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Showcase Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture

Optimizing National Dissemination and Use of Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules

Optimizing National Dissemination and Use of Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules

Primary author: Katelyn Dahlke
Co-author(s): Bernard Van Wie; Prashanta Dutta; Jacqueline Gartner; Olusola Adesope; David Thiessen; Olivia Reynolds; Kitana Kaiphanliam
Faculty sponsor: Bernie Van Wie

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Low-Cost Desktop Learning Modules (LC-DLMs) are hands-on modules developed at Washington State University that are used in conjunction with traditional sophomore and junior level engineering lectures. These modules allow students to see for themselves the real-world implications of the concepts and theories that they are learning in class. Prior work at WSU has demonstrated that LC-DLMs are effective at increasing students’ understanding of the concepts. We have taken steps to expand the use of these LC-DLMs to other universities and have developed a combination of technological tools and a national “hub and spoke” method in order to facilitate the use of these DLMs at other institutions. Hub coordinators attended the first dissemination workshop at WSU in spring 2019 and will use the training and information they received to advance LC-DLM use at their home institutions. At least one workshop will be held each year at a different “hub” institution, where individuals from “spoke” institutions will learn how to use LC-DLMs effectively in their classroom from hub coordinators and representatives from WSU. Feedback from workshop participants, including the need for clear step-by-step instructions and different strategies for developing a control group, are used to improve future workshops. This information can also be used to assist other faculty in developing parallel strategies for propagating the use of new instructional approaches. This method, combined with a comprehensive webpage that includes video demonstrations, worksheets, assessments, and frequently asked questions, will continue to help to stimulate implementation of LC-DLMs and minimize potential barriers to adoption.

Development of Simplified Soil Microbial Consortia and Activity-Based Probes to Characterize the Activity of Chitin Degrading Enzymes

Development of Simplified Soil Microbial Consortia and Activity-Based Probes to Characterize the Activity of Chitin Degrading Enzymes

Primary author: Elias Zegeye
Faculty sponsor: Dr. Aaron Wright

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)

Abstract:

We investigated the succession, selectivity and dynamics of a soil microbiome during 21 weeks of enrichment on chitin and its monomer in a soil matrix and liquid environment. We hypothesized that the initial species richness would influence the tendency for the selected consortia to stabilize and maintain a relatively constant consortia over time. We found that the lower initial richness stabilizes rapidly, and the resulting community composition differed greatly in soil than liquid medium. The reduced and stable consortia found in this study will aid in the discovery of functionally active chitin-degrading microbes using Activity-Based Probes (ABP). Chitin-derived ABPs (i.e. N-acetyl glucosamine and chitotriose) were developed including 1) a moiety that will covalently label an enzyme upon glycosidic bond hydrolysis, and 2) a chemical handle for isolation of labeled enzymes. The ABPs were first tested on a sample harvested from Cellvibrio japonicus, a soil bacterium with well-characterized chitinolytic enzyme machinery, that have grown on different carbon sources. As a result, the ABPs showed the induction and activities of the chitinase enzyme depend on the carbon sources and the time course of bacterial growth. Additionally, the application of this small chemical probe will be extended to identify and measure the activity of chitinase enzymes in simplified soil consortia. Generally, ABPs can be used to broaden our functional understanding of chitin breakdown and to characterize the soil consortia’s metabolic potential for chitin degradation.

A study of thermal crosslinking hydrogel with coaxial needle for manufacturing tubular shape structure

A study of thermal crosslinking hydrogel with coaxial needle for manufacturing tubular shape structure

Primary author: Ilhan Yu
Co-author(s): Luiz Longo
Faculty sponsor: Chen, Roland

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Extrusion using a coaxial needle to create tubular shapes has become a popular method in tissue engineering and drug delivery. Chemical crosslinking hydrogels were the most popular materials used to manufacture tubular shapes with coaxial needles, but because of fast gelation times, non-uniform gelation, and low strength and toughness have been pointed out as drawbacks. Thus, in this study, we investigated the feasibility of using a thermal crosslinking hydrogel with coaxial needle to get the tubular shape. Gellan Gum (GG), a thermal crosslinking material, was used and extruded via the outer needle. Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was extruded through the inner needle. First, we analyzed the delay and response time of the system due to heat exchange of the two fluids computationally. Second, we determined the hydrogel extrusion condition and its influence on the structural geometry of shapes structure both computationally and experimentally. Various flow rates of the inner needle and outer needle was tested, and the resulting wall thickness of the structure was measured. Results show that there is a delay of transition for thermal hydrogels due to the heat exchange between two fluids. The response time of system when the flow rate of PBS changes from steady state and how long does it takes to become steady state. In the second part of the experiment, we observed that it is possible to control the wall thickness of tubular shape by changing inner fluid with certain boundary.

Evaluation of ENSO Impact on Hydroclimatic Variability

Evaluation of ENSO Impact on Hydroclimatic Variability

Primary author: Chen Xu
Co-author(s): Mingliang Liu; Jennifer Adam; John Abatzoglou; Kirti Rajagopalan
Faculty sponsor: Jennifer Adam, Kirti Rajagopalan

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Superposed epoch analysis is performed to 1) quantify the effects of ENSO phase on the distribution of hydroclimatologic anomalies across the PNW, and 2) identify where these anomalies are statistically significant. Annual and seasonal precipitation and temperature anomalies are analyzed using gridded observations from the gridMET product, while runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture anomalies are obtained through VIC-CropSyst simulations (a coupled macroscale hydrologic and cropping system model). Results reveal strong precipitation anomalies over the mountainous regions, although not with a consistent sign for all mountain ranges. El Niño (La Niña) years are drier (wetter) than normal over the North Cascades, Bitterroots, and Northern Rockies; while the opposite effect is experienced by the Olympic Mountains. Outside of mountainous areas, precipitation anomalies are smaller and heterogeneous but with generally more (less) rainfall during El Niño (La Niña) years. Runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture anomalies are found to be generally consistent with the precipitation anomalies. There are, however, limited variables and areas with statistically significant anomalies, including El Niño precipitation and runoff in northern Idaho, and La Niña evapotranspiration in western Washington. Given that the skill of seasonal forecasts (with lead time of 1 to 7 months) has been associated with the ENSO signal, this study has the potential to provide insights in building institutional decision support capacity through a forecast system. It helps such a system prioritize meteorological, hydrological and agriculture relevant variables with sufficient forecast skill in a region-specific manner, and inform agricultural and water resources decisions in a meaningful way.

Network Clustering for Distribution System with Photovoltaic System and Electric Vehicles

Network Clustering for Distribution System with Photovoltaic System and Electric Vehicles

Primary author: Lusha Wang
Faculty sponsor: Noel Schulz

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The penetration of both Photovoltaic (PV) system and electric vehicles (EVs) are increasing rapidly in distribution systems, which brings challenges to system operation. The distribution system should meet some requirement to operate safely, the most important one being that the voltage magnitude should be within the desired range. Compared with the traditional centralized voltage control where all the information of the system is obtained and an optimization problem is solved in the control center, the decentralized voltage control is more flexible and consumes less computation time, making it suitable for large-size distribution system. To realize the decentralized voltage control, proper division of the system and choice of regional agents should be well determined. The rapid change of system configuration and DG output as well as EV movement brings the need of rapid and frequent determination of network clusters. We proposed a new algorithm to cluster a distribution system with PVs and EVs. The modularity index is used to evaluate the clustering result. The original modularity index is purely based on system structure, so we add the information of PV generation and EV driving distance into the index to accommodate power system properties. The Louvain algorithm with the aim of maximizing the modified modularity index is used to cluster the distribution system, which shows great computation speed and reasonable results. An IEEE 123 node system is used to demonstrate the clustering result, with comparison of network clustering based on solely structure, structure with DG output and the three together.

Metallic Aerogel As Electrocatalysts In Oxygen Evolution And Hydrogen Evolution Reactions for Water Splitting

Metallic Aerogel As Electrocatalysts In Oxygen Evolution And Hydrogen Evolution Reactions for Water Splitting

Primary author: Hangyu Tian
Faculty sponsor: Yuehe Lin

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

The emergent demands for a green and efficient energy resource driving the development of new energy conversion and storage systems. Among numerous energy resources, hydrogen is one of promising candidates for the next generation energy due to its zero carbon emission, high energy density and no pollutants. However, the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction that require a large overpotential over standard potential (1.23V vs RHE) has hindered water splitting for hydrogen production and made it hard to compete with fossil fuel in cost and efficiency. And due to its shortage, exorbitant price and poor durability, current commercial noble metal electrocatalysts still hindered the electrochemical production of the hydrogen. In past decades, significant efforts have been made on structure and composition design to improve the performance and efficiency of the electrocatalysts. Among various structure, Aerogel stands out for its ultra-high porosity, low apparent density and high specific area. We focus on the facile synthesis, composition optimization and defect engineering to increase both the number and activity of the reaction sites. By optimization of these parameters, our metallic aerogels exhibited excellent OER and HER performance.

Thin Filament Length Regulation Function of Leiomodin is Affected by its Affinity for Tropomyosin

Thin Filament Length Regulation Function of Leiomodin is Affected by its Affinity for Tropomyosin

Primary author: Garry Smith
Faculty sponsor: Alla Kostyukova

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Striated muscle is composed of organized arrays of basic contractile units, sarcomeres, which must be assembled and maintained for proper muscle function. In sarcomeres, thin and thick filaments, composed primarily of actin and myosin respectively, slide against each other to create muscle contraction. For this system to perform, thin filament length must be strictly regulated. It is not fully understood how this is achieved. Leiomodin (Lmod) and tropomodulin (Tmod), homologous muscle proteins binding to actin and tropomyosin (Tpm), participate in regulating thin filament length. In cells, both are found at the slow-growing pointed end of the thin filament, and, according to an earlier proposed competition mechanism, the two have opposite effects; Tmod halts thin filament growth while Lmod allows it. The 3-dimensional structure of the Lmod/Tpm interaction site shows that Lmod binds to Tpm such that it can only occur at the pointed end. We hypothesize binding to Tpm is crucial for Lmod and Tmod competition for the pointed end. Based on the aforementioned 3-dimensional structure, we designed Lmod mutants to have decreased affinity for Tpm. We used circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy to confirm the affinity and tested mutants in cardiomyocytes. CD experiments showed L24G mutant did not bind while S23L had decreased affinity. Cardiomyocyte experiments showed the L24G mutation resulted in shortened thin filaments and increased Tmod assembly at the pointed end, while the S23L mutation had no effect. This demonstrates that binding to Tpm is important for Lmod function and proper pointed end formation.

Textures in Uranium-10wt% Molybdenum Alloy Nuclear Fuels

Textures in Uranium-10wt% Molybdenum Alloy Nuclear Fuels

Primary author: Benjamin Schuessler
Faculty sponsor: David P. Field

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Uranium – 10wt% Molybdenum (U10Mo) is currently being considered as a next generation nuclear fuel for advanced research reactors. Its usage of low-enriched uranium (LEU) is preferable over the high-enriched (HEU) counterpart as it facilitates the demand to reduce the overall stockpile of HEU materials. However, manufacturing of the U10Mo fuels can be difficult. Varying processing conditions can alter the material in ways that can be detrimental to the overall fuel performance. Studying the effect of manufacturing processes on the microstructure-properties and -performance of the U10Mo is critical to the reliable usage of the fuel for future reactor research. This study focuses on how rolling and annealing of the U10Mo fuel plates affect how the orientations of the crystals inside the material are arranged, otherwise known as crystallographic texture. Mechanical properties can depend on the texture of the material, and by knowing the texture, one can extrapolate how the material will behave under various loading and operating conditions. U10Mo plates were rolled down to various thicknesses and annealed, then characterized using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to gather crystal orientation information. After rolling, the U10Mo exhibit typical rolling textures seen in body-centered cubic metals and after annealing, the U10Mo showed a “randomized” texture. These textures tell a story of how the mechanical properties of the U10Mo evolve throughout the manufacturing process and provide valuable insight into how to adjust the manufacturing procedures to maximize the microstructure-properties and -performance of the fuel.

CropSyst regional parameterization and calibration over Columbia River Basin

CropSyst regional parameterization and calibration over Columbia River Basin

Primary author: Fabio Scarpare
Co-author(s): Claudio Stockle; Roger Nelson; Kirti Rajagopalan; Mingliang Liu; Jennifer Adam
Faculty sponsor: Jennifer Adam

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

Crop water demand is key for policy and resource decision-making questions, including the processing of new irrigation water rights, examining water availability for both out-of-stream and instream uses. Conventional model calibration methods, which concentrate on a model’s performance at plot scale, cannot be used for large-scale regional simulation. Therefore, this study aims to describe a low-data approach used for developing detailed crop parameterization data required for regional level application. CropSyst was parameterized and calibrated based on its sensitivity analysis for the main agricultural irrigated lands in the Columbia River Basin; for most of Oregon, eastern Washington, southern Idaho, and western Montana States. Twenty-five crop types among cereal, forage, fruits and vegetables were selected by using the USDA Crop Data Layer 2018 in each sub-region. Thirty-six years of daily meteorological variables were used to drive the simulations. The calibration was performed by first adjusting the growing season (defined as planting to maturity). Next, the phenological development stages between planting and maturity (end of vegetative growth, flowering, beginning of yield formation, senescence and full senescence if reached) with the green canopy cover development were adjusted. Yield calibration was the last step performed, which was based on model`s sensitivity analysis. Scientific papers and irrigation field trials performed by several Research Extension Centers with less than ten years old developed in the same region were used as main sources for model evaluation. The simulation results were satisfactory and similar to those observed in the literature data, which enable its use across the Pacific Northwest.

Energy and Comfort Perceptions in University Housing

Energy and Comfort Perceptions in University Housing

Primary author: Shelby Ruiz
Co-author(s): Julia Day

Primary college/unit: Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Campus: Pullman

Abstract:

For many universities with quickly aging residential facilities and unpredictable building occupants, making wise infrastructure upgrades can become challenging, and operational costs can increase. Building operations, such as lighting, cooling, and heating, use nearly three quarters of its consumed energy to operate and maintain an indoor environment. The College Board estimates that approximately 40% of full-time public-college students live on campus during their time at university, making residential building occupants a significant variable in this overall energy consumption. If strategic energy-efficiency plans are implemented for these universities, energy cost savings of up to 30% are possible.
This project implemented a mixed methods study to investigate adaptive comfort opportunities in university-owned and managed residential buildings to better understand the human-building interface, resulting energy use implications in buildings, and potential areas for interface and design improvements. An online survey and interviews were implemented to understand occupants’ perceptions of thermal and visual comfort, as well as respective adaptive opportunities and corresponding behaviors (e.g. opening/closing windows). The survey integrates a novel photovoice approach to visually catalog and understand the different types of interfaces available to occupants; this qualitative method is commonly used in community-based participatory research to document the reality of the participants. In addition, individual building utility metrics were analyzed to determine which residences are the most energy consuming and costly to operate; this data may help inform priorities for capital upgrades Next steps of this research include the development of a proposal of an energy-saving campaign for university facilities.