Updates

It’s been awhile but I haven’t forgotten about this Wonderful Learning experience provided through UTA with the sponsorship of NSF. I am currently enrolled at UTA pursing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a concentration on Environmental Engineering. I made an excellent choice on deciding to attend here to further my education.

Day of Presentation

My research colleague Nathaniel and I at the REU presentation.

School Business

The summer has came to an end. I must say I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge this summer. The REU program this summer has given me a head start in my academic course work this summer. I feel better prepared to achieve the academic goals I have set for myself this year.

Presentation Day!

Poster Day!

Today has been a productive day; I have printed my poster and organization the information I wanted to include in my presentation this Friday.

REU Research Paper

Tragan Knight

Air Dispersion Modeling Research Project Reflect Paper

University of Texas at Arlington Research Experience Undergraduate Internship 2012

July 27, 2012

What is engineering? What are the components of ethics engineering? As a society, how can engineering be improved? Here are a few of many questions that were asked on the first day of orientation at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) in the latest gold star engineering building by Dr. Yazdani, who is the Department Head of Civil Engineering at UTA. Each question was thoroughly answered by a series of lectures from several professors of various backgrounds. As the first day of orientation progressed, I began to feel more certain that engineering is the field I want to pursue. In addition to receiving a solid foundation on engineering and engineering ethics, we all were briefed on our individual projects.  My research topic this summer was Air Dispersion Modeling; it was under the leadership of Dr. Melanie Sattler, Dr. Yvette Weatherton, and Ph.D. student Roja Haritha Gangupomu. The research focused on potential radiological scenarios using Air Dispersion Modeling Software called Hospot.2.07.2. The purposes of this study were to model potential radiological dispersion scenarios, evaluate selected radioisotopes behaviors under a variety of meteorological conditions and compare atmospheric stability classes. In the process, I learned more than I could have ever imagined. For example, in the research process I acquired more knowledge on researching techniques and creating a scientific poster.

This experience at the University of Texas at Arlington was very similar to some of my other research opportunities. Last year, I participated in the Big Thicket Summer Research Institute were I studied the behaviors of Beetle Larvae on Myxomycetes using light and scanning electron microscopy. We were required to read background information the topic, compose a research paper, create a scientific poster and present our findings.  In contrast to the Big Thicket Summer Research Institute, in this program we were asked to a create website containing our research information. I felt accomplished when I created www.tjkreu.blogspot.com  because this was something totally new as well as exciting.

The program was actually what the brochure stated along with previous student comments. I found that you can learn tons of information within 6 weeks you can build professional relationship with and created long lasting friendships. Overall, the REU program influenced my decision on attending the University of Texas at Arlington in the fall of 2012 to study Civil Engineering with a concentration on Environmental Engineering. I know what I learned this summer will give me a head start for my upcoming years at UTA.

This summer I learned that field of Environmental Engineering or Engineering in general has no gender or ethnicity group associate to it. Whether an individual is a male or female, Caucasian or African American like me, if engineering is your passion, turn your passion into prosperity by pursuing your desired goal. I also learned the opportunity for minorities are limitless. Being in the REU program has taught me that if you apply yourself that the impossible can be possible.

All in all, my experience here at UTA was GREAT! I really enjoyed learning and seeing myself grow as student and individual. I managed to gain skills and techniques that can be applied towards my undergraduate studies and eventually my graduate studies. Not only have this program inspired me to pursue a graduate degree but become Dr. Tragan Knight one day in the field of Environmental Engineering. I feel prepared and equipped with the tools to start building that path of success towards my graduate degrees. Next summer I looked forward to continue building on the foundation of what I have learned this summer from the REU program. I believe with dedication, perseverance and time anything is possible and it was proven this summer with my research on Air Dispersion Modeling.

Holcim Tour

Today I toured Holcim production plant. I seen the process of cement making. It was very interested.

Hard Work!

Today has been a successful day I must say I was able to complete my poster on Air Dispersion Modeling I am very pleased on how it turned out. Now time to work on my reflection paper and presentation. Here is the finish product on the research conducted this summer.

Study Time

Today I did studying for my presentation on this week. I reviewed the mathematical equation that calculates air pollutants dispersed into the atmosphere.

Public Speaking...

Today was a successful day! I was able to complete my scientific poster on Air Dispersion Modeling and begin my reflection paper on the REU program at University of Texas at Arlington. In addition to completing the poster, my partner, Nathaniel Tidwell and I received a brief lecture from Dr. Sattler on public speaking. She provide us with 10 simple rules and the follow as; know your material, practice your material, know the audience, know the room, remain calm, capitalize the speech, stay focus, gain knowledge, avoid nervousness and concentrate. I believe the tools given by Dr. Sattler today will be very useful in the upcoming days for Nathaniel and I.

Learning Is Fun!!!

My research of Air Dispersion Modeling has been going wonderful. I have had the opportunity to learn new software material related to the field of my study. On Tuesday I had the opportunity to bond and connect with my fellow REU interns because Dr. Yazdani reserved the University of Texas at Arlington Billiards and Game Room for us. We had a Blast! I have learned engineering is beyond a measurement or calculation. Engineering is taking the experience and knowledge that you have gain as an individual to make something or someone else better, that’s true engineering.

Cowboys Stadium

Yesterday was interesting I was able to see Engineering at its best at the Cowboys Stadium. We as REU Summer interns at University of Texas at Arlington were led by a tour guide by the name of Marcus Barnet who gave us rich history about Jerry Jones (Cowboys’ Owner) and the Cowboys organization. The facility features were amazingly jaw dropping. I never seen a place what so much thought in its development.

Dr. Tragan Knight

 Today we had a lecture on graduate studies and research beyond a four year program or bachelor’s degree. I was informed that it is imperative to further your education after receiving your Bachelor degree because it provides more career opportunities as well as increase your knowledge in your desired subject. I also learned that are many different avenues to funding this incredibly expensive cost such as sponsorship and apprenticeships. After this lecture and round table discussion with current graduate students it allowed to me see that I want to further my education in Material Science and a PhD in Environmental Engineering.

Dr. Tragan Knight

Research Underway

Today I gathered and organized the parameters that will be used in a case study using the software HotSpot.

Radionuclide Research

In preparation to model a case study in the Dallas/ Fort Worth subdivision using the Hotspot program to predict the concentrations in the environment from radioactivity I research radionuclides. In my research I found a few radionuclides that will assist me as I use the Hotspot software for scenarios.

Progression

Today was a very successful day!!! I chose the radionuclides I will be using to perform my Hotspot scenarios. J

In the Zone

Today was an exciting day I had an opportunity to use the Air Dispersion Modeling program Hotspot. I read the manual as well as practiced a couple scenarios. The research on radionuclides to use in the case study has been a bit of a challenge because of very little data on its association with Air Dispersion Modeling.    

Gaussian Plume Equation

Gaussian Plume Equation

Today I learned about the Gaussian Plume Equation and all the factors associated with that. The Gaussian Plume Equation is an equation used in a computer program to calculate and analyze meteorological dynamics under a variety of conditions.  As you input certain parameters into this equation you are able to see how various factors effect to overall value of the Gaussian Plume Equation such as the height of release, radionuclide mixture, and stability class.

Background Knowledge

Here are a few terms that will assist in better understanding the Air Dispersion Modeling Project.

Turbulence- rough, choppy, erratic, randomness, unevenness

Eddies-chunks of glob fluids (few centimeters to hundreds of meter)

Turbulence Types

A). Mechanical Turbulence- produce by wind speed and terrain roughness

B). Thermal Turbulence- increases with solar radiation

Researching Ideas on Air Dispersion Modeling

This project of Air Dispersion Modeling will have a few objectives that I will look at. It follow as height of release, radionuclide mixture and stability class. Stay tune for more to come.

The Start!

“Dilution is the solution to pollution. “  The statement that Dr. Sattler stated to Nathaniel (my fellow research partner) and I before she introduced her lecture on Air Quality and Wind concepts.  After receiving informative concepts on how wind takes place. Nathaniel and I begin to deliberate about how we can use Hotspot 2.07.2 to test and analyze of our theories.

What is Air Dispersion

What is Air Dispersion Modeling? Today a PhD student by the name of Roja Haritha answered this question in great detail. Air Dispersion Modeling is a method to analyze and evaluate concentrations of chemicals released into in the environment.  In addition to this lecture on Air Dispersion Modeling it was introduce to a program called Hotspot. The program Hotspot 2.07.2 will assist me in calculating the data once I have set certain parameters into the Hotspot system.  

Lecture on Engineering Ethics

Today’s lecture regarding Ethics on Practical and Research applications from Dr. Weatherton provided a wealth of knowledge. I learned the official definition of ethic which is simply a set of rules that protect the safety, health, and welfare of the public. As we continued our lecture, we read and evaluated many case studies on current ethic problems to acquire further knowledge on this subject.

UTA 2012 Research Experience for Undergraduates

The National Science Foundation (NSF) believes educating future generations in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to ensure that Earth’s Environment remains healthy.  To ensure this process is a success the NSF partners and funds universities to research projects regarding Earth’s Environment.  This summer I will be participating in the University of Texas at Arlington Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site on Hazard Mitigation Program.  The area I will be researching is Air Dispersion Modeling: Planning for Airborne Terrorism Releases in Dallas- Fort Worth subdivision.  As time passes throughout these six weeks of researching I will be posting new findings or anything important related to this project.