Engineering Commons^™

Harry Potter Laser Tag, Skyler D. Cowley, Jaques Johansen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

For millennials, there are two great forms of entertainment: multimedia and adventure. Specifically, the rising generation have spent millions of hours collectively reading, viewing, imagining, and dreaming about magical worlds. They have also expended much energy and money in a Muggle-world physical game called laser tag. These two pastimes combined will create much enjoyment for this demographic.

Harry Potter Pinball, Jordan Haws, Joshua Lake, Tanner Olsen

Electrical and Computer Engineering

THE PROJECT:

Our modern, dynamic pinball machine:

• Controlled by microcontroller(s)
• Power supplied by AC/DC converters
• Introduction of dynamic components
• Addition of multi-level, objective gameplay

Classic pinball machine:

• Controlled by driver boards
• Power supplied by transformers
• Static playfield components
• Single level, objective gameplay

Infrared Radiometer Calibrator, Jason Gramse

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research grade Infrared Radiometers measure surface temperature at high accuracies and require calibration. This project is a rapid and efficient calibration system for research grade radiometers. The goals of this project are:

• Rapid calibration process time of under 4 hours
• Reduce system complexity from historical versions
• Use liquid cooling instead of Peltier modules
• Attain calibration accuracies of +/-0.1C
• Compact and easily configurable design

Jarvis: Just A Rather Very Intelligent System, Mckord Harris, Dallin Riggs, Chui Vanfleet

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Many current home automation systems on the market today claim to be "Smart," but in reality are only glorified remote controls. Jarvis is being developed to make an intelligent home automation system that can control many aspects of the home. Although development of Jarvis started in 2009, many of the useful features were missing. This project was to extend Jarvis by adding home control and a natural voice-activated user-interface system.

Point-N-Share Binoculars, James Sargent, Zachary Hyatt

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Point-n-Share Binoculars are a pair of smart binoculars that can share locations. This is accomplished by using fused sensor data from

• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Laser Range Finder (LRF)
• Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)

Using an LRF, the distance between the user and target is determined. The pitch and heading of the binoculars is collected from the IMU. Using trigonometry, the true difference in GPS coordinates between the user and the target is calculated. That difference is then added to the user’s GPS coordinates to determine the coordinates of the target.

The GPS coordinates of the marked location are then transmitted …

Robotic Irrigation System, Cade Moody, Chance Scott, Ken Sills

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Problem: Common irrigation methods require excessive time, inconsistent water usage, and consistent monitioring.

Project Iris: Audio Visualization For The Hearing Impaired, Kenneth Raisor, Alex Wallentine, Eric Alsop, Tylen Smith

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• The goal of this project is to identify the source direction of ambient sound.
• This direction is then displayed on the AR glasses, providing a visual representation of sound information.
• This will allow the hearing impaired to see where sound is coming from.

Smart Pantry, Kory Bailey

Electrical and Computer Engineering

This project provides the design and production of a sensor that will track the contents of a user’s pantry. The Smart Pantry will be able to automatically detect changes in any pantry item and reflect that information on the user’s mobile device to make it faster, easier, and more reliable to track changes in one’s pantry.

Software-Defined Radio Direction Of Arrival Analysis, Sam Whiting

Electrical and Computer Engineering

A portable system that finds and displays direction of arrival (DOA) data.

Sawrm Of Autonomous Search And Rescue Drones, Ryan Jaynes, Rudolf Von Niederhausern

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Every year millions of dollars are spent on search and rescue missions with thousands of volunteers spending countless hours on these operations. We have designed a search and recue swarm that is capable of more effectively performing these search and rescue operations. Our drones are designed to comb a definable search area to find subjects.

We designed our drone with the following attributes in mind.

• Cost effectiveness
• Simplicity
• Flexibility

The Perfect Gift: Burnt Wood, Jaden Miller, Blaine Cook

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Laser Engraving System (LES) is a CNC-based laser engraving system. LES is able to:

• Import an image from a user
• Obtain user inputs such as image width and height
• Convert the image to grayscale
• Engrave the image on a piece of wood

The S.M.A.R.T. Helmet, Josh Perkins, Ben Zeller

Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Motorcycle has long been a simple pass-time for many individuals. However in recent years this singular method of transportation has steadily grown into a reliable method of regular commute. The technology behind the motorcycle however, has yet to catch up to that of the modern vehicle until now.

The S.M.AR.T. Helmet helps to bridge the gap between modern vehicles and this beloved pass-time by adding GPS Navigation and Video Recording

Track-It Golf, Jeff Holtman

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Avid golfers are infatuated with improving their golf game at every opportunity they get. Through the use of launch monitors, golfers have been able to make changes to their swing to manipulate golf ball flight based on numerical calculations of the flight of a golf ball. The senior design project that I chose to construct is a low cost launch monitor which can accurately represent the flight dynamics of a golf ball, giving the golfer the knowledge needed to improve.

Visible Light Data Transfer (Vldt): A Research Tool For Data Transmission Using Leds, Trevor Carter, Joshua Lynn

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Due to overcrowding of transmission frequencies using visible light as a wireless transmission medium has become a popular idea due to its low congestion. [1] To gain a stronger understanding of this concept we created a device allowing users to perform data transmissions using an LED with various encoding schemes, transmission rate, and potential noise injection selectable by the user.

Weight Lifting Fitness Tracker, Usu Department Of Electrical And Computer Engineering

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Keeping track of your fitness has become easier with technology advancements. One area which has not made as much progress is weight lifting. The primary reason for this is it requires more hardware components to keep track of your exercise. This project attempts to create a simple solution to implement a fitness tracker for lifting weights.

Onboard Load Sensor For Use In Freight Railcar Applications, Constantine Tarawneh, Jazmin Ley, Dylan Blackwell, Stephen Crown, Brent Wilson

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Approximately 40% of intercity freight transportation occurs by rail, making it the most widely used method of transporting large commodities. This trend is expected to persist over the next thirty years as our highway systems are strained and experiencing increased congestion and costly delays. Currently, the load of freight railcars is typically measured by weighbridges or retrofitted tracks at isolated locations. This practice is not efficient and limited by the fact that the load of the railcar cannot be monitored continuously, not to mention the inherent inaccuracies of such systems. Hence, there is great merit for an onboard load sensor …

Milk Spoilage Detection Using Ion-Sensitive Field-Effect Transistors, Luke Jarvis, Timothy Kerns, Jacob King

Biological Engineering

Background

• Americans throw away roughly 3.9 billion gallons of milk annually [1].

• Over 30 million tons of CO2 was emitted to produce this wasted milk [2].

• Much of this waste is the result of consumer reliance on inaccurate or misleading expiration labels [3].

• Manufacturers label milk with expiration dates prior to actual spoilage times to avoid lawsuits related to food poisoning.

Problem Statement

• Expiration dates provided to consumers are unreliable. Currently, there are no consumer products that assist consumers in determining actual spoilage of milk.

Planned Solution

• Develop an apparatus to accurately and reliably …

Amending Phb With Algal Biomass To Enhance Biodegradability, Amanda Stoudt, Celeste Hancock, Shawni Bastian, Charles Miller

Biological Engineering

Pollution of the world’s oceans has been taking place for over three centuries and is a growing problem all over the world. At least 60% of this pollution is made of petroleum-based plastic [1]. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade and, as a result, causes a number of environmental problems, including:

1. the death of marine mammals and sea birds

2. the release of toxic chemicals

3. disruption of the marine food web

To help reduce the amount of plastic that enters the oceans, scientists and engineers have started to develop biodegradable plastic alternatives. Many of these plastic alternatives …

Facilitation Of Microfluidic Channeling To Generate Concentration Gradients For Cellular Culture, Ryan Hatch, Tanner Hunt, Steven Rupp, Hyrum Wendel

Biological Engineering

This project aims to utilize the advantages of a microfluidic system to generate a testing apparatus that can be used in drug trials to observe the effects of different concentrations of nutrients or drugs on cell growth. With this proposed device drug research companies can save time, materials and money during the research and development phase. Critical aspects of the project include three areas: simulation, fabrication, and validation. This project is supported by GE Healthcare and is a continuation of a senior design project completed in the 2015 school year. By utilizing the COMSOL modeling software to simulate the microfluidic …

Measuring The Effects Of High-Altitude Flight And Upper Atmospheric Radiation On Muscle Cells, Lori M. Caldwell, Annelise Dykes, Katherine Glaittli, Charles Harding

Biological Engineering

As longer space missions become more desirable to public and private institutions, the physiological impact on astronauts must be considered. One of the primary concerns for those spending time in low-gravity environments is the eventual loss of muscle tissue due to atrophy, because a decreased force pulling on muscle fibers leads to marked atrophy in as little as nine days¹ (Fig. 1). This debilitating loss of muscle makes it difficult for homeward-bound astronauts, who are returning to full gravity, to regain their physical strength.

Non-Invasive, Inductive Electrodes For Application In Brain Computer Interfaces, Colin Ecsedy, Justin Marriott, Andrew Parker

Biological Engineering

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) have proved to be a major factor in facilitating motor recovery, recovery of hearing and vision loss, and other debilitating conditions and diseases (Nicolas-Alonso, 2012). This is accomplished by measuring neurological signals and interpreting that information into a desired action. The most common method of sensing neurological activity for BCI is by either surface or implanted electrodes that are either prone to unreliability or are dangerously invasive (Alpert, 2008). Part of this unreliability is based on the low specificity of the electrode method, requiring many pairs of electrodes to accurately detect signals in a particular area. By …

Optimization Of (2s)-Naringenin Production In Escherichia Coli, Logan Sherman, Zach Thomas, Cameron Zabriskie

Biological Engineering

Flavonoids, which are naturally occurring in plants, are known for their many health-promoting properties¹. These compounds have many applications for treatment of various health complications, but current processing limits their availability². Research in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering has been combined to make flavonoids easier to obtain by growing them in microorganisms³. Naringenin has been of particular interest in production because it is a precursor to many other flavonoid compounds⁴. While much research has been done on ways to optimize the production of naringenin from the amino acid L-tyrosine, a pathway has …

Optimized Bioproduction Of Resveratrol Using Genetically Modified Escherichia Coli, Scott Draper, Daniel Erickson, Brian Hoffmann

Biological Engineering

Resveratrol is a phenylpropanoid with many promising health benefits as an antioxidant (1). It is produced naturally in various plant species such as grapes, peanuts, and some berries.

The production of resveratrol through plants can be a long and expensive process (2). Producing resveratrol via microorganisms could be a way to eliminate these problems and thereby lower the cost (3,4). E. coli can be used to produce this compound in several hours, compared to several months of growing plants.

This project includes the analysis of several major growth parameters in E. coli that were designed and tested to achieve the …

Oxygen-Controlled Growth Chamber For Hypoxic Study, Dallon Durfey, Jared Theurer, Justus Clark

Biological Engineering

The purpose is to design a product that will allow researchers to more effectively and efficiently research the effects of low oxygen conditions on cell growth. The effects of hypoxic conditions on cell growth are studied in the research of Dr. Elizabeth Vargis at Utah State University. The process for this type of research has been practical and non-quantitative. Hypoxic conditions were introduced by simply closing the flask tightly with the included lid. The effects of cell growth were noted when the cap was closed, however, there were no quantifiable data to demonstrate oxygen concentrations over time. With the introduction …

Pairing Of Anaerobic And Aerobic Treatment Of Petroleum Wastewater, Zachary Fica, Alan Hodges, Jessica Vandarlin, Jordan Wanlass

Biological Engineering

Develop a novel treatment strategy for petroleum wastewater that meets the following State of Utah effluent guidelines:

• 25 mg/L BOD (38 mg/L COD)

• 25 mg/L TSS

Secondary objectives would include, but are not limited to:

• Reduction of nitrogen to at or below 10 mg/L

• Reduction of phosphorus to at or below 1 mg/L

• Production of value-added products

Electrospun Spiderskin Bandage For Epidermal Protection And Recovery, Danielle A. Gaztambide, Ana Laura Licon, Michael D. Paskett, Samuel T. Briggs, Randolph V. Lewis

Biological Engineering

Natural spider silks have long been recognized for their combination of incredible strength and elasticity. Spider silks are more elastic than nylon, tougher than Kevlar, and stronger than steel by weight. Due to an inability to farm spiders, much work has been done to produce spider silks in transgenic hosts for large–scale production. This work was done using recombinant spider silk proteins (rSSps) produced in transgenic goat milk.

Recently, spider silks have been recognized for their biocompatibility and lack of immunogenicity. Their incredible strength and ability to safely be in contact with the body makes them highly desirable for use …

Synthesizing Microcarriers As A Platform For The Pharmaceutical Delivery Of Quercetin For Antiviral Applications, Taylor Eggertsen, Arther Hart, William Johnson

Biological Engineering

This project aims to increase quercetin bioavailability and antiviral activity against cytomegalovirus (CMV). CMV is the leading viral cause of birth defects in the U.S. Ganciclovir, the current treatment for CMV infection, exhibits cytotoxicity in pregnant women and other immunocompromised populations. Quercetin is a naturally derived compound with antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and exhibits anti-CMV activity (Cotin, 2012). Low solubility and rapid metabolic breakdown result in low bioavailability, however (Thilakarathna, 2013). Pluronic-F127 capped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and chitosan-capped alginate microbeads are investigated as microcarriers to provide time-release antiviral treatment for congenital CMV. Quercetin, PLGA, chitosan, alginate, and Pluronic …

Minimization Of Quantum Circuits Using Quantum Operator Forms, Martin Lukac, Michitaka Kameyama, Marek Perkowski, Pawel Kerntopf

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this paper we present a method for minimizing reversible quantum circuits using the Quantum Operator Form (QOF); a new representation of quantum circuit and of quantum-realized reversible circuits based on the CNOT, CV and CV† quantum gates. The proposed form is a quantum extension to the well known Reed-Muller but unlike the Reed-Muller form, the QOF allows the usage of different quantum gates. Therefore QOF permits minimization of quantum circuits by using properties of different gates than only the multi-control Toffoli gates. We introduce a set of minimization rules and a pseudo-algorithm that can be used to design circuits …

Marine Mammal Tracks From Two-Hydrophone Acoustic Recordings Made With A Glider, Elizabeth T. Küsel, Tessa Munoz, Martin Siderius, David K. Mellinger, Sara L. Heimlich

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A multinational oceanographic and acoustic sea experiment was carried out in the summer of 2014 off the western coast of the island of Sardinia, Mediterranean Sea. During this experiment, an underwater glider fitted with two hydrophones was evaluated as a potential tool for marine mammal population density estimation studies. An acoustic recording system was also tested, comprising an inexpensive, off-the-shelf digital recorder installed inside the glider. Detection and classification of sounds produced by whales and dolphins, and sometimes tracking and localization, are inherent components of population density estimation from passive acoustics recordings. In this work we discuss the equipment used …

Real-Time Internal Temperature Estimation And Health Monitoring For Igbt Modules, Ze Wang

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Field experiences have demonstrated that power semiconductor devices, such as insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), are among the most fragile components of power electronic converters. Thermomechanical stresses produced by temperature variations during operational and environmental loads are the major causes of IGBT degradation. As the devices are often operated under complex working conditions, temperature variations and the associated damage are difficult to predict during the converter design stage. A promising approach—online health monitoring and prognosis for power semiconductor devices—that can avoid device failure and effectively schedule maintenance has attracted much interest.

This dissertation research focused on real-time accurate internal temperature estimation …