2023 Spring Undergraduate Research Symposium

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  • Publication
    Enabling personalized medical implants through additively manufactured medical alloys
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Chase, Rachel; Hawkins, Clinton; Dahl, Scott; Lowe, Terry C.
    Additive manufacturing is enabling the expansion of the personalization of bone and joint replacements to match the exact needs of individuals. However, the success of 3-D printing of medical device alloys such as Ti-6Al-7Nb and Ti-6Al-4V depends upon non-isothermal deposition and cooling processes being able to produce acceptable microstructures defined by set standards. In this work, we develop and implement metallographic preparation and analysis techniques to show that desirable fine structured alpha+beta phase morphologies can be created by additive manufacturing. We further show how low-hazard etchants can effectively replace the use of hydrofluoric acid for revealing microstructures in additively manufactured alloys. 
  • Publication
    Analyzing the impacts of wildfires on solar photovoltaic generation
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Glaister, Jade; Garcia, E.; Tabares-Velasco, Paulo Cesar
    As the intensity and frequency of wildfires increase, understanding the effects of wildfires on solar energy sources is critical to illuminating future trends in energy. Previous studies show that concentrations of ~75 ug/m3 of PM2.5 decrease photovoltaic generation by ~20%. The purpose of this research study is to verify previous studies and analyze the impact of wildfires on photovoltaic generation in Golden, Colorado by interpreting particulate matter and photovoltaic data. This is done through a MATLAB framework code that imports and organizes 2020 datasets from PurpleAir and NREL to create plots that display data relationships. These plots demonstrate how photovoltaic generation changes under different concentrations of particulate matter, including the impact of cloud cover on the data. An understanding of this relationship will provide insight on adjusting energy sources to compensate for changes in photovoltaic generation due to increasing wildfires.
  • Publication
    Continuous and noninvasive microwave biosensor for lactate monitoring
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Koehler, Katie; Lee, T. Ann; Langdon, D.; Quach, C.; Elmiladi, L.; Kaylor, H.; Dang, E.; Street, S.; Dulitz, C.; Jones, R.; Aaen, Peter H.
    This project proposes a microwave biosensor to noninvasively and continuously detect the concentration of lactate in athletes and healthcare patients. Lactate is a byproduct produced during aerobic and anaerobic metabolism when the body cannot produce sufficient oxygen to meet the body’s energy demands. In athletes, these levels are currently tracked by blood samples to determine the athlete’s fitness level. In healthcare patients, lactate production is measured to determine the oxygen supply to a patient’s tissues. By monitoring lactate levels, healthcare providers can provide appropriate treatment and improve patient outcomes, while athletes can adjust their training plans to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury. In the initial phase of our sensor development, we report on the initial design by testing the sensor’s sensitivity to detect salt concentration changes in deionized water in a well-controlled laboratory environment. The sensor consists of a microwave resonator and microfluidic chip assembly, and it allows us to detect small changes in the dielectric properties of the deionized water solution resulting from different salt concentration levels. The results of this study will be used to further refine the sensitivity of the sensor as we move towards developing the lactate sensor.
  • Publication
    "What goes around comes back around": analyzing the surfaces of medical metal devices during their multistage journey to the surgical operating room
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Hirsch, Daniela; Lowe, Terry C.
    Alloys of titanium and stainless steel are used to fabricate medical devices that temporarily or permanently augment the function of our musculoskeletal and other physiological systems. At every step of fabrication and packaging, careful attention is given to the conditions of the surfaces of these alloys since adsorption of compounds from the liquid or gaseous environments they are exposed to can affect downstream manufacturing processes and the ultimate medical function of the device. As Justin Timberlake put it “what goes around comes back around” and often not in a good way. In this work, we show how spatially resolved surface analysis techniques can detect surface-environment interactions on metallic medical devices at various stages of manufacturing. In selected case studies we show how Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and other spectrographic methods can trace the evolution of surface conditions on trauma, orthopedic, and cardiovascular devices. In each case, we emphasize how surface science enables health science and the well-being of patients who require the use of medical metals.
  • Publication
    Optical microstructural characterization of highly deformed and etch resistant materials
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Hawkins, C. J.; Lowe, Terry C.
    In academia [sic] settings access to advanced characterization methods are often readily available and used without a second thought. While these methods are beneficial to all, their limited availability can be problematic for others trying to reproduce or develop discoveries made in research without access to the same characterization methods. To support collaborators in developing new materials our team has been researching alternatives to advanced characterization methods using more readily available digital optical microscopes. This project specifically focuses on using chemical etching and optical microscopy to reveal the microstructure of highly deformed Inconel 625 wires to evaluate their potential uses for a wide range of neurovascular devices and other medical applications.
  • Publication
    Hydrologic impacts of the Slumgullion landslide on Lake Delta formation
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Tuminello, Morgan A.; Dugan, Brandon
    The Slumgullion landslide, located in southwestern Colorado near Lake City, has been an area of interest for many scientists for 300 years. Data on the movement of the slide indicates that the younger, active part of the landslide moves over the older, inactive part of the landslide. To further our understanding of the landslide dynamics, we integrated data previously collected from easy-to-access outcrops with our analyses of satellite imagery and hydrologic data. We see that on average the shallow area of the landslide moves 0.755 m/yr (+/- 0.078 m/yr) with faster movement to the south. Aerial data combined with precipitation and lake level data was used to determine if the amount of rainfall and the lake level have any effect on the average rate of movement determined. Based on our analyses of the annual precipitation data, we interpret that precipitation does impact the migration rate. This work demonstrates the necessity for more process-based linkages between surface and subsurface hydrology and mobility of the Slumgullion slide. We recommend future, priority measurements to further our understanding of the slide dynamics include water table levels along the slide, strength of materials in the slide, and higher resolution characterization of the hydrology and deformation.
  • Publication
    Development of calcium and oxygen nanosensors for in-vivo diagnostics
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Isbell, Sydney; Mendonsa, Adrian; Cash, Kevin J.
    Diagnostic tests to determine analyte concentration can be repetitive and require extensive training for proper analysis. To address these limitations, we developed two ratiometric nanosensors (calcium (Ca2+) and oxygen (O2)) which could be implemented in-vivo to give insight into biological functions such as nerve signaling and cellular respiration. The Ca2+ nanosensors’ optical properties (fluorescence and absorbance) vary to reflect the surrounding Ca2+ concentration. These sensors are selective to Ca2+ over other biologically relevant cations (Mg2+, Na+, K+) and show a sensitivity to Ca2+ at concentrations as low as 100 µM. The O2 nanosensor is composed of two dyes encapsulated in a hydrophobic PVC matrix. The O2 sensitive dye, platinum octaethylporphyrin (PtOEP), shows a decrease in luminescence with increasing oxygen concentrations. Whereas, the reference dye, DiA, has no O2 sensitivity. These O2 sensors are reversible and have a detection range that spans from anoxic (0% O2) to atmospheric conditions (21% O2). While the Ca2+ and O2 sensors showed functionality in in-vitro studies, testing these sensors in-vivo will determine their effectiveness as a long-term diagnostic aid.
  • Publication
    Harnessing geomicrobial respiration in engineered wetlands for pre-treatment of brackish waters
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Garza, Max; Gidley, Nicholas; Wang, Weishi; Yang, Zhaoxun; Vega, Michael A. P.; Vanzin, Gary; Sharp, Jonathan O.
    As arid regions become increasingly vulnerable to climate change, brackish groundwater offers the potential to supplement existing water resources, particularly for inland states such as Colorado. However, Brackish Water Reverse Osmosis (BWRO), presents a unique set of challenges that include membrane fouling due to elevated concentrations of inorganic precipitates and the production of substantial quantities of brine concentrate that often harbor heavy metal contamination. A possible mechanism for increasing BWRO efficacy is the use of shallow, unit process open water (UPOW) wetlands colonized by diatoms for biological pre-treatment. The photosynthetic diel (day/night) cycling in the wetlands, which passively increases pH during the day as carbonate is consumed, mimics traditional water treatment to create favorable, alkaline conditions needed for metal precipitation, but without chemical additions. Through various processes, the microbial mat (biomat) that naturally forms within UPOW wetlands can potentially reduce scalants (calcium, magnesium, and sulfates), as well as oxidize challenging constituents, such as arsenite, from the water prior to membrane treatment. Therefore, laboratory-scale UPOW wetlands were created using biomat harvested from an operational field-scale constructed wetland and challenged with synthetic brackish water. Preliminary results suggest that the reduction of scalant concentrations and oxidation of heavy metals can prevent excess membrane fouling and enhance RO rejection. This approach promotes environmental sustainability by eliminating the need for chemical additions, reducing brine concentrate volumes, and by decreasing energy and labor requirements. Findings may ultimately help address technoeconomic issues associated with BWRO and help guide further investigations into biological pre-treatment of brackish water.
  • Publication
    Hip-belt load sharing reduces peak shoulder pressure across walking slopes during heavy load carriage
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Inge, Madeline M.; Rizeq, Hedaya N.; Slider, Amy; Sessoms, Pinata H.; Silverman, Anne K.; Sturdy, Jordan T.
    Musculoskeletal injury to the spine and lower back resulting from heavy load carriage (30–40 kg) is common among military service members. Static peak pressure is a reliable parameter for predicting discomfort. The effect of using a hip belt on shoulder pressure is not well understood. This study aimed to quantify the pressure under shoulder straps when carrying a backpack with and without a hip belt. Three military service members wore a helmet and body armor (~6.5kg) and carried a backpack in two attachment conditions: (1) entirely shoulder borne, and (2) with a hip-belt engaged, all totaling 40% body weight. Participants walked at three different slope conditions (10° downhill, level, and 10° uphill) at 1.15 m/s for each backpack condition. Peak pressure across both shoulders was extracted from each condition. Shoulder borne peak pressure (down: 36.33 kPa; level: 37.67 kPa; up: 36.67 kPa) was greater than the hip belt (down: 29.67 kPa; level: 24.67 kPa; up: 29.67 kPa). Walking with the hip belt engaged compared with the shoulder borne-only backpack resulted in ~9 kPa smaller peak shoulder pressure on average across all three slopes, indicating that peak pressure is reduced when using a hip belt, although greater participant numbers are needed to confirm these results.
  • Publication
    Optimization of space nuclear reactor shielding through computational analysis
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Hoffmann, Madeline; King, Jeffrey C.
    Nuclear reactors emit ionizing radiation that can be harmful to people and electronic equipment. Shielding materials that attenuate this radiation can be a significant fraction of the mass of a space nuclear reactor power system. Optimizing space reactor shielding geometry and composition allows the design of shields that can reduce neutron and gamma-ray doses from the reactor to an acceptable using the minimum amount of shielding material. This project generated a Python 3.10 script that uses OpenMC to test arbitrary compositions of different materials in various layers and geometries to optimize a shield for space reactor applications. OpenMC is an open-source Monte Carlo-based neutron transport code that probabilistically models the movement of neutrons and photons as they interact with a user-specified environment. When finished, the program will analyze combinations of neutron absorbers (lithium hydride, enriched lithium hydride, and boron carbide) and photon absorbers (tungsten and depleted uranium) arranged in different layers and thicknesses to determine their ability to reduce dose from a hypothetical space reactor to 5 mrem/hr at a point 10 m from the surface of the payload-side of the shield. The shield will be modeled as two opposed truncated cones with a total thickness of 50 cm. The cones will be tested with in multiple configurations to determine the optimal geometry to minimize mass while meeting the target dose. Future investigations will expand the model to include total thickness optimizations and a more detailed dose analysis over a target area.
  • Publication
    Backpack motion relative to the torso is affected by walking slope
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Giltinan, Kagan P.; Rizeq, Hedaya N.; Slider, Amy; Sessoms, Pinata H.; Silverman, Anne K.; Sturdy, Jordan T.
    Military backpacks are equipped with hip belts, which have been shown to support 30% of the vertical force from the backpack. These belts do not offload enough force to prevent tissue strain on the shoulders, which can lead to discomfort and injury. Stiffness and damping in a backpack’s straps and connections can affect backpack movement, which may be related to tissue strain, when walking. However, the effects of using a hip belt on relative motion between the backpack and the wearer are unclear. Four active duty military participants walked at 1.15 m/s on uphill (+10¬∞), downhill (‚àí10¬∞), and level (0¬∞) slopes. They wore body armor with helmet and backpack using only the shoulder straps (Shoulder) or with the hip belt secured (Hip Belt), carrying 40% body weight total. 3D motion of the backpack and torso was obtained with optical motion capture. Maxima and minima of backpack-torso displacement were calculated in each walking condition. The difference between sequential maxima and minima were used to obtain ranges of vertical backpack-torso displacement during each walking condition for each participant. The hip-belt did not influence relative vertical motion of the backpack. The pack and slope did affect the horizontal relative displacement (p = .086). The greatest relative displacement for anterior/posterior direction was 7.7mm, and vertical direction was 19.9mm. Horizontal displacement was not affected by slope alone during Hip Belt, but was affected during Shoulder (p = .056). The vertical relative displacement was affected by slope, p = .007.
  • Publication
    Low-cost modular and flexible laser source
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Spoor, Henry; Adams, Daniel
    This project investigates the feasibility of producing high-quality, high-reliability laser beams from traditional handheld laser pointers. The goals of this project included understanding the fundamental principles and functionality of a handheld laser pointer as well as conversion of said laser pointer to a setup that could be used in a research-level capacity. To achieve these goals, handheld lasers were disassembled to their component parts, and extensive testing was performed on the maximum capabilities of the laser pointers. Data was collected on the maximum supplied current the laser diode could withstand, the viability of creating a tunable intensity laser and the potential for making a reproducible product. In the testing process, the converted laser pointers were found to be reliable if constrained to a limited current. Additionally, the laser beam was successfully made to have a tunable intensity by varying the supplied current. Additional testing will be performed to determine the lifespan of the converted laser pointer as well as the reproducibility of the project for use in a research setting.
  • Publication
    Relationship between hand grip strength and mediolateral torso movement in five times sit-to-stand, The
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Beebe, Claire A.; Silverman, Anne K.; Miller, Michael F.
    Balance regulation during daily activities is a key component of movement performance and fall risk as we age. There is a well-defined correlation between lower limb muscle strength and hand grip strength (HGS) and lower limb muscle strength is critical for balance regulation. The Five Times Sit-To-Stand test (5xSTS) is an evaluation of muscle strength and mobility during transitions that helps identify individuals at risk of fall. Thus, we aimed to determine if mediolateral movement biomechanics during the 5xSTS test, which are important for balance performance, were correlated with HGS. Ten young and healthy participants completed a 5xSTS trial where they rose from the seat to a standing position and returned to the seat five consecutive times as quickly as possible. We performed a Pearson correlation analysis (α ± < 0.05) between range of mediolateral torso center of mass (COM) displacement, dominant HGS and time to completion of 5xSTS. There was not a significant correlation between time to completion and HGS (rho (ρ) = -0.515, p = 0.127). A moderate negative correlation that approached significance (0.05 < p < 0.10) was found between mediolateral torso COM displacement and HGS (rho (ρ) = -0.558, p = 0.094). There was no correlation between mediolateral torso COM displacement and time to completion (rho (ρ) = 0.143, p = 0.693). HGS could help indicate mediolateral balance performance during 5xSTS and improve the lower limb strength assessment due to its correlation with torso motion. Recording dominant HGS alongside 5xSTS completion time may provide insight into mediolateral dynamic balance performance.
  • Publication
    Changes in extracellular matrix stiffness affect pancreatic islet function
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Sela, Amit; Johansen, Chelsea; Farnsworth, Nikki
    In the pancreas, the islet is surrounded by a specialized protein scaffold known as the extracellular matrix (ECM) that regulates cell survival and insulin secretion. Little is known about how the properties of the pancreas microenvironment, like matrix stiffness, regulate islet function in health and disease. Previous studies have shown that tissue stiffness in muscle cells regulates phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity. The mechanisms underlying mechanotransduction regulation of insulin secretion have not been well studied in the β-cell and a connection between metabolism and mechanotransduction has never been studied in intact islets. We hypothesize that increasing matrix stiffness will increase islet glucose sensitivity by increasing PFK activity. Our lab has developed a 3D reverse thermal gel (RTG) system that allows us to mimic the islet microenvironment and to investigate how the environment affects islet function. To determine the effect of changes in ECM stiffness on islet function we encapsulated mouse islets in the RTG with increasing stiffness as determined by rheological analysis. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, PFK activity, and PFK expression was measured after 24 hours of culture. We found that increasing RTG wt% yielded increasing stiffness at 40°C. Insulin secretion increased as the matrix stiffness increased in basal and high glucose conditions. Insulin secretion at high glucose normalized to low glucose (stimulation index) decreases with matrix stiffness indicating dysfunction to insulin secretion. PFK activity increased in islets encapsulated in stiffer RTGs. Our results provide insight into how changes in ECM stiffness contribute to islet dysfunction.
  • Publication
    Intelligent prediction of traffic conditions via integrated data-driven crowdsourcing and learning
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Seo, Hoon; Rippey, Caroline; Taylor, Ethan
    Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are gaining popularity among governments, businesses, and individuals due to their potential to make travel safer and more efficient. Machine learning for traffic prediction has emerged as a promising subfield of ITS, with the potential to aid in routing planning, congestion management, and urban development. Traffic infrastructure and mobile devices collect large amounts of heterogeneous data that can be used to predict traffic conditions, including real-time traffic data such as traffic camera images, speed measurements, and volume counts, as well as long-term static data such as speed limits, road conditions, and surrounding geography and infrastructure. Despite the availability of traffic data, many current machine learning models struggle to handle the wide variety of data types and to address both temporal aspects of real-time data and spatial aspects of long-term static data. To address this, we propose a new enrichment learning model that integrates dynamic data containing varying numbers of instances with static data to create an enriched fixed-length vector which can be used with other machine learning methods to improve performance and identify regions important for prediction. Results show that this novel enrichment learning model can improve the performance of traditional machine learning methods in the task of predicting future traffic speeds.
  • Publication
    Ankle muscle strength affects muscle forces during double leg hopping
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Vargas, Brooklyn L.; Miller, Michael F.; Daley, Monica A.; McNitt-Gray, Jill; Silverman, Anne K.
    Falls are a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults, with dynamic balance decline often being the precursor to a fall. Declining lower limb strength has been linked to dynamic balance decline. Therefore, this study will evaluate the effect of ankle muscle weakness on muscle control and coordination of double leg hopping, a task that requires precise dynamic balance control. A healthy adult performed ten continuous double leg hops. Motion capture and ground reaction forces were collected. A model was developed in Visual3D (C-Motion, Inc.), and inverse kinematics (IK) of three hops were computed. The GRFs along with the IK solutions were exported to OpenSim v 4.4 and applied to a scaled musculoskeletal model. A Residual Reduction Algorithm (RRA) improved dynamic consistency. Computed Muscle Control (CMC) then determined the needed muscle excitation patterns. A weakened model was developed with reduced maximum isometric force of the MG, LG, and SOL to represent aging. Peak dynamic force from MG and SOL decreased by 16% and 3% respectively in the weakened model, while the LG increased by 16%, compensating for MG force deficits. Several agonist muscles in the weakened model increased their peak force output, suggesting they are compensating for the weakened MG, LG, and SOL. The ankle reserve actuator peak torque increased by 135% in the weakened model. These findings indicate ankle muscle weakness associated with aging affects hopping strategy and muscle recruitment. Strength should be preserved to maintain movement and prevent dynamic balance decline.
  • Publication
    Glaciers in the south: a comprehensive framework for evaluating public school district capacities for cryosphere education
    (Colorado School of Mines. Arthur Lakes Library) Miller, Ashleigh; Verboncoeur, Hannah; Reddy, Elizabeth; Siegfried, Matthew
    Rising sea levels have disproportionately large impacts on Southern coastal regions of the United States, and to a greater degree among communities therein affected by socioeconomic inequalities. Despite this, research in one of the leading causes of global sea level rise, melting ice (i.e., the cryosphere), is largely left behind in the curricula of public middle and high school institutions throughout these southern states. As rates of sea level rise continue to increase, an assessment of educational capacities within the context of present-day access to climate and cryosphere education in the United States becomes increasingly important. In this study, we apply an inductive coding method to current public-school curricula at the "8th to 12th" grade levels to assess the capacities of Southern schools to support strengthened cryosphere and sea level rise education. This developed framework can be applied to school systems across the United States and ranks availability of access, capacities form and connections to cryosphere and sea level rise education. The results of this study indicate a great potential to connect sea level rise and cryosphere education to the impacts and experiences of coastal communities in the United States, as well as capacities to forge new collaborations between funded university-level research centers and local communities to support educational access. Future work will quantify the identified capacities within southern public school science curricula in an actionable manner for use by Boards of Education, politicians, and scientists in sea level rise and cryospheric science spaces.