College of Engineering & Science
James Brannan and John DesJardins
Computational science is playing an increasingly important role in areas of bioengineering such as geometric modeling, simulation, computational biomechanics, statistical signal processing, control and optimization, medical imaging, and scientific visualization. This Creative Inquiry project will integrate mathematical and computational science into Bioengineering modeling and design problems, and will focus on current problems in bioengineering, the role of mathematics and computation in helping to solve these problems, critical thinking, working in multidisciplinary teams, and presentation skills. The project will promote interdisciplinary research between faculty participants and spawn Creative Inquiry Teams with a common interest in applying mathematics and computational science to bioengineering problems.
Jim Chamberlain and Mark Schlautman
The purpose of this CI course is to get students engaged in active design of appropriate technology that will benefit a developing community in El Salvador. Each semester one or two project modules will be scoped, researched and designed. Current modules include solar power design, wind power measurement, water supply and distribution, and sustainable sanitation systems. Some students will have the opportunity to travel to El Salvador to collect data and/or assist in the implementation of their project design. Non-engineering majors are welcome.
Jason Hallstrom
Embedded sensor networks enable a diverse range of applications targeting military, environmental, and emergency response objectives, among others. Yet despite their increased adoption, predictable network performance remains an aspiration; the necessary empirical foundations are incomplete. Our CI project centers on one gap in the foundation: Our group works to develop the empirical underpinnings of a predictive model of wireless link quality.
Douglas Hirt, Graham Harrison and Lisa Benson
This team focuses on the formation of polymer films, surface-modifying the films with specific drug molecules, and evaluation of the drug-release kinetics.
Scott Husson and Chris Kitchens and Lisa Benson
The goal of this experiment is to synthesize monomers that have a high affinity for CO2, and to develop surface treatments for cellulose membranes to increase the CO2 affinity to the surface. This will be useful in industrial smoke stacks or car exhaust systems to reduce CO2 emissions.
John Kaup
Join our group to analyze the impact of a service learning on science majors? Is there an impact for science majors (content knowledge impact) beyond the process focused skills being developed?
Mary Kurz
Project GADGET is conceived to engage students in the creative as well as technical aspects of research in genetic algorithms. It is freed from the time and budget pressures of traditional extramurally-funded research to provide an atmosphere in which ideas can be pursued, investigated and evaluated on their merits both in applied and theoretical contexts. However, the goal is to produce publishable research results in the theory and application of genetic algorithms. This goal will be achieved through a series of activities with concrete student learning objectives aligned with appropriate Clemson University General Education Competencies and Department of Industrial Engineering Program Outcomes, documented through e-portfolios, conference deliverables and journal deliverables.
Gretchen Matthews, Hiren Maharaj and Shuhong Gao
What makes a CD more pleasant to listen to than an old LP record? How do you know your internet transactions are secure? These are two examples of codes and cryptography at work. With the emergence of computer technology, Internet, e-commerce and wireless communications, reliable and secure communications of digital information have become an essential part of everyday life. Consequently, there are two main problems in data transmissions: (1) data distortion due to white noise and (2) data security in the presence of adversaries. Practical techniques for solving these problems use deep results from number theory and
algebraic geometry. The main goal of this project is to train undergraduates with real life problems and the related mathematics that can be used to solve them. The team will focus on the two topics described below, do mini-projects in each, and finally work on a more advanced project in one of the two areas. 1) Coding theory: An error-correcting code is used to provide
reliable transfer of information and protect against distortion of information. In fact, an error-correcting code is what makes a CD more pleasant to listen to than an old LP record. This is due to the fact that when music is recorded on a CD, additional, redundant information is also stored on the disc. Then if a scratch on the disc results in some information on the CD being lost or distorted, the redundant information steps in to help replace or correct the missing or distorted information. One of the primary goals of algebraic coding theory is to construct error-correcting codes that are efficient, correct many errors, and create fast algorithms for implementing these codes. To accomplish these goals, one may use linear algebra, abstract algebra, combinatorics, number theory, and algebraic geometry. 2) Cryptography: Cryptology is the science of secrets. It is a constant struggle between code makers (cryptographers) and code breakers (cryptanalysts). Cryptographers seek to construct cryptosystems secure enough to provide privacy while cryptanalysts try to figure out some way to invade this privacy. Cryptosystems enable private internet communication and secure military transmissions. Cryptology, especially relevant in today's increasingly digital society, uses high-powered number theory, abstract algebra, and computation.
Maria Mayorga
After attending many sporting events, the team began to notice the inconsistency of the line size at the concession stands at Clemson baseball games. After investigation, it was determined that the variable queues are caused by “bursty” demand periods. The team analyzed the concession stands at Clemson Baseball games to assess the current state of the system by gathering data to determine the arrival rate and average service times. The goal of the project was to make recommendations to ensure that the stands are more able to handle a rush of customers.
Brian Melloy and Delbert Kimbler
Integrating Creative Inquiry into the baccalaureate curriculum since 2007!
Stephen Moysey
In today’s increasingly global world, maintaining an adequate and equitable supply of water for people and the environment is a critical issue faced by all countries. We will explore this issue and become engaged as a part of the solution through the exploration of factors that affect the sustainability of water resources at home and abroad. The project will span three main focus areas: (1) investigation of water cycles and processes in natural environments; (2) evaluation of human impacts on water supply and quality; (3) appraisal of best management practices in the context of environmental, engineering, social, and economic systems.
Larry Murdoch
This year the Creative Inquiry Team developed and demonstrated methods for characterizing the flow of ground water up through stream beds, which is an important control on stream ecology and the migration of contaminants. We developed expertise with field methods for directly measuring ground water flow using seepage meters, and for indirect techniques for correlating flow to temperature profiles.
Larry Murdoch
This project is looking for students interested in new methods for exploring the Earth. An interdisciplinary group of students will design, build, test and demonstrate new research tools for the Geosciences.
Jiro Nagatomi
Sorry - it's full and we are not accepting applications for the time being.
Jennifer Ogle
In light of the recent pedestrian and bus injury crash on the Clemson University Campus, this creative inquiry team will undertake a critical assessment of pedestrian facilities, pedestrian and motorist conflicts, and facility design issues. The outcome will include a description on the state of the pedestrian facilities, and an implementation plan to incorporate innovative treatments for improved pedestrian safety.
Roy Pargas
This Creative Inquiry effort helps students learn how to take cutting edge computer technologies and to conceive, design, and develop software applications that enhance daily living and learning.
William Park
Interested in working on a mind-bogglingly complicated device? Join the CHORD project and help to renovate, augment, and modernize a large four manual organ. (The number of tone combinations possible with the instrument being renovated is greater than the number of sub-atomic particles in the known universe!) No experience is necessary and all majors are welcome. For more information, see the project website - open "The Student Team" menu and click "Join the Team".
William Park and Ben Sill
Interested in working on a mind-bogglingly complicated device? Join the CHORD project and help to renovate, augment, and modernize a large four manual organ. (The number of tone combinations possible with the instrument being renovated is greater than the number of sub-atomic particles in the known universe!) No experience is necessary and all majors are welcome. For more information, see the project website - open "The Student Team" menu and click "Join the Team".
Brad Putman
We will try to develop methods to use roadways as a renewable energy source. This will involve harnessing energy from temperature changes in the pavement, solar energy, energy resulting from traffic loading, etc.
Steve Sanders
The Strategic Planning Creative Inquiry Team will work with the Pickens County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) Board to define and document PCHFH strategic objectives, develop a plan for achieving the objectives within identified constraints, and measure and adjust performance as the plan is implemented.
Scott Schiff
The Clemson University ASCE Steel Bridge Team competes in a regional competition in the spring semester that serves as a qualifier to the National Student Steel Bridge Competition. For the past 11 years, Clemson has attended the national competition with several top-ten finishes including a championship in 2001. The competition requires teams to design and fabricate a bridge that satisfies the specifications (rules) developed each year. The scoring of the competition is based upon the ability to fabricate a lightweight bridge with enough strength and stiffness to support 2500 pounds of load with minimal vertical deflection. Another important aspect of the competition is the ability to quickly construct the bridge on a simulated construction site. Members of our Team will learn about the design and fabrication of structural steel and construction operations. They will also learn the importance of teamwork and how to function within a team and eventually gain leadership skills. The Team will also be active in public relations and fundraising. Each year, leadership of the Team is provided by those students with prior experience. New members are typically involved in the initial bridge fabrication after basic training and assembly of the bridge during competitions.
Kevin Taaffe
Research of healthcare facility evacuation planning in two main areas: 1) coordinating plan execution based on available resources, expected transfer times, etc. 2) improving patient safety and survivability through prioritizing patient transfers and analyzing risk.
Alexey Vertegel
The ultimate long-term goal of the project is to build a large-scale model of a human cell (e.g., 10 meters in diameter for a 10-micron cell) with interactive exhibits modeling various cellular and extracellular systems. For instance, double stranded DNA molecule in this scale would be 2 mm thick, viruses would be 3-10 cm in diameter, and bacteria would be 1-2 m in diameter. Visitors can walk inside and examine the interactive exhibits, as in a science museum. The goal for the first year is to build a model of a bacteria in the same scale as the future big cell, i.e. ~1 m in diameter, with several key interactive exhibits (e.g., working flagellum motor, protein expression machinery, bacteriophage).
John Wagner
Ooids are biochemically produced sediment grains which are present in many ancient limestone formations around the globe, but which are forming today in places like Andros Island in the Bahamas. Some students from the Spring 2007 GEOL 375 Bahamas Field Course wanted to continue their study of Bahamas sedimentary environments as a senior level research project. Their specific research question is "Ooids differ in their physical structure and chemical composition among different depositional environments." Other students are being recruited to assist the project in various ways, including library research, aerial photographic analysis, base map and study site characterizations, sediment sample analyses (both macroscopic and microscopic), geochemical characterizations of ooid formation, experimental modeling, website development, and graphic design for project presentations.
John Wagner
By institutionalizing creative inquiry experiences into the geology major requirements, this new series of one-credit courses serves as a common denominator for incorporating distributed general education competencies into the undergraduate research experiences with a focus on interdisciplinary investigations of the Clemson Forest. Students from several different creative inquiry projects meet together in class to discuss common themes and logistical considerations associated with all areas of geoscience research. They then meet in smaller groups with their research project advisor to discuss procedures and strategies that apply to that particular creative inquiry project.