Office of Undergraduate Research

Réka Aczél

Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Liquefaction

The objective of this research is to learn and perform triaxial tests on loose saturated sand using a plane strain setup. Such a research compliments an ongoing research on soil liquefaction. The research also includes computer simulations focusing on developing a numerical model of the liquefaction phenomena. Therefore, I will attend one of the National Computational Science Institute's (NCSI) workshop this summer to acquire the necessary training for the development of the numerical simulation. The results from the triaxial test will contribute to the database for liquefaction studies. The computer modeling will be used to demonstrate the soil liquefaction for students from grades 4 - 12 as a part of the College of Engineering educational outreach program.

Sarah Alison-Youel

Method for Distributing Bellows Mechanism in TES Composite

Paraffin has excellent latent heat properties, which make it popular for use in thermal energy storage devices. However, paraffin's volume increases as it liquefies. Micro-balloons have been proven to be an effective way of dealing with the paraffin's volume change. Therefore, a method for evenly distributing micro-balloons in paraffin is needed. Research for finding and documenting this method is proposed.

Drew Buchanan

Study of the Properties of C 2 F 6 and C 2 H 3 F 3 Mixtures Using Ramen Spectroscopy

In previous work from our laboratory on binary supra critical (the temperature above which the liquid state cannot exist) system was carried out on spherical molecules about 100K above T C (the critical temperature) [1]. Now we propose to investigate a binary mixture just above its T C . This mixture is 1,1,1-trifluoroethane/perfluoroethane at a ratio of 1:9 (this is designated R-143a/R-116 by refrigeration engineers, which we will utilize, as it is a more compact name). These systems could find potential use as "clean" refrigerant mixtures in air conditioners. Moreover, there is basic physical information to be found since very little is presently available about non-spherical binary mixtures near their T C values.

Michele Cannella

From Pac-Man to Grand Theft Auto: The Evolution of Video Games from 1989-2005

Video games are a major part of society, making it impossible to ignore their influence (Scharrer, 2004). Controversy has ensued about the nature of the games' content with the rapid evolution of new games striving to outperform their predecessor. This study will examine the representation of violence, gender, and sexual content within the articles of popular gaming magazines by coding each article based on specific criteria. The data collected will be analyzed and reported in an attempt to inform interested parties of the effects the articles will render on society and the need, if any, to censor the information presented in the magazines.

Lisa Carpenter

Acquisition of Gendered Language in Japanese ESL Learners

This project will be a study on acquisition of gendered language in Japanese ESL (English as a second language) learners. Linguistics has laid the foundation for research on gender and on culture, but the two are only more recently being overlapped in linguistic research. With this study, I will show if the gendered English language we know so well as Americans (masculine dominance and outspokenness and female politeness and supportiveness) transfers to second language learners of English and what effect this has on the learner, how it is learned, and what connotations come with it.

Namit Chawla

Software Project Progress Assessment and Prediction via Metrics Analysis and Visualization

Executives, managers, investors and other stakeholders have a stringent necessity to be informed correctly and frequently of the precise status of an ongoing project. Human resources, time, budget constraints, and scope of a project are some of the factors that play a large role in the everyday life of a project manager. Project managers must verify that all customer requirements are satisfied and business goals are met as scheduled. A simple mistake or imprecise information received can lead to catastrophies in the short or the long run, for any given company.

I am proposing a metrics-based project status assessment and prediction tool, which will allow software project managers to find and estimate accurate information about an ongoing project, and thus be able to avoid risks and optimize development.

Victoria Lisowski

The role of Netrin-1 in Longitudinal Axon Guidance

Axon guidance in the developing brain is the process by which neurons travel down specific pathways to correctly wire the central nervous system. There currently are many molecules that have been identified for their specific role in axon guidance. My project is to test the role of one signaling molecule, Netrin-1 in the chicken embryonic mid- and hind brain, to understand its function in axon guidance.

Alex Marcy

Determination of Drying Curves for Wastewater Sludge

A process for drying sludge, a byproduct of wastewater treatment, has been proposed, which utilizes geothermal heat to accomplish moisture removal. The sludge, initially composed of 20% solids is to be made into a dry solid containing 70% solids. This project is looking at the drying effect of varying temperature at constant relative humidity. The information obtained in this project, in conjunction with other projects mentored by Dr. Charles Coronella, will be combined and applied to the overall process, to eventually look into creating useful energy i.e. electricity from the dried sludge.

Wyatt Musnicki

The Determination of Drying Curves for Waste Water Sludge at Variable Temperatures

A proposal has been developed by several Chemical engineering faculty to design a system to dry waste water sludge that will produce a possible renewable energy source. The moisture content of the waste water sludge as it exits a water reclamation site is high, so in order to use it as a potential fuel it must be dried. Since little information is known about the sludge's drying characteristics, it is important to research the drying characteristics in order to design an efficient system. One of the main goals of this proposal is to determine the sludge's drying characteristics at several different temperatures. This will be a piece of the main research project that will correspond to other research by the Chemical engineering faculty and additional undergraduate students. The main emphasis is to determine the properties using equipment that can accurately measure the sludge's properties at certain conditions. Then using this information an efficient drying process can be designed where the dried sludge could be sold at a profit as a renewable energy source.

Saori Muta

Exploration of a New Mouse Model for Muscular Dystrophy Using Gene Targeting Technology

Integrins are important muscle proteins that have recently been shown to be responsible for a form of muscle disease in children. A new protein called MIBP has been shown to associate with integrins in muscle. Using gene targeting technologies, this project aims to produce a MIBP knockout mouse to investigate the role of the integrin associated protein in muscle development disease.

Candace Myers

Developing a Novel Strategy to Identify Functionally Important Sites of Protein Phosphorylation

The funds requested are in order to provide supplemental support for me, Candace Myers, to develop a novel strategy to identify functionally important sites of protein phosphorylation in Arabidopsis thaliana. These sites represent potential control points for all aspects of plant growth, including responses to both living and nonliving stress, so that one day, healthier and more robust plants may be engineered.

Ryan Ravenelle

Determination of Sludge Equilibrium Moisture Content Applicable to Use of Low-Temperature Geothermal Waste Heat for Drying Waste-Water Sludge

The Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility (TMWRF) currently produces around 300 tons/day of waste sludge. The sludge is comprised of approximately 80% water and 20% solids making it difficult find useful applications for it. The objective of this research project is to study the equilibrium moisture content of the sludge using a moisture-balance, giving a target value of achievable moisture content. With this information, further study can be conducted under varied conditions to determine an effective drying process. The dried sludge can be used for a variety of processes, including electricity generation and farming.

Audrey Snyder

Sound Mediations

This project combines elements of performance art, sculpture installation, and musical composition. The completed project will be presented as part of my thesis work to be exhibited in the Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery in the spring of 2006. In Sound Mediations, I will create a series of simple audio feedback systems using modified micro-cassette recorders, blank micro-cassettes, and small speakers. These systems will be used in a live performance during which I will compose ambient sound tracks. I will act as a mediator of a system in which sound or "music" is produced from feedback created by the material properties of the tape, the recorders, and the speakers themselves.

Yon Sohn

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Conductive Organic Molecules

The objective of this project is to determine whether scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is a viable method to study the conductive behavior of various conductive organic molecules and how they arrange themselves relative to the substrate. Scanning tunneling microscopy will be used to investigate the conductive behavior of 3,4,9,10-perylene diimide and 2,11-di-tert-butyl-triphenylene adsorbed on highly-oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG). 3,4,9,10-perylene diimide is force assembled by shearing the solution onto a clean graphite surface. 2,11-di-tert-butyl-triphenylene is allowed to self-assemble onto the substrate surface by immersing graphite into the solution. The images acquired from these specimens will be analyzed to study the conductive behavior and the arrangement onto the substrate.

Gene Wong

Synthesis of Water Soluble Phosphine Containing Labile Nitrogent Functionality

The use of water soluble phosphines as ligands is of great interest in the field of water soluble catalysis in green chemistry. The development
of the phosphines described here has the potential to produce more environmentally sound catalysts-specifically, aqueous phase catalysts
that can be easily recycled. In addition, these catalysts eliminate the need for potentially dangerous organic solvents. Our group's focus
has been the phosphine 1,3,5-triaza-7-phophaadamantane (PTA, figure 1). The ability to change organic substituents on PTA allows for
selective catalytic activity. This research extends our group's work beyond PTA into other water soluble phosphines.

David L. Young

Detection of Abnormal Growth Factor Expression in Diabetic Mice Using Microarray Analysis

Gastroparesis (slow emptying of the stomach) causes debilitating symptoms in 25-55% of diabetic patients. This condition affects all main cell types in the gastric muscles and has no cure. Diabetic complications are typically attributed to high blood sugar but recent studies have suggested that reduced expression of growth factors (insulin, insulin-like growth factors, stem cell factor) may play more important roles. I plan to identify additional growth factors that are reduced in the stomachs of diabetic mice by oligonucleotide microarray analysis of their expressed genome. The results may help the development of novel strategies to prevent and cure diabetic gastroparesis.

University of Nevada, Reno
Maintained by: Karin Saxon