Sander Zandbergen with Tom ShuttReflectivity Measurements of Critical Materials for the LUX Dark Matter ExperimentThe key component of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) detector is measuring scintillation light from liquid xenon in order to detect particle dark matter in the form of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). Optimal performance...
Academic Year
Lisa Bauer with Robert BrownStatistics in Functional Magnetic Resonance ImagingWhile traditional Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used to visualize the structure of the body, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measures neural activity in the brain and spinal cord, providing a mechanism to study brain function. When an area of the...
Laura Boon with Daniel AkeribMonte Carlo Simulations of a Neutron DetectorCurrent work on dark matter points toward Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) as the leading candidate. As suggested by their name, these particles do not interact electrically with matter but rather through their gravitational fields. WIMPs are detected in...
Ernest Durbin with Gavin BuxtonDevelopment of a Discrete Model of Polymer Nanoparticles for Drug DeliveryChemotherapeutic agents have been found to be increasingly effective at fighting the growth of cancerous tumors. However, they can also have a devastating impact on healthy tissue and prove to be fatal to the patient....
Elizabeth Ehrke with Chih-Jen SungIgnition Conditions of Hydrogen in a Tubular ReactorThe practicality and safety of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles has been scrutinized since the design originated. This project will investigate the unique situations under which hydrogen fuel leaks can ignite and possibly cause an explosion. Various metals found...
Adam Erickson with Mano SinghamCommon Misconceptions in Electricity and MagnetismA great deal of problem solving in physics comes from our physical intuition. While this intuition may come more natural to some individuals as opposed to others, it certainly can be improved through experience. Through fundamentally introductory questions with counter...
Dustin Fisher with Harsh MathurPhantom Interference Effects in Quantum TunnelingIt has recently been observed that radioactive decay of certain isotopes exhibit an oscillatory exponential time dependence in a marked departure from the simple exponential behavior that is normally observed. A recent theoretical study of electrons tunneling...
Kyle Gaiser with Daniel Paxson (NASA) and James T’ienImproved Design of a Self-Actuated Valve for Pulsejet CombustorsPressure gain combustion is a developing area of research that attempts to achieve more efficient aircraft engines, which typically suffer pressure loss across the combustor. If instead, the pressure can be increased, more...
Katherine Hagen with Kathleen Horvath (Music) and Gary ChottinerAnalysis of Violin and Viola Vibrato Waveforms Vibrato is a series of expressive pitch oscillations produced by left hand movements on the violin and viola. This project aims to investigate the variations in vibrato waveforms between college-level and professional violinists and violists....
Jeremy Harchelroad with Dr. Carey Buxton (FBI Academy)Antenna Geometry and Behavior of Antennas Made of Low Conductance MaterialMuch research is done on antennas made of high conductance material, including measuring the radiation pattern and gain of antennas. However, this project will investigate antennas made of materials with a low...