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Articles 21781 - 21810 of 27416

Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Correlating Thomboembolism To Individual Platelet Aggregation Rate, Luke Werrett, Dr. Kenneth Solen Sep 2013

Correlating Thomboembolism To Individual Platelet Aggregation Rate, Luke Werrett, Dr. Kenneth Solen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective of this research project was to identify a correlation between a traditional platelet activity test using an aggregometer, and a new test that measures interactions between blood and man-made materials in a simulated blood flow environment. A correlation between these data would give artificial organ recipients and open-heart surgery candidates a more thorough risk analysis of their situation, and indicate the need for caution or additional medication.

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The Mechanism Of Gravity Induced, Counter-Current Flow Of Oil And Water In Porous Beds, Kari Cook, Dr. Hugh Hales Sep 2013

The Mechanism Of Gravity Induced, Counter-Current Flow Of Oil And Water In Porous Beds, Kari Cook, Dr. Hugh Hales

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Computerized simulation of the flow in underground petroleum reservoirs is widely used by oil companies to optimize the production of oil and gas. Such simulations are known in the Industry as “reservoir simulation”. They are based on Darcy’s Law, smoothly varying flow potentials, and the assumption that all phases move uniformly through the pore spaces. It seems possible that at low flow rates, such as those resulting when gravitational forces predominate, a different mechanism applies. The more dense phases may move downward in some pores, while the lighter fluids move upward through others. This would result in much more rapid …

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Coastal Wind Retrieval Using Satellite Scatterometer Data, Michael Owen, Dr. David Long Sep 2013

Coastal Wind Retrieval Using Satellite Scatterometer Data, Michael Owen, Dr. David Long

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The SeaWinds scatterometer aboard the QuikSCAT satellite has been functioning to measure radar backscatter over the ocean since its launch in 1999. The backscatter data from the scatterometer is used to infer wind speeds over the ocean and is vital to ocean wind measurement as the satellite covers nearly the entire ocean daily. Backscatter measurements made by QuikSCAT in the vicinity of land are contaminated by land as it is generally much more reflective than ocean. Land contamination of backscatter measurements causes wind speeds near the coast to be vastly overestimated and to be so inaccurate as to be useless. …

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Impedance Detection Of Biological Molecules In Microfluidic Channels, Daniel Evans, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Sep 2013

Impedance Detection Of Biological Molecules In Microfluidic Channels, Daniel Evans, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

At the current time, the most sensitive detection methods for biological molecules are based on fluorescent tags. This requires the use of optical sources and detectors as well as the introduction of a fluorophore that can be attached to a molecule of interest. In light of these challenges, my research goal was to create a sensitive method of detection based on electrical impedance measurements rather than optical measurements. In theory, this technique has the potential for providing a detection method that can be easily implemented on multiple parallel channels on a microfluidic chip.

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Zero Power Shock Sensors Using Bistable Compliant Mechanisms, Brett Hansen, Dr. Stephen Schultz Sep 2013

Zero Power Shock Sensors Using Bistable Compliant Mechanisms, Brett Hansen, Dr. Stephen Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

There are various applications for shock sensors, ranging from cell phones, to postal packaging, to automobile safety designs. These devices are designed to indicate when a predetermined threshold of impact force has been experienced. The designs of these sensors are varied. Some employ electrical stimuli while others utilize magnetic force. Much of the fabrication complexity and cost comes from the packaging and need to supply power to the sensor. To make practical the wide spread, every day use of shock sensors (i.e. postal packages), the sensors must be very cheap to make and require no electrical power. Therefore, there is …

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Development Of Synthetic Composite Materials To Simulate Vocal Fold Tissue, Allyson Pulsipher, Dr. Scott Thomson Sep 2013

Development Of Synthetic Composite Materials To Simulate Vocal Fold Tissue, Allyson Pulsipher, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past 25 years, research has been done to analyze the response of vocal fold tissue to tensile loading. Although the research provided better understanding of vocal fold behavior, there has been significant variability in the results of each research endeavor. Many factors may have contributed to the differences, such as dissimilar experimental set-ups, difficulty of obtaining and analyzing vocal fold samples, etc. However, the most significant factor of variance is most likely related to the structure of the tissue itself.

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Palatometer, Art Krahenbuhl, Dr. Brian Jensen Sep 2013

Palatometer, Art Krahenbuhl, Dr. Brian Jensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The palatometer is a device previously designed by Dr. Sam Fletcher to aid in his work of speech therapy. The device consists of a series of sensors laid out on a grid that is attached to a mold of the user’s palate. As the user talks, the sensors react to the places where the tongue touches and sends a signal through wires to a processing chip, housed in a little black box. This black box is suspended around the user’s neck, and relays the data from the mouth to a computer that creates a digital representation of the sensor’s information …

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The Effects Of A User Interface On Productivity The Whiteboard Lms, Jeremiah Jackson, Dr. Barry Mark Lunt Sep 2013

The Effects Of A User Interface On Productivity The Whiteboard Lms, Jeremiah Jackson, Dr. Barry Mark Lunt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Common among modern universities, BYU included, is usage of Learning Management Systems, commonly known as LMS. LMS are electronic classrooms, often online, that allow for the learning process to continue outside of the traditional classroom setting. For several years, BYU has strived to use the Blackboard LMS to enhance the student experience. Unfortunately, many students and teachers dislike the program, and only use it sparingly, if at all. Initial interviews with students and teachers revealed that the problem behind Blackboard was that it has a poor user interface. Without proper training and/or experience using it, the features of Blackboard can …

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Thermal Management Of Lithium Iron-Phosphate Batteries, Nicholas V. Riedel, Perry Carter Sep 2013

Thermal Management Of Lithium Iron-Phosphate Batteries, Nicholas V. Riedel, Perry Carter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The BYU Electric Vehicle Competition Team (EVCT) elected to use Lithium-iron phosphate batteries as the power source for their streamlined electric race car. This car will be used to attempt a land speed record for electric vehicles under 1800 lbs at the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 2008. These batteries were chosen because they were light-weight and relatively durable. However, there was some concern about using them in place of a more durable battery, like lead acid, because of the extreme temperatures and high electrical loads which the batteries would experience during a run.

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A Model Worth A Thousand Pictures, Tyson Triplett, Paul Skaggs Sep 2013

A Model Worth A Thousand Pictures, Tyson Triplett, Paul Skaggs

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Model-making is an essential part of the Industrial Design profession. An idea, no matter how good, is only as valuable as you are able to present it to others. Model-making can be seen as a language by which we share and validate our ideas as designers. More than that, it is a universal language that everyone understands no matter origin, education, or level of understanding. For this reason, we spend more time learning to convince others of our concepts than generating those ideas. A common saying around the department is: “If a picture is worth a thousand words then a …

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A Race Vehicle Data Acquisition System, B. Taylor Newill, Dr. Mark Colton Sep 2013

A Race Vehicle Data Acquisition System, B. Taylor Newill, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The Society of Automotive Engineers hosts the annual Formula SAE student design competition. This year 70 teams will design, build, and race a one man, open-wheeled road racer. Formula SAE is considered by many to be the most prestigious university engineering design competition in the world. For the first time, a team of undergraduate BYU students will participate in the Formula SAE competition.

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Computer Modeling And Mapping Of Ultrasound Intensity In Human Tissues For Gene And Drug Delivery, Spencer Smith, Dr. William Pitt Sep 2013

Computer Modeling And Mapping Of Ultrasound Intensity In Human Tissues For Gene And Drug Delivery, Spencer Smith, Dr. William Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over the past years ultrasound has been used extensively in medical treatments. It is now being developed and tested in localized drug and gene delivery. One of the main applications for drug delivery is treating cancer.

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Nanoemulsions Of Non-Toxic Fluorocarbon Liquids Used To Transfect Genes With Applied Ultrasound, Cody L. Martin, Dr. William Pitt Sep 2013

Nanoemulsions Of Non-Toxic Fluorocarbon Liquids Used To Transfect Genes With Applied Ultrasound, Cody L. Martin, Dr. William Pitt

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Gene delivery has been an important topic of medical and scientific research today, due to its potential in aiding the fight against cancer, heart disease and many genetic disorders. By transfecting appropriate genes into diseased cells, specific proteins can be produced that will alleviate problems at the cellular level. In addition, if the gene delivery is done by a targeted non-viral approach, such as ultrasound combined with contrast agent bubbles, the efficiency of transfection always increases. The targeted non-viral approach consists of applying focused ultrasound to a specific tissue in the presence of microbubbles. The application of ultrasound will cause …

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Progressing Bicycle Design For People With Hip Disarticulation, Luke Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Colton Sep 2013

Progressing Bicycle Design For People With Hip Disarticulation, Luke Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

People with hip disarticulation are those who have had a leg surgically removed above the hip, taking away every muscle and movement in one of their limbs. A surgery of this type makes it extremely difficult for its recipients to lead an active lifestyle. This project aimed to design a bicycle for use by people with hip disarticulation, thus enabling them to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle despite their obstacles.

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Vapor Deposition Methods For Synthetic Vocal Fold Modeling, Mitchell Hortin, Dr. Scott Thomson Sep 2013

Vapor Deposition Methods For Synthetic Vocal Fold Modeling, Mitchell Hortin, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to develop a reliable method to create the epithelial layer of silicone rubber vocal fold models. The method needed be able to repeatedly create a uniform layer of silicone rubber that is 70-80 microns in thickness. The type of silicone rubber used was to have similar or identical properties to the type currently in use. In an attempt to accomplish this purpose, three types of nozzles, an ultrasonic mist maker and an airbrush were tested to see if they could efficiently atomize the silicone mixture. This testing showed that the airbrush setup has the …

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A New Design For Low Voltage Microfluidic Pumps (Pulse Driven Electro-Osmotic Pumps With 3d Configuration For Uniform Size Microelectrodes), Nathan Ives, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Sep 2013

A New Design For Low Voltage Microfluidic Pumps (Pulse Driven Electro-Osmotic Pumps With 3d Configuration For Uniform Size Microelectrodes), Nathan Ives, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project is to test a new design for low voltage microfluidic pumps. Mechanical pumps are sometimes too large, unreliable, or difficult to integrate in lab-on-a-chip applications. DC electro-osmosis is unsuitable for many biomedical and portable applications due to the high voltages needed. AC electro-osmosis has been proposed as an alternative because of the lower voltages it requires to pump fluids1, 2. Our design uses a 3D configuration for microelectrodes with alternating DC pulses that should produce a more linear flow of fluid and prevent “eddies” that occur in other ACEO pump designs3. This should result in …

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Enabling Quantum Optics On A Chip, Thomas Wall, Dr. Aaron Hawkins Sep 2013

Enabling Quantum Optics On A Chip, Thomas Wall, Dr. Aaron Hawkins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Rubidium vapor has certain physical properties that allow it to be optically probed in order to produce many interesting quantum effects; however, due to its reactive nature rubidium can be very difficult to encapsulate. Historically bulk rubidium vapor cells have been used, which rely on high temperature glass forming and sealing. The potential that rubidium vapor has in real-world application can be greatly increased by creating a smaller, more versatile vapor cell that does not require high temperatures to be created. We are working to create a rubidium vapor cell that can be integrated with a chip-scale device in order …

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Dynamic Shape Sensing Using A Fiber Bragg Grating Mesh, Douglas Bailey, Dr. Stephen Schultz Sep 2013

Dynamic Shape Sensing Using A Fiber Bragg Grating Mesh, Douglas Bailey, Dr. Stephen Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Shape sensing is useful in a variety of applications including medicine, health monitoring of structures such as offshore oil vessels, windmills, spacecrafts, etc. Knowing an object’s shape allows evaluation of its condition during stress or its position in relation to other objects. One common method of shape sensing involves the use of Fiber Bragg gratings (FBG). FBGs have very high strain sensitivity and thus can be used to measure even the smallest changes in shape.

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High Yield-Displacement Frames For Earthquake Resistance, Daniel Miller, Dr. Paul Richards Sep 2013

High Yield-Displacement Frames For Earthquake Resistance, Daniel Miller, Dr. Paul Richards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since the early twentieth century, engineers have recognized the suitability of steel construction for design of earthquake resistant structures. Beginning in the 1990’s, building codes have provided specifications for seismic steel design that are intended to allow inelastic behavior while preventing catastrophic collapse (Hamberger, 2009). However, this inelastic response leads to permanent structural deformation which can require costly building repair or rehabilitation for continued use (Pettinga et al., 2007). A study conducted by Christopoulos and Pampanin (2004) proposes the use of a flexible secondary structural system to act in parallel with the main system in order to limit permanent deformation. …

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A Characterization Of Force Patterns And Power Flow In The Golf Swing Using A Three Dimensional Model, Shad Roundy, Dr. Craig Smith Sep 2013

A Characterization Of Force Patterns And Power Flow In The Golf Swing Using A Three Dimensional Model, Shad Roundy, Dr. Craig Smith

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Of the many specific studies published on the golf swing, few if any give a holistic mechanical understanding of the swing. The purpose of this study was to develop a holistic three dimensional model and characterize the force and power patterns in an elite golfer. Because of the emphasis in golf instruction on lower body motion, particularly the hip turn, particular attention was given to the relationship between the force generated in the lower body, and the resulting hip, trunk, and arm motion. This same model could be used in the future to more widely characterize force patterns of golfers …

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The Radial Turbine: A Simple Encapsulation Of Its Design, Matthew B. Parkinson, Dr. Jordan J. Cox Sep 2013

The Radial Turbine: A Simple Encapsulation Of Its Design, Matthew B. Parkinson, Dr. Jordan J. Cox

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The design, manufacture, and testing of turbines involves many aspects of engineering: fluid mechanics, computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing, instrumentation, heat transfer, and optimitization. This project encapsulates these and provides for rapid design, manufacture, and testing of a prototype turbine wheel (figure 1). Although the models are simplified and do not address countless design considerations, they do provide a feel for the many issues encountered.

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A Propane Oven For The Uros Islands, Jeffrey Perry, Dr. Randy Lewis Sep 2013

A Propane Oven For The Uros Islands, Jeffrey Perry, Dr. Randy Lewis

Journal of Undergraduate Research

High in the Andes Mountains lives a group of Peruvians who spend their lives on the Uros Islands of Lake Titicaca. To purchase supplies at the nearest city, Puno, islanders must take a 20 minute motorboat trip and 10 minute taxi ride. Because trips to the city are infrequent, islanders rarely have the opportunity throughout the week to eat fresh baked breads, meats and desserts. The oven building team from the Global Engineering Outreach Class (GEO) at Brigham Young University decided to design, build and implement a portable oven, heated by propane that could be easily used and manufactured by …

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Characterization Of Wrist Kinetics During Activities Of Daily Living, Autumn Pando, Dr. Steven Charles Sep 2013

Characterization Of Wrist Kinetics During Activities Of Daily Living, Autumn Pando, Dr. Steven Charles

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Out of the 75,000 people afflicted with repetitive strain injuries annually in the U.S., 68% impair the wrist1. A major factor in these injuries is abnormal and excessive force. However, forces applied normally by the wrist in everyday environments are unknown. The purpose of this study is to quantify a detailed baseline of healthy, normal wrist forces used in activities of daily living (ADL). Once normal ranges are quantified, abnormal forces can be better identified, leading to more informed preventative designs and more personalized treatment options.

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Bs News September/October Sep 2013

Bs News September/October

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

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Using Design Hierarchy In Digital Logic To Illustrate The Scientific Method As A Human Invention, Douglas Deboer Sep 2013

Using Design Hierarchy In Digital Logic To Illustrate The Scientific Method As A Human Invention, Douglas Deboer

Pro Rege

This paper was presented at the Christian Engineering Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2013. It was then published in Proceedings of the 2013 Christian Engineering Conference, pp. 99–106. Permission to publish was granted by Steve VanderLeest, Conference Chair.

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Coupling Rotation And Lamination Theory With Product Development To Create Barriers To Reverse Engineering, Stephen P. Harston, Dr. Christopher A. Mattson Aug 2013

Coupling Rotation And Lamination Theory With Product Development To Create Barriers To Reverse Engineering, Stephen P. Harston, Dr. Christopher A. Mattson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Introducing a novel product into the market place inevitably invites competitors to reverse engineer it; enabling them to determine proprietary trade secrets and decrease potential profits. Unfortunately, there are relatively few barriers to reverse engineering and the few that do exist are not easily implemented. We will show how a numerical optimization method was used to search for improved material properties in metals as obtainable by the rotation and lamination theory as defined below. These improved material properties are generally thought to be unobtainable in metals and results in unexpected (yet desirable) performance, thus a barrier to reverse engineering is …

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Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner Aug 2013

Pegleg Crutch, Levi Leishman, Darrel Zeltner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The progress of a cheap, simple and practical substitute for the common crutch for us has had many design improvements and successes in this year. We were able to meet with medical, educational, and engineering professionals who were all able to input their criticisms and advice. We have decided on a final design that is not the best design for use, but the best when considering cost. See figure 1 for a visual of the final design.

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Unilateral Human Vocal Fold Stiffness, Paul Gollnick, Dr. Scott Thomson Aug 2013

Unilateral Human Vocal Fold Stiffness, Paul Gollnick, Dr. Scott Thomson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sounds produced in human speech originate from the vocal folds (also known as vocal chords). In order to speak, the vocal folds must close together. Air is then forced between them causing the folds to vibrate and produce sound.

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Family Tree Mapper: Designing A User Interface For Online Mapping Of Genealogical Data, Craig Fryer, Richard Helps Aug 2013

Family Tree Mapper: Designing A User Interface For Online Mapping Of Genealogical Data, Craig Fryer, Richard Helps

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Designing and Implementing a web service for promoting genealogy and family history work requires a complex process of working with potential end users, designing a product that meets their needs, and testing it with the end users. I found that the greatest challenge to this process was including the end users in every step of the process. Developers tend to make assumptions regarding what is best for the users. These assumptions are often proven wrong when presented to the end user of the product. To circumvent this error, I used the following process.

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Improvement Of Body-Powered Prostheses Using Supplemental Power, Kasey Greenland, Dr. Mark Colton Aug 2013

Improvement Of Body-Powered Prostheses Using Supplemental Power, Kasey Greenland, Dr. Mark Colton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Many upper-limb amputees are fitted with body-powered prostheses. These are typically operated by the user wearing a harness and making a certain body movement. That movement pulls a cable which then moves the terminal device, which may be an artificial hand or a hook, to perform desired functions. With such prostheses the user is typically limited in their use of the individual fingers and many opt for a hook. Some have voluntary-closing terminal devices, meaning that the hand is in an open position when no force is applied . Though these devices are useful, they often do not provide the …

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