STUDENT RESEARCH SHOWCASE 2019 PRESENTATIONS

Physics and Astronomy

The Search for a Better Synapse for Neurocomputing: A KMC Study of Defect-Modulated, Non-filamentary RRAMs under Pulsing
Akhilesh Balasingam, Archbishop Mitty High School

Neuromorphic computer architectures have the potential to become the backbone of all data-intensive, real-time inference tasks that rely on ML algorithms, because they are area, speed and power efficient. Nonfilamentary (nf) RRAMs are one of the leading candidates for realizing this vision because they are analogous to synapses in biological nervous systems. In this research, I developed a Kinetic Monte Carlo simulator to model and optimize nf-RRAMs for use as synapses in neural networks, identifying conditions that yielded learning accuracies in excess of 90% on a standard (MNIST) pattern classification task.

The Close Binary Star AL Sculptoris
Maya Beleznay, Pine Crest School

Binary stars are the key to finding the fundamental parameters of stellar objects. Moreover, they provide us with accurate distance measurements, which we can even use to find the distances of entire galaxies. In this project, we determine the fundamental parameters and the distance of the close binary star AL Sculptoris.

Differences in Impact Shock and Force of Impact in Pelvic and Mid-Upper Body Tackling
Megan Mondek, St. Thomas Aquinas High School

This project is based on the differences between rugby (pelvic) and football (mid-upper body) tackling in regards to which one is better when it comes to concussions and the amount of concussions caused. The project looks into impact shock to the head as a determining factor while using force of impact and the style of tackling affects the impact shock.

Diffuse X-ray Emissions from the Local Galaxy (DXL)
Drew Morris, Pine Crest School

DXL is an x-ray telescope that measures diffuse x-ray emissions from the local galaxy, namely from the Local Hot Bubble, in addition to measuring contributions from Solar Wind Charge Exchange in order to produce more a more accurate map of the Diffuse X-ray Background.

Genetic Consequences of Stiff-Conditioned Fibroblasts

Emily Pallack, American Heritage School Plantation

I examined the effects of stiff-conditioned fibroblasts and the genetic changes that may arise due to this biophysical property.

Plasmon-Induced Circular Dichroism in Triskelion-Based Gold(I) Metastructures with Deep Learning for Novel Advances of Cancer Therapeutic Development
Nikhil Vicas, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science

In order to reduce the inaccuracy of certain biochemistry methods, such as CD Spectroscopy and chiral nanosensors, I have research plasmonic chiral metastructures in triskelion geometries for more accurate bioimaging and cancer drug development.

Analysis of Magnetic Flux Surrounding Chromospheric Filaments Using Fibril Structure
Vivek Vijayakumar, San Marcos High School

The project intends to find differences and relations between two types of filaments/prominences on the Sun's chromosphere by analyzing the magnetic flux around them, using fibril tracers.

Studying Metals in the Circumgalactic Medium by Post-processing Cosmological Galaxy Simulations
Bryan Wang and Rishi Dange, The Harker School

This project involves the creation of a dynamic plotter environment that will aid astrophysical and cosmological researchers in studying the circumgalactic media (CGM) of galaxies in cosmological simulations. By simulating quasars, or sources of high energy, and then studying the resulting sightlines, the CGM of different galaxies can be studied for metal ion column densities, thus illuminating a part of the galaxy that has often been neglected simply due to its lack of light. Equipped with these tools, researchers can utilize this software package as both a validator and a medium for cross source comparison in galaxy simulations.

Orbital Determination of the Asteroid 6249 Jennifer
Shang Wang, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science

The exact positions of bodies in the Solar System are hard to determine because they change constantly. Asteroids can cause major destruction when they collide with a planet, especially with Earth or Mars (a potential candidate for future human colonization). Scientists determine the orbits of asteroids to predict their movement and prevent possible collisions. Notable examples of these efforts include the Spacewatch campaign and the Near Earth Asteroid Tracking program. My goal was to track and determine the orbit of the Mars-crossing asteroid 6249 Jennifer, in order to prevent its possible collision with Mars via deflection.

STUDENT RESEARCH SHOWCASE 2019 PRESENTATIONS

Physics and Astronomy

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