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Developing Hybrid Renewable Solutions for Residential Living
No full textElectricity generation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, driving utilities and individuals to seek cleaner alternatives. Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRES) integrate multiple renewable sources to enhance efficiency and reliability. This project aimed to design an HRES capable of sustaining a residential home during outages. A Simulink model was developed to assess various renewable energy configurations, identifying the most effective system to meet the homeowner’s needs. The project concluded with recommendations to facilitate seamless implementation of the design
Analysis of the TOPTICA TeraScan System in the Terahertz Domain
No full textThe TOPTICA TeraScan product is capable of producing waves from 1- 1200 GHz and therefore can be used for numerous measurements relating to developing technologies for wireless communication, especially as frequencies get higher and technologies beyond 5G are explored. This experiment seeks to characterize the physical properties to verify agreement with manual specifications and create an optical system to measure small samples and determine their absorption and attenuation coefficients. We found a path difference of 30 cm for this Terascan system, and designed an optical system capable of obtaining a spatial resolution of approximately twice the wavelength, which was tested and confirmed over the 300-600 GHz region
Assessing Microplastic Pollution in Swiss Waterways
No full textBeneath the surface of even the clearest waters lie hidden contaminants: microplastic particles. Today, microplastics spread extensively across the globe while remaining undetectable to the naked eye. In collaboration with the Institute of Applied Plastics Research, we assessed current microplastic levels in Swiss waterways to develop a plan to raise public awareness. We sampled multiple waterways across Switzerland, surveyed locals to assess understanding, and interviewed environmental organizations. Our research revealed microplastic contamination throughout each waterway, and a higher public understanding but lack of environmental interest. We found that engaging social media campaigns and targeted educational programs will assist in raising microplastic awareness
Disrupting Higher Education
No full textThis study examines whether higher education is at risk of disruption by alternative pathways, by looking at the history of higher education, its challenges, and the benefits of alternatives. Through the use of survey data and chi-square tests, no significant relationships were found between student satisfaction, curriculum, and alternative education preferences. Despite dissatisfaction with traditional institutions, they remain dominant due to their social importance. The findings suggest that disruption, if possible, will likely come from within, rather than external alternatives
Using Head Impact Sensors to Measure Accelerations to the Head Using Different Mountain Bikes
No full textThrough measurement of intensity of acceleration and deceleration of the head in intense activity, one can classify the level of trauma the brain likely faces during those activities. These measurements can then be used to find the HIC value and subsequently classified through the AIS chart regarding head impacts. The rough terrain, high speeds, and intensity of movement in mountain biking makes the sport an interesting area to study regarding sub concussive impacts due to the head being subject to many translational and rotational accelerations. By placing a sensor inside of a securely fastened helmet during mountain biking, we can measure the acceleration vs time the brain is facing, and enter this data into the HIC equation, resulting in an AIS classification number to classify the head injury. In this project, we have gathered data for multiple trials across 3 bike types, the XC, Hardtail (HT), and Enduro (E), across 2 different trails, to plot and understand the impacts the head faces while mountain biking depending on these factors. Regarding trail 1, for all bike types tested, there was minimal trauma to the head. Only a singular trial on the Enduro bike resulted in an AIS value of 1, indicating a greater chance of headaches or dizziness. The x and z accelerations averaged every second for each bike, do not display such changes in acceleration, resulting in no AIS values greater than 0. Regarding trail 2, for all the bikes tested, there was some trauma in the head in the Y direction, with 12 out of the 15 trials resulting in an AIS score of 1. However, for the x and z directions, the AIS score over all 15 trials is 0. Based on our data set, it is likely that there is not much difference in head injury across bike types, but rather it is the trail type that matters. Furthermore, the y-direction (up and down) is the only direction that experiences enough force to cause an AIS value over 1, and the other directions do not have to be worried about outside of extraneous circumstances. The data collected provides a great starting point for further studies testing the impact of trail and bike type on head trauma during mountain biking
RNAi-based Loss-of-Function Suggests Nonessential Roles of Sec3/MyTH1 in Exocytosis and that Lyk5 Serves as the Chitin Receptor in Physcomitrium patens
No full textThe transport of exocytic cargo-carrying vesicles from the late-Golgi to the plasma membrane (PM) is critical for polarized cell growth and development. However, there is a limited understanding of how this process is regulated in plants. The Exocyst Complex and the Stomatal Cytokinesis Defective Complex play key roles in exocytosis, and their respective membrane binding subunits, Sec3 and MyTH1, are key for vesicular tethering to the plasma membrane with PI(4,5)P₂s due to their PH domains. We hypothesized that a decreased availability of PI(4,5)P₂s would result in a worsened phenotype for Sec3 or MyTH1 RNAi. Our findings did not support this; however, they suggest that both Sec3 and MyTH1 may hold nonessential roles in exocytosis but are necessary for optimal polarized secretion. Exocytosis is also critical in plant immunity due to the role it plays in vesicle trafficking and cell signaling and communication. Chitin, a component of the cell wall of pathogenic fungi, is an elicitor to the plant immune system. In Arabidopsis, the Lyk5 receptor plays a key role in recognizing chitin to prompt plant defenses. In this study, we investigated the effects of chitin oligosaccharides on plant morphology and size and assessed the role that Lyk5 plays in the chitin perception in P. patens. Our findings were consistent with our hypothesis that Lyk5 is the primary chitin receptor in moss; In both cases, loss-of-function analysis helped evaluate our hypothesis regarding the gene's role in plant growth and immunity
Functional analysis of the exocyst and SCD complexes in moss
No full textPlants are essential sources of food, medicine, and renewable fuel for the world, and their ability to utilize carbon dioxide and stabilize soil makes the study of plant growth mechanisms an avenue towards reducing climate change. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of plants will allow for future enhancement and control of their growth. We utilize the moss model organism Physcomitrium patens to study plant growth via the process of exocytosis, in which vesicles fuse to the plasma membrane at the tip of the cell and deliver molecular cargo. Unique to many plant cells is the Stomatal Cytokinetic Defective (SCD) complex. The SCD complex is essential for vesicle trafficking to the plasma membrane, an important mechanism of cell growth in exocytosis. Major subunits of the SCD complex are SCD1, SCD2, and MyTH1, which have been previously shown to be crucial for polarized cell exocytosis by regulating RabE proteins involved in vesicle fusion to the plasma membrane in Arabidopsis thaliana. These results have not yet been demonstrated in P. patens. In this project, we investigated the localization, function, and conservation of the SCD1 protein in moss. We used an Adenine Phosphoribosyl Transferase (APT) based RNA interference (RNAi) system to reduce the function of SCD1 in cells and selectively study the phenotypes from plants that expressed the RNAi of the gene of interest. Complementation assays were conducted to attempt to rescue the loss-of-function SCD1 phenotypes. We hypothesized that SCD1 function is highly conserved between P. patens and A. thaliana and investigated this using chimeric SCD1 proteins containing domains from both P. patens and A. thaliana. Quantitative morphology analysis was performed on RNAi mutants and rescued cells using ImageJ macros and a deep learning model developed for image segmentation and analysis. A significant phenotypic difference was consistently observed in plants with SCD1 knockdown. We observed a restoration of the healthy phenotype with the expression of SCD1 coding sequence from P. patens and the chimeric SCD1 proteins, suggesting partial conservation of the function of the SCD1 WD40 and DENN domains. Furthermore, timelapse growth movies confirmed that SCD1 knockdown decreases the distance a cell grows but does not impact mitotic events. We further hypothesized that SCD1 colocalizes with the exocyst complex on the plasma membrane to facilitate vesicle exocytosis. Movement patterns and spatial positions were captured in vivo for SCD1, VAMP72 (a vesicle membrane protein), Sec6, and Sec15 (the latter two proteins are constituents of each subcomplex of the exocyst complex) in P. patens tip cells using a spinning disk confocal microscope and a scanning confocal microscope. Several Noise2Void algorithms were trained to denoise all confocal images of each protein of interest. The resulting denoised images were analyzed with ImageJ Fiji software, including the Coloc2 and ExoJ plugins. Analyses revealed a small amount of colocalization between SCD1 and Sec6 near the apical point of the plasma membrane, however, more confocal image data and improved analytical techniques are required for reliable quantitative analysis. ExoJ analysis isolated probable exocytic vesicle fusion events along with many unique vesicle movement patterns across the plasma membrane. Our results and the robust computational tools developed to analyze them demonstrate the partial conservation of SCD1 domains across plant species, colocalization of SCD1 and the exocyst complex at the apical point of the plasma membrane, and the pivotal functions of the exocyst and SCD complexes in exocytosis and cell growth
Drinking adaption
No full textThis project focuses on designing and developing an innovative attachment for drinking vessels, aimed at enhancing accessibility and comfort for individuals with limited hand mobility. The objective was to create an adaptable solution allowing users to independently lift and handle various drinking vessels. The design process began with brainstorming a wide variety of attachment mechanisms, including ratchet straps, hook-and-loop, and push-on systems. The project also investigated various lip designs and material selections to ensure durable and ergonomic bottle handling. After testing two final designs, the Grip Push-On was selected for its simplicity, comfort, and adaptability to various bottle sizes. The final design, made from high durability silicone and Durable (Formlabs) Resin, ensures aesthetic appeal and reliable performance. The Steady Sip was tested to ensure it provided sufficient grip while remaining possible for our user to attach and lift. Additionally, the team developed a manufacturing plan utilizing injection molding to optimize user comfort and cost-efficiency
Sound Source Localization System
No full textSound Source Localization (SSL) is the process of identifying the location of a sound source in a given environment. This project develops an SSL system for human and robot interactions. The system uses a Raspberry Pi, High Precision AD HAT, and four MAX9814 microphones to capture audio signals, extract features such as voltage levels and time differences, and train a model for accurate source prediction. The final system achieves 90% accuracy, establishing a foundation for scalable auditory applications in robotics
Determination of vancomycin dosage of pH-responsive liposomes for targeted delivery to Staphylococcus epidermidis
No full textStaphylococcus epidermidis costs hospitals approximately 2 billion dollars annually in the United States as it is one of the leading causes of hospital-related and medical device-associated infections. S. epidermidis forms biofilms, which are communities of cells encapsulated in a self-produced matrix. This biofilm makes S. epidermidis infections difficult to treat, often requiring high doses of vancomycin, which can be toxic to the kidneys. The goal of this project was to create stable, pH-responsive liposomes with a neutral charge in the bloodstream that dissembles when protonated at the anionic biofilm exterior to release vancomycin, ultimately reducing vancomycin levels in the bloodstream and digestive tract. Evaluation of the liposome properties revealed the loaded liposome formulation produces uniform stable particles with a size of 161.9 nanometers and near neutral surface charge of 0.04 millivolts. Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry was evaluated as a method to quantify encapsulated vancomycin. An encapsulation efficiency of 1.8% was calculated. Future work will focus on optimizing the separation protocol to enable reliable calculation of encapsulation efficiency. Once established, the loaded liposomes should be tested against planktonic S. epidermidis and mature biofilms to assess therapeutic potential