Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of Uv Radiation On Algae Biofilms Of Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactors, Rebecca Sweeten

Student Research Symposium

Goal: Discover effects of UV-A and UV-B radiation on the biofilm production of algae using a Rotating Algae Biofilm Reactor (RABR)

Method: Expose 3 RABRs in triplicate to UV-A, UV-B, and PAR to identify differences in biomass, nutrient uptake and pH levels.

Results: RABR’s under UV-B light have the highest productivity

Flow Characterization Past ​ Large Arrays Of Oscillating 2d Airfoils, Yi-Cheng Chen

Student Research Symposium

Oscillating or rotating array structures at distinct frequencies are prevalent in natural systems and engineering applications.

• Flow Control in Engineering Systems:

Arrays of vibrating plates can be used to manipulate free-shear and boundary layer flows, reduce drag, or delay flow separation in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

• Wave Mitigation Structures:

Arrays of oscillating structures may dissipate energy in coastal areas, reducing the impact of waves on structures or preventing erosion

• Biological Studies:

Simulations of synchronized oscillating arrays can provide insights into fish schooling behavior and hydrodynamic benefits in nature.

• Advanced Cooling Systems:

Oscillating plates in fluid environments …

Atomic-Scale Mechanisms Of The Insulator-To-Conductor Transition In Al-Substituted Llzo Solid Electrolytes For All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries, Takmil Sakir

Student Research Symposium

Why to use Lithium Metal Anode and Solid Electrolyte:

We can have a lighter and safer battery, and we may go 10 times longer with a single charge!

Ai-Powered Health & Nutrition Dashboard: Enhancing Personalized Wellness With Ai*, Jennisha Patel

Campus Research Month

This research presents an AI-powered dashboard designed to enhance personalized wellness through customized meal and exercise planning. Leveraging Dash Plotly for interactive visualization and Google Gemini AI for dynamic recommendation generation, the dashboard integrates user inputs for fitness goals, dietary preferences, and health conditions, alongside body metrics (gender, age, weight, height, activity level). Initially developed with rule-based filtering, the system evolved to incorporate AI for improved accuracy and scalability in managing large-scale food and exercise datasets. This project demonstrates the potential of AI to democratize access to personalized wellness insights. For educational purposes only; not verified by medical professionals.

Visualizing Chattanooga’S Freeway Accidents: An Interactive Dashboard Built On Us National Laboratory Data*, Joshy Kasahara

Campus Research Month

Despite the availability of a freeway accident dataset collected by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), there is no interactive visualization of the data that is easily accessible to the public. Consequently, the local community's awareness of accident trends is very limited. The contribution of this research project is a dashboard that allows the visualization of traffic accidents patterns in Chattanooga, Tennessee, using datasets from national laboratory researchers. By creating an interactive web dashboard with animated and color-mapped geographical map, the project seeks to enhance community awareness of accident trends.

Evaluating Embodied Carbon Emissions Of Post-Seismic Steel Framed Buildings, Nicholas Leavitt

Student Research Symposium

The carbon emissions of earthquake damage repairs is on average 40% of a building's total carbon emissions in 50 years.

Looking Good: The Math Behind Computer Vision*, Corbin Weiss

Campus Research Month

Exploring the mathematical foundations of a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), a foundational approach to computer vision. Then expanding this understanding to create a visualization of the representation of reality in the MLP.

Evaluating Hyper-V Vs Proxmox: Performance Comparison For Virtualization*, Ivan Vakal, Edwin Regalado

Campus Research Month

Virtual environments play a significant role in the IT industry, with many companies relying on this technology. With VMware’s increasing licensing costs following its acquisition by Broadcom, many businesses are seeking alternative virtualization solutions. This study evaluates the performance of Proxmox and Hyper-V by implementing a three-node high-availability cluster for each platform and conducting benchmarking tests on CPU performance, storage efficiency, and network throughput. Our results indicate that Hyper-V performs better with Windows-based virtual machines, while Proxmox demonstrates superior performance with Linux-based workloads. Additionally, Proxmox offers a more user-friendly cluster setup, whereas Hyper-V requires greater technical expertise.

Comparing Ai And Human Self-Assessments In Memorization Performance*, Meg Ermer, Abishur Moses-Pakkianathan

Campus Research Month

Many students in higher education use flashcard applications for learning large amounts of information in limited amounts of time. Many of these applications rely on spaced-repetition algorithms for memorization, which are proven to be more efficient than traditional study methods. We compared the effects of studying with a spaced-repetition application that utilizes a NLU model to calculate a user's understanding of material against the effects of studying with a spaced-repetition model that did not use NLU. We used our results to determine if replacing the self-assessment component of flashcard studying applications with a NLU model led to better memorization and …

Induction Of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy In A Three-Dimensional Myocardial Model, Maelyn Andreasen

Student Research Symposium

Diabetic cardiomyopathy: Impairs and damages heart tissue through chronic exposure to hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, in diabetic individuals

The Effects Of The Action Rate And Binding Density On Sensitivity In Lateral Flow, Mona Soroush

Student Research Symposium

Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) offer rapid diagnostics, yet sensitivity remains a critical limitation. This study used a mathematical framework—the Convection-Diffusion-Reaction (CDR) equation—to optimize sensitivity by adjusting parameters such as flow velocity (U), association and dissociation rates (k_on and k_off), and nanoparticle valency. Our simulation results closely matched literature data (Berli & Kler, 2016), demonstrating significant enhancements in sensitivity with optimized parameters.

Production And Decay Of Sheared Turbulence In A Turbulence Box, Ankit Gautam

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

• Turbulence
• Irregular flow with eddies, swirls, and flow instabilities

Preparing A Bioreactor For Avian Cell Culture, Joshua Bell, Taylor Davis, Payton Larsen, Abbie Smith, Joshua Thompson

Student Research Symposium

This project, in collaboration with Upside Foods and Thermo Fisher, focuses on optimizing a 50L bioreactor for avian cell growth. Thermo Fisher has assembled the bioreactor while Upside Foods has provided design specifications and avian specific growth media.

Bioremediation Of Toxic Water Using Algal Biofilms, Aaron Burt, Tyanna Doran, Darren Fillmore, Isaac Trejo

Student Research Symposium

Rotary Algae Biofilm Reactors (RABRs):

• Emerging technology in wastewater treatment.
• Rotating cylinder in wastewater enables algae to form a biofilm
• Yields more biomass than traditional planktonic algal growth

Development Of Bone Cutter, Jocelynn Burton, Austin Taylor, Will Pendleton, Erica Shulsen, Jessica Tobler

Student Research Symposium

Osteoarthritis affects 3.4% of the general population and is associated with age, obesity, genetics, and female sex. Different techniques exist to treat osteoarthritis, such as autographing, total joint replacement, and joint fusion.

Effects Of Inhibitor Diffusion And Threshold Limits On Edge Detection With Reaction-Diffusion Equations, Zachary Hastings

Student Research Symposium

The purpose of this project is to model edge detection using the Nomura et al's¹ reaction-diffusion equation. Edge detection is an important visual processing tool for human sight, allowing for object detection and visual enhancement. This project explored the effects of inhibitor diffusion, D_i, and threshold limits, a, on edge detection in this model. This project also discovered the limit of Nomura et al's¹ model on the simultaneous detection of multiple edges in a step-wise intensity gradient and attempted to overcome that limitation.

Simulating Low Gravity Particle Dynamics, Ryan Lewis

Student Research Symposium

• Vibrating motors prevent particle arches from forming and clogging nozzle.
• A metal mesh under the nozzle creates an evenly dispersed stream.
• Nozzle is static dissipative to ensure particles have consistent path through the charging section.

A Pressure-Based Estimate Of Multi-Orifice Synthetic Jet Performance, Rhett Parry

Student Research Symposium

Synthetic Jets

• Zero-Net Mass Flux
• Wide voltage and frequency response
• Trends with physical and nondimensional parameters

Utilizing Enzymatic Microalgae Hydrolysates For Cellular Agriculture, Maelyn Andreasen, Sophia Hessami, Eli Sheley, Elise Barton

Student Research Symposium

UPSIDE Foods is working to produce chicken products to address the growing global food insecurity crisis.¹ Industrial scalability is limited due to the requirements of cell culture. Through collaboration with the company, we are working to supplement their existing media to drive costs down and improve cell viability.

Mathematical Modeling Of Color Perception Using Differential Equation, Siavash Pooretemad

Student Research Symposium

Color perception begins in the retina, where three cone types (L, M, S) detect light and initiate neural signals. These signals are processed by horizontal and bipolar cells to form opponent color channels: red-green (RG), yellow-blue (YB), and light-dark (LD). Perception is not solely based on physical input but also shaped by neural adaptation and context.

This project models color perception using a differential equation approach, simulating how color contrast and adaptation emerge from interactions between photoreceptors and lateral inhibition.

We hypothesize that a system of differential equations can model how retinal cone cells respond to and process light intensity, …

Laparoscopic Articulating Arm: In Collaboration With The Xenocor Saberscope, Zac Hastings, Lizbeth Pugliese, Rebecca Sweeten, Dallin Thomas, Dallin Treasure-Areno

Student Research Symposium

• Laparoscopy a minimally invasive procedure performed through small incisions using a laparoscope, a camera-equipped instrument, along with specialized tools.

• Laparotomy or "open" surgery, requires a large incision to perform an abdominal operation.

Atomistic Simulations Of Shape Memory Behavior And Negative Poisson's Ratio Effect Of Liquid Crystal Elastomers, Nanang Mahardika

Student Research Symposium

• LCEs are suitable materials for soft robotics application because it is programmable, responsive to various stimuli and has flexibility.

Learning Partial Differential Equations Of Solid Diffusion From Atomistic Simulations, Wongel Nadew

Student Research Symposium

Why do we study diffusion in solid materials?

Ai's Hidden Influence: The Silent Manipulation On Youth, Moni Dronavalli

Scholars Week

No abstract provided.

82 - Characterization Of Manganese Ferrites For Combined Mph/Mpi Treatments, Alana Canty, Robert Ivkov, Hayden Carlton

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Magnetic particle hyperthermia (MPH) is a form of cancer treatment in which cancer cells are made more susceptible to treatments, primarily radiation, through heating. The heat is generated from exciting magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) within an alternating magnetic field (AMF)—nanoparticles which have been injected into a tumor—and both the heating quality and imaging quality of these MNPs are determined by their magnetic properties, with the primary one being anisotropy. Magnetic nanoparticles have been introduced as both a treatment option as well as a diagnostic tool through magnetic particle imaging (MPI). When used as a diagnostic tool, MNPs act as tracers to …

65 - Evaluating Drone-Based Stem Camps For Enhanced Engagement And Sel Development, David Morgan

Undergraduate Research Symposium

STEM camps are programs designed to promote exposure to learning associated with science, technology, engineering, and math educational outcomes. However, there is a significant gap in participation for Black and Brown individuals in STEM careers. This study seeks to understand how STEM programs during out-of-school time may support students from underrepresented communities and foster future interest in STEM-related careers. This study employs a retrospective qualitative research design investigating program participation in a week-long STEM camp in Hampton, Virginia. Thirty middle and high school students participated in the curriculum, technical drone skills, emphasizing emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and social awareness. These findings …

40 - Design, Fabrication, And Installation Of Morphing Control Surfaces For Small-Scale Uas, Kyle Purser

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Morphing control surface technology, inspired by organic structures and compliant mechanisms, offers significant potential for enhancing the aerodynamic efficiency and performance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Despite these benefits, its adoption has been hindered by complexities in design, manufacturing, and installation, particularly when compared to traditional flap systems. This research explores the design, fabrication, and integration of morphing control surfaces for small-scale UAS using additive manufacturing techniques. To reduce costs and streamline the design process, fused deposition modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing was employed for component fabrication. An off-the-shelf Horizon Sport Cub S2 served as the testing platform, modified with a …

31 - Shaped Adversarial Patches, Huong Quach

Undergraduate Research Symposium

In recent years, the development and deployment of computer vision models have become widespread, with applications ranging from autonomous vehicles to security systems. Among these, object detection algorithms like YOLO are particularly significant due to their real-time performance and accuracy in identifying and localizing objects within an image. However, the robustness of these models is increasingly challenged by adversarial attacks, which are deliberate manipulations designed to deceive the model's predictions.

In this paper, I present an approach to advancing the deception capabilities of adversarial patches, specifically targeting YOLO-based person detectors. The objective is to design and implement shaped adversarial patches …

Fabrication Of Ultra High-Temperature Compact Heat Exchanger By Extrusion-Based Ceramic Additive Manufacturing, Abid Hasan Rafi, David W. Lipke, Jeremy Lee Watts, Greg Hilmas, Ming-Chuan Leu

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Effects Of The Sintering Process On Additively Manufactured Copper Projectiles, Avery Lyons, William Petzoldt, Phillip R. Mulligan

Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference

No abstract provided.