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Articles 1 - 15 of 15
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The United States, China, And Climate Change: An Analysis Of The Us-China Climate Pact And Its Implications For International Climate Negotiations, Joesph Fiorile
Honors Theses
Climate change increasingly is becoming a major issue for the international community. It is contributing to rising global temperatures, rising sea levels, drought, natural disaster intensification, and ecological damage, amongst other things. A scientific consensus has emerged over recent years that implicates greenhouse gases, chief amongst them carbon dioxide, for causing global warming. Climate scientists overwhelmingly agree that the greenhouse gas effect has been caused in large part by the spike of human emissions since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. To reverse the problem, the density of greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, has to be reduced. …
Direction Of Lead Diffusion In Geological Samples Using Rutherford Backscattering Sepctrometry, Andrew Mccalmont
Direction Of Lead Diffusion In Geological Samples Using Rutherford Backscattering Sepctrometry, Andrew Mccalmont
Honors Theses
A Rutherford Backscattering (RBS) analysis experiment was performed on several pyrrhotite samples in order to understand their lead (Pb) diffusive properties and determine the diffusion coefficients for Pb into the sample. The pyrrhotite samples were prepared at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and were subsequently annealed for one to several days at temperatures on the order of 500–800℃. A 1.1–MV Pelletron Accelerator in the Union College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory was used to produce beams of 3.3–MeV alpha particles. The beam of alpha particles collided with the samples and the backscattered alpha particles’ energies were detected using a silicon surface barrier detector. …
General Relativity And Differential Geometry, Harry Hausner
Momentum Transfer To A Simplified Wind Turbine Blade, Myer D. Milbrath
Momentum Transfer To A Simplified Wind Turbine Blade, Myer D. Milbrath
Honors Theses
This project looks into the potential of simplified simulations as a supplement to wind turbine blade designs. The idea is to take a two-dimensional representation of a wind turbine blade and attempt to use a fluid flow simulation to determine which "aspect ratio" is the most efficient in the transfer of momentum. This is then compared to the current requirements for wind turbine blades to judge how accurate the simulation was. It was found that an aspect ratio of 16.66 percent was most efficient, however when compared to the requirements for a wind turbine blade this ratio only falls into …
Electrical Characterization Of Nanomaterials, Chase Martin
Electrical Characterization Of Nanomaterials, Chase Martin
Honors Theses
Our dependence on energy sources and depleting fossil fuel reserves are forcing the world to look for efficient and renewable sources of energy. Current renewable technology lacks the efficiency and storage capability necessary to continue our heavy reliance on energy. This project focuses on understanding the physical and electrical properties of nanomaterials for their use as super capacitors and as photovoltaic cells. Using multiple microscopy techniques on the Cascade Probe Station and Veeco Dimension V Atomic Force Microscope, local and bulk conductivity measurements were performed on Laponite RD infused polyaniline (PANI) samples synthesized by Union College Chemistry Department Students. Four …
Using Green Building To Mitigate Climate Change In The Twenty-First Century, Lisa Battiste
Using Green Building To Mitigate Climate Change In The Twenty-First Century, Lisa Battiste
Honors Theses
The need for green buildings are rapidly becoming more important as the nation faces impending energy crises and the world heats up from the overabundance of greenhouse gases. Buildings in America are one of the largest consumers of energy and one of the greatest contributors to CO2 emissions; more than the total emissions from all the transportation vehicles used every day. By making the construction and use of buildings more resource efficient, this can help alleviate the environmental strain of climate change. Neutralizing or eliminating carbon emissions from building use will significantly reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the …
Application Of A High-Performance Optically Enhanced Solar Thermal Collector System, Timothy H. Cameron
Application Of A High-Performance Optically Enhanced Solar Thermal Collector System, Timothy H. Cameron
Honors Theses
In an effort to make Union College a more environmentally friendly campus, this research project focuses on the application of Union’s liquid-based solar thermal collector system. The motivation for this research project is due to the increasing demand for renewable energy sources in order to decrease our society’s dependence on fossil fuels. The system features nine, 16-tube, evacuated tube solar modules which absorb radiant solar energy from the sun. Through a two loop system, thermal energy is stored in water within two-80 gallon storage tanks. This research project involves the design, construction, and analysis of two applications in order to …
Cost Benefit Analysis Of The Keystone Xl Pipeline, Daniel Carr
Cost Benefit Analysis Of The Keystone Xl Pipeline, Daniel Carr
Honors Theses
The Keystone XL pipeline is one of the most controversial topics in North America over the last five years. The debate is based on the trade‐off between Canadian oil sands as a usable energy resource and the environmental effects associated with the extraction and refining of the oil. The green house gasses emitted from the extraction and refining of oil sands produces several environmental concerns that make the proposed pipeline controversial. On the other hand, Canadian oil companies see a significant benefit from the ability of Canadian oil reaching international markets. TransCanada, a 79.99 percent owner of the pipeline, conducted …
A Comparative Study Of Gupix And Geopixe Software In The Analysis Of Pixe Spectra Of Aerosol Samples, Sean Collison
A Comparative Study Of Gupix And Geopixe Software In The Analysis Of Pixe Spectra Of Aerosol Samples, Sean Collison
Honors Theses
Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) spectroscopy is a powerful tool used in the Union College Ion-Beam Analysis Laboratory for the elemental analysis of environmental pollution. Samples are bombarded with proton beams from the 1.1‐MV Pelletron accelerator and characteristic X-rays emitted from the samples are detected, resulting in X-ray energy spectra. These spectra are analyzed using software packages that fit the data and calculate the concentrations of elements in the samples. I have performed a comparative study of two of the most popular software packages, GUPIX and GeoPIXE, in the analysis of atmospheric aerosol samples to assess the strengths and weaknesses of …
Looking For Small Changes In Heat Capacity Using A Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Will Linthicum
Looking For Small Changes In Heat Capacity Using A Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Will Linthicum
Honors Theses
One of the major difficulties in development of renewable energy is the lack of an adequate and economical means of energy storage. In the case of concentrated solar power a large mass of thermal fluid is required to store a reasonable amount of energy. This is primarily because the fluids tend to have a low specific heat capacity. Formulating composites of these fluids can enhance their specific heat capacity and avails opportunities to make concentrated solar power more attractive. In most cases, the specific heat capacity of composite materials is a weighted average of the individual component heat capacities. This, …
A Cross-Country Analysis Of Energy Efficient Development, Nicholas Fleagle
A Cross-Country Analysis Of Energy Efficient Development, Nicholas Fleagle
Honors Theses
Maximizing energy efficiency, producing as much as possible with as little energy as possible, is something every country should be working toward. This study measures the efficiency of specific countries by examining the interrelationships that exist among each country’s energy consumption and such measures of development as health, education, income, access to essentials and CO2 emissions. It then analyses why certain countries are more efficient than others and how these inefficient countries can improve. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used to generate a cross country comparison of energy efficiency scores over multiple dimensions of development. Pairs of inefficient countries and …
Wind Energy: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Costs?, Scott E. Fixman
Wind Energy: Do The Benefits Outweigh The Costs?, Scott E. Fixman
Honors Theses
As wind energy continues to increase in demand, research to reduce the overall impact of turbines on birds will greaten, resulting in lower turbine‐induced avian and bat mortality. It is important that wind energy continues to increase in energy production per year, as it is one of the safest and most viable renewable energy sources available today.
Anti-Nuclear Activism And The Past, Present And Future Of United States Nuclear Energy Policy, Isabel C. Zellweger
Anti-Nuclear Activism And The Past, Present And Future Of United States Nuclear Energy Policy, Isabel C. Zellweger
Honors Theses
Nuclear power has had a long and controversial history leading people to have many different views on the topic. Even though nuclear power does provide the nation with a significant portion of its electricity, many still fear its risks, especially after the events at Fukushima last spring. This thesis explores how public opinion, current events, and anti-nuclear activism have shaped nuclear power in America today. After reviewing the literature on nuclear energy in the United States, I discuss the past and current state of United States nuclear energy policy, and then describe changing American attitudes toward nuclear power over time. …
An Environmental Economic Analysis Of Green Building And The Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design Rating System, John A. Manna
An Environmental Economic Analysis Of Green Building And The Leadership In Energy And Environmental Design Rating System, John A. Manna
Honors Theses
Buildings account for over 70% of U.S. energy consumption and produce 30% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. With growing concerns over future energy prices, the green building industry and the LEED rating system have made it their goal to produce better performing, more efficient buildings. LEED projects have been implemented in all 50 states, with 46 implementing LEED into public policy. In this study we evaluate the environmental and economic benefits of the LEED certification process. A cost-benefit analysis provides a framework for assessing the life cycle of a LEED building, incorporating both energy and cost savings, as well …
Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Fero House Home Of Alpha Delta Phi, Matt S. Stankiewicz
Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Fero House Home Of Alpha Delta Phi, Matt S. Stankiewicz
Honors Theses
As our country continues to grow and prosper we are faced with a growing number of environmental issues. While many of these issues were ignored in the pursuit of economic growth, we are now facing the harsh realities of our unmitigated expansion. The continual mining and use of fossil fuels has scarred our landscapes, polluted our air, and contaminated our waterways. Our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions are higher than ever and contributing heavily to global warming. With the United States’ population constantly on the rise and projected to hit 350 million in little over a decade1, it appears that our …