2023 Collaborative Approaches among Scientists and Engineers (CASE) Research Experience Undergraduate Research Symposium 

Influence of Synthetic Temperature on Surface States of Copper Gallium Oxide

Student Participant: Zoe Adams, Clafin University
Faculty Mentors: Byron Farnum and Ryan Comes

Tilapia Food Treatment Effectiveness In Lettuce Growth And Development

Student Participant: Daniel Antoine, Tuskegee University
Faculty Mentors: Daniel Wells and David Blersch

Aquaponics is a sustainable method of growing plants without soil. Plant roots are used to naturally filter fish waste. It combines aquaculture and hydroponics providing a considerable advantage in terms of water use efficiency by enabling water to be recycled and redistributed, hence minimizing the reliance on limited freshwater supplies. While most commercial feed is specialized for specific fish it is fed to, very few feeds are processed to have qualities that can benefit both fish and plants. In this experiment, three different feeds were fed to Nile tilapia to evaluate the effect on plant growth. The experiment set up consisted of nine tanks each containing fifteen lettuce shoots placed evenly throughout the tank. Three treatments at three repetitions were applied. The first treatment consisted of commercial channel catfish feed by South Fresh Feeds. The second treatment had protease enzyme and is manufactured by Jefo Nutrition in Quebec, Canada. Lastly, treatment three consisted of decomposed organic compounds mixed with fish feed and is supplied from Kent Nutrition Group, Muscatine, IA, USA. Water quality was taken twice a week and consisted of recording the pH, dissolved oxygen, electric conductivity, and the nitrates in the water. Once a week, the growth measurements of the plants were monitored and recorded. This included taking the height, length, and width of the plants. The SPAD (leaf greenness) was also taken once a week. In addition to those recordings, destructive measurements like the plant biomass and root weights were taken once the experiment was completed. The data was subjected to repeated measure analysis. The results showed no significant differences in size index over time among the treatments, indicating that the plants performed similarly. However, significant differences in leaf greenness were observed, with treatments 2 and 3 showing greener leaves over time than treatment 1.

Hydrologic Modeling of Stream Erosion at Parkerson Mill Creek

Student Participant: Mahogany Hill, Hampton University
Faculty Mentors: Frances O’ Donnell and Stephanie Shepherd

Stream bank erosion is the natural process of soil, vegetation or rock being removed from the banks of the stream. This typically occurs when the forces of the water and gravity are greater than the bank’s ability to withstand them, resulting in the breakdown of the banks. Erosion processes are complex and change over time; they specifically have increased rates when the area around the stream is urbanized. Increasing runoff means that there is a large volume of streamflow causing an increase in the depth of the stream itself. This will lead to more stress on the banks of the stream and eventually to a greater chance of erosion. Stream bank erosion results in poor water quality and aquatic habitats due to increased total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity. When the TSS values are high, suspended solids cause the water to be turbid making the water less suitable for aquatic life. The purpose of this study is to look at how runoff and streamflow affect erosion, turbidity, and TSS down stream of Auburn University within Parkerson Mill Creek (PMC). Over the course of 6-7 weeks streamflow, turbidity, TSS and runoff measurements were taken in the field and the laboratory using the appropriate instruments. Streamflow was measured using a wading rod and a Hach FH950 flow meter to record depth and velocity. There were also continuous measurements of depth using a HOBO water level logger. Streamflow samples were collected for turbidity and TSS tests. Turbidity was measured using a Hach 2100Q turbidimeter, and TSS was measured using EPA method 160.2. This information was used to develop a watershed model and identify stream reaches with the highest potential for erosion using ArcGIS and HEC-HMS. The model outputs will help the city of Auburn, Lee County, Alabama target specific reaches for management purposes.

Paleoclimate Study Using 4 Fuel Types at Different Atmospheric Conditions

Student Participant: Michael Jordan, Tuskegee University
Faculty Mentors: Richard Vachula and Paul Ohno

This experiment uses 4 fuel types, Longleaf Pine Branch, Longleaf Pine Needles, Silk Dogwood Branches, Silk Dogwood Leaves, that were burned in small and large furnaces at temperatures ranging from 300 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Using this data scientists are able to understand the size distribution of various materials at different temperatures and the paleoclimate hazards pertaining to future wildfires. Paleoclimate is the understanding of the connection between paleoconditions and particle sizes; In recent news there has been wildfires in California and Canada, using studies such as this one scientists are able to predict/understand particle types and health hazards. Since this experiment was simulated in a lab 3 test were ran to find different features that can occur in different atmospheric conditions. The first trial burned the 4 fuel types at 450 degrees for 2 hours in the large furnace to find the baseline average size distribution of the different materials. The second trial used the previous material and a Potential Aerosol Mass oxidation machine to see if the particle's characteristics change in various conditions. In the final trial the Longleaf Pine Branch, Longleaf Pine Needles, Silk Dogwood Branches, Silk Dogwood Leaves were burned individually within the small furnace then extracted while they were burned via vacuum and sent to a Safety and Environmental Management Machine (SEMS). At the different setpoint changes (300,350,400,450) the SEMS machine measured the average particle size of the smoke every minute. Experiments simulated in the lab can be close to atmospheric conditions but aren’t always perfect which is why more studies concerning paleoclimate should be conducted.

Employing Multi-scale 3D Computed Tomography to Understand Pore Structures of Carbonate rich samples for Geologic carbon sequestration applications in the Southeast US

Student Participant: Onwell Mazorodze, Alabama State University
Faculty Mentors: Lauren E. Beckingham and Ashraf Uddin

Geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) is a method to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere which can be carried out by injecting the captured CO2 into a saline aquifer. After injection, CO2 interacts with the aquifer brine and existing minerals which can result in permanent mineral trapping of the CO2 within the rock. Previous work has shown that the effectiveness of GCS largely depends on the characteristics of the geologic formation. Carbonate formations have been identified as promising storage formations. Carbonate minerals react quickly with the mixture of CO2 and brine, but whether this is a benefit, or a drawback has yet to be established. The rate, extent, and impact of reactions of formation properties are difficult to predict in part due to the complex, multi-scale nature of the pore structure of carbonate formations. Using 3D X-ray micro- computed tomography (micro-CT) digital scans of multiple carbonate rock samples from a proposed GCS site have been created. Then with image post-processing software and methods from previous literature, images from the micro-CT scan are processed to discern multi-scale porosity, pore connectivity, and the accessible surface area of the reactive mineral phases. Produced data is compared between samples to determine formation heterogeneity and provide insight into the formation’s performance as a potential GCS site.

Synthesis and Characterization of TMDC Materials Using Laser Technique

Student Participant: Miguel A. Robledo-Lopez, Berea College
Faculty Mentors: Wencan Jin and Masoud Mahjouri Samani

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) materials over the last decade has caught the attention of the scientific community because its semiconducting and optical properties are appealing for nanoelectronic and nanophotonic applications. Currently, different methods are used to synthesize TMDC materials such as mechanical exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, and pulsed laser deposition. However, these methods have disadvantages in the quality, cost, and yield which hinder large scale manufacturing. In this project, I will synthesize TMDC materials using the laser assistive synthesis technique (LAST) and measure the materials using second harmonic generation (SHG) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). I will then analyze the quality of the TMDC samples produced from the LAST technique. In particular, I will assess the homogeneity and the contamination of the materials. Our results will pave the route for LAST technique toward industrial production of TMDC materials.

The Use of STEM to Empower the Navy

Student Participant: Zach Rouzaud, El Camino College
Faculty Mentors: Cheryl Seals and L. Octavia Tripp

VR Navy project emphasizes STEM concepts utilizing Naval activity examples. Our objective is to develop low-cost, hands-on, and virtual activities that introduce high school students to the role of STEM in solving naval challenges and highlight the positive impacts of Department of Navy (DoN) STEM careers on American and global society. We simulated an experience in landing a fighter on an aircraft carrier and the other happenings of a naval vessel, such as sonar, storage of supplies, and power consumption. NAVY STEM is a great Virtual Reality tool to inform future seamen and pilots about NAVY STEM activities and demonstrate VR's usefulness. The nature of this being a VR application provides an irrefutable bonus. This environment creates a safe, risk- free, and engaging learning environment. The simulation allows for creative and interactive learning for young STEM students to explore. We endeavor to keep creating a fun and engaging learning environment through the support of VR. 

Affect of Thickness in Bi-Layer Liquid Crystal Elastomer Films for Reversible, Self-Folding Origami

Student Participant: Braden Starver, Morehouse College
Faculty Mentors: Bryan Beckingham and Russell Mailen

Self-folding liquid crystal elastomer (LCE) films are capable of reversible shape changes which have wide-ranging applications such as robotics, biomedical uses, and actuators. The incorporation of a passive film layer, such as Mylar or Kapton, enhances the mechanical and optical properties of the material. In this work, we seek to understand the effects of LCE thickness on the self-folding and mechanical properties of these bilayer films. The LCE is synthesized using a two-stage thiol- acrylate Michael addition polymerization (TAMAP) reaction. The first stage uses a thermal initiator to cure the polydomain films. Mechanical deformation of the thermally cured film, followed by an ultraviolet (UV) curing process, produces a liquid crystal network that enables the LCE to reversibly shapeshift between the initial and programmed shape. We systematically vary the thickness of the LCE film and evaluate the effects on the mechanical properties and self-folding response. Knowledge gained from this study will guide the design and implementation of the next generation of bi-layer films for self-folding origami.

How Are Cockroaches So Resilient? Using Germ-Free Cockroaches to Understand How They Control Microbial Colonization

Student Participant: Jayla Wilcox, Savannah State University
Faculty Mentors: Arthur Appel and Elizabeth Hiltbold Schwartz

The American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) is a ubiquitous pest that harbors many pathogens without suffering any obvious pathologies. Our goal is to understand the role of the gut microbiota in the development of cockroach immune cells, called hemocytes. We have generated germ-free or axenic cockroaches to determine how the hemocyte populations are impacted in the absence of the microbiome. The generation of axenic cockroaches involves wash steps including sterile water, alconox, bleach, and lysozyme to remove any external contaminants. We have also tested the ability of cockroach hemolymph (which contains hemocytes with immune activity as well as secreted antimicrobial factors) to kill pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria over time. These antimicrobial capacities were assessed by separating the plasma from hemocytes in whole hemolymph and monitoring the growth of bacteria over time through optical density when exposed to hemolymph. The bacteria that we tested include E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and several currently unidentified commensal bacteria. Our early results indicate that hemolymph from P. americana can kill both Gram positive and Gram negative pathogens such as E. coli and S. aureus, in addition to multiple commensal microbes found within the host.