Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Physics 4900, David Maughan

Physics Capstone Projects

More than a century has passed since Albert Einstein published his general theory of relativity. The theory has been tested many times experimentally, primarily in the relatively weak gravitational fields of the solar system [1,2]. More recently the first experimental results from the strong gravitational fields of two black holes have been measured in the form of gravitational waves, which are another prediction of general relativity. The 2017 Nobel prize in physics was awarded to Kip Thorne, Rainer Weiss, and Barry Barish for their role in the detection of gravitational waves. This year we have seen the first image of …

Energy And Risk: Discourse, Framing, And Content, Temis Gardner Taylor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research examined how people communicate and create knowledge about energy-related risks. Analysis of the discourse, frames, and content surrounding unconventional energy policy and development in the Western United States was conducted using three case studies. The results contribute to an understanding of energy-related risk perceptions in social and historical contexts.

Discourses contained in newspapers and public comments to the Bureau of Land Management presented arguments on the basis of risks to the environment; climate; human health and safety; jobs and economic prosperity; property rights; and local governments. Governments were seen as risks when they were perceived to allow misuse …

Problem Set #2, David Peak

Problems

A little energy and momentum practice (and units)

Problems 1-2 deal with “rest” energy and relativity.

Visualization And 3d Printing Of A 3d Solar Tracker Model Using Mayavi And Pov-Ray, Aditya Mehra

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In this work, we have created a realistic model of a solar tracker using Mayavi: 3D scientific data visualization and plotting in Python, Enthought Canopy:a comprehensive Python analysis environment and Persistence of Vision Ray Tracer, or POV-Ray, a ray tracing program which generates photo-realistic images from a text-based scene description, a model of the solar tracker was also 3D printed.

Geochemical Characterization Of The Mountain Home Geothermal System, Trevor Alex Atkinson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Mountain Home (MH) geothermal system of the western Snake River Plain (SRP) magmatic province was discovered in 2012 by the Snake River Geothermal Drilling Project. Artesian flowing water with a temperature of 150°C was encountered at a depth of 1745 m below ground surface (mbgs) and extensive mineralized fracture networks of pectolite-prehnite, calcite, and laumontite were discovered in the recovered core. The objectives of this study are to: 1) describe the thermal and compositional history of past geothermal fluids, and 2) compare these fluids to modern fluids in order to characterize the evolution of the MH geothermal system and …

14 Conservation Of Energy, Charles G. Torre

Foundations of Wave Phenomena

After all of these developments it is nice to keep in mind the idea that the wave equation describes (a continuum limit of) a network of coupled oscillators. This raises an interesting question. Certainly you have seen by now how important energy and momentum — and their conservation — are for understanding the behavior of dynamical systems such as an oscillator. If a wave is essentially the collective motion of many oscillators, might not there be a notion of conserved energy and momentum for waves? If you’ve ever been to the beach and swam in the ocean you know that …

Easy Steps To Reduce Your Energy Bill, B. Thomas, Brett Tingey, Roslynn Brain

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Fossil fuels supply most of Utah’s energy needs. Any process using fossil fuels, however, emits carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury, and oftentimes other contaminants that stress Utah’s beautiful natural resources (Dresselhaus & Thomas, 2001). Most electricity in Utah is fueled by coal-fired power, which adds mercury to our air and waterways. Increased mercury in ducks and fish have resulted in restrictions for Utah family pastimes, such as fishing and duck hunting. In 2010, 23% of energy consumption in the United States was residential, totaling 22.2 quadrillion Btu (EIA, 2010). A quadrillion Btu is about equal to the amount of energy in …

Electron Energy Dependent Charging Effects Of Multilayered Dielectric Materials, Gregory Wilson, John R. Dennison, Amberly Evans, Justin Dekany

All Physics Faculty Publications

Measurements of the charge distribution in electron-bombarded, thin-film, multilayer dielectric samples showed that charging of multilayered materials evolves with time and is highly dependent on incident energy; this is driven by electron penetration depth, electron emission and material conductivity. Based on the net surface potential’s dependence on beam current, electron range, electron emission and conductivity, measurements of the surface potential, displacement current and beam energy allow the charge distribution to be inferred. To take these measurements, a thin-film disordered SiO2 structure with a conductive middle layer was charged using 200 eV and 5 keV electron beams with regular 15 s …

Approximation Of Range In Materials As A Function Of Incident Electron Energy, Gregory Wilson, John R. Dennison

All Physics Faculty Publications

A simple composite analytic expression has been developed to approximate the electron range in materials. The expression is applicable over more than six orders of magnitude in energy (10 MeV) and range (10-9 m to 10-2 m), with uncertainty of ≤20% for most conducting, semiconducting and insulating materials. This is accomplished by fitting data from two standard NIST databases [ESTAR for the higher energy range and the electron IMFP (inelastic mean free path) for the lower energies]. In turn, these data have been fit with well-established semi-empirical models for range and IMFP that are related to standard materials properties (e.g., …

Statistical Analysis Of Wastewater Remediation And Bio-Fuels Production Of Algae, Jay D. Jones

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Logan city wastewater treatment system consists of a series of seven large aerated ponds (460 acres) that biologically treats 15 million gallons per day of wastewater from Logan city and six other communities. Tighter regulations of allowed phosphorus levels in the effluent have recently been implemented due to environmental concerns of a downstream reservoir. The Biological Engineering program at Utah State University, the Bio-fuels Center, the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) and the city of Logan are working together to remediate the wastewater treatment system using microalgae. Algal growth requires the uptake of phosphorus. Thus, phosphorus in the effluent …

Checklist To Determine Energy Efficiency Of A Home, Leona Hawks

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Energy Efficient Appliances, Leona Hawks, Celia Peterson

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Insulating Concrete Forms (Icfs), Leona Hawks, Koa Percer

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Photovoltaic Systems (Pv), Leona Hawks, Celia Peterson

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Solar South, Roof Overhangs, And Light Shelves, Leona Hawks, Celia Peterson

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Energy Efficient Windows, Leona Hawks, Celia Peterson

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Lighting, Leona Hawks, Celia Peterson

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Utah State University Extension Addressing Energy Issues, Dennis Hinkamp

All Current Publications

No abstract provided.

Energy Efficiency Can Help You Get A Home, Dennis Hinkamp

All Current Publications

It is a little known and seldom used financing tool, but Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs) can increase your buying power when looking for a home.

Windows Are Key To Keeping Warm In Winter, Donna Falkenborg

All Current Publications

“With the price of fuel skyrocketing, now is the time to think about energy-saving projects around the house, and the best place to start is with your windows,” advises Leona K. Hawks, Utah State University Extension housing specialist.

Renters, Too, Can Save On Utility Costs, Donna Falkenborg

All Current Publications

“Most energy conservation information is designed for homeowners, even though an increasing number of people are renting,” says Leona K. Hawks, Utah State University Extension housing specialist. “Many renters develop a short-timer mentality and don’t worry much about energy savings. However, utility bills do add up quickly so renters may wish to conserve on their energy use,” she advises.

Final Report To The Department Of Energy For Water Use, Productivity And Interactions Among Desert Plants, James R. Ehleringer

Elusive Documents

No abstract provided.

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Appendix E, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is performing a DOE-wide programmatic evaluation of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) management alternatives in order to determine the appropriate means of managing existing and projected quantities of SNF from now until the year 2035. At the same time, the DOE is performing a site-specific assessment of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in order to determine how to manage environmental restoration, waste management, and SNF at the INEL. Sites currently involved with the management of major fractions of DOE SNF (i.e., the Hanford Site, Savannah River Site, and INEL), alternative sites being analyzed for …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is evaluating its options for two separate but related sets of decisions pertinent to the mangement of the spent nuclear fuel (SNF) for which the DOE is responsible. As a result, this Environmental Impact Statemt (EIS) is divided into two parts. Volume 1 involves programmatic (DOE-wide) approaches to the management of DOE's SNF. Volume 2 discusses site-specific approaches for environmental restoration and waste management activities at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, including SNF management. This EIS has been prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and its applicable implementing regulations (40 CFR …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 2, Part A, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This document analyzes at a programmatic level the potential environmental consequences over the next 40 years of alternatives related to the transportation, receipt, processing, and storage of spent nuclear fuel under the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Energy. It also analyzes the site-specific consequences of the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory sitewide actions anticipated over the next 10 years for waste and spent nuclear fuel management and environmental restoration. For programmatic spent nuclear fuel management, this document analyzes alternatives of no action, decentralization, regionalization, centralization and the use of the plans that existed in 1992/1993 for the management of these …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Appendix L, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This section provides an assessment of the areas surrounding the 10 sites under consideration for the management of SNF under all programmatic alternatives considered in this volume. It is divided into two sections: (a) the five sites considered for the management of DOE naval SNF only (under the No Action and Decentralization alternatives, and (b) the five DOE sites being considered for the management of all types of DOE SNF under all alternatives. The five sites considered for the management of naval SNF only are the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine; Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Appendix B, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This Appendix B to Volume 1 considers the impacts on the INEL environment of the implementation of various DOE-wide spent nuclear fuel management alternatives. The Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, which is a joint Navy/DOE program, is responsible for spent naval nuclear fuel examiniation at the INEL. For this appendix, naval fuel that has been examined at the Naval Reactors Facility and turned over to DOE for storage is termed naval-type fuel. This appendix evaluates the management of DOE spent nuclear fuel including naval-type fuel. Naval spent nuclear fuel examination is addressed in Appendix D; Section 5.16 of this appendix includes …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Appendix D, Part B, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

The methods used to perform the analyses in the environmental impact statement have been refined in the time since the environmental assessment was prepared. This occurred partly because of the larger number of naval spent nuclear fuel assemblies analyzed and the wider scope of sites and methods of storage to be evaluated, and partly because additional time was available to implement the refinements. In addition to refinements in the methods for performing the calculations, some minor changes in the calculational models were made in order to establish a high degree of consistency with the analytical methods used for the other …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Appendix F, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This appendix addresses the interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) at two U.S. Department of Energy sites, the Nevada Test Site (NTS) and the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). These sites are being considered to provide a reasonable range of alternative settings at which future SNF management activities could be conducted. These locations are not currently involved in management of large quantities of SNF; NTS has none, and ORR has only small quantities. But NTS and ORR do offer experience and infrastructure for the handling, processing and storage of radioactive materials, and they do exemplify a broad spectrum of environmental …

Department Of Energy Programmatic Spent Nuclear Fuel Management And Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Environmental Restoration And Waste Management Programs Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 1, Appendix D, Part A, United States Department Of Energy

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This appendix describes the alternatives which have been evaluated for the examination and storage of spent nuclear fuel from U. S. naval nuclear shipboard and prototype reactors. The spent fuel is removed during reactor refuelings and defuelings at naval and commercial shipyards and at the prototype sites. The alternatives include a range of options for managing naval spent fuel through the year 2035. The options for spent fuel examination include ceasing all examinations, examining a limited amount of fuel at a naval shipyard, and performing a full range of examinations at the current facility (Idaho National Engineering Laboratory) or at …