State of North Carolina
Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium
Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics
Abstracts
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Bernard,
Andrew B. Wood,
Jesse W. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Textile Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Russell Gorga/Textile Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Optimization of Factors
Affecting Production and Performance of a Nylon Monofilament with Sand Grains
Embedded in the Surface |
This research focuses on
optimizing production factors of a nylon monofilament with sand grains embedded
in the surface. The nylon monofilament is used in a rotary device to cut weeds,
grass, or shrubbery. This paper analyzes the effects of acid to sand ratio,
winder speed, and grit size on the coverage, cut-ability, and uniformity of
sand distributed on the surface of the monofilament. The nylon monofilament is
produced by pulling it through a mixture of sand and formic acid using a winder
set at a constant speed and constant distance from the mixture. The acid ratio
factor had three levels of .25, .5 and .75 where 200 milliliters of sand is
used all the time and the acid level vary according to the ratios. The winder
speed also had three levels of 4, 10, and 25 feet per minute. The grit size
only contained two levels that were small and medium grit. Results showed that
the best cut-ability can be expected with a small grain size, high acid ratio,
and high winder speed. Cut-ability was not affected by coverage or uniformity
of the sand on the monofilament. The results also showed too much variability
in the data to make accurate and precise conclusions but the trends can be used
to develop a larger experiment find optimal settings for production.
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Casper, Katya M. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Steven P.
Schneider/Aerospace Engineering, |
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Title of Presentation: |
Redesign of the Purdue
Mach-4 Hot-Wire Calibration Facility to Operate at the |
The Aerospace Sciences
Laboratory at
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Clark,
Christopher A. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Computer Science,
UNC-Charlotte |
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Research |
Tiffany Barnes/Computer
Science, UNC-Charlotte |
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Title of Presentation: |
Neverfear Neverwinter |
The purpose of my research
as part of the Game2Learn research project is to build a game to teach
introductory programming. This is quite a challenge: such a game must address
stereotypical views that games have no inherent value beyond entertainment,
must be easy enough for beginners to pick up and play, and must also
effectively teach and test concept learning. I have proposed to build a game
that walks a player through basic concepts, gives them the opportunities for
practice, and tests their skills in game challenges that integrate seamlessly
into the game’s world and plot. This pattern follows basic pedagogical
theory, and allows for players to experience learning at their own pace. The
Game2Learn team has developed games in both NeverWinter
Nights and in RPGMaker. For my research, I am
extending the games build in NeverWinter Nights to
include more demonstration and practice of concept learning, as well as with a
tutorial level that teaches players how to play the game. I am also working to
build challenges that are replayable – in other
words, learning exercises that can be repeated. For example, I have developed
some prototype code that allows me to generate a random maze for a game. This
can be used as a programming challenge for students: first, students might
write a program to have their pet navigate the maze and bring back treasure.
Each time the student plays this quest, they may have to adapt their program to
the new maze that my program generates. Although it is a challenge to integrate
replayable quests into an existing game engine like NeverWinter Nights, we continue our efforts to creatively
combine game and learning content and experiences.
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Coughlin,
Andrew J. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Textile Engineering,
Chemistry and Science, NCSU Biomedical Engineering,
NCSU |
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Research |
Wendy E. Krause/Textile
Engineering, Chemistry and Science, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Electrospinning of Biocompatible Nanofibers |
Growing cells on artificial
scaffolds can have a wide range of applications, including uses for wound
coverings, supports in tissue cultures, organ and tissue transplantation, and
drug delivery. Because tissue transplantation involves several complications
such as rejection by the immune system or scarcity of donors, tissue
engineering may help to resolve these problems. For instance, cells can be
seeded and cultured on a biodegradable scaffold in order to develop into
functional tissue, in which case the scaffolds serve as an artificial extracellular matrix (ECM). Because a typical ECM contains
collagen fibers with diameters of 50-500 nm, electrostatic spinning (electrospinning) was used to mimic the size and structure
of these fibers. Electrospinning is a method of
spinning a nonwoven web of fibers on the order of 100
nm, similar to the web of collagen in an ECM. We are investigating the ability
of several biocompatible polymers (e.g., chitosan and
polyethylene oxide) to form defect-free nanofiber
webs and are studying the influence of the zero shear rate viscosity, molecular
weight, entanglement concentration, relaxation time, and solvent on the
resulting fiber size and morphology.
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D'Andrea, Charles |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Computer Science, NCSU |
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Research |
Roger Woodard/Statistics,
NCSU Trena Phipps/Statistics, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Getting FLASHy: Improving Applets for Sampling Distributions |
As an apprentice for the
Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP) at NCSU, I was
challenged to create a Flash applet that would help teachers demonstrate the
statistical concept of sampling distributions. One of the most fundamental
concepts in introductory statistics, and yet one of the most difficult for
students to understand, is the sampling distribution of a statistic. By using
Flash 8, along with Actionscript 2.0, I was able to
create an applet which accomplished this task. Flash has the built-in ability
to re-scale and zoom on various screen sizes, which makes it an ideal choice
for a classroom setting. While other sampling distribution applets are
available online, this applet includes many unique features. With the inclusion
of summary statistics, this applet helps students to better understand as well
as visualize the statement of the Central Limit Theorem. After generating a
histogram of sample means, this applet allows the user to go back and look at
each individual set of sample data. This applet also allows the user to
roll-over any sample point to find its exact value. With all of these extra
features, this applet will help students to more completely understand the
concept of sampling distributions.
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Dees,
Melinda S. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Electrical and Computer
Engineering, UNC-Charlotte |
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Research |
James M. Conrad/Electrical
and Computer Engineering, UNC-Charlotte |
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Title of Presentation: |
Electronics for a Walking
Robot in a Low-Temperature Environment |
The Stiquito
micro robot is a walking stick-like insect device that can carry a small
payload of sensors and actuators. Stiquito has been
used in ambient temperature environments, but has not been extended to harsh
temperatures as what would be encountered in space exploration. The inexpensive
electronics materials needed to build Stiquito were
assembled and then tested in a low-temperature chamber on the UNC Charlotte
campus. The proposed work was to investigate the ability of inexpensive
insulated Stiquito electronics to operate in a
sub-zero space environment.
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Dixon,
Anthony R. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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NCSU |
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Research |
Richard McLaughlin/Mathematics,UNC-Chapel Hill |
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Title of Presentation: |
Falling Spheres in a
Non-Newtonian Fluid |
The concept of dropping a
sphere into a fluid as a means of measuring its viscosity and other rheological properties has been used for a while. It is
vital for a manufacturer to understand the rheological
properties of the fluids that they are using so that they can better understand
how to process the fluid. The aim of this study is to determine the viscosity
of shampoo, which is considered a non-Newtonian fluid, by dropping steel ball
bearings. Also it appeared that the ball bearings behaved differently in the
non-Newtonian compared to a Newtonian fluid. Andrew Belmonte first observed
this phenomenon.
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Downen, Lori N. Bruschi, Laura N. Cornelius,
Carrie E. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Nuclear Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Mohamed Bourham/Nuclear Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Control Parameters in
Textile Materials Modification with Atmospheric Plasmas |
Plasmas generated at atmospheric
conditions are becoming tools frequently used to modify surfaces of various
substrate forms, such as paper, textiles, and polymers, for potential on-line
production processes. The electron number density and electron temperature
characterize plasma, and these parameters can change when a substrate is
inserted into the plasma. Thus, during any plasma surface modification process,
the number of ionized species will vary depending on the plasma-surface
interaction mechanism and the evolution of particulates from the substrate into
the plasma. The main objective of this research is to determine the changes in
the electron number density of atmospheric pressure plasma when a substrate is
plasma-treated. A mathematical model was devised for the plasma device in which
measured voltage, current, and gas temperature are used to solve for electron
number density with two different gas mixtures with cotton substrates. Data
analysis using the measurements and the developed mathematical model indicates
changes in electron number density when changing plasma gas mixture or when
changing the substrate. Analysis of the plasma gas temperature inside the test
cell indicates slight temperature distribution from the center of the cell
towards the cell walls.
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Drukenbrod, Joshua M. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Statistics, NCSU |
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Research |
William F. Hunt
Jr./Statistics, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Identifying the Next Major
Source to Reduce to Improve Blood Lead Levels in Children Using Public
Databases |
Within the past thirty years
there has been a vast reduction in the concentration of lead found in our air,
water, soil and homes; however concentrations are still present and continue
having an impact on our health. Is there something researchers missed in the
process? The removal of lead from gasoline along with concentrations found in
paint greatly reduced events of lead poisoning, yet something still remains.
The effects of lead consumption can have costly effects on young and old;
damage to the brain and nervous system, learning problems, and slowed growth
are some effects on children while adults usually suffer from reproductive
problems, high blood pressure and nerve disorders to name a few. The purpose of
the research here is to use exploratory analysis of multiple data bases such as
Toxic Release Inventory, air and water quality data, and census data to gain a
better understanding of the lead problem affecting the children of our nation.
Utilization of exploratory analysis methods in combination with statistical
software will be used to form results on multiple data bases and to identify
the next major source of lead for reduction or elimination to bring down blood
lead levels in children. Within the past thirty years there has been a vast
reduction in the concentration of lead found in our air, water, soil and homes;
however concentrations are still present and continue having an impact on our
health. Is there something researchers missed in the process? The removal of
lead from gasoline along with concentrations found in paint greatly reduced
events of lead poisoning, yet something still remains. The effects of lead
consumption can have costly effects on young and old; damage to the brain and
nervous system, learning problems, and slowed growth are some effects on
children while adults usually suffer from reproductive problems, high blood
pressure and nerve disorders to name a few. The purpose of the research here is
to use exploratory analysis of multiple data bases such as Toxic Release
Inventory, air and water quality data, and census data to gain a better
understanding of the lead problem affecting the children of our nation.
Utilization of exploratory analysis methods in combination with statistical
software will be used to form results on multiple data bases and to identify
the next major source of lead for reduction or elimination to bring down blood
lead levels in children.
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Godwin, James A. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Computer Science,
UNC-Charlotte |
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Research |
Tiffany Barnes/Computer Science, UNC-Charlotte |
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Title of Presentation: |
Game 2 Learn |
Three major problems face
the world of computer science education today: decreasing enrollments in
computer science programs, low participation by women and underrepresented
minorities, and low retention rates. These trends have varied causes, one of
which may be the way introductory computer science is taught. The population of
gamers continues to grow, including women and minorities. The Game2Learn
project aims to teach introductory computer science classes using the medium of
a Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG). By taking into account
current research the game is designed to encourage students to remain within
the computer science program through a more interactive, fun, and accessible
environment. To determine an efficient method of motivating students using
games we undertook a study using a prototype game (developed using Neverwinter Nights and the Aurora Toolset) in which
students complete three programming tasks. In a previous study conducted
without a scoring system, student felt that the game wasn’t serious
enough. For this study, we hypothesized that a better connection between real
learning and in-game feedback would result in students taking the game more
seriously. After modifying our game to give clearer motivation for learning and
better instantaneous feedback, no students questioned the appropriateness of
the game for homework.
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Gove,
Robert P. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Mathematics and
Statistics, UNC-Greensboro |
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Research |
Jan Rychtar/Mathematics
and Statistics, UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
A Slice of Pi |
Pi is one of the
longest-studied irrational constants, and although pi has been calculated to
1,241,100,000,000 digits it is still unknown if pi is normal in any base. We
look at possible implications if it were normal, along with some known
properties of pi and their proofs. Pi has a long history of varied methods of
calculation which are introduced and examined. More recent discoveries include
the BPP formula, which may have a connection to the question of normality. We
attempt to answer the question of why we need to compute long approximations.
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Gromet, Donovan J. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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College of Physical and
Mathematical Sciences, NCSU |
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Research |
Doug W. Barlage/Electrical and Computer Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Electron Mobility at the
Si/SiO2 Interface In Device Channel MOSFET’s |
The purpose of this research
is to model the electron’s position throughout the MOSFET while changing
the parameters of applied and barrier voltage, and the dimensions of the
quantum well. Our goal is to develop a predictive model to describe the
observed electron effective mobility as a function of the applied voltage,
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Hagan,
Diane Bae, JiHyun |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Textile Technology, NCSU |
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Research |
Traci May/Textile and
Apparel, Technology and Management, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Color Variation in Digital
Textile Printing: Influence of Fiber Content and Other Substrate
Characteristics |
The purpose of this research
is to study variations in colors that are digitally printed on textile
substrates composed of different fibers, identify major and minor factors that
contribute to these variations, and seek ways to control these variations. Nine
fabrics that differed in weave structure, fiber composition, and/or preprinted
color were characterized according to molecular structure, physical properties,
and pre-printed color (after pretreatment). Based on previous research, these
substrate properties were expected to influence the resulting color in the
printed fabric. A multicolor design was printed on all of the fabrics with a
large format textile printer that used cyan, magenta, yellow, black (CMYK), and
turquoise and orange dye-based inks. Because of the dye affinity of the
selected fabrics, reactive dye inks, as opposed to acid dye inks, were used for
the printing. After fabrics were steamed and washed, coloration differences
were assessed by comparing fabrics visually side-by-side in a controlled
environment and objectively with a colorimeter. The color differences made the
relationship between the various fibers and the fixed selection of dyes
apparent. The primary factor that affected coloration differences among the
fabrics was the molecular structure of the fiber in the textile substrate, or
the fiber content, while the minor factors like the preprinted color and weave
structure of the fabric gave only slight variation in the printed color. Many
previous researchers have shown that color management systems (CMS) have been a
major way to control the color discrepancies in digital textile printing. This
work demonstrates the importance of including fiber content of the substrate as
a variable in color management systems.
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Hornsby, Fawn E. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Statistics and Applied
Mathematics, NCSU |
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Research |
Marcia L. Gumpertz/Diversity
and African American Affairs, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Characteristics of Cases with Missing Information
in Breast Cancer Registry Data |
Breast cancer is one of the most
common of cancers and affects thousands of people every year. Early detection is imperative in order to
increase chances of survival. As new
breast cancer initiatives and research is accomplished each year, information
about biologic, ethnic, and sociodemographic
factors as it relates to incidence, detection, and mortality appear to reveal
relationships. An extensive analysis was
conducted using 1990 decennial census data file as well as the Surveillance,
Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry program to provide
information on population groups and their associated risk in
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Hume,
Samuel |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Electrical and Computer
Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Winser Alexander/Electrical and Computer Engineering,
NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
A Comparison of Tools Used
to Analyze System Characteristics of Biochemical Models |
The project involved an
evaluation of two simulation packages along with the use of the Systems Biology
Markup Language (SBML) to describe and analyze biological systems. Identifying
a unified way to describe and analyze biological systems in software is a
critical component of system biology research. It is a necessity to have
information standards if models are to be shared, evaluated, and cooperatively
developed. Otherwise, a considerable amount of time would be spent translating
biochemical reactions models from one representation to another, and valuable
information could be lost in the process. The Systems Biology Markup Language
(SBML) is a free and well-accepted XML-based language for representing and
exchanging models between simulation and analysis tools. The SBToolBox for MATLAB and the Systems Biology Workbench
(SBW) were the simulation packages used in the evaluation. The metrics used for
performing the comparative analysis of the above tools were: steady-state
analysis, stability analysis, simulation time, in-silico
experiments, bifurcation analysis, parameter estimation, and parameter
sensitivity. The goal for the project was to provide information for use to
decide which tool is better suited for the analysis of a given model.
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Jackson,
Lauren C. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Materials Science and
Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Richard Knight/Materials
Science and Engineering, Richard Cairncross/Chemical and Biological Engineering, |
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Title of Presentation: |
Sliding Wear Properties of
HVOF Thermally Sprayed Nylon-11 and Nylon-11/Ceramic Composites on Steel |
The high velocity oxy-fuel
(HVOF) combustion spray process has previously been shown to be a successful
method for depositing pure polymer and polymer/ceramic composite coatings.
Polymer and polymer-ceramic composite particles have high melt viscosities and
require the high kinetic energy of HVOF in order to generate sufficient
particle flow and deformation on impact. One of the goals of reinforcing
polymer coatings with particulate ceramics is to improve their durability and
wear performance. Composite coatings were produced by ball-milling 60 μm Nylon-11 together with nominal 10 vol.% of nano and multi-scale ceramic
reinforcements and HVOF spraying these composite feedstocks
onto steel substrates to produce semi-crystalline micron and nano-scale reinforced coatings of polymer matrix
composites. The room temperature dry sliding wear performance of pure Nylon-11,
Nylon-11 reinforced with 7 nm silica, and multi-scale Nylon-11/silica composite
coatings incorporating 7 to 40 nm and 10 μm
ceramic particles was determined and compared. Coatings were sprayed onto steel
substrates, and their sliding wear performance determined using a pin-on-disk tribometer. Coefficient of friction was recorded and wear
rate determined as a function of applied load and coating composition. Surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to
characterize and analyze the coatings and wear scars.
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Kinlaw, Alan C. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Textile Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Russell E. Gorga/Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science, NCSU Seth D. McCullen/Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science,
NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
The Synthesis of Electrospun Fiber Substrates for Use in Stem Cell Growth
and Development |
Stem cell proliferation is dependent
on optimal environmental conditions in order to provide adequate sensitivity
for growth and eventual differentiation. Through the course of this research, polylactic acid (PLA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were utilized in the early processing of
an electrospun fiber mat substrate capable of
supporting and sustaining live stem cell cultures. A focal point of the
research was the use of MWNTs in fiber construction
in order to evaluate increases in the substrate's mechanical and electrical
conductance properties required for the support of live cell populations. By
altering the concentration of MWNTs in the
preliminary solution, progress was made in the optimization of nanotube input in search of both the required electrical
properties and mechanical integrity necessary for the synthesis of a usable electrospun substrate.
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Krenicky, Joseph N. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Mathematics and
Statistics; Art/UNC-Greensboro |
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Research |
Jan Rychtar/Mathematics
and Statistics, UNC-Greensboro |
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Title of Presentation: |
On the Volume-Surface Area
Relationship |
The volume of a sphere of radius
r is given by the standard formula V=4/3πr^3. Its surface area is given by
S=4πr^2. Clearly, S is a derivative of V. The volume and surface area of a
cube of length a is given by V=a^3 and S=6a^2,
respectively. In this case, S is not a derivative of V. The goal of this
presentation is to study the volume-surface area relationship. In particular,
it will be proven that surface area of an object is always the derivative of
its volume. Initially, it appears that the proof is doomed to fail since it was
already shown that the case of the cube disproves this hypothesis. The answer
lies in the proper set up. It is intended to ultimately prove and give proper
mathematical meaning to the statement that, “Surface area is a derivative
of a volume.”
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Kumsa, Doe |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, |
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Research |
Henry Lamb/Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Growth of Recombinant E.
Coli BL21(DE3)(pAD1) for GFP Production |
The growth kinetics of the
recombinant E. Coli were examined using conventional and
high-throughput screening techniques. The E. Coli
strain BL21 (DE3) (pAD1) has been altered through a plasmid containing the gene
for GFP and conferring kanamycin-resistance.
Experiments were conducted using conventional shake flasks and using a micro-titer
plate reader with 24- and 96- well plates. The base growth media was Luria-Bertani broth to which glucose was added with initial
concentrations in the 1-10g/L range. Cells grew on the base media to a final
optical density of 1.2 in the 24- and 96- well plates. Growth on LB broth was
rapid initially but slowed markedly after approximately 3h due to the depletion
of readily metabolized carbohydrates. Addition of glucose at 1g/L extended the
log phase to ~ 4 h, and the culture achieved the same final OD. Higher initial
glucose concentrations, however, had a negative impact on final OD. This effect
was traced to the production of acetic acid by the cells which lowered the pH
of the growth medium. Similar trends in final OD and pH with initial glucose
concentration were observed in growth experiments conducted in 150-ml shake
flasks, although the final OD values were in the 4-6 range. Future experiments
will investigate potential oxygen mass transfer limitations in the 24-well
plate experiments and the influence of kanamycin on
specific growth rate.
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Landwehr, Justin |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Statistics, NCSU |
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Research |
Thomas Reiland/Statistics,
NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Optimizing Salaries in the
NHL Before and After the Lockout |
Under the newly implemented
NHL salary cap, owners and general managers must allocate salaries with extreme
care and planning. We examine at which salaries offensive players produce most
per dollar in the seasons immediately prior to and following the lockout. We
develop a model that determines optimal salary allocation in terms of
additional games won.
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Mulholland, Gregory J. |
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Dept &
College or
University:
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Electrical
and Computer Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Veena Misra/Electrical and Computer Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Development
of High-k Dielectric Thin Films for Electrolyte Replacement in Nanoscale Redox-Active Charge
Storage Elements |
Dynamic Random Access
Memory (DRAM) is a highly inefficient charge storage mechanism. While, in an
ideal system, DRAM capacitors would hold a charge indefinitely, in practice
they are refreshed approximately every 10ms. This wastes power, significantly
decreasing the battery life of embedded devices. We have investigated a class
of naturally capacitive organic molecules, namely porphyrins,
to store charge at low voltages. Current methods, however, have always involved
a liquid or gel electrolyte to contact the device and thus do not lend
themselves strongly to industrial fabrication. By investigating the use of
high-k dielectric layers to augment and eventually replace the electrolyte, I
have been able to show that the solid layers improve the lifetime of the
molecules and do not significantly decrease the overall molecular signature.
This ultra thin high-k dielectric deposition is achieved by using Atomic Layer
Deposition (ALD). This process allows very fine control of film quality and
thickness. By depositing Aluminum Oxide and Hafnium Oxide, I have compared the
effect of changing the dielectric constant on the molecular layer. The
dielectric is an important factor, because the electrolyte has strong
dielectric properties of its own. By showing the increased lifetime of the
devices and molecules’ survival of ALD, we have opened the door for
further research into feasible solutions for a top metal. Without the
replacement of electrolyte in the system, molecular RAM will remain but a
chemistry laboratory experiment. In a solid state configuration, these devices
are viable market alternatives to current products available today.
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Munilla, Samuel R. |
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Dept &
College or
University:
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Computer
Science, NCSU |
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Research |
R. Michael
Young/Computer Science, NCSU |
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Title of
Presentation: |
LongBoard, an
Intelligent Storyboarding Tool |
Storyboards are
used in cinema to aid directors and cinematographers in visualizing a scene and
in organizing ideas before committing resources to filming. An intelligent
storyboarding tool could provide users with 3D renders of sketches and give the
user an improved visualization of a scene. LongBoard
seeks to provide such an intelligent storyboarding interface. The LongBoard system consists of three parts: a tablet PC
client, used to receive and parse input from the user; a camera planner, used
to solve geometric constraints and generate camera actions; and a 3D game
engine, used to render the specified scene and carry out camera actions. Input
to the system comes from in the form of sketches of each desired shot that
indicate character placement and camera movement as well as annotations that
specify shot order and other actions. This input is converted to an XML-based
scheme that is passed to a camera planner. The camera planner uses the abstract
parameters provided to solve any geometric constraints and generates a set of
camera actions, which correspond to the shots outlined. This set of actions is
then passed to the game engine. The engine then executes the given camera
actions in order, renders the resulting scene to video, and passes that video
back to the tablet client.
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Oraby, Sarah |
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Dept &
College or
University:
|
NCSU |
|
Research |
Glenn Walker/Biomedical
Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of
Presentation: |
Characterization
of a Film-based Photoresist for Micromolding |
Micromolding is a less expensive and more efficient microfabrication technique for microfluidic
applications than traditional silicon micromachining. However, a need exists
for innovative techniques that will improve the turnaround time and lower the
costs of micromolding. The current process for micromolding requires spinning a high-aspect ratio photoresist, such as SU-8, onto a wafer, exposing the
wafer, and then developing. The resulting master wafer is then used as a
positive relief from which polymer molds can be cast. However, drawbacks to
this process include the cost of the equipment and duration of time necessary
for the master wafer completion. The purpose of this research project was to
find a more practical procedure to meet the needs of micromolding
and to characterize the procedure. To reduce the time and cost for micromolding, a lithographic photoresist
polymer film, DuPont MX 9050, was used in place of SU-8 spin-on photoresist. Specific attributes of the process such as
baking times, exposure times, lamination onto the wafer and development were
characterized to find the optimum conditions. The time for fabricating a master
wafer was reduced from an average of 5 hours to less than 1 hour using the new
film-based procedure.
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Powell,
Eve M. Eagle,
Michael |
|
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Dept & College or
University:
|
Computer Science,
UNC-Charlotte |
|
Research |
Tiffany Barnes/Computer
Science, UNC-Charlotte |
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Title of Presentation: |
Game2Learn |
Enrollments in computing-related
fields have been steadily dropping, and at faster rates for women and
underrepresented minorities. Our Game2Learn project seeks to alleviate this
imbalance by developing games to teach computer science that appeal to both
women and other minorities. We hope to learn from the appeal of massively
multiplayer online role-playing games that have proven to be especially
successful in attracting a large female and minority fan base. In a
role-playing game, players take the part of a character in the game?s story. Players develop
their characters by influencing the character’s resources and experience.
In a Game2Learn game, the player will also develop programming skills. We
hypothesize that the games will motivate students to spend more time learning
than with traditional methods. Our long-term goal is to motivate students to
play our MMORPG, using the game to learn the fundamentals of computer science
and even create custom spells and character abilities. Toward that goal, we
have developed two simple games to supplement a computer science course and
boost understanding of introductory computer science concepts. Each game
included quests for teaching if-then, iteration, and nested loops. We conducted
a usability study, where students who recently completed the first introductory
class played both games. We found that the best quests were those that allowed
players to visualize what happened when they made small changes in a program,
as in the Egg Drop Quest in my game that teaches about loop boundaries. We also
found that students needed more instructions on how to play the games, and did
not take the games seriously unless the learning in-game was obviously tied to
player performance. We are using these results in making our next round of
games to teach functions and arrays.
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Rhoden,
John J. |
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Dept & College or
University:
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Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, NCSU |
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Research |
Michael Weiger/Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering, NCSU |
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Title of Presentation: |
Role of PI 3-kinase during
Fibroblast Cell Spreading and Migration |
Cell spreading and migration involve surface attachment and cytoskeletal reorganization, leading to membrane extension and ultimately cell polarization, processes that are stimulated and coordinated through intracellular signal transduction pathways. In fibroblasts and many other cells, activation of the