirement of 60° articulation Size requirements of 35 mm in length and an outer diameter of 19.5 French (~6.5 mm).


Delivery Of Crispr In T Cell Therapeutics, Mckade Roberts, Brandon Pace, Kami Lay Apr 2022

Delivery Of Crispr In T Cell Therapeutics, Mckade Roberts, Brandon Pace, Kami Lay

Student Research Symposium

Millions of patients die every year from a variety of cancers, and side effects from treatments are marginally better than the disease. T-cell therapy is an emerging treatment method with promising results. The aim of this project is to improve the processes of T-cell therapy by demonstrating the effective transduction of HEK293 cells by delivering CRISPR through a viral vector. Viral backbone plasmids are grown in E.coli and used to transfect HEK293 cells along with CRISPR. CRISPR-containing viral vectors are harvested from the supernatant and used to transduce HEK293 cells. Successful induction is proven by resulting cell GFP expression. By …


Photochemistry Of Wildfire Derived Pyrogenic-Dissolved Organic Matter (Py-Dom) For Photodegradation Of Aquatic Contaminants, Monika Madhiyan Apr 2022

Photochemistry Of Wildfire Derived Pyrogenic-Dissolved Organic Matter (Py-Dom) For Photodegradation Of Aquatic Contaminants, Monika Madhiyan

Student Research Symposium

Erosion of wildfire-affected organic matter and/or its physical disintegration in water results in the formation of pyrogenic Dissolved Organic Matter (py-DOM), which can react with ground state oxygen to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) in the presence of light. 1O2 has a high electronegativity and oxidizing potential which influences the photo-transformation and the environmental fate of organic contaminants present in the water, hence, it is essential to quantify its production from wildfire-derived py-DOM, which is absent in the past literature. In this study, py-DOM was extracted from wildfire-affected tree portions from the Colorado Grizzly Creek Fire. Time-resolved 1O2 phosphorescence was used …


Modeling Of The Engineered Production Of Curcumin In Escherichia Coli, Ellie Siddoway Apr 2022

Modeling Of The Engineered Production Of Curcumin In Escherichia Coli, Ellie Siddoway

Student Research Symposium

Curcumin is the major bioactive natural product in turmeric (Curcuma longa), which is commonly used as a food additive (flavor and colorant) and traditional medicine for thousands of years. This polyphenol has a variety of biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-Alzheimer’s effects. The current production process of this promising natural product is not environmentally friendly or cost-effective. However, microbial production represents a great alternative because of the significantly reduced production time and reproducible production process. Our group has previously introduced the required enzymes into Escherichia coli to construct an artificial curcumin production pathway in the bacterium. …


Paying The Pied Passer: Discussing The Appropriate Contract To Award Nfl Quarterbacks, Alex Gohr Apr 2022

Paying The Pied Passer: Discussing The Appropriate Contract To Award Nfl Quarterbacks, Alex Gohr

Student Research Symposium

No NFL team has ever won the Super Bowl while simultaneously paying their starting quarterback more than 13% of the maximum budget allowed for player salaries. This paper explores the effects of quarterbacks on an NFL roster and the consequences of the size of their contracts have on the performance of the team as a whole entity. This research was derived from databases of NFL statics and expert opinions on the matter of player contracts. From the research conducted, it is concluded that quarterbacks must voluntarily take less money for the opportunity to continue to compete for championships or, alternatively, …


The Good From The Ugly: Fermentation Optimization For Hagfish Protein Production, Simon Hulme, Zach Hyde, Ben Florschutz, Caeman Nicholas Apr 2022

The Good From The Ugly: Fermentation Optimization For Hagfish Protein Production, Simon Hulme, Zach Hyde, Ben Florschutz, Caeman Nicholas

Student Research Symposium

When under attack the noble hagfish produces a protective slime that rapidly expands in water to clog the gills of their attacker. The protein threads that hold the slime together caught the eye of Dr. Jones’ Lab here at USU.These proteins, alpha and gamma, have properties very similar to spider silk making them a material of interest to the US Navy. While the Jones lab has already genetically engineered a strain of E. coli to produce these filament proteins the process has not been optimized. This group plans to increase protein production by 20% (from 8 g/L to 9.6 g/L) …


Name-Matching Techniques For Disambiguating Interaction Data, Adam Weaver Apr 2022

Name-Matching Techniques For Disambiguating Interaction Data, Adam Weaver

Student Research Symposium

Fuzzy name matching methods are helpful because names are often misspelled, sound similar, or reside in similar circumstances. A fuzzy name matching process assigns two names a similarity score between 0 and 1 using name-matching techniques (with 1 meaning identical and 0 meaning entirely unique). Fuzzy name matching is used for optimizing customer databases, creating more accurate medical records, or in Social Network Analysis (SNA). To observe the links between students’ social practices and academic performance, our research group is performing a large-scale (1000+ student) SNA through open-response name-generator surveys. Accordingly, the survey responses contain ambiguous names—many of which are …


Photochemistry Of Wildfire Derived Pyrogenic-Dissolved Organic Matter (Py-Dom) For Photodegradation Of Aquatic Contaminants, Monika Madhiyan Apr 2022

Photochemistry Of Wildfire Derived Pyrogenic-Dissolved Organic Matter (Py-Dom) For Photodegradation Of Aquatic Contaminants, Monika Madhiyan

Student Research Symposium

Erosion of wildfire-affected organic matter and/or its physical disintegration in water results in the formation of pyrogenic Dissolved Organic Matter (py-DOM), which can react with ground state oxygen to produce singlet oxygen (1O2) in the presence of light. 1O2 has a high electronegativity and oxidizing potential which influences the photo-transformation and environmental fate of organic contaminants present in the water, hence, it is essential to quantify singlet oxygen quantum yields for wildfire derived py-DOM, which is absent in the past literature. In this study, py-DOM was extracted from wildfire-affected tree portions from Colorado Grizzly Creek Wildfire. Time-resolved 1O2 phosphorescence was …


Mechanical Methods For Bioreactor Foam Breaking, Ceaira Howard, Bodee Hancock, Adam Martin, Laurent Saysanavong Apr 2022

Mechanical Methods For Bioreactor Foam Breaking, Ceaira Howard, Bodee Hancock, Adam Martin, Laurent Saysanavong

Student Research Symposium

ThermoFisher Scientific, through the lead of Jason Brown, has commissioned a design team at Utah State University (USU) to create a mechanical foam breaker capable of being used in a single use bioreactor setup. The goal of this design team was to find mechanical methods of foam breaking for reactors of 30 L volume and 300 L volume to reduce the need for chemical antifoam agents which, in concentrations higher than 1% total volume, can lead to higher optical densities and lower protein yield (Routledge, 2012). Initial designs include a rotating mechanical cone (derived from ThermoFisher), a wire bristle apparatus, …


Price Controls On The Pharmaceutical Industry, Camden Clark Apr 2022

Price Controls On The Pharmaceutical Industry, Camden Clark

Student Research Symposium

The rapidly increasing cost of drugs is an ever-growing problem for Americans. As time goes on, fewer and fewer people are able to purchase the medications they are prescribed. This research analyzes the benefits for price controls on the United States pharmaceutical industry and aims to investigate the most practical, efficient methods of implementing price controls. Online research was conducted to find primary and secondary sources detailing the impacts of high drug prices in the United States, comparing the healthcare policies in the United States with policies in other countries, and exploring potential solutions. As a result of this research, …


Flipping The Digital Switch: Affective Responses Of Stem Undergraduates To Emergency Remote Teaching During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Angela Minichiello, Oenardi Lawanto, Wade Goodridge, Assad Iqbal, Muhammad Asghar Feb 2022

Flipping The Digital Switch: Affective Responses Of Stem Undergraduates To Emergency Remote Teaching During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Angela Minichiello, Oenardi Lawanto, Wade Goodridge, Assad Iqbal, Muhammad Asghar

Engineering Education Student Research

The Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) catalyzed a global shift to distance education known as an emergency transition to remote teaching (ERT). While prior research investigates students' experiences during traditional online learning, fewer studies examine students' affective responses (i.e., feelings, emotions) to those experiences, particularly when remote learning is unexpected and unplanned. To understand how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduates responded affectively to the COVID-19 ERT, researchers generated open-ended survey data with 1340 undergraduates (253 female) in 27 courses across seven U.S. institutions. Using an inductive qualitative approach, researchers developed a three-tier thematic model to synthesize the self-reported reasons …


Utah's Food Processing Industry Can Manufacture Products From Cbd-Containing Lipids That Have Superior Texture And Consistency, Joseph Cooney, Isaac Hilton Feb 2022

Utah's Food Processing Industry Can Manufacture Products From Cbd-Containing Lipids That Have Superior Texture And Consistency, Joseph Cooney, Isaac Hilton

Research on Capitol Hill

Sophomore Joseph is an Honors student and Undergraduate Research Fellow studying physics. Freshman Isaac, of Kaysville, studies civil and environmental engineering. Joseph and Isaac are exploring how cannabinoids impact the way that lipids function. A common way CBD is packaged is within foods, where it is frequently added to fats like cocoa butter or palm oil, and as the market for such products increase producers need to understand CBD will change the behavior of the fats they are using.In addition to this work, Joseph also volunteers for a physics lab. “Undergraduate research has let me explore fields outside my major …


Utilizing Nasa-Funded Biotechnology To Improve Resource Management On Earth And In Space, Tyler Wallentine Feb 2022

Utilizing Nasa-Funded Biotechnology To Improve Resource Management On Earth And In Space, Tyler Wallentine

Research on Capitol Hill

USU senior Tyler is a Peak Summer Research Fellow studying biological engineering. Nitrogen, essential in soil fertilizer for crops, is produced traditionally in a way that uses natural gas and produces CO2. Tyler’s project has been to apply methods developed by NASA for astronauts to conserve and reuse resources to create nitrogen using wastewater and bacteria. Using this method would not only take advantage of waste we already have, but doesn’t produce CO2 and contribute to pollution. Tyler hopes to become a chemical engineer in the space industry and credits his undergraduate research experience. “There’s something about having to obtain …


What Drug Candidates Exist For Treating Covid-19 Variants?, Kolton Hauck Feb 2022

What Drug Candidates Exist For Treating Covid-19 Variants?, Kolton Hauck

Research on Capitol Hill

USU senior Kolton studies biological engineering and led this project with funding from a student grant. Kolton’s project has been mapping out all possible protein interactions from known SARS-CoV-2 variants and identifying possible drug treatments. Viruses function through these interactions between their proteins and the host cell’s proteins, and this project is especially valuable because the candidates identified are predicted to help treat all known variants, making them more likely to be effective against future mutations.Kolton’s interest in biological research stems from his own experience managing a genetic health disorder. Past medical research greatly benefited him, and he sees his …


The Surface Conditions Of Spacecraft Panels May Significantly Affect Spacecraft Survivability, Trace Taylor Feb 2022

The Surface Conditions Of Spacecraft Panels May Significantly Affect Spacecraft Survivability, Trace Taylor

Research on Capitol Hill

USU junior Trace grew up in Brigham City and studies physics and electrical engineering. The majority of spacecraft failure is caused by electron charging on the outer surfaces of the craft. Additionally, contaminants on the craft can cause a film over surface panels, increasing the problem. Trace is studying how roughness on panels can mitigate this contamination as it affects the charging that can lead to craft failure. This research will help determine what optimal panel materials should be used in future spacecraft construction. Trace started research almost as soon as he came to campus in his freshman year, and …


Can Cannibinoids Be Used To Prevent Lung Damage From Utah Air Pollution?, Emily Brothersen Feb 2022

Can Cannibinoids Be Used To Prevent Lung Damage From Utah Air Pollution?, Emily Brothersen

Research on Capitol Hill

USU senior Emily, a Mantua native, is an Honors student and Undergraduate Research Fellow. She studies Biological Engineering and has funded and led this project herself with multiple student grants. Emily has been investigating a way to study cell health that can help future researchers test treatments more quickly and affordably. She has used this method to research the potential of cannabinoids to help protect people from lung damage caused by pollution, an issue topical to Utah with our frequent inversions and growing medical cannabis industry. Emily has been involved in research throughout her time at USU and sees it …