Engineering Commons^™

Perspectives Of Pedagogical Change Within A Broadcast Stem Course, Angela L. Minichiello, Ted Campbell, James T. Dorwand, Sherry Marx

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

As calls for pedagogical transformation of undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) instruction intensify, the pace of change remains slow. The literature shows that research-based instructional strategies transfer only sporadically into STEM instructional practice. Difficulties associated with implementation and sustainment of instructional change may appear daunting— if not insurmountable—to many STEM change agents and teaching faculty. Subsequently, the path towards systematic and lasting pedagogical transformation in post-secondary STEM stands largely uncharted.

To understand how challenges faced by STEM educators engaged in pedagogical change may be overcome, this paper uses qualitative inquiry to explore an emergent process of teacher change. …

Tuning And Measuring Trap Shape For Cold Atom Sensors, James A. Stickney

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Table of Contents

1. Tuneable atom chip
2. Cloud sloshing in a weakly non-harmonic trap
3. Data

Department Of Energy Announces $18m To Accelerate Ev Development | Utah State University Power Electronics Lab, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

The Department of Energy announced $18M to accelerate development of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and alternative fuels. The funds will be distributed between five different projects across the nation, including $3.9M to PacifiCorp/Rocky Mountain Power. The project will establish an interstate PEV charging network of over 1,500 miles across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming through installation, operation, and data collection. Target goals include deployment of #200 PEVs to fleet deployment partners, along with #13,000 PEV rentals to be used through on demand rental programs.

Opportunistic Turbo Execution In Ntc: Exploiting The Paradigm Shift In Performance Bottlenecks., Hu Chen, Dieudonne Manzi, Sanghamitra Roy, Koushik Chakraborty

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

In this paper, we investigate an intriguing shifting trend in performance bottlenecks for Near-Threshold Computing (NTC) processors. Our study demonstrates that the traditional memory latency bottleneck is largely superseded by the bottlenecks of Long Latency Datapaths (LLDs) within a processor core. To exploit this paradigm shift, we propose Opportunistic Turbo Execution (OTE). OTE dynamically boosts the performance of LLDs, by several factors, improving both performance and energy efficiency in an NTC core. Using a comprehensive circuit-architectural analysis, we demonstrate a 42.2% improvement in energy efficiency over a recently proposed technique, across a range of benchmarks.

Infant Eye Disease Research At Usu Gets Funding From Knights Templar | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

6/1/2015 - TJ Robertson, right, Grand Commander, Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Utah, presents Dr. Elizabeth Vargis with eye health research funding alongside College of Engineering Dean Christine Hailey and Robert Bennett, left, Deputy Grand Commander, Knights Templar of Utah.

Effects Of Pipe Wall Offsets On Differential Pressure Meter Accuracy, Jesse M. Pope, Steven L. Barfuss, Michael C. Johnson, Zachary B. Sharp

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Accurate flow measurement is essential for the management of any type of fluid system. This research investigated the effect on accuracy that five types of 12-in. differential-pressure flow meters have as a result of being installed in pipelines of differing inside diameter. The types of meters chosen for this research were the classical Venturi meter, Halmi Venturi Tube, wedge meter, V-cone meter, and the X-meter. Each meter was tested for accuracy with 10 pipe wall offsets varying from a 0.125-in. sudden contraction to a 0.937-in. sudden expansion of the pipe radius. The meters' reading during each test series was compared …

A Virtual Tile Approach To Rastel-Based Calculations Of Large Digital Elevation Models In A Shared-Memory System, Ahmet Artu Yildirim, Daniel W. Watson, David G. Tarboton, Robert M. Wallace

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Grid digital elevation models (DEMs) are commonly used in hydrology to derive information related to topographically driven flow. Advances in technology for creating DEMs have increased their resolution and data size with the result that algorithms for processing them are frequently memory limited. This paper presents a new approach to the management of memory in the parallel solution of hydrologic terrain processing using a user-level virtual memory system for shared-memory multithreaded systems. The method includes tailored virtual memory management of raster-based calculations for datasets that are larger than available memory and a novel order-of-calculations approach to parallel hydrologic terrain analysis …

Flexsar A High-Quality, Flexible, Cost-Effective, Prototype Sar System, Mark Jensen, Chad Knight

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The FlexSAR radar system was designed to be a high quality, low-cost, flexible prototype instrument. Many radar researchers and practitioners desire the ability to efficiently prototype novel configurations. The resulting cost and time required to modify existing radar systems is a challenging hurdle that can be prohibitive. The FlexSAR system couples an RF design that leverages connectorized components with digital commercial of the shelf (COTS) cards. This design allows for a scalable system that supports software defined radio (SDR) capabilities. This paper focuses on the RF and digital system design discussing the advantages and disadvantages. The FlexSAR system design objective …

Practitioner Interview, David Ford, Chris Dunn, Leon Basdekas

All ECSTATIC Materials

Phone interview with David Ford from Ford Consulting Engineers; Chris Dunn from US Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering Center; and Leon Basdekas from Colorado Spring Water Utility by David Rosenberg and David Watkins, Jr. Interview questions asked inquired about (i) practitioner’s professional background, (ii) practitioner’s personal experience with systems analysis techniques and software in their job, (iii) role, benefits, and challenges in using systems analysis concepts in the water resources engineering profession, and (iv) recommendations for improving education of environmental and water resources systems analysis in universities.

Utah State Signs 2-Year Research Deal With Korean Bio Medical Institute | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

May 20, 2015 – It was a meeting of East and West on Wednesday morning at the Innovation Campus where a new deal was signed by USU researchers that could help bring fresh answers in the fight against cancer, diabetes and other diseases.

Practitioner Interview, Guillermo Martinez Baquero

All ECSTATIC Materials

Phone interview with Guillermo Martinez Baquero from Interra by David Watkins, Jr. Interview questions asked inquired about (i) practitioner’s professional background, (ii) practitioner’s personal experience with systems analysis techniques and software in their job, (iii) role, benefits, and challenges in using systems analysis concepts in the water resources engineering profession, and (iv) recommendations for improving education of environmental and water resources systems analysis in universities.

Practitioner Interview, Abhishek Singh

All ECSTATIC Materials

Phone interview with Abhishek Singh from Interra by David Watkins, Jr. Interview questions asked inquired about (i) practitioner’s professional background, (ii) practitioner’s personal experience with systems analysis techniques and software in their job, (iii) role, benefits, and challenges in using systems analysis concepts in the water resources engineering profession, and (iv) recommendations for improving education of environmental and water resources systems analysis in universities.

Small Swap 3d Imaging Flash Ladar For Small Tactical Unmanned Air Systems, Alan Bird, Scott A. Anderson, Michael Wojcik, Scott E. Budge

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), working with Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and industry leaders Advanced Scientific Concepts (ASC) and Hood Technology Corporation, has developed a small SWAP (size, weight, and power) 3D imaging flash ladar (LAser Detection And Ranging) sensor system concept design for small tactical unmanned air systems (STUAS). The design utilizes an ASC 3D flash ladar camera and laser in a Hood Technology gyro-stabilized gimbal system. The design is an autonomous, intelligent, geo-aware sensor system that supplies real-time 3D terrain and target images. Flash ladar and visible camera data are processed at the sensor using a custom digitizer/frame …

Single Wavelength Lidar Retrieval Algorithm Of Particulate Matter Concentration Using Celis (Compact Eyesafe Lidar System), A 1.5 Μm Elastic Lidar System, Alan W. Bird, Kori D. Moore, Michael Wojcik, Robert Lemon

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

CELiS (Compact Eyesafe Lidar System) is an elastic backscatter light detection and ranging (lidar) system developed for monitoring air quality environmental compliance regarding particulate matter (PM_k) generated from off-road use of wheeled and tracked vehicles as part of the SERDP (Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program) Measurement and Modeling of Fugitive Dust Emission from Off-Road DoD Activities program.

CELiS is small, lightweight and easily transportable for quick setup and measurement of PM_k concentration and emissions. CELiS operates in a biaxial configuration at the 1.5μm eyesafe wavelength with a working range of better than 6 km and range …

Gradient Projection For Interrupted Sar Using The Polar Format Algorithm, Ross Deming, Chad Knight, Jake Gunther

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

We present an efficient and computationally simple approach for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging in cases when the radar data have gaps, due to missing pulses and/or notches in the frequency band. Our method is a simple variation of gradient projection, in which the search path in each iteration is obtained by projecting the negative-gradient of the L1 norm onto a hyper-plane defining solutions which are consistent with the data. The computations are not complicated since the L1 gradient is simply equal to the sign() of the pixels in the image. Computational efficiency is obtained by incorporating the polar format …

Cindy Hanson, Phd Student Received An Education Scholarship From Spie | Biological Engineering | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Cindy Hanson PhD Student has been awarded an SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship

BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA – 15 May 2015 – Cindy Hanson has been awarded a 2015 Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics for her potential contributions to the field of optics, photonics or related field.

Clutter Suppression Interferometry System Design And Processing, Chad Knight, Ross Deming, Jake Gunther

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Clutter suppression interferometry (CSI) has received extensive attention due to its multi-modal capability to detect slow-moving targets, and concurrently form high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images from the same data. The ability to continuously augment SAR images with geo-located ground moving target indicators (GMTI) provides valuable real-time situational awareness that is important for many applications. CSI can be accomplished with minimal hardware and processing resources. This makes CSI a natural candidate for applications where size, weight and power (SWaP) are constrained, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and small satellites applications.

This paper will discuss the theory for optimal CSI …

Demonstration Of Co2 Ch4 And Pm Detection Using Differentia Absorption Lidar (Dial) Development Of Advanced Air Monitoring Technology For Alberta, Michael Wojcik, Blake Crowther, Robert Lemon, Prasad Valupadas, Long Fu, Bonnie Leung, Zhang Yang, Quamrul Huda, Allan Chambers

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Rapid expansion of the oil and gas industry in Alberta, including the oil sands, has challenged the Alberta Government to keep pace in its efforts to monitor and mitigate the environmental impacts of development. The limitations of current monitoring systems has pushed the provincial government to seek out advanced sensing technologies such as satellite imagery and laser based sensors. The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) of Utah State University, in cooperation with Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency (AEMERA), has developed North America’s first mobile differential absorption lidar (DIAL) system designed specifically for emissions measurement. This instrument is housed inside …

Biostimulation And Bioaugmentation To Enhance Reductive Dechlorination Of Tce In A Long-Term Flow Through Column Study, Joan E. Mclean, Jared Ervin, Jing Zhou, Darwin L. Sorensen, Ryan Dupont

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Large laboratory columns (15.2 cm diameter, 183 cm long) were fed with groundwater containing trichloroethylene (TCE), were biostimulated and bioaugmented, and were monitored for over 7.5 years. The objective of the study was to observe how the selection of the carbon and energy source, i.e., whey, Newman Zone® standard surfactant emulsified oil and Newman Zone nonionic surfactant emulsified oil, affected the rate and extent of dechlorination. Column effluent was monitored for TCE and its degradation products, redox indicators (nitrate-N, Fe(II), sulfate), and changes in iron mineralogy. Total bacteria and Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains were quantified using q-PCR. Complete dechlorination was only …

Electric Vehicle And Roadway (Evr) Facility Operational | Utah State University Power Electronics Lab, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Utah State University's new Electric Vehicle and Roadway(EVR) test facility is complete and is nearing full operation. Construction on the test track and lab building is complete and new equiptment, including a state of the art dynamometer for testing vehicle capabilities, has arrived. The facility will be fully operable by September 2015.

Students Compete In 2nd Annual Electric Bike Race | Utah State University Power Electronics Lab, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Students in the Electric Vehicle Lab course (ECE 6930) competed in the second annual Electric Bike Race. The students designed and built the bikes as a part of the course, and then had a race at the end of the year to see whose bike was the fastest. The Electric Vehicle Lab is the final course in a sequence of courses on Power Electronics at USU.

Report To The Utah Legislature Number 2015-01: A Performance Audit Of Projections Of Utah's Water Needs, John M. Schaff

All In-stream Flows Material

The Division of Water Resources’ projections indicate that Utah’s statewide demand for water will outstrip the currently developed supply in about 25 years. Some believe the state can address its growing demand for water through conservation and by developing local supplies, including the conversion of agriculture water to municipal use. Others believe the state’s growing demand for water will require the development of major new sources of supply that will cost billions of dollars. Considering the importance of water to the health, social and the economic well-being of our state’s residents, it is essential that the division provide the best …

Designing A Clarifier To Recover Wastewater Algae Biomass For Production Of Biofuels, Elizabeth Martinez

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Logan Lagoons, Logan City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility ensures 15 million gallons of wastewater are cleaned and filtered each day. With the implementation of new and stricter wastewater effluent standards, the city of Logan now has to guarantee the phosphorous concentration in the effluent is also reduced. Algal biomass produced and harvested from the lagoons has been proven to affect the way nitrogen and phosphorous are removed, while having the potential to be converted to biofuels. Therefore, implementing a secondary type clarifier in the Logan Lagoons would produce treated water with a reduced phosphorous concentration, and algae feedstock for biofuel …

Position Announcement And Job Description Head | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Utah State University seeks applications from candidates for the Head of the Biological Engineering Department. Applicants must have earned a PhD or equivalent in Biological Engineering or a related engineering discipline, have academic experience in a teaching and research institution, and a record of research excellence in the broad area of biological engineering or a related field. Applicants must also be eligible for the rank of tenured full professor. Research excellence can be demonstrated through a combination of scholarly publications, extramural funding, and recognition through professional activities. The successful applicant will be expected to provide strong leadership and a vision …

Development Of Awwa Recommendations For Ccl4 Prioritization And Process, Ryan Worth Bench

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Every 5 years the USEPA is responsible to publish a list of unregulated contaminants that are known or expected to occur in public water systems in the United States that may pose a risk on public health. This list is known as a contaminant candidate list (CCL). This year it is expected that the USEPA is to publish the 4th such list of the CCL or CCL4. Candidacy to be on the CCL4 is based on a compound’s occurrence in the environment, public health toxicity and recommendation from expert opinion. Methods to qualitatively determine occurrence and toxicity for compounds were …

Microfabrication Of Bio-Analytical Devices: Microelectrode Array And Traveling-Wave Electrophoresis, Neil Draper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The need for potable water is increasing with the ever-increasing world population. Further development of fast, portable, and cost effective analytical tools is necessary in order to create diagnostic techniques capable of supporting the water needs of the world’s population. Within the last decade microfluidics and Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) technologies have increased the portability and speed of detection for aqueous samples. Photolithography techniques serve as a cost effective fabrication tool to create LOC electrodes on the micron scale.

An in-depth look at the fabrication process is undertaken in this paper in order to further the development of micro-scale detection techniques. An …

The Fate Of Pharmaceuticals And Personal Care Products In Conventional And Engineered On-Site Wastewater Drain Fields, James Beardall

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Utah State University Division of Environmental Engineering student, under the direction of Ms. Judith L. Sims, has investigated the fate of six pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in conventional and engineered on-site wastewater drain fields. The presence of PPCPs in the environment, especially in aquatic environments, has raised awareness to the effects of PPCPs on aquatic life and the fate of these PPCPs, and has caused regulators to become more involved in setting requirements for the removal of PPCPs from wastewater.

This research investigated the fate of caffeine, acetaminophen, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, progesterone, and fluoxetine in laboratory scaled columns that …

Right Hand Fork Pedestrian Bridge Final Report, Ren Gibbons

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Right Hand Fork is a tributary canyon whose stream enters the Logan River nine miles east of the mouth of Logan Canyon near Logan, Utah. The access bridge to a popular recreational area, the Hobbit Caves, was damaged in 2011 by flooding. We propose that a new bridge be designed and constructed for the Forest Service to replace the current structure to ensure public safety and minimize environmental impact. We plan to use a longer bridge span that will situate the abutments higher on the stream bank and reduce possible water damage during flood events. Bridge costs will be minimized …

Binding Innovation Technologies, Restoring Freedom To The World Of Snowboard Bindings, Matthew Lee Munsee

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Snowboarding technology has progressed by leaps and bounds since the sport's inception in the 1980's. However, there is one area that has gotten progressively worse. That area is flexibility and freedom of expression. In order to make the sport safer, the industry responded by making stiffer boots and bindings. Our goal is to bring back the high level of flexibility that built the sport while maintaining or exceeding current safety standards. We also need to reduce heel side shock so as to increase the comfort of the rider. Our design consists of three major systems that drastically increase flexibility, safety, …

Mimicking Robotic Backhoe, Taylor Chad Bybee

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The proposed project is to design and create a small robotic arm that mimics movements of a similar physical model. The manual model can be manipulated by a human. Sensors inside the manual model will detect the position in each part of the arm. The information from the sensors will then be relayed, processed, and forwarded to the mimicking model. The mimicking robotic model will appropriately respond to match the smaller model, thus mimicking its position and movements.