Due to the incompatibility of the Standard Model and General Relativity, tests of gravity remain at the forefront of experimental physics research. At HSU, undergraduates and faculty are developing an experiment that will test gravitational interactions at the twenty-micron distance scale, well below what has currently been tested. The experiment will measure the twist of a torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel-plate configuration which will provide a time-varying torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation will provide means to determine deviations from accepted models of gravity on untested distance scales.

Pressure Retarded Osmosis (PRO) is a renewable energy technology which captures energy from the osmotic pressure of salinity gradients across membranes. This poster presents a feasibility study of PRO at the Samoa Pulp Mill site by employing a pseudo-2-dimensional model to approximate the pressure drops and the salt and water fluxes across a spiral-wound membrane module. The net energy of the system accounts for parasitic loads including pretreatment, conveyance turbine and generator efficiency, and friction losses in the pipe networks. Technical and economic feasibility are evaluated in the project. The conclusions are that PRO is barely technically feasible and not economically feasible.

The project examined the damage caused to skeletal remains by ancient Mesoamerican weapons, due to the lack of research into this topic. The project focused on macuahuitls, wooden clubs lined with obsidian blades, which were produced through a combination of ancient and modern techniques. These weapons were then tested on animal crania acquired from a local butcher. The preliminary results show that the weapons left similar patterns of damage to the skeletal remains while having unique characteristics reflective of the individual weapon. These results show potential for future research in the area that could be compiled into a database similar to those used today for modern forensic cases.

Most scholars, following the analysis of Max Weber, agree that the modern notions of "using time wisely" emerged in the eighteenth century. This "economy of time" came out of a cultural milieu that was strongly influenced by both the Enlightenment and ascetic religious movements (English Puritanism, German Pietism, French Jansenism). This project closely studies the discourse surrounding the courtly entertainments (hunting, the theater, gambling) as a way to better understanding the emergence of this "economy of time." While both the early Enlightenment and ascetic religious groups argued that courtly entertainments were problematic, they did so for quite different reasons.

The the human body undergoes a suite of physiological changes during stress, including changes in blood flow. These changes in blood flow may be detectable using new thermal imaging techniques. The present study was designed to determine the time-course and topography of temperature changes in the face during the experience of a psychosocial stressor. Our results suggest that thermography may offer a non-invasive method for assessing arousal. This study is an important first step in assessing the sensitivity of this technology to various affective states. Additional research measuring different emotions is needed to determine the applicability of this technology in the public sector.

A new one-dimensional ocean wave model was derived and applied to the Humboldt Bay Channel. This model consists of the continuity equation and momentum equation which describe the incomprehensibility and movement of sea water. This model was digitized on a computer using the Octave programming language and simulations were ran for five different ocean swell scenarios. Wind generated this swell ranging in speed from 10 to 50 nautical miles per hour, yielding wavelengths in the range of 8.5 to 212 meters with wave speeds in the range of 2.8-14.8 meters/second. In all cases the measured speeds agreed the the theoretical shallow water wave speed.

Concluding the 21st century, changing atmospheric processes will alter regional resource availability increasing a nation’s fragility. To examine the interconnected nature among socioeconomic structures and ecosystem services, a model was developed that measures a nation’s fragility in six categories: political, economic, social, agriculture, water resources, and culture. The model was then applied to the 10th most fragile nation, The Republic of Iraq, and the 158th most fragile nation, The United States of America. The United States will too experience great changes in the environment, but accessibility to mitigate greatly reduces their progression to a fragile state in contrast to Iraq.

Inconsistencies between Quantum Mechanics and General relativity have motivated many new theories which unify these two very successful models of physics. Many of these theories predict changes to the behavior of gravity at the sub 50 micron distance scale, specifically deviations from the newtonian Inverse Square Law (ISL) and Weak Equivelance Principle (WEP). We measure the twist of the torsion pendulum as an attractor mass is oscillated nearby in a parallel-plate configuration, providing a time varying torque on the pendulum. The size and distance dependence of the torque variation provides a means to determine any deviation from the WEP or ISL at untested scales.

Through our service in College Corps, we bridge the gap between the lack of support for students and staff. With this experience we now understand both perspectives of the student and the staff when it comes to the pressures of the school system. In our time serving the importance of a positive student/staff relationship has become that much clearer. Work at our sites has not only brightened our perspective on the school system, but as well our career paths. As psychology majors, we have a goal to help and understand people's relationships. So with this hands-on experience, it has further confirmed what area we wish to study in.

My presentation is regarding the 1st Amendment, in which a student expressed her frustration on social media off campus regarding the selection of the varsity cheer team. She sued the school after the coach suspended her from the team for a year due to her post on social media. Case brief regarding the extend of the 1st amendment and regulation a school may do.