Engineering Commons^™

The First Snap Surface Brightness Fluctuation Distances, Mikaela Cowles, Joseph B. Jensen, Brent Tully, John P. Blakeslee, Ehsan Kourkchi

Utah Space Grant Consortium

We have successfully acquired F110W (J-band) images of 68 massive elliptical galaxies in clusters and groups out to 80 Mpc by taking advantage of the efficient Hubble Space Telescope SNAP observing mode. We used the Surface Brightness Fluctuation (SBF) technique to measure distances to 44 of the galaxies so far with a typical uncertainty of ~5% in distance by implementing a new Python-based pipeline to simplify and automate the SBF analysis procedure. This new SNAP sample doubles the total number of IR SBF distances to galaxies beyond 50 Mpc. The new distances will allow for more accurate determination of the …

Artemia In Space, Holbrook Hawkes, Elizabeth Blackburn, Bonnie K. Baxter

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The panspermia hypothesis poses that life originated in space. To test this hypothesis, a model organism capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of space must be used. The brine shrimp genus Artemia represents species of extremophilic zooplankton with adaptations to survive extreme temperatures (-273˚°C to 90˚°C), hydrogen sulfide-reducing environments, HZE particles, oxidation, desiccation, ion exposure, electromagnetic radiation, and anoxia (Skoultchi and Morowitz, 1964; Clegg, 1978; van Stappen, 1996, 2002; Willsie and Clegg, 2001; Clegg and Trotman, 2002; MacRae, 2016). Artemia are so hardy in part due to their ability to produce oviparous encysted embryos instead of live nauplii that can …

Ecological Dynamics Of The Hypersaline Great Salt Lake North Arm, Amanda Lee, Alex Phillips, Bonnie Baxter, Amy Schmid

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Great Salt Lake (GSL) is home to a massive variety of microorganisms and these populations will aid in understanding the ecosystem. The Union Pacific’s railroad causeway divided GSL into two distinct sections, the green South Arm and pink North Arm, and each have nurtured two accordingly distinctive ecosystems. Breaches periodically opened in the causeway allow the waters to mix and provide opportunity for the microbial communities of the two arms to intermingle. This project focuses on procuring a picture of the North Arm’s microbial diversity and the extent that it adapts to new environments over the four seasons, as well …

White Light Observations Of The Total Solar Eclipse, Maxwell Lynch, Julia Kamenetzky

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This year, we have had the opportunity to see two total solar eclipses. I helped create training materials for volunteer scientists who took photographs of these eclipses. Our group worked with the Dynamic Eclipse Broadcast Initiative, which has organized groups for this project across North America. My role was to work with the DEB team to write instructions for our systems, and then to observe both eclipses.

Byu University Rover Challenge, Ethan Smith, Ben Broce, Phineas Jensen, Aaron Thomas, Jackson Harwood, Caleb Betteridge, Grant Thompson, Ben Duncan, Spencer Stowell, Spencer Mosley, John Carmen, Trevor Reay, Cameron Stoker, Luke Zollinger, Carson Moon, Ian Reid, Ross Beeson, Mihai Stanciu, Ben Wright, Jacob Moore, Joey Mcconkie, Noah Peterson, Brandon Sutherland, Joseph Heal, Marc Killpack

Utah Space Grant Consortium

THE CHALLENGE Our objective is to produce a robust and well-defined rover which will score greater than the 90th percentile in each of the University Rover Challenge (URC) missions. These missions are as follows: Extreme Delivery Find, lift, carry and deliver objects up to 5kg in mass to predetermined GPS coordinates and maneuver precisely through difficult terrain. Equipment Servicing Accurately manipulate controls on a mock lander, simulating a human's dexterity and speed. Science Detect life in a desert environment, recording the temperature, moisture, and GPS coordinates at the sample site. Autonomy Navigate to multiple GPS waypoints, detect objects with AI, …

Byu Rocketry: 2023 Irec & Spaceport America Cup, Derrick Walker, Riley Brown, Will Hart, Anya Jeppson, Aidan Rice, Nathan Butler, Bradley Hornfischer, Blake Jensen, Alexander Potter, Joshua Taylor, Dallan Trentman, David Fullwood

Utah Space Grant Consortium

BYU Rocketry competed in the 2023 IREC competition at the Spaceport America Cup in the 10,000 ft commercial motor category. The 12 ft and 71 lb. rocket, Solitude beckons to BYU Rocketry’s past while honoring some of Utah’s most towering peaks.

Extracting Meanline Modeling Parameters For Radial Turbomachinery From Cfd, Jason Metten, Dallan Trentman

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to explore how geometric changes to centrifugal compressors impact key Two-Zone modeling parameters. While centrifugal impellers are an important part of many systems, the flow through such impellers is inherently complicated making performance often difficult to predict. There are many approaches for modeling this complex flow environment, one method being the Two-Zone model developed by Dave Japikse. This model divides all flow through a centrifugal impeller into a primary zone which is isentropic, and a secondary zone which contains losses. To apply this method, a few key parameters are needed. These parameters are …

Precise Impulse Design For Hybrid Rockets Using Machine-Learning Informed Digital Throttle Input, Eric Larsen, Stephen Whitmore, Som Dutta

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Hybrid rocket motors are known to be safer and greener than solid motor rockets. Hybrid rockets provide additional benefits to mission design with the ability to shutdown, restart, and throttle reliably. Capabilities well suited to applications such as sounding rockets, orbital insertion of small satellites, and surface launch systems. The implementation of hybrid rockets does not come without its own complications. A significant uncertainty in hybrid rocket thrust output is the Oxidizer-to-Fuel ratio (O/F) producing variable thrust, also known as the O/F shift. The effect of O/F shift on thrust has the potential to limit the performance and reliability of …

Nitrification Rate Depends On Nitrogen Fertilizer Source In Root-Zones For Bioregenerative Life-Support, Noah J. Langenfeld, Bruce Bugbee

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Nitrification helps recycle nitrogen (N) in closed root-zones with multiple N inputs. We studied nitrification rates in peat moss soilless media adjusted to pH 6.5 to 7 and watered with nutrient solutions containing 9 mM N from ammonium nitrate, ammonium, nitrate, urea, or microbial biomass (lysed cells of the N-fixing bacteria Azotobacter vinelandii). We leached the media with nutrient solution every week for 150 days and measured the pH, electrical conductivity, and nitrate concentration. We measured ammonium in the peat moss at the end of the study using a potassium chloride extraction and quantified total N by combustion. Nitrification …

Estimating The Full Pressure Field Immediately Downstream From A Propeller Using Stereoscopic Piv, Nathan Welker, Daniel Maynes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Despite their relative importance in aerodynamic and turbulent flow measurements, pressure data has long been limited to time-mean fields made using tedious and intrusive pitot probe arrays. However, velocity-based measurements, such as particle image velocimetry (PIV), can be combined with the governing flow equations to derive high resolution pressure fields in a non-intrusive way. Using phase-locking and a multi-plane stereo-PIV approach, the pressure fields in the wake of an isolated propeller were measured using this method. The results were compared to data obtained from a traditional pitot probe. It was found that the pressure profile from the PIV approach was …

Expedited Cellular Uptake Of Hydrophobic Antioxidants For Oxidative Stress Mitigation Via F127 Micelle Encapsulation, Kyle Jackson, Kade Robison, David Britt, Yu Huang

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Various hydrophobic antioxidants remain unexplored for the treatment of space radiation and oxidative stress due to their inability to enter the cell without a drug delivery vehicle. Here, we explore the Pluronic F127 drug delivery vehicle, known as a micelle, and examine cellular responses following antioxidant delivery and oxidative stress mitigation. We also investigate methods for producing antioxidant-loaded micelles and their potential suitability for astronauts, including the best ways they might be administered during space flight missions. This research paves the way for new antioxidants to be used to protect astronauts from diseases caused by space conditions such as radiation …

Earth Observation Satellite Data Reveals Correlations Between Temperature, Turbidity, And Chlorophyll-A In Utah Lake, Kaylee B. Tanner

Utah Space Grant Consortium

No abstract provided.

Demonstration Of Self-Deploying And Self-Stabilizing Behaviors In Origami-Inspired Arrays, Katie Varela, Lydia Beazer, Larry L. Howell, Nathan S. Usevitch, Spencer P. Magleby

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Although origami-inspired mechanisms are becoming more common in engineering, transitioning from a paper-based origami pattern to a deployable array requires many design decisions, including selecting a thickness accommodation technique, hinges/surrogate folds, deployment method, stability measures, damping process, etc. This work focuses on demonstrating deployment and stabilization techniques applied to Miura-Ori configurations, with the primary objective of achieving a self-deploying and self-stabilizing array that could be utilized as a reflectarray antenna or other deployable system for satellites. These arrays must be compact when stowed, yet deploy expansively, with minimal to no aid. Specifically, this work describes deployment techniques that can be …

Kirigami Pattern Development For Gossamer Reflectarray Antenna, Ivy Running, Carolina Wright, Robert J. Lang, Larry Howell, Spencer Magleby

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Gossamer arrays for satellites are large, thin deployable structures, and they are attractive for space applications because they can be folded and stowed compactly for transportation and be deployed to have large functional surface areas. Reflectarray (RF) antennas could potentially function well on gossamer structures because they can be mounted on thin membranes. However, the efficiency of RF antennas decreases with any deviations from a flat plane, including those induced by plastically deformed creases. The study of origami allows us to design stowage configurations that meet specific needs. In this case, origami patterns and principles are explored that enable a …

A Survey Of Model Fits To Brown Dwarf Spectra Through The L-T Sequence, Savanah Turner, Denise Stephens

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Theoretical atmosphere models based on known physics and chemistry can be used as tools to interpret and understand our observations of brown dwarfs. We have fit archival near-infrared spectra of over 300 brown dwarfs with atmosphere models from the Sonora and Phoenix groups. Using the parameters of the best-fit models as estimates for the physical properties of the brown dwarfs in our sample, we have performed a survey of how brown dwarf atmospheres evolve with spectral type and temperature. We present the fit results and observed trends. We use these fit results to note where current atmosphere models are able …

Quantitative Analysis Of Terrestrial Caldera Shape And Applications In Planetary Geomorphology, Camille Cowan, Jani Radebaugh

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Volcanism on rocky planets and moons can yield valuable insights into their composition, evolution, and heat regime. This study creates a model to determine characteristics of extraterrestrial volcanoes based on imagery, one of the most abundant resources for studying other planetary bodies. We found that of 56 measured calderas, 61% were correctly classified into compositional categories based on shape alone. These results indicate that this model can be applied to calderas on other planets and moons to help constrain characteristics of their volcanism.

Target Position And Velocity Estimation Using Doppler Information From Wifi Signals, James Hyland, Todd K. Moon

Utah Space Grant Consortium

RF signals reflected off of a moving target experience a Doppler shift determined by the speed of the target. This can be used for target tracking, which could be useful in a variety of settings, such as using a communication signal to track a satellite, or to determine the location of a person within the space station. Although these reflections are weak compared to the signal seen from a direct path, the Doppler components can still be extracted. By processing Doppler signals from multiple receivers, the position and velocity of a target moving in the vicinity of the system can …

The Role Of Monitoring The Partial Pressure Of Oxygen In Urine For Early Detection Of Acute Kidney Injury, Lars Lofgren, Kai Kück, Natalie Silverton

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is defined as an abrupt decrease in renal function due to structural injury. AKI has a large effect on critical care patients due to a relatively high occurrence and association with poor outcomes. Currently, the diagnostic tools that we have, serum creatinine and urine output, are delayed indicators of the presence of injury and simply capture the drop in renal function. However, there is evidence that renal hypoxia plays a role in the development of most forms of AKI. Furthermore, there is a correlation between the partial pressure of oxygen in urine (PuO₂) and …

Reference Channel Optimization In Bistatic & Passive Radar, Matthew Finger

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The thesis will cover the first steps and attempts to create a small scale bistatic radar using a Pluto software defined radio.

New Quantum Information Science Study At Bsu: A Theoretical Study And Research Towards Pic Generation Of Entangled Photons, Peyton Brown

Honors Program Theses and Projects

The first part of this thesis explores the abstract quantum state vector space using Dirac formalism, providing a comprehensive analysis of quantum mechanics’ fundamental concepts. Emphasis is placed on the Dirac notation’s pivotal role in elucidating quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. Through detailed examinations of quantum states, polarization, and the CHSH inequality, this study not only reinforces the theoretical foundations of quantum information science but also demonstrates its practical applications in quantum information and quantum computing. The discussion delves into the manipulation of qubits and quantum gates, showing the potential of quantum information theory in enhancing computational efficiencies …

Design Optimization Of A Direct-Drive Wind Generator With A Reluctance Rotor And A Flux Intensifying Stator Using Different Pm Types, Ali Mohammadi, Oluwaseun A. Badewa, Yaser Chulaee, Donovin D. Lewis, Somasundaram Essakiappan, Madhav Manjrekar, Dan M. Ionel

Power and Energy Institute of Kentucky Faculty Publications

This paper presents a large-scale multi-objective design optimization for a direct-drive wind turbine generator concept that is based upon an experimentally validated computational model for a small-scale prototype motor of the same type. By integrating an outer reluctance-type rotor and a segmented stator with toroidally wound single-coil modules containing spoke-type PMs, the design optimization aims to minimize losses, active mass, and torque ripple while adhering to a power factor constraint. The AC windings and PMs are positioned in the stator and this concept enhances flux concentration, enabling the use of more affordable high energy non-rare-earth (special type) magnets. The exterior …

Affordable Bioprint Head-Adapter For 3d Printers, Andrew Ceralde, Dominic Drake, Noah Engles, Mohammad Alwan, Nevada Perry

Honors Capstones

Introduction: Addressing the need for affordable and accessible bioprinting technology, the Northern Illinois University bioprinting research and design project aims to democratize the field by developing an open source bioprint head. The initiative targets the prohibitive cost of commercial bioprinters by proposing an optimal design that can be integrated with widely available 3D printers, like the Creality Ender-3. This approach seeks to enable the widespread adoption of bioprinting technology, particularly for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Methods: Leveraging SolidWorks for design, the project employs a methodology that combines a precision extrusion system with thermal and UV crosslinking capabilities. …

Modeling Of Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor For Esterification Process, Olimjon Rikhsiboyevich Maksudov, Abdulaziz Nodirbek Ogli Bakhtiyorov, Orifjon Olimovich Zaripov, Аdhаm Tilovovich Norkobilov

Technical science and innovation

This paper presents a comprehensive study on the synthesis of ethyl acetate through the esterification of acetic acid with ethanol using a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR). Ethyl acetate is a significant solvent in various industries due to its eco-friendly characteristics and economic efficiency. The study develops a detailed mathematical model focusing on the operating of the CSTR to enhance the understanding of the reaction kinetics and thermodynamics in a continuous processing environment. The reactor model was validated with experimental data to optimize process parameters, aiming to improve yield and selectivity. Key variables such as reactant ratios, and operational temperatures …

05.06.2024 Orsp Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

Library Faculty Win NIH Award, Uniform Guidance Updates,

Using Chatgpt With Novice Arduino Programmers: Effects On Performance, Interest, Self-Efficacy, And Programming Ability, Donald M. Johnson, Will Doss, Christopher M. Estepp

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

A posttest-only control group experimental design compared novice Arduino programmers who developed their own programs (self-programming group, n =17) with novice Arduino programmers who used ChatGPT 3.5 to write their programs (ChatGPT-programming group, n = 16) on the dependent variables of programming scores, interest in Arduino programming, Arduino programming self-efficacy, Arduino programming posttest scores, and types of programming errors. Students were undergraduates in an introductory agricultural systems technology course in Fall 2023. The results indicated no significant (p < .10) differences between groups for programming rubric scores (p = .50) or interest in Arduino programming (p = .50). There were significant differences for Arduino programming self-efficacy, (p = .03, Cohen’s d = 0.75) and Arduino posttest scores, (p = .03, Cohen’s d = 0.76); students in the self-programming group scored significantly higher on both measures. Analysis of students’ errors indicated the ChatGPT group made significantly (p < .01) more program punctuation errors. These results indicated novice students writing their own programs developed greater Arduino programming self-efficacy and programming ability than novice students using ChatGPT. Nevertheless, ChatGPT may still play an important role in assisting novices to write microcontroller programs.

Water Banking As A Strategy For The Management And Conservation Of A Critical Resource: A Case Study From Tunisia's Medjerda River Basin (Mrb), Aymen Sawassi, Roula Khadra, Brian Crookston

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

The increasingly adverse impacts of climate change (e.g., rainfall patterns, droughts, and floods), coupled with the ever-increasing water demands, are often translated into a contingent liability for water users' communities. Additional complexities arise due to competing priorities, water rights, and transboundary water sources. Therefore, conventional water management practices should shift toward more comprehensive and responsive integrative approaches, even for systems with limited data. Furthermore, water managers must prioritize dynamic and interactive management techniques for existing systems. One such management technique is water banking, which is the focus of this study. Herein, a dynamic interactive water allocation model, which encompasses the …

Commercial Enablers Of China’S Cyber-Intelligence And Information Operations, Ethan Mansour, Victor Mukora

Military Cyber Affairs

In a globally commercialized information environment, China uses evolving commercial enabler networks to position and project its goals. They do this through cyber, intelligence, and information operations. This paper breaks down the types of commercial enablers and how they are used operationally. It will also address the CCP's strategy to gather and influence foreign and domestic populations throughout cyberspace. Finally, we conclude with recommendations for mitigating the influence of PRC commercial enablers.

Duality Of Ensemble Systems Through Moment Representations, Vignesh Narayanan, Wei Zhang, Jr-Shin Li

Publications

Controlling large-scale dynamic population systems, known as ensemble control, is a pervasive and essential task in many emerging applications from diverse scientific domains. Previous focuses in the area of ensemble control have been placed on seeking open-loop control strategies due to unavailability of state feedback information for each individual system in the ensemble. In this paper, we develop a foundational framework for analysis and control of ensemble systems with closed feedback control loops. We introduce the notion of ensemble moments and construct moment systems associated with the ensemble systems. By extending the classical moment problem in mathematical analysis and statistics, …

Improving The Power Efficiency Of Woodward’S High-Power Inverter (Hpi) Using Algorithmic Part Selection., Jaron Holder, Ali Al Gazwi, John Childers, Jose Soublett

Honors Capstones

Woodward Inc. is a secondary aerospace manufacturer based in the USA that specializes in aircraft power and control systems. This senior design project was concerned with a power systems platform currently in development by Woodward, the High-Power Inverter (HPI) system. In this report, the senior design group from Northern Illinois University (NIU) demonstrated the creation of an algorithmic part selection process to choose more power-efficient electrical components, the prototyping using MATLAB Simulink, and the practical testing that showed an increase of 7% in the power efficiency of the HPI system.

Detection Of Unauthorized Transmissions In A Frequency Spectrum Using A Wireless Sensor Network, Benjamin Roehrig, Joel Brinkman, Dylan Zupec, Jannette Gonzalez

Honors Capstones

A prototype for a wireless sensor network has been designed to detect and identify unauthorized wireless transmissions in a frequency spectrum. This prototype design is intended to detect unauthorized transmissions within the FM band of frequencies independently at individual nodes with Software Defined Radio receivers and transmit that information to a fusion center for aggregation using a Bluetooth Low Energy mesh network. Aggregated results will be displayed to the user through a Graphical User Interface at the fusion center.