poster abstracts - uah...september 7 – 8, 2018 poster abstracts sponsored by alabama nsf epscor...

SEPTEMBER 7 – 8, 2018

POSTER ABSTRACTS

SPONSORED BY ALABAMA NSF EPSCOR

Renaissance Montgomery Hotel & Spa at the Convention Center201 Tallapoosa Street | Montgomery, AL 36104

The Science & Technology Open House

September 7-8, 2018

hosted by

Tuskegee University

Sponsored by

ALABAMA NSF EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research)

Dear Students, Advisors, Judges and Colleagues, If you look around today you will see over 100 posters. It is so rewarding to see this session, which offers such a great opportunity for interaction between students and professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields that continues to grow. The goal of the Science & Technology Open House is to provide an opportunity for students to present their research, design and independent study projects. Students will gain professional experience and build their resumes through direct exposure to real world problems and competitiveness. The Science & Technology Open House will not only serve as a means of showcasing the hard work of many of Alabama’s talented students, but also the quality of education that is afforded to Alabama students because of the generous support by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The Science & Technology Open House is an effort of primarily the AL EPSCoR. Additional support is provided through NSF programs like Math and Science Partnership (MSP). The Alabama Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) award from the National Science Foundation created an integrated, statewide partnership among multiple academic institutions, including: Alabama A&M University (AAMU), Alabama State University (ASU), Auburn University (AU), Tuskegee University (TU), Oakwood University, the University of Alabama (UA), the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), and the University of South Alabama (USA). Thanks to all of the students, judges, volunteers and sponsors. We would also like to thank Alabama EPSCoR Executive Director and Alabama EPSCoR Steering Committee for their support. We hope you have a wonderful experience at this year’s open house! The Science & Technology Open House Organizing Committee Mrs. Carol Banks - Tuskegee University Mr. Kenneth Calhoun – Tuskegee University Ms. Shakeya Fielder – Tuskegee University Dr. Shaik Jeelani – Tuskegee University Ms. Felicia Jenkins – Tuskegee University Dr. Christopher Lawson – University of Alabama in Birmingham Ms. Charlotte Nix – University of Alabama Dr. Vijaya K. Rangari – Tuskegee University Dr. Carlos Reinhold – University of Alabama at Huntsville Dr. Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh – Tuskegee University Dr. Edward Thomas – Auburn University Ms. Dana Waller – University of Alabama at Huntsville Dr. Gary Zank – University of Alabama at Huntsville

Judges / Affiliations

1. Kelli Bain – Clayton State University

2. Michael Baran – Science Applications International Corporation

3. Maria Calhoun – Tuskegee University

4. Ernst Cebert - Alabama A&M University

5. Steven Cephus – US Department of Army

6. Mohammed Diallo – Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC

7. Sonja Favors – Alabama Department of Environment Management

8. Junpeng Guo – University of Alabama at Huntsville

9. Bertram Jones - Central Alabama Veterans Health Care Systems

10. Wanda Jones – Faulkner State Community College

11. Bridgette Johnson – Northrop Grumman

12. Anthony Kumi - Tuskegee University

13. Srinivasa Rao Mentreddy – Alabama A&M University

14. Manoj Mishra – Alabama State University

15. Leopold Nyochembeng - Alabama A&M University

16. Carlos Reinhold - University of Alabama at Huntsville

17. Davie Rickenbacker – Center for Disease Control

18. Reneé Rodgers – Raytheon Company

19. Vinoy Thomas – The University of Alabama in Birmingham

20. Komal Vig – Alabama State University

21. Aerial Williams – Central Alabama Veterans Health Care Systems

Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh - Poster Session Chair, Tuskegee University

Science & Technology Open House Poster Abstracts September 7 – 8, 2018 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UBS–01: SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF IMMUNOLOGIC BREAST MILK COMPONENTS ON INTESTINAL

EPITHELIAL CELL VIABILITY AND PROTECTION ........................................................................................................ 11

AYIVOR JASMIN 1, KYLE BRAWNER2, BRIAN SIMS3, COLIN MARTIN2 .................................................................................................. 11

UBS-02: MAPPING THE SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF CA++ SIGNALS IN HUMAN AIRWAY SMOOTH

MUSCLE CELLS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 11

BOBINGER HANNA V.1, NAGA ANNAMDEVULA2, ANDREA L. BRITAIN3, THOMAS C. RICH4, SILAS J5. LEAVESLEY6 .................... 11

UBS-03: THE IN VITRO EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON EXOSOME BIOLOGY .............................................................. 12

CURRY ALIYAH J.1, LEANDRA B. JONES2, SPARKLE D. WILLIAMS3, ALEXANDRE KRENDELCHTCHIKOV3, BRIAN SIMS3, QIANA L.

MATTHEWS1 .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12

UBS–04: THE EFFECT OF THYMIC NURSE CELL TRANSPLANTATION ON CARDIOVASCULAR

REMODELING IN A MODEL OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS ................................................................... 13

DURON RILDA1, MICHAEL HENDERSON2, TERRANCE PLATT2, MARCIA MARTINEZ2, CHASTITY BRADFORD2 ............................ 13

UBS-05: EFFECTS OF COMMON ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES (NICOTINE AND ALCOHOL) ON THE

HIPPOCAMPUS AND CORTEX OF PRENATAL RODENTS ........................................................................................... 13

FUJIHASHI AYAKA, DWIPAYAN BHATTACHARYA, JENNA BLOEMER, MOHAMMED MAJRASHI, MOHAMMED ALMAGHRABI,

SINDHU RAMESH, MARTHA ESCOBAR, VISHNU SUPPIRAMANIAM, MURALIKRISHNAN DHANASEKARAN ..................................... 13

UBS-06: AUTOTAXIN AND GLUTAMATE DYSREGULATION IN RODENT MODEL OF BRAIN INSULIN

RESISTANCE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 13

JONES ELLERY, MANOJ GOVINDARAJULU, SINDHU RAMESH, MURALIKRISHNAN DHANASEKARAN VISHNU SUPPIRAMANIAM . 14

UBS-07: INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF ORAL BACTERIA ON ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

CELLS ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 14

KOVAC STEFAN, JASON L. FLOYD, JESSICA SCOFFIELD, HOPE M. AMM ............................................................................................... 14

UBS-08: ENDOSOMAL ESCAPE OF BACTERIOPHAGE IN MDA-MB 231 ................................................................ 15

LONGMIRE MASHUNDA1, DEEPA BEDI2, KOMAL VIG1 ............................................................................................................................ 15

UBS-09: PIOGLITAZONE SUPPRESSES AMYLOIDOGENIC PATHWAY IN ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE MODEL

BY MODULATING MITOCHONDRIAL FUNCTION ......................................................................................................... 15

LYND TYLER, MANOJ GOVINDARAJULU, SINDHU RAMESH, VISHNU SUPPIRAMANIAM, MURALI DHANASEKARAN ..................... 15

UBS-10: LIPOSOMAL ENCAPSULATION OF ANTI-CANCER DRUG .......................................................................... 16

MAMGUE KELVINE, SAMEER JOSHI, SHREE R. SINGH, KOMAL VIG ...................................................................................................... 16

UBS-11: FUNCTIONALLY COMPETENT P53-STABLIZED IPS DERIVED CARDIOMYOCYTES INHIBITS

FIBROSIS THROUGH PARACRINE MECHANISM ........................................................................................................... 16

MILLER JESSICA1, NIKHIL MARDHEKAR2, VASANTHI RAJASEKARAN3, JIANYI ZHANG4 AND RAMASWAMY KANNAPPAN5 ......... 16

UBS-12: RELATING THE HEMATOLOGICAL, HEPATIC AND RENAL MARKERS AS MARKERS OF

COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT .................................................................................................................................................... 17


MULLINS CLAIRE M., MAJRASHI, S. RAMESH, M. ALMAGHRABI, K. ABBOTT, A. FUJIHASHI, M. GOVINDARAJULU, R. NADAR, V.

SUPPIRAMANIAM, S. PONDUGULA, M. DHANASEKARAN. ....................................................................................................................... 17

UBS-13: A “SNAPCHAT FILTER” TO VISUALIZE EMERGENT PATTERNS IN CELLULAR MONOLAYER ....... 17

NGUYEN ALYSON1, SHIVANI ANANTHASEKHAR2, DHANANJAY T. TAMBE3 ........................................................................................ 17

UBS-14: AN “OSMOTION” ACTIVE LEARNING MODULE TO IMPROVE COMPREHENSION OF OSMOSIS

AND DIFFUSION FOR UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY STUDENTS.................................................................... 18

SCHORMANN SEBASTIAN1, ANNA JONES1, SAMIKSHA RAUT1, DAVID ESPARZA2, JEFFREY OLIMPO2 ............................................. 18

UBS-15: STIMULATION OF MEDIUM SPINY NEURONS IN THE NUCLEUS ACCUMBENS ELICITS PLACE

PREFERENCE AND GOAL DIRECTED BEHAVIOR .......................................................................................................... 18

SIMPKINS NATALIE, MORGAN E ZIPPERLY, JEREMY J DAY .................................................................................................................... 18

UBS-16: LOW TEMPERATURE PLASMA TREATMENT OF BELL PEPPER (CAPSICUM ANNUM, CV

‘CALIFORNIA WONDER’) SEEDS TO ENHANCE SEED HEALTH ................................................................................ 19

SMITH MAKALA1, LEOPOLD NYOCHEMBENG1, RAO MENTREDDY1, ERNST CEBERT1, JAMES BAKER1, YOGESH VOHRA2 .......... 19

UBS-17: A NOVEL LIGHT-INDUCIBLE CRISPR/DCAS9 SYSTEM UTILIZING MUTANT FLAVIN KELCH-

REPEAT F-BOX1/GIGANTEA ............................................................................................................................................... 20

SOUTHERN NICHOLAS, COREY G. DUKE, KATHERINE E. SAVELL, FARAZ A. SULTAN, JEREMY J. DAY ........................................... 20

UBS-18: VIRTUAL-REALITY TRAINING AFFECTS CHILDREN’S WORKING MEMORY, PROCESSING SPEED,

AND VISUAL-SPATIAL MEMORY ........................................................................................................................................ 20

TANG KERRI, DAVID C. SCHWEBEL ............................................................................................................................................................ 20

UBS-19: UNFOLDED PROTEIN RESPONSE (UPR) INITIATED INTERCELLULAR STRESS COMMUNICATION

BETWEEN EPITHELIAL CELLS AND FIBROBLASTS ..................................................................................................... 21

YIMING ZHANG1, ZSUZSANNA BEBOK2 ...................................................................................................................................................... 21

UPS-01: CHARACTERIZATION OF MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF EPOXIDIZED SOYBEAN

OIL AND RESIN HYBRID COMPOSITES ............................................................................................................................ 21

ANDERSON ALEXANDER1, SHATORI MEADOWS2, MAHESH HOSUR2, SHAIK ZAINUDDIN2 ............................................................... 21

UPS-02: SEGREGATION INDUCED PHASE TRANSITION AT GRAIN BOUNDARY OF CU-ZR

NANOCRYSTALLINE ALLOY ................................................................................................................................................. 22

BASHYA KESHAB1, TREYVON BRYANT2, LIN LI3 ...................................................................................................................................... 22

UPS-03: NITRIC OXIDE RELEASING BIONANOMATRIX COATING TO IMPROVE ENDOTHELIALIZATION

ON LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE DEVICES ...................................................................................................... 22

BOBBA PRATHEEK1, DISHANT SHAH1, REID MILLICAN3, PATRICK TJ HWANG3, BRIGITTA C. BROTT2.3, DONG-MING HOU4,

AND HO-WOOK JUN1,3 .................................................................................................................................................................................. 22

UPS-04: PLA THIN FILM WITH CARBON DERIVED FROM BANANA PEEL ........................................................... 23

BURKES JAMYLA1, MARIA CALHOUN2, VIJAYA K. RANGARI3 ................................................................................................................. 23

UPS-05: NANOFABRICATING ZNO LASERS FOR SIZE-DEPENDENT OPTICAL STUDIES ................................. 23

CASEY KARLY1, KANNATASSEN APPAVOO2, MATTHEW Y. SFEIR3 ....................................................................................................... 23

UPS-06: REMOVAL AND RECOVERY OF PHOSPHORUS FROM NON-POINT SOURCE USING PERMEABLE

REACTIVE BARRIERS ............................................................................................................................................................. 24


CHAI RACHEL, ARKA PANDIT ...................................................................................................................................................................... 24

UPS-07: DETERMINING DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF STRUCTURES AND USING GEOPHONES AND MOBILE

SHAKER MODELS FOR HIGH SCHOOL OUTREACH ...................................................................................................... 24

DONNELLY-BULLINGTON EMMA1, PATRICIA CLAYTON2 ........................................................................................................................ 24

UPS-08: THE IMPACT OF THERMOCYCLING ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND FRACTURE

BEHAVIOR OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS ......................................................................................................................... 25

HENDRIX QUEONDRA1, DELROY WATSON2, ALFRED TCHERBI-NARTEH2.......................................................................................... 25

UPS-09: BUILDING POLYGONS WITH CONGRUENT EQUILATERAL TRIANGLES .............................................. 25

KELLEHER JONATHAN, JOHN C. MAYER .................................................................................................................................................... 25

UPS-10: A MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION STUDY ON VARYING DEGREE OF

FUNCTIONALIZATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON PULLOUT SIMULATION OF AMINE FUNCTIONALIZED

CARBON NANOTUBE AND EPON POLYMER. .................................................................................................................. 26

LOUDER DEJOHN, FAROOQ SYED, SHAIK ZAINUDDIN, MAHESH HOSUR, AND SHAIK JEELANI ........................................................ 26

UPS-11: NOVEL NAPHTHALENE-BASED SCINTILLATOR TARGETS NEW PHOTORECEPTOR ...................... 26

MCVICAR SOPHIE, DAVID N. FRENCH, GARY M. GRAY .......................................................................................................................... 26

UPS-12: ADVANCES IN COLOR-CHANGING MATERIALS BASED ON THE MECHANICS OF CUTTLEFISH ... 27

MERCEDES GEORGE ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 27

UPS-13: UNIVERSALITY IN VISCOUS FLUID SPREADING AND LEVELING ........................................................... 27

PENKO ZOË S.1, DAIHUI LU2, IVAN C. CHRISTOV3 ................................................................................................................................... 27

UPS-14: ELECTRIC ARC SIMULATIONS WITH CODE_SATURNE .............................................................................. 28

RENFROE KYLE1, VLADIMIR KOLOBOV1.2, ROBERT ARSLANBEKOV2 ................................................................................................... 28

MBS-01: INVESTIGATION INTO CELLULOSE BEADS AS A NUTRIENT DELIVERY SYSTEM IN

AGRICULTURE .......................................................................................................................................................................... 28

DEMETRIUS FINLEY1, DR. MICHAEL CURRY2 ........................................................................................................................................... 28

MBS-02: CONVERSION OF EGG & SEASHELL WASTE INTO BIOACTIVE TISSUE ENGINEERING SCAFFOLDS

....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 29

HEMBRICK-HOLLOMAN VINCENT1, SHAIK JEELANI1, VIJAY RANGARI1, TEMESGEN SAMUEL2 ........................................................ 29

MBS-03: CHLOROFORM EXTRACTS OF IPOMOEA ALBA AND IPOMOEA TRICOLOR SEEDS SHOW STRONG

IN-VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIFUNGAL, AND CYTOTOXIC ACTIVITY ............................................................. 29

LAWSON SIMS1, MARY N. DAVIS1, CAROLYN BRAZELL1, WILLIAM SETZER2 ..................................................................................... 29

MBS-04 DESIGN, DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE A LOW-COST MULTI-CHANNEL BIO SIGNAL AMPLIFIER

AND DATA ACQUISITION DEVICE FOR MULTI-ELECTRODE NEURAL RECORDING. ........................................ 30

LIU YEN-TZE .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30

MBS-05: ATORVASTATIN ATTENUATES LYSOPHOSPHATIDIC ACID INDUCED TAU

HYPERPHOSPHORYLATION THROUGH INHIBITION OF P38 MAPK PATHWAY .............................................. 31

RAMESH SINDHU, AMIT MITRA, MURALIKRISHNAN DHANASEKARAN, TIMOTHY MOORE .............................................................. 31

MBS-06: SYNTHESIZED SCAFFOLDS USED FOR SKIN TISSUE ENGINEERING MECHANISM .......................... 31


SWAIN KENDRA1, VINOY THOMAS2, KOMAL VIG1 ................................................................................................................................... 31

MBS-07: PROPERTIES OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURED PBAT/PLA THIN FILMS INCORPORATED WITH

CARBON VIA COCONUT SHELL POWDER ........................................................................................................................ 32

UMERAH CHIBU, BONIFACE J. TIIMOB, VIJAYA K. RANGARI, SHAIK JEELANI ..................................................................................... 32

MBS-08: AN ASSISTIVE DEVICE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE TO HELP THEM DURING USING THE

CROSSWALK ............................................................................................................................................................................. 32

WANG JIAYUE ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32

MBS-09: TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION ................................................................................... 33

YADAV SAYALI KESHAV ................................................................................................................................................................................ 33

MPS-01: INVESTIGATION ON THE COMPRESSIVE PROPERTIES OF CARBON/GLASS/EPOXY

COMPOSITES REINFORCED WITH GRAPHENE NANO PLATELETS ........................................................................ 33

AL AHSAN MOHAMMAD, MD SAROWER TAREQ, ONYEKACHI EKWUAZI, MAHESH HOSUR, ALFRED TCHERBI-NARTEH .......... 33

MPS-02: PROPERTIES OF MONTMORILLONITE NANO CLAY AND HEXAGONAL BORON NITRIDE

REINFORCED PLA NANOCOMPOSITE FIBERS ............................................................................................................... 33

DICKERSON KENNETH JR1, ALFRED TCHERBI-NARTEH2 ....................................................................................................................... 33

MPS-03: INFLUENCE OF BINARY NANO FILLERS ON THE FLEXURAL STRENGTH, FLEXURAL FATIGUE,

THERMAL & MOISTURE ABSORPTION OF CARBON/GLASS HYBRID REINFORCED SC-15 EPOXY ............. 34

EKWUAZI ONYEKACHI, DELROY WATSON, ALFRED TCHERBI-NARTEH. ............................................................................................. 34

MPS-04: THE EFFECT OF ZINC TITANATE NANOPARTICLES ON THE TRIBOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF

POLYETHERIMIDE .................................................................................................................................................................. 34

ELAFANDI MOHAMED, SHAIK ZAINUDDIN ................................................................................................................................................ 34

MPS-05: PROGRESS TOWARD CONTROLLED SYNTHESIS OF MULTI-METAL NANOPARTICLES ................ 35

GRIMMETT GARFIELD1, WILLARD E. COLLIER2, MICHAEL CURRY3 ..................................................................................................... 35

MPS-06: THEORETICAL MODEL OF ION-ACOUSTIC SHOCK WAVE STRUCTURE IN DUSTY PLASMA ........ 35

GUZMAN JUAN G ALONSO1, GARY P ZANK2 .............................................................................................................................................. 35

MPS-07: ANALYSIS OF CARBONIZED SPENT ESPRESSO GROUNDS WITH METAL OXIDE FOR POWDER

COATINGS .................................................................................................................................................................................. 36

JOHNSON SHARDAI S.1, GIBIN GEORGE2, VIJAYA RANGARI3 .................................................................................................................. 36

MPS-08: STUDYING THE BEHAVIOR OF A LONG ANTENNA IMMERSED IN A PLASMA USING A PLASMA

FLUID FINITE DIFFERENCE TIME DOMAIN METHOD ................................................................................................ 36

MAYES RILEY1, ALAN BURNS2, EDMUND SPENCER3 ............................................................................................................................... 36

MPS-09: COMPREHENSIVE PARKING STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE USING

AIRBORNE SENSORS .............................................................................................................................................................. 37

METTUPALLY SAI NIKHIL REDDY1, VINEETHA MENON2 ....................................................................................................................... 37

MPS-10: EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON BIOSENSORS FOR DETECTION OF BIOHAZARDS WITH NANO-

STRUCTURED METAL OXIDES BASIS ............................................................................................................................... 37

MOHAMMADNAZAR GELAYOL1, SHOHREH MASHAYEKHAN2 ................................................................................................................. 37


MPS-11: AN ADVANCED HYBRID GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM FOR A MULTI-FAMILY

RESIDENTIAL UNIT: MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION .............................................................................................. 38

MOODY WILLIAM G. IV, HESSAIM TAHERIAN.......................................................................................................................................... 38

MPS-12: A SPATIAL PATTERN ANALYSIS OF GOLD MINING-RELATED FOREST CHANGE IN THE MADRE

DE DIOS REGION, PERU......................................................................................................................................................... 38

NICOLAU ANDREA PUZZI1, KELSEY HERNDON2,3, AFRICA FLORES2,3, ROBERT GRIFFIN1,3 ............................................................. 38

MPS-13: RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MULTI-GENERATION MODELING BASED ON A NATURAL GAS

DRIVEN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE .................................................................................................................... 39

OKAFOR GABRIEL, HESSAM TAHERIAN ..................................................................................................................................................... 39

MPS-14: A STUDY OF APPROXIMATION ERROR IN EULERIAN HYDROCODES ................................................. 39

PATEL PARTH Y., DAVID L. LITTLEFIELD .................................................................................................................................................. 39

MPS-15: DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN AFFORDABLE TELEMETRY SYSTEM FOR NAVIGATION OF

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE ....................................................................................................................................................... 40

PATEL SAHAJ, AN LIU ................................................................................................................................................................................... 40

MPS-16: MODIFICATION OF SODIUM ALGINATE STRUCTURES IN ORGANIC ENVIRONMENTS TO FORM

AN OXIME CROSS-LINKED HYDROGEL NETWORK ...................................................................................................... 40

SANCHEZ-MORAN HECTOR, KYUNG-HO ROH .......................................................................................................................................... 40

MPS-17: ULTRASENSITIVE BIOLOGICAL SENSING USING SURFACE LATTICE RESONANCES IN GOLD

NANOANTENNA ARRAYS ...................................................................................................................................................... 41

SHARP CHRISTINA M.1, RITHVIK R. GUTHA2, SEYED M. SADEGHI3, WAYLIN J. WING4 ................................................................... 41

MPS-18: INVESTIGATION OF THE INTERFACIAL PROPERTIES OF CARBON NANOTUBE REINFORCED

CARBON FIBER EPOXY COMPOSITES USING NANOINDENTATION PUSH-IN TESTS ....................................... 41

SHOFOLAWE-BAKARE OLUWASEYI, SHAIK ZAINUDDIN ......................................................................................................................... 41

MPS-19: GLOBAL ENERGY DYNAMICS DURING SUBSTORMS ON 9TH MARCH 2008 AND 26TH FEB 2008

USING SATELLITE OBSERVATIONS AND THE WINDMI MODEL ............................................................................. 41

SRINIVAS PAVITHRA GANESH, S.K. VADEPU, S. SAURABH, E. SPENCER .............................................................................................. 41

MPS-20: EFFECT OF HYBRIDIZATION AND GRAPHENE NANOPLATELET ON FLEXURAL PROPERTIES OF

CARBON FIBER REINFORCED POLYMER COMPOSITE ............................................................................................... 42

TAREQ MD SAROWER H., MOHAMMAD AL AHSAN, ONYEKACHI EKWUAZI, MAHESH V. HOSUR ................................................... 42

MPS-21: INVESTIGATE THE ADHESIVE PROPERTIES OF DIGLYCIDYL ETHER OF BISPHENOL A CARBON-

GLASS EPOXY COMPOSITES WHEN SUBJECTED TO MARINE CONDITIONS ....................................................... 42

WATSON DELROY, MAHESH HOSUR, ONYEKACHI EKWUAZI, ALFRED TCHERBI-NARTEH .............................................................. 42

PBS-01: LSO:CE INORGANIC SCINTILLATORS ARE BIOCOMPATIBLE WITH NEURONAL AND CIRCUIT

FUNCTION .................................................................................................................................................................................. 43

ABIRAMAN KAVITHA1, AUNDREA F. BARTLEY1,3,4,5, LUKE T. STEWART2,5, MOHAMMED IQBAL HOSSAIN5, DAVID M GAHAN1,

ABHISHEKKAMATH1, MARY K. BURDETTE7, SHAIDA ANDRABE6, STEPHEN H. FOULGER7,8,9, LYNN E. DOBRUNZ1,3,4,5, LORI L.

MCMAHON1,2,4,5 ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 43

PBS-02: INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF MICROGRAVITY ON BONE MARROW STROMAL CELL

GROWTH AND INFILTRATION ON AN OPTIMIZED 3D STRUCTURED SCAFFOLD ............................................ 44


AHMADI ARMIN, MOJTABA AZADI AGHDAM, MOHSEN JANMALEKI, MANOUCHEHR VOSSOUGHI ................................................... 44

PBS-03: COMPARING THE NEUROTOXICITY PROFILE OF DESIGNER DRUGS (PIPERAZINE

DERIVATIVES).......................................................................................................................................................................... 44

ALMAGHRABI MOHAMMED, MAJRASHI, MOHAMMED, DESAI DARSHINI, FUJIHASHI AYAKA, CLARK, C. RANDALL, DERUITER

JACK, DHANASEKARAN MURALIKRISHNAN2 ............................................................................................................................................. 44

PBS-04: A NOVEL NON-VIRAL STRATEGY TO DELIVER NUCLEIC ACIDS TO TRANSFECTION-RESISTANT

TLYMPHOCYTES ...................................................................................................................................................................... 45

AYYADEVARA ABHINAV1, KYUNG-HO ROH1,2 .......................................................................................................................................... 45

PBS-05: ORGANICALLY BOUND TRITIUM (OBT): AN INVESTIGATION AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE

(SRS) ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 45

CUTTS SANDRA1, ROBIN BRIGMON2 JOHN SEAMAN3 ROBERT PETERS1 ............................................................................................. 45

PBS-06: EFFECTS OF LOW TEMPERATURE PLASMA ON TURMERIC RHIZOME SPROUTING AND BASIL

SEED GERMINATION .............................................................................................................................................................. 46

DUONG LAM1, SURESH KUMAR1, L. NYOCHEMBENG1, R.S. MENTREDDY1, E. CEBERT5, G. XU2, P. BAKER3, Y. VOHRA3 .......... 46

PBS-07: NOVEL SELECTIVE PPARΓ AGONIST ATTENUATES PATHOLOGIES AND IMPROVES COGNITIVE

DEFICITS IN A TRIPLE TRANSGENIC ALZHEIMER'S MICE MODEL ........................................................................ 46

GOVINDARAJULU MANOJ, JENNA BLOEMER, PRIYANKA DAS, RAJESH AMIN, VISHNU SUPPIRAMANIAM ....................................... 46

PBS-08: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED STEM CELLS PROMOTE CARDIAC REPAIR ............................................ 47

HENDERSON JOHN, GAYATHRI NARASIMHAN, SHERIN SAHEERA, PREM K. GOVINDAPPA, HIEN T. LUONG, PRASANNA

KRISHNAMURTHY .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

PBS-09: INSTRUMENTATION VALIDATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A REHABILITATIVE VIRTUAL

REALITY WALKING ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................................. 48

HENNESSY REBECCA1, DAVID A. BROWN ................................................................................................................................................. 48

PBS-10: IDENTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SMALL NONCODING RNAS IN SALMONELLA

USING NOVEL HIGH-THROUGHPUT STRATEGIES ....................................................................................................... 48

HOUSEROVA DOMINIKA1, GLEN M. BORCHERT1,2 ................................................................................................................................... 48

PBS-11: DESIGNER DRUGS (TFMPP-DERIVATIVES) CAN INCREASE THE RISK FOR DEMENTIA ................ 49

MAJRASHI MOHAMMED, MOHAMMED ALMAGHRABI, MAALI FADAN, AYAKA FUJIHASHI, CLAIRE MULLINS, JACK DERUITER, C.

RANDALL CLARK, MURALIKRISHNAN DHANASEKARAN. ........................................................................................................................ 49

PBS-12: NONINVASIVE OPTOGENETICS USING MRI-GUIDED FOCUSED ULTRASOUND DELIVERY OF

RADIO LUMINESCENT NANOPARTICLES ........................................................................................................................ 49

RICH MEGAN1, ERIC ZHANG2, KATIE BURDETTE3, ASHLEY DICKEY3, STEPHEN FOULGER3, KELLI CANNON2, MARK BOLDING2

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 49

PBS-13: POINTWISE ESTIMATES ON THE GREEN'S FUNCTION OF A LINEARIZED CHEMOTAXIS MODEL

....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50

RUGAMBA JEAN1, YANNI ZENG2.................................................................................................................................................................. 50

PBS-14: NOVEL PEPTIDE COMBINATIONS SUPPORT DYNAMIC ADHESION OF ENDOTHELIAL COLONY

FORMING CELLS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 50

TIAN YUAN, WEN J. SEETO, ELIZABETH A. LIPKE ................................................................................................................................... 50


PPS-01: THE EFFECT OF TIO2 NANOTUBE MORPHOLOGY ON CATHODIC REDUCTION OF

NITROBENZENE ....................................................................................................................................................................... 51

AHMADI AMIR, TINGTING WU .................................................................................................................................................................... 51

PPS-02: DEVELOPMENT OF 3D PRINTED NANOCARBON/EPOXY POLYMER COMPOSITE ........................... 51

AL HELAL AHMED, VIJAYA RANGARI ......................................................................................................................................................... 51

PPS-03: FINITE ELEMENT FAILURE ANALYSIS OF LATTICE STRUCTURES ........................................................ 52

BABAMIRI, BEHZAD BAHRAMI1, ANDREW MINOR1, HESAM ASKARI2, AND KAVAN HAZELI1 ......................................................... 52

PPS-04: DEVELOPMENT OF BORON NITRIDE THIN FILM USING MICROWAVE PLASMA CHEMICAL

VAPOR DEPOSITION .............................................................................................................................................................. 52

CHAKRABARTY KALLOL, A. CATLEDG ........................................................................................................................................................ 52

PPS-05: SUPER-ABSORBING METAMATERIALS USING EPSILON-NEAR-ZERO PLASMA RESONANCE ...... 52

CHEN JINNAN1, JUSTIN W. CLEARY2, JOSHUA R. HENDRICKSON2, EVAN M. SMITH 2,3, JUNPENG GUO1 ........................................ 52

PPS-06: CRYSTAL STRUCTURE PREDICTIONS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SUPER HARD BC5 ... 53

CHEN WEI-CHIH, PAUL A. BAKER, SHANE A. CATLEDGE, SUMNER B. HARRIS, KATHRYN J. HAM, CHENG-CHIEN CHEN,

YOGESH K. VOHRA ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 53

PPS-07: OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS OF SMALL-SCALE MAGNETIC FLUX ROPES FROM ULYSSES IN-SITU

MEASUREMENTS ..................................................................................................................................................................... 53

CHEN YU1, Q. HU1,2, J. A. LE ROUX1,2......................................................................................................................................................... 53

PPS-08: THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURAL AND MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF NEW MAGNETIC

ALLOYS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS ...................................................................................................................... 54

COLE KAYLA1, ABHISHEK SRIVASTAVA1, ALICIA WADSWORTH2, CLAUDIA MEWES1, TIM MEWES2, GREGORY THOMPSON2,

ALEX LEARY3, AND RONALD NOEBE3 ........................................................................................................................................................ 54

PPS-09: INVESTIGATING INHIBITION MECHANISMS OF METHYL COENZYME M REDUCTASE VIA EPR. 54

CRONIN BRYAN, ROBEL GHREBREAB, KATHERINE CLOHAN, CARLY ENGEL, EVERT DUIN ............................................................. 54

PPS-10: COMPUTATIONAL STUDIES OF THE PH REGULATION MECHANISM OF DINOFLAGELLATE

LUCIFERASE .............................................................................................................................................................................. 55

DONNAN PATRICK H., PHONG D. NGO, AND STEVEN O. MANSOORABADI .......................................................................................... 55

PPS-11: PRODUCTION OF ENGINEERED HEART TISSUES USING PATIENT DERIVED STEM CELLS TO

STUDY CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE ............................................................................................................................ 55

ELLIS MORGAN1, LOUJIN SONG2, YAZAWA MASAYUKI2, ELIZABETH LIPKE1...................................................................................... 55

PPS-12: ULTRA SONICATION-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF CALCIUM CARBONATE FROM EGGSHELLS ........ 56

ETHRIDGE AIESHA L., VIJAY K. RANGARI.................................................................................................................................................. 56

PPS-13: NOVEL ANTHRACENE-BASED MATERIALS FOR NON-INVASIVE OPTOGENETICS ........................... 56

FRENCH DAVID N.1, AUNDREA BARTLEY2, KAVITHA ABIRAMAN2, LORI MCMAHON2, GARY M. GRAY1 ...................................... 56

PPS-14: MOLECULAR DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF MAGNETIZED DUSTY PLASMA FLOWS ........................... 56

FUNK DYLAN, UWE KONOPKA, EDWARD THOMAS ................................................................................................................................. 56


PPS-15: OXIDATIVE DEHYDROGENATION OF ETHANE BY ZINC OXIDE PROMOTED PLATINUM NANO

CATALYSTS................................................................................................................................................................................ 57

GAN ZHUORAN, YU LEI ................................................................................................................................................................................. 57

PPS-16: CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ATMOSPHERIC PLASMA JET FOR PLASMA-BASED WATER

PURIFICATION ......................................................................................................................................................................... 57

GOTT RYAN P., K. GABE XU ......................................................................................................................................................................... 57

PPS-17: APPLICATION OF META-DIPOLE MODE FOR ULTRAHIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX SENSING ........... 58

GUTHA RITHVIK R.1, 2, CHRISTINA SHARP1, SEYED M. SADEGHI1, ALI HATEF 3 ................................................................................ 58

PPS-18: METHODS FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF IMPOSED, ORDERED STRUCTURES IN MDPX ..... 58

HALL TAYLOR1, EDWARD THOMAS1, MARLENE ROSENBERG2, BOB MERLINO3 ............................................................................... 58

PPS-19: PERSONALIZED IN VITRO 3D COLORECTAL CANCER MODEL USING PATIENT-DERIVED

XENOGRAFTS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 59

HASSANI IMAM1, BENJAMIN ANBIAH1, BULBUL AHMED2, NICOLE L. HABBIT1, MICHAEL W. GREENE2, ELIZABETH A. LIPKE1

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 59

PPS-20: MULTISCALE CHARACTERIZATION OF MICROSTRUCTURES AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF

INCONEL 718 FABRICATED BY SELECTIVE LASER MELTING .................................................................................. 59

HOLLAND SHARNIECE1, XIAOQING WANG,2, JIA CHEN3, WENJUN CAI3, FENG YAN1, LIN LI1 ......................................................... 59

PPS-21: MODELLING AND OPTIMIZATION: AN INNOVATIVE GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP SYSTEM

WITH HORIZONTAL LOOPS ................................................................................................................................................. 60

HOU GAOYANG, TAHERIAN HESSAM .......................................................................................................................................................... 60

PPS-22: COMPLEX PLASMA: A UNIQUE PLATFORM TO STUDY PHASE TRANSITION AND COLLECTIVE

MODES ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 60

JAISWAL SURABHI1, 2, T. HALL1, S. LEBLANC1, U. KONOPKA1, E. THOMAS1, M. PUSTYLNIK2, S. ZHDANOV2, H. M. THOMAS2 60

PPS-23: STRONGER AND TOUGHER – USING CARBON NANOFIBER Z-THREADS TO IMPROVE THE

SHEAR FRACTURE RESISTANCE OF LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON FIBER COMPOSITES ........................................ 61

KIRMSE SEBASTIAN1, KUANG-TING HSIAO2 ............................................................................................................................................. 61

PPS-24: EVALUATING NANO CRYSTALLINE STABILITY UNDER MECHANICAL LOADING ............................ 62

KOENIG THOMAS R., XU YANG ZHOU, GREGORY B. THOMPSON ........................................................................................................... 62

PPS-25: ANALYZING SPINACH GROWTH USING VERTICAL GARDEN TECHNIQUES AND LOCAL WATER

SOURCES FOR URBAN GARDENS ....................................................................................................................................... 62

MANZELLA ASHLYN J., ROBERT W. PETERS ............................................................................................................................................. 62

PPS-26: EFFECT OF AC SIGNALS ON DUSTY PLASMA EQUILIBRIUM .................................................................... 63

MCKINLAY MICHAEL, EDWARD THOMAS JR, UWE KONOPKA .............................................................................................................. 63

PPS-27: PATTERN FORMATION IN ELECTRIC DISCHARGES ................................................................................... 63

MENTI MOHAMAD, EDWARD THOMAS, UWE KONOPKA ........................................................................................................................ 63

PPS-28: EFFECT OF GRAPHENE NANOPLATELETS AND MONTMORILLONITE NANOCLAY ON

MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF DGBA EPOXY MATRIX ............................................................... 63


MOHAMMED ZAHEERUDDIN, MAHESH V. HOSUR, SHAIK JEELANI, ALFRED TCHERBI-NARTEH .................................................... 63

PPS-29: ENERGY MODEL CALIBRATION FOR AN ACADEMIC BUILDING ............................................................. 64

MU QING, HESSAM TAHERIAN .................................................................................................................................................................... 64

PPS-30: FLUVIO-MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF GLOBAL RIVER DELTAS AND ASSOCIATED FLOOD

SUSCEPTIBILITY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 64

MUNASINGHE DINUKE, SAGY COHEN ........................................................................................................................................................ 64

PPS-31: MULTISCALE MODELING AND THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBON NANOTUBE MULTI-

TERMINAL JUNCTION AND NANOSTRUCTURES .......................................................................................................... 65

NAKARMI SUSHAN, VINU U. UNNIKRISHNAN ........................................................................................................................................... 65

PPS-32: ASSEMBLING 3D ORDERED STRUCTURES OF 2D MXENES FOR ENERGY STORAGE

APPLICATIONS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 65

ORANGI JAFAR, MAJID BEIDAGHI ............................................................................................................................................................... 65

PPS-33: GLIOBLASTOMA STEM CELL PHENOTYPE REGULATION VIA CD44 ON TUMOR

MICROENVIRONMENT MIMICKING HYALURONIC ACID HYDROGEL .................................................................... 66

PARK SEUNGJO, AKSHAY A. NARKHEDE, SHREYAS S. RAO, YONGHYUN KIM ..................................................................................... 66

PPS-34: CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF INEXPENSIVE METEOROLOGICAL PLATFORMS

DURING THE 2018 GREAT PLAINS IRRIGATION EXPERIMENT ............................................................................. 66

PHILLIPS CHRISTOPHER, UDAYSANKAR NAIR, AARON KAULFUS ......................................................................................................... 66

PPS-35: THE FABRICATION OF ZINC OXIDE FILMS FOR SENSOR APPLICATIONS ........................................... 67

POLIUS JEMILIA R., STEPHEN BABALOLA, MOHAN AGGARWAL, SATILMIS BUDAK ........................................................................... 67

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: ALABAMA SPACE GRANT CONSORTIUM .......................................................................... 67

SALARIEH BABA1, HONGYU ZHOU .............................................................................................................................................................. 67

PPS-37: NEW APPROACH TO TENSOR COMPLETION ................................................................................................ 67

SANOGO FATOUMATA, CARMELIZA NAVASCA, ......................................................................................................................................... 67

PPS-38: RESILIENT POWER SYSTEMS INFRASTRUCTURE CRITICAL INTERDEPENDENCIES SUBJECT TO

EXTREME EVENTS .................................................................................................................................................................. 68

SARKER PARTHA ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 68

PPS-39: TRANSITIONS BETWEEN RECIPROCAL AND NON-RECIPROCAL INTERACTIONS IN COMPLEX

(DUSTY) PLASMAS .................................................................................................................................................................. 68

SCOTT LORI1, EDWARD THOMAS, JR.2, JEREMIAH WILLIAMS3 ............................................................................................................. 68

PPS-40: A SURVEY ON TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM VULNERABILITIES AND CYBERSECURITY RISKS;

METHODS AND STRATEGIES .............................................................................................................................................. 69

SHOJAESHAFIEI MOHAMMAD1, MICHAEL ANDERSON2 ........................................................................................................................... 69

PPS-41: GENERATION TYPES, EMISSIONS, AND ENERGY PRICE: A U.S. CASE STUDY ..................................... 69

SILVEIRA ANA LUIZA FERNANDES .............................................................................................................................................................. 69

PPS-42: PREDICTING THE MORPHOLOGY OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES, FROM INTEGRATED APPROACH

OF FIRST-PRINCIPLES CALCULATIONS AND MONTE CARLO SIMULATION ....................................................... 70


SULTANA HOSNA1, EUNSEOK LEE2 ............................................................................................................................................................ 70

PPS-43: NANOINDENTATION AND NANOSCRATCH PROPERTIES OF CARBOXYLIC FUNCTIONALIZED

MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES EPON 862 COMPOSITES .......................................................................... 70

SYED FAROOQ, SHAIK ZAINUDDIN, MAHESH HOSUR .............................................................................................................................. 70

PPS-44: PROBING TRANSIENT NANOSCALE ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC RESONANCES OF DIELECTRIC

SILICON METASURFACES ..................................................................................................................................................... 71

TIWARI UDDHAB, KANNATASSEN APPAVOO ............................................................................................................................................ 71

PPS-45: STRUCTURE-FUNCTION RELATIONSHIP OF NOVEL POLYPHOSPHONATES AND THEIR

APPLICATION IN IONIC CONDUCTION AND AS RADIO LUMINESCENT MATERIALS ....................................... 71

TOTSCH TIMOTHY ROSS, GARY M. GRAY .................................................................................................................................................. 71

PPS-46: SHAPED THERMOSENSITIVE HYDROGEL CAPSULES AND MICRO PARTICLES OF POLY(N-

VINYLCAPROLACTAM) .......................................................................................................................................................... 72

TRENTLE MIRANDA, VERONIKA KOZLOVSKAYA, WILLIAM HIGGINS, AND EUGENIA KHARLAMPIEVA ........................................... 72

PPS-47: SURFACE INTERACTIONS OF NON-EQUILIBRIUM AIR PLASMAS WITH NANO-FIBROUS POLY(Ε-

CAPROLACTONE) FOR USE AS BIOMIMETIC TISSUE ENGINEERING SCAFFOLDS ............................................ 72

TUCKER BERNABE S.1, VINEETH M. VIIJAYAN1,2, PAUL A. BAKER2,3, YOGESH K. VOHRA2,3, VINOY THOMAS1-3 ........................ 72

PPS-48: FLEXIBLE 2D MXENE/POLYANILINE ELECTRODES FOR ULTRAFAST ELECTROCHEMICAL

ENERGY STORAGE .................................................................................................................................................................. 73

VAHIDMOHAMMADI ARMIN, MAJID BEIDAGHI ........................................................................................................................................ 73

PPS-49: STUDIES ON THE INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC PLASMA FOR GENERATING SUPER HYDROPHOBIC

PTFE SURFACES ....................................................................................................................................................................... 73

VIJAYAN VINEETH M1-3, BERNABE TUCKER3, PAUL BACKER1,2, YOGESH VOHRA1-3, VINOY THOMAS1-3 ...................................... 73

PPS-50: ENGINEERED MULTIFUNCTIONAL SAND FOR IMPROVED ADSORPTION OF STORM WATER

CONTAMINANTS IN FIXED-BED COLUMN SYSTEMS ................................................................................................... 74

VU CHI THANH, TINGTING WU ................................................................................................................................................................... 74

PPS-51: CHARACTERIZATION OF A MAGNETICALLY CONFINED MICROWAVE GENERATED PLASMA

WITH VARYING FRACTIONAL IONIZATION ................................................................................................................... 74

WILLIAMSON ELEANOR, D.A. MAURER, D. A. ENNIS, G.J. HARTWELL ............................................................................................... 74

PPS-52: ADDRESSING GRATING LOBES IN WIDE-ANGLE SCANNING PHASED ARRAY ANTENNAS ............ 75

ZABED IQBAL, MARIA Z. A. POUR .............................................................................................................................................................. 75

PPS-53: IMPROVEMENT OF MOBILITY AND STABILITY OF MOTION OF SKID-STEERING UGV WITH NEW

INDIVIDUALLY STEERING INPUTS ON SEVERE TERRAIN ......................................................................................... 75

ZHANG SIYUAN, VLADIMIR VANTSEVICH ..................................................................................................................................................... 75


2018 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY OPEN HOUSE

ABSTRACTS BOOKLET

UNDERGRADUATE CATEGORY

UBS–01: Synergistic Effects of Immunologic Breast Milk Components on Intestinal Epithelial Cell

Viability and Protection

Ayivor Jasmin1, Kyle Brawner2, Brian Sims3, Colin Martin2

1Department of Biological Science, Oakwood University, 2Department of Surgery, University of Alabama

at Birmingham, 3Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Necrotizing Enterocolitis, (NEC) is the leading cause of intestinal morbidity and mortality in premature

infants, characterized by epithelial cell injury and sepsis. Breast milk has been shown to decrease the

occurrence of NEC; the exact mechanisms that facilitate this protective process are not clear. Human Milk

Oligosaccharides, (HMOs) are complex non-digestible pre-biotic sugars that have been shown to stimulate

protective immune responses and beneficial growth of intestinal flora. Exosomes are cell derived proteins

found in breast milk known to regulate intracellular signaling, inflammation, and immune responses. The

objective of this study was to assess the impact of exosomes and human milk oligosaccharides compared

to milk ultrafiltrate on the protection of intestinal epithelial cells. Rat intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) were

used for experimentation. Upon reaching confluence, the IEC-6 were pre-treated for 2 hours with 0.1 µg/ml,

1µg/ml or 10 µg/ml of exosomes, 1µg/ml, 10 µg/ml HMOs, or a 5 µg/ml dose of breast milk ultra-filtrate.

Following pretreatment, cells were injured with H2O2. Cell viability was assessed through trypan blue

staining. An Ordinary ANOVA was used to determine significance. Exosomes and HMOs were found to

be protective against cell injury with the p value <0.001. Ultrafiltrate was not protective against cell injury.

It was determined that breast milk is immunologically active and protective against epithelial cell injury.

Exosomes and HMOs improved cell viability; breast milk ultrafiltrate did not. This suggests that isolated

and concentrated breast milk components may have an added therapeutic benefit. Future studies will further

clarify these mechanisms of protection.

Acknowledgement: NIH IMARI program at Oakwood University, American Surgical Association,

Kaul Pediatric Research Institute, and Society for Surgery of The Alimentary Tract.

UBS-02: Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Ca++ Signals in Human Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Bobinger Hanna V.1, Naga Annamdevula2, Andrea L. Britain3, Thomas C. Rich4, Silas J5. Leavesley6 1Departments of Pharmacology and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 2Center for Lung Biology,

University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile, AL

Current therapies are decidedly insufficient for asthmatics and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

patients. Traditional therapies include a long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist and a corticosteroid or

a short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist for a rescue inhaler. Chronic use of beta-agonists results in

diminished effectiveness, and use of long-acting beta-agonists can exacerbate asthma symptoms. These

limitations have led to the study of alternative approaches to trigger human airway smooth muscle cell


(hASMC) relaxation. Intriguingly, agonists that trigger similar increases in intracellular Ca++, which include

agonists to bitter-taste (TAS2R), muscarinic, and histamine receptors, cause either hASMC contraction or

relaxation. We propose that the spatial distribution of agonist-induced Ca++ signals dictates whether they

trigger hASMC contraction or relaxation. Thus, in order to understand the potential of these compounds to

function as alternative or add-on treatments for asthma, the spatial distributions of Ca++ signals induced by

these agonists must be better understood. We propose that differences in the spatial gradients in calcium

underlie the distinct differences in airway response. To test this, we treated hASMC’s from two donors with

carbachol (a muscarinic agonist), chloroquine (a TAS2R agonist), or histamine (a histamine receptor

agonist) and mapped agonist-induced calcium signals using a 5-dimensional hyperspectral imaging

approach. We observed increases in intracellular calcium with chloroquine (10-200 µM), carbachol (0.5-

10 µM), and histamine (0.25-5 µM) treatments. We anticipate that distinct spatial responses will be

observed in response to different agonists.

Funding Acknowledgement: NIH P01HL066299, R01HL137030, R01HL058506, S10RR027535,

S10OD020149, and AHA 18UFEL33900151 and 16PRE27130004

UBS-03: The in Vitro Effects of Alcohol on Exosome Biology

Curry Aliyah J.1, Leandra B. Jones2, Sparkle D. Williams3, Alexandre Krendelchtchikov3, Brian Sims3,

Qiana L. Matthews1

1Microbiology Program, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology, Engineering

and Mathematics, Alabama State; 2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics, Alabama State; 3Departments of Pediatrics, Neurobiology and Cell,

Developmental and Integrative Biology, Division of Neonatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are active in cell-to-cell communication, transferring

macromolecules between cells, biological markers used to detect disease states. Exosomes can be affected

by external factors such as alcohol and nicotine. Specifically, we will be focusing on the effect of alcohol

on exosome biogenesis. Alcohol has factors that can be beneficial to the body in moderation. However,

alcohol in high concentrations can negatively alter extracellular vesicles production and release. Our goal

is to study the impact of alcohol exposure on kidney exosome biology. Human kidney cells (293A) were

subjected to (control), 50 mM, or 100 mM of Ethanol for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours. Cell viability was

observed at 72 hours post Ethanol treatment. 293A cell viability was significantly decreased with treatments

of 50 mM or 100 mM of Ethanol. Exosomes were purified using an ultracentrifugation after dosing with

alcohol or vehicle control. The protein quantity and quality was determined using standard protein

quantitation methods. Nano Sight technology was used to measure exosome count and characterize

exosomes along with Enzyme-Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We observed that when 293A cells

were treated with alcohol, exosome biogenesis was impacted, we observed a decrease in exosome

production over time as well as an increase in exosomes carrying HSP60 and HSP70 proteins. Overall,

these results suggest alcohol has a negative effect on cells leading to the downstream impact on exosomes.

This supports the claim that alcohol can have detrimental effects on the human body. Our future research

includes investigating the effects of alcohol consumption on exosome production in vivo.

Acknowledgement: US Dept. of Education, The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement

Program (MSEIP) (P120A150008); NSFCREST (HRD-1241701; Gorgas Memorial Research

Foundation research grant


UBS–04: The Effect of Thymic Nurse Cell Transplantation on Cardiovascular Remodeling in a

Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Duron Rilda1, Michael Henderson2, Terrance Platt2, Marcia Martinez2, Chastity Bradford2 1Department of Biology, Talladega College, Talladega, Alabama 2Department of Biology, Tuskegee

University, Tuskegee.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-organ autoimmune inflammatory disease that dis-

proportionately affects women and is more prevalent in African-American and Hispanic women. SLE

promotes immune mediated cardiac and renal end-organ damage predisposing patients to car-diovascular

disease (CVD). CVD is associated with systemic vascular inflammation promoting ath-erosclerosis, cardiac

hypertrophy, and renal fibrosis. Immune mediated end-organ damage in mod-els of SLE has been

addressed, yet the role of the thymus in SLE-induced end-organ damage has not been addressed. The aim

of this study was to determine if intrathymic thymic nurse cell (TNC) injections decrease cardiac and renal

end-organ damage. TNCs isolated from non-lupus prone BALB/c mice were administered intrathymically

to haplotype and age-matched lupus-prone NZBW/F1 mice. The proposed experiments utilized four groups

of female NZBW/F1 mice: untreat-ed (16 weeks of age), TNC-treated (16 weeks of age), untreated (30

weeks of age), TNC-treated (30 weeks of age). Experiments were performed to determine if TNC

transplants result in decreased pathological cardiac remodeling. Ratios of the following physical

parameters were used to confirm hypertrophy: heart weight (HW)/body weight (BW), HW/tibia length

(TL), left ventricle (LV)/BW, LV/TL, right ventricle (RV)/BW, RV/TL, kidney weight (KW)/BW, KW/TL,

lung weight (LW)/BW, LW/TL. TNC treatment significantly decreased LV/BW (p<0.00115), decreased

KW/BW (p<0.0012) and decreased LW/BW (p<0.0026). There were no significant differences in the other

physical parameters measured (p>0.05). We conclude that TNC transplantation not only delays dis-ease

onset but may prevent cardiac damage.

Acknowledgement: HHMI Grant #52007563, HHMI Grant #52006948, RCMI Grant

#G12MD007585-23, and DMR REU #1659506

UBS-05: Effects of Common Addictive Substances (Nicotine and Alcohol) on the Hippocampus and

Cortex of Prenatal Rodents

Fujihashi Ayaka, Dwipayan Bhattacharya, Jenna Bloemer, Mohammed Majrashi, Mohammed

Almaghrabi, Sindhu Ramesh, Martha Escobar, Vishnu Suppiramaniam, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran

Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy

Hippocampus and cortex are associated with short and long-term memory. Prenatal alcohol (ethanol) and

smoking (nicotine) exposure can have extensive adverse effects on the offspring. However, the molecular

mechanisms associated with neurotoxic effects of alcohol and nicotine exposure in hippocampus and cortex

are not well elucidated. Therefore, in our study, we used a Sprague Dawley rat model exposed to alcohol

(mixed with water) and nicotine (subcutaneous-mini osmotic pump) during gestation. The effects of alcohol

and nicotine exposure on the behavioral (Y-maze), electrophysiological (LTP), and neurological changes

(expression of ILK & PSD-95, markers of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function) were assessed. Prenatal

alcohol exposure induced significant deficits in spatial memory tasks as compared to the control. Alcohol

and nicotine exposure showed significant deficit in LTP as compared to the control. There was an increase

in the hippocampal PSD-95 expression and no change in ILK expression in the alcohol and nicotine treated

group as compared to alcohol alone or the control. There was no change in the cortical glutathione content.

Thus, nicotine can potentiate the neurotoxic effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

UBS-06: Autotaxin and Glutamate Dysregulation in Rodent Model of Brain Insulin Resistance


Jones Ellery, Manoj Govindarajulu, Sindhu Ramesh, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran Vishnu

Suppiramaniam

Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University

Autotaxin is an adipokine that is upregulated in type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity, indicating a potential

involvement of insulin resistance. Mounting evidence suggests that hyper activation of the Autotaxin

(ATX) pathway helps drive neurologic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The deleterious effects

of Autotaxin activity on neuronal function appear to be strongly linked to the dysregulation of glutamate

homeostasis. The goals of the proposed research were to test the involvement of the Autotaxin (ATX)

pathway in glutamate dysregulation associated with AD. We utilized intracerebroventricular (ICV)

Streptozotocin treated mice to induce brain insulin resistance at 2 months of age and compared with control

mice. Autotaxin levels in the hippocampus and cortex were quantified by performing western blot and rt-

PCR, measuring autotaxin mRNA at 4, 8 and 12 months of age. Behavioral studies and electrophysiological

studies were performed to assess the cognitive deficits. Biochemical assays, quantifying levels of PSD-95,

synaptophysin, and ARC protein, were conducted with hippocampal and cortical lysates. The effect of ATX

on the p38 MAPK Kinase and its signaling markers of apoptosis (BAX, BCL2) and inflammation (NF-Kβ,

IL-6, TNFα) were also determined. Compared with controls, STZ mice showed significant memory

impairment, reduction of synaptic long-term potentiation and decreased synaptic proteins, which were

mediated by the activation of the P38 MAPK Kinase pathway. We believe our studies demonstrate that an

increase in autotaxin in the central nervous system directly triggers behavioral and cognitive deficits by

promoting synaptic dysfunction, thereby uncovering the molecular mechanisms of autotaxin-regulated

glutamate dyshomeostasis in AD.

UBS-07: Investigating the Effect of Oral Bacteria on Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Kovac Stefan, Jason L. Floyd, Jessica Scoffield, Hope M. Amm

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School of Dentistry; Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Introduction: Head and neck cancers (HNC) are the sixth most common cancer worldwide with more than

90% being squamous cell carcinoma. HNC can occur in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx or hypopharynx,

or nasal cavities. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is estimated to be diagnosed in 50,000 patients

this year with an overall 5-year survival rate of 64%. The tumor microenvironment has been shown to play

a role in the progression of many human cancers, including OSCC. Methods: OSCC cells were cultured in

the presence of bacterial spent media (BSM) from many relevant and disease-related oral bacteria. Cells

were assessed for changes in cell proliferation, gene expression, capacity to migrate, and capacity to invade.

Results: Two OSCC cell lines were incubated with BSM from 5 microorganisms related to oral health.

SCC-152 cells showed increased proliferation upon exposure to media from Streptococcus mutans,

cariogenic bacteria. Gene expression analysis did not demonstrate changes in genes associated with Notch

signaling, cell cycle, or cell migration in SCC-152 treated with BSM. In SCC-25 cells, Fusobacterium

nucleatum increased expression of genes associated with cell invasion and cell cycle progression. No effect

on SCC-152 cell migration was seen with BSM treatment. Streptococcus mutans BSM appeared to increase

cell invasion of SCC-152 cells through matrigel. Conclusions: BSM, which represents bacterial secretions

that may be found in the tumor microenvironment, had a modest effect on SCC-152 and SCC-25 OSCC

cells. Direct interactions between OSCC and oral microorganisms may also play a role in tumor

progression.


Acknowledgement: NIDCR R00DE023826-03, the UAB School of Dentistry Institute of Oral Health

Research, and the UAB Honors College Presidential Summer Fellowship.

UBS-08: Endosomal Escape of Bacteriophage in MDA-MB 231

Longmire Mashunda1, Deepa Bedi2, Komal Vig1 1Center for Nano Biotechnology Research, Alabama State University, Montgomery, 2Tuskegee University,

Tuskegee, AL

Bacteriophage also known as “phage” is a virus that infects a bacteria and reproduces inside it. Phage

display is important in cell targeting and therapy. Phage display targets selected proteins on the surface of

phage. The purpose of this study was to select phages from the phage library which will specifically bind

to MDA-MB 231 cells and can bypass endosomes. Chloroquine phosphate is the endosomal inhibitor that

was used to disrupt the endosome in the MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells. A series of phage selections on

MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells were performed on cells with the endosomal inhibitor, chloroquine.

Binding assays were performed to investigate if the selected phages could bind specifically to the MDA-

MB 231 cells. Three rounds of phage selection were performed. In the first round phages were sequentially

selected to plastic, to serum and to MDA-MB 231 cells to acquire cancer cells binding specific phages.

Cells were washed with elution buffer to wash unbound phages followed by lysis buffer to break the cells

to release selected phages. Phage tittering was performed on all washes, input, eluate and lysate using E.coli

and plaque colonies were counted. The selected phages in lysate and eluate were amplified using E. coli.

Amplified phages were centrifuged and supernatant containing phages was precipitated using PEG NaCl.

These steps were repeated in second and third round of phage selection in MDA-MB 231 cells. Binding of

the phage to the target MDA-MB231 cells in the third round were tested by phage ELISA using phage

specific M13 antibody. ELISA results show 3.8 times higher binding to the MDA-MB231 cells compared

to untreated cells. Phages will be further tested for their ability to escape endosomes.

Funding: US Dept. of Education, The Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program

(MSEIP) (P120A150008); NSF-CREST (HRD-1241701)

UBS-09: Pioglitazone Suppresses Amyloidogenic Pathway in Alzheimer’s Disease Model by

Modulating Mitochondrial Function

Lynd Tyler, Manoj Govindarajulu, Sindhu Ramesh, Vishnu Suppiramaniam, Murali Dhanasekaran

Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Pioglitazone is a PPAR agonist known to exhibit antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in several

experimental models. Amyloid peptide (A) is one of the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease

characterized by its aggregation into extracellular senile plaques in the brain. The A plaques impair proper

synaptic functioning and result in the cognitive impairment and neuronal death. Much research has

demonstrated the role of diabetes mellitus type II on AD manifestation. Hyperinsulinemia exacerbates the

progression of AD pathogenesis through reducing the suppression of APP processing. The present study

evaluates the modulatory action of pioglitazone on the amyloidogenic pathway. Therefore, An APP-

expressing CHO cell line was rescued from an insulin positive control. CHO-APP cells treated with insulin

exhibited increased lipid peroxide and mitochondrial ROS levels and ROS generation and was restored by

pioglitazone treatment. Enzymatic antioxidant activity including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and

glutathione reductase was decreased in the insulin treated group when compared to the control group and

restored by pioglitazone treatment. Pioglitazone treatment also increased complex I activity, complex IV


activity, cell morphology, and cell viability. Insulin treatment stimulated amyloid beta production in a dose-

dependent manner by increasing BACE1 expression and activity. Pioglitazone reversed insulin-mediated

effects by reducing BACE1 expression, BACE1 activity, AB1-40 and AB1-42 levels. These findings

highlight the modulatory effects of pioglitazone on the amyloidogenic pathway in vitro, providing evidence

for potential neuroprotective effects.

UBS-10: Liposomal Encapsulation of Anti-Cancer Drug

Mamgue Kelvine, Sameer Joshi, Shree R. Singh, Komal Vig

Center of Nano Biotechnology research, Alabama State University, Montgomery Alabama

Liposomes are tiny lipid vesicles with hydrophilic core and a lipophilic bilayer. Liposomes due to their

structural features can be used as a carrier of hydrophilic as well as lipophilic molecules. Genipin is a

naturally aglycon sourced from the gardenia plant. Liposomal encapsulation of genipin was attempted in

this project. Liposomes were prepared using the thin-film hydration method. Briefly, the lipid components1,

2-disteroyl-sn-phosphatidylcholine (DSPC): cholesterol (10:4 w/w) was dissolved in an organic solvent

mixture of chloroform and ethanol (9:1) v/v) with the addition of lipophilic drug, followed by solvent

evaporation to obtain a thin dry film. The film was then hydrated with distilled water, resulting in the

formation of multilamellar vesicles (MLVs). This MLV suspension was then sonicated using probe

sonication and small unilamellar vesicle (SUVs) were obtained. Formation of liposomes was confirmed

using a dye and checking under a fluorescence microscope. The sonicated liposomal suspension was then

centrifuged to remove titanium debris and the final suspension was then tested for size and zeta potential

analysis. The results of this research revealed that the average size of SUVs before drug encapsulation was

97.82nm and after drug encapsulation the SUVs are 116.2nm. However, the surface charge on the SUVS

before drug encapsulation was 1.09 and after drug encapsulation the SUVs were -5.27. These results were

confirmed using the zetasizer (Malvern Instruments). The percent drug encapsulation was then determined

using the UV-visible spectrophotometer at 242 nm wavelengths. The drug loading for both the MLVs and

SUVs surprisingly had no significant difference. The encapsulation in MLVs was 43.3% and the SUVs

were 46.3%. Overall, this project confirms the encapsulation of genipin onto the MLVs and SUVs.

Acknowledgement: DOE; MSEIP (P120A150008); NSF-CREST (HRD-1241701)

UBS-11: Functionally Competent p53-Stablized iPS Derived Cardiomyocytes Inhibits Fibrosis

Through Paracrine Mechanism

Miller Jessica1, Nikhil Mardhekar2, Vasanthi Rajasekaran3, Jianyi Zhang4 and Ramaswamy Kannappan5

1Department of Biomedical Engineering, 2School of Engineering, of Medicine, University of Alabama at

Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

With the increasing use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived cardiomyocytes (CM) in

myocardial repair calls for a method of reducing formation of fibrosis at the site of implantation. We

hypothesized that p53 selected CM (p53S-CM) may reduce fibrosis at the site of implantation. The

transcription factor p53 is inflammation dependent: inducing apoptosis in inflammatory or damaged cells

and promoting proliferation in normal cells. By stabilizing p53 in iPSCs with nutlin-3a, we selected cells

expressing anti-inflammatory markers and differentiated into CM. RNA-seq analysis confirmed that the

selected cells express less fibrotic and inflammatory markers compared to control CM (Ctrl-CM). We tested

Ctrl-CM and p53S-CM for the formation of fibrosis in ischemic mice models. Immunolabeling for COL1

and COL4, and staining with Sirus red revealed that fibrotic area formed around the site of injection was


reduced in p53S-CM compared to Ctrl-CM. In vitro treatment of human fibroblasts with p53S-CM

exosomes showed reduction in expression of fibrotic markers. Interestingly, p53S-CM exosomes showed

increased expression of anti-inflammatory miRNA-26a and reduced expression of inflammatory miRNA-

101. Importantly, in vitro migration studies showed that fibroblasts preferentially migrated towards Ctrl-

CM than p53S-CM, which indicates reduced fibroblast recruitment of p53S-CM in vivo. So far, our study

clearly shows that transplanting p53S-CM reduces the formation of fibrosis at the site of implantation

through miRNA-26a and reduced recruitment of fibroblast.

Acknowledgement: American Heart Association Scientist Development Grant

UBS-12: Relating the Hematological, Hepatic and Renal Markers as Markers of Cognitive

Impairment

Mullins Claire M., Majrashi, S. Ramesh, M. Almaghrabi, K. Abbott, A. Fujihashi, M. Govindarajulu, R.

Nadar, V. Suppiramaniam, S. Pondugula, M. Dhanasekaran.

Drug Discovery and Development, Auburn University

Patients with Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) experience loss of memory but fall short of the criteria for

the diagnosis of clinically probable Alzheimer’s disease. MCI occurs due to altered physiological functions,

comorbid conditions or induced by therapeutic drugs & toxins. Chemotherapy-associated cognitive

dysfunction, otherwise referred to as “chemo brain,” includes subjectively reported & objectively measured

problems with cognition following chemotherapy. Hyperglycemia also contributes to cognitive

dysfunction. However, the hematological, hepatic and renal markers as markers of cognitive impairment

are not well compared in these animal models. In this study, we assessed the hematological, hepatic and

renal markers as markers of cognitive impairment in valid animal models.Chemotherapeutic (CT) group

was treated with doxorubicin (2 mg/kg, IP) & cyclophosphamide (50mg/kg, IP) once weekly for 4 weeks.

Hyperglycemia group received Streptozotocin 55mg/kg, once, IP. Blood samples were withdrawn and

analyzed. There was significant increase in creatinine kinase & LDH in CT model. Glucose levels were

significantly increased in STZ group. With regard to BUN, there was significant increase in STZ model,

however decrease in CT model. However, Triglycerides were significantly elevated both in STZ & CT

treated animals as compared to control. Our study clearly indicates that an increase in triglycerides can be

an initial potential marker for cognitive deficit. Thus, one of the non-invasive initial markers for assessing

the MCI can be lipid, renal, liver and hematological parameters.

UBS-13: A “Snapchat Filter” to Visualize Emergent Patterns in Cellular Monolayer

Nguyen Alyson1, Shivani Ananthasekhar2, Dhananjay T. Tambe3 1Biomedical Sciences, University of South Alabama 2University of Alabama School of Medicine

3Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Center for Lung Biology, University of South Alabama

In an endothelial monolayer, cells transmit physical forces to its neighbor. Adaptive response to these forces

emerges into a pattern of cells with spatially correlated physical properties. To quantify the physical forces

within the plane of the monolayer at any desired point, we developed Monolayer Stress Microscopy (MSM).

MSM revealed physical forces across a cellular monolayer are remarkably heterogeneous. However, these

heterogeneous forces self-organize into cooperative patterns which steer local cellular motion along the

orientation that is suitable for many neighboring cells. This migrative mechanism is called plithotaxis––

emphasizing the properties’ role that emerges from intercellular force transmission. These observations


indicate subcellular properties are characterized by heterogeneity across the monolayer, whereas

multicellular properties are characterized by cooperativity. Heat maps can easily visualize heterogeneous

characteristics of subcellular properties. However, such maps often miss the cooperative attributes of the

multicellular properties. Moreover, physical forces are meaningful when quantified across a point along the

intercellular adhesion and when quantified for an entire cell in the form of a contractile moment of the cell.

To visualize the multicellular patterns and quantify cellular-level properties, we developed an ImageJ-based

toolkit. Using this toolkit, we quantified novel physical properties including contractile moments and

mechanical work. Our findings appear to question past conclusions of leader cells dragging follower cells

and identifies the role of shear tractions across the intercellular adhesion. By quantifying relevant properties

and painting them on the corresponding cell, akin to a “snapchat filter”, our toolkit makes the emergent

characteristics of the monolayer visible.

Acknowledgment: Whiddon Scholar Honors Scholarship, UoSA Presidential Scholarship, UoSA

Honors College Scholarship, Abraham Mitchell Cancer Research Fund, Research and Scholarship

Development Grant, Startup fund College of Engineering, UoSA

UBS-14: An “Osmotion” Active Learning Module to Improve Comprehension of Osmosis and

Diffusion for Underrepresented Minority Students

Schormann Sebastian1, Anna Jones1, Samiksha Raut1, David Esparza2, Jeffrey Olimpo2 1University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2University of Texas at El Paso

In higher education, student conceptual mastery of osmosis and diffusion (O&D) is rarely achieved, and

studies demonstrate that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students are often

overconfident in their own misconceptions. Underrepresented minorities (URMs), when compared to non-

URM students, face the same elusive mastery of O&D as well as a persistent achievement gap which results

in higher attrition rates and lopsided underrepresentation within the STEM workforce. To alleviate this

disparity, active learning, as opposed to passive learning, has consistently been shown to improve student

understandings and disproportionately benefit URMs. Thus, we hypothesized that introducing an O&D

active learning module into a large-enrollment (n=193) introductory biology course would improve URM

student comprehension of O&D. To determine student comprehension of these fundamental concepts, we

utilized the Osmosis and Diffusion Conceptual Assessment (ODCA) which was given as the pre-assessment

and again as the post-assessment after completion of the module. Students attended one active learning

module which included a lecture, a graphic organizer, and the “osmotion” kinetic activity where students

physically re-enacted the processes of O&D as water and solute particles. Initial findings indicate that

students, regardless of URM status, significantly increased their score following the module (p=0.014).

This data is currently being analyzed for the active learning module’s effect on URM students pre- and

post-assessment scores. Findings from this study will be used to recommend implementation of future

active learning modules for other historically difficult biology concepts to further improve student

performance and lower STEM attrition rates.

UBS-15: Stimulation of Medium Spiny Neurons in the Nucleus Accumbens Elicits Place Preference

and Goal Directed Behavior

Simpkins Natalie, Morgan E Zipperly, Jeremy J Day

Department of Neurobiology, UAB School of Medicine


America has a severe drug addiction crisis. According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health in

2016, an estimated 7.4 million people in the US had a drug use disorder. While the nucleus accumbens

(NAc), a midbrain region important for motivation, reward, and addiction has been extensively studied,

how the neuronal activity of certain subpopulations of cells influence motivated behavior is poorly

understood. Previous data suggest that acute cocaine increases activity of medium spiny neurons (MSNs)

in the NAc, as compared to saline controls. This study aims to determine whether changes in MSN firing

in the NAc play a key role in goal-directed behavior. We hypothesize that cocaine increases the firing of

MSNs, resulting in reward-seeking behavior. Using a rodent model, we infused an AAV expressing

channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) and chronically implanted an optic fiber targeting the NAc. ChR2 is a light-

gated cation channel that will open in response to blue light, causing an action potential. After allowing 4-

6 weeks for viral expression, real-time place conditioning was conducted in an open-field divided into

quadrants to determine if photostimulation of MSNs is sufficient to drive reward-seeking behavior. Our

results show that the ChR2-expressing animals increasingly prefer the stimulation-paired quadrant,

compared to GFP-only controls. To indicate that MSN firing is necessary for reward-related behavior,

future studies will inhibit neuronal activity. In conclusion, we demonstrate that photostimulation of MSNs

is sufficient for reward-seeking behavior, further indicating that this cell population is key in acute reward

behavior development.

Acknowledgement: UAB Honors College Presidential Summer Fellowship, National Instituteon

Drug Abuse, Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, UAB Pittman Scholars Program

UBS-16: Low temperature plasma treatment of bell pepper (Capsicum annum, cv ‘California

Wonder’) seeds to enhance seed health

Smith Makala1, Leopold Nyochembeng1, Rao Mentreddy1, Ernst Cebert1, James Baker1, Yogesh Vohra2 1Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Alabama A&M University, 2 University of Alabama

at Birmingham

Low temperature plasma (LTP) are emerging as chemical-free biocides and surface disinfectants of plants,

fresh foods, and water. However, the effect of LTP on seeds and related physiological responses have not

been established. Such knowledge could strengthen agricultural applications of LTP in addressing plant

health problems such as seed-borne diseases. The objective of this study was to optimize conditions for

applying LTP on bell pepper cv ‘California Wonder’ seeds with or without seed-borne pathogen. Two

experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, seeds were pretreated with Clorox (surface sterilized) and

infested or not with Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria (Xcv), and control. They were further exposed

to LTP for 15 s at a chamber pressure of 1.2 Torrs and a power setting of 30W. In experiment 2, seeds were

pretreated with or without bacteria and exposed to either plasma or chamber pressure (no plasma) for three

durations of 30, 60, and 120s and high power (45 W) setting. All LTP-treated and non-treated seeds were

evenly spaced on Whatman #1 filter paper pre-wetted with distilled water in 100 x 15mm or 60 x 15mm

Petri dishes and incubated at 25°C for germination. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized

design with four replications. Seed germination occurred between 5 - 11 days after incubation. In

experiment 1, only seeds pretreated with Clorox had low germination (13%) after plasma exposure. There

was no reduction in seed germination due to LTP exposure. Results of experiment 2 also indicate that LTP

is beneficial for Capsicum seed germination.

Funding Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR AL


UBS-17: A Novel Light-inducible CRISPR/dCas9 System Utilizing Mutant Flavin Kelch-repeat F-

box1/GIGANTEA

Southern Nicholas, Corey G. Duke, Katherine E. Savell, Faraz A. Sultan, Jeremy J. Day

UAB Department of Neurobiology

A cell’s ability to control gene expression is a process critical for life, and when this process is disrupted

disease can occur. As gene expression both directly influences and is altered by cellular activity, the ability

to study rapid gene expression alterations is critical to understanding normal cellular physiology and

disease. Investigations of gene expression have relied on overexpressing or knocking down genes of

interest, but most approaches lack the temporal precision necessary to directly study rapid cellular responses

on the timescale at which expression alterations occur. Development of technology capable of these fine

tuned manipulations has proven difficult. By employing the light inducible Flavin Kelch-repeat F-box1

(FKF1)/GIGANTEA complex and fusing it with both a transcriptional activator and a catalytically inactive

Cas9, we created a new system capable of targeting specific genes for upregulation in the presence of blue

waveform light, termed the FKF1 Light Inducible CRISPR Construct (FLICC) system. In our initial tests,

the transcription activators VP64 (FLICC-VP64) and VPR (FLICC-VPR) were demonstrated to induce

transcription at the guide RNA directed endogenous gene Grm2 in HEK293T cells. To examine whether

this system can alter expression at the protein level, a firefly luciferase construct was targeted with FLICC-

VP64 and FLICC-VPR, resulting in a rapid increase in luminescence. Additionally, FLICC-VP64 and

FLICC-VPR both induced similar levels of gene expression. Our results demonstrate the FLICC system

can induce targeted gene expression alterations offering the temporal precision necessary to investigate

transcriptional events beyond currently available technology.

Acknowledgment: National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), The Evelyn F. McKnight Brain

Institute, The Science and Technology Honors Program

UBS-18: Virtual-Reality Training Affects Children’s Working Memory, Processing Speed, and

Visual-Spatial Memory

Tang Kerri, David C. Schwebel

Psychology Department University of Alabama at Birmingham

Pedestrian injury mortalities comprise 21% of annual US child traffic deaths. Virtual reality (VR)

successfully trains children in street-crossing, allowing children to practice perceptual and cognitive skills

needed for street-crossing without injury risk. Although VR is effective, little is known about mechanisms

that may underlie its efficacy: What aspects of children’s cognition improve through pedestrian training in

VR? This study investigated three possible factors: working memory, processing speed, and visual-spatial

memory. 120 children ages 7-8 (Mage=7.99 years, SD=0.63; 41% male; 52% African-American, 43%

Caucasian) participated. Working memory and processing speed were assessed using the WISC-V, a

standard measure of intelligence. Visual-spatial memory was assessed using “Mr. Peanut”, a computer-

based interactive game in which children view a figure decorated with colorful stickers for a set amount of

time, the figure disappears, and then reappears without stickers. Children selected their recall of sticker

colors and locations. Assessments were completed before and after children received a series of street-

crossing training sessions in VR. Training was discontinued after children achieved adult-level safety

(Msessions=9.79, SD=5.42). Following VR training, statistically-significant improvements were found in

children’s working memory (t(119)=2.83, p<.01), processing speed (t(119)=2.87, p<.01), and visual-spatial

memory (t(119)=2.41, p<.01). Training children to cross streets in VR was associated with significant


improvements in working memory, processing speed, and visual-spatial memory. The results suggest

cognitive-skills training might lead to safer child pedestrian behavior and VR could improve cognitive skills

that extend beyond the primary goals of VR training.

Funding Acknowledgement: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human

Development of the National Institutes of Health through an R01 grant (HD088415). National

Institutes of Health, Honors College Presidential Summer Fellowship at the University of Alabama

at Birmingham

UBS-19: Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) Initiated Intercellular Stress Communication between

Epithelial Cells and Fibroblasts

Yiming Zhang1, Zsuzsanna Bebok2 1Science and Technology Honors Program, 2Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology

University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL.

Widely known as the “protein factory,” the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) governs over one third of all

cellular proteins’ synthesis, folding, and processing, yet a factory can be overworked. When the ER is

overloaded with misfolded proteins or stressed by other factors such as environmental insults, an adaptive

signaling cascade known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to restore homeostasis. UPR

hyper activation has been reported in genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and polycystic kidney disease

(PKD), yet the UPR’s contribution to the pathogenesis of these disorders is still poorly defined. In PKD,

defective tubular epithelial cells are hyper proliferated, inflammatory cells are recruited, and fibroblasts are

activated. These processes lead to cyst formation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, called

fibrosis. While cell-cell communication during PKD pathogenesis is obvious, the signals leading to fibrosis

are not well characterized, and the signaling mechanisms among different cell-types are not well

understood. We hypothesize that UPR-induced signals can be transferred from epithelial cells to fibroblasts,

leading to fibroblast specific cellular responses. To investigate UPR initiated intercellular signaling, I use

a model kidney epithelial cell line (HEKDAX) to produce UPR-specific transcriptional factors (XBP1 and

ATF6), co-culture them with human fibroblasts (IMR90), and use Western blot and immunocytochemistry

to analyze gene expression changes in both cell types. The results support stress response communication

between the cells as measured by XBP1 and ATF6- mediated alterations in fibroblast functions.

Acknowledgement: UAB Honors College Presidential Summer Fellowship

UPS-01: Characterization of Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Epoxidized Soybean Oil and

Resin Hybrid Composites

Anderson Alexander1, Shatori Meadows2, Mahesh Hosur2, Shaik Zainuddin2

1Department of Mechanical Engineering ,2Department of Material Science and Engineering Tuskegee

University

Polymer resins are an integral component in the fiber composite industry to distribute the load and protect

the fibers from damage caused by impact and abrasion. Most of the polymer resins in society today are

derived from petroleum resources, and hence are non-biodegradable and can be expensive. For this reason,

researchers have focused their attention to the development of bio-based polymers typically derived from

vegetable oils. However, these resins typically have low glass transition temperatures that act as a

plasticizer. To impart flexibility to the brittle synthetic resin, a vegetable-based resin synthesized at


Tuskegee University was added to a partially synthetic epoxy resin. The synthesized fully bio-based resin

known as epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) revealed a glass transition temperature of 62 °C, higher than

conventional epoxidized vegetable oils. Thus, this research focuses on studying the effect of various

concentrations of ESO at 10 - 70 wt.% in intervals of 10, used in synthetic epoxy resin on its

thermomechanical and mechanical properties. Characterization techniques used to test the effects of the

ESO on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties includes using the flexure test, dynamic

mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) respectively. Testing of the epoxy/ESO

composites.

Acknowledgment: NSF REU Site (Award #1659506)

UPS-02: Segregation induced Phase Transition at Grain boundary of Cu-Zr Nanocrystalline Alloy

Bashya Keshab1, Treyvon Bryant2, Lin Li3

Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Material Science and Engineering University of

Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL

Nanocrystalline alloy is currently one of the most exciting and prosperous areas of mechanical engineering

and materials science research due to the promise of exceptional performance when characteristic

microstructural length scales are in the nanometer range. Segregation induced structural transitions at grain

boundaries of nanocrystalline alloys are studied using hybrid Monte Carlo/Molecular dynamics simulation

in Cu-Zr model system. Complexion transitions are simulated at different temperatures with increasing Zr

doping in nanocrystalline Cu. The ordered complexions are first formed at low temperature with low global

compositions. With increasing the global composition, the thickness as well as the composition in the grain

boundary increases, and the first formed ordered complexions transform into the partially disordered

complexions. The disordering process continues with increasing global composition until the grain

boundary becomes completely disordered and intergranular films have formed. The grain boundary

composition increases slowly in this stage and finally saturate forming a wetting film. The grain boundary

structure of different phases is characterized by radius distribution function, Voronoi analysis, giving

atomic details on the structural transition. The potential energy landscape would be studied for these

different phases using the Activation-Relaxation Technique (ART). The simulated results are used to

construct the grain boundary phase diagram providing a guideline for experiments on synthesizing

nanocrystal line alloys.

Acknowledgement: This work is financially supported by NSF-CMMI-1727875

UPS-03: Nitric Oxide Releasing Bionanomatrix Coating to Improve Endothelialization on Left

Atrial Appendage Closure Devices

Bobba Pratheek1, Dishant Shah1, Reid Millican3, Patrick TJ Hwang3, Brigitta C. Brott2.3, Dong-Ming

Hou4, and Ho-Wook Jun1,3

1Department of Biomedical Engineering, 2School of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, 3University of

Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL. 4Boston Scientific,

Maple Grove, MN.

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and affects 2.7 to 6.1 million people in the U.S.

Cardio embolic strokes, a serious complication of AF, can often result from thrombus formation due to

blood stasis in the heart. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is especially prone to thrombus formation which

may lead to issues such as strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Oral anticoagulants and surgical options


are effective means of stroke reduction in patients with AF but can present challenges such as bleeding risk,

daily regimen, and poor adherence rates. Thus, nonsurgical intervention strategies have been used to prevent

thromboembolism using LAA closure (LAAC) devices. However, this application still requires at least 45

days of anti-platelet therapy until complete endothelialization on the LAAC device is achieved. In this

study, we develop an endothelium mimicking bionanomatrix coating to enhance the endothelialization of

LAAC devices and to accelerate the formation of a durable LAA occlusion through the sustained release

of nitric oxide. The Nano matrix was shown to have smoothly and uniformly coated the LAAC device

polyester membrane as observed by SEM. The Nano matrix also steadily released nitric oxide over the

course of 28 days. Coated membranes significantly enhanced human aortic endothelial cell attachment and

proliferation as compared to the uncoated membranes and showed reduced platelet adhesion as compared

to controls. These in vitro results pave the way for future studies to demonstrate the ability of the Nano

matrix coating to enhance the endothelialization of LAAC devices in pre-clinical animal models.

Acknowledgement: NIH (2R44DK109789-02, 1R43HL137515-01, and 1R43NS095455-01.

UPS-04: PLA Thin Film with Carbon Derived from Banana Peel

Burkes Jamyla1, Maria Calhoun2, Vijaya K. Rangari3

1Chemical Engineering, 2Mechanical Engineering 3Material Science and Engineering Tuskegee University

This study was conducted to investigate the characteristics of thin film nanocomposites of poly lactic acid

(PLA) and carbon nanoparticles derived from banana peels. Banana peels are an abundant, economically

viable bio-waste product and thus, are ideal for use as carbon nanoparticles (CN). PLA is a thermoplastic

sustainable polymer that is typically favored due to the superb mechanical properties, durability, and

opportunity to recycle. PLA/CN films have potential applications in electronics, sensing and fire

suppression. To prepare for the carbon nanoparticles, the banana peels were dried in an oven, then

carbonized using a furnace at both 600ºC and 800ºC. The carbon nanoparticles were then characterized to

determine their morphology by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The CNs were added to a

solution of PLA and chloroform. The solution was dried to form pellets to be used in an extruder to fabricate

filament to be used to 3D print a thin film. The thermal properties of the PLA/CN were characterized using

Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). These bio-based,

biodegradable polymer nanocomposites from renewable waste resources have proven to possess strong

characteristics that can be used in applications such as sealants.

UPS-05: Nanofabricating ZnO Lasers for Size-Dependent Optical Studies

Casey Karly1, Kannatassen Appavoo2, Matthew Y. Sfeir3

1 Dept. of Physics, 2 Dept. of Biomedical Engineering University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 3 Center

for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY

Integrated photonic devices are important to sensing and telecommunication technologies. Using solution-

processed methods is highly desirable due to their simple, low-cost fabrication. However, current

implementations use micron-sized structures that prevent fabrication of nanoscale thin films and exhibit

low lasing efficiencies. Here, we use zinc oxide (ZnO) Nano spheres with high crystallinity to fabricate thin

film lasers with high efficiency. We examine the effects of size on the in-plane propagation length of light

and the formation probability of lasing modes in ZnO nanolasers. We use Nano-patterning to reduce the


lateral size of the nanolasers in order to examine the probability of forming various lasing modes and

understand how to control lasing performance as the footprint of our nanolasers changes.

Acknowledgment: Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Workforce Development for

Teachers and Scientists (WDTS) under the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships Program

(SULI).

UPS-06: Removal and Recovery of Phosphorus from Non-Point Source using Permeable Reactive

Barriers

Chai Rachel, Arka Pandit

Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering University of South Alabama

Eutrophication is one of the more pressing challenges of this time. Coastal areas across the world, including

the Gulf of Mexico have been experiencing one of the worst eutrophication problems over the last few

years. Managing the influx of nutrient to watersheds from non-point sources (NPS) has a significant

potential to address the eutrophication of coastal areas. While precipitation, filtration, membrane processes,

Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) and Physic-chemical (adsorption based) methods have

been successfully used to effect reactive phosphorus (P) removal, application of these technologies to non-

point sources has remained limited till date. This research proposes to develop a permeable reactive barrier

for P adsorption from NPS pollution. Permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) are subsurface passive treatment

systems that require low to no periodic maintenance and are ideal for decentralized in-situ applications.

This research uses spent alum sludge (SAS) as the primary reactive substance within the permeable reactive

barriers. SAS is a by-product of potable water treatment process and is typically landfilled. This research

will determine the efficacy of SAS in removing P from NPS at the bench scale. The research will conduct

a set of experiments to determine the capacity of adsorption and kinetics of P adsorption in an SAS PRB.

Based on the data obtained from these experiments, stakeholders will be able to design SAS based PRBs

that have the potential to remove P from NPS pollution. Given the current eutrophication challenge in the

Gulf of Mexico, this is a topical research problem that needs to be addressed.

Funding Acknowledgement: Department of Civil, Coastal and Environment Engineering from the

University of South Alabama and a UCUR Summer Fellowship

UPS-07: Determining Dynamic Properties of Structures and Using Geophones and Mobile Shaker

Models for High School Outreach

Donnelly-Bullington Emma1, Patricia Clayton2

1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville 2Department of

Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

This work discusses the development of a small-scale educational model of the mobile shaker trucks at the

Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure University of Texas at Austin Experimental Facility

(NHERI@UTexas). The need for such an education model arises from the overwhelming dependency of

earthquake engineering outreach on instructional shake tables. These tools can effectively illustrate the

conditions experienced by structures during seismic activity, but they cannot demonstrate all the different

types of dynamic testing done in engineering research. This research aims to provide an alternative tool for

teaching high school students about earthquake engineering and the forced vibration tests on structures.

Geophone sensors attached to K’NEX™ structures were used to model the large-scale shakers on existing


structures. Accelerometers were attached to the structures to record the structural response of the K’NEX™

models. This setup was used to perform free vibration and forced vibration tests to determine the natural

period, natural frequency, and damping ratio of structures with varying stiffnesses. The result of this

research is a lesson plan appropriate for high school physics classes which explores the engineering

applications of physics topics, especially in the fields of structural and earthquake engineering and natural

hazard mitigation and preparation. This research was conducted as part of the Natural Science Foundation

(NSF) supported Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure Research Experience for

Undergraduates (NHERI-REU) program.

Funding Acknowledgement: National Science Foundation Award No. 1612144

UPS-08: The Impact of Thermocycling on the Mechanical Properties and Fracture Behavior of

Composite Materials

Hendrix Queondra1, Delroy Watson2, Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh2

1Material Science Department, 2Material Science and Engineering Tuskegee University

The objective of this proposed research is to investigate the effects of thermal cycling on properties of

epoxy polymeric composites samples reinforced with Nano fillers such as: Graphene Nano platelets (GNP)

and Montmorillonite nanoclay (MMT). Fabricated samples will be subjected to cyclic elevated

temperatures to mimic different service temperatures over a period of 6 – 8 weeks. Effects of different

elevated temperature conditions on mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties will be characterized

every two weeks to study the impact of conditioning temperatures on mechanical properties and

viscoelastic. The flexural properties were characterized using three-point bending test, while the

viscoelastic properties on the polymer were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis.

Acknowledgement: FHWA-DDETFP

UPS-09: Building Polygons with Congruent Equilateral Triangles

Kelleher Jonathan, John C. Mayer

Department of Mathematics, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Given an unlimited supply of congruent equilateral triangles with the task of making convex polygons out

of these triangles by tiling, what types of shapes can we obtain? The only shapes are triangles,

parallelograms, trapezoids, pentagons, and hexagons. This then leads to studying the number of equilateral

triangles used to construct these polygons and finding formulas for these numbers. A unifying perspective

is using the basic polygon, a larger equilateral triangle, and obtaining other polygons from it by taking away

smaller equilateral triangles from the corners:

Polygon Formula Conditions

Triangle n^2 n>0

Trapezoid (n^2)-(a^2) n>a>0

Parallelogram (n^2)-(a^2)-(b^2) n=a+b>1

Pentagon (n^2)-(a^2)-(b^2) n>a+b>1

Hexagon (n^2)-(a^2)-(b^2)-(c^2) n > a+b >1; n> a+c >1; n>b+c>1


A fundamental question for this study is what numbers of triangles can be used to build each polygon. The

answer is known, and relatively easy to obtain, for triangles, trapezoids, and parallelograms. The answer

is known, but only settled in the last decade, for hexagons. The answer is not known for pentagons. Because

our study is geometrically motivated, we are led to investigate how to obtain a polygon with the same

number of unit equilateral triangles, but with non-congruent geometric representation. We focus on the

results we have obtained for trapezoids. A representative result is: given an N in the positive integers, there

is a number R of triangles that can be used to build a trapezoid in at least N different ways. The plan is to

apply the same study to pentagons and hexagons as we continue.

Acknowledgment: UAB Mathematics Fast-Track Program

UPS-10: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study on Varying Degree of Functionalization and Its

Effects on pullout simulation of Amine Functionalized Carbon Nanotube and Epon polymer.

Louder DeJohn, Farooq Syed, Shaik Zainuddin, Mahesh Hosur, and Shaik Jeelani 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL,

We implemented molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the effect of single-walled carbon

nanotube (SWCNT) and amine (-NH2) functionalized SWCNT on the crosslinking and interfacial behavior

of Epon 862 nanocomposite. Results showed that the introduction of control SWCNT in the Epon system

reduced the crosslinking by 8-10 % in comparison to control system (without CNT). The atoms/molecules

of Epon 862 and Epikure-W changed their conformation and aligned themselves in the direction parallel to

the surface of SWCNT. Also, no interfacial bonding was found between the polymer and SWCNT.

However, the introduction of the –NH2 functional groups on the surface of SWCNT lead to increase in

crosslinking between the NH2-SWCNT and Epon 862 system. In addition, the interfacial strength increased

due to the formation of strong covalent bonding between the –NH2 groups of SWCNT and Epikure-W. The

pullout simulations of Epon/SWCNT samples showed separation at the interface with no polymer

molecules attached to CNT. In contrast, bond breakage was observed in the polymer chain, whereas, the

interphase remained intact in Epon/NH2-SWCNT samples. This study led to cognize that the

functionalization of SWCNT with –NH2 groups can be used to create a strong network with the polymer

chain and enhance the interfacial properties particularly for applications where the interface is critical.

Funding Acknowledgment: NSF HBCU-UP RIA-HRD1409918, NSF-EPSCoR-1137681 and NSF-

REU DMR-1358998

UPS-11: Novel Naphthalene-Based Scintillator Targets New Photoreceptor

McVicar Sophie, David N. French, Gary M. Gray

Department of Chemistry University of Alabama at Birmingham

Optogenetics currently relies on invasive methods of delivering light to tissue cells containing a

photoreceptor. A novel, noninvasive method has been developed that combines a tissue penetrative light

source with a localized light-converting material. A new photoreceptor, LITE-1, has been identified in

literature, and the work below describes the synthesis of materials with scintillation wavelengths to match

the absorption of LITE-1. A precursor phosphonite-scintillator was synthesized from the nucleophilic

addition of lithiated naphthalene to a choro-phosphine. Four phosphonates were synthesized by either

chalcogenation with sulfur and selenium, or Lewis acid-base interactions with transition metal complexes.

The purified phosphonates were characterized using both 31P and 1H NMR. Computations have been done


on the sulfur and selenium species to determine how the presence of chalcogens and phosphorus affects

HOMO and LUMO. Computations show that sulfur and phosphorus play large roles in the HOMO of the

sulfide-phosphonate, while the selenium plays the largest role in the HOMO of the selenido-phosphonate;

in both phosphonates, the naphthalene plays the largest contribution in the LUMO. The excitation and

emissions determined experimentally also coincide with those computed in SPARTAN. Quantum yield has

also been determined for these compounds. Additionally, X-ray quality crystals were grown from the

sulfido-phosophonate for solid-state structure determination. Radio luminescence was recorded for the

sulfido- and selenido-phosphonates. Future studies will be done to improve the biocompatibility of these

scintillators.

Acknowledgement: EPSCoR Grant Number 1632881

UPS-12: Advances in Color-Changing Materials Based on the Mechanics of Cuttlefish

Mercedes George

Materials Science and Engineering department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Various organisms have evolved to possess innate means of survival such as structural and adaptive

coloration now being used to inspire materials scientists worldwide to create new and innovative materials.

In this study, the mechanisms behind the color-changing abilities of the cuttlefish, its chromotophores,

leucophores, and iridophores, were studied to determine how they function and how they could best be

replicated synthetically with new material advances. When the cuttlefish’s body initiates a change in color,

a surface area expansion up to five hundred percent within only its color-changing cell system occurs. This

expansion allows for the cuttlefish’s skin to express the colors desired from the layers of pigment granules

all connected together in this cell color system; this expansion also determines which pigments are

expressed and which are repressed. The challenge in synthetically replicating this function, however, lies

within surface area expansion properties because of the challenge to create a material resistant enough to

allow its color systems to expand five times their initial size when the material’s overall surface area is not

altered. A possible way of replicating this design is through polymer sheets that can change color when

stretched through their own nanospores. Implementing synthetic layers of nanoparticles is a method of

creating “color cells” within the material, which could allow color to spread in a seemingly natural way as

the bonds of the polymers’ hydrocarbons being stretched causes the nanospores to activate the color-

changing process.

UPS-13: Universality in Viscous Fluid Spreading and Leveling

Penko Zoë S.1, Daihui Lu2, Ivan C. Christov3

1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham 2School of Mechanical

Engineering, Purdue University

Interfacial fluid flows or flows where the dynamics of an interface between unlike fluids can be observed,

require study to further understand the fundamental relationships of the fluids’ properties and their

dynamics in multiple applications. The scope of this research project pertains to low Reynolds number flow,

a dense fluid spreading through a less dense ambient fluid, with the spreading fluid movement being driven

by gravitational buoyancy forces and density differences. The primary investigation involves studying the

spreading and leveling of such fluids in shaped geometries, such as subsurface fractures. The objective is

to determine the effect of a wide variety of crack geometries on these flows, both in its spreading and


leveling phases, or pre and post “closure,” respectively. The methods involve understanding the basic

governing partial differential equation, the transformation to an ordinary differential equation with the use

of a self-similarity variable and requisite, rescaling, and verification of these mathematical predictions

through direct simulation of the PDE in MATLAB. Self-similar behavior physically means “universality”

holds across all fluid types and fracture geometries, and such behavior can be observed for a variety of

crack widths and geometries. We verify the spreading and leveling relationships of viscous fluid flows

(determined mathematically using the theory of self-similarity), and further compare these to previous

experiments. Future research interests include study of particulate viscous flow in its spreading and leveling

phases, the final distribution of particles in the flow, and the effect of varying crack geometries on these

flows.

Acknowledgement: Purdue University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)

Program, Purdue University School of Mechanical Engineering, and the American Chemical Society

Petroleum Research Fund for the opportunity and funding.

UPS-14: Electric Arc Simulations with Code_Saturne

Renfroe Kyle1, Vladimir Kolobov1.2, Robert Arslanbekov2

1University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2CFD Research Corporation

An electric arc occurs when current flows along a path of partially ionized gas, called plasma. The process

of Joule heating sustains the plasma state in the arc column. The simulation of electric arcs is a complicated

problem that involves gas dynamics and plasma physics. For this project, Code_Saturne was used to

simulate DC convection-stabilized arcs. Code_Saturne is a free, open-source computational fluid dynamics

(CFD) software package that contains a dedicated module for simulating electric arcs. The software package

SALOME was used to generate computational meshes for some of the simulations. Each simulation was

run in parallel using multiple CPUs, with as many as 36 CPUs on the Alabama Supercomputer Authority

(ASA) supercomputer known as the Dense Memory Cluster (DMC). We first ran an example case provided

by the developers of Code Saturne. Then, we modified the base case for a longer arc and also added gas

flow perpendicular to the arc column. The gas flow caused the plasma column to curve creating the “arc”.

Finally, we simulated the arc formation between two pin electrodes using the input file provided by an

experienced Code Saturne user. We have observed the formation of Maecker jets on electrodes in our

simulations and analyzed the change of the arc shape with increasing inter-electrode distance. Our work

has clarified which processes define the shape of the convection-stabilized arcs, how the boundary

conditions on electrodes define the arc motion, and what limits the capabilities of today’s codes for

simulations of long arcs.

Funding Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR CPU2AL

MASTERS’ CATEGORY

MBS-01: Investigation into Cellulose Beads as a Nutrient Delivery System in Agriculture

Demetrius Finley1, Dr. Michael Curry2 1Chemistry department, 2Material Science and Engineering Tuskegee University

Plant nutrition is a vital area of agriculture. Plants have a wide range of nutrients that are needed for

successful growth. These nutrients range from the big three macronutrients which are Potassium, Nitrogen

and Phosphorus to smaller micronutrients such as copper, zinc and Iron. While traditional fertilizers do well


in the delivery of previously mentioned nutrients, delivering in adequate amounts and toxicity impacts on

the environment from the delivery system are still issues that needs to be addressed. Hence, in this a study,

a delivery system derived from plant-based materials (i.e., cellulose) was explored as a means of nutrient

delivery. Cellulose bearing a C1 polymorph was deconstructed and formed into the shape of a bead. This

cellulose bead (C-bead) was then impregnated with Cu nanoparticle which is one of the main nutrients

needed for plant growth. Using the natural degradation property of cellulose release of the Cu nutrients

from the cavities of the cellulose delivery vehicle has been investigated. Furthermore, given that cellulose

is a natural biomaterial, its degradation will have no adverse effects on the environment.

Acknowledgment: CREST

MBS-02: Conversion of Egg & Seashell Waste into Bioactive Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Hembrick-Holloman Vincent1, Shaik Jeelani1, Vijay Rangari1, Temesgen Samuel2

1Department of Material Science & Engineering, 2School of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University

Hydroxyapatite (HA) biomaterials have been proposed as a promising biomaterial for potential tissue

engineering applications due to favorable biological properties such bioactivity, biocompatibility, and

biodegradability. Every year, about 6 to 8 million tons of sea-shell waste is produced globally. Along with

76 billion eggs consumed each year in the United States alone. The ability to convert waste into a bioactive

scaffold serves as a potentially cost effective and environmentally friendly route to regenerating dental

tissues. In this study, we investigate the conversion of naturally occurring waste, such as chicken eggshells,

quahog and littleneck seashells, into a valuable Nano biomaterial. HA nanoparticles were then utilized

within a 3D printed scaffold and seeded with bone derived osteoblast cells. HA was synthesized using an

energy efficient microwave-assisted wet chemical precipitation method by using CaCO3 from egg and

seashell and H3PO4 as the sources of calcium and phosphate ions. Transmission electron microscopy, Field

Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy

studies confirmed crystalline HA particles varying in shapes, within the nanometer range, and a chemical

composition matching that of naturally occurring HA. Bone derived osteoblast cells were seeded over

various time frames (12 H, 1, 3, 5 D). Nanoscale hydroxyapatite from three different shell sources was

successfully synthesized by an energy-efficient microwave-assisted wet chemical precipitation. HA based

scaffolds were manufactured with 3D printing technology. The attachment and growth of bone derived

osteoblast cells up to 5 days was confirmed with the use of SEM imaging. Future studies include plasma

spraying to investigate the biological effects on scaffold surfaces.

Funding Acknowledgement: NSF–CREST #1137681, NSF-RISE #1137681, Alabama – EPSCoR -

#1655280

MBS-03: Chloroform Extracts of Ipomoea alba and Ipomoea Tricolor Seeds Show Strong In-vitro

Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Cytotoxic Activity

Lawson Sims1, Mary N. Davis1, Carolyn Brazell1, William Setzer2 1Biology Department, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2Chemistry Department, The University

of Alabama in Huntsville

Based on ethnobotanical accounts and previous research it was hypothesized that the extracts of the seeds

of Ipomoea alba and Ipomoea tricolor would have antifungal and antibacterial activity. These extracts were

analyzed by broth microdilution technique to determine their anti-microbial and anti-tumor (cytotoxic)


activity. Seven strains of bacteria and three strains of fungi were cultured. Seeds were pulverized and first

extracted with warm hexane to remove the fats and waxes. Then cold extractions were made with

chloroform for at least 7 days. The Ipomoea alba extract showed strong antibacterial activity against

Enterococcus faecalis and Bacillus cereus, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 19.5

µg/ml for both. Antifungal activity was also observed against Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC of 78

µg/ml. Strong cytotoxicity was observed against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231, with

IC50 values of 35.72 ± 1.86 µg/ml. The Ipomoea tricolor extract showed strong antibacterial activity against

E. faecalis and B. cereus, with MIC values of 19.5 and 9.75 µg/ml, respectively. Very potent activity was

observed against Cryptococcus neoformans, with MIC of 9.75 µg/ml. Strong cytotoxicity was also observed

against human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and Hs 578T, with IC50 values of 28.47 ±1.98 µg/ml

and <30 µg/ml, respectively. This is an important discovery since Enterococcus species are one of the

primary bacteria responsible for dental infections, and Cryptococcus infections are a prevalent nosocomial

infection to which immunocompromised patients are especially susceptible. Novel breast cancer treatments

are continually being sought after.

MBS-04 Design, develop and manufacture a low-cost multi-channel bio signal amplifier and data

acquisition device for multi-electrode neural recording.

Liu Yen-Tze

Electrical & Computer Engineering Department University of Alabama at Birmingham

Although, in the current market, there are many multichannel recording devices are available, these are

either very expensive, or they are large so that it cannot be used too close to the subject because of the space

limitations due to Faraday Cage. Also, large electronic devices are susceptible to create electrical noise if

they are not operating with DC Battery power. First, I would like to address the device cost per recording

channel. Developments in the manufacturing of high-density chips, allows us to design and manufacture

more compact and economical devices for signal processing. In addition to that, new high-density low noise

wafer technologies make possible to obtain multi-channel electronic devices such as amplifiers, digital

filters, Analog/Digital converters and OP-Amps with programmable gain. I will take advantage of these

new chip technologies to deliver, low-cost, low noise, and low power data acquisition system with high

precision and conversion rate, i.e., BPS. The second, I will address the compactness of the device so it can

be suitable for most of the recording experiments including in vivo neural recording. In order to achieve

that goal, I will use multilayer PCB manufacturing with SMT components with a small footprint. Another

advantage of the SMT components will be the low power consumption that enables us to use small battery

power for the complete recording session. As before mentioned, using a DC battery power source, it will

increase the S/N ratio and delivers more clean recording signals. Final device will be small in size and

portable. The experimenter can deploy this device easily any place to close to the subject. For instance,

multi-electrode deep brain measurement with active electrodes on test animals, it will be possible to place

the recording device with the test subject in same Faraday Cage without sacrificing recording signal quality.

To deliver required DC power and obtain partially processed signal data from the multi-channel recording

device; I will use a low-cost embedded computer that will connect to the acquisition device with a shielded

multi-conductor cable. Finally, I will address the user-friendly and customizable software problem that is

usually missing low-cost hardware solutions. Utilizing open source software packages (Sketch, Python,

etc.) I will write and test application software to operate the device, and if it is necessary, let the researcher

modify it easily to fit their requirements, without needing extensive programming training.


MBS-05: Atorvastatin attenuates Lysophosphatidic Acid Induced Tau Hyperphosphorylation

through Inhibition of p38 MAPK Pathway

Ramesh Sindhu, Amit Mitra, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran, Timothy Moore

Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University

The association between cholesterol and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) indicate a harmful effect of

dyslipidemia and a beneficial effect of statin therapy on AD risk. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive

phospholipid, a form of oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL), signals extracellularly through cognate

G protein-coupled receptors. Increased levels of OxLDL is an important risk factor for metabolic disorders

such as obesity, diabetes and AD. Only few studies have elucidated the role of LPA in the pathologies of

AD. Since LPA has been shown to induce tau hyperphosphorylation in neuronal cells, however, the detailed

underlying molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. The goal of this study is to investigate the

neuroprotective pleotropic effects and signaling mechanisms by which atorvastatin (lipophilic statin)

attenuates LPA induced tau hyperphosphorylation. In vitro studies are performed using sh-sy5y neuronal

cell line, biochemical assays are performed to investigate neuroprotective effects of atorvastatin by

suppressing LPA induced tau hyperphosphorylation. The results of the study indicated that atorvastatin at

a concentration of 5µm and 10µm attenuated LPA induced tau hyperphosphorylation at Ser 404 and Thr

231 position. This mechanism was brought about by inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway. The beneficial

effects of atorvastatin were blocked by treatment with PI3K inhibitor. Furthermore, the effect of atorvastatin

on LPA receptor will be investigated by performing receptor binding assays. This will open a new avenue

for utilizing statins as a potential therapeutic drug for AD.

MBS-06: Synthesized Scaffolds Used for Skin Tissue Engineering Mechanism

Swain Kendra1, Vinoy Thomas2, Komal Vig1 1Center of Nano Biotechnology Research, Alabama State University, 2Department of Materials Science

and Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Over the past few years’ tissue engineering and regenerative applications have yielded many neoteric tissue

replacements and implementations. Electrospinning is a valuable technique for the fabrication of 3D fiber

scaffolds for advanced wound healing and in this manner reclamation of the skin. Skin tissue regeneration

is primarily in view of the utilization of reasonable synthesized scaffolds. This newly designed functionally

graded composition will be used for various skin tissue mechanisms. PDO and PCL were dissolved in

hexaflouro -2- propanol (HFIP) and stirred 24h. Different variations of polymer solutions of PDO, PCL,

and Collagen were used for making the scaffolds. Electrospinning parameters were optimized to get fibers

evenly dispersed across metal spiked plate. Scaffolds were then placed into a 48 well plate and seeded with

keratinocytes and fibroblast for 21 days. Results revealed Keratinocytes cells grown on scaffolds were 90%

Viable on days 3 and 5 with a decrease to 90% on days 7 and down to 80% on day 15. Fibroblast were 90%

viable on days 3 and 5 with a decrease to 80% on day 15. Co-Cultured reflected an 80% viability on day 5

and 70% on day 15. The synthesized scaffolds were successfully spun and SEM showed ECM mimicking

fibrous morphology for each blend that was used. Cell studies confirms cell adhesion and growth on

scaffolds used for extended periods. Future studies will be further testing co-culturing the skin tissue layers

with the addition of fibroblast cells.

Acknowledgement: NIH-MBRS-RISE(1R25GM106995-01)


MBS-07: Properties of Additive Manufactured PBAT/PLA thin films incorporated with Carbon via

Coconut Shell Powder

Umerah Chibu, Boniface J. Tiimob, Vijaya K. Rangari, Shaik Jeelani

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, AL.

Ubiquitous non-degradable plastics continue to be a threat to the environment. Such plastics poison the

water, land, and air which we breathe. Specifically, plastics made from petroleum lead to pollution as it

takes centuries for the materials to biodegrade. This in turn can cause climate change due to the emission

of CO2. Environmental friendly plastics offer suitable alternatives. In this work, we explored biodegradable

plastic created from PBAT/ PLA 75/25 blend with carbon nano-powder derived from coconut shell. The

carbon material synthesized using high temperature reactor and characterized with SEM and Raman

spectroscopy to investigate the micro and nanoparticle properties as well as the size of the powder. The neat

polymers and carbon polymer composite films were created from solvent blended system which was

precipitated and extruded into filaments for 3D printing. The specimens were then 3D printed into thin

films and characterized using tensile tests, TGA, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR. The influence of

extrusion and size reduction will potentially increase the mechanical strength by decreasing voids that occur

in 3D printing and by altering the structure of the polymer blends. Applications such as food packaging can

benefit from this study.

Acknowledgement: Alabama EPSCoR-1655280, NSF-RISE #1459007, NSF-CREST #1137681,

NSF-MRI-1531934

MBS-08: An Assistive Device for Visually Impaired People to Help them During using the

Crosswalk

Wang Jiayue

Electrical & Computer Engineering Department university of Alabama at Birmingham

The visually impaired people mostly rely on a blind cane or specially trained assistive dog to help them

walk or cross the road safely. While the canes are for only avoiding obstacles on the roadway, the guide

dogs which are partially color blind and they cannot reliably interpret street lights. Deficiency of reliable

assistive tools, the traffic accidents seem to be inevitable especially to visually impaired or blind people. In

order to address this problem, and decrease the accidents of this nature, technologically more advanced and

intelligent tools are necessary. This proposed thesis work, will help visually impaired individuals, without

affecting their daily activities and habits, improve their quality of life and their safety on the street and

crosswalk areas. Since this solution will not require any changes in existing infrastructure, so it will not

cost extra for the local governments or cities. This Thesis work aims to design, develop and fabricate an

assisting device, which will be capable of to identify and accurately interpret pedestrian traffic lights to

assist to the visually impaired individuals by crossing the streets on crosswalk areas safely. Using a low

cost, and off-the-shelve available camera module and an embedded computer, we will capture the

surrounding image and process it to identify the traffic lights of interest. Then, according to the required

direction of the crosswalk, the device will notify the person when the crosswalk is safe to cross. The

notification will be realized by using a small vibrator motor, same as in any smartphone devices. Besides,

the wear ability, it will also be cost-effective and, convenient in use. For instance, the camera module which

will be carried on person’s hat, it can be taken off from the hat and can be attached to the other cap or hat

that visually impaired person wants to carry.


MBS-09: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

Yadav Sayali Keshav

Electrical Engineering Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Previous study proves that weak Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) induces persisting

excitability changes in the human motor cortex and helps to treat depression patient but there is no evidence

that evaluate the effect of tDCS on our language learning advancement. Our aim is to make affordable

device i.e., anodal transcranial direct current stimulator which enhance brain cortical excitability and

activity would modify language learning capability by multiple times. In this study we will apply weak

electrical current on language learning brain’s part such as Broca and Wernicke situated in left hemisphere

of the subject. We will observe response and vary current and time of stimulation. Our results will indicate

that anodal stimulation leads to language learning enhancement. Furthermore, this effect depends on the

stimulation polarity is specific to site of stimulation. This result may be helpful to develop future

intervention aiming at clinical benefits.

MPS-01: Investigation on the Compressive Properties of Carbon/Glass/Epoxy Composites

Reinforced with Graphene Nano Platelets

Al Ahsan Mohammad, Md Sarower Tareq, Onyekachi Ekwuazi, Mahesh Hosur, Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Fiber reinforced polymer composites are preferred over conventional metallic materials because of their

superior performance. These materials exhibit higher strength to weight ratio, improved fatigue

performance, higher corrosion resistance, and improved performance under dynamic loading compared to

conventional metallic materials. Their usage is increasing daily in high-end applications such as naval,

automobile, and aerospace industries. Mechanical properties of fiber reinforced polymer composites mainly

depend on the type of fiber, matrix, and the interface between them. The aim of this study is to investigate

Nanophased fiber reinforced composites under compressive loading. Four different combinations of

composites using carbon/glass/graphene/SC-15 epoxy were fabricated using the hand lay-up process. Static

compression test using the MTS machine had been conducted on square samples. Damage mechanism was

also studied using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicate that graphene nanoplatelets

improve the compressive properties of carbon/epoxy composites. Compressive strength was improved by

28.6% compared to neat samples whereas modulus increased by 39.8% with higher strain to failure.

However, hybrid carbon/glass/epoxy composites showed a decrease in compressive properties.

Carbon/glass/epoxy showed 27% decrease in strength and 15% decrease in modulus and

carbon/glass/graphene/epoxy exhibited 18% decrease in strength and 20% decrease in modulus compared

to carbon samples.

Funding Acknowledgement: ARO Grant # W911NF-15-1-0451

MPS-02: Properties of Montmorillonite Nano clay and Hexagonal Boron Nitride Reinforced PLA

Nanocomposite Fibers

Dickerson Kenneth Jr1, Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh2

1Mechanical Engineering Tuskegee University, 2Materials Science and Engineering Tuskegee University

Nanomaterials can improve the thermal and mechanical properties of advanced materials in the form of

fiber composites enhanced by nanoparticles. To that end, several materials would be selected and subjected

to thermomechanical and tensile characterization tests. These materials include fiber reinforced polymer


composites, which are currently used in a wide variety of engineering applications. These materials are

lightweight, significant specific strength and modulus values with the possibility of designing their

properties to specific applications. Various properties of these materials vary significantly due to their

constituents, and therefore properties of selected materials will be characterized. Two sets of materials will

be considered in this: 0.2 wt. % hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) and 0.2 wt. % montmorillonite Nano clay

(MMT) with polylactic (PLA) acid as the base material. These materials are selected due to their known

strength, stiffness, and toughness, each offering specific advantages and are currently being widely used

and studied. Thermal analyses will be best reveal the innate properties of the fiber composites. All samples

will mechanical characterization and have their responses compared for analysis. In the cases of PLA-

enhanced fibers, the HBN and MMT both improved the Tg, slowed the rate of thermal degradation, and

improved thermal stability upwards to 140oC.

Funding Acknowledgement: CREST

MPS-03: Influence of Binary Nano Fillers on the Flexural Strength, Flexural Fatigue, Thermal &

Moisture Absorption of Carbon/Glass Hybrid Reinforced SC-15 Epoxy

Ekwuazi Onyekachi, Delroy Watson, Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh.

Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University

The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of Nano fillers reinforced polymer composites (FRPC)

exposed to seawater, and adverse impact on the mechanical and thermal properties. There has been growing

interest in the study of barrier properties of polymer composite materials, due to increasing exposure to

different environments. Moisture absorption and solvent attacks have been regarded as unintentionally

destructive factors that weaken the structure of polymer materials under prolong exposure. Hence, in this

study, Hexagonal boron nitride (HBN) and Graphene Nano platelets (GNP) were used as reinforcement in

diglycidyl ether bisphenol A (DGEBA) epoxy SC-15 to fabricate carbon and carbon/glass hybrid fiber

composites. Fabricated samples were characterized using DMA, flexural and moisture absorption analysis.

The preliminary results in comparison with unmodified laminate, shows that samples fabricated with 4.5

wt.% HBN shows an increase in the specific flexural strength and modulus by 10.23 and 19.67%

respectively of reinforced carbon fiber laminate. Also, samples fabricated with 0.1wt% graphene shows an

increase in the specific modulus by 13.23% and there was no statically difference for the specific strength.

Furthermore, samples fabricated with 4.5 wt. % HBN + 0.1 wt. % GNP shows an increase in the specific

flexural strength and modulus by 12.29 and 43.38% respectively. On moisture absorption characteristics of

carbon and carbon/glass hybrid fiber composites, after 5 weeks of sea water exposure at room temperature,

samples fabricated with HBN and GNP showed relatively lower rate of absorption compared to unmodified

laminates.

Acknowledgement: Graduate Research Scholars Program (GRSP) & ARO

MPS-04: The Effect of Zinc Titanate Nanoparticles on the Tribological Properties of

Polyetherimide

Elafandi Mohamed, Shaik Zainuddin

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University

The effect of a Zinc Titanate nanoparticles (ZnTiO3) on the tribological properties of polyetherimide (PEI)

was investigated using Ti980 triboindenter machine. PEI pellets were dissolved at 15wt. % PEI in 1:1 ratio


of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solvents. ZnTiO3 nanoparticles were

added to the solution prior to the process of dissolving the PEI pellets at different concentrations (5, 10, 15

wt. % ZnTiO3). The mix was magnetically stirred at 50 oC and 1000 RPM for seven hours. The solution

was then cured for 3 days at 150oC. The addition of nanoparticles increased the young modulus and the

hardness of the polymer, also the material showed less weight loos during wear tests as the percentage of

ZnTiO3 increases. Nanoscratches tests were performed to understand the effect of ZnTiO3 on the

coefficient of friction, which was found to be less as the concentration of the ZnTiO3 increases. Thermal

gravimetric analysis (TGA) showed increment of the temperature at which the polymer starts degrading as

the amount of nanoparticles increases in the solution. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that

the addition of ZnTiO3, assisted in improving the tribological properties of the PEI.

Acknowledgment: CREST

MPS-05: Progress toward Controlled Synthesis of Multi-Metal Nanoparticles

Grimmett Garfield1, Willard E. Collier2, Michael Curry3

1 IBS Department, 2Chemistry Department, 3Material Science and Engineering Tuskegee University

Most applications of metal nanoparticles use mono- and bi-metallic nanoparticles. Some multi-metal

nanoparticles, composed of three or more metals, have proven to be more catalytically reactive then their

mono- and bi-metallic counterparts. A major obstacle to using multi-metal nanoparticles for applications

has been an effective synthesis method to produce mono-dispersed nanoparticles with desired structural

composition. One method that has proven successful for the synthesis of mono- and bi-metallic

nanoparticles is dendrimer templating that uses Poly (amido) amine “PAMAM” dendrimers as host

templates. This study extends dendrimer templating to produce Cu-Ni-Co multi-metal dendrimer

encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs). Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron

microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the Cu-Ni-Co

DENs. EDS proved that the nanoparticles contain Co, Cu, and Ni and their elemental percentages mirrored

that of their respective reduction potential. TEM showed the particles were agglomerated but some of the

individual particles could be measured and they ranged in size from 5 to 9nm. Extraction of these Cu-Ni-

Co multi-metal nanoparticles from the dendrimer core was also attempted using a dodecane thiol to allow

the dendrimer to be recycled for future synthesis use. Absorption spectra were obtained using UV-vis

spectroscopy and confirmed nanoparticle extraction. Further characterization is planned to determine the

morphology of the Cu-Ni-Co DENs.

MPS-06: Theoretical Model of Ion-Acoustic Shock Wave Structure in Dusty Plasma

Guzman, Juan G Alonso1, Gary P Zank2 1Department of Space Science, University of Alabama (UAH), 2Center for Space and Aeronomic Research,

UAH

Dust is an important component of plasma in multiple environments throughout the solar system, including

dust created as comets melt in the vicinity of the Sun or the dust rings that surround massive planets such

as Saturn. The effects of dust particles in the structure and propagation of ion-acoustic waves through

plasma have been empirically recorded and studied for nearly two decades (see Nakamura et al., 1999,

Physical Review Letters). A Korteweg-de Vries-Burgers (KdVB) PDE involving the electrostatic potential

governs the process, and numerical solutions agree well with the overall shock structure. However, the


exact form and nature of the dissipation term within this equation is hitherto unknown. Inspired by

comments in Nakamura et al. (1999), this research seeks to incorporate ion-dust collisions into the plasma

framework in order to obtain an exact form for the dissipation coefficient in terms of experimental

quantities. In order to achieve this goal, we assume a simplified shielded potential to derive appropriate

scattering quantities for the Fokker-Plank equation, and then proceed with a Chapman-Enskog expansion,

leading to an explicit form of the desired term, among others. With our contribution, we hope to provide a

complete and rigorous theoretical foundation for the use of a KdVB equation to describe ion-acoustic

shockwave structure, and obtain a formula for the dissipation coefficient based on measurable quantities.

This will further our understanding of this phenomena, as well as pinpoint certain key parameters that could

be adjusted to control the wave structure.

Acknowledgment: NSF EPSCoR RII-Track-1 Cooperative Agreement OIA-1655280.

MPS-07: Analysis of Carbonized Spent Espresso Grounds with Metal Oxide for Powder Coatings

Johnson Shardai S.1, Gibin George2, Vijaya Rangari3 1Department of Material Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL,2Department of

Chemistry, Fayetteville State University, NC

According to the International Coffee Organization, annual world consumption of coffee is up to 9 million

metric tons. Due to nutrient blocking activity of the tannins in coffee, ecology near landfills can be greatly

altered after large quantities of spent espresso grounds (SEG) are dumped in landfills. Thermoplastic

powder coatings provide resistance to environmental weathering and are more environmentally tolerable

than liquid equivalents. Conductive polymer-carbon composites can be considered as electromagnetic

interference (EMI) shielding materials depending on the filler and polymer matrix. Conductive

thermoplastic composite powder coatings formulated with highly crystalline polymers can provide

versatility in process ability, mechanical properties, and corrosion prevention compared to metals. Locally

sourced SEG were dried at 90℃ for 70 hours to remove moisture and mixed with copper acetate

monohydrate. Neat and doped SEG was separated into 5.0g specimens and carbonized, starting at 4 MPa,

in air with an MTI GSL-1100X-RC Hydrothermal Reactor at 1000℃ with two-hour isotherm and three-

hour isotherms. Samples were removed, weighed, and then characterized by Thermal Gravimetric Analysis

(TA, Q1000 TGA) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (JOEL6510LV). At the highest carbonization

temperature and isotherm, the sample mass was reduced by 70.9%. TGA analysis was executed with a

heating rate of 10℃/min, equilibrated at 30℃, and terminated at 800℃. From this, we were able to

determine decomposition temperature. The particles observed were 35µm in diameter with pore sizes

ranging from 400 to 900nm. The explored technique delivers a secondary use for the SEG and reduces the

ecological effects of the coffee waste.

Announcement: NSF EPSCoR RII-Track-1 Cooperative Agreement OIA-1655280

MPS-08: Studying the Behavior of a Long Antenna Immersed in A Plasma Using a Plasma Fluid

Finite Difference Time Domain Method

Mayes Riley1, Alan Burns2, Edmund Spencer3

University of South Alabama Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mobile, AL

An electrically short dipole antenna (1-2 m) mounted on the payload of a sounding rocket is commonly

used as a probe to measure plasma properties in the earth’s ionosphere. The complete measurement system

consisting of the dipole and associated circuitry is called a plasma impedance probe (PIP). The motivation


for this study is to design a combined impedance probe – plasma wave receiver system. In order for plasma

waves to be efficiently received, the dipole antenna must be optimized to receive signals usually in the

electron cyclotron resonance range. We investigate the linear characteristics of a long antenna immersed in

a plasma, using a Plasma Fluid Finite Difference Time Domain (PF-FDTD) simulation. Preliminary results

show that the plasma resonances affect the behavior of the antenna in a way that cannot be explained by

simple superposition.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR

MPS-09: Comprehensive Parking Study at the University of Alabama in Huntsville using Airborne

Sensors

Mettupally Sai Nikhil Reddy1, Vineetha Menon2

Computer Science Department University of Alabama in Huntsville

This project aims to conduct a comprehensive study on existing parking infrastructures and proposes

intelligent parking solutions using novel Big Data Analytics with Deep Learning techniques. This research

addresses the parking problems faced in most of the cities and growing colleges like University of Alabama

in Huntsville (UAH). For initial study, we suggest that parking premises throughout UAH be monitored,

and aerial images be captured at regular time intervals using an airborne sensor like drones. Spatial features

such as morphological and edge features will be extracted and fed to a Convolutional Neural Network

(CNN) along with temporal images to perform supervised classification for effective detection of available

parking slots. We expect that incorporation of spatial-temporal information would enhance the

classification performance of CNNs. For proof-of-concept, performance will be validated on a free parking

lot dataset-“PKLot” from “Universidade Federal do Parana” in Brazil. After desired classification

performance is achieved, our robust CNN classification framework can be deployed on a cloud server to

classify images in real-time. We also plan to release a parking-support mobile application (Android/IOS)

that would display the real-time grid layout of empty and occupied parking spots using GPS information of

the user. This app will be constantly updated based on parking information from the cloud-classifier. We

expect that the outcome of this study will assist both UAH students and employees in managing their time

efficiently in finding their closest parking spot. It is also expected to ease the traffic flow on campus and

provide better parking management services.

Acknowledgement: Department of Computer Science

MPS-10: Experimental Study on Biosensors for Detection of Biohazards with Nano-Structured

Metal Oxides Basis

Mohammadnazar Gelayol1, Shohreh Mashayekhan2

1Civil Engineering Department, Shiraz University 2Civil Engineering Department, University of Alabama

in Huntsville

In this research, fabrication of a mediator free Nano-biosensor for the detection of cyanide has been studied.

This biosensor utilizes 75 nm diameter (Nano) ZnO particles synthesized with sol- gel method for

modification and immobilization of Horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Cyanide plays inhibitory role in

decomposition of H2O2 while HRP plays catalyst role in this reaction. Cyanide inhibits enzyme activity

thorough binding with enzyme active sites and result in decreasing electrical current in electrochemical

decomposition of H2O2. Amperometery response of biosensor shows linear relation between inhibition


percent and cyanide concentration in range of 3μM - 24μM with detection limit of 0.62μM and R2=0.98

(n=8). pH, H2O2 concentration and applied potential have great effect on inhibition percent, thus optimized

values for these parameters were obtained.

MPS-11: An Advanced Hybrid Ground Source Heat Pump System for a Multi-Family Residential

Unit: Modeling and Optimization

Moody William G. IV, Hessaim Taherian

Mechanical Engineering Department, School of Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Geothermal Heat Pumps use energy from the earth for space heating or cooling. During the heating process,

a ground source heat pump takes thermal energy from a working fluid and delivers that heat into a space.

This system can be efficient but sometimes can become electrically consumptive in the peak of the heating

season. A hybrid ground source heat pump system for a small apartment building set in Birmingham

Alabama was established in TRNSYS to model the resulting system in order to predict the gains. The

system was optimized in order to maximize cost-effectiveness and efficiency for the systems heating

application and. The ground loop of the system was modified to include a large tank for water storage and

a solar collector capable of delivering thermal energy directly into the working fluid. The size of the tank

by volume, the size of the solar panel by area, and the size of the heat pump by heating tons were all

modified to maximize the system based on cost. Simulation results showed that system sizing was much

smaller than a standard heating system, and the addition of the tank and the solar panel cut down on the

unmet hours of the system.

MPS-12: A Spatial Pattern Analysis of Gold Mining-Related Forest Change in the Madre De Dios

Region, Peru.

Nicolau Andrea Puzzi1, Kelsey Herndon2,3, Africa Flores2,3, Robert Griffin1,3

1Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2 Earth System Science Center,

University of Alabama in Huntsville, 3NASA-SERVIR Science Coordination Office

Over the last twenty years, the Madre de Dios region of Peru, part of the western Amazon, has experienced

a rapid increase of gold mining activities along with associated environmental and public health impacts.

This study uses Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA) in a cloud-computing platform to map deforestation

within and outside indigenous territories, protected areas, and legal mining concessions within the Madre

de Dios. The study area focusses on the western part of the Tambopata National Reserve, the La Pampa

region, and the Malinowski River. Landsat surface reflectance data were used to create annual cloud-free

composites spanning 2013 to 2017. Spectral unmixing was performed to identify patterns of land cover

change for each year. High-resolution data from Planet was used to validate the final maps. Preliminary

results show large areas of gold mining-related forest loss, especially in La Pampa and in the buffer zones

of the protected areas. Areas of small-scale and artisanal gold mining also appear to be expanding in the

Kotsimba Native Community that encompasses part of the Malinowski River, which is also located in the

buffer zone of the protected areas. Another concern is that the gold mining activity is not well restricted to

the legal mining concession areas. These results reiterate the applicability of a cloud-based platform not

only for land use land cover change detection, but also for accessing and processing big data; the importance

of monitoring gold mining activities in the Peruvian Amazon; and suggests the use of SMA as a reliable

classification approach.


Acknowledgment: NASA SERVIR through NASA Cooperative Agreement NNM11AA01A

MPS-13: Renewable Energy and Multi-Generation Modeling Based on a Natural Gas Driven

Internal Combustion Engine

Okafor Gabriel, Hessam Taherian

Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Science and technological advancement, environmental pollution, government policies and rising energy

costs have long since begun redefining the way power is generated, distributed and utilized. Considering

the much higher standards relative to common practices, distributed energy power generation has proven

to be a viable alternative to centralized power generation due to the many advantages such as energy

generation and control independence, lower greenhouse emissions and significant reduction in transmission

losses. This research considers a natural gas powered internal combustion engine with trigeneration

capabilities or combined cooling heating and power (CCHP) as well as renewable energy incorporation

including solar panels and possibly solar thermal. TRNSYS software is used to create a numerical model

by assembling the components as it would be in real life and running a simulation. In modeling the building,

Sketchup and OpenStudio will be used to create thermal zones as in a single-family two story detached

house with conventional floor plans. The model will then be imported into the TRNSYS environment for

further analysis. Optimization of the system would be primary, and with a targeted energy utilization factor

of 95%, this research will seek to provide substantial and convincing data for future installations.

MPS-14: A Study of Approximation Error in Eulerian Hydrocodes

Patel Parth Y., David L. Littlefield

Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

In this study we examine a number of approximations in the formulation of hydrocodes. These

approximations were borne out of an original requirement for the code to run as fast as possible – i.e. with

accuracy being secondary to speed. Many of these approximations originated from the 1970’s when

computers were slow and memory was at a premium. Although speed and memory are not as much of an

issue today, these approximations are still used to formulate the hydrocodes. In this study, the effect of

these approximations is examined systematically. The lumped mass approximation is a simplification to

the consistent mass formulation and is routinely used in hydrocodes. While this approximation is

computationally efficient, the consistent mass formulation is the most accurate (and computationally

expensive) option. There are other levels of approximation between these two extremes that trade off

computational efficiency for accuracy. As is shown in this work, some of these result in tridiagonal systems,

which are very computationally efficient to solve. Linear finite elements are also used pervasively in

hydrocodes. Like the lumped mass approximation, the use of linear elements was borne out of the

requirement for computational efficiency and not accuracy. Surprisingly, linear elements are still used

routinely today, despite their numerous accuracy issues such as realistic representation of geometry and the

need for hourglass stabilization. In this work higher order finite elements, including quadratic and cubic

elements, are examined. Special attention is placed on quadrature order used in integration and its effect on

overall accuracy. The 2D version of ALEAS (Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian Adaptive Solver), an in-house

ALE research code, is used in this work. The Taylor impact test is used as the benchmark problem to assess

and quantify the effect of higher order approximations in Eulerian hydrocodes.


MPS-15: Design and Development of an Affordable Telemetry System for Navigation of

Autonomous Vehicle

Patel Sahaj, An Liu

Engineering Department, Electrical Engineering University of Alabama at Birmingham

Nearly 1.3 million people die in road crashes each year, which is on average 3,287 deaths a day. An addition

to death toll, another 20-50 million are injured or disabled. These are the huge deal of damage to human’s

body. Therefore, we had implemented autonomous navigation system for finding safe path for travel, in

which the vehicle can find the most feasible path and drive through this path independently. In order to gain

insight and have an opportunity to investigate further on autonomous vehicles field, we define the aim of

this project to design, develop, build and test an affordable vehicle model for laboratory environment that

it can autonomously navigates while avoiding the obstacles on its path. We are taking an affordable

approach to accomplish a relatively new and difficult task that is involving new technologies. To meet the

“low-cost” requirements, we have evaluated several off-the-shelve components, which was reliable,

affordable and have easy system integration capabilities. For the scanning of the field of view, we have

used an affordable LIDAR (~ $130) as a main scanning device, Arduino Mega single board computer for

serial data communication with host computer (Laptop), and a H-Bridge DC-Motor controller to drive four

DC Motors. For the software development, we have used MATLAB, and Sketch IDE for the software

development for the Arduino Mega single board computer.

MPS-16: Modification of Sodium Alginate Structures in Organic Environments to Form an Oxime

Cross-Linked Hydrogel Network

Sanchez-Moran Hector, Kyung-Ho Roh

Chemical & Materials Engineering Department University of Alabama in Huntsville

Sodium alginate (NaAlg) has served as a versatile and reliable biopolymer in various biomedical

applications for decades. Its property to be ionically crosslinked by divalent cations such as Ca2+ has been

widely explored and utilized to support 3-D cell cultures in vitro and in vivo. Covalently crosslinking the

alginate chains has also been achieved upon modification of its functional groups. However, NaAlg has

shown to have a null solubility in any other solvent than water. Hereby, we employ an already reported

technique for dissolving the alginate in organic solventsto open the window of chemical reactions otherwise

non-accessible in aqueous media. Tetrabutylammonium was attached to the alginate to enhance its

solubility in dichloromethane, and the reaction to modify hydroxyl groups of alginate backbone to

alkoxyamine groups were successfully achieved. Alkoxyamine groups belong to the field of click

biorthogonal polymer cross-linking. In the presence of carbonyl groups, alkoxyamines can form an oxime

reversible covalent crosslink, which has been proven to be environmentally responsive (pH and

temperature). Aldehyde-containing alginate structures were synthesized via oxidative cleavage of the

alginate diol, serving as counterpart for the oxime crosslinks. Upon mixture of alkoxyamine and aldehyde-

containing alginates in physiologically relevant aqueous media (pH 7.4, 37oC), hydrogels with storage

modulus of up to G’=3 kPa were achieved. These hydrogels show stress relaxation behaviors, which can

be tailored by varying the previously mentioned environmental variables, the overall polymer concentration

of the hydrogel, or the ratio between alkoxyamine and aldehyde groups.

Acknowledgement: UAH New Faculty Research (NFR) Program


MPS-17: Ultrasensitive Biological Sensing Using Surface Lattice Resonances in Gold Nanoantenna

Arrays

Sharp Christina M.1, Rithvik R. Gutha2, Seyed M. Sadeghi3, Waylin J. Wing4 1Department of physics and Astronomy, 2Nano and Micro Device Center, University of Alabama in

Huntsville, USA.

We demonstrated the utilization of the transition from localized surface Plasmon resonance (LSPR) to

surface lattice resonance (SLR) in gold Nano antenna arrays as a biological sensor. Sensing in this transition

regime allowed us to achieve ultrahigh sensitivity when compared with similar sensors in purely the LSPR

or SLR ranges. The transition phase is generated by increasing the refractive index (RI) on the superstrate

of the sample; miniscule changes in the RI are produced by bio conjugation with a monolayer of biological

molecules and streptavidin quantum dots, while larger changes are produced by addition of acetone or

deposition of silicon on the superstrate.

Acknowledgement: NSF CMMI 1234823

MPS-18: Investigation of The Interfacial Properties of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Carbon Fiber

Epoxy Composites Using Nanoindentation Push-In Tests

Shofolawe-Bakare Oluwaseyi, Shaik Zainuddin

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Al

The interfacial properties of composites are one of the prominent parameters that influence the bulk

properties of that composite. The most salient interfacial property measured in epoxy composites is the

interfacial shear strength (IFSS), which is the strength of the bond between the fiber and matrix. One of the

main methods used to improve the interfacial shear strength of fiber reinforced composites is the addition

of nanoparticles either to the matrix or the fiber sizing. In this work, the interfacial shear strength of carbon

fiber epoxy composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes will be measured using nanoindentation push-in

tests. These results will then be compared to neat samples to determine how well the interfacial shear

strength improve. It is expected that the interfacial properties will improve with the addition of the

nanoparticles.

Acknowledgement: CREST

MPS-19: Global Energy Dynamics During Substorms on 9th March 2008 And 26th Feb 2008 Using

Satellite Observations and The WINDMI Model

Srinivas Pavithra Ganesh, S.K. Vadepu, S. Saurabh, E. Spencer

Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of South Alabama

We analyze three substorms that occur on the following dates: 1) 9 March 2008 05:24 UT, 2) 26 Feb 2008

04:00 UT, and 3) 26 Feb 2008 04:55 UT. Using ACE solar wind velocity, IMF Bz values and an effective

width of the dayside magnetosphere reconnection line, we calculate the rectified (southward Bz) solar wind

voltage propagated to the nose of the magnetosphere. The solar wind voltage is used to drive a low order

nonlinear physics-based model of the magnetosphere called WINDMI. The output of the model is the

westward auroral electrojet current which is proportional to the auroral electrojet (AL) index from WDC

Kyoto and the SuperMAG auroral electrojet index (SML). Substorm onset times are obtained from Pu et

al. [2010], Xing et al. [2010], Lui [2011] and confirmed through comparison to THEMIS satellite data.

The WINDMI model is constrained to trigger the substorms and establish the magnetospheric conditions


that influence substorm dynamics. The timing of onset for each event, the model parameters and the model

intermediate state space variables are examined and analyzed. By forcing the model to be consistent with

satellite measurements of electric and magnetic fields in addition to the ground-based indices, we are able

to track the magnetotail energy dynamics, the field aligned current contributions, energy injected into the

ring current, and ensure that they are within allowable limits. The solar wind conditions for the two events

were vastly different, 300 kV for 9 March 2008 substorm, compared to 50 kV for 26 February 2008. Based

on solar wind driving, substorm onset occurred when the geotail current in the WINDMI model reached a

critical threshold of 6.2 MA for the 9 March 2008 35 event. In contrast, a critical threshold of 2.1 MA was

obtained for the two 26 February 2008 events.

MPS-20: Effect of Hybridization and Graphene Nanoplatelet on Flexural Properties of Carbon

Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composite

Tareq Md Sarower H., Mohammad Al Ahsan, Onyekachi Ekwuazi, Mahesh V. Hosur

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Al

Most of the applications of fiber reinforced composites in structural, aviation and automobile industries

need to withstand long term transvers loading, making flexural strength of materials one of the important

design criteria. Use of Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in these industries is extremely

increasing due to their excellent specific strength and good transverse load bearing capacity. This

investigation has been carried out to study the changes in flexural properties of CFRP due to hybridization

and addition of nanofiller. Effect of hybridization was investigated by combining carbon fiber (CF) with

glass fiber (GF) in symmetric sequence (C2-G-C)S; and effect of nanofiller was studied by adding graphene

nanoplatelet (GNP) in CFRP. For clear comparison and analysis, neat glass fiber reinforced polymer

(GFRP) composite was also fabricated and tested. Static flexure test was performed for all types of samples.

Test results suggest that addition of GNP in CFRP clearly increased both flexural strength (670 to 733 MPa,

by 8.6%) and modulus (50 to 53 GPa, by 4.5%) of the laminate, whereas hybridization with glass fiber has

been reported to reduce strength (670 to 623 MPa, by -7.0%) but no change in modulus; and GFRP showed

inferior flexural strength (279 MPa) among all these types. Though both hybridization and GNP were

reported to improve flexural strain (20% vs. 6%), this improvement is more significant for GNP addition

than hybridization. Thus, addition of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) in CFRP is a potential way to gain both

higher flexural strength and flexibility for CFRP composites.

Acknowledgement: GRSP, ARO Grant # W911NF-15-1-0451

MPS-21: Investigate the Adhesive Properties of Diglycidyl Ether of Bisphenol A Carbon-Glass

Epoxy Composites When Subjected to Marine Conditions

Watson Delroy, Mahesh Hosur, Onyekachi Ekwuazi, Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh

Department of Materials Science and Engineering Tuskegee University

In the 20th century the use of carbon and glass fibers has become endless within engineering and

manufacturing of components for various applications. In this study, the primary objective was to fabricate

fiber epoxy polymeric composites and hybrid composites that will have high specific properties, durability,

strength and light weight than metallic materials present today to enhance the mechanical and thermal

performance for aerospace, naval, civil and automobile industrial applications. Fabrication of hybrid fiber

reinforced composites was done using the following combination of carbon/E-glass; Profile 1(4C-2G-4C).


A separate but identical sample was fabricated using only carbon and e-glass. Mechanical, thermal,

absorption and viscoelastic properties these epoxy fiber composites was determined and analyzed.

Fabricated composites was submerged in seawater and conditioned for 3 months and 6 months respectively.

Flexural properties were analyzed of the fiber composites to study adhesive nature of the fiber and resin

system along with fiber to fiber adhesion. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was performed to

investigate the Viscoelastic nature of these FRPCs. Thermo-mechanical analyses were performed to

determine if these FRPCs are thermal stable.

Acknowledgement: GRSP, ARO Grant # W911NF-15-1-0451

PHD CATEGORY

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PBS-01: LSO:Ce Inorganic Scintillators are Biocompatible with Neuronal and Circuit Function

Abiraman Kavitha1, Aundrea F. Bartley1,3,4,5, Luke T. Stewart2,5, Mohammed Iqbal Hossain5, David M

Gahan1, AbhishekKamath1, Mary K. Burdette7, Shaida Andrabe6, Stephen H. Foulger7,8,9, Lynn E.

Dobrunz1,3,4,5, Lori L. McMahon1,2,4,5

1Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, 2Department of Cell,

Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 3Civitan International

Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 4Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute, University

of Alabama at Birmingham, 5Comprehensive Neuroscience Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 6Department of Pharmacology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 7Department of Materials Science

and Engineering, Clemson University, 8Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering

Technologies, Clemson University, 9Department of Bioengineering, Clemson University.

Optogenetics is widely used in neuroscience research to control neural circuits. However, non-invasive

strategies for light delivery into the brain are needed. One strategy could employ x-ray activation of radio

luminescent particles (RLPs), enabling localized generation of light within the brain. RLPs can be made

from inorganic scintillators, which emit light of different wavelengths depending upon their composition.

Whether these negatively impact neuronal processes is unknown. Cerium doped lutetium oxyorthosilicate

(LSO:Ce), an inorganic scintillator that emits blue light in response to x-ray or UV stimulation, could be

used to activate channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2), a light-gated cation channel. Here we investigate the effects

of LSO:Ce particles on neuronal health and synaptic function. We applied UV stimulation to LSO:Ce

particles on acute hippocampal slices from mice expressing ChR2 in glutamatergic neurons. This caused

an increase in the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) in

CA1 pyramidal cells, indicating activation of ChR2. While basal synaptic transmission is unaltered, there

was a slight, statistically significant decrease in the frequency but not amplitude of sEPSCs and inhibitory

postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) measured onto CA1 pyramidal cells. Finally, we tested for effects of LSO:Ce

particles on long term potentiation (LTP), believed to underlie learning and memory. While LTP induction

was unimpaired, there was a slight, significant reduction in amplitude. These results show that LSO:Ce

particles are biocompatible even though there are modest effects on baseline synaptic function and


plasticity. Therefore, LSO:Ce inorganic scintillators are potentially viable for use as a new light delivery

system for optogenetics.

Acknowledgement: NSF RII Track-2 FEC (OIA-1632881)

PBS-02: Investigation of The Effect of Microgravity on Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Growth and

Infiltration on an Optimized 3D Structured Scaffold

Ahmadi Armin, Mojtaba Azadi Aghdam, Mohsen Janmaleki, Manouchehr Vossoughi

Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Alabama in Huntsville

To develop a novel cell culture method for enhancement of bone marrow stromal cell growth and infiltration

into the 3d electro spun PCL-based scaffold, we utilized the RPM system to simulate microgravity. In

current study, six different scaffolds are produced using the electrospinning-electro spraying technique.

These scaffolds are compared based on their structural (average diameter and SEM micrographs),

mechanical (Tensile strength, elongation and wettability) and biological (Biodegradability, bioactivity,

biocompatibility, cell adhesion, cell infiltration and antibacterial quality) characteristics. It is noted that the

porous Nano-hydroxyapatite/titanium hydroxide/polycaprolactone (nHA/TiO2/PCL) scaffold with 89.3%

possesses the highest porosity among the produced scaffolds. The tensile strength, elongation and contact

angle values for this scaffold were 4.12 MPa, 163.4% and 89.1±0.3˚. XRD patterns before and after 21

days’ immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) demonstrated high bioactivity for the selected scaffold. It

was also noted that the selected scaffold had high cell infiltration and proliferation as well as antibacterial

quality due to having TiO2. Scaffolds were taken into a 3 dimensional (3D) rotating bioreactor to simulate

microgravity condition to improve the 3D cell growth and to achieve an optimal cell infiltration and

proliferation. Moreover, during the culture of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on the selected scaffold,

the cell adhesion and proliferation of BMSCs were presented well on both the surface and the cross-section

of the scaffolds using Cryosection and MTT tests. All of these results strongly suggested that the

nHA/TiO2/PCL scaffold to be promising in tissue engineering. This research suggests using international

space station capabilities to culture the cells on this highly porous 3D scaffold.

PBS-03: Comparing the Neurotoxicity Profile of Designer Drugs (Piperazine derivatives)

Almaghrabi Mohammed, Majrashi, Mohammed, Desai Darshini, Fujihashi Ayaka, Clark, C. Randall,

DeRuiter Jack, Dhanasekaran Muralikrishnan2 1Drug discovery and development, Auburn University 2Pharmacy school, Taibah University

Designer drugs (illegal psychoactive substance) are used for recreational purposes and avoiding interdiction

from authorities. Designer drugs are substances manufactured with a slight change on chemical structures.

Interestingly, designer drugs were synthesized by pharmaceutical companies with the ultimate goal of

therapeutic interventions for various CNS and peripheral disorders, but abuse liability proved as the

collateral. However, very few studies have evaluated the neurotoxic effects of Piperazines derivative

designer drugs. In this study, we investigated the neurotoxicity of new “Piperazine derived designer drugs”,

such as (2-TFMBzPP), (3-TFMBzPP), (4-TFMBzPP), and (BzPP). Novel Piperazine derivatives were

synthesized and the cellular-based neurotoxicity were elucidated in rat dopaminergic neuronal cells (N27

cells). (2-TFMBzPP), (3-TFMBzPP), (4-TFMBzPP), and (BzPP) induced significant dose-dependent and

time-dependent neuronal cell death. However, the neurotoxic effects of the derivatives were significantly

lower as compared to TFMPP (parent compound) itself. Currently, piperazines derivatives (new drug of


abuse) exhibits amphetamine like effects and are used as substitute for 3,4-

methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). This study exhibits neurotoxic effect of piperazine

derivatives on dopaminergic neuronal cells. Devastatingly, if the abuse of piperazine derivatives increases,

it can increase the risk of various movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Our next study is to

elucidate the molecular neurotoxic mechanisms and novel toxic pathways associated with the dopaminergic

neurotoxicity of the designer drugs of abuse.

Acknowledgement: Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission

PBS-04: A Novel Non-Viral Strategy to Deliver Nucleic Acids to Transfection-Resistant

Tlymphocytes

Ayyadevara Abhinav1, Kyung-Ho Roh1,2

1Biotechnology Science and Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) 2Chemical and

Materials Engineering Department, UAH

A novel non-viral strategy to deliver nucleic acids to transfection-resistant Tlymphocytes Abhinav

Ayyadevara1, Kyung-Ho Roh 1, 2 1Biotechnology Science and Engineering, University of Alabama in

Huntsville (UAH) 2Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, UAH Abstract Cytotoxic T

lymphocytes (CTLs) are the prime immune cells to eliminate cancerous- or infected- cells. The CTLs that

are genetically engineered with the chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), CAR-T cells, are proven to be

effective in treating various cancers. FDA has recently approved 2 CAR-T therapies for patients suffering

from B-cell related cancers. For the manufacturing of CAR-T cells, it is critical to deliver and integrate the

CAR genes into CTLs. However, the primary CTLs are one of the most difficult cells to transfect. In most

clinical trials, viral vectors are widely employed for transfection of CTLs. However, due to various safety-

and cost-related concerns of viral vectors, the development of an effective non-viral transfection method is

imperative. Out of all non-viral vectors, polyethylene mine (PEI) is considered as one of the gold standard

tools for gene delivery. In order to enhance the transfection efficiency of the PEI/nucleic-acid polyplex, we

aim to endow a new ability on this formulation, namely hijacking the receptor-mediated endocytosis. In the

current research, we engineered the most CTL-specific cytokine, interleukin-2 (IL-2), to be conjugated to

PEI, to specifically deliver various nucleic acids to the CTLs. This cytokine-mediated nucleic acid delivery

can be an alternative strategy to the viral vectors for the genetic engineering of transfection-resistant

immune cells including CTLs.

Acknowledgement: College of Engineering, UAH

PBS-05: Organically Bound Tritium (OBT): An Investigation at the Savannah River Site (SRS)

Cutts Sandra 1, Robin Brigmon2, John Seaman3, Robert Peters1 1University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Civil, Construction & Environmental Engineering 2Savannah River National Laboratory, Savannah River Nuclear Solution, 3Savannah River Ecology

Laboratory, The University of Georgia.

In recent years there has been an increased interest in the radiological hazards associated with tritium (3H)

that has accompanied plans for expansion of nuclear power generation and public concerns associated with

non-routine 3H releases at nuclear power facilities. For instance, non-routine spills of 3H that exceeded

current US drinking water standards (DWS) have occurred at 46 of the 65 locations where commercial

power plants have been operating. Tritium is second only to radioactive carbon (14C) in terms of the


collective radioactivity dose released from nuclear facilities. In 2015, the SRS released 19,100 Ci of 3H to

the atmosphere, most of which (>95%) were stack releases of water vapor from the tritium processing

facility. With a half-life of 12.3 years, 3H can persist in the environment as tritiated water (HTO) and

tritiated water vapor. In the last decade, attention has focused on improving our understanding of 3H

assimilation in organic tissues and on the development of standardized procedures to measure the level of 3H associated with biological tissues, known as organically bound tritium (OBT). Consequently, the SRS

provides an outstanding setting for evaluating low-level tritium cycling dynamics in the environment. The

site has multiple locations with documented histories of 3H exposure, including the transformation of

hydrogen gas (HT) and HTO to OBT, that provides excellent test cases. The current study utilized SRS

resources to develop and refine protocols for evaluating OBT levels in various plant and animal receptor

species.

PBS-06: Effects of Low Temperature Plasma on Turmeric Rhizome Sprouting and Basil Seed

Germination

Duong Lam1, Suresh Kumar1, L. Nyochembeng1, R.S. Mentreddy1, E. Cebert5, G. Xu2, P. Baker3, Y.

Vohra3 1Alabama A&M University, 2University of Alabama at Huntsville, 3University of Alabama at Birmingham

Low Temperature Plasma technology is emerging as a chemical-free biocide and surface disinfectant of

plant seeds and fresh foods, and a natural enhancer of crop performance. Two medicinal herbs, i) turmeric

(Curcuma longa), also known as the “Golden Spice” has proven anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-

Alzheimer properties besides others; and ii) basil is a powerful antioxidant with demonstrated antibacterial,

antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties have variable germination and sprouting, respectively that

results in poor stand establishment. Two separate experiments were conducted to assess the potential of

LTP to correct the germination and sprouting deficiencies of the two crops. In experiment 1, four turmeric

varieties, VN12, VN18, VN23, and VN24 were each exposed to a helium pulsed DC atmospheric pressure

LTP (7 kV, 1 µs pulse width, 5 kHz) for 90 s, and the plasma treated and control rhizomes were planted in

seedling trays, and assessed for sprouting and plant height in a greenhouse. In expt., 2: Three varieties of

basil, K. Tulasi, L. Tulasi, and Genovese basil were each exposed to LTP for 30, 60, and 120 seconds at

45W power setting. All plasma treated rhizomes sprouted early and had a relatively higher percentage

sprouts compared to untreated control. The percentage sprouted rhizomes ranged from 17 to 100 compared

to 0 to 33 for untreated control. The plasma treated sprouted grew faster and were taller (37 – 39 cm) than

untreated control (26-33cm) at 67 days after planting. The germination tests for basil seeds in experiment

2 are in progress.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR RII Track 1 Grant OIA – 1655280

PBS-07: Novel Selective Pparγ Agonist Attenuates Pathologies and Improves Cognitive Deficits in

A Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Mice Model

Govindarajulu Manoj, Jenna Bloemer, Priyanka Das, Rajesh Amin, Vishnu Suppiramaniam

Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Peroxisome proliferator- activated

receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists have been recognized as promising agents for memory deficits in

patients with AD. Although currently available PPARγ agonists show promise for improving memory


deficits in AD, poor blood brain barrier permeability results in inadequate bio-availability in the brain

requiring high dosing with chronic time frames that are associated with increased incidences of adverse

events including myocardial infarction and heart failure. We hypothesize that our lead compound

(Compound 9) a selective PPARγ modulator, improves upon current TZDs (pioglitazone) for cognitive

deficits and pathologies associated from Alzheimer's disease. Triple transgenic 3xTg-AD and C57BL/6J

control mice were utilized. Behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical studies were performed in

two-month aged 3XTg-AD mice representing mild to moderate AD and six months aged mice representing

advanced model of AD and were treated with Compound 9, Pioglitazone or saline. Behavioral studies and

electrophysiological studies showed improvement of synaptic and memory deficits in the transgenic mice.

Decreased amyloid beta and neuroinflammatory markers were noted in treated group. Increase in dendritic

spine arborization and density with associated increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor levels were

noted. We will investigate potential PPARγ targets that potential may improve synaptic deficits.

Pharmacokinetic studies will allow us to determine the minimal amount of compound 9 and Pio needed for

brain bioavailability for its potential therapeutic benefits. Thus, allowing us to prevent the adverse effects

profiling in terms of weight gain, cardiac, liver and renal abnormalities of both these compounds.

Acknowledgement: 1R15AG048643-01A1

PBS-08: Genetically Engineered Stem Cells Promote Cardiac Repair

Henderson John, Gayathri Narasimhan, Sherin Saheera, Prem K. Govindappa, Hien T. Luong, Prasanna

Krishnamurthy

Department of Biomedical Engineering, Schools of Medicine and Engineering, University of Alabama at

Birmingham, AL

MicroRNAs (miRNA/miR) dysregulation has been implicated in cardiac remodeling after injury or stress.

Our laboratory has shown that among other miRNAs, miR-377 expression decreases in response to

inflammatory stimuli in endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). However, its role in chemotherapy agent

(doxorubicin, DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity, cell death and endothelial dysfunction is not fully understood.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if miRNA-377 impairs differentiation and function of bone

marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cell (EPC), after transplantation in myocardial ischemic conditions;

as well as to study the role miRNA-377 plays in cardio myocytes (CMs) under DOX-induced stress. MiR-

377 expression was assessed in myocardial tissue from human patients with heart failure (HF) and mouse

model of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity and ischemia-reperfusion injury. In vitro, we determined the effect of

pre-miRNA on Dox-induced cardio myocyte cell death and endothelial cell migration and vascular tube

formation. Human cardiac biopsies from HF patients showed significant increase in miR-377 expression as

compared to non-failing control hearts. Intriguingly, Proteome profile of hCD34+ cells transfected with

miR-377 mimics show significant decrease in proangiogenic proteins as compared to nonspecific control

transfected cells. In-vitro, transfection of miR-377 mimics in HUVEC significantly inhibits VEGF induced

migration and vascular tube formation. Lastly, under DOX-induced injury, miR-377 expression in CMs

was elevated, and inhibition of miR-377 attenuated DOX-induced cell death in CMs in vitro. These findings

indicate that HF increases miR-377 in the myocardium, miR-377 inhibition may promote myocardial repair

following cardiac injury.

Acknowledgement: NIH, AHA, UAB


PBS-09: Instrumentation Validation in the Development of a Rehabilitative Virtual Reality

Walking Environment

Hennessy Rebecca1, David A. Brown

School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Virtual reality (VR) provides visual stimuli during movement which may improve rehabilitation outcomes

in certain populations by altering movement perception. To alter perception, we are currently developing a

VR environment controlled by movement signals generated as users walk on a self-driven robotic treadmill.

Unlike typical VR which limits maneuverability, this novel environment allows for unlimited walking

distances and has built-in body weight support, resistance training, and endurance training capabilities.

However, before using this environment, we first need to validate the instrumentation measuring user

kinematics. Our experiment objective is to validate using the HTC Vive handheld controller as an VR

environment input and to establish the units, coordinate system, and scale of this signal. We translated the

controller sinusoidally along each axis at an amplitude of 0.5 meters and a rate of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0

Hz. The average difference in meters between the controller position and an ideal sin at the appropriate

frequency is 6.88e-4 (std=0.09), 4.50e-3 (std=0.07), and 7.90 e-3 (std=0.08) for the controller x, y, and z

axis respectively. This preliminary testing allows us to establish the units and coordinate system of the

controller and provides evidence that these measurements can accurately represent the user’s kinematics in

the VR environment. Pilot data is currently being collected to study how providing VR visual feedback

based on the modulated real-time movement signals can positively influence movement.

Acknowledgement: GRSP

PBS-10: Identification and Characterization of Small Noncoding RNAs in Salmonella Using Novel

High-Throughput Strategies

Houserova Dominika1, Glen M. Borchert1,2

1Pharmacology Department, College of Medicine, University of South Alabama, 2Biology Department,

College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Alabama

Salmonella enterica serovars are bacterium implicated in food-borne diarrheal and systemic disease causing

thousands of human deaths each year. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs (50-200 basepairs)

that regulate cellular activities by binding to complementary target sequences. Until recently, prokaryotic

sRNAs were largely unknown and unexplored, but have now been shown to modulate numerous

physiological mechanisms. Notably, in 2016, our group characterized 58 entirely novel Salmonella sRNA

genes directly contradicting the belief that virtually all Salmonella genes had been described. Strikingly,

our more recent analyses now suggest Salmonella enterica sRNAs likely number in the thousands. Thus

far, traditional knockout and antisense techniques have been used to determine the phenotypic effects of

manipulating sRNA expressions, but these methods are expensive, time-consuming and impractical for

high throughput characterization of the majority of newly described sRNAs. As such, we recently generated

paired termini anti-sense RNA (PTasRNA) vectors as an alternative method for sRNA knockdown in

bacteria. Using this strategy, we have successfully generated knockdowns of four novel sRNAs in

Salmonella enterica and verified the effects of their manipulation via standard biochemical assays. Of note,

this represents the first time PTasRNA vectors have been utilized to knockdown anything other than

mRNAs and suggests that this technology can be successfully employed to facilitate and expedite future

sRNA knockdowns to elucidate sRNA cellular function. Excitingly, in addition to confirming PTasRNA


efficacy, our preliminary results also suggest some of our newly described sRNAs may represent novel

therapeutic targets and a potential alternative to current antibiotic-based treatments.

Acknowledgement: NSF CAREER grant 1350064 NSF EPSCoR program (GMB), GRSP

PBS-11: Designer Drugs (TFMPP-Derivatives) Can Increase the Risk for Dementia

Majrashi Mohammed, Mohammed Almaghrabi, Maali Fadan, Ayaka Fujihashi, Claire Mullins, Jack

Deruiter, C. Randall Clark, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran. 1Department of Drug Discovery and Development; Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University,

Auburn, AL

Designer drugs are structural analogues of drug of abuse, they are dangerous and harmful to the current and

future society. The use of designer drugs has been increasing in the United States and around the world.

Their serious threat arises from the false perception of safety that the designer drugs gained because of the

shortcoming in the legislative system. Currently, TFMPP derivatives are being misused with limited

reports on its harmful effects, specially associated with cognitive impairment. Our present study was to

investigate the neurotoxic effects of the designer drug- Tri-Fluoro-Methyl-Phenyl-Piperazine derivatives

(2, 3 and 4 TFMPP) associated with cognitive impairment. TFMPP derivatives showed significant

neurotoxicity in the hippocampal. Furthermore, TFMPP derivatives had significantly higher neurotoxic

effect as compared to the endogenous toxins, glutamate and hydrogen peroxide. We also elucidated the

neurotoxic mechanisms of piperazine derivatives. The social abuse of designer drugs can result in chronic

brain damage causing irreversible movement and memory disorders. Therefore, the use of designer drugs

need to be strictly regulated and restricted around the world.

Acknowledgement: Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in USA and University of Jeddah.

PBS-12: Noninvasive Optogenetics using MRI-guided Focused Ultrasound Delivery of Radio

Luminescent Nanoparticles

Rich Megan1, Eric Zhang2, Katie Burdette3, Ashley Dickey3, Stephen Foulger3, Kelli Cannon2, Mark

Bolding2

1Department of Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 2Department of

Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. 3Department of Materials Science

and Engineering, Clemson University, Anderson.

The ability to noninvasively activate, silence, and provide receptor subtype specific neuromodulation with

high temporal resolution and spatial specificity would greatly advance our ability to study brain circuits in

vivo. Optogenetics, the genetic incorporation of light-sensitive proteins such as Channelrhodopsin-2

(ChR2) into target mammalian neurons, has met nearly all of these criteria. However, the essential

components of the optogenetic system require invasive procedures with very few non-invasive alternatives.

In order to achieve location specific delivery of viral vectors for genetic expression of opsin proteins,

invasive surgical infusions are required. Furthermore, the implantation of light emitting fibers deep within

brain structures is both technically demanding and causes additional tissue destruction and scarring in target

brain regions. Glial scarring at the light source can decrease the effectiveness of light intensities leading to

variability in channel activation. In addition, the light intensities required to activate the neurons with fiber

optic delivery can result in local heating of the brain tissue, potentially leading to thermal ablation and/or

unwanted physiological effects. To overcome these limitations, we are replacing fiber optic implants with


light-emitting radioluminescent particles (RLPs) that can be activated non-invasively with X-ray exposure.

Here, we report non-invasive delivery of RLPs to target brain regions with MRI-guided focused ultrasound

(FUS) blood brain barrier opening (BBBO). In addition, FUS BBBO can be used to deliver viral vectors

for light sensitive channel expression. Combined, these components can provide a completely non-invasive

optogenetic system.

Acknowledgment: GRSP

PBS-13: Pointwise Estimates on The Green's Function Of A Linearized Chemotaxis Model

Rugamba Jean1, Yanni Zeng2

1Mathematics Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

We consider a Keller-Segel type chemotaxis model with a logistic growth term. For the corresponding

linear system, linearized around a constant equilibrium state, we study the Green's function for the Cauchy

problem. We are able to obtain detailed pointwise estimates on the Green's function using spectral analysis

and other analytical tools. Besides its own significance in the linear theory, the Green’s function estimates

allow us to study pointwise time asymptotic behavior of solution to the nonlinear system via Duhumel's

principle in a subsequent work.

PBS-14: Novel Peptide Combinations Support Dynamic Adhesion of Endothelial Colony Forming

Cells

Tian Yuan, Wen J. Seeto, Elizabeth A. Lipke

Department of Chemical Engineering Auburn University

For patients with coronary artery disease, restenosis is one of the main long-term causes of failed surgery.

It is mainly due to thrombogenesis and neointimal hyperplasia within synthetic vascular grafts or at site of

stent implantation. Despite substantial progress in the development of biocompatible surface technologies,

endothelialization remains the single truly effective long-term means of preventing this undesirable

narrowing of the vessel lumen. Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) are unipotent stem cells that carry

high proliferative capability and can differentiate into endothelial cells (ECs), making them a promising

cell source for rapid reendothelialization of injured vasculature. Generally, recruitment of circulating

ECFCs to a site of injury occurs through a dynamic adhesion process consisting of cell tethering, rolling,

and firm adhesion. Bonds between certain cell surface receptors and their corresponding ligands rapidly

form and then are broken. Currently only limited work has been done to study individual cell surface

receptor-mediated, especially integrin-mediated, dynamic adhesion of ECFCs for endothelialization of

biomaterials. This study investigated the ability of novel peptides, which work as the ligands here, to

support dynamic adhesion of ECFCs under shear flow. Both single peptides and peptide combinations were

tethered to poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels and assessed for their capabilities to

support deceleration, as well as firm adhesion of ECFCs. A parallel plate flow chamber was used to mimic

the physiological fluid shear. The interaction of ECFCs with different peptides was recorded using a high-

speed camera and assessed by an optical cell tracking analysis system.

Funding Acknowledgement: American Heart Association, GRSP

PHYSICAL SCIENCE


PPS-01: The Effect of TiO2 Nanotube Morphology on Cathodic Reduction of Nitrobenzene

Ahmadi Amir, Tingting Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Department University of Alabama in Huntsville

In recent years, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube electrode with different structures and morphologies have

been extensively investigated for many environmental applications due to their outstanding properties such

as good conductivity, non-toxicity, environmental friendliness, corrosion-resistance, and high

biocompatibility. The nanotube structure and morphology can affect the electrochemical performance of

electrode. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the cathodic reduction performance of TiO2

nanotube electrode with three different aspects of morphology including nanotube facet, length, and

diameter. To achieve this goal, the nitrobenzene (NB) was selected as a target compound. Nitrobenzene, an

essential material in the synthesis of many products such as polymers, dyes, pharmaceuticals, industrial

feed stock chemicals, explosives, herbicides and synthetic rubbers has been listed as a priority pollutant due

to its high toxicity, tendency to accumulate in the environment, and hard biological degradation. The TiO2

nanotube morphology was controlled by changing the anodization parameters (applied potential, time, and

electrolyte concentration) or post treatment. The nanotube length and diameter was controlled by changing

the anodization time and fluoride concentration, respectively. The TiO2 nanotube post-treatment was used

to synthesize the active {001}-facet. A series of cathodic reduction tests were carried out to show the effect

of tube morphology on electrode performance including NB degradation pathway and mechanism, kinetics

of NB reduction and intermediate products generation, and energy consumption of system. The relatively

simple and environmental-friendly synthesizing process and the low cost of the raw materials with

acceptable energy consumption make the TiO2 nanotube electrode appeal for large-scale commercial use.

PPS-02: Development of 3D Printed Nanocarbon/Epoxy Polymer Composite

Al Helal Ahmed, Vijaya Rangari

Materials Science and Engineering Department Tuskegee University

Resin moldings of various architectures have been created using 3D printers for various automotive,

molding and prototype applications. In this study we have fabricated crystalline carbon-infused epoxy

polymer composite moldings using a 3D printer. The carbon used in this study is made from spent coffee

grounds (SCG). They were initially washed and cleaned with distilled water and then heated in a furnace at

800 oC for two hours. The prepared carbon powder is characterized using a Raman spectrometer, X-ray

diffract scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The prepared carbon powder is then added at

various percentages (1-3wt. %) to epoxy resin 150-thick (part A). This mixture is further sonicated for one

hour with 30% amplitude. Part-B of epoxy hardener is then mixed with Part-A carbon and stirred for 3

minutes and allowed to cool until it reaches room temperature. The epoxy is poured into a dual cartridge

syringe and connected it to a 3D printer head for printing of predesigned test coupons. The resultant

products are then tested for its strength and thermal behavior using flexural test, thermogravimetric and

scanning calorimetric experiments. These results then compared with 3D parts printed using two parts

combined with instant mixing during printing. Improved control over the manufacturing process translates

into greater variety of products and ease of production. Thus far, the sample coupons produced indicate

high strength and great resistance to heat. The two different thick epoxy resin systems were studied to

understand the curing process as it is printed.

Acknowledgement: NSF ALEPSCoR-1655280, NSF-RISE #1459007, NSF-CREST#1137681, NSF-

MRI-1531934


PPS-03: Finite Element Failure Analysis of Lattice Structures

Babamiri Behzad Bahrami1, Andrew Minor1, Hesam Askari2, and Kavan Hazeli1 1Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, University of Alabama in Huntsville,2Mechanical

Engineering Department, University of Rochester

Lattice structures offer high strength and stiffness/mass ratio features which provide freedom in design that

is beyond the solid materials capacity, however they have natural tendency to develop localized failures

due to large number of thin struts building the structure. Accordingly, collapse of few struts has a great

impact on the global strength and stability. Therefore, the objective of this study is to answer this question

that where and how failure initiates and propagates through the lattice structures (struts) using FEM. Herein,

the ductile criterion, a phenomenological model to predict the damage initiation due to nucleation, growth,

and coalescence of voids, is implemented to obtain onset of damage in addictively manufactured lattice

structures made of Nickel based super alloys subjected to quasi-static loading. When damage initiates in

the material, the stress-strain relationship, due to strain localization, in the material is not able to predict the

material’s behavior correctly. Thus, Hillerborg's fracture energy model is utilized to decrease mesh

dependency. With this approach, the damage evolution after damage initiation is characterized by a stress-

displacement response rather than a stress-strain response. The results are validated by full-field strain

values that are measured from digital image correlation techniques.

PPS-04: Development of Boron Nitride Thin Film using Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor

Deposition

Chakrabarty Kallol, A. Catledg

Dept. of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham

The outstanding properties of boron nitride such as, hardness, toughness and chemical inertness have

aroused great interest among the scientific community during the past two decades. High pressure/high

temperature approaches using diamond anvil cells/laser heating have been used to synthesize boron nitride,

however, this process is not very economically friendly due to the need for very high pressure and/or high

temperature. Plasma processing of boron nitride material through chemical vapor deposition (CVD)

techniques has found to be one of the most viable technology routes because of low-cost and scalable

production technology. In this study an experimental work has been done to synthesize boron nitride film

on silicon substrate using Microwave Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition system (MPCVD). Plasma

activated H2, NH3, and B2H6 mixture was used as feed gas. MPCVD system was used to vary the power,

pressure and the flow rate of the feed gas systematically. It has been shown from optical emission

spectroscopy of growth species that, BH and NH3 peak have relative dependence with the flow rate of B2H6

and NH3 plasma. The ratio of BH/NH3 peak plays a key role for deposition of boron nitride thin film on

silicon substrate. The films were analyzed using optical Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-

ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared

Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Raman Spectroscopy. Nano-indentation was also used to measure the hardness

of the boron nitride films and the hardness was as high as 25 GPa, but only in localized regions.

Acknowledgement: CERIF Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA)

PPS-05: Super-Absorbing Metamaterials Using Epsilon-Near-Zero Plasma Resonance

Chen Jinnan1, Justin W. Cleary2, Joshua R. Hendrickson2, Evan M. Smith 2,3, Junpeng Guo1


1Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL, 2Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensors Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, 3KBRwyle, Beavercreek, OH

Super-absorbing metamaterials using the epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) material and dielectric layers were

investigated for wideband light absorption in the wavelength range from 1.0 to 2.0 micron. Optical

absorptance of super-absorbing metamaterials with different number of cavities was calculated. The results

indicated that increasing the number of cavities resulted in more absorption resonance modes and wider

absorption band. Super-absorbing metamaterials with the ENZ material might have potential applications

for making tunable optical devices and nonlinear optics.

Acknowledgement: GRSP, NSF grant # 1655280

PPS-06: Crystal Structure Predictions and Mechanical Properties of Super hard BC5

Chen Wei-Chih, Paul A. Baker, Shane A. Catledge, Sumner B. Harris, Kathryn J. Ham, Cheng-Chien

Chen, Yogesh K. Vohra

Department of Physics University of Alabama at Birmingham

Superhard materials with a Vickers hardness larger than ~30 GPa have a wide range of industrial

applications such as protective coatings. Superhard boron-carbon composites are especially important

because of their superior high-temperature performance as compared to diamond and their low reactivity

with ferrous metals. Here we employ the powerful evolutionary algorithm as implemented efficiently in the

USPEX software to predict the crystal structures of superhard boron-carbon composites, including the

elusive BC5 compound. The mechanical properties, electronic structures, phonon and Raman spectra of

these predicted structures are computed accordingly also from first principles using density functional

theory. The simulation results are discussed together with previous high-temperature high-pressure

synthesis of BC5, and with more recent large-area synthesis based on microwave plasma chemical vapor

deposition methods.

Funding Acknowledgement: EPSCoR RII-Track-1 Cooperative Agreement OIA-1655280. GRSP

PPS-07: Observational Analysis of Small-scale Magnetic Flux Ropes from Ulysses In-situ

Measurements

Chen Yu1, Q. Hu1,2, J. A. le Roux1,2 1Department of Space Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville, 2Center for Space Plasma and

Aeronomic Research (CSPAR)

Small-scale magnetic flux ropes, which have similar magnetic field configuration as their large-scale

counterparts (i.e., magnetic clouds), but with different sizes and origin, constitute an important element of

solar wind structures. They are also considered to be associated with local particle energization and other

related processes. In this study, we apply the Grad-Shafranov (GS) reconstruction method to detect these

small-scale flux ropes with a set of quantitative criteria by utilizing data from the Ulysses spacecraft

measurements for the first time. The orbit of Ulysses covered a wide range of helio-latitudes and

heliocentric distances around the Sun. We conduct full range automated detection for years 1991 ~ 2009

spanning the whole mission of Ulysses. Based on solar wind speed ranges, all events are categorized into

two groups: one with high solar wind speed (VSW > 500 km/s) and the other with relatively low solar wind

speed. Through mainly statistical analysis of the results from these Ulysses data, we have obtained the

following findings: (1) Small-scale flux ropes in low speed solar wind tend to align with the nominal Parker


spiral direction. (2) The power law fitting is applied to the wall-to-wall time distribution with the break

point at ~ 400 min. (3) Compared with the corresponding ACE database at 1 astronomical unit, there are

more events with larger scale sizes at farther heliocentric distances. (4) The occurrence rate of small-scale

flux ropes has mixed solar cycle dependency due to latitudinal effects.

Funding Acknowledgement: NASA grants NNX15AI65G and NNX17AB85G, subawards NRL

N00173-14-1-G006 and SAO SV4-84017, NSF grant AGS-1650854 and OIA-1655280

PPS-08: Theoretical Analysis of Structural and Magnetic Properties of New Magnetic Alloys for

Aerospace Applications

Cole Kayla1, Abhishek Srivastava1, Alicia Wadsworth2, Claudia Mewes1, Tim Mewes2, Gregory

Thompson2, Alex Leary3, and Ronald Noebe3 1Center for Materials for Information Technology, The University of Alabama, 2Department of Materials

and Metallurgical Engineering, The University of Alabama, 3Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio

In an effort to reduce noise and carbon pollution, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

(NASA) is investigating the development of new magnetic alloys for use in air- and spacecraft engines.

These alloys must maintain a specific set of parameters under the conditions typical of these types of

engines. To accomplish this, density functional theory (DFT) calculations of various materials are

performed utilizing VASP software. Samples include, or will include, pure cobalt in either its hexagonal or

face-centered cubic stacking arrangements, cobalt crystals with stacking faults, and cobalt with inclusions

of manganese or other elements. VASP will be used to determine various properties of the Nano crystallites

in question, such as stacking fault energies and anisotropies. In addition, visualization and micro magnetic

analysis will be performed using an in-house developed micro magnetics code to determine such variables

as the permeability tensor and overall magnetic behavior of the system.

Acknowledgment: NASA Training Grant NNX15AJ18H.

PPS-09: Investigating Inhibition Mechanisms of Methyl Coenzyme M Reductase Via EPR.

Cronin Bryan, Robel Ghrebreab, Katherine Clohan, Carly Engel, Evert Duin

Auburn University Chemistry Building, Auburn, AL

The enzyme Methyl Coenzyme M reductase (McRib) is a transferase enzyme which contains a nickel

cofactor F430 [1]. This enzyme is responsible for almost all biological methane produced by catalyzing the

reaction methyl coenzyme M(MCoM) and coenzyme B(CoB) forming heterodisulfide(HDS) and methane.

By understanding how to make effective inhibitors for Mcr methane emissions from livestock can be

reduced as well as increasing feed efficiency. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) can detect

differences in the oxidation state of the nickel as well as changes in the ligand environment of the nickel.

By measuring the samples frozen at the varying reaction times the shifts in the EPR spectra give evidence

of the changes occurring within the active site. By examining the changes in the intermediate signals a

unique nickel(III) intermediate was found while using the inhibitor 3-Nitroxypropanol. What is also of

interest is characterizing the proteins involved in the activation of Mcr. The F430 in the Ni(I) state (active

state) has a low reduction potential of -650mv. This potential is so low even the product of the reaction

HDS can oxidize the nickel center inactivating the protein. By understanding the components of activation

it would be possible to genetically engineer an organism that can produce methane as an energy source, or

work reversible and abstract methane. To characterize which enzymes are necessary for activation it will


be tested invitro with recombinant enzymes previously found to activate Mcr purified from cell extract by

Divya et al.1

Acknowledgement: IGERT, DSM

PPS-10: Computational Studies of the pH Regulation Mechanism of Dinoflagellate Luciferase

Donnan Patrick H., Phong D. Ngo, and Steven O. Mansoorabadi

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Auburn University

Dinoflagellates are marine microorganisms capable of performing bioluminescence. The bioluminescence

reaction is an oxidation reaction of an open-chain tetra pyrrole, luciferin, and is catalyzed by the enzyme

dinoflagellate luciferase. Prior work has shown that dinoflagellate luciferase is regulated by pH, displaying

inactivity at pH ~8 and optimal activity at pH ~6, with the protonation of four intramolecular conserved

histidine residues thought to drive the conformational shift [Li et al. (2001), Biochemistry 40, 1844-1849].

However, the structure of the active conformation of the enzyme at pH ~6 is currently unknown. In order

to study the conformational shift from the inactive to the active state, constant pH accelerated molecular

dynamics simulations were employed. A large-scale conformational shift from pH 8 to pH 6 was observed,

displaying greatly increased access to the presumed active site of the enzyme. Residues whose protonation

state differs significantly between pH 6 and pH 8, including the four histidine residues, were identified as

potentially necessary in driving the conformational change.

Acknowledgement: CAREER Award CHE-1555138, Alabama Supercomputer Authority

PPS-11: Production of Engineered Heart Tissues Using Patient Derived Stem Cells to Study

Congenital Heart Disease

Ellis Morgan1, Loujin Song2, Yazawa Masayuki2, Elizabeth Lipke1

1Department of Chemical Engineering, Auburn, 2Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine,

Columbia University

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Mechanisms for studying heart arrhythmias are

limited because of the inability to perform experiments on native human heart tissue. However, with

advancements in regenerative medicine and the ability to reprogram somatic cells into human induced

pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), cardiac tissue models are progressing towards mimicking native

physiological function. Building on recent advancements in our group, we are now able to construct 3D

developing human engineered cardiac tissues (3D-dhECTs). Here we examine the ability to create 3D-

dhECTs with hiPSCs derived from patients with a genetic congenital heart disease, Timothy Syndrome

(TS), which results in long QT syndrome. HiPSCs were encapsulated in PEG-fibrinogen and differentiated

using an established protocol. Video analysis was performed using MATLAB to determine the frequency

and velocity of contraction and the time interval between the contraction and relaxation. Initial

encapsulations show differences between the control and TS 3D-dhECTs. Onset of spontaneous contraction

occurred on Day 9, two days later than the control tissues. The control tissues appeared to become more

organized and exhibit synchronous contraction sooner than TS tissues. The time interval between

contraction and relaxation was prolonged in TS 3D-dhECTs, indicative of long QT syndrome. With this

new cardiac tissue model, further studies can be performed to study various genetic heart diseases.

Acknowledgement: GAANN


PPS-12: Ultra Sonication-Assisted Synthesis of Calcium Carbonate from Eggshells

Ethridge Aiesha L., Vijay K. Rangari

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University

Eggshells are widely considered as waste but contain both inorganic and organic components that can be a

potential source for bio-based calcium carbonate. Many solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetic acid,

and N, N – dimethylformamide (DMF) have been used to synthesize calcium carbonate nanoparticles;

however, in this research we are focusing on using a greener solvent to synthesize the ultrasonic irradiated

calcium carbonate nanoparticles. The synthesis of calcium carbonate was performed using a sonochemical

technique to produce high surface area calcium carbonate nanoparticles from eggshells. The eggshell

particles were irradiated with a high intensity ultrasonic horn in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The

solvent concentration varied from 2% to 4%. The calcium carbonate nanoparticles will be characterized

using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

(FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). For future work, we will be using the calcium carbonate

nanoparticles in polymer composites for the use in biodegradable agricultural applications.

Acknowledgement: NSF DGE – 1144843

PPS-13: Novel Anthracene-Based Materials for Non-Invasive Optogenetics

French David N.1, Aundrea Bartley2, Kavitha Abiraman2, Lori McMahon2, Gary M. Gray1 1Department of Chemistry 2Department of Neurobiology University of Alabama at Birmingham

The field of Optogenetics currently relies on invasive means to deliver light to cells and tissue. A novel,

non-invasive approach has been identified in the combination of a penetrative light source and a local light-

converting material. A methacrylate-functionalized anthracene (AM) was synthesized to combine a known

scintillator with polymer functionality. Methacrylate addition to anthracene does not affect optically active

orbitals and does not change the excitation/emission profile of the anthracene moiety. Copolymers of AM

with methyl methacrylate (MMA) were synthesized in ratios from 1:1 to 1:24 AM: MMA to observe effect

of composition on scintillation. The monomer compositions of the purified products were calculated by 1H

NMR. The excitation/emission profile is also unchanged in the polymers. Anthracene-methacrylate and

the copolymers glow bright under UV light, and have luminescence quantum yields between 2-6%. Visible

x-ray fluorescence is observed in the monomer and copolymers. The scintillation of the materials peaks

between 460-500 nm, which lies on top of the absorption range of the most common Optogenetic

photoreceptor, channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2). The copolymers were found to be non-toxic. As proof-of-

concept, Optogenetic capabilities of film-cast copolymers were examined using whole-cell patching

techniques. Spontaneous photoreceptor events were observed when the polymers emitted blue light after

UV irradiation. In future research, water-soluble scintillators, based on the above system, will be

synthesized to reduce the distance between emitter and photoreceptor to overcome the absorptive nature of

tissue.

Acknowledgement: EPSCoR Grant # 1632881

PPS-14: Molecular dynamic simulation of magnetized dusty plasma flows

Funk Dylan, Uwe Konopka, Edward Thomas

Physics Department, Auburn University


Dusty plasmas consist of four components: electrons, ions, neutrals and micro particles. We will study this

by using a molecular dynamic simulation approach, the particle distribution in an induced flow can be used

to estimate an average dust particle charge. Since the main dynamics of the system in which we are

interested in is based on the time scales of the dust particles dynamics, we only simulate the motion of

latter, treating the other components via inclusion in the model of the particle charge, their mutual

interaction and background force fields. The effects of the neutral gas are taken into account as well using

the Epstein particle-neutral drag model. The simulations are done as a molecular dynamic simulation where

the influence of an externally applied, background magnetic field on the dust particle dynamics can be

studied as well. In our poster, we describe the details of the physical systems we would like to model as

well as the computational details of the approach taken in the simulation. We plan to apply our method to

MDPX at Auburn University as well as in a modified version to data obtained on the complex plasma space

experiment, PK-4.

Funding Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR OIA-1655280, US Dept. of Energy (DE-SC0016330), NSF

(PHY-1613087) and JPL/NASA (JPL-RSA 1571699)

PPS-15: Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane by Zinc Oxide Promoted Platinum Nano catalysts

Gan Zhuoran, Yu Lei

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering university of Alabama Huntsville

Light Alkenes such as ethylene (C2H4) and propylene (C3H6), are important building blocks for many value

added chemicals, including polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene), oxygenates (ethylene glycol,

propylene oxide), and chemical intermediates (ethylbenzene). The demand for these building blocks is

increasing with a 20% growth rate per 5 years. Steam cracking of crude oil byproducts is the most common

methods in light alkene production, yet the low selectivity of particular alkene, intensive energy

consumption and the shrinking of oil reserve are pushing the petroleum industry for a more efficient way

for obtaining light alkenes. Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of alkanes such as ethane (C2H6) and

propane (C3H8) requires lower temperature than steam cracking due its exothermic nature. And ODH is an

on-purpose production method that yields exclusively the desired alkene of polymer-quality purity rather

than a mixture of products. The number of alkene dehydrogenation plants is expected to grow significantly

in the upcoming years worldwide. Platinum (Pt) catalyst is used in ODH due to its intrinsic favor for

activation of C-H bond over C-C bond. Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a promising candidate in promoting ODH

reactivity for Pt catalyst. In this study, aluminum oxide (Al2O3) supported Pt Nano catalyst was prepared

and tailored with various nanostructures. The sandwich-type ZnO/Pt/Al2O3 showed improved reactivity in

ODH of ethane than its Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/ZnO/Al2O3 counterparts. ZnO was found to promote the light alkane

ODH via a combined geometric and electronic effect.

Acknowledgement: Alabama EPSCoR, NSF, ACS

PPS-16: Characterization of an Atmospheric Plasma Jet for Plasma-Based Water Purification

Gott Ryan P., K. Gabe Xu

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department University of Alabama in Huntsville

Plasma-based water purification has been shown to remove more chemicals, waste materials, and bacteria

than traditional treatment options. This process uses energetic plasma-generated electrons to induce

chemical reactions that break down harmful molecules into benign components. A plasma source was


developed for this purpose. The plasma jet works by feeding a propellant gas through a tube where it is

ionized and pushed out as a plasma plume. The electrons from this plume react with air and water molecules

to produce OH radicals, which drive the purification process. Changing the power operating conditions, gas

flow rate, and gas composition can change the size of the plasma plume and increase OH production.

Voltages were varied from 7 to 10 kV, argon and helium were used at flowrates from 1.5 to 3 SLM.

Additionally, alternative designs were developed to expose the water to multiple jets of plasma. The

production of OH radicals has been studied using Optical Emission Spectroscopy, and compared for various

plasma sizes. A Princeton Instruments Acton SP2500 Spectrometer was used with a PI-Max 4 ICCD

Camera to look at the emission spectra. Work will continue to be done to improve the understanding of

these phenomena, allowing for plasma purification methods to be better designed.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR GRSP

PPS-17: Application of Meta-Dipole mode for ultrahigh refractive index sensing

Gutha Rithvik R.1, 2, Christina Sharp1, Seyed M. Sadeghi1, Ali Hatef 3 1Department of physics and Astronomy, 2Nano and Micro Device Center, University of Alabama in

Huntsville, 3Department of Computer Science and Mathematics, Nipissing University, Canada

We demonstrate the generation of meta-dipole mode in arrays of flat gold metallic nanoantenna arrays and

its application for ultrahigh refractive index sensing. We show that when the nanoantennas are packed

closely along their transverse axis and the incident light polarization is along their longitudinal axis, they

promote the coupling of lattice induced plasmons with the densely packed superstrate photonic mode. At

certain wavelength, these resonances also couple to the plasmonic tip modes of the nanoantenna there by

generating a meta-dipole mode. The simulation results show that, the mode profile of such a mode is similar

to the natural plasmonic dipole mode of the nanoantennas but at a much lower wavelength. We also show

that these meta-dipole modes have a very high bulk refractive index sensitivity of 925 ± 12nm/RIU. We

show that on increasing the transverse lattice constant, the meta-dipole modes disappear thereby bringing

down its refractive index sensitivity.

Acknowledgement: U.S. National Science Foundation Grant No. CMMI 1234823

PPS-18: Methods for the Characterization of Imposed, Ordered Structures in MDPX

Hall Taylor1, Edward Thomas1, Marlene Rosenberg2, Bob Merlino3

1Physics Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 2Physics Department, University of California San

Diego, San Diego, CA, 3Physics Department, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Dusty plasmas are low temperature plasmas, which include large micron sized micro particles in addition

to the usual plasma components, electrons, ions, and neutral atoms. These dust particles become coupled

to the background plasma through the collection of energetic electrons, giving the dust a negative charge.

Under certain experimental conditions these dust particles can form a self-organized hexagonal structure

called a plasma crystal. Recently a new dusty plasma phenomena was discovered in the Magnetized Dusty

Plasma Experiment at Auburn University of an imposed, ordered structure, in which the dust particles

acquired the same spatial pattern as a conducting wire mesh in the experiment. While early observations

focused mainly on the initial observation of this phenomena and the particle dynamics within the new

structure, little work was done to study under what experimental conditions these imposed, ordered

structure would become prominent. In this work a set of parameters, based on the neutral gas pressure and


magnetic field, is proposed to determine when the dust particles become strongly confined to the grid

structure. New diagnostic tools for investigating background plasma parameters which give rise to these

imposed, ordered structures may also be presented.

Funding Acknowledgement: US Dept. of Energy, Grant Number DE-SC0016330, NSF Grant # PHY-

1613087, NSF EPSCoR program (OIA-1655280)

PPS-19: Personalized in Vitro 3D Colorectal Cancer Model Using Patient-Derived Xenografts

Hassani Imam1, Benjamin Anbiah1, Bulbul Ahmed2, Nicole L. Habbit1, Michael W. Greene2, Elizabeth A.

Lipke1 1Department of Chemical Engineering, 2Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management,

Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in men and the second in women worldwide. To

investigate drug responsiveness and tumor progression, in vitro 2D and 3D models have been established

using standard cancer cell lines. However, 2D models are unable to replicate physiological complexities of

native tissues. In this study, we have developed a 3D engineered tumor model using patient-derived

xenograft (PDX) tumor cells. There are two main advantages of this model; 1) 3D culture better mimics

native tissue microenvironment in terms of physiological context and dimensionality, and 2) PDX tumor

cells are patient-specific and better reflect the phenotype of human tumors compared to cancer cell lines.

Briefly, PDX tumors were established through patient tumor cell implantation in SCID mice. The tumors

were then excised and dissociated, and the isolated cells were encapsulated within a biomimetic polymer,

polyethylene glycol-fibrinogen, to create the 3D engineered PDX CRC model. Viability of the cells was

assessed, and colony diameter of the PDX CRC cells and the mechanical stiffness of engineered tumor

tissues were investigated and compared with in vivo culture. Our PDX CRC engineered model supported

the growth and viability of the CRC cells, had a stiffness range of in vivo tumor tissues, and closely mimic

the in vivo tumor conditions. The established platform can potentially be used in the future to develop

patient-specific therapeutics and treatment strategies.

Acknowledgement: NSF (NSF-CBET-1150854), Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer

(AURIC) Seed Grant Program, and AURIC Graduate Fellowship (I.H.)

PPS-20: Multiscale Characterization of Microstructures and Mechanical Properties of Inconel 718

Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting

Holland Sharniece1, Xiaoqing Wang,2, Jia Chen3, Wenjun Cai3, Feng Yan1, Lin Li1

1Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2Department of Applied Engineering, Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL, 3Department of

Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.

A multiscale investigation of the microstructures and mechanical properties of Inconel 718 fabricated by

selective laser melting (SLM) was performed on the as-SLM and heat-treated (HT) samples at various build

locations. The microstructures were characterized by optical microscopy, high-resolution scanning electron

microscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction over a wide range of length-scales. The as-SLM samples

exhibited unique multi-scale microstructure features, including millimeter-sized melt pools, sub-

millimeter-sized columnar cube-textured grains, and micrometer-sized dendritic and cellular structures

from chemical segregation and precipitates. Upon heat treatment, recrystallization occurred in the sample,

replacing the unique SLM microstructures with homogenized grains, annealing twins, and nano-scale


precipitates. Dry sliding wear tests, Vickers hardness tests, and force modulation microscopy in the atomic

force microscopy were conducted to characterize the mechanical properties of the SLM parts. It was found

that the wear resistance of the as-SLM sample was sensitive to the grain-level structures, exhibiting a

relatively large spatial variation (~11 %) at different build locations. In contrast, the Vickers hardness barely

changed (< 1%) with locations. Heat treatment reduced the wear rate from 2.16 10-6 to 1.7510-6 mm2 and

enhanced the hardness from 3.14 to 4.49 GPa, resulting from the precipitation of nanoscale strengthening

phases. Finally, the correlations of the mechanical properties with the hierarchical SLM microstructures

were discussed, implying the importance of multi-scale conditions on tuning the SLM part performance.

Acknowledgement: NASA EPSCoR award NNX15AK29A with the sub-award No: 2016-045

PPS-21: Modelling and Optimization: An Innovative Ground Source Heat Pump System with

Horizontal Loops

Hou Gaoyang, Taherian Hessam

Mechanical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

From hot summer to freezing winter, most of the places on earth suffer from extreme weather. However,

temperature at several meters below earth’s surface keeps relatively stable ranging from 7°C (45°F) to 21°C

(75°F). Therefore, in comparison with air temperature, soil temperature is warmer in winter and cooler in

summer. For the sake of taking advantage by exchanging heat with underground soil efficiently, a

computer-simulation based ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system is designed in Transient System

Simulation Tool (TRNSYSD). Both cooling and heating performances of the system have been studied for

a 200m2 (2150 ft2) residential house located in Birmingham, AL and New York City, NY with fixed loads.

Compared to conventional HVAC system such as furnace, electrical resistance heating or air source heat

pump, ground source heat pump provides more efficient heating/cooling comfort with higher coefficient of

performance (COP). Hybrid system using different assisted components is a better choice which is

presented as a liquid dry cooler in this design. Core parts of this system are a water source heat pump

(WSHP) linked to a parallel flow horizontal ground loop, and a dry liquid cooler. Horizontal ground loop

is generally better choice for most of residential house where there is sufficient land to use. Due to shallower

excavation, horizontal ground loop is generally buried at 3m (9.8ft) underground. As an alternative heat

exchanger in this system, liquid dry cooler utilizes air as a secondary fluid which can avoid problem of

incrustation formation. A new component (TYPE) is implemented by coding in FORTRAN programming

language to improve system model structure. The new Type serves as a functional diverter in this system.

The simulation runs for a full calendar year (simulation time) to generate important system performance

data such as COP, heat pump power use, as a function of pipe loop characteristics. The results are used to

optimize the balance among the three main components of the system namely, GSHP, ground loop and dry

liquid cooler. The results are promising for both climate zones that are investigated.

PPS-22: Complex Plasma: A Unique Platform to Study Phase Transition and Collective Modes

Jaiswal Surabhi1, 2, T. Hall1, S. LeBlanc1, U. Konopka1, E. Thomas1, M. Pustylnik2, S. Zhdanov2, H. M.

Thomas2 1Auburn University, 206 Allison Laboratory, Auburn, US 2Institut für Materialphysik im

Weltraum, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt (DLR), 82234 Weßling, Germany


Complex plasma is an appropriate medium for studying various phenomena at single particle and

fluid level as the bigger and massive particles possess a very low thermal velocity and hence allow

them to be visualized using laser illumination and high-speed cameras. The dust particles

immersed into electron-ion plasma get negatively charged and interact collectively, and depending

upon the system parameters can be in the gaseous or liquid state or even arrange themselves to

form an orderly crystalline structure in a solid state. Complex plasma also supports variety of

collective modes and nonlinear coherent structures. A perturbation in plasma potential and density

leads to generation of various collective modes which is also, get affected by coupling between

the particles. The strength of coupling depends on various parameters such as rf power and

background pressure. We have studied the effect of externally applied magnetic field on the

configuration of plasma crystals, suspended in the sheath of a radio-frequency discharge using the

Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment (MDPX) device. We report on the breakdown of the

crystalline structure with increasing magnetic field. The magnetic field affects the dynamics of the

plasma particles and first leads to a rotation of the crystal. At higher magnetic field, there is a radial

variation (shear) in the angular velocity of the moving particles which we believe leads to the

melting of the crystal. This melting is confirmed by evaluating the variation of the pair correlation

function as a function of magnetic field. We also study dusty density wave in flowing dusty plasma

and effect of discharge electric field on the phase velocity of waves.

Acknowledgement: US Dept. of Energy, DE - SC0010485

PPS-23: Stronger and Tougher – Using Carbon Nanofiber Z-Threads to Improve the Shear

Fracture Resistance of Lightweight Carbon Fiber Composites

Kirmse Sebastian1, Kuang-Ting Hsiao2

1Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2Systems Engineering Program University of South Alabama

Carbon fiber composites are preferred materials in industries were weight-savings and high performance

are of critical importance. However, without the addition of z-directional reinforcement, traditional carbon

fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite laminates are commonly vulnerable to matrix-sensitive damage

(e.g., compressive failure, delamination, and shear failure). This study evaluates the influence of z-threaded

carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of CFRPs. Hence, an experimental

investigation was conducted on the ILSS of CNF z-threaded CFRP laminates together with a microscopic

morphology study to understand the roles of the CNF z-threads during the shear fracture process. It is

hypothesized that long carbon nanofiber (CNFs) z-threads would form a strong multiscale fiber-network

due to the CNFs threading through multiple layers of carbon fibers in a zig-zag pattern, along the z-

direction. The CNFs z-threaded CFRP was manufactured by flow-transferring a resin film containing

electrical-field-aligned CNFs into a dry unidirectional carbon fiber fabric. The resin infused fabric sheets

were stacked and cured into a laminate using an Out of Autoclave-Vacuum Bag Only (OOA-VBO) process.

The study revealed that the alignment of the CNFs plays an important role. Furthermore, the CNF z-threads

statistically significantly increase the interlaminar shear strength and shear toughness of the CFRP. This

could lead to an increased design freedom for design engineers as well as stronger and more durable

products for consumers.


Acknowledgement: GRSP, Alabama Department of Commerce (Alabama Innovation Fund, Award

number: 150436), Hexcel Corporation

PPS-24: Evaluating Nano crystalline Stability under Mechanical Loading

Koenig Thomas R., Xu yang Zhou, Gregory B. Thompson

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Science Engineering University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa

Nano crystalline materials are of interest because of their enhanced mechanical properties associated with

their small grain size. However, such Nano granular sizes are inherently unstable because of the high surface

energy-to-volumetric energy. With either heat and/or mechanical loading, these small grains will grow to

reduce their overall energy. To retain the enhanced mechanical strength with these associated small grains,

solutes have been show to either reduce the grain boundary energy and/or provide a kinetic barrier to grain

growth. In this work, we seek to elucidate the relationship between grain boundary orientation and solute

segregation in a series of Ni, Ni(P), and Ni(W) nanocrystal line alloys. The P and W solutes provides

distinctive different segregating tendencies, with the former being highly segregating and the latter being

weakly segregating. These materials were fabricated as thin films and prepared as free-standing Nano

granular materials. Various deposition conditions, including substrate temperature, pressure, and rate were

examined to yield a monodisperse Nano granular microstructure. These films were then tested in tension

using both a ‘macro’ scale testing apparatus as well as in situ tensile testing unit where the specific grain

types and grain boundaries were tracked by precession electron diffraction via transmission electron

microscopy. The results of how various loads, strain rates, and Ni-based solute concentrations interplay on

nanocrystal line stability will be presented.

Acknowledgement: GRSP, ARO under grant W911NF-17-1-0528

PPS-25: Analyzing Spinach Growth Using Vertical Garden Techniques and Local Water Sources

for Urban Gardens

Manzella Ashlyn J., Robert W. Peters

Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering University of Alabama at Birmingham

Research is described seeking to identify guidelines for producing high-nutrient valued spinach using

sustainable vertical farming techniques in Jefferson County, Alabama and across the United States to

improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables to individuals living in food insecure areas. Based on the non-

thesis report of University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate student (J. Ashlyn Manzella) using the 2010

census data, approximately 70 percent of Birmingham, Alabama, ZIP codes are located in low-income,

low-access areas (food deserts). Over 289,000 Birmingham residents are impacted by these conditions, and

the area’s racial breakdown is 65% African-American, 30% white, and 5% other. Encouraging healthier

eating habits and providing those with limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, such as community

gardens and farm stands, is an important way reduce risks of chronic diseases due to poor diets in these

low-access areas. It is suspected that if local water sources, such as lake water, can be used with limited

addition of fertilizers and pre-treatment chemicals, nutritious fruits and vegetables could be grown

sustainably. Our research activity seeks to reduce soil, water, and energy requirements for growing healthy

foods for consumption. This research seeks to demonstrate that vertical gardening techniques (Tower

Gardens®, pyramid, and pallet gardens) using surface waters can produce quantitatively nutrient-equivalent


plants per square foot as traditional gardening techniques. The research design analyzes water type and

usage volume, growing techniques, yield, biomass, and plant health via chlorophyll analysis.

PPS-26: Effect of AC Signals on Dusty Plasma Equilibrium

McKinlay Michael, Edward Thomas Jr, Uwe Konopka

Auburn university, Auburn, AL

Determining and controlling the charge on particles in low temperature plasma is critical to understanding

the properties of a dusty plasma. In recent experiments, changes in the shape and equilibrium position of

clouds of particles suspended in an argon DC glow plasma have been observed in response to AC signals

on the order of the ion-neutral collision frequency. Langmuir probes are used to investigate the possible

effects of these signals on background plasma properties, electric fields, and the charge of the dust particles.

Acknowledgement: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL-RSA 1571699), NSF (PHY-1613087),

NSF EPSCoR program (OIA-1655280), US Department of Energy (SC-0016330)

PPS-27: Pattern Formation in Electric Discharges

Menti Mohamad, Edward Thomas, Uwe Konopka


Filamentation occurs in low-pressure and low-temperature discharges under the influence of high magnetic

fields. The bright columns of filamentation are created parallel to the external magnetic field and could

have different shapes from circular to spiral patterns. There have been few experimental works trying to

investigate different aspects of this phenomenon but lack of some comprehensive theoretical or numerical

work is felt. Diffusion and continuity equations for plasma are numerically solved to probably explain

plasma filamentation. Finite Difference (FD) method is used to solve the equations in a field free plasma

region and in the presence of magnetic field. 2D and 3D codes are developed and some of the results are

presented.

Acknowledgement: US Dept. of Energy, Grant # DE-SC0016330, NSF Grant #: PHY-1613087, NSF

EPSCoR program (OIA-1655280).

PPS-28: Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets and Montmorillonite Nanoclay on Mechanical and

Thermal Properties of DGBA Epoxy Matrix

Mohammed Zaheeruddin, Mahesh V. Hosur, Shaik Jeelani, Alfred Tcherbi-Narteh

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

Synergistic effects of Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and Montmorillonite Nanoclay (MMT) reinforcement

on mechanical and thermal properties of DGEBA based epoxy resin are investigated via Dynamic

Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Thermomechanical Analysis(TMA), Thermogravimetric Analysis(TGA) and

Three-point flexure test. The epoxy resin was modified using different loading percentages (0.1 and 0.2 wt.

% GNP, 2 and 3 wt. % MMT; and binary consisting of 0.1 wt. % GNP and 3 wt. % MMT). The dispersion

of nanoparticles was carried out via ultra-sonication, three roll shear mixing and magnetic stirring

techniques. It was found that the Graphene sheets were instrumental in increasing mechanical properties

like modulus and strength at a very low percentage whereas nanoclay was helpful in preserving the thermal

stability of the matrix thus creating a synergistic effect to reflect the reinforcing ability of both GNP and


MMT in mechanical and thermal aspects respectively. Binary reinforced samples showed the highest

increase of 28.57% in storage modulus whereas 0.2 wt. % GNP Samples has shown highest increase in

flexural strength 10.60%. The Binary nanocomposites have shown highest dimensional stability with only

change of 0.87 % in Coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). SEM micrographs of failed samples revealed

failure mechanisms and aid of GNP to resist the failure. XRD studies showed mixed intercalation and

exfoliation of nanoparticles with increased interplanar spacing and decrease in intensity of crystal peaks.

Acknowledgment: NSF EPSCoR, Army Research Office (ARO)

PPS-29: Energy Model Calibration for an Academic Building

Mu Qing, Hessam Taherian

Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Alabama at Birmingham

The ultimate goal of this research project is to plan feasibility of distributed energy generation for the

campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Distributed energy, also district or

decentralized energy is generated or stored by a variety of small, grid-connected devices referred to as

distributed energy resources or distributed energy resource systems. The distributed generation (DG)

systems can increase energy system reliability, reduce peak power requirements, and improve energy

infrastructure resilience. In this study, a DG system using renewable energy sources and energy storage is

introduced for the whole UAB campus. The energy sources for DG systems comes from a variety of

sources: photovoltaic arrays, natural gas, and micro wind turbines.

In order to study feasibility of a distributed generation systems for a group of building, energy use data is

collected. Then a simulation of the building’s energy usage is conducted for one building of each building

use category. Open studio and TRNSYS software tools are used in modeling a typical system, and the

results will be extended to the entire campus buildings. The purpose of this study is to get the optimum size

of the equipment to save the cost in campus operating and reduce greenhouse gas emission.

PPS-30: Fluvio-Morphological Evolution of Global River Deltas and Associated Flood

Susceptibility

Munasinghe Dinuke, Sagy Cohen

Department of Geography, University of Alabama

Close to half a billion people live in deltaic regions worldwide, including in a number of mega-cities. Over

the past half-century the frequency of high magnitude floods have increased, causing devastating socio-

economic and ecological losses to human settlements and infrastructure in deltaic regions. The overarching

goal of the study aims at providing perspectives on the drivers, mechanisms and trends of morphology

changes and how these affect flood susceptibility in large deltas, globally. This study aims at investigating

the following research questions: (1) Are changes in fluvial sediment flux to the delta are directly linked to

decadal changes in delta morphology? (2) Will the degradation of delta significantly increase flooding

susceptibility? (3) How will trends of flood susceptibilities vary individually in the delta? (4) How much

of a significant net increase in flood susceptibility can be expected through the 21st century? A multifaceted

research approach combining (a) numerical modeling of riverine water and sediment fluxes, (b) remote

sensing analysis of delta morphology changes and flooding dynamics, and (c) GIS analysis of socio-

economic impacts of flooding on deltaic communities is performed. Numerical modeling is used to obtain

fluvial sediment and water fluxes to deltas. Remote sensing techniques are used to map changes in deltaic


topographic trends and flood inundation in the last four decades. These are combined, using GIS techniques,

with geospatial land use and population distribution information, to quantify flooding impacts and their

spatio-temporal dynamics.

PPS-31: Multiscale Modeling and Thermal Characterization of Carbon Nanotube Multi-Terminal

Junction and Nanostructures

Nakarmi Sushan, Vinu U. Unnikrishnan

Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, University of Alabama

The increasing demand for high performance devices and miniature system requirements indicate the need

for novel material with remarkable material properties. Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) have exceptional

thermal, mechanical and electronic properties that makes them ideal for different space applications

including thermal management devices, light-weight mechanical shock absorber and fiber reinforced

composites. They are considered as an excellent alternative to the common silicon based components in

electronic devices for example, a two terminal (2T-) nanotube junction has a rectifying property and can be

used as rectifying diodes. However, widespread application of the junction and complex nanotube structures

is still limited due to the lack of understanding of their electronic and thermal emission properties. Thermal

characterization and response to the mechanical load of the nanotube junctions is difficult to determine

because of their complex structure and the nanoscale involved. The objective of the current work is to

develop innovative computational procedures and optimization techniques to model complex nanotube

structures and study their thermal behavior under different loading conditions. The topologically accurate

atomistic model of (3T-) and (4T-) junction, and complex 3D architecture of nanotube has been created

using CAD based modeling and optimization techniques. The thermal transport properties of 3T-junction

have also been estimated using non-equilibrium molecular dynamic (NEMD) simulation and are compared

with single walled nanotubes (SWNT). Furthermore, the interdependency of size and strain states on the

longitudinal thermal conductivity of SWNT with specific emphasis on the phonon density of states of

nanotube at different strain states will be discussed.

Acknowledgement: NASA EPSCoR, GRSP

PPS-32: Assembling 3D Ordered Structures of 2D MXenes for Energy Storage Applications

Orangi Jafar, Majid Beidaghi

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

The increasing demand for energy storage devices with high storage capacity and rapid charge delivery has

called for research and development of advanced electrode materials and innovative device fabrication

methods. MXenes are a family of two-dimensional (2D) materials with promising electrical and

electrochemical properties. Several MXene have been recently demonstrated to have very high potential as

electrode materials for Li-ion capacitors. However, the conventional electrode fabrication methods seem to

be a significant limiting factor for MXene and other 2D materials used as electrode in energy storage

devices. Recent developments in electrode fabrication methods show that three-dimensional (3D) electrode

architectures result improved performance of the electrodes comparing to conventional 2D “laminate”

architectures. In this study, we present an efficient, simple, and scalable method to fabricated ordered and

porous 3D aerogel structures of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXene with high specific capacitances and rate capabilities.

The 3D aerogel electrodes were fabricated by a directional freeze casting method and show high specific


surface areas. The processing conditions significantly affect aerogels physical, mechanical, and

electrochemical properties. The fabricated aerogels were used as electrode material for LI-ion capacitors

and showed significantly high specific capacities (1200 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1), excellent rate capability

(200 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1) and outstanding cycling performance. We believe that the fabricated 3D MXene

structures have promising properties for a broad range of applications.

Acknowledgement: GRSP Rounds 12 and 13, NASA Alabama EPSCoR Research Seed Grant

PPS-33: Glioblastoma Stem Cell Phenotype Regulation via CD44 on Tumor Microenvironment

Mimicking Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogel

Park Seungjo, Akshay A. Narkhede, Shreyas S. Rao, Yonghyun Kim

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive solid brain tumor. GBM consists of heterogeneous

cells arising from an aberrant stem cell population. Several molecules in the tumor microenvironment

(TME), where glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) reside, have been discovered for GBM. Hyaluronic acid

(HA) is one of the most enriched extracellular matrix (ECM) components in GBM tumor microenvironment

(Plaks et al., 2015). Progression of GBM can be enhanced by the mechanical characteristic surrounding its

microenvironment. Indeed, GBM patient tissue is much stiffer than normal brain tissue (Miroshnikova et

al., 2016). Here, we utilized a biomimetic HA hydrogel to investigate stiffness-dependent stemness

phenotype of GSCs.

Acknowledgement: Alabama EPSCoR

PPS-34: Construction and Performance of Inexpensive Meteorological Platforms during the 2018

Great Plains Irrigation Experiment

Phillips Christopher, Udaysankar Nair, Aaron Kaulfus

Dept. of Atmospheric Science, University of Alabama in Huntsville

The advent of low-cost sensors enables the creation of high-density surface station networks. One such

network is the Environmental Monitoring Economical Sensor Hubs (EMESH) developed at the University

of Alabama in Huntsville. EMESH is a three-meter observation platform that measures temperature,

pressure, and relative humidity at two-meters, while wind speed and direction are measured at three-meters.

Additionally, precipitation is recorded using a tipping-gauge rain bucket and soil moisture and soil

temperature are both recorded at five and thirty centimeters depth. Data logging is managed by a Raspberry

Pi Zero miniature computer. Each station is modifiable to incorporate other sensors as necessary. While

EMESH does not meet the accuracy requirements prescribed by the World Meteorological Organization,

EMESH can capture atmospheric phenomena characterized by greater variability than the observation error.

During the Great Plains Irrigation Experiment (GRAINEX), 30 May – 30 July 2018, a high-density network

of 75 EMESH stations was deployed to compliment sparser measurements from the National Center for

Atmospheric Research (NCAR) flux and sounding sites and the Center for Severe Storm Research (CSWR)

Doppler on Wheels radar system. GRAINEX investigates the impact of irrigation on boundary layer

processes, and EMESH is utilized to map heterogeneity of surface meteorological variables resulting from

irrigation and the subsequent mesoscale circulations. Additionally, atmospheric phenomena such as gravity

waves are captured by the EMESH network, enabling the study of these phenomena using a high-density

surface network.


Acknowledgement: NSF Award 1720417

PPS-35: The Fabrication of Zinc Oxide Films for Sensor Applications

Polius Jemilia R., Stephen Babalola, Mohan Aggarwal, Satilmis Budak

Physics Department, Alabama A&M University

In this work, the sol-gel and dip coating methods were used to fabricate zinc oxide (ZnO) films on quartz

(SiO2) substrates under normal laboratory conditions. The thin films were synthesized via the sol-gel

method by the hydrolysis of zinc acetate as the zinc precursor, isopropanol as the solvent medium, and

monethanolamine as the stabilizing agent. The substrates were cleaned and coated using the dip coating

apparatus to prepare thin films that consisted of 2 layers. Two cast films were prepared: one unannealed

and the other annealed at 500°C by direct insertion in a furnace operated under atmospheric conditions.

FTIR and Raman analysis of the resulting films were made to monitor the decomposition and oxidation

reactions that occur during the fabrication process as well as process stability. The results of this study

revealed that further adjustments must be made to the annealing perimeters in order to produce solvent free

zinc oxide films. We are confident that once the adjustments have been made, our method will produce

ZnO films in a simple and low-cost method that could produce an n-type material for use in energy

harvesting or other sensor applications.

Acknowledgement: Alabama Space Grant Consortium

PPS-36: Behavior of Horizontally Curved Steel Girder Bridges During Early Stages of Construction

Salarieh Baba1, Hongyu Zhou

Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Alabama in Huntsville

Horizontally curved I-girder bridges have been successfully fabricated and erected in the past decades and

they have performed satisfactorily under service conditions. However, curved girder exhibits different

behaviors from a straight girder during construction and service stages - i.e., their curved geometry causes

complex out-of-plane and torsional responses under self-weight and external loading. The most critical

stage for curved girders usually occurs during construction when limited lateral bracing is provided to

control the lateral displacement. Furthermore, the locked-in force caused by certain types of cross-frame

detailing and erection procedures may lead to notable construction stresses. Field monitoring of curved

bridges during construction stages provides valuable data to understand their behaviors, to identify the most

critical stages during construction, and to provide validation for computational models. In this light, this

research studies the effects of construction procedures on the stresses for a curved girder with relatively

large radius of curvature. The field experiment spanned multiple stages of construction, from trucking

loading at the fabrication yard, to girder transportation, superstructure erection, and concrete bridge deck

pouring. The field measurements were compared against analysis results using analytical methods (1D V-

load method) and 3-D FE models (LARSA 4D). The results indicate that the analytical and numerical

methods under study were able to accurately predict the bending stress of the girders during construction

stages, however, warping stress was generally underestimated.

Acknowledgement: Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) #930-926

PPS-37: New Approach to Tensor Completion

Sanogo Fatoumata, Carmeliza Navasca,


Department of Mathematics at University of Alabama at Birmingham

We propose a new algorithm for tensor completion. The tensor completion problem is about finding the

unknown tensor from a given tensor with partially observed data. While most tensor completion methods

use the Tucker model, our new approach uses the canonical polyadic decomposition model to reconstruct

the unknown tensor. We formulate a sparse optimization problem for recovering the canonical polyadic

decomposition of a given tensor with partial observed entries. The unknown tensor is reconstructed by

finding the optimal factors through linear least squares and the singular vectors through a proximal

algorithm of soft thresholding. The implementation is based on four linear least squares problems and a soft

thresholding. Our algorithm is fast and it does not rely on matrix SVD (or matrix singular value

thresholding). In our future outlook, we would like to include some sampling rates for our algorithm as well

as a regularized version of the optimization problem.

PPS-38: Resilient Power Systems Infrastructure Critical Interdependencies Subject to Extreme

Events

Sarker Partha

College of Engineering, Department of Systems Engineering University of South Alabama

Power systems infrastructure fulfills the critical role of ensuring the continuous supply of the electrical

energy that is one of the basic necessities and essential to the proper functioning of all the other critical

infrastructure systems such as transportation, water, gas, oil, financial and telecommunication services.

During major extreme events such as natural disasters, when the power system infrastructure takes heavy

damage, and electrical energy services experience severe interruptions, the paramount importance of this

infrastructure system comes to the fore. Understanding the dependency and interdependency relationships

between power systems and other critical infrastructure systems plays a key role in developing an effective

recovery plan leading to a more resilient community. The purpose of this research is to explore these critical

infrastructure systems and identify critical interrelations among them, by examining Hurricane Irma and

Maria induced power system and other critical infrastructure systems disruptions and recovery patterns in

Puerto Rico. The research uses regression analysis on post-disaster recovery data to extract and identify

these critical relations. The results indicate that significant recovery dependencies exist between the power

systems infrastructure and other critical infrastructures, namely telecommunication services, cell sites,

financial services, and water system, of Puerto Rico. These recovery dependencies or associations grant

valuable insight into critical infrastructure interdependencies and may, aid in integrating resilience thinking

into the design of power systems infrastructure, specifically in disaster prone areas.

PPS-39: Transitions Between Reciprocal and Non-Reciprocal Interactions in Complex (Dusty)

Plasmas

Scott Lori1, Edward Thomas, Jr.2, Jeremiah Williams3

1Physics Department, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 2Physics Department, Wittenberg University,

Springfield, OH

Dusty (complex) plasmas are four-component, low temperature plasma systems composed of electrons,

ions, neutral atoms, and micron-sized, charged particles (i.e., the “dust”). The dust particles become charged

through the collection of ions and electrons from the background plasma and are therefore coupled to the

plasma. Most importantly, the large mass of the dust particles (compared to the ions and electrons), means


that the dust component dynamics have much longer temporal (second) and spatial (mm to cm) scales; this

means that dusty plasmas are ideal model systems for studying the properties of plasmas that are often

difficult to probe in electron-ion plasmas. One important question is the determination of how the

thermodynamic properties of a complex plasma evolve when the inter-particle potential (e.g., the screened

Coulomb potential) is modified from a spatially symmetric to a spatially asymmetric structure. This

presentation will present initial results from molecular dynamics simulations. These simulations show how

modifying the symmetry of the interaction potential affect the spatial ordering and thermal properties of a

dusty plasma. It will be shown how this work is motivated by recent studies of dusty plasmas under

microgravity conditions.

Acknowledgements: NSF EPSCoR OIA-1655280, NSF PHY-1615420 and PHY-1740784, JPL RSA

1571699, DLR 50WM1441

PPS-40: A Survey on Transportation System Vulnerabilities and Cybersecurity Risks; Methods

and Strategies

Shojaeshafiei Mohammad1, Michael Anderson2 1Department of Computer Science, 2Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering University of

Alabama in Huntsville

Since the continuous process of attack and anti-attack in cybersecurity system will not stop at any points,

the consequences of the growth of cyber technology and attacks will affect an exponential number of users

every day. Recently Russia announced that their information structures have been under almost 25 million

cyber-attack during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, however they did not announce the amount of disruption,

but still it is an incredible amount attacks. The more sophisticated solution in cybersecurity will encounter

more sophisticated bypasses. Almost every day we are witness of cyberattacks not only in local or

nationwide environment but also from everywhere in the world to a specific target on the other side of the

world. Indeed, adding lots of security components in the system make them more secure, while, on the

other hand it introduces more security breaches to the adversary. Additionally, we know all threats and

attacks are not always from attackers or security experts, it may happen due to network failure. Obviously,

the main goal of organizations and enterprises are providing services without the disruption, and regardless

of the size or importance of those enterprises cyber-attack can be harmful for the functionality and the

exclusion of small agencies are not exceptions. In particular, in this paper we highlight the most common

vulnerabilities, risks assessment, approaches and mitigations in transportation system. We also introduce

the remaining research problems and shed light on the future directions of transportation and traffic system

risks and vulnerabilities.

PPS-41: Generation Types, Emissions, and Energy Price: A U.S. Case Study

Silveira Ana Luiza Fernandes

College of Engineering University of South Alabama

Renewable energy is the key change to a new era of smarter power systems, and its reliable integration to

the traditional energy grid still have several challenges to overcome. Economical, technological, and

physical investments in Distributed Energy Resources (DER) are indispensable to achieve a climate-safe

future, enhancing social welfare and economic growth. In this context, this paper studies the current energy

grid power generation arrangement to establish a feasibility baseline for future DER implementation, such


as Small Hydropower Plants (SHP) in a micro grid scenario. The authors explore the current energy grid

economic and environmental metrics related power generation composition. The approach uses a regression

methodology to ascertain significant power generation types influencing emissions and price in the energy

system. The resultant metrics establishes a baseline for future discussions regarding energy grid

configurations, strategies, and investment decisions to enhance renewable DER integration.

PPS-42: Predicting the Morphology of Silver Nanoparticles, from Integrated Approach of First-

principles Calculations and Monte Carlo Simulation

Sultana Hosna1, Eunseok Lee2 1Optical Science and Engineering, 2Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Alabama in

Huntsville, Huntsville, AL

Noble-metal nanoparticles (NP) demands more focus for their excellent material properties, such as

plasmonics, microbial, catalytic behaviors, etc. These properties should be tailorable by controlling the

morphology of NP the size, shape and crystallinity. However, controlling morphology is challenging due

to the lack of a complete model of the stochastic behavior of nucleation and growth of NP. In this study,

we present an integrated approach of first-principles calculations and Kinetic Monte Carlo method (KMC)

to simulate the nucleation and growth of NP at multiscale and elaborate the underlying mechanisms. We

calculated the formation energy of small size (less than 600 atom) atomic clusters of single-crystal and

multiply twinned particles using the density functional theory (DFT). We parameterized energy model for

bigger particle adding geometric parameter for the equilibrium shape crystal structure predicted by Wulff

construction. Depending on the resultant energy model, KMC simulation was performed based on the

molecular collision theory and kinetically Resolved Energy (KRA) barrier model. At each stage of the

formation process the temporal change of size distribution and morphology are obtained and used to

elucidate the governing mechanism. It is demonstrated that the formation process is separated into four

phases depending on the power-law time dependence of the particle formation and they are characterized

by the size difference between coalescent particles. The temperature dependence at each stage also studied

to compare between the activation energy barrier of particle formation and thermal energy to determine the

phase formation and crystallinity of NPs quantitatively.

Acknowledgement: U.S. Department of Energy DE-AC02-05CH11231

PPS-43: Nanoindentation and Nanoscratch Properties of Carboxylic Functionalized Multi-Walled

Carbon Nanotubes Epon 862 Composites

Syed Farooq, Shaik Zainuddin, Mahesh Hosur 1Department of Materials Science Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL

In this study, the effect of carboxylic functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (COOH-MWCNTs) on

mechanical properties were investigated using nanoindentation and nanoscratch tests. At first, 0.1-0.5 wt.

% CNTs were dispersed in Epon 862 resin using ultrasound and 3-roll mixing process and the composites

were processed using casting method. Neat samples without CNTs were also processed for baseline

comparison. Nanoindentation tests were then performed on these composites using 400, 600 and 800µN

force. Nanoscratch tests were also conducted in conjunction with atomic force microscopy. Composites

with CNTs loading showed enhanced hardness, elastic modulus and better wear resistance compared to

neat counterpart.


Acknowledgment: NSF HBCU-UP, RIA-HRD1409918, NSF-EPSCoR-1137681, NSF-REU DMR-

1358998

PPS-44: Probing Transient Nanoscale Electric and Magnetic Resonances of Dielectric Silicon

Metasurfaces

Tiwari Uddhab, Kannatassen Appavoo

Department of Physics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL

Controlling optical electromagnetic fields at the nanoscale has gained interest over the last decade since

they can improve device efficiency in the energy, telecommunication and medical sectors. Recently, it was

demonstrated that dielectric nanostructures can also create strong electric and magnetic near fields similar

to plasmonic nanostructures due to their strong Mie resonances. However, unlike their metallic counterparts

that can sustain mostly electric responses while having high ohmic losses, dielectric metasurfaces display

rich optical features with low parasitic loss. Here we study the steady-state and ultrafast time-dependent

optical properties of large arrays of dielectric silicon (Si) metasurfaces to understand how structural changes

of the unit cell structure, and variation of nanostructure size within an array affect its overall optical

performance. We fabricate silicon Nano disks using electron beam lithography and study their scattering

and absorption (extinction) properties using white-light broadband spectroscopy. Furthermore, we perform

ultrafast broadband transient absorption on these large arrays by exciting near (900 nm) and well above

(350 nm) the Si band gap to demonstrate how modulating the electron density dynamically modifies these

electric and magnetic resonances. We also plan to distinguish the electric and magnetic resonances using

3D full-field electromagnetic simulations and understand experimentally how their lifetimes differ.

Acknowledgement: UAB Physics Department’s startup funds, Brookhaven National Lab and

Department of Energy

PPS-45: Structure-function relationship of novel polyphosphonates and their application in ionic

conduction and as radio luminescent materials

Totsch Timothy Ross, Gary M. Gray

Chemistry Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Phosphorus-based polymers have exhibited a widespread use in multiple applications such as drug design

and delivery, biomedical infrastructure for implants, and as additives in flame-retardants. To further this,

our group has expanded this widespread use to the areas of ionic conduction and radio luminescence. Work

in this area has led to the successful synthesis of high molecular weight polyphosphates through a 1:1 molar

ratio polycondensation reaction of bis (diethyl amino) phenyl phosphine (PhP(NEt2)2) or its

anthracenylphosphine derivative ((C14H9) P(NEt2)2) with dodecanediol, 1,4-benzenedimethanol and tetra

ethylene glycol. Our objective is to exploit the modularity of this unique synthesis of polyphosphates to

apply them as materials in the previously mentioned research areas. The ionic conduction portion of this

research was aimed at designing a polyethylene oxide (PEO) backbone to mimic conducting polymers that

utilize the ionic interactions with Li+ to transfer and/or store charge. Materials such as these are desirable

for Li+ ion battery systems but require stability in order to address safety concerns. Phosphorus polymers

are widely used for their thermal stability or flame retardant properties and this could make for conducting

materials that are much safer than many current available options. In the direction of biocompatible radio

luminescent materials, polyphosphates can be designed with a naphthalene backbone structure or an


anthracene functional group, both of which exhibit x-ray fluorescent properties. Additionally, the similarity

of these polymers to bioanalgous structures such as DNA/RNA make them excellent candidates for

biocompatible materials. Thus, these materials possess potential for chemically activating

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2; a light-gated ion channel) in vivo.

Funding Acknowledgment: EPSCoR-RII Track-2 FEC

PPS-46: Shaped thermosensitive hydrogel capsules and micro particles of Poly(N-

vinylcaprolactam)

Trentle Miranda, Veronika Kozlovskaya, William Higgins, and Eugenia Kharlampieva

Department of Chemistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL

Improvement of temperature-responsive coatings and shaped carriers for delivery and release of drugs is

of great importance to enhance efficiency and reduce harmful side effects. Drawbacks of current polymeric

drug delivery systems are poor loading capacity, mechanical instability, and lack of controlled release. We

report on multilayer hydrogels that can form hollow microcapsules with variable thickness or Nano porous

micro particles of defined shape and dimension. Control of these properties is possible

through the manipulation of synthesis, allowing us to design drug-delivery with distinctive and reversible

temperature-responsive behavior. Both single-component capsules and micro particles are obtained by

sequential infiltration of poly (N-vinylcaprolactam-co-(amino propyl)-meth acryl amide) (PVCL-NH2)

copolymers assembled with poly (meth acrylic acid) (PMAA), followed by cross-linking of PVCL-NH2

layers with glutaraldehyde (GA), dissolving the inorganic template, and releasing of PMAA. The difference

between these syntheses is the sacrificial template that the polymer layers are assembled on. Solid

synthesized manganese carbonate templates of varying size are used for the capsules and porous manganese

oxide cores are used for the particles. Cubical hydrogel capsules are interfacial surface coatings of cross-

linked PVCL-NH2 chains on the solid cube of manganese carbonate, while cubical hydrogel micro particles

are negative replicas of the sacrificial mesoporous manganese oxide templates formed by cross-linked

PVCL-NH2. Once the PVCL-NH2 layers are cross-linked, the sacrificial templates can be dissolved by

use of hydrochloric acid. The presented approach advances an understanding of the fundamentals of

temperature-responsive hydrogel particles which integrate mechanical robustness, high loading capacity,

and controlled release in order to develop novel thermo-responsive vehicles for drug delivery applications.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR OIA-1632825

PPS-47: Surface Interactions of Non-Equilibrium Air Plasmas with Nano-fibrous poly(ε-

caprolactone) for use as Biomimetic Tissue Engineering Scaffolds

Tucker Bernabe S.1, Vineeth M. Viijayan1,2, Paul A. Baker2,3, Yogesh K. Vohra2,3, Vinoy Thomas1-3 1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, 2Department of Physics, 3Center for Nanoscale

Materials and Bio-integration, The University of Alabama at Birmingham

The use of Nano-fibrous polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering is highly recommended. The native

extracellular matrix possesses a Nano-fibrous morphology and can be copied to a high degree by using

electrospinning fabrication techniques. However, the surface characteristics of neat polymers are typically

less than ideal for biomimicry. Plasmas in the non-equilibrium regime are ideal for surface modification of

biomaterials especially due to their usable density of electrons, charged species, and radicals which

although are short lived yet can react with the surface to introduce new functionality. Herein is described a


methodology using air plasmas to modify the surfaces of Nano-fibrous electro spun poly(ε-caprolactone)

(PCL). The surface wettability is enhanced as evidenced via glycerol contact angle (GCA) as determined

by video goniometer. There are changes in the ratios of surface elements attributed to the modification

processes as determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, these scaffolds were

characterized via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR),

scanning electron microscope (SEM), and protein adsorption studies. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES)

was employed for characterizing the air plasmas. These scaffolds showed a decrease in contact angle owing

to increased wettability and increases in the surface oxygen content from as little as 2% to as much as 15%

depending on process parameters. The data support the conclusion that air plasmas are a reliable and

repeatable methodology for surface modification of electro spun PCL.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR RII-Track-1 Cooperative Agreement OIA-1655280

PPS-48: Flexible 2D MXene/Polyaniline Electrodes for Ultrafast Electrochemical Energy Storage

VahidMohammadi Armin, Majid Beidaghi

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Two-dimensional (2D) titanium MXenes have shown attractive performances as electrode materials for

electrochemical capacitors (ECs). However, conventional methods for fabrication of MXene electrodes

results in their restacking, decreasing ions accessibility to their redox-active sites and limiting their rate

capability. These problems are more significant for thicker electrodes and therefore, fabrication of MXene

electrodes with thicknesses and mass loadings close to commercial ECs have remained a challenge. Here,

we demonstrate a strategy to fabricate hybrid electrodes of MXene and a conductive polyaniline (PANI)

that despite their high thicknesses and mass-loadings show outstanding electrochemical performances. The

freestanding and flexible films of Ti3C2Tx/PANI were fabricated through an oxidant-free in situ

polymerization of aniline monomer on the surface of MXenes sheets. The hybrid electrodes delivered a

high specific capacitance of 503Fg-1 (1682 F cm-3) at a scan rate of 2mVs-1. Even for an electrode thickness

of ~ 90-µm (a mass loading of 23.82 mg cm-2), which is close to what is used in commercial ECs, these

hybrid electrodes delivered a specific capacitance of about 336 F g-1. MXene/PANI Hybrid electrodes

maintained their performance even at very high scan rates of 1000 mVs-1 and showed capacitance retention

of 98.3% after 10,000 cycles. These properties render the synthesized hybrid materials promising

electrodes for ultrafast ECs.

Acknowledgement: GRSP Rounds 11, 12, and 13, NASA Alabama EPSCoR Research Seed Grant

#: NNX15AK29A

PPS-49: Studies on the Influence of Organic Plasma for Generating Super Hydrophobic PTFE

Surfaces

Vijayan Vineeth M.1-3, Bernabe Tucker3, Paul Backer1,2, Yogesh Vohra1-3, Vinoy Thomas1-3 1Department of Physics, 2Centre for Nanoscale Materials and Biointergration, 3Department of Material

Science and Engineering

Superhydrophobic surfaces have recently gain increased attention as blood repellent surfaces for designing

blood contact medical devices. The lack of platelet adhesion over these surfaces endows it with the

capability to prevent thrombosis. In the present study, we evaluated the capability of methyl methacrylate

(MMA) –oxygen plasma to generate super hydrophobic surfaces. The combination of organic plasma of


MMA with oxygen has resulted in the generation of superhydrophobic PTFE surfaces with contact angle

of 154o. The observed phenomenon of super hydrophobicity can be attributed to physical etching of surface

of PTFE by oxygen plasma and the subsequent MMA/O2 plasma mediated surface chemical modification

MMA. The plasma treated PTFE surface was then systematically investigated using characterizations such

as XPS, FTIR, XRD, and DSC analyses. More importantly the low power (45W) and exposure time (1h)

to plasma was able to generate a super hydrophobic surface modification on the surface of PTFE, a widely

used polymer material for vascular grafts. The super hydrophobic PTFE surfaces may reduce thrombosis a

limiting factor for its use in small diameter PTFE vascular grafts.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR RII-Track-1 Cooperative Agreement OIA-1655280

PPS-50: Engineered Multifunctional Sand for Improved Adsorption of Storm Water Contaminants

in Fixed-Bed Column Systems

Vu Chi Thanh, Tingting Wu

Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, the University of Alabama in Huntsville

The degradation of water quality in the US is mostly contributed by nonpoint source pollution, in which

stormwater runoff plays a major role. Pollution from stormwater runoff is difficult to control since the

loadings of the runoff is diffuse and constantly varying. In this study, a multifunctional Al-Mg/GO coated

sand was synthesized using a simple method. The coated sand was used to address four major types of

stormwater runoff contaminants, namely nutrient (phosphate), metal (zinc), organic contaminant (caffeine)

and pathogen (E. coli). Batch isotherm and flow-through column experiments of phosphate, zinc and

caffeine showed good fits to Freundlich and Thomas models, respectively. Using the intermittent flow

experiment, better holding capacity of the coated sand than the pure sand toward E. coli was obtained. In

the revitalization/remobilization test, strong antibacterial activity of the coated sand was demonstrated. In

the last experiment that involved all four target contaminants in one run, the performance of the coated sand

was compared between synthetic and actual runoff solutions. Although the coated sand showed better

adsorption of phosphate, zinc, caffeine in the synthetic runoff than in the actual runoff (all pairwise p >

0.05), good performance for the actual runoff indicated that the multifunctional coated sand proved to be a

promising solution for future stormwater runoff management.

Acknowledgement: GRSP

PPS-51: Characterization of A Magnetically Confined Microwave Generated Plasma with Varying

Fractional Ionization

Williamson Eleanor, D.A. Maurer, D. A. Ennis, G.J. Hartwell


Understanding the transition region between fully ionized and neutral dominated plasma is important to the

study of the magnetosphere/ionosphere as well as the solar corona/chromosphere transition regions of the

earth and sun. We are exploring the use of the magnetic surfaces of a stellarator confinement device, the

Compact Toroidal Hybrid, to contain plasmas with widely varying fractional ionization with the goal of

studying those naturally occurring transitions. These plasmas are heated using ECRH at two fundamental

cyclotron frequencies of 17.65GHz and 18GHz with up to 10kW of power. A radially scannable triple probe

and optical diagnostics are used to characterize plasma parameters. We will discuss recent measurements

of the radial profiles of electron temperature and plasma density as well as the dependence of these


quantities on ECRH input power and neutral hydrogen gas fill pressure. Initial estimation of the neutral

Hydrogen density in the plasma using Hα emissivity measurements will be presented along with

calculations of the fractional ionization of these CTH plasmas.

Acknowledgement: NSF EPSCoR program (OIA-1655280), U.S. Department of Energy Grant No.

DE-FG02-00ER54610

PPS-52: Addressing Grating Lobes in Wide-Angle Scanning Phased Array Antennas

Zabed Iqbal, Maria Z. A. Pour

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Alabama in Huntsville

The element spacing plays a pivotal role in phased array antennas. In particular, elements spacing greater

than half a wavelength in phased array antennas generates unwanted grating lobes in the visible region,

which is worsened for wide scanned angles. In this study, a novel method is proposed to reduce grating

lobes by exciting higher order modes in planar, wide-angle scanning phased array antennas with large

element spacing of one wavelength. The phased array antenna under investigation is comprised of seven

elements with a triangular lattice. The antenna element is a dual–mode circular micro strip patch antenna,

capable of generating axial and conical radiation patterns by exciting the TM11 and TM21 modes,

respectively. For broadside and low scan angles up to 8°, only the dominant TM11 mode needs to be excited

and a shrewd amplitude tapering is sufficient to reduce grating lobes to well below -30 dB However, as the

main beam is scanned beyond the 8°, the grating lobe level starts to rise, and the conventional single-mode

antenna elements render ineffective to suppress the grating lobes to an acceptable level. Instead, it is found

that by employing an over-moded antenna element, e.g. simultaneously exciting the TM11 and TM21 modes,

one may effectively nullify the grating lobes even for large element spacing of one wavelength. The

proposed method also proves to be effective for wide scanned angles up to 65° with slightly smaller element

spacing of three-quarter of a wavelength.

Acknowledgement: NSF CAREER Award # ECCS-1653915

PPS-53: Improvement of Mobility and Stability of Motion of Skid-Steering UGV with New

Individually Steering Inputs on Severe Terrain

Zhang Siyuan, Vladimir Vantsevich

Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Conventional turning mechanisms of wheeled skid-steer vehicles provide different velocities of the wheels

at the left and right side while the wheels of each side are rigidly coupled and, thus, rotate with the same

angular velocity. This turning principle has been employed for decades and provided high turn ability of

small unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) in both indoor and outdoor conditions with a high grip between

pneumatic tires and surface of motion. However, as an analysis revealed, small UGVs habitually

demonstrate non-sufficient turn ability on deformable, extremely moisturized and heterogeneous terrains.

This research deeply analyzes the turning principle of conventional skid-steering wheeled vehicles and

tracked vehicles, and indicates the turning moment is the primary characteristic that dictates the actual

curvilinear movement. Based on this, this research proposes and develops new skid-steering inputs that are

associated with de-coupled wheels, which are individually driven by either mechanical drivelines or electric

motors. The skid-steering inputs are introduced as four kinematic discrepancy factors (KDF), which

individually and, the same time in coordination with each other characterize kinematic and force variances


of the UGV four drive wheels. In the paper, the KDF are explicitly determined as skid-steer variables

through tire characteristics and parameters of individual mechanical and electric drivelines. The KDF are

suitable for a lower vehicle sub-system control to individually manage the wheel torques. The effectiveness

of the skid-steering inputs is illustrated by analyzing vehicle understeer and oversteer maneuvers that are

caused by various combinations of terrain conditions. A smooth and continuous transition from one to

another KDF combination converts vehicle maneuvers and improves UGV turn ability and mobility.

Acknowledge: Southern Company.

Science & Technology Open House Poster Abstracts September 7 – 8, 2018

81Tuskegee University is accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master’s, doctorate, and professional degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Tuskegee University.

poster abstracts - uah...september 7 – 8, 2018 poster abstracts sponsored by alabama nsf epscor...

Documents