Journal of Undergraduate Research

Simeon Smith and Dr. Anton Bowden, Mechanical Engineering Department Three-dimensional computer models are commonly used to understand and analyze pathological conditions of the spine. Models of the spine are most beneficial when they match each patient’s spinal geometry. Currently, making a model for a specific patient is a long, multi-step process that must be started […]

Kyle Smith and Dr. Mark Colton, Mechanical Engineering Dept Introduction The purpose of this project was to develop a simple process to manufacture a useful and affordable prosthetic leg to be made available to below-the-knee amputees in a sub-Saharan African country. This project was motivated by a desire for learning and experience and also by […]

John Sessions and Dr. Anton Bowden, Mechanical Engineering Background It is reported by the American Academy of Orthopeadic Surgeons that in 2005, 24% of the population sought treatment for back pain [1]. Additionally, Americans spent over $85.9 billion (2005) on health treatment costs related to back problems with the vast majority being connected to disc […]

Peter Jepsen and Dr. Anton Bowden, Mechanical Engineering Amputees in developing countries struggle to find employment because of their disabilities, but also struggle to afford the artificial limbs that are available to them. Further compounding the problem is the lack of comfortable fitting prosthetics, which are hard to find and design even in advanced nations. […]

Ryan B. George and Dr. Scott L. Thomson, Mechanical Engineering Ladybug wing and body kinematics during takeoff is explored using high-speed stereoscopic imaging. Recordings of the specimens during flight are acquired at a rate of 3000 frames per second. A direct linear transformation algorithm is performed using custom implementation in Matlab to quantify positions of […]

Jared Geddes and Dr. Robert Todd, Mechanical Engineering The research that I conducted this year was in the area of sustainable building materials. I worked with a team of six engineers to develop a sustainable building material that would be able to withstand the heavy monsoon rains common to the area of Beira, Mozambique. Every […]

Carl Ellingson Background The idea of this project was to research prosthetic leg designs in an effort to create a below-the-knee prosthetic device. The goal was to come up with a device that could be used in third world countries where the need is most considerable. In the past year we have come up with […]

Russell Dibb, David Williams, and Dr. Mark Colton, Mechanical Engineering Department The purpose of the prosthetic leg project was to research and design a below-the-knee prosthetic leg that could be used in developing countries. Many prosthetic legs that are currently on the market are very expensive and difficult to manufacture in undeveloped areas of the […]

Jesse Davis and Dr. C. Greg Jensen, Mechanical Engineering I have been involved with Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) since January 2008. The goal of this organization involving industry sponsors and student teams is to teach and foster engineering collaboration in today’s global market. Various projects are undertaken in PACE, but […]

John Christiansen and Dr. Mark Colton, Mechanical Engineering Dept Introduction The purpose of this project was to develop a simple process to manufacture a useful and affordable prosthetic leg to be made available to below-­‐the-­‐knee amputees in a sub-­‐ Saharan African country. This project was motivated by a desire for learning and experience and also […]