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An Alternate Dimensionless Form Of The Linearized Rigid-Body Aircraft Equations Of Motion With Emphasis On Dynamic Parameters, Douglas F. Hunsaker, Benjamin C. Moulton

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

The equations of motion for an aircraft can be linearized about a reference condition within the assumptions of small disturbances and linear aerodynamics. The resulting system of equations is typically solved to obtain the eigenvalues and eigenvectors that describe the small disturbance motion of the aircraft. Results from such an analysis are often used to predict the rigid-body dynamic modes of the aircraft and associated handling qualities. This process is typically carried out in dimensional form in most text books, or in nondimensional form using dimensionless parameters rooted in aerodynamic theory. Here we apply Buckingham’s Pi theorem to obtain nondimensional …

Intro To Primary Sources, Katie Strand, Jen Kirk, Dan Davis, Lara Petersen

All E-Learning Resources

Attention: As of 2026 updated versions of this item will no longer be available on Digital Commons. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The Identifying Primary Sources tutorial teaches students how they find, evaluate, and use primary sources in their own research. Along the way, they'll learn about some great places to start researching when looking for primary sources.

Advances In Thermal Technologies Using Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet, Matt Ralphs, Matt Sinfield, Holly Mortensen, Matt Felt

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Pyrolytic Graphite Sheets (PGS) have increased the achievable mass specific conductance of many critical, passive thermal technologies over the last several years. From thermal straps and cryocooler brackets to PGS-embedded conductor bars and honeycomb radiators, PGS is the answer to dissipating the ever-increasing heat loads in today’s cutting-edge spacecraft. This work outlines the advances in PGS thermal straps, PGS-embedded cryocooler brackets, PGS-embedded conductor bars, and PGS-embedded radiators (both machined and honeycomb) at Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL). The capabilities of each PGS technology are compared to traditional thermal solutions (e.g., metallic thermal straps, conductor bars, and cryocooler brackets and heat pipe …

Optimal Spacecraft Guidance, Matthew W. Harris, M. Benjamin Rose

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This book is designed for a one-semester course at Utah State University titled MAE 6570 Optimal Spacecraft Guidance. The class meets for 75 minutes, twice per week, for 14 weeks. There are no prerequisites other than graduate standing in engineering. Proficiency in calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and computer programming is required. Students find that previous experience in space dynamics, linear multivariable control, or optimal control is helpful.

The goal of the book and course is for students to develop fundamental skills needed to do professional work in the area of spacecraft guidance. After working through the book, students should …

Simplified Mass And Inertial Estimates For Aircraft With Components Of Constant Density, Benjamin C. Moulton, Douglas F. Hunsaker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

Aircraft mass and inertial properties are required for predicting the dynamics and handling qualities of aircraft. However, such properties can be difficult to estimate since these depend on the external shape and internal structure, systems, and mass distributions within the airframe. Mass and inertial properties of aircraft are often predicted using computer-aided design software, or measured using various experimental techniques. The present paper presents a method for quickly predicting the mass and inertial properties of complete aircraft consisting of components of constant density. Although the assumption of constant density may appear limiting, the method presented in this paper can be …

An Unmanned Aircraft System For Marking Live Power Lines To Prevent Bird Collisions, Mattheuns D. Pretorius, Lourens Leeuwner, Kaajial Durgapersad, Constant Hoogstad, Peter Beckedahl, Michael D. Michael, Kishaylin Chetty

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Collisions with overhead power lines represent a significant cause of mortality for a number of large bird species worldwide. Certain threatened species are severely impacted by power line collisions, particularly those for which there are no other known significant threats. In South Africa, bird collisions with overhead power line cables, including collisions with phase conductors and shield wires, contribute significantly to annual threatened bird species mortalities associated with Eskom power lines. The most practical mitigation measure is to attach bird anti-collision devices as markers on the cables. Current marking methods involve installations by hand, where linemen are hoisted up to …

Two Sides To Every Psyche: Implications Of Positive Psychology For "Mental Health" Research In Engineering Education, Muhammad Asghar, Angela Minichiello

Engineering Education Student Research

“Mental Health.” Throughout the 20th century, these familiar words have been quietly commandeered by a physiological model of health (Greenspoon & Saklofske, 2001). Unknowingly, society conspired to use these words—colloquially, academically, and scientifically—for the sole purpose of depicting (or implying) negative states of the human mind. Since the origins of psychological research over 100 years ago, our understanding of what mental health is has been conflated with notions of mental illness. Resultantly, we have tacitly agreed that the presence or absence of suffering is the sole implication of our mental health (Horwitz & Scheid, 1999).

Colorado River Basin Water Accounts: 1-Page Summary, David E. Rosenberg

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

26 Colorado River managers and experts constructively improved basin water accounts as a framework to transition emergency reservoir operations into more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive water uses.

Impact Of Cannabinoids On Human Neural Differentiation And Oxidative Stress Response, Emily Brothersen, Dillon Weatherston, Ashton Young, Bryan Gustafson

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Cannabinoids are a group of over 144 known compounds extracted from hemp species. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in hemp, and the non-psychoactive cannabidiol (CBD) are the most commonly known and most well studied cannabinoids. As cannabinoids can be sold for medicinal or recreational purposes, it's important to understand the impact of these cannabinoids on the brain. To explore the effects of cannabinoids on neural development, undifferentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were used as a model of fetal neurons. SH-SY5Y cells were fully differentiated in the presence of no cannabinoids, THC, and/or CBD and analyzed for any developmental differences. In …

Developing A Test Method To Determine The Maximum Allowable Leakage Limit Of Microbial Ingress For Dialysis Films, Lexi Phillips

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

The purpose of this project is to design and develop a testing-apparatus and test-method to measure the maximum allowable leakage limit (MALL) for films used by Fresenius Medical Care (FMC). The MALL is the greatest leak size that does not pose a risk to the product. This is the first step in developing container closure integrity testing for sterile containers. This test is designed using guidance from USP 1207, a document detailing integrity assurance of packages holding sterile medical products, and 21 CFR 211. This test is focusing on microbial ingress rather than physical or chemical leakage. The test-method design …

Tissue Engineered Representation Of Human Blood Vessel Using Hagfish Protein, Parker Goldsberry, Hayden Johns, Jaden Storrer, Jessop Oliver

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Scaffolds used in in vitro cellular growth are a common method of more accurately representing the structure and extracellular matrix of the tissue being grown. Tissue engineers are constantly testing novel biomaterials as scaffolds to determine their representativity of native tissue. One of these such biomaterials is hagfish protein, which when bound together or cross-linked has properties similar to many tissues found in the body. Specifically, there are some properties that could make it a viable option for human blood vessels. Being a simpler organ than most, comparatively, it is also a prime selection for in vitro studies attempting to …

Women In The Aviation Community, Sarah Bass

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

The aviation community today has little diversity, women and women of color are under represented. Through this study I was hoping to discover the reasons for this gender gap and the lack of diversity in this community. Research was conducted using library and internet resources to locate both primary and secondary research. As well as personal experience within this community allowed me to review documents to find reasoning for this gender and diversity gap. This gender and diversity gap in the aviation community is due to the lack of role models and women being responsible for breaking through gender stereotypes …

Collagen And Pdms Scaffolds For C2c12 Muscle Tissue Cell Line, Alisa Dabb, Sariah Jardine, Clayton Lords

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

In tissue engineering, scaffolds are vital materials for cell growth. Scaffolds are used to provide the structural support for cell attachment and eventually tissue development. Although scaffold properties need to change to suit the nature and properties of the cells, most scaffolds need to simulate the extracellular matrix of the cells. Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in most tissues. Therefore, collagen is a favorable scaffold material for most tissues, including muscle tissue. However, collagen has poor mechanical properties; it is sometimes combined with synthetic polymers such as poly-Lactic Acid (PLA) for structural support. Furthermore, poly(dimethyl …

Liquid Sandbox For Rapidly Optimizing The Thermal Management Of High-Power Wireless Charging Systems, Conner Sabin

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Wireless charging is currently being researched as an alternative to plug in charging for electric vehicles. These systems are tested in concrete and asphalt highways. A current limitation in research is understanding how to manage the heat that these systems produce in the roadway.Prototyping wireless charging systems in concrete or asphalt is time intensive and expensive. An alternative way to test the thermal management of these systems is to prototype the systems in sand and use the results of sand experiments in combination with thermal simulation software to predict how systems will perform in concrete.My project consists of two parts.I …

Perceived Factors Contributing To The Subjective Wellbeing Of Undergraduate Engineering Students: An Exploratory Study, Muhammad Asghar, Angela Minichiello, Assad Iqbal

Engineering Education Student Research

Engineering education is perceived to be a tough field of study with detrimental effects on the mental health of undergraduate engineering students. High levels of anxiety and depression are reported among this population. Overall, mental health research is often biased toward looking at mental health from a deficit perspective and investigating mental health as a negative phenomenon. This trend also persists in engineering education research. The purpose of this exploratory study, therefore, is to investigate the condition of subjective wellbeing (SWB) of undergraduate engineering students to understand the factors that they perceive as positively contributing to their overall wellbeing in …

Depression Provides Additional Obstacles/Barriers For College Students To Maintain A Healthy Mindset, Jake Cardon

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

This study reflects the answers that I have found to the question "How does depression affect the ability of college students to have and maintain a good mindset?" Research was conducted using library and internet resources to locate both primary and secondary research. Academic articles and extensive studies were reviewed and analyzed to better understand what mindset is, what depression is, what challenges college students face, and ultimately the barriers that students with depressive disorders face as they try to maintain a healthy mindset while attending college. Over the course of my research and studies I have gained a deeper …

The Spray-On Bio-Bandage, Kristine Peterson, Amanda Moravek, Abby Edward

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Fibrin is a natural polymer already used in extreme clinical settings as an adhesive and for shallow wounds when activated by the enzyme thrombin. However, current formations contain irritants, are slow drying, and are not easily washed off. This study used a spray-on bandage composed of thrombin and fibrinogen on a monolayer of 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells to test the enhancement of the body's natural healing without the risks of current formulations. The viability and growth of scratched cells were analyzed using live/dead stain assays 0, 1, and 3 days post-treatment. The results of this study showed cell growth, fibrinogen …

Stochastic Approach To Hydrological Dam Safety In The Framework Of The New Dam Safety Standards In Spain, Iván Gabriel-Martin, Francisco J. Caballero, Álvaro Sordo-Ward, Luis Garrote

Protections Conference

The approval of the Technical Safety Standards for dams and reservoirs in Spain in 2021 increased the hydrological safety requirements, being necessary to check if measures have to be implemented in dams designed according to the prior standards. Some of these dams have scarce instrumentation and lack of hydrometeorological data. This work proposes a simple but sounded fully-stochastic methodology for assessing the hydrological safety of dams within this situation, potentially applicable outside academia. The methodology has been applied to a case study based on a real dam, and compared the results obtained to those of the standard deterministic procedure. We …

Wirewall A Follow Up: Labratory And Field Measurements Of Wave Overtopping, Tim Pullen, Jenny Brown, Margaret Yelland, Robin Pascal, Richard Pinnell, Chris Cardwell, David Jones

Protections Conference

At the Protections 2018 conference, the WireWall wave overtopping research project was introduced. WireWall uses recent advances in high frequency capacitance wire technology that can measure overtopping data. Wave overtopping has now been measured in the laboratory and in the field using the WireWall system. Here we provide an update on the validation of the system in flume tests and results from the first field measurement campaign.

Before deployment in the field, an extensive set of tests were carried out in one of the 2D wave flumes at HR Wallingford. These tests simulated known wave conditions from a buoy near …

Methodology For Calculating The Response Of Porous Media For Evaluating Grass Response To Overtopping Loads, Myron Von Damme, Dennis Den Ouden-Van Der Horst

Protections Conference

Grass covers offer a level of erosion protection against hydrodynamic loads induced by overtopping waves. The development of an accurate failure criterion for grass covers has been hampered by the lack of understanding of how grass fails. Methods have been developed to predict the hydrodynamic loads that act on the levee surface and consequently are transmitted to the porous grass cover and subsoil. However, it is unknown how these hydrodynamic surface loads on the soil are distributed amongst the pore water pressures and effective stresses, thereby offering a significant challenge for engineers to simulate the transmission of stresses into the …

Hydraulic Computations For Stepped Concrete Overlays Of Embankment Dams, Tony L. Wahl, Sherry L. Hunt, Kem C. Kadavy, Henry T. Falvey

Protections Conference

One method for rehabilitating and modernizing embankment dams is the addition of a concrete overlay that protects the embankment and allows floods to pass safely over the dam. Roller compacted concrete is commonly used, which makes it practical to use a stepped construction that also enhances energy dissipation. Analysis of flow conditions over such structures requires computation of aerated flow and its effects on flow depth, training wall design, and energy dissipation. This paper describes Spillway Pro, an energy-based water surface profile calculation tool for smooth spillway chutes (Wahl et al. 2019), recently improved to also analyze stepped chutes. The …

Quasi-Prototype Size Testing Of Wedge-Shaped Block For Armoring Embankment Dams And Levees, Francisco Javier Caballero, Miguel Ángel Toledo, Rafael Moran, Javier Peraita

Protections Conference

A series of tests of wedge-shaped blocks intended for armoring embankment dams and levees was carried out in a new experimental facility (‘Hydraulic Experimentation Facility—Luis Ruano’) under quasi-prototype conditions. This unique facility is located in the canal leading to the Laverné reservoir (Zaragoza, Spain) with a maximum vertical drop of 7 m and discharge up to 9 m³s ⁻¹. The aim was to conduct experimental research on technologies to protect embankment dams and dikes against overflowing erosion under quasi-prototype conditions. The results of the tests demonstrate the ability of the WSBs to withstand high unit …

Riprap Protection Exposed To Overtopping Phenomena: A Review Of Laboratory Experimental Models, Théo Dezert, Geir Helge Kiplesund, Fjóla Guðrún Sigtryggsdóttir

Protections Conference

There are increasing demands from dam safety regulations and guidelines to upgrade the rockfill dams, especially in Norway where over 180 large rockfill dams are present. To protect the hydraulic structure against overtopping events or leakages, it is important to use defence mechanisms such as a protective layer of riprap on the downstream slope. In this article, we display 9 experimental setups of riprap, conducted at the hydraulic laboratory of NTNU (Trondheim) and subjected to overtopping phenomena with increasing water discharge, until the complete failure of the model. These tests were performed on models with dumped and placed riprap, with …

Overflow Tests On Grass-Covered Embankments At The Living Lab Hedwige-Prosperpolder: An Overview, André R. Koelewijn, Stephan J.H. Rikkert, Patrik Peeters, Davy Depreiter, Myron Van Damme, Wouter Zomer

Protections Conference

In regions with a temperate climate, a well-maintained grass sod on a clay layer is considered a reliable protection for dams and dikes. In the Living Lab Hedwige-Prosperpolder, on the left bank of the Scheldt river straddling the border between Belgium and the Netherlands, a series of 27 overflow tests with a purpose-built overflow generator has been executed to determine the strength of the protective layer against erosion at various conditions. The goal of this paper is to inform on the executed test program and the initial results. From the results, it was concluded that in general, a high-quality grass …

Field Testing Of The Overflow Erosion Of Rhone River Levees, Christophe Picault, Fabrice Campette, Stéphane Bonelli, Sylvie Nicaise, Naim Chaouch, Faustine Byron, Yves Gremeaux, Alexis Doghmane, Mathys Garoui, Jordan Herbeck, Frédéric Golay

Protections Conference

It is important to quantify the soil resistance against erosion caused by the overflow of dikes and levees. Small-scale tests are not recommended, as they do not provide a correct representation of the actual soil in place and do not take into account the geometry of the structure. For this reason, the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) developed an on-site overflow device in 2015. The procedure followed is based on ASTM-D6460 standard. Two tests were performed in May 2022 on a Compagnie Nationale du Rhône (CNR) dike near Avignon (France). The dike is 6.2 m high; …

Recent Case Histories Of Cascade Failures And Overflowing Events Of Embankment Dams, Alexius Vogel, Jean-Robert Courivaud, Katarzyna Jarecka

Protections Conference

Excessive rainfall and extensive flooding within the context of a changing environment show the fact that resistance to overflowing erosion of embankment dams needs to be better assessed because of the increasing number of dam failures caused by overflowing, implying the necessity of a reaction to this kind of challenges. Better understandings of the embankment failure processes and the dominant parameters affecting these kinds of failures are necessary for predicting and modeling the breach processes. Acquiring this better understanding of the physical processes and a numerical prediction capability requires progressing in parallel in laboratory and field test investigations of embankment …

Increasing Production Of Therapeutic Mabs In Cho Cells Through Genetic Engineering, Charles Barentine

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Between 2014 and 2018, the global market for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) rose from $60 billion to $115.2 billion with a projected value of $300 billion by 2025. These molecules are used to effectively treat some of the most challenging illnesses from auto-immune diseases to cancer. While mAbs are highly valuable with potent applications, their production at scale remains an outstanding challenge. These molecules are largely produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells that require highly specific conditions to produce a useful product.

Genetic engineering presents one solution to overcome productivity limits. With the advent of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced …

Comparison Of Crop Water Use Estimation Methodologies In Irrigated Crops, Laura Christiansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

As increasing drought events limit water resources available for irrigation, farmers and other water users are looking for ways to monitor how much water crops use over a growing season. The amount of water used by crops over time is the evapotranspiration (ET) rate. This study compares different methods for ET estimation to recommend methods to water users based on their accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility. Each method was used to estimate ET for sprinkler-irrigated corn and alfalfa fields in Modena, UT over the 2021 growing season. The Soil Moisture based ET (SMET) method was used to estimate ET based on …

Development Of An Excel Model To Evaluate The Stability Of Slopes, Bradley Davis

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

This objective of this study is to determine a method or tool for taking given slope stability parameters and quickly and effectively determining the factor of safety against sliding of fully softened slopes. This study evaluates the effects of soil and geometric parameters of common slopes, and models these properties in a hypothetical model. The methodology is based on a parametric analysis using the Spencer’s Method of Slices limit equilibrium analysis used in the computer program Slide2. A parametric analysis is performed to determine which soil and/or geometric properties have a high influence on slope stability. The parametric analysis is …

Formative Assessment In Engineering Education: Exploring Ways To Enhance Students' Learning Achievement, Assad Iqbal

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Formative assessments have been found to enhance students’ learning across a variety of disciplines, educational levels, and laboratory and classroom settings. Research attributes the positive effects of formative assessments in improving students’ learning to its (backward and forward) testing effects. Moreover, formative assessments provide an extra opportunity to students to assess their learning early in the learning process, reflect on their learning, and identify address learning gaps and misconceptions (if any) using feedback.

However, optional nature of formative assessments and having no stakes associated with them to have any bearing on final grades offers two challenges to capitalize on their …