W&L Dept. of Physics and Engineering
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This collection contains the scholarship of students in the W&L Dept. of Physics and Engineering.
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Recent Submissions
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A Study of the Globular Cluster NGC 7089 Using RR Lyrae Distance Measurements (thesis)
Globular clusters are gravitationally bound groups of stars averaging about 13 billion years old. Since the universe itself is around 14 billion years old, globular clusters can give valuable insight into the formation ... -
Stochastic Models for mRNA Transcription (thesis)
Gene regulation is essential for the diversity and maintenance of life. The first step in protein production, and therefore the first step in gene regulation activities, is transcription. This thesis will outline and analyze ... -
Modeling Molecular Traffic: Theory, Simulations, and Potential Applications (thesis)
I present a traffic model inspired by the motion of molecular motors along microtubules, represented by particles moving along a one-dimensional track of variable length. As the particles move unidirectionally along the ... -
Analytical and Computational Study of Multi-temperature Kinetic Ising Models on Various Graphs (thesis)
We analyze a class of multi-temperature kinetic Ising models with Glauber dynamics on both one-dimensional lattices and Cayley Trees, focusing on the overall and sublattice magnetizations. Expectation values for one-dimensional ... -
Optical Properties of Self-Assembled Nanoparticle Thin Films (thesis)
In this thesis, we explore the optical properties of silicon-dioxide (silica) thin-films generated through the use of a process known as ionic self-assembly of monolayers (ISAM). This process may be repeated for multiple ... -
Directed Self-Assembly: A Study of the Effect of Electric Fields on Silica Monolayers (thesis)
In this thesis, we describe, analyze, and extend ionic self-assembly of monolayers (ISAM), a bottom-up nanostructure production technique designed to coat surfaces in uniform layers of charged nanoparticles. Using mean ... -
Is Detection of Colon Motility Waves Possible?: An Investigation of Two Spatial Filtering Techniques with Electrocolonography (EcolG) (thesis)
Electrocolonography (EcolG) is the study of colon motor activity via non-invasive, body surface electrical recordings, analogous to electrocardiography (ECG) for study of cardiac motor activity. EcolG was very recently ... -
Statistical Physics and Network Theory as an Interdisciplinary Approach to Legislative Forecasting
The current field of American politics, particularly within the legislative branch, is considered highly polarized and signicantly inscrutable. In the face of this shifting political landscape, attempts to rigorously ... -
Algorithm for Detection of Spikes in the Small Intestine: Investigating the Effects of Induced Ischemia on Small Intestine Electrical Activity (thesis)
This thesis presents an algorithm for spike detection designed to analyze data from induced ischemia experiments. Algorithm design and validation are discussed in detail. Other topics addressed include: electrical activity ... -
Low-Cost Techniques for Assessing the Quality of Drinking Water from Biosand Filters (thesis)
Over 4 million people worldwide are estimated to benefit from the biosand filter (BSF), an inexpensive point-of-use (POU) water treatment technology designed to remove turbidity, bacterial contamination, and parasites. The ... -
An Introduction to Stochastic Self-Assembly: Theory, Simulation and Experimental Applications (thesis)
We introduce three stochastic cooperative models for particle deposition and evaporation relevant to ionic self-assembly of nanoparticles with applications in surface fabrication and nanomedicine. We present a method for ... -
Modeling Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles: Cooperative Sequential Adsorption with Evaporation and Time-Varying Rates (thesis)
I review several cooperative sequential adsorption (CSA) approaches with and without evaporation to modeling particle deposition in ionic self-assembled monolayers (ISAM). I then build on the mean field method by introducing ... -
Square Wave Optimization in Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers Subjected to Polarization-Rotated Optical Feedback (thesis)
I experimentally study the dynamics of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) with polarization-rotated optical feedback. This type of semiconductor laser naturally emits linearly-polarized light and can elicit ... -
Self-Assembled Antireflective Coatings Using Silica and Titania Nanoparticles (thesis)
Antiretlective coatings have a wide range of applications, from eyeglass and camera lenses to solar panels, and from microscope lenses and optoelectronic devices to skyscraper windows. It is well known that an uncoated ... -
Analysis of the Buoyant Plume Above a Heated Horizontal Cylinder in a Free Convection Flow (thesis)
Years of experimentation have confirmed that the buoyant plume above a heated horizontal source sways [1-15]. The plume generally begins as a plane near the cylinder and forms a sinusoidal, oscillating wave as it rises ... -
The Fabrication of Antireflective Coatings by the Self-Assembly of Silica Nanopartical and Polycation Bilayers (thesis)
This study examines several factors that affect the quality of antireflective coatings created by the self-assembly of alternating layers of silica (SiOz) nanoparticles an poly(allylamine hydrochloride) or poly(diallyld ... -
A Study of Simple Non-Equilibrium Statistical Physics Models: Molecular Motors and Traffic Jams (thesis)
Traditionally, the objective of science has been to understand the fundamental simplicity and elegance of the laws of nature. The advancement of the human race has for a long time been predicated on the scientific discovery ...