Slatt Fellowships

"Utilization of molecular dynamics to understand solid-state thermal energy devices." To develop a molecular dynamics computer code to analyze the flow of heat in a solid in the form of phonons and to study the transfer of phonons and the interaction between phonons, which will provide a fundamental understanding of solid-state thermal energy devices for the purpose of increasing their thermal efficiency and to understand the physical processes in solids that are fundamental to the heat and other energy related applications.

"An experimental study to optimize active flow control actuators for wind turbine load control." To investigate an active flow control scheme based on plasma flow actuators that can provide direct lift control for a wind turbine airfoil section, which will help to alleviate structural vibration caused by vertical and horizontal wind shears, gusts, and changing wind directions that can lead to blade and/or power train fatigue problems.

"Solubility of uranyl peroxide hydroxide spherical nanoclusters." To utilize the differing solubilities of the wide range of nano-scale uranium peroxide hydroxide clusters that are synthesized in alkaline aqueous solutions under ambient conditions in new approaches to actinide chemical separations, which may make them especially suitable for large-scale use in separations.

"Absorber/stripper for CO2 separation from gas mixtures." To design and construct a laboratory scale absorber/stripper for the purpose of demonstrating how ionic liquids can remove CO2 from gas mixtures such as O2, N2, Ar, and H2 in both post-combustion and pre-combustion situations.

"Examining the role of temperature on the fitness of butterflies outside their distribution range." To study the impact of temperature and changes in temperature on the geographic range of the Propertius duskywing skipper, Erynnis propertius, by investigating the temperature dependence of flight in this species and whether populations of Erynnis propertius could persist in unoccupied habitats just outside their historic distribution, determining if climate is a key limiting factor in the distribution of this species and thus if climate change could open new habitats to population establishment.