Mathematical Dynamics of Fluid Motion Inside of a Spherical Boundary

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Taylor Killian and Dr. Tadd Truscott, Department of Mechanical Engineering Goal The purpose of the proposed research was to mathematically define and model the flow of fluid within a partially filled sphere. The goal of this modeling was to aid the study of the effects an enclosed fluid had on its boundary. We desired to […]

Optical Characterization of Optofluidic Waveguides Using Scattered Light Imaging

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Micah Jenkins and Dr. Aaron Hawkins, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering One exciting field of research within optics involves using on chip optical waveguides as biological sensors. Dr. Aaron Hawkins and his team of students have worked to develop a platform for bio-sensing using ARROW’s (anti-resonant reflecting optical waveguides) to confine light to a […]

Capillary Action in a Rectangular Micro-Channel

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Jeffrey Hendricks and Dr. Tadd Truscott, Department of Mechanical Engineering The study of fluid flow on a microscale has become of increasing interest in recent years. We have studied the effects of capillary action in a micro-channel with a rectangular cross-section having a large width to height ratio. In general, capillary action allows fluid to […]

Charcoal Briquette Manufacturing in the Uros Islands of Peru

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Aaron Harrison and Dr. Vincent Wilding, Department of Chemical Engineering The Uros Islands in Peru, also known as the floating islands on Lake Titicaca, are made from reeds by the inhabitants. These reeds serve not only as shelter, but also as the main cooking fuel for nine months of the year. During the other three […]

Stand-Alone Lance for Nanoinjection of DNA

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Mark Fernelius and Dr. Larry Howell, Department of Mechanical Engineering Technologies for injecting DNA into egg cells have greatly facilitated genetic research. Microinjection is a current standard for this purpose. It uses a hollow glass needle to inject a solution containing DNA into cells. Although widely used, microinjection has several significant challenges. First, the DNA […]

An Improved Estimation of Passive Wrist Stiffness Using Various Techniques

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Will Drake and Dr. Steven Charles, Department of Mechanical Engineering The wrist plays a vital yet frequently overlooked role in positioning and supporting the hand during activities of daily living. Particularly during low-level activities (such as typing), passive joint stiffness dominates wrist dynamics and constitutes the main obstacle to motion. In spite of its importance, […]

Combustion-Driven Water Heating in Huatta, Peru: A Solution for Third-World Countries

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Brandon Decker and Dr. Matt Jones, Department of Mechanical Engineering This group aimed to construct a system that heated water to at least 38°C (100 OF) – warm enough for bathing, dish washing, and washing hands. Our goal was to create a system inexpensive and simple enough for implementation in Huatta, Peru. We also aimed […]

Modular Containerized Provisional Habitations for Emergency Disaster Relief

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Matthew Butler and Professor Brian Capt, School of Technology Perhaps the greatest challenge to this project was determining which materials to use in the construction of the modules. There are a multitude of materials that could have been used for the project, many of which might have worked well for the designated use. The shelters have […]

Tapered Photoresist in the Manufacture of Nanosieves

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Meagan Bracken and Dr. Aaron Hawkins, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering The purpose of this project was to assist in the manufacturing of nanosieves. The device is designed to separates nano-size particles from the fluid substance in which they are contained. An example of this, and one of the main targets of this project, is the […]