FYRE in STEM 2022

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https://hdl.handle.net/10057/23315

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Interaction robot action planning on omni-surface through visualization and touching
(Wichita State University, 2022) Pethkar, Varun; Yan, Fujian; Chavez, Edgar; He, Hongsheng
With growing industries adopting new systems and interactive machinery to execute their projects, there is another growing industry to supply these demands using artificial intelligence and structures that implement augmented reality for effective real-time application. The major challenge that these engineers, who supply industries with technology, face is that of a method of incorporating their technology with an efficient interactive system, i.e., a simple way for the industrial labour to use that technology for maximum efficacy and to draw out a healthy profit, which implies that the supplied system must not only be at the top of the market, having the most innovative system, but it also needs to be at an affordable price, utilizing a minimalistic interface. In order to tackle this, we use Lampix, which is a widely accessible software that converts any flat surface into an interactive one. We use a projector type of augmented reality, using Lampix in order to set-up an interface between the mechanical array and the interactive system. In order to maximize input efficiency, the interface can also take vocal commands and convert them into a robotic action using speech-to-text and keyword analysis. This allows the user to use any type of input that they think would be better in depending on the work to be done. Taking all this into account, we have designed a layout for the interactive omni-surface that is both easy to use and uses augmented reality and visualization in order to aid the mechanical array to execute its workload precisely. This system-interface interaction is one where any sort of industry or household workload can be implemented for both manual and automated assignments.
Set the world on FYRE: Response of arthropods to grassland fires
(Wichita State University, 2022) Fleming, Thomas; Morphew, Alexandra; Jameson, Mary Liz
There is increasing effort by environmentalists to restore natural grasslands. However, most of this effort focuses solely on plants instead of other key factors that impact plants (such as animals that act as pollinators and seed dispersers). Current research on the effectiveness of restoration fails to capture the impact insects have on the ecosystem. The abundance of insects and other arthropod groups, like spiders, has serious repercussions for both pollination and sustaining the food web. One common restoration process is field burning, where land managers typically burn fields to clear old growth, return nutrients to the soil, and improve forage for animals. We analyzed the impact of field burning as a restoration method on different arthropod groups (grasshoppers, spiders, and butterflies) by matching burned sites with nearby unburned sites (16 total). Because the burning process has a delay in its effect, data was used from 2018, while the burning took place in 2017. Overall, we found a significant increase in arthropod abundance in burned sites compared to unburned sites. Increased arthropod abundance could be attributed to the concentration of nutrients in the plants post-burn. When analyzing the average abundance, however, there was strong variation in the level of abundance of the arthropod groups. This implies that other factors such as time of burn, intensity of burn, and burn frequency might influence the abundance. Understanding how land management processes impact arthropods assists in addressing low pollinator numbers.
Studying misinformation surrounding COVID-19 in Hispanic communities
(Wichita State University, 2022) Mata, Rory; Menon, Mythili
The pandemic saw a rise in the spread of false information through social media. Although many studies have examined misinformation spread in English, relatively fewer studies have examined the spread of misinformation in Spanish. Very often there is a delay in the removal of misinformation regarding COVID-19 when it is presented in a language other than English. As a result, Spanish medical interpreters, while under tremendous stress with increasing demand, cannot rely on online information. Consequently, negative effects of misinformation combine with the fact that most healthcare providers do not speak Spanish, hereby putting a greater emphasis on making interpreters readily available. Overall, limited English proficiency and a lack of ability to communicate with a healthcare provider in Spanish decreases trust between patient and provider, as well as overall knowledge of the care being received. This study will be conducted through surveys containing questions about experiences in medical settings both before and during COVID-19. The survey has been circulated among students at Wichita State University. Results suggest a reliance on social media for news about COVID-19, as well as an increase in the accessibility of information in Spanish since the start of the pandemic. The goal of the study is to use the personal experiences collected through these surveys to help understand the effects of COVID-19 misinformation, which will provide insight into ways of preventing such spread in Hispanic communities in and around Wichita.
Synthesis of BaXP2S6 and BaX2P2S8 nonlinear optical material crystals (X = Zn, Cd)
(Wichita State University, 2022) Tran, Julie; Ji, Bingheng; Wang, Jian
Middle infrared and ultraviolet lasers have significant civilian life and military applications, and researchers have been interested in finding the best way to create them. Through the synthesis of middle infrared nonlinear optical materials (MIR NLO), middle infrared lasers can be created via the nonlinear harmonic process. However, much of the challenge is to discover NLOs that exhibit all seven of their ideal aspects: non-centrosymmetric crystal structure; suitable band gap; large second-harmonic generating (SHG) coefficients; high laser damage threshold; moderate birefringence; excellent thermal, chemical, and air stability; and ability to be grown in large amounts of single crystals. In this study, BaZnP2S6, BaZn2P2S8, BaCdP2S6, and BaCd2P2S8 were the target compounds based on the Ba2P2S6 parent compound, as [P2S6] motifs have been previously shown to exhibit large SHG coefficients. Additionally, this study was conducted based on the Jahn-Teller theory and the notion that the disordered arrangement of Zn2+ and Cd2+ would contribute to the novel NLOs would not only exhibit but enhance the ideal properties of NLO crystal synthesis. Samples were based on stoichiometric calculations, made within a glovebox, sealed using a vacuum and torch, and put into a furnace. X-ray diffraction was conducted for two of the samples for analysis (graphs of Intensity vs. 2-Theta were produced) and the experimental peaks matched data of known metal thiophosphates in published research. Therefore, the target compounds were not achieved because mixed metal cations were not involved in the system. Future approaches to synthesizing crystals based on the Ba2P2S6 parent compound are discussed.
Effects of infill pattern and percentage on post-annealing dimensions of PLA and carbon-PLA 3D prints
(Wichita State University, 2022) Nobles, Laura Paige; Smith, Nicholas
In Additive Manufacturing, or 3D printing, a printed object can be strengthened in a process known as annealing, which heats the object above the “glass” temperature but below the melting temperature and causes the material to relieve some of the stresses within. However, this process can introduce different stresses to the object which may affect the quality of the object. This study aimed to look at the role of infill pattern, percentage, and printing material in this “warping” during the annealing process. Three infill patterns were studied: triangular, tri-hexagonal, and grid. Each pattern was printed at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% infill. This process was done with both regular polylactic acid (PLA) and carbon-reinforced PLA. Printing was done with a nozzle temperature of 215°C and a bed temperature of 75°C. Multiple models (25x25x25mm cubes) were printed for each pattern, percentage, and material and the average of the dimensions was taken for each model. After printing, the models were annealed in the 3D printer overnight at 95°C and measurements were taken again. The change in length of each dimension was calculated, and from that the linear strain was calculated for each model type. From the data collected, material type appeared to have the biggest impact on strain: the regular PLA expanded more than the Carbon-PLA. Also, for both material types and for all patterns and percentages, the most growth happened in the z-dimension. Further studies may investigate the general structural sturdiness of the least affected parameters in this study and see how applicable objects with these infill parameters are in industrial fields.

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