2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session A All Disciplines Ballroom
Surface Charge Carrier Mobilities in Organic Semiconductor Materials by Field-Effect and Time-of-Flight Measurement
Techniques
In a number of electronic devices (such as field effect transistors), the transport of the charge carriers (electrons and holes) is on or near
the surface of the material. The mobility of a material is a quantity that relates the charge carrier transport speed under an applied electric
field, and can be computed from time-of-flight (TOF) measurements. Field Effect Transistors (FETs), in general, operate by inducing a field
between the gate and body of the device resulting in a buildup of charge carriers at the body surface to form a channel of charge.
Contacts near each end of the channel allow current to flow through the device, provided that the channel has enough charge carriers
present; the mobility of the carrier influences the device's current capability. The mobility of charge carriers in a FET can be computed
from current-voltage data from the FET. In this project, we will fabricate organic field-effect transistors (OFET) using rubrene crystals. We
will characterize and compare the surface charge carrier mobilities of the rubrene crystal using TOF and standard FET device
characterization techniques.
Presentation Index: A41
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering; Physics
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Magnan, Brandon; Holste, Tor
Vogt, Timothy; Lidberg, Russell
Powertrain for an Electric Motorcycle
Our goal is to provide a reliable, zero emission, and efficient alternative to a combustion engine which will be used for commuting in city
traffic. We will be replacing the gas powertrain of a motorcycle with an electric powertrain. The electric powertrain consists of the electric
motor, electrical control system, batteries, and a battery recharging system. The battery recharging system will connect to a regular
household outlet. This will provide an alternative form of transportation and reduce pollutant emissions. All of these components will later
be mounted to the electric motorcycle. Using knowledge acquired from coursework, and research going beyond the classroom, we will be
designing the necessary components to integrate all of these systems into one.
Presentation Index: A42
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Krehic, Damir; Tatge, Zach; Suzuki, Motohisa
Glazos, Michael
Control Interface for Electric Motorcycle
The goal of this project is to design and build lighting, braking, sensor, and display systems for an electric motorcycle capable of carrying
one person. The complete system will include batteries to supply power to the lights, sensors, brakes, and display along with a charging
system for the batteries. The system will be able to operate continually for a minimum 4 hours without recharging. The lighting system will
consist of headlights, brake lights, and turning signal lights. Each of these would be implemented using ultra bright LEDs. The braking
system will be realized by adapting the current mechanical system to work with an electric motor. The sensor system will include sensors
to monitor the speed of the bike, the charge of the battery for the main motor, charge of the battery for the lighting system. The batteries
must have sufficient capacity to supply power to all the systems. The charging system will bring the batteries to full charge within 8 hours
of continuous charging. This project will use electrical knowledge to help address the problems of fuel consumption and further the pursuit
of environmentally friendly transportation.
Presentation Index: A43
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Steckelberg, John; Toomey, Jesse; Sappurissakul, Sutee Glazos, Michael
Quantity and Quality of Suspended Particulate Organic Matter Upstream and Downstream of a Series of Surface Release
Impoundments on the Upper Mississippi River
Impoundments can impact a river in many ways. They can change the river flow and temperature, as well as impact the quantity and
quality of particulate organic matter (POM). POM is an important food resource for many bottom-dwelling invertebrates, such as insects. A
study was conducted on the Upper Mississippi River to compare the differences in both the quantity and the quality of the POM that flows
into the reservoir to that which flows out of the impoundment. It is hypothesized that the carbon to phosphorous ration will decrease below
the impoundment. There will also be an increase in the amount of find POM. Nine, one liter samples were collected upstream and
downstream of four impoundments on the Upper Mississippi River. The ratio of organic to inorganic particulate matter will be determined.
The quality of the samples will be determined by comparing the ratio of carbon to phosphorous.
Presentation Index: A44
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Mankowski, Joshua
Voelz, Neal
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 29
April 22, 2008