Abstracts: Bowman Scholar Research Projects (AY2006)
Matthew B. Baker
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Measurement of the Neutron from the Scattering of Polarized Electrons from Polarized Deuterium
Deuterium is the
first nuclear material produced in stars as well as being the simplest nucleus to study.
The neutron embedded in the deuterium is loosely bound such that it can easily be struck and
released from its nuclear environment. Although electrically neutral, neutrons do possess an
electric moment as they are comprised of quarks. Statistical properties of quarks within neutrons
can be measured by striking neutrons with sufficient energy and then detecting the moment distributions
of the outgoing particles. The spatial distribution of charged quarks within the neutron gives rise to an
electric moment which plays a significant role in all nuclear reactions above an energy threshold of
approximately 50 MeV. The current world data set describing the electric form factor of the neutron (GnE)
has a relative error of 15-20% in the region that can be observed at BLAST (Bates Large Acceptance Spectrometer Toroid).
Using BLAST, a measurement of the electric form factor (GnE) will be extracted from scattering data of polarized electrons
from polarized deuterium. The proposed relative error should be better than 5% statistical plus 5% systematic, once the
entire 2003-2004 data set collected at BATES has been analyzed.
FACULTY ADVISER
Assistant Professor Kevin L. McIlhany
Physics Department
David E. Faherty, III
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
The History of China's Nuclear Submarine Program
On the 27th of July 1958,
Mao Zedong signed a directive authorizing the development of a Chinese nuclear ballistic submarine program.
The program was conceived during the Great Leap Forward and survived the turbulent years of the Cultural Revolution.
A study of the Communist China’s nuclear submarine program will illuminate the intricacies of the Chinese government,
uncover tensions permeating a communist society and reveal a great deal about the nation’s temperament.
This study will include, but is not limited to: Chinese culture and history, modern Far East Asian politics,
Chinese-Russian relations during the Cold War, and the role of sea power in international relations. The scope
of this research will become more focused as the project progresses.
FACULTY ADVISER
Associate Professor Maochun Yu
History Department
Ruth M. Gaunt
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Using Non-orthogonal Images for Iris Recognition
Iris recognition is a noninvasive
method of biometric signal processing with a high-degree of accuracy that makes it a popular choice for human
identification. At the present time an orthogonal, or head-on image of the iris is needed to positively identify
the individual. This project will investigate developing an algorithm for identifying individual iris images taken
from varying off-center angles. The information content of the iris portion of these images will be evaluated to
determine their suitability for identification based on a training and test database using a custom identification
algorithm that will be developed. Issues to be addressed include the amount of the iris needed for identification
as well as using operations on the iris image to compensate for rotation, distortion and skew. In addition, the
extent of non-orthogonality that still allows identification will be investigated. MATLABŪ and existing biometric
signal processing lab equipment will be used to analyze and implement this research.
FACULTY ADVISERS
Assistant Professor Robert W. Ives and Professor Delores M. Etter
Electrical Engineering Department
Clifford N. Jessop
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Using Wavelength Conversion for Routing in Optical Networks
In optical networks,
there is currently a need to perform an optical-electrical-optical (O-E-O) conversion at each routing point
or node. This introduces latency due to the relatively low speed of the electronic circuitry compared to the
bandwidth of the optical medium. Wavelength conversion is a nonlinear process in which the frequency of an
optical signal is changed without an optoelectronic conversion. This technique can be used to route data in an
optical format, eliminating the O-E-O conversion and drastically reducing network latency at each node.
This research will investigate: 1) the feasibility of wavelength conversion as a routing tool and
2) possible construction of an actual wavelength converter. Throughput and reliability will be
analyzed for networks with and without wavelength conversion. Additionally, the suitability of this technology
will be analyzed in digital, analog and mixed signal networks.
FACULTY ADVISERS
Associate Professor R. Brian Jenkins and CAPT Robert J. Voigt, USN
Electrical Engineering Department
David M. Koeppel
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Space Capability of Lithium Ion Batteries
Nickel-hydrogen batteries are
widely used as spacecraft power sources. Lithium Ion batteries have a greater energy density and cost-to-energy ratio
than that found in Nickel-Hydrogen batteries. Lithium Ion batteries, however, have not been tested for tolerance
to the space environment. As such, this research will test the batteries for different types of charging and
discharging characteristics, while comparing the results to those of Nickel-Hydrogen and Nickel-Cadmium batteries.
The Lithium Ion batteries will be tested for rate of discharge, discharge current, internal impedance, capacitance
and external temperature. Similar characteristics will be observed and recorded during the charging of the batteries.
The number of charge and discharge cycles will be recorded in order to study these characteristics over the life of the
battery. This data will help to analyze the suitability of Lithium Ion batteries for use in spacecraft.
FACULTY ADVISER
CDR David D. Myre, USN
Aerospace Engineering Department
Joseph J. Koessler
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Heating and Frictional Wear of Al-Si-C Metal Matrix Composites
(MMCs)
for Application in the Navy's Electromagnetic Railgun
During the firing of an
electromagnetic railgun, the electrically conducting rails experience high levels of heat and friction.
Copper rails are currently used for their superior electrical properties. However, the life cycle of this
material does not meet the standards required for implementing this weapon on a ship. Aluminum-Silicon-Carbide
metal matrix composites have been proposed as an alternative to copper because of the composite’s superior
strength and hardness. This research proposes to investigate the suitability of Al-Si-C as a material for use
in the naval electromagnetic railgun. While analytical methods do exist for predicting the thermal performance
of these materials, the behavior of Al-Si-C MMCs in the complex environment of a railgun is unknown. Finite element
analysis of an Al-Si-C using the ANSYS software package and data from test firings will provide an accurate portrayal
of the thermal gradient that occurs during firing. Finite element analysis of different combinations
of Al and Si-C
will help determine which composition offers the best thermal performance while maintaining acceptable levels of
electrical conductivity.
FACULTY ADVISERS
Assistant Professor Andrew N. Smith and CDR Lloyd P. Brown, USN
Mechanical Engineering Department
Alan M. Marsh
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Silencing Magnetic Force
Shaft vibration
in the propulsion systems of naval vessels has a number of negative effects including increased wear,
decrease in habitability for passengers and crew and, most importantly, decrease in stealth. The objective
for this project is to use magnetic bearings to implement multi-tonal noise control. Multi-tonal noise
control will identify unwanted sounds waves/noise from the shaft and counter vibration with an adaptive
feedforward system. To demonstrate multi-tonal noise control, a DC motor will be constructed rotating shaft
and fan blades. Magnetic bearings will provide position control for the shaft and act as the actuating force
to create cancellation waves. Microphones will be set up to test for multi-tonal noise and feedback error.
The system should be able to keep the shaft suspended in air, rotating between magnetic bearing while vibrating
the shaft to cancel out multi-tonal noise emitted from the rotating blades. The system design will consist of a
feedback-closed loop to control the position of the shaft in suspension between two opposite magnetic bearings,
and an adaptive feedforward closed loop as an active noise controller.
FACULTY ADVISER
CAPT Owen G. Thorp, III, USNR
Weapons and Systems Engineering Department
John R. Pepin
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
A Quest of Exploration: The Analysis of Exoplanet Behavior
to Lead to the Eventual Discovery of Earth-type Exoplanets
The disovery of
exoplanets, or planets which orbit stars other than the sun, and the understanding of their behavior
is a necessary prelude to answer the age old question: “Is there the possibility of life outside of
our solar system?” This research will center on an observational program of visual photometry of
exoplanets using the United States Naval Observatory’s 24-in. reflective telescope. Data will be regularly
gathered on four to six expolanet systems with known, jovian-sized planets. This observational data will be
analyzed to look for deviations in photometric fluxes in various wavelength bands to discover a potential
variability in the radiation of the star that would indicate a coronal mass ejection and possible aurora
activity. The observational data indicating possible aurora activity will be compared with radio observations
conducted for the same purpose. Correlations between the optical and radio variability could indicate a
possible magnetic field and a planet that may be of similar composition to our own.
FACULTY ADVISER
Professor C. Elise Albert
Physics Department
Eric A. Roe
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Search for a Tenth Planet: Testing Interferences from the Kuiper Cliff
Several
scientific studies argue that there exists a planet located in the Kuiper belt which serves to
influence the Kuiper belt objects in a method similar to that of Jupiter and the main asteroid belt,
resulting in the formation of the Kuiper Cliff. In order to search for this “Planet X”, this project
will use several terabytes of imaging data, taken over successive weeks, covering regions of the sky
surrounding the ecliptic. Computer software will be refined and utilized to contrast the locations of
celestial bodies identified in each image. Orbiting bodies can be discovered and cataloged as possible
candidates for follow-up analysis by fitting their orbits, light curves, and rotation curves. Further
observation of the most promising candidates will be conducted at Kitt Peak National Observatory. If the
planet is found, not only will a previously unknown member of our solar system be uncovered, but further
insight into planet formation and solar system dynamics will be gathered. If the planet is not found in a
significant portion of the sky, the competing theories explaining the existence of the Kuiper Cliff will have
been differentiated.
FACULTY ADVISERS
Assistant Professor Jeffrey A. Larsen and Professor C. Elise Albert
Physics Department
Jonathan A. Shaver
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Control Systems Friendly Environment on Digital Signal Processors
Digital signal
processing is an essential component of controls engineering. Currently the Naval Academy's Weapons and
Systems Engineering Department utilizes the Rabbit Microprocessor to perform digital control.
The Rabbit is limited by its architecture in performing many of the common digital signal processing
functions of controls engineering. This processor limitation decreases the capabilities of student projects
and labs. The Texas Instruments LF2407A, a digital signal processor that is intended for control system application,
will be utilized to develop a control environment usable for all systems engineering applications at
the Naval Academy. Software will be written that will make the controls environment on the digital signal processor (DSP),
user friendly. Peripheral serial communications will be set up to eliminate the user’s need to do so. This new DSP will be able
to replace the current Rabbit Microprocessors, allowing many new possibilities for students in its application.
FACULTY ADVISER
Assistant Professor Matthew G. Feemster
Weapons and Systems Engineering Department
Daniel S. Shevenell
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Electrical Power Automation System
Future generations
of naval vessels will rely ultimately upon their electrical backbone in order to reduce manning and
conserve space, thus, continuity of service for the electrical distribution system is a paramount concern.
The goal of the proposed research is to prevent cascading damage and to reestablish operability of key systems
by automatically reacting to disruptions faster than the human crew is capable. The investigation of current
techniques available to deal with electrical control will yield the most promising control method, which will
be applied to a small piece of a larger power distribution system. Design, analysis, simulation, prototyping,
and integration of a controller into the existing framework will be preformed. Finally, experimentation will
be done to test the system’s overall ability to deal with unplanned disruptions.
FACULTY ADVISER
Associate Professor Edwin L. Zivi
Weapons and Systems Engineering Department
Jon D. Stockton
Midshipman First Class
United States Navy
Synthesis of Polymer-silica Composite Materials for the Development
of Elevated Temperature Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells
Of all of the different kinds of
fuel cells currently available, hydrogen and direct-methanol fuel cells show the most promise. Both of these fuel c
ells require a membrane that keeps the fuel and oxidant separate while allowing hydrogen ions to migrate through.
This proposed research will investigate the development of a proton transfer membrane from polymer-silica composite
materials after sulfonation. In order to address the issues of elevated temperatures, cost of production, effective
proton conductivity and swelling in proton transfer membranes, sulfonated polymer-silica composites will be synthesized
and characterized for ionic conductivity. The hope is to exploit these materials to expand on the type of properties
that can be tailored for them, specifically those related to effective polymer electrolyte membranes which can be used
in fuel cells.
FACULTY ADVISER
Associate Professor Joseph F. Lomax
Chemistry Department
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