Apparatus to Measure the Performance and Manufacturability of the Multiple-Layer Floating-Opposing Arm Centrifugal Force Clutch

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Derek Wright and Dr. Robert Todd, Mechanical Engineering Centrifugal force clutches are used around the globe in devices from washing machines to garden tillers. Considering methods of reducing the cost of such clutches, the Utah Center of Excellence for Compliant Mechanism Research developed a fully compliant version, known as the Floating- Opposing Arm Centrifugal Force […]

MRI RF Receiver and Transmitter Design

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David A. Thayer and Dr. Travis E. Oliphant, Electrical and Computer Engineering Radiofrequency (RF) transmitters and receivers are a critical component in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These are the components used for imaging. The goal of this project was to design an RF transmitter and receiver. Both were successfully designed and implemented. RF Receiver Design […]

Polymers Functioning as Artificial Muscles

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Nicholas Stanonis and Dr. William Pitt, Chemical Engineering Current research in the field of polymers has led to the development of synthetic muscles that function similar to biological muscles. Scientists have engineered polymers to contract up to one thousand times their original volume when exposed to changes in light, temperature, voltage, or pH. The ability […]

Catalyst Regeneration/Wax Solubility

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Steven Gale Smith and Dr. Calvin Bartholomew, Chemical Engineering Catalysts are widely used throughout many industries to decrease reaction time and make processes economically favorable. In the synthetic fuels industry a catalyst is used to convert carbon monoxide gases (CO) to hydrocarbon liquids (CnH2n+2). In this process, the catalyst becomes coated with the heavier hydrocarbon […]

Design and Preparation of a Ni Steam Reforming Catalyst

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Phillip R. Smith and Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew, Chemical Engineering Background Steam reforming catalysts play an essential role in the production of hydrogen, which is an essential fuel, feedstock, and reactant in the worldwide chemical industry. These steam reforming catalysts use a finely dispersed metal, supported on a porous ceramic material, to produce hydrogen from […]

Determining Biomass Particle Properties via Digital Imaging

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Justin Scott and Dr. Larry Baxter, Chemical Engineering Introduction Understanding the devolatilization and combustion of biomass (sawdust, agricultural waste, etc.) will lead to better use of this renewable fuel source. The overall goal of the project is to write a computer model that can accurately predict what will occur during biomass combustion. The research conducted […]

Optical Measurements of Diesel Soot Formation

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Michael Joseph Richards and Dr. Dale Tree, Mechanical Engineering Introduction The purpose of this project was to aid in the research of Kenth Svensson, PhD. student at BYU. I was able to perform many vital tasks in preparation for data acquisition. The proposal which we submitted named three tasks which were measuring and mapping the […]

Low-Power Reference String Design for CMOS Flash Analog-to- Digital Converters

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Daniel W. Pulsipher and Dr. Craig Petrie, Electrical and Computer Engineering Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) play a prominent role in modern electrical systems. The environment in which we live consists primarily of analog signals, information-carrying waveforms continuous in time and value. Because of this continuous characteristic, analog signals are difficult to store and manipulate. Digital signals […]