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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Thermophile Biochemistry, Charles Larsen Feb 2014

Thermophile Biochemistry, Charles Larsen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the 1960s, Dr. Thomas Brock studied life in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. There he found new strains of bacteria capable of living at temperatures above 75°C, which at the time represented the highest temperature at which life was known to exist. Dr. Brock’s discovery has sparked a world wide research effort to understand thermophilic bacteria, both their biochemistry and industrial applicability.

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Project Summary For The Wireless Heartbeat Monitor, Brad Beinholt Feb 2014

Project Summary For The Wireless Heartbeat Monitor, Brad Beinholt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Thank you for your support of the Wireless Heartbeat Monitor project. This has been an exciting project that has given me experience in wireless communications and in medical instrumentation. It has introduced me to microprocessor control and given me training in project planning and followthrough. The Wireless Heartbeat Monitor senses a person’s heartbeat by passing light through the individual’s finger or earlobe. Blood circulating though the body, moving in pulses as the heart and the muscles surrounding the veins and arteries contract, filters this light. Creating a varying electrical signal, a photo resistor senses the slight fluctuations in light leaving …

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A Progress Report On The Ultrasound Enhancement Of Antibiotic Action On Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Michael Le Bras, Dr. William G. Pitt Jan 2014

A Progress Report On The Ultrasound Enhancement Of Antibiotic Action On Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Michael Le Bras, Dr. William G. Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Previous studies show that using antibiotic treatment together with ultrasound enhances the bactericidal effect of antibiotics on many bacterial species (6). The purpose of this research project is to apply these techniques to Streptococcus pneumoniae and the antibiotics ampicillin and gentamicin sulfate. The effectiveness of ampicillin and gentamicin sulfate coupled with the application of ultrasound on S. pneumoniae is the focus of this study.

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Monotonic And Cyclic Response Of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Panels Fastened To Wood Framing, John P. Judd, Dr. Fernando S. Fonseca Jan 2014

Monotonic And Cyclic Response Of Fiber Reinforced Polymer Panels Fastened To Wood Framing, John P. Judd, Dr. Fernando S. Fonseca

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper summarizes the results of a research project to determine the response of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) panels fastened to wood framing, under two different loading schemes: monotonic and repeated cyclic loading. The results of the monotonic testing phase of the project were published and presented at the International Conference on Composites Engineering [2].

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Using “Expert Employees” To Identify Duties And Tasks For Cadd Technicians In North Central Idaho: Lessons Learned From A Modified Dacum Process, Raymond A. Dixon Ph.D., Linda S. Stricklin Ph.D. Jan 2014

Using “Expert Employees” To Identify Duties And Tasks For Cadd Technicians In North Central Idaho: Lessons Learned From A Modified Dacum Process, Raymond A. Dixon Ph.D., Linda S. Stricklin Ph.D.

Online Journal for Workforce Education and Development

Objective: We conducted a job analysis to identify the competency profile of an entry level CADD technician in North central Idaho. Background: In 2011, the Clearwater Economic Development Association and NIMA collaborated with Lewis-Clark State College and the University of Idaho in a project to strengthen the capacity of Career and Technology Education (CTE) teachers to teach computer aided drafting and designing (CADD). An application to the National Science Foundation, Advanced Technology Education (NSF ATE) program was made and funding began July of 2011. Method: A modified DACUM was used. A total of seven expert workers from …

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Simulation Of Groundwater Flow In The Vicinity Of Trojan Corporation Near Mapleton And Spanish Fork, Utah Using Gms And Femwater, Jonathan Bailey, Dr. Wayne Downs Jan 2014

Simulation Of Groundwater Flow In The Vicinity Of Trojan Corporation Near Mapleton And Spanish Fork, Utah Using Gms And Femwater, Jonathan Bailey, Dr. Wayne Downs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Groundwater is a valuable resource. It accounts for over 99% of the earth’s available freshwater. Recognition of the value of groundwater has led to the passing of a number of laws to protect, preserve and when needed require remediation of groundwater that has been contaminated by industrial pollutants. An integral component of groundwater remediation and contaminated site management is the development of a numerical groundwater model that describes the direction and rate of flow of the groundwater. Numerical modeling of groundwater flow requires a synthesis of experience and intuition with fundamental scientific and mathematical principles.

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Unity Iv: Fuselage Body Design, Analysis, Testing, And Construction, Alexis J. Pabst, Dr. Paul Eastman Jan 2014

Unity Iv: Fuselage Body Design, Analysis, Testing, And Construction, Alexis J. Pabst, Dr. Paul Eastman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Unity IV rocket is a twenty-foot tall rocket with a 16.5-inch diameter. It is a super-sonic, hybrid rocket that uses a solid propellant and liquid oxidizer. The rocket has been designed and built by students from three Utah universities. It is intended to take an instrumentation package super-sonically to an altitude of 130,000 ft and return it safely to earth.

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Comparing Nox Emissions Of Diesel Fuel And Oxygenated Fuels, Timothy M. Allred, Dr. Dale R. Tree Jan 2014

Comparing Nox Emissions Of Diesel Fuel And Oxygenated Fuels, Timothy M. Allred, Dr. Dale R. Tree

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The emissions produced by both passenger and commercial vehicles are a significant contributor to pollution problems that face many cities and areas around the world. One of these pollutants is known as NOx, which refers to the chemical compounds NO2 and NO. These gases are formed when fuel is burned at high temperatures and are an undesirable by-product of the internal combustion engine. Nitrogen dioxide reacts in air to form acid rain as well as contributing to ground-level ozone and smog.

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Seismic Timber Connection, Mathew Fielding, Dr. Fernando Fonseca Jan 2014

Seismic Timber Connection, Mathew Fielding, Dr. Fernando Fonseca

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Three light gauge aluminum connections were designed, constructed and tested to determine the possibility of resisting an applied moment in timber beams and columns. A timber column 3 inches by 5.5 inches was axially compressed with 1000 lb. while the attached beam (3 inches by 3.5 inches) was loaded to determine the moment resisting capacity of the system. Fracture of the connection occurred at an average of 1550 ft-lb; this corresponded to a deflection of .4 inches. Actual failure of the joint occurred at an average of 1950 ft-lb. with an average deflection of .58 inches.

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Development Of Instruments For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Hydrocephalus, Ryan T. Ochsner, Dr. Mark Manwaring Jan 2014

Development Of Instruments For The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Hydrocephalus, Ryan T. Ochsner, Dr. Mark Manwaring

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Brain Instrumentation Laboratory (1220 SWKT) associated with the Department of Neuroscience and Electrical and Computer Engineering at Brigham Young University specializes in the development of new technologies which may facilitate the management of diseases of the brain. Of specific interest to the laboratory is the improved treatment of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition which results in progressive damage to the brain because of tremendous pressure when cerebral spinal fluid (CFS) is not absorbed as fast as it is produced. This condition results in increasing ventricle size within the brain and associated pressure and deformation.

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Real-Time Adaptive Cancellation Of Non-Stationary Interference In Radio Astronomy, Andrew Poulsen, Dr. Brian Jeffs Jan 2014

Real-Time Adaptive Cancellation Of Non-Stationary Interference In Radio Astronomy, Andrew Poulsen, Dr. Brian Jeffs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

When images of remote galaxies/stars are observed by radio telescope, much sensitivity can be blurred by interference. This interference can be caused by both the atmosphere and man-made sources. Specifically, the Russian GLONASS satellite system transmits data at a bandwidth wherein much information important to radio astronomers is radiated by astronomical objects. A real-time DSP-based system is needed to adaptively remove the interfering signals and restore clarity to the radio astronomy signal.

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A New Stereology, Ryan J. Larsen, Dr. Brent L. Adams Jan 2014

A New Stereology, Ryan J. Larsen, Dr. Brent L. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Much research in recent years has focused on producing polycrystalline materials with high numbers of special grain boundaries. Special grain boundaries are defined as boundaries with desirable properties, such as resistance to corrosion, cracking, or precipitation. Most researchers describe grain boundary geometry only with the three parameters of misorientation between adjacent crystal lattices. Although misorientation data have been successfully linked to some properties, knowledge of misorientation alone is insufficient to predict grain boundary energy, and can thus provide only a first-order approximation of a boundary’s properties.

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Developing Mechanisms As Liga Microstructures, Jordan E. Brough, Dr. Larry Howell Jan 2014

Developing Mechanisms As Liga Microstructures, Jordan E. Brough, Dr. Larry Howell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) is a rapidly developing field which uses technology similar to that used to carve out the millions of tiny channels found in today’s computer processors. MEMS, however, uses this technology to make mechanical structures and mechanisms instead of electrical pathways. My effort over the past eight months has been to research the developing LIGA MEMS design (an electromolding process), fabricate a test structure via the LIGA technology, and in the process establish a working relationship between Sandia National Laboratories California (a leader in MEMS) and BYU’s microengineering team.

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Use Of Linear Analysis Of Microstructures In Defining Performance Closures For Highly Constrained Mechanical Design, Mark Lyon, Dr. Brent L. Adams Jan 2014

Use Of Linear Analysis Of Microstructures In Defining Performance Closures For Highly Constrained Mechanical Design, Mark Lyon, Dr. Brent L. Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Using methods described by Adams1, the design of a compliant beam was modeled in a multidimensional Fourier design space. A compliant beam is one that achieves motion through bending. The motivation for the problem was a bicycle derailleur. A compliant beam could replace the entire rear derailleur if a large amount of flexibility could be obtained and yet have a relatively strong force when displaced to return the beam to its original position. The compliant derailleur would be simpler and cheaper than current derailleur designs. In general, metals are too stiff and plastics are too weak for this application. The …

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Development Of Stable Silica Washcoats For Monolithic Substrates, Ethan A. Mastny, Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew Jan 2014

Development Of Stable Silica Washcoats For Monolithic Substrates, Ethan A. Mastny, Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective was to develop an efficient procedure for depositing silica washcoats onto cellular, ceramic monoliths while ensuring that the silica maintains its desired properties of surface area and pore structure and is stable against erosion. Catalyst coated ceramic monoliths find application in automotive emissions control and other areas of pollution abatement.

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The Effect Of Material Choice On Thromboembolism, Peter M. Crapo, Dr. Kenneth Solen Jan 2014

The Effect Of Material Choice On Thromboembolism, Peter M. Crapo, Dr. Kenneth Solen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Stroke, heart attack, or other severe medical problems may arise when platelet aggregates block a patient’s blood vessels. These aggregates form when blood is exposed to foreign surfaces in biomedical equipment. When blood is first exposed to a foreign surface, platelets adhere to the surface. A cluster of platelets on the surface is called a thrombus. Thrombi grow as more platelets adhere, and the momentum of passing fluid or other causes may dislodge them. Dislodged thrombi are called emboli, and the entire process is called thromboembolism. Thromboembolism cannot be entirely avoided in blood-contacting devices, such as artificial organs.

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Ultrasound-Activated Delivery Of Doxorubicin From Polymeric Micelles To Breast Cancer Cells, Philip D. Blood, Dr. William G. Pitt Jan 2014

Ultrasound-Activated Delivery Of Doxorubicin From Polymeric Micelles To Breast Cancer Cells, Philip D. Blood, Dr. William G. Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A major limitation to the effectiveness of cancer chemotherapy is the toxic side effects it has on normal tissues. Thus, it would be highly advantageous to develop a form of treatment that allows higher doses of drugs to be delivered to tumors without increasing the amount of drug absorbed by healthy tissues. To this end, various controlled drug delivery systems are being devised which aim to preferentially target cancerous tissue.

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Low-Frequency Ultrasound Increases Outer Membrane Permeability Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Escherichia Coli, Christopher M. Runyan, Dr. William G. Pitt Jan 2014

Low-Frequency Ultrasound Increases Outer Membrane Permeability Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Escherichia Coli, Christopher M. Runyan, Dr. William G. Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our lab has investigated the use of low-frequency ultrasound as an adjuvant to antibacterial therapy. We have found that ultrasound can increase killing of certain combinations of antibiotics with bacteria. Ultrasound at very low frequencies, alone, may kill bacteria; however, these frequencies are harmful to other living tissues and can not be used in a clinical setting. While ultrasound does not kill bacteria at slightly higher frequencies, it can enhance antibiotic killing, a phenomenon known as the “bioacoustic effect.”

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Stereogram Printer, Daniel E. Smalley, Dr. Richard H. Selfridge Jan 2014

Stereogram Printer, Daniel E. Smalley, Dr. Richard H. Selfridge

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The goal of this creative works project was to build an inexpensive Stereogram printer capable of producing three-dimensional images from a series of two-dimensional pictures. This type of printer is very useful for making hologram-like images of objects and scenes that would be impossible to ‘holograph’ by traditional, optical methods. Though several printers of this type have already been built, they generally cost several thousands of dollars to develop. The author built the following small-scale printer primarily from a $200 LCD television and a $10 scanner. (However, it should be noted that this piece of equipment had to be run …

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A Compliant Orthoplanar Piezoelectric Actuator, Aaron Shelley, Dr. Larry Howell Jan 2014

A Compliant Orthoplanar Piezoelectric Actuator, Aaron Shelley, Dr. Larry Howell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This research focused on developing a new actuator/motor by integrating two previously unrelated technologies. In the past, piezoelectric crystals have been used primarily to measure acceleration in the engineering field, because of their unique nature of generating electricity when changes in their position occur. Modern researchers now use piezoelectric crystals in the opposite way, in that they put electricity through the crystals, causing them to expand or contract. The ability to cause the crystals to expand/contract merely by having a voltage difference across the crystal represents a whole new method of creating actuators/motors.

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The Brain’S Response To Music Using Fmri, Todd Harris, Dr. Travis Oliphant Jan 2014

The Brain’S Response To Music Using Fmri, Todd Harris, Dr. Travis Oliphant

Journal of Undergraduate Research

While it is obvious that hearing a sound produces measurable changes in the brain’s auditory cortex, it is less clear how a compilation of tones, beats, and rhythms affect other areas. In this study I use fMRI to observe which structures in the brain become active in response to music in three male subjects. My results show that different music pieces have unique and measurable affects on the brain. A strong determining factor on the effect that music has is the familiarity of the music to the listener. Results show that familiar music reduces overall brain activity while stimulating a …

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Gps Navigation Module For The Handspring Visor Pda, Craig Cody, Craig Tingey, Richard Helps Jan 2014

Gps Navigation Module For The Handspring Visor Pda, Craig Cody, Craig Tingey, Richard Helps

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The focus of our research project was to build a GPS navigation module to be used with the Handspring PDA. It provides a highly mobile method of finding exact locations using an interface and display that is familiar and friendly. Our GPS module fits into the Springboard expansion slot. With it, any Handspring user is able to choose from many available Palm OS location and positioning programs to harness GPS information wherever they choose to go. Research into GPS receivers began about two years ago with a project to build a high frequency antenna and low-noise amplifier to receive the …

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Design Of Equipment To Test Compliant Centrifugal Clutches, Nathan B. Crane, Dr. Larry L. Howell Jan 2014

Design Of Equipment To Test Compliant Centrifugal Clutches, Nathan B. Crane, Dr. Larry L. Howell

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A compliant mechanism is a mechanism in which some or all motion comes from deflection of its members. Several years ago, a one piece centrifugal clutch based on a compliant mechanism was developed and implemented in several products. It offers many cost and assembly advantages over traditional clutch designs containing at least five components.

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Gps Navigation Module For The Handspring Visor Pda, Craig Cody Hardcastle, Craig Tingey, Richard Helps Jan 2014

Gps Navigation Module For The Handspring Visor Pda, Craig Cody Hardcastle, Craig Tingey, Richard Helps

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The focus of our research project was to build a GPS navigation module to be used with the Handspring PDA. It provides a highly mobile method of finding exact locations using an interface and display that is familiar and friendly. Our GPS module fits into the Springboard expansion slot. With it, any Handspring user is able to choose from many available Palm OS location and positioning programs to harness GPS information wherever they choose to go. Research into GPS receivers began about two years ago with a project to build a high frequency antenna and low-noise amplifier to receive the …

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Waste Not, Want Not, Mary Cragun, Dr. William Hecker Jan 2014

Waste Not, Want Not, Mary Cragun, Dr. William Hecker

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The treatment of wastewater or sewage is a multi-step process. One of the steps involves the treatment of the organic mass collected during the treatment process. There are several different methods of treating this organic mass or sludge. At the Springville Wastewater Treatment Facility, the sludge is decomposed under anaerobic conditions into simpler forms of organic solids for safe disposal. Two different types of bacteria are used to decompose the sludge. The products of the sludge decomposition are methane, carbon dioxide, water, and simpler organic solids. The amount of methane produced by the bacteria depends on the system used and …

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A Stable Coating For Silica Supported Fisher-Tropsch Catalysts, Nathan M. Cluff, Dr. Calvin Batholomew Jan 2014

A Stable Coating For Silica Supported Fisher-Tropsch Catalysts, Nathan M. Cluff, Dr. Calvin Batholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our daily lives are dependent upon petroleum. This is evident in the fact that 26.4% of the United States’ energy consumption is used directly for transportation in the form of liquid fuels.1 To prevent shortages in gasoline, jet fuel, home heating oil, and other petroleum products, alternatives will be needed to supplement the rising world demand. As a citizen that will raise a family during a time when alternative energy sources will need to be implemented, I have a keen interest in how we will meet our energy needs and where we will get those resources. One alternative is the …

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The Developing Length Of Electro-Osmotic Flow, Joseph Scott Tenny, Dr. Daniel Maynes Jan 2014

The Developing Length Of Electro-Osmotic Flow, Joseph Scott Tenny, Dr. Daniel Maynes

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Recent advancements in technology have created the need for increased understanding of fluid flow in microtubes with a diameter of a 100μm or less. These types of flows can occur in many practical applications, one of which is a concept proposed for DNA analysis called “lab on a chip.” At this physical scale, the pressures required to drive the flow of the fluid are often too large for any type of potential application. An alternative approach to driving the fluid through a microtube is to use electro-osmosis. This type of flow uses an applied voltage potential to drive the fluid …

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Fmri Investigation Of Brain Function While Reading Different Types Of Literature, David A. Thayer, Dr. Travis Oliphant Jan 2014

Fmri Investigation Of Brain Function While Reading Different Types Of Literature, David A. Thayer, Dr. Travis Oliphant

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a new imaging technique that results in images showing what areas of the brain are active during different activities. In spite of the popularity of this new technology there are no commonly available or widely accepted programs for processing fMRI data. The purpose of this research was to develop an fMRI analysis program, design a simple fMRI experiment, select MRI imaging parameters for fMRI, show that the program provides useful results, and then explore the results of another fMRI research experiment. This project’s focus turned more towards image processing than actual brain function mapping, as …

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The Brain’S Response To Physical Activity Studied With Fmri, Ren Weidman, Dr. Travis Oliphant Jan 2014

The Brain’S Response To Physical Activity Studied With Fmri, Ren Weidman, Dr. Travis Oliphant

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent years the fields of medicine and physiological research have made many advancements as a result of application of technology. One example of this is the device known as the Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (MRI). MRI machines use innovative methods based on principles of physics and electronics to effectively attain a cross-sectional view of the human body. The MRI machine emits an electromagnetic field in the presence of a static field to manipulate the nuclear spin of hydrogen atoms in the body. The received signal can then be interpreted and reconstructed to plot a picture of the section examined. …

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Deactivation Of V2o5-Based Catalysts Used In The Selective Catalytic Reduction Of Nox, Aaron Nackos, Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew Jan 2014

Deactivation Of V2o5-Based Catalysts Used In The Selective Catalytic Reduction Of Nox, Aaron Nackos, Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nitric oxides (NO and NO2, or NOx for short) are significant contributors to photochemical smog and acid rain and are mainly produced from automobile emissions and from coal combustion used to generate electric power. Because of these issues, the EPA will require by the year 2004 that NOx emissions from coal-fired plants in this country meet strict pollution limitations—up to a 90% reduction in the amount of NOx currently allowed to be released by the EPA (Belden 41).

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