Stander Symposium: School of Engineering

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  Handheld Packaged Photonic Sensor for Chem-Bio Sensing

  Noelle Elizabeth Boltz

  Silicon semiconductor chips utilizing label-free optical methods can achieve multiplexed sensing of multiple biomarkers of several potential cancers, infections and diseases in a single measurement in real time with a few microliters of sample fluid. However, commercial benchtop optical instruments are often prohibitively expensive, hindering global adoption. The sensors offer high specificity detection down to sub-nanogram levels, enabling early diagnosis of cancers, infectious diseases, and pollutants. Combined with affordable instruments and silicon photonic chips, they could transform global rapid testing, even in remote, low-resource settings. To further facilitate its global application, this project has been focused on designing a compact, durable packaging solution that enables the sensor-equipped device to be easily integrated into testing stations. This design includes internal mechanisms that swiftly direct fluid samples across the photonic chip, enhancing the device's practicality and shipping feasibility to diverse regions.

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  High Precision Partial Object Tracking using Intensity and Depth Data

  Eric G. Smith

  Object and target tracking algorithms often have scenes and objects that they are better utilized for. However, the goal for object tracking algorithms is to be robust enough to be employable in many scenarios with as few disadvantages as possible. This project attempts to leverage open-source object tracking algorithms and combine the tracking performance of each for improved tracking capabilities. This fusion approach is done utilizing OpenCV, an open-source library for real-time computer vision functionality. An image set with objects of interest is used as the data source. The performance of individual trackers will be analyzed and compared to the performance of the fusion approach this project attempts to leverage. The goal of this project is to leverage the capabilities of each tracker and fuse their track results in a way to make up for poor performance in each algorithm individually. The resulting algorithm tracks a part of the object with sub-pixel precision.

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  Improved thermal conductivity of DLP-printed h-BN composites

  Israa Eltahir Ali Elfaki

  The limited thermal conductivity of many polymers has constrained their widespread use,despite their appeal for their resilience, affordability, and lightweight nature. Hexagonal boronnitride (h-BN), the structure analog of graphite, has many applications due to its superbproperties. Owing to its stacking layer structure, h-BN possesses anisotropic thermaltransportation property, exhibiting superior thermal conductivity along its in-plane direction butlower cross-plane thermal conductivity. Developing h-BN composites with controllable BNalignments will enable great potential for making high thermal conductive components for variousapplications. Digital light processing (DLP) is one of the additive manufacturing (AM) techniquesthat can be used to control h-BN plate orientation in a polymer matrix. This research investigatedthe DLP-printed h-BN composites, and the results showed the controllable alignments of h-BN inthe composites for improved thermal conductivities.

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  Inspirational Women in STEM: Presentation and Panel Discussion - Session 1

  Camryn Lanise Justice, Jennifer Lynne Keltos, Deeksha Kalkatte Laxman, Jyothsna Mailapalli, Sridatta Naupada, Keerthana Sai Pillala

  Despite the progress of women and minorities in post-secondary education fields such as medicine and law, they continue to face challenges in engineering and other STEM disciplines, both in academia and in the workplace. The Leadership and Engagement for Engineering Diversity (ENM 583) class develops an awareness of the barriers, biases and challenges to improving the culture to make the field more inclusive. Our contribution begins with presentations developed in an abbreviated pecha kucha format to profile inspirational women in STEM fields, followed by a panel discussion of the issues preventing parity in representation in STEM, as well as personal observations and experiences, with the hope of enlightening our community about the gaps in opportunities faced by classmates and colleagues.

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  Inspirational Women in STEM: Presentation and Panel Discussion - Session 2

  Sowmyasri Amujuri, Arpitha Guruprasad, Jennifer Lynne Keltos, Jeevanajyothi Kochana, Madhu Shankar Koppisetti, Nishanth Sreeram nagar Niranjan, Deepali Vishal Thombare

  Despite the progress of women and minorities in post-secondary education fields such as medicine and law, they continue to face challenges in engineering and other STEM disciplines, both in academia and in industry. The Leadership and Engagement for Engineering Diversity (ENM 583) class develops an awareness of the barriers, biases and challenges to improving the culture to make the field more inclusive. Our contribution begins with presentations developed in an abbreviated pecha kucha format to profile inspirational women in STEM fields, followed by a panel discussion of the issues preventing parity in representation in STEM, as well as personal observations and experiences, wit the hope of enlightening our community about the gaps in opportunities faced by classmates and colleagues.

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  Investigating the electrochemical properties of novel chalcogenide nanocrystals

  Muhammad Qasim Ali, Muhammad Mustafeez Ur Rehman

  Exploration of new and more sustainable semiconductor nanomaterials is a major research thrustto find a material which can provide improved performance in terms of energy efficiency andminiaturization. In this work, novel multinary copper-based chalcogenides nanocrystalsincluding tellurides were synthesized in the solution phase and their electrochemical propertieswith respect to structure were investigated. These nanocrystals are then deposited on the Siliconwafers using dip coating method and then drying it under the fume hood at 25 °C. CyclicVoltammetry (CV) method is used to measure the charge storage capacity of our material withthe help of Versa Stat-4. A quasi-solid-state device was fabricated by sandwiching twoelectrodes, working electrode obtained by using dip coated nanomaterial and reference electrodeis obtained by using the mixture of potassium chloride (KCl) and silver chloride (AgCl),separated by an ion transporting layer in the presences of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) andSodium Hydroxide (NaOH) as electrolytes. Electrochemical measurements such as specificcapacitance and CV curves show promising results for these materials to be used in batteries andphotovoltaic devices.

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  Investigating the Theory-Practice Gap in Sales Engineering Transitions

  Jack Kenneth Doll

  This research paper reports the investigation of the theory-practice gap that exists for engineering graduates transitioning into sales engineering or technical sales roles. Sales engineering is the practice of employing technical knowledge to facilitate the sales process of complex engineered products and services, acting as a bridge between engineers and customers. A balance of technical knowledge and sales acumen are critical to success in these positions . To investigate this theory-practice gap, the researcher employs a mixed-method design consisting of self-assessment surveys directed at current and previous sales engineers to gauge their readiness and skills at graduation versus the skills they have acquired throughout their career. These surveys explore the aspects of missing skills, if any, that they have observed in their industry experience. This research provides valuable insights for educators, industry professionals, and aspiring sales engineers, facilitating a more seamless integration of theory and practice in this growing field.

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  Kinematics of Inextensible Constant Curvature Model for the Design of Minimally Invasive Surgical Robots

  Yucheng Li

  Continuum robots are inspired by biological organisms such as snakes, octopus tentacles, and elephant trunks to replicate their flexibility. These robots can navigate complex and confined spaces, enabling them to adapt to changing shapes and surfaces and interact delicately with environments without causing damage. Hence, their inherent flexibility and maneuverability make continuum robots ideal for surgical procedures in minimally invasive surgery (MIS). However, MIS requires exacting precision in both the position of the surgical robot end-effector and the shape of the continuum robot backbone. Additionally, the high flexibility of continuum robots introduces complexity in motion planning and control. To address these challenges, this study focuses on two key aspects: understanding kinematic redundancy and locomotion in the inextensible continuum robot and proposing a novel design of the backbone and actuating system of the continuum robot to enhance backbone stiffness without loss of flexibility. The DIMLab's prior research has successfully achieved the objective of comprehensively understanding the kinematics of continuum robots, enabling their application in the medical field.

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  Liquid Metal: Powering Touch Sensors in Wearables

  Josafat Jimenez, Ashok Rathanlal

  Smart wearables are changing our daily tech interactions, and liquid metal is a key player. Known for flexibility and adaptability, it's perfect for advanced wearables. Our focus: a flexible touch screen with a liquid metal grid for precise touch detection. This innovation showcases liquid metal's potential in user-friendly wearables. It goes beyond — when stretched, liquid metal works as a sensor, adding versatility. As we integrate tech into daily life, liquid metal is shaping a new era of smart, adaptable wearables, transforming our digital experience.

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  Mechanical Design of an Aircraft with a Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage

  Colin E. Meehan

  An aircraft without a vertical stabilizer and using a novel rotating empennage is currently under study at the Air Force Research Lab. The project aims to produce a highly maneuverable tailless fighter aircraft that is inspired by the flight of hunting birds. Flying creatures do not have a vertical stabilizer and exhibit remarkable maneuverability by rotating their tail feathers for lateral stability and pitch control. In the tailless bio-inspired aircraft, lateral control is gained by providing the empennage with an additional degree of freedom. The bio-inspired rotating empennage (BIRE) concept aircraft has the capability to rotate the empennage about the roll axis, in addition to tilting each horizontal stabilizer about the pitch axis. The selected platform for the BIRE project is a single-engine, supersonic, tactical aircraft, based on the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The design of the outer mold line, the mechanical drive and structural components is ongoing. This poster will illustrate the concept and current state of development.

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  Membrane-Level Experiments: Validation Testing for Dielectric Elastomer Actuators

  Nathan Benham

  Nonlinear Dynamics of Soft Electro-Active Materials Under AC Voltages

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  Monitoring Air Quality Using a Visibility Meter

  Kaya Alina Niemiec, Cameron A. Pierson

  Atmospheric aerosols constitute most of the air during non-ideal weather conditions such as fog, haze, and mist. These aerosols cause light to be attenuated while propagating through the atmosphere leading to reduction in effective visibility. Visibility is the distance at which an observer can view an object clearly. The atmospheric extinction coefficient is related to the visibility and can be measured from designing a visibility meter. The overall goal of this project is to understand how to measure visibility in non-ideal weather conditions by built in the visibility meter. The visibility meter built in this project is cheaper than commercial visibility meters.

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  Numerical Analysis of Tapered Optical Fiber Sensors utilizing beam propagation methods

  Chaminda Ajith Kumara Ranathunga Ranathunga Mudiyanselage Ihala Gane Gedara

  Tapered Optical Fibers Sensors (TOFSs) have gained attention as sensors due to their elevated sensitivity, real-time specimen analysis, and practical measuring capabilities. By reducing the waist of the optical fiber, the optical field transmitted inside is permitted to extend beyond the fiber, enabling the detection of subtle changes in the refractive index near the sensitive(tapered) region. This can be efficiently used for bio-sensing and other sensing applications. An FFT-BPM is used to model optical propagation through fibers with different core and cladding thicknesses aimed at modeling a tapered fiber. The refractive index profile was suitably modified from a standard step-index fiber to include the presence of antibodies and antigens on the surface of the fiber with reduced cross-section. Detected power variation with wavelength scanning is proportionally phase-shifted for different antigen concentrations.

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  Optimizing Novel High-Speed Mechanical Press Designs for Improved Ram Dwell Subject to Joint Force Considerations

  Tianze Xu

  This research aims to advance mechanism designs for mechanical presses by targeting desirable ram motion while meeting industry standards for joint forces. Mechanical presses, pivotal in shaping metal parts from pop cans to car fenders, are integral to industry due to their advantages in speed, cost, accuracy, precision, and energy efficiency over alternative forming methods. The prevalent use of mechanical presses has spurred a considerable number of companies to design and manufacture these machines, catering to diverse end-user needs. Given their ubiquity, even minor enhancements can significantly reduce processing times and energy consumption. This study focuses on optimizing five designs to improve their dwells, the amount of time they spend in contact with the material to be formed. Two of the designs are established in industry, while the remaining three propose novel advancements. The two industry-established designs provide baselines for performance, identifying acceptable dwell times and joint loads. The remaining three designs will be optimized to surpass the dwell time while respecting the same joint loads.

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  Porous Materials as a Thermal Protection System for Hypersonic Flight Vehicles

  Megan Colleen Sieve

  Hypersonic flight is defined as speeds of Mach 5 and faster. A critical problem that arises at those speeds is the immense heating of the vehicle. Hypersonic vehicles have thermal protection systems (TPS) to aid in thermal regulation; however, as faster speeds require large TPS, a design concern is how to make the TPS so to not cause any harm to the vehicle’s performance. This research project will investigate the most prominent instability that causes turbulence, and consequently, heat, on a flat-plate at Mach numbers of 4 and above: the second-mode boundary-layer instability. Different porous materials have been shown to dampen acoustic waves, which are the cause of second-mode boundary layer instabilities and is the focus of this study. This project is a continuation of the study “Effect of Porosity on the Ability of Silicon-Carbide Foams to Attenuate the Second-Mode Boundary-Layer Instability” (Bemis et al.). Experimental techniques used were PCB pressure sensors, Schlieren imaging, infrared thermography, and Rayleigh scattering. Silicon-carbide porous foams, wavy wall samples, and impermeable samples were tested on two different sized flat plates. The goals of these experiments were to study boundary-layer transition and the effect that different porous materials had on the boundary-layer.

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  Predicting Weather Dependent Energy Savings for Low-Income Residential Buildings for Specific Upgrades with Limited Building Data

  Phillip Allen Clayton

  The pathway to sustainability is challenging. Multiple paths exist, but the key will be to achieve carbon reduction with the least cost. This could be achieved through large scale deployment of renewable energy; however, many studies have shown how important it is to reduce demand first. This study employs machine learning to analyze detailed energy profiles from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), estimating potential energy savings for natural gas heating, electric heating, and electric cooling through modifications such as insulation improvements, setpoint changes, infiltration reduction, or system efficiency enhancements. By comparing these building models with actual building data from Cincinnati, Ohio, via a nearest neighbor approach, mean savings are calculated for the ten most similar simulated houses. This process allows for the use of limited data (annual energy usage for heating and cooling and house area) to identify comparable model sets and estimate potential areas for energy-saving improvements. When savings estimates vary significantly (coefficient of variation greater than 0.2), clustering is applied to find a more consistent subgroup, enhancing the accuracy of the energy savings predictions.This methodology proves particularly effective for high energy-consuming residences, which are often found within low-income housing sectors. By focusing on buildings with the highest potential for energy savings, this approach offers targeted insights for utilities and city planners looking to prioritize energy reduction initiatives effectively. It highlights buildings where interventions could have the most substantial impact, both in terms of energy savings and cost efficiency.The next steps will involve validating the estimated savings against actual data. This validation process is crucial for refining the methodology and ensuring its applicability and accuracy in real-world scenarios. Focusing on high-consumption, low-income buildings, this study aims to reduce energy demand, enhance sustainability, and help vulnerable communities achieve greater energy efficiency.

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  Prediction of Hydrocarbon Density with Machine Learning Models

  Austin Christopher Grewell

  The approval procedure for new sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) is a lengthy and costly process as it requires extensive testing. Several physicochemical properties must be measured for a new jet fuel, and their values must fall within specific required ranges. The ability to mitigate actual testing and measurements with predictive models would accelerate the certification process and reduce the associated costs. Machine learning (ML) algorithms are increasingly attractive tools for developing predictive models for the physicochemical properties of jet fuels.This project used machine learning methods to predict the density of hydrocarbon mixtures based on specific molecular descriptors. A dataset comprised of 17060 hydrocarbons with known density and corresponding molecular descriptors (group functionalities and topological indexes) was used to train ML models. Random forest and artificial neural networks were chosen as training algorithms. A hyperparameter optimization was used to determine the optimum parameters for each model.The random forest models trained with 80% of the dataset yielded R2 values greater than 0.98 for the remaining 20% of the dataset, indicating good performances and minimal to no overfitting. Models were tested on a set of random binary, tertiary and quaternary mixtures, yielding R2 values greater than 0.88.

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  PUND Behavior of an HZO Device

  Tristan David Quach

  Ferroelectric materials form the backbone of silicon electronic memristor devices in silicon electronics and are gradually becoming more prevalent in silicon photonics for optical memory applications. In this context, hafnium zirconium oxide (HZO), an established material in the silicon electronics foundry, is making inroads in silicon photonics aided by its nearly zero absorption at near-infrared wavelengths that makes it compatible for integration with silicon photonic waveguides and resonators. A fundamental measurement technique to characterize ferroelectric material behavior is PUND. The acronym stands for positive up negative down. A PUND measurement is a series of five pulses based around the values of max voltage, period, and pulse width. PUND starts with a negative pulse used to preset the sample. The next two pulses are in positive volts. The last two pulses are in negative volts. This project aims to find ferroelectric properties of a HZO device using PUND measurements. To this end, the needed parameters for the PUND measurement must be found to adequately characterize the hysteresis behavior of the devices. The desired voltage and pulse width are 1V and 1 millisecond respectively. The pulse delay (the time from the end of one pulse to the start of the next) must be long enough to allow the device to discharge between PUND pulses. Once the necessary pulse delay for discharge between pulses is found, the number of PUND cycles the device must go through in order to show ferroelectric behavior, the wake-up effect, must be found. We will present initial measurement results.

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  PV ORIENTATION OPTIMIZATION FOR RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS CONSIDERING FIXED & BI-ANNUAL ORIENTATION WITH A CONSTANT OR VARYING TARIFF

  Jacob J. Brenner

  Optimizing photovoltaic (PV) panels beyond the use of additional technology is one method that many have analyzed to make PV panels as valuable as possible. It often comes in the form of orienting the tilt and azimuth of a panel for the most energy collected. This does improve the value of PV panels, but there are other considerations for the optimum orientation, as having the most energy collected does not guarantee the greatest value. This has culminated in a great amount of analysis of the optimum orientation for revenue over the past decade. The goal of this study was to add to this growing analysis by analyzing cases of commercial and residential buildings across four separate cities in the US using three separate possible tariff plans that are shared amongst every location. Results for savings were found for each location and building type for annual and biannual orientations using PVWatts API version 8. It was found that the maximum difference in the percentage of savings for an annual energy bill between a panel oriented for the purpose of energy and one for savings is 2.45% for annual and 3.12% for biannual. It was also found that when export value is nonexistent the optimum orientation will go for collection during peak hours, and when export value is overwhelmingly larger than the import the optimum orientation will go towards the times when electricity is used the least. It was also found that commercial buildings have their optimum revenue orientation closer to the optimum orientation for energy than residential buildings, and so the overall differences between the two orientations for savings for commercial buildings is smaller.

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  Quantitative Concentration and Density Measurements in Subsonic and Supersonic Helium Jets Using Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry

  Henry H. Jacques

  Rainbow Schlieren Defectometry (RSD) has been applied to acquire quantitative concentration and density measurements in both subsonic and supersonic conditions. Experiments were conducted using a helium jet expelled into air for two distinct regimes: initially laminar, momentum-driven at subsonic speeds, and subsequently at supersonic speeds. Comprehensive full-field measurements were captured, encompassing the laminar, transition, and fully turbulent regions of the jet in both subsonic and supersonic conditions. The subsonic (momentum-driven) regime was validated against Rayleigh scattering data in the literature. The supersonic regime utilizes a novel approach for acquiring density, where the mixing field is delineated into three portions: the potential core, the non-isobaric mixing shear layer, and the isobaric far field. Results from the RSD technique demonstrate robust mixing measurement capabilities for both subsonic and supersonic applications. The results from this work show promise for future applications involving the use of quantitative RSD for fuel injection studies.

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  Quantitative Methods for the Diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury Using Eye Gaze and Biometric Sensors

  Tanner Anthony Cuttone, Nathaniel Robert Doll, Ryan J. French, Isabella M. Saylor, Meredith Katharine Tropeano

  This poster provides a summary of an IRB approved research study on the optical response of the human eye using a GazePoint eye tracking system and biometrics hardware. Pupil dilation, gaze position, blink rate, and reaction time were recorded for human subjects in response to various visual stimuli on a computer screen. In addition, heart rate and galvanic skin response were recorded using a suite of biosensors. The experimental tasks were designed with varying levels of complexity and included both memory-recall and computational tasks. The overall aim of this study was to establish baseline data sets across multiple demographics, which can be used in the future to advance clinical diagnostic methodologies using quantitative methods for various types of traumatic brain injury, including concussion.

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  Quantitative Scalar Supersonic Boundary Layer Measurements on a Conical Geometry using Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry

  Joseph Kastner

  This study utilizes an optically accessible shock tube to emulate supersonic flow conditions for the purpose of a novel optical diagnostic development. A simple conical cone is used to develop a methodology to acquire full-field, quantitative scalar measurements in the boundary layer via Rainbow Schlieren Deflectometry (RSD). RSD will be implemented for the first time to record quantitative full-field density and pressure measurements inside the boundary layer. A parametric study is performed to investigate the full-field evolution of the density and pressure fields under the effects of Mach number. The results of this study will be validated with pressure probe data gathered from within the shock tube.

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  Research on the Biocompatibility of Nanofibers for Microneedles

  Lauren Alexis Carothers

  Electrospun nanofibers are extensively studied materials in tissue engineering for both in vivo and in vitro applications. Despite their potential, the delicate and friable nature of nanofibers poses challenges in handling and utilizing them for cell culture substrates. To address this, we investigated the feasibility of 3D printing circular frames using a UV curable resin onto chitosan nanofiber mats Our aim was to evaluate the adhesion and proliferation of cultured cells on variously positioned nanofibers, including rings and coins, and orientations both upwards and downwards, to assess their biocompatibility over time. To evaluate the confluency and proliferation, we utilized a combination of tests including CCK8, GFP imaging, and JMP software analysis.

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  Silver Corrosion: Substitution Reactions within the Corrosion Product

  Hannah Jane Buchanan

  Corrosion is a form of material degradation that causes billions of dollars of damage per year. Silver is often used as an indicator in atmospheric corrosion studies to better understand the effect of environmental chemistry on corrosion severity. The chemical composition of silver corrosion product films is commonly analyzed in atmospheric corrosion studies; however, changes in these films after initial formation are currently unaccounted for and poorly understood. This study utilized electrochemical coulometric techniques and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to characterize the composition of lab-grown silver corrosion product films. Silver corrosion product films were grown by electrochemical deposition in either NaOH, KCl, KBr, KI, and Na₂S solutions, resulting in Ag₂O, AgCl, AgBr, AgI, and Ag₂S, respectively. Multicomponent films were grown by depositing successive layers after changing the electrolyte. It was observed that when multicomponent films were grown in decreasing order by corrosion product stability, separate layers were observed for each corrosion product upon later characterization; however, when deposited in reverse order only a single corrosion product film was observed corresponding to the last electrolyte used. Further, it was observed that less stable silver corrosion products rapidly converted to a more stable corrosion product when immersed in the corresponding electrolyte. This rapid change indicates that initially formed silver corrosion products may be replaced during atmospheric corrosion by other more stable products. Applications of this phenomenon could include an improved technique for atmospheric chloride deposition rate characterization and improved Ag/AgCl reference electrode utilization.

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  Soft Robotic End-Effector Design: A Potential for Cost-Effective Maintenance in Aerospace Inspection and Pipe Investigation

  Ian J. Dargai, Antoine Gagne, John Gordon Hoover, Hayden Catherine Lingel

  This research presents investigations into the cost-effective design of a soft robotic end-effector, engineered to perform tasks with dexterity and precision. The end-effector is being considered for performing manipulations either at the end of a continuum robot or as a stand-alone mechanism. The combination of continuum robot and end-effector is expected to provide a high degree of flexibility and safety. Such a soft robotic manipulator exhibits potential across applications in the realm of aerospace maintenance, particularly for jet engines during repairs. A similar concept could be considered for a soft-robot designed to navigate a pipe. Additionally, the soft aspect of the end-effector makes it suitable for recreational purposes, including a backyard "splash zone" or a larger water park installation. Several end-effector prototypes have been printed and tested.