Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

“Magic” Trapping Of Rydberg States For Quantum Information, Muir Morrison, Andrei Derevianko

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Recent experiments using neutral atoms to manipulate quantum information show promise for constructing a large-scale, practical quantum computer. Achieving such a quantum computer will require less destructive optical traps for the atoms. Using theoretical and computational tools, we consider the feasibility of one possible “magic” trap for rubidium. Preliminary results suggest such trapping may be possible, but more accurate calculations are necessary to reach definitive conclusion.

Investigation Of Structural And Magnetic Properties Of Iron Clusters Encapsulated In Carbon, Andrew Mohrland, Eunja Kim, Phillipe Weck, Pang Tao, Kenneth Czerwinski

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Our goal is to investigate and predict the properties of iron-carbon nanostructures by performing numerical calculations using the density-functional theory. We are interested in which nanostructures are most stable, and in how they are likely to form. We have a particular interest in the magnetic properties of carbon "buckyballs" containing iron particles. These structures have potential for biomedical application, including use in anti-cancer treatment. Lone iron clusters have potential for use as a catalyst designed to reduce vehicle emissions.

Characterization Of Ips Pini Ipsdienol Dehydrogenase (Idol Dh), Heidi Pak, Claus Tittiger, William Welch

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Ipsdienol is an important pheromone component for pine engraver beetle, Ips pini. Ipsdienol is a ten carbon monoterpenoid secondary alcohol and ipsdienone is the corresponding ketone. We are characterizing the activity of recombinant IDOL DH produced in Sf9 (insect) cells. The enzyme has a high stereospecificity: (-) ipsdienol was found to be a substrate while (+)-ipsdienol was neither a substrate nor inhibitor. Closely related monoterpenoids, such as nerol, geraniol, and citral, were neither substrates nor inhibitors. Smaller compounds, such as 2-propanol, also failed to act as an inhibitor or substrate. This indicates the binding site of this enzyme is highly …

High Pressure – Variable Temperature Studies On Pressure Transmitting Media, Vahe Mkrtchyan, Jason Baker, Matthew K. Jacobsen, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew Cornelius

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

The pressure transmitting medium is an important element in high pressure physics. A variety of pressure transmitting media exist including Silicone fluid, Daphne Oil, 4:1 Methanol:Ethanol mixture, etc. In this experiment, the hydrostatic limits of pressure transmitting media have been observed at low temperatures and high pressures. In this case, 4:1 Methanol: Ethanol has been used. The hydrostaticity of 4:1 Methanol:Ethanol has been well studied at room temperatures using the fluorescence of ruby by fitting the R1 and R2 lines to Pseudo-Voigt functions. The hydrostacity of the pressure medium was determined by analyzing the full width at half max (FWHM) …

X-Ray Diffraction On The Thermoelectric Silicides At High Pressure, Deep Patel, Ravhi S. Kumar, Andrew Cornelius

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Cobalt Silicide (CoSi2) is a transition metal disilicide that has gathered scientific interest due to its interesting thermoelectric properties and applications in silicon-based devices because of their high temperature stability. It has been reported that CoSi2 undergoes a phase transition at around 0.4 GPa and again at 13 GPa. Furthermore, at 13 GPa the material changes from a cubic cell to an orthorhombic cell, but details of the phase transition at 0.4 GPa could not be determined. To further study the properties of CoSi2 and understand its pressure induced phase changes, we recorded the structural behavior of CoSi2 under pressure.

Volatile Bubble Growth In The Aztec Wash Pluton, Brett Perry, Adam Simon, Rachael Johnsen

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Plutons are well preserved magma chambers that have been preserved in the rock record and allow the study of magmatic processes. Magma chambers are composed of silicate magmas, crystals, and volatiles. Volatiles are a key control in driving eruptive processes, which vent greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, thus a better understanding of the mechanisms of volatile transport within a pluton is necessary. Microscopy was used to analyze the size and density of cavities and feldspars from various stratigraphic sections of the pluton. Microscopy showed that cavities were a result of volatile partial pressure, as well as, a progressive increase in …

Hipsec X-Ray Diffraction And Infrared Spectroscopy Studies On Energetic Materials Under Extreme Conditions, Mai Huong Bausch, Yu Liu

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We conducted a series of experiments on the decompositions of the energetic materials NaBH4, NH3BH3, HMX, and RDX under different pressures using the x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique; we also studied the lesser known but high-performance explosive FOX-7’s behaviors under high pressures using the infrared spectroscopy (IR) technique. For the chemical decomposition of NaBH4 and NH3BH3 we discovered possible x-ray induced hydrogen gas generation; for the decomposition of HMX and RDX, we discovered that the decay rates of these two materials vary with pressure respectively; for the study of FOX-7’s high pressure behaviors we discovered potential phase changes and pressure induced …

In-Situ Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction Study Of Quartz Deformation Using The D-Dia Apparatus, May Sas, Dawn Pape, Brian Erickson, Sylvia-Monique Thomas, Pamela Burnley

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Deformation is a rock’s mechanical response to external parameters such as temperature and pressure. Knowledge of deformation is necessary to understand geodynamic processes. The behavior of rocks and minerals during deformation depends on the behavior of individual grains within those minerals as they interact. The mineral we are studying is quartz, which we chose since it is very well studied and is highly abundant. We use high-pressure high temperature experiments to simulate conditions of Earth’s interior and the D-DIA apparatus combined with synchrotron x-ray diffraction allows us to record data directly during the process of deformation. The data we collect …

Melt Inclusions In Volcanic Rocks, Kirellos Sefein, Kelly L. Robertson, Adam Simon

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We studied melt inclusions from Mutnovsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia as part of a larger project designed to contrain the eruptive history of Mutnovsky. Transmitted and reflected light petrographic microscopy was used to characterize melt inclusions in grain mounts of mineral separates, standard 30 micron thin sections, and 200 micron thick sections of the samples from the Mutnovsky. The inclusions were further divided into three main categories: recrystallized, partially recrystallized, and glassy inclusions. After all the melt inclusions have been categorized, they will be analyzed by using LA-ICP-MS to determine their major, minor and trace element compositions.

Computational Study Of Carbon Nanotubes Under Strain, Jeremy Feliciano, William Wolfs

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We perform computational studies of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using molecular dynamics simulations to examine the behavior of single-walled (SW) and multiwalled (MW) CNTs under large compressive and bending strains. We study the effects of defects, heating and chirality on their properties. Research on CNTs holds great promise for developing new advanced materials in applications ranging from high-strength composites to next-generation electronics.

Aspect Ratio Dependent Buckling Mode Transition In Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Under Compression, Jeremy Feliciano

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Using molecular dynamics simulations, we study axial compressive behavior of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with a wide range of aspect ratios (length to diameter ratio). It is shown that the difference in aspect ratio leads to distinct buckling modes in SWCNTs. Small-aspect-ratio SWCNTs primarily exhibit shell buckling; they switch to column buckling mode with increasing aspect ratio. Further compression of the already column buckled large-aspect-ratio SWCNTs results in a shell buckling. This shell buckling mode is distinct from that of small-aspect-ratio SWCNTs in that it originates from the column buckling induced bending deformation.

Elastic Plastic Self Consistent (Epsc) Modeling Of Plastic Deformation In Fayalite Olivine, Christopher J. Cline Ii, Pamela Burnley

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

We are using an Elastic Plastic Self Consistent Model (a type of numerical simulation) to study deformation of olivine. Olivine is one of the major constituents of the Earth’s upper mantle and its deformation properties have an important influence on how the Earth’s crust deforms. For example, the flow strength of olivine limits the size of the largest earthquakes and the heights of the tallest mountains on Earth. By comparing the results of our simulations with data from olivine deformation experiments we are able to better interpret the experimental data.

Has Recent Climate Change Caused A Genetic Bottleneck In A Sierra Nevada Population Of The Bushy-Tailed Woodrat?, Mitchell Gritts, Angela D. Hornsby, Majorie D. Matocq

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

Many montane species respond to climate change by shifting their range upslope as temperatures at lower elevations increase. An elevation range shift causes a range contraction that may result in a population bottleneck. Joseph Grinnell surveyed the fauna along the Yosemite transect from 1914 to 1920. In 2003 Craig Moritz and his colleagues began to resurvey the Yosemite transect to assess the faunal change during a century of climate change. The bushy-tailed woodrat suffered severe range contraction and population bottleneck between the two surveys. I will use evolutionary models to determine if the population has suffered a genetic bottleneck.

Event Program, Carl Reiber, Nicholle Booker

Festival of Communities: UG Symposium (Posters)

UNLV Undergraduates from all departments, programs and colleges participated in a campus-wide symposium on April 16, 2011. Undergraduate posters from all disciplines and also oral presentations of research activities, readings and other creative endeavors were exhibited throughout the festival.

Investigating The Potential For Nitrate-N Removal In Rhode Island Transient Headwater Streams, Molly Welsh, Kelly Addy, Art Gold, Suzanne Cox

Discovery@URI

Excess nitrogen (N) can have detrimental effects on the environment, particularly in coastal waters where inputs from septic systems and agricultural runoff can lead to algal blooms and hypoxic zones. However, transient headwater streams, which comprise a significant portion of streams in watersheds, may have the potential to remove N given their low flow rates, high surface to volume ratios, long retention times, and hydric soils. We investigated the physical characteristics and N removal capacity of transient headwater streams. Four bromide (Br) and nitrate-N slug tests were conducted in four streams in southern RI. Streams were sampled repeatedly as the …

Fluorescent Studies Of Peptidic Hemoglobin Binding Ligands, Chris Brackett, Brian Brennan, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Rotational Properties Of Trojan Asteroid 5209, Daniel Larocca, Linda French, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

We present VR photometric observations of several Trojan asteroids and of asteroid 5209 1 989 CW1. Trojan Asteroids are found in the L4 and L5 stable Lagrange points of Jupiter's orbit. These asteroids are farther away and generally more dim than Main Belt asteroids and have received less attention from observers in the past. By plotting the lightcurve of the asteroid, we were able to determine the rotation period and the lightcurve amplitude. The goal of this research is to eventually understand the collision history of the Trojan asteroids and to compare the asteroids to those in the Main Belt. …

Scanning Electrochemical Microscopic Imaging Of Taste Cells, Aaron Moore, Melinda Baur, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Particle Tracking And Aod Control, Nathaniel Wolanyk, Carl Mueller, Patrick Dahl, Evan Baker, Gabriel Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Creating A Simple Open Source Matlab Program Used To Control Adaptive Optics, Evan Baker, Carl Mueller, Patrick Dahl, Nathanial Wolanyk, Gabriel Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

B-Coloring Of Regular Graphs, Taole Zhu, Josh Brown-Kramer, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Monitoring The Electrochemical Activity Of Biological Samples Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy, Erica Woodall, Melinda Baur, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

The goal of the project is to develop the Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) as a tool to study the biological effects of oxidative damage on rat pheochromocytoma cells (PCI2 cells). SECM is a useful tool for the analysis of biological samples because the ultramicroelectrode tip of the probe can detect the presence of electrochemically active compounds such as neurotransmitters, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, while simultaneously characterizing the topography of the cell. The topography of the cell was determined by maintaining a constant distance between the tip of the electrode and the surface of the cell. In the collector mode, the …

Synthesis Of A Thirty Member Macrocycle For Use In Host-Guest Chemistry, Keith A. Lehuta, Rebecca Roesner, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Aberration Correction Methodologies, Patrick Dahl, Carl Mueller, Nathanial Wolanyk, Evan Baker, Gabriel Spalding, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Winter Abundance Of Red-Tailed Hawks (Buteo Jamaicensis) And American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius) In Human-Altered Landscapes In Northeastern And Central Illinois, Anna Groves, Vic Berardi, Faculty Advisor, Paul Sweet, Faculty Advisor, Angelo Capparella, Faculty Advisor, Gretchen Knapp, Faculty Advisor, Given Harper, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Ir Astrometry And Photometry Of The Abell 1882 Supergroup, Derrick Rohl, Linda French, Faculty Advisor, Percy Gomez, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

Previously observed characteristics of the Abell 1 882 supergroup show signs of early stages of cluster formation. Supergroups and clusters have already been studied, but the unique stage of Abell 1 882 will aid in understanding the process of galaxy cluster formation. The data set contains observations from the Infrared Side Port Imager at the 4.0-m Blanco telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) during May 2010. The data reduction process, unique challenges of working with infrared data, and preliminary results will be discussed.

Rohl worked with Gomez from January through March 201 1 as a research assistant with …

Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis, Elisabeth Sonta, Brian Brennan, Faculty Advisor

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Complete 2011 Program, John Wesley Powell Conference

John Wesley Powell Student Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Spectroscopic (Ir, Nmr, Uv-Vis), Theoretical Study And Optical Properties Of 9,10-Dihydrobenzo(A)Pyrene-7(8h)-One And 7, 8, 9, 10-Tetrahydrobenzo(A)Pyrene, Mireya Martinez

Undergraduate Research Conference

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are organic molecules found in the environment. The PAHs are formed from incomplete combustion, are found in diesel exhaust particles, grilled foods, gas burners, emission from wood, and cigarette smoke. These compounds are known to be carcinogenic and mutagenic1,2. Spectroscopic studies were performed on two PAHs, 9,10- dihydrobenzo(a) pyrene-7(8H)-one and 7,8,9,10- tetrahydrobenzo(a)pyrene, which helped to characterize them. Also, a theoretical infrared study was done on 9,10-H2BaP, a scaling factor was found for a simulated infrared spectrum.

Examining The Student Investment Roundtable's Funds, David Hernandez, Uriel Luna

Undergraduate Research Conference

To what extent are the factors of the Fama-French-Factor Asset Pricing Model related to rates of returns of the Stephen F. Austin State University Student Investment Roundtable Fund?

The Fama-French Model is believed to be a major improvement over the ever-popular Capital Asset Pricing Model, CAPM. The Capital Asset Pricing Model uses a single factor beta to compare the excess returns of a portfolio with the excess returns of the market as a whole, but is said to oversimplify the complex market. On the other hand, the Fama-French Model three-factor adds additional factors to the original CAPM equation. The Fama-French …