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Faculty Senate Agenda February 3, 2025
Get PDF3:00 Call to Order Approval of Revised Minutes 3:05 University Business 3:20 Faculty Senate Business 3:35 Information EPC Report 3:40 Report Office of Research Annual Report 3:45 New Business 3:50 Old Business Adjourn: 4:30 p
Geometric Algebra for Field Theory in Curved Spacetime
Get PDFPhysics seeks to understand the universe by uncovering the fundamental laws that govern matter, energy, space, and time. At its heart lies the challenge of unification: finding a mathematical framework that consistently describes these interactions across all scales, from the subatomic to the cosmological.
This thesis explores geometric algebra, a mathematical language that unifies algebra and geometry, as a tool for advancing this understanding. By extending this framework to curved spacetimes, where gravity influences the structure of space and time, we investigate its ability to describe physical phenomena such as electromagnetism and general relativity. A notable contribution includes the geometric algebraic treatment of physical units and dimensional analysis, whereby time, space, mass, charge, energy, and more are all incorporated directly into the mathematical framework.
Another key part of this work develops geometric calculus, a generalization of differentiation and integration, to study multivector fields in curved spaces. This allows us to represent Maxwell’s equations, which govern electromagnetism, in a compact and elegant form across different spacetime dimensions. The methods are then applied to analyze electrodynamics in a (2+1)-dimensional spacetime, offering insights into the true nature of electric and magnetic fields.
By merging physical principles with advanced mathematics, this thesis contributes to the ongoing search for frameworks that bridge the gap between classical and modern physics. The results suggest that geometric algebra holds promise for simplifying and unifying descriptions of physical laws, offering a powerful new lens for deeper insights into the fundamental nature of the universe
Functional Electrolytes Design and Study for Rechargeable Lithium-Metal, Sodium-Metal, and Magnesium Batteries
No full textAt present, the energy used by human society mainly comes from the transformation of fossil energy, such as oil, coal and natural gas. However, the two major problems of insufficient reserves and environmental pollution have made human society spare no effort in developing and using new energy. Energy such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and tidal energy are favored because of their abundant reserves, green and pollution-free nature. To overcome the challenges brought by their intermittent characteristics and store them correctly on a large scale, various physical energy storage and chemical energy storage methods have been developed. Among them, the battery in chemical energy storage is a small, portable, and highly efficient device, so it is widely favored by people and has been widely used in life, especially lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Although the cost of batteries has dropped significantly in recent years due to the expansion of electric vehicle production, market chaos and competition among electric vehicle manufacturers have led to an increase in the cost of key minerals (especially lithium) used in battery production. Secondly, with the development of LIBs, their energy density has also approached the limit.
To overcome the theoretical capacity limit of LIBs, research on lithium-metal batteries (LMBs) with higher energy density has been re-proposed. However, due to the high reactivity of lithium, the use of excessive lithium increases safety risks and reduces the energy density of LMBs. This contradiction has prompted the proposal of an anode-free lithium-metal battery configuration. Anode-free lithium-metal batteries (AFLMBs) have become promising candidates for solving the safety issues of LMBs due to their safer manufacturing process. However, the limited active materials and unfavorable interfacial reactions on the anode surface lead to the formation of an unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) and limited cycle life, which hinders their practical application. Therefore, finding a suitable strategy to improve the cycle stability of AFLMBs is of great significance for promoting the practical application of high energy density systems.
Regulating the composition of electrolytes, such as electrolyte additives, inert co-solvents, etc., is an effective and economical strategy to optimize the battery performance. The cycle stability of AFLMBs is thus improved by in-situ adjustment of the interface composition and the formation of a stable SEI layer. In the second chapter of this paper, the functional electrolyte chemistry of LMBs and AFLMBs is designed and studied. The synergistic effect of two additives is used to improve the cycle stability of ether-based electrolytes for AFLMBs.
In addition to LMBs and AFLMBs, sodium-metal batteries (SMBs) have also been studied due to the abundant reservoirs, low cost of sodium resources, similar working principle, and high compatibility with current LIB production equipment. To overcome the limitations of current commercial sodium salts (such as high cost and water sensitivity etc.), two electrochemically stable novel Na salts were developed, one of which even showed ultra-high stability to water. Ether electrolytes based on those two salts showed excellent cycling stability with organic cathode materials.
In addition, rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) have also been studied. One of the main obstacles to the development of RMBs is the passivation film formed on the surface of the magnesium anode when using common magnesium salts (such as Mg(TFSI)2 and Mg(ClO4)2) with aprotic solvents, which hinders the reversible deposition of Mg2+ ions. Chapter 4 proposed a synthesis strategy to obtain high- fluorine magnesium salts for magnesium batteries. The two magnesium salts obtained according to this strategy exhibit a reversible Mg deposition/stripping efficiency of about 99%
Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Identification and Control
Get PDFCirsium arvense is an invasive perennial weed adaptable to a wide range of habitats. Since its arrival in North America in the 1600s, it has spread throughout much of the country. It has become prevalent in rangelands and disturbed areas in the Intermountain West, displacing native plant species, reducing crop yields, and affecting pasture quality. This fact sheet outlines how to identify Canada thistle, its life cycle, and how to manage it through cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical control
AI and Your Research
Get PDFOur research is being used to train generative AI. Join us for an interactive discussion on how major publishers are selling your work as training material, and how that impacts your rights as an author. We\u27ll explore the potential impacts of AI training on faculty, institutions, and the broader academic landscape. Share your thoughts and insights, and help shape the future of AI and research
General Education Subcommittee Minutes March 6, 2025
Get PDFPresent Excused Guest Call to Order Approval of Minutes Course Approvals/Removals/Syllabi Approvals New Business Additional Items Adjourn: 9:33 a
Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes March 6, 2025
Get PDFApproval of Minutes Program Proposals Semester Course Approval Reviews College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences Caine College of the Arts Jon M. Huntsman School of Business Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services College of Engineering College of Humanities and Social Sciences S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources College of Science College of Veterinary Medicine Other Business Adjourn: 3:00 p
Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda January 02, 2025
Get PDFApproval of Minutes Program Proposals Semester Course Approval Reviews Other Business Adjour
Education Policy Committee Agenda January 2, 2025
Get PDFApproval of Minutes Subcommittee Reports Other Business Adjourn: 4:00p
“Gang, We Have a Mystery on our Hands!”: A Folkloristic Approach to Conspiracy Thinking in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Get PDFIn this thesis I examined how the 2010 children’s television show Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated both utilizes and critiques conspiracy, embedded within its mystery-solving structure. Through a close analysis of the members of the gang—Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby-Doo—I broke down their individual behaviors, interactions, and contributions to conspiratorial belief. I then transitioned into a case study of the episode “Where Stalks the Scarebear,” showcasing its connection to larger real-world conspiracy narratives, particularly those related to corporate and environmental cover-ups. Finally, I examined the show as a complete narrative, reflecting on its complex, serial exploration of conspiracy through the framework of Ryan Neville-Shepard and Amy Whiteside’s six-part structural breakdown of conspiracy theories in children’s television, alongside Aiden Tait’s observations on the historical and Lovecraftian horror influences embedded within the plot