Journal of Undergraduate Research

Karl Fails and Dr. Richard Rowley, Chemical Engineering The purpose of this study was to examine a new method for predicting elementary gas-phase reaction rates using molecular dynamics simulations. The diatomic substitution reaction: was to be used as a test model for its simplicity. Molecular dynamics simulations were to be used to calculate the motion […]

Xunhai Xu, Department of Chemical Engineering Introduction Recently, modem medical technology has enabled surgeons and other medical scientists to perform certain organ transplantation within human beings successfully. However, thromboembolization, the formation of thromboemboli (usually of irregular shapes with sizes approximately 10,000 times bigger than that of red blood cell), is likely to occur with such […]

Jesse Hamilton, Department of Chemical Engineering Introduction Many people in today’s society depend on devices that contact their blood. Devices such as dialyzers and blood oxygenators are used every day in hemodialysis or coronary bypass. More permanent fixtures are also used such as artificial kidneys and hearts. These devices are wonderful and have contributed to […]

Dean Wheeler, Chemical Engineering Purpose As described in the proposal submitted last year for this project, there is a great need to further understand the dynamics and processes of the nitrogenase system. Using this chemical system a limited number of microorganisms are able to break down atmospheric nitrogen so it may be used by other […]

Rochelle Phillips and Drs. William Hecker and Vincent Wilding, Chemical Engineering During the treatment of municipal wastewater, several means are used to accomplish the breakdown of the wastewater and its solid components into innocuous substances. At one point, the filtered solids are combined in a digester with various bacteria. These bacteria convert the waste into […]

Charles Larsen, Chemical Engineering Introduction During the 1960s, Dr. Thomas Brock studied life in the hot springs of Yellowstone National Park. There he found new strains of bacteria capable of living at temperatures above 75°C, which at the time represented the highest temperature at which life was known to exist. Dr. Brock’s discovery has sparked […]

Michael Le Bras and Dr. William G. Pitt, Department of Chemical Engineering Previous studies show that using antibiotic treatment together with ultrasound enhances the bactericidal effect of antibiotics on many bacterial species (6). The purpose of this research project is to apply these techniques to Streptococcus pneumoniae and the antibiotics ampicillin and gentamicin sulfate. The […]

Christopher M. Runyan and Dr. William G. Pitt, Chemical Engineering Introduction Our lab has investigated the use of low-frequency ultrasound as an adjuvant to antibacterial therapy. We have found that ultrasound can increase killing of certain combinations of antibiotics with bacteria. Ultrasound at very low frequencies, alone, may kill bacteria; however, these frequencies are harmful […]

Ethan A. Mastny and Dr. Calvin H. Bartholomew, Chemical Engineering The objective was to develop an efficient procedure for depositing silica washcoats onto cellular, ceramic monoliths while ensuring that the silica maintains its desired properties of surface area and pore structure and is stable against erosion. Catalyst coated ceramic monoliths find application in automotive emissions […]

Peter M. Crapo and Dr. Kenneth Solen, Chemical Engineering Stroke, heart attack, or other severe medical problems may arise when platelet aggregates block a patient’s blood vessels. These aggregates form when blood is exposed to foreign surfaces in biomedical equipment. When blood is first exposed to a foreign surface, platelets adhere to the surface. A […]