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Biomimetic Swarm of Active Particles with Coupled Passive-Active Interactions
No full textWe study the universal behavior of a class of active colloids whose design is inspired by the collective dynamics of natural systems such as schools of fish and flocks of birds. These colloids, with off-center repulsive interaction sites, self-organize into polar swarms exhibiting long-range order and directional motion without significant hydrodynamic interactions. Our simulations show that the system transitions from motile perfect crystals to solid-like, liquid-like, and gas-like states depending on noise levels, repulsive interaction strength, and particle density. By analyzing swarm polarity and hexatic bond order parameters, we demonstrate that effective volume fractions based on force-range and torque-range interactions explain the system\u27s universal behavior. This work lays a groundwork for biomimetic applications utilizing the cooperative polar dynamics of active colloids
SOMETHING DIFFERENT LIKE US: A CHILDREN\u27S BOOK PROJECT
No full textThe purpose of this project is to write and begin illustrating a children’s book. The end goal is to complete the full script, finish rough sketches of the entire book, fully illustrate the cover and first two pages, and present the project in the form of an exhibition.
This story follows three little chicks (Dixie, Charlotte, and Phoebe) around a small farmyard as they encounter a new type of animal, a family of rabbits. For the majority of the book, the chicks fear the newcomers since they look so different. The sisters judge, avoid, and suppose the worst of the strange creatures until they get a shocking surprise. One day, the trio were simply doing the things that chickens do but were unknowingly being hunted by a ravenous fox. However, before they become a quick meal, something surprises the predator and scares him away. The chicks look up to see a small rabbit kit sitting contentedly and realize that she had just saved their lives. They learn that they, and this rabbit, are not so different after all and become friends
Organic Social Media Strategy for the University of Akron
No full textThis project develops a research-based organic social media strategy for the University of Akron, addressing the growing importance of digital communication in higher education and the need for authentic, student-centered engagement. Although the university maintains an active presence on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and X, its current content often reflects a corporate tone that limits relatability and audience connection. This project proposes an alternative content strategy instead: organic advertisements. These are unpaid, and rely on the algorithm to be promoted. The project proposes a five-week content calendar featuring mascot-driven campaigns and event-based initiatives to strengthen brand identity and increase visibility without relying on paid advertising. Grounded in Uses and Gratifications Theory and Media Richness Theory, the strategy explains why students engage with specific types of content and identifies which formats best convey authenticity, emotion, and campus identity. A SWOT analysis of the university’s existing platforms, benchmarking against peer institutions, and an optional student survey inform the campaign’s design. Together, these components create an adaptable communication model that can enhance engagement, foster community, and support long-term enrollment goals
Materials of Lightweight Concrete Research
Get PDFThe objectives for this research project are to explore options for innovative and sustainable materials in lightweight concrete. Various materials including granite powder, hydrated lime, latex, and recycled glass beads will be used in the concrete testing for this project. The question the team wants to answer is how these additives affect the concrete’s mechanical properties. Weekly mix designs will be performed, and control cylinders will be compared to experimental cylinders. Compression and tensile testing will also be performed to further aid the research. The motivation for performing this research is to aid mix development for the University of Akron Concrete Canoe Team. From this study, the Concrete Canoe Team will have invaluable research that will allow them to make the best decisions regarding lightweight concrete materials
Adjustable Load on CVT Driven Project
Get PDFSAE Baja, also known as Baja SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers Baja), is a series of collegiate design competitions organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). These competitions challenge teams of students to design, build, and race off-road vehicles that can withstand rough terrain and perform in various dynamic events. The objective of this Senior Design Project is to design, manufacture, and test an adjustable driven Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) pulley to adjust the preload on the spring. This will allow easier adjustment on the CVT preload at smaller increments. This design could be used for future Zips Baja vehicles and multiple CVT tuning combinations. An adjustable CVT driven system can offer several benefits for SAE Baja applications including optimized power delivery, improved efficiency for different dynamic events, and adaptability to various driving conditions
Observed effects of physiological melatonin dosing on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell proliferation
Get PDFThis project seeks to evaluate pharmacological dosing of melatonin on the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line in culture, using the two solubility carriers: DMSO/water and ethanol. This experiment is a component of ongoing research at the Eaton lab which will elucidate melatonin dose-response toxicology in zebrafish and a possible breast cancer xenograft model for novel treatment therapies
Psychotropic Polypharmacy on Heart Rate of Daphnia Magna
Get PDFThe prevalence of patients being prescribed multiple medications concurrently is significantly rising, and so is the importance of investigating any interactions between medications. One common example—sertraline and clomipramine have been used together to treat obsessive compulsive disorder. Clomipramine, however, is known to cause tachyarrhythmias in some patients. The present study set out to investigate the role of this drug combination on the heart rate of a simple animal model, Daphnia magna, or the water flea. The water flea was exposed to saline, sertraline, clomipramine, or sertraline plus clomipramine, and heart rate was measured subsequently. It was found that the drug combination significantly reduced heart rate compared to saline. This suggests that further research into the effects of TCAs and SSRIs on the cardiovascular system of animal models is needed to ensure the safety of such polypharmacy for human patients
Hardening A Small Business Network
Get PDFSecurity is one of the most, if not the most, important facets of a network. Without security, proprietary data is vulnerable to theft by malicious actors or even just curious techies with too much time on their hands.
Building and implementing a network lays the foundation for a technically sound, robust environment. Network and device hardening minimizes security gaps on the network and streamlines functions and processes.
The objectives of this project were to stand up a functioning small business network, to harden the network and to offer recommendations to further secure the overall environment for a small business.
The security posture of the small business was weak. The possibility of security related vulnerabilities was strong. Most processes to properly secure the network were overlooked when the network was implemented leaving it open and vulnerable to attacks. A single layer of security does not go far in protecting a network from today’s cyber criminals. Research led to the implementation of NIST, industry standard and vendor recommended cybersecurity best practices and guidelines to mitigate and remediate known issues.
With the implementation of National Institute of Security and Technology (NIST), industry standards and vendor recommended best practices and guidelines the small business network was hardened, minimizing risk.
Protecting hardware, software, and data from cyberthreats aimed at accessing, stealing and/or destroying sensitive information has become a common, daily occurrence. Everyone – individuals, small businesses, corporations, and government entities – need to take cybersecurity threats seriously and work to strengthen their cybersecurity practices
Yankee Feedstock Project
Get PDFThis report details the design process, application, considerations, costs, and functionality of an automated tape “feedstock” machine. Yankee Insulation Products will use this project to create rolls of Aluminum foil tape that are included in their Therma-Dome assembly kit. The goal of this design will aid in the streamlining and effectiveness of the current process. When designing the automated process, the current process was evaluated for areas of improvement. Design parameters were also given to the project by the sponsoring company that were to be considered and incorporated
Documents in the Age of Non-Human Agency
Get PDFAs documents are inherently tied to humans and their expressions (Lund 2024), facilitating communication across time and space, we might have historically reflected on the implications of inserting a computer or information system between humans. If we envision the human as a handyman engaged in technical engineering, we can comprehend the development of AI, Artificial Intelligence, as part of a much longer history of creating instruments and machines to support human endeavors. These include the printing press, musical instruments, steam engines, typewriters, microphones, and progressing to digital musical instruments that create their own music.
Yet, it remains humans who craft the metal and plastic constituting large computers. The discourse thus far largely concludes that while inserting computers and information systems between humans may alter some characteristics of documents—particularly the means and modes—it does not fundamentally change the concept of a document. The current model sufficiently encompasses digital documents and digital documentality.
The advent of Large Language Models (LLMs), a form of AI that has seen significant advancements over the past decade, has led to disruptive technological breakthroughs exemplified by ChatGPT and its competitors in the last two years. LLMs are based on a technical concept labelled Transformers, which saw light of day around 2017. The scale of modern computing power that emerged around the same time as Transformers has enabled these literally – large – language models since. These developments have matured to a point where they have been popularized and made accessible to the general public.
This article aims to explore how generative models like LLMs fit into the complementary documentation model and whether documents can still be considered exclusively human expressions