Project Roster 2010

Session 1: June 29 - July 13

Energy efficiency and the trade-offs between current and alternative energy systems.

Proj. Leader: Kenneth Armijo (Mechanical Engineering)

This project analyzes the pros and cons of both current and alternative energy systems to understand the fundamentals of why business as usual technologies continue to be at the forefront of usage despite their negative environmental impact.

POLYOMINOES

Proj. Leader: Khalilah Beal (Mathematics)

The objects: abstract 2-dimensional generalizations of a domino. The problem: maximize and minimize the perimeter of a generic polyomino based on its area. While solving this question, the students pose and answer a question they deem worthwhile.

Let's Make S'mores!

Proj. Leader: Erin Canfield (Mechanical Engineering)

Solar ovens: How do different wavelengths of light affect temperature? We will construct solar ovens and filter out various wavelengths to see how they affect the rate of temperature change in the oven by making s'mores.

Quake Shake! An introduction to earthquake resistant design.

Proj. Leader: Jyothi Krishnan (Mechanical Engineering)

Students will get a feel for what happens to buildings in an earthquake and explore ways of building to resist earthquake forces. They will build elementary frames and test them out by shaking a table!

Cryogenic calorimeters for dark matter detection: Application to CDMS detector: measure of the energy deposition of gammas from a Barium radioactive source using a CDMS detector cooled down to 40 mK.

Proj. Leader: Bruno Serfass (Physics)

In this project, we will first learn about calorimetry and related parameters such as temperature and specific heat using hands-on physics experiments. We will then study how we can design a calorimeter sensitive enough to detect very small energy deposition. As an application to cryogenic calorimetry, we will finally use a CDMS detector cooled down to milli-kelvin temperature to detect gammas from a Barium radioactive source. The students will also learn about safety issues when using cryogenic equipments. No handling of radioactive source will be done in this project.

Pollinator Preference Based on Flower Symmetry

Proj. Leader: Jessica Shade (Integrative Biology)

Do pollinators prefer flowers that are more symmetrical? Most flowers you see are either radically symmetric (any way you look at the flower one side is a mirror image of the other), or bilaterally symmetric (the flower sides are only a mirror image of each other if folded one way), but rarely will you find a flower that is completely asymmetric. Is this because pollinators prefer flowers that are symmetric? This study will examine which flowers pollinators prefer by observing bees visiting flowers and measuring each side of the flower to determine if they visit symmetrical flowers more often than flowers where one petal is bigger than the other. This project will give insight into what selection pressures flowers experience: Do flowers with perfect symmetry get pollinated more often than imperfectly symmetrical flowers?

How can we build a rocket that can go higher than the 94-m Campanile?

Proj. Leader: Yuki Takahashi (Physics)

Within our lifetime, we may have a chance to travel to outer space. It's important to understand how rockets work because you would want to choose a safe rocket to fly on. Or, you may want to become involved in designing and building a spaceship yourself. We will research how rockets work based on Newton's laws of motion and think about how to make rockets more efficient and stable. The group will divide into two teams and each team will build a rocket with a 2-liter bottle, using water as our propellant. We will build a launch pad, too. Before launching, we will measure the rocket's centers of mass and pressure, and will conduct a stability test. We will see whose rocket goes higher and straighter. If you are ambitious, you can design a parachute that opens on the way down.

Session 2: July 15 - July 29

Energy efficiency and the trade-offs between current and alternative energy systems

Proj. Leader: Kenneth Armijo (Mechanical Engineering)

This project analyzes the pros and cons of both current and alternative energy systems to understand the fundamentals of why business as usual technologies continue to be at the forefront of usage despite their negative environmental impacts.

Understanding Quantum Uncertainty

Proj. Leader: James Arnemann (Physics)

In this project, we analyzed the uncertainty in the momentum and position of particle-waves using the uncertainty principle: ΔpΔx≥ħ/2. We also used quantum mechanics to understand a probability phenomenon involving the polarization of light.

Using Math Principles in Gaming

Proj. Leader: Khalilah Beal (Mathematics)

In this project, we focus on how to win games by using principles from Algebra 2 and Geometry. The games we examine are Tick-Tack-Toe and Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Let's Make s'mores!

Proj. Leader: Erin Canfield (Mechanical Engineering)

We'll be building on the project completed in Session 1. Instead of making pizza box solar ovens, we'll be researching what's the best homemade solar oven design and possibly building several to compare, as well as comparing to the ovens made in Session 1. What makes a good solar oven?

Don't Squish that Bug!

Proj. Leader: Lisa Fernandez (ESPM)

This project will explore insect diversity and the many different habitats in which they can be found. Students will learn basic research methods, such as how to collect, preserve, and identify insects. Based on their own data collection, students will demonstrate the different types of insects that surround us in our every day lives. Overall, the project will help illustrate why insects are relevant to humans and the environment.

Scavenging Light from Materials: the Science and Operation of a Laser

Proj. Leader: Franklin Wong (MSE) & Joanne Yim (MSE)

Are all kinds of light created equal? Why is the most common color of a laser pointer red? How much would you pay for a blue laser? How is a microwave oven related to a laser? We will explore how materials generate radiation and discover how lasers work. Demos will be performed to show the particle-wave duality of light.

An Introduction to Earthquate Resistant Design

Proj. Leader: Jyothi Krishnan (Mechanical Engineering)

Students will get a feel for what happens to buildings in an earthquake and explore ways of building to resist earthquake forces. They will build elementary frames and test them out by shaking a table!

Convergence of Plant Traits in Mediterranean Ecosystems

Proj. Leader: Aaron Ramirez (Integrative Biology )

Are all kinds of light created equal? Why is the most common color of a laser pointer red? How much would you pay for a blue laser? How is a microwave oven related to a laser? We will explore how materials generate radiation and discover how lasers work. Demos will be performed to show the particle-wave duality of light.

Introduction to Radioactivity: How do you calibrate a Dark Matter Detector?

Proj. Leader: Danielle Speller (Physics) and Bruno Serfass (Physics)

In this project, students will learn basic concepts of radioactivity and its use for detector calibration in the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment. Students will observe radioactivity using Geiger counter and cloud chamber demonstrations and review relevant lab safety topics. Students will also use real data to determine energy calibrations for a CDMS dark matter detector, and if time permits, take data using the cryogenic fridge in 75 LeConte. During the session, we will also discuss the CDMS experiment and the true nature of dark matter (what little we know of it) to contextualize the role that radioactivity plays in this particular application.