Architecture

Authors: Luis Valdez, Mary Alvarez, Jessica Berryman, Ron Valcarce. Mentors: Jessica Berryman. Insitution: Salt Lake Community College. Plants produce & emit a diverse and substantial amount of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. These compounds play important roles in the plant’s tri-trophic interactions, responses to environmental stress, and have been shown to participate in atmospheric chemistry. Although variation in VOC emissions in plants has been extensively studied, there are gaps in knowledge on how symbiotic interactions with soil microbiota shape the VOC profile of plants in the context of environmental stress. Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) are fungi that form symbiotic associations with plants by colonizing their roots & providing enhanced micronutrient & water retention in exchange for photosynthates. These associations have also been shown to enhance plant responses against biotic & abiotic stress. In this study, we will look at how the expression of heat stress- induced VOCs changes based on mycorrhizal availability in the soil. Populus b. trichocarpa saplings will be exposed to the respective temperatures of 25° C, 35° C, & 40° C for an extended period of time. Emitted volatiles will be collected and analyzed using GC-MS. For each type of temperature, emissions will be compared between saplings planted under different levels of AMF availability (low, medium, & high). We expect volatile emissions to change based on mycorrhizal availability in one of two scenarios; increased emissions due to increased phosphorus uptake from the fungus or decreased emissions due to carbon allocation to the fungus.

Authors: Katherine Christensen, Danielle Kemmer. Mentors: Ron Valcarce. Insitution: Salt Lake Community College. Phenytoin is listed by the World Health Organization as an Essential Medicine that is one of the most cost-effective anti-epileptic (AED) treatments available. However, the availability of the drug to pharmacies in developing countries is limited. 85% of those affected with epilepsy live without treatment. Low commercial production, political instabilities, and/or financial barriers prevent the availability of this anti-epileptic drug. A more efficient and cost-effective method for supplying phenytoin to local clinics and medical personnel could alleviate some of these barriers. The initial goal of this project was to refine a small-scale synthesis and purification of phenytoin using the base-catalyzed addition of urea to benzil, followed by pinacol rearrangement and recrystallization. Our procedure emphasized simple laboratory equipment found in the most basic of pharmacy laboratories. Using the International Pharmacopoeia guidelines for pharmaceutical purity, we achieved over 98% purity. Verification of pharmaceutical grade purity was achieved by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Our Secondary goal was to incorporate a more efficient and accessible synthesis method. This goal was achieved through the implementation of Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE). This project outlines the comparison between these two methods and the potential benefits and limitations of each of these methodologies.

Authors: Antonio Ruiz Ayala. Mentors: John Flood. Insitution: Salt Lake Community College. Aerogels are a fascinating material that function as great insulators. Nasa has partnered with Aspen Aerogels to produce a commercially viable product that aims to tackle a variety of problems such as space shuttle insulation, space particle collection, thermal safety, and cryogenic applications. The main objective of our project is to reproduce an aerogel blanket using standard lab conditions and chemicals. We will be producing the blanket using the silica gel process. We will compare properties of durability, cost, and thermal conductivity. We plan to pinpoint a procedure that provides the most cost effective, durable, and thermally conductive material under standard lab conditions.

Authors: Jordan Gertino, Bryan Wilson. Mentors: Bryan Wilson. Insitution: Salt Lake Community College. This study investigates inscribing a changing base tetrahedron within a unit circle, presenting a unique approach to generate a comprehensive array of all triangles with a specific scale and orientation. The ultimate objective is to establish a surjection between the creation angle and the resulting triangle. With this method all triangles are (theoretically, up to scaling) possible to construct using surjection. By creating a standard family of triangles this research may provide a different framework in geometric manipulation with potential applications in chemistry, biology, and other various fields. One example is that it could be a good model for the molecular structure of tetrahedrons under pressure.

Authors: Emma Parry, Nikki Trush, Christina Pondell. Mentors: Christina Pondell. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Rivers in arid environments provide extremely important sources of freshwater for local ecosystems and communities. These regions are highly vulnerable to climate change and are seeing high rates of human population growth. This leads to unsustainable demand on progressively more threatened freshwater resources. Despite the importance of these water resources for residential, agricultural, and environmental needs, there is little information available to describe long term changes to water quality in response to human and climate change. The Santa Clara River in southern Utah is one prime example of a threatened arid river system that serves as an important drinking water source to a rapidly growing human population. This 52-mile-long river flows from the Pine Valley Mountains and past the cities of Ivins, Santa Clara, and St. George before meeting with the Virgin River. This research discusses results from a water quality monitoring program initiated in February 2023. Our sampling efforts focused on the lower Santa Clara River between Gunlock Reservoir and the Virgin River confluence. We selected four sites to monitor the impacts of changes in land use and restoration efforts on the river’s water quality. In this presentation we discuss results from time series analysis and correlations between water quality, flow rates, and land use to describe how water quality responds to human and climate impacts on this arid freshwater resource. This research underscores the importance of establishing long-term monitoring capabilities for critical water quality parameters and provides valuable insights for sustainable water management and environmental conservation in southern Utah.

Authors: Savanna Greer. Mentors: Zhenyu Jin. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) play a crucial role in predicting avalanches by enabling the analysis, visualization, and modeling of various spatial data that contribute to understanding avalanche risk. Here's how GIS can assist in predicting avalanches:* Terrain Analysis: GIS allows experts to analyze terrain features such as slope, aspect, elevation, and curvature, which are critical factors in determining avalanche-prone areas. Steep slopes, specific aspects, and changes in elevation are indicative of higher avalanche risk. GIS software can create detailed elevation models and analyze slope angles to identify potential avalanche zones.
* Snowpack Analysis: By integrating data from snow telemetry stations, weather stations, and remote sensing technologies, GIS can help monitor snow depth, density, temperature, and moisture content. These factors are critical in assessing the stability of the snowpack. GIS can create maps showing the distribution of snow depth and snow water equivalent, aiding in the assessment of avalanche risk.
* Historical Data Integration: GIS enables the integration of historical avalanche data and events into mapping systems. Analyzing past avalanche occurrences can help identify patterns, understand triggers, and determine high-risk areas. This data can be used to create predictive models.
* Weather and Climate Data: GIS allows the integration of real-time and historical weather data into avalanche prediction models. Changes in temperature, precipitation, wind speed, and direction greatly impact snow stability and can trigger avalanches. GIS can overlay weather data onto terrain and snowpack information to create comprehensive predictive models.
* Risk Zoning and Modeling: Using the spatial analysis capabilities of GIS, experts can create risk zones and models that categorize areas based on their susceptibility to avalanches. These zones help in urban planning, land-use management, and emergency response planning. GIS can also simulate and model potential avalanche paths, allowing for the visualization of potential avalanche runout zones.
* Decision Support Systems: GIS-based decision support systems provide valuable tools for avalanche forecasters and emergency management personnel. These systems integrate various data sources, allowing for real-time monitoring, risk assessment, and decision-making to mitigate potential avalanche threats.
* Communication and Public Awareness: GIS can be used to create maps and visualizations that communicate avalanche risk to the public, backcountry enthusiasts, and local authorities. This can aid in raising awareness and promoting safety measures in avalanche-prone areas.
By leveraging GIS, avalanche forecasters, researchers, and land management agencies can significantly improve their understanding of avalanche dynamics, develop more accurate predictive models, and take proactive measures to mitigate risks and enhance safety in avalanche-prone areas.

Authors: Allie Pace, Conner Bennett. Mentors: Marzieh Ghasemi. Insitution: Utah Tech University. The city of Saint George is reported as one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA with more than 40% change in its population from 2010 to 2022. With increasing population and subsequent consumerism, Saint George has seen a significant increase in waste production. Analyzing the data recorded by Washington County Solid Waste, revealed that municipal waste disposal has increased from about 136000 Tonnes in 2015 to around 227000 Tonnes in 2021. The preliminary data analysis showed that the maximum waste production mostly occurred in the peak season from March to May with approximately 20000 Tonnes of waste produced on average during these months in 2020. The purpose of this research is to study the trends in waste generation in Washington County, City of Saint George over the past 10 years. As a part of this research, the waste composition, the average waste production per household, and the possible factors that may contribute to changing waste production and composition will be investigated.

Authors: Trevor Ashby, Elizabeth Maclennan. Mentors: Gabriela Chilom. Insitution: Utah Tech University. This study explores the influence of organic amendment on the water retention and wettability of desert soils, which are traditionally challenged by limited water availability. The water retention was assessed by gravimetric methods and the wettability changes were assessed by using the contact angle and ethanol droplet methods. The aggregation and morphology of the soils was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Application of organic amendments to desert soils altered their wettability, water retention, and aggregation in a manner not directly tied to the quantity of organic material incorporated. These alterations are indicative of complex soil-organic matter interactions that transcend mere carbon addition and underscore a multifaceted response of desert soils to organic amendments, which cannot be predicted by the amount of organic carbon alone.