Download Research Areas and Research Projects of UARK Research Program

Research Areas and Research Projects of UARK Research Program
阿肯色大学科研项目科研领域及实验项目列表
1. 阅读说明
Option A：

2017 年 5 月 29 日-8 月 5 日；

全日制科研项目（每周约 35 小时，共 10 周）；
Option B：

2017 年 8 月 14 日-12 月 16 日；

全日制科研项目（每周约 35 小时，共 10 周）；
Option C：

2017 年 8 月 14 日-12 月 16 日；

科研+专业课程学习（每周 20 小时科研活动并参加 2 门阿肯色大学专业课程学习）；
Option D: Option A+B 或者 Option A+C
2. 科研领域及科研项目列表
Biological and Environmental Engineering
Title: Improving Water Quality
Description: The visiting scholar would work with existing research support staff to collect water samples,
analyze collected samples and interpret data on how land use influences water quality and where we should
target resources to improve water quality.
Option(s): A and possible B, C, D
Number of Student(s): One
Title: Waste treatment technologies for protecting air and water quality related to animal production
Option(s): A
Number of Student(s): Two
Title: Renewable energy production technologies
Option(s): A
Number of Student(s): Two
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Title: Bioconversion of wastes into value-added products
Option(s): A
Number of Student(s): Two
Biomedical Engineering
Title: Ventricular Assist Device
Description: Heart failure is the most common reason for hospitalization in the United States, and a chronic
condition that will progressively worsen if not treated. In the past, ventricular assist devices were only used as
a temporary bridge therapy until a patient received a heart transplant. However, these devices are improving
to a degree that they can potentially be used as destination therapy – a “spare heart”. Together with clinicians,
this group is aiming to create a new device that facilitates the positioning of the ventricular assist device and
operates the system in a novel fashion that aims to make the assist device more sustainable in long-term
treatment of heart failure.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis (SVAS)
Description: SVAS refers to a condition where there is a narrowing in the aorta right above the level of the aortic
valve. This often congenital defect is found in children who are born with a genetic condition called the Williams
Syndrome. SVAS is a challenging condition to assess, as routine ultrasound exams do not always provide
accurate information about the blood flow and pressure around this lesion. The SVAS group is using a novel
ultrasound technology called Vector Flow Imaging to better understand the implications of the lesions on the
blood flow and the work load of the heart. Vector Flow Imaging is a non-invasive imaging modality, which has
great potential in this vulnerable, pediatric cohort.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Venous Valve Prosthesis
Description: Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) causes issues that range from cosmetic to life-threatening for
millions of people in the U.S. The venous valve research group is collaborating with industry to explore the
potential for different tissue engineering strategies, and device applications, to create a prosthetic, transcatheter
venous valve.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
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Title: Stroke Retriever
Description: Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S with approximately one death occurring
every four minutes; it is also the leading cause of disability in the country. Until recently, administering
blood-thinners (anticoagulants) was the only way to treat stroke – a treatment that was often associated with
modest outcomes and bleeding complications. In the last decade, retriever devices have shown promising
results in removing the blood clot from the brain vasculature in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However,
stroke retrievers currently on the market still have issues such as device detachment (device material breaking
away from the catheter, where the device is introduced to the brain), brain hemorrhage and possibly life
threatening vasospasms due to mechanical trauma especially when clot removal requires several attempts, and
fragmentation of the target clot. The stroke team is exploring novel approaches to improve blood clot retrieval
from the brain and design a new, improved stroke retriever.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Nanotechnology in Treatment of Myocardial Infarction
Description: Every year approximately 735,000 Americans have an acute myocardial infarction, also known as a
heart attack. Despite successful treatment with a coronary artery stent or coronary artery bypass grafting, the
heart muscle cells that have died as a result of ischemia do not have the capability to regenerate, and the heart
heals by forming scar tissue. The scar, which does not contract, increases the work load of the heart muscle,
often leading to heart failure. The MI group looks to improve the delivery and differentiation potential of stem
cells in the regeneration of heart muscle tissue by using nanotechnology approaches.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Mitral Valve
Description: More than 40,000 mitral valve surgeries are performed each year in the US alone. The mitral valve
apparatus is one of the most complex cardiac structures, operating under the highest pressures of all four
valves in the heart. Repair is uniformly favored over replacement in almost all mitral valve pathologies
requiring surgical intervention. However, this advantage is contingent upon competent procedures and devices,
which is of paramount significance to long term success. Increasing repair durability requires diligent restoration
and support of the valve, re-establishing the natural biomechanics.
This project focuses on developing procedures to enhance mitral valve repair procedures and devices as well
as replacement devices and techniques from a rational standpoint to support the on-going improvement efforts.
Part of this work has already been adopted internationally by industry for mitral valve repair devices, which can
ultimately improve the lives of people with mitral valve deficiencies.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
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Chemical Engineering
Title: Forward osmosis for treating produced waters
Description: Forward osmosis is a new membrane processes that is being investigated for treatment of highly
impaired produced waters where current methods are less effective. Novel forward osmosis membranes will
be cast (including electrospun membranes). Testing of these membranes will be conducted using real
produced waters for oi and gas operations.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Design of novel membrane for ammonia removal
Description: The goal of this work is to synthesize and immobilize unique supermolecular macrocycles for
ammonium ion (NH4+) capture from a variety of wastewaters with high capacity and high selectivity.
Membranes and wafers containing these macrocycles will be fabricated via phase inversion or electrospinning
methods. These membranes have high permeability and high volumetric throughput and can be easily
regenerated.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Catalytic membranes for biomass hydrolysis
Description: Catalytic membrane reactors for hydrolysis of biomass and removal of the product sugars could
lead to significant savings if the sugars can be removed as they are produced. The need for cellulase enzyme
will be eliminated and degradation of sugars will be minimized. Our approach involves grafting catalytic
polymeric chains for the surface of ceramic membranes. Cellulose and hemicellulose are hydrolyzed at the
membrane surface. The resulting monomeric sugars are removed through the membrane pores while large
oligosaccharides are reject by the membrane. This project will involve modifying the membrane surface
chemistry in order to develop a catalytic membrane that will be tested using cellulosic feed streams.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Membrane bioreactor for removal of endocrine disruption compounds (EDCs) for direct reuse of
wastewater a drinking water
Description: Population growth, urbanization, industrial development as well as changes in agricultural and land
use practices have led to increased demand for water. Municipal wastewater reuse for the augmentation
of drinking water surface and groundwater supplies will be necessary to meet future drinking water
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needs. However it will be essential to validate removal of all potential contaminants. The presence of
endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in wastewater effluents is of major concern if wastewaters are to be
reused for use as drinking water. Here we will use a submerged membrane bioreactor to determine removal
efficiency of EDCs from municipal wastewaters.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: Using peptides to design catalytic nanoparticles
Description: In this project, students will have the opportunity to learn nanoparticle synthesis and to work with
synthetic and biologically produced peptides (short chain proteins) to make nanoparticles. The students will
learn characterization tools to be able to confirm nanoparticle formation and then test their materials for catalytic
reactions relevant to water treatment and energy applications.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student: One student
Title: Development and testing of catalysts for hydrogen production
Description: Hydrogen production from water is currently limited by the catalyst that facilitates the oxygen
evolution half reaction of water electrolysis. This project will focus on the synthesis, development, and testing
of non-precious metal oxide nanocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction. Students will learn nanoparticle
synthesis and electrochemical testing techniques
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Students: Two students
Title: Electrochemical nitrogen conversion
Description: In this project, students will study bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts that are used for the conversion
of nitrogen to ammonia or the oxidation of ammonia to nitrogen. These two processes are important as
ammonia is considered as future alternative fuel and because ammonia is used globally for fertilizer production.
The students will have the opportunity to synthesize and test catalysts for these two reactions using
custom-designed electrochemical setups.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Students: Two students
Title: Recycling of nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater
Description: Nitrogen and phosphorus are necessary for all life and thus are used in fertilizers for agriculture.
However, plant uptake of nitrogen and phosphorus is not always efficient and often these key nutrients are lost
to water runoff and wastewater. There is a need globally to recycle these nutrients instead of losing them to
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water run-off. In this project, students will explore the ability of a magnesium alloy electrode to precipitate
nitrogen and phosphorus from a synthetic waste water as a potential recycling process.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student: One student
Civil Engineering
Title: Sustainability of asphalt-surfaced roadways
Description: Worldwide, over 90 percent of paved roads use some form of asphalt concrete as the pavement
surface. Given a severe lack of funding to keep roads in good condition – and to rebuild failing roads – it is
vital that asphalt-surfaced roads are constructed more sustainably. This includes cutting costs for pavements,
and engineering pavements to last longer before needing rehabilitation. The University of Arkansas is
investigating materials and tests which would allow asphalt-surfaced roads to be more sustainable. We are
looking for students to work in the laboratory with asphalt materials and tests.
Option(s): A
Number of Student(s): Two students
Title: Examining the Role of Biofilm in Chloraminated Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Description: Investigate biofilms formed within water distribution system as precursors for disinfection
byproducts N-nitrosamines.
Option(s): A, B
Number of Student(s): Two students
Title: Nanoparticles and Wastewater Biofilms
Description: Project focuses on the interaction between engineered nanoparticles and wastewater biofilms.
Option(s): A, B
Number of Student(s): Two students
Title: Optical Remote Sensing of the Natural Environment
Description: Students will have an opportunity to work with various laboratory and field-based remote sensing
technologies (radar, reflectance spectroradiometry, gamma-ray spectrometry). Students may have an
opportunity to help collect data from locations of interest (field trips). Students with a background in engineering
or physics preferred, but not required
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
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Title: Developing Optimization Model of Parking Capacity Utilization
Description: Truck parking and hours-of-service (HOS) regulations are consistently reported as two of the top
ten concerns in the trucking industry according to an annual survey of industry stakeholders. Previous research
on parking shortages relied on qualitative, survey-based approaches. Unfortunately, these approaches do not
quantify the interaction between HOS and parking capacity leading to knowledge gaps. With the increasing
availability and wide-spread collection of truck GPS data, the proposed research will develop an optimization
model of parking capacity utilization subject to HOS regulations and roadway network characteristics.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Title: Shear Wave Velocity
Description: Estimating shear wave velocity structure of the Mississippi Embayment. Project will include using
GIS software and analyzing seismic data to develop shear wave velocity profiles throughout the Arkansas
portion of the Mississippi Embayment. This work will be used to better understand the distribution of ground
shaking intensity in the event of the large magnitude earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.
Option: A
Number of Student: One
Title: Rapid and non-destructive assessment of levees
Description: Rapid and non-destructive assessment of levees. Research involves comparing shear wave
velocity and resistivity measurements to cone penetration soundings and borehole logs taken along sections of
levee. Comparisons will be used to verify the use of shear wave velocity and resistivity for levee evaluation.
Option: A
Number of Student: One
Title: Meeting Planning Needs through American Transportation Research Institute truck GPS data
Description: Due to the increasing impacts of freight movements on transportation infrastructure, operations,
and the economy, planning and decision making bodies must consider freight at every stage of the decision
making process. In several states, GPS data provided by the American Transportation Research Institute
(ATRI) was used to derive freight performance measures, analyze truck trip characteristics, develop
origin-destination (OD) tables of statewide freight flows, and evaluate special topics such as re-routing patterns
due to incidents. This research will determine whether ATRI truck GPS data can meet statewide planning
needs in Arkansas.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): One student per option
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Electrical Engineering
Title: Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
Description: The work will be on optoelectronic materials and devices with the emphasis on nanomaterials for
solar cell, photodetectors and LEDs. Device fabrication is a must for the students.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Title: High Temperature Optoelectronic
Description: The research is about high temperature optoelectronics material, device and circuit design. We will
focus on wide bandgap materials and devices for high temperature characterizations and designs.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Three students per option
Exercise Science
Title: Cardiovascular and Thermoregulatory Research on Smokers and Non-smokers
Description: Conduct cardiovascular (blood vessels, heart) and thermoregulatory (sweating, skin blood flow,
body temperature) research on smokers and non-smokers as they exercise in the heat. Arkansas has the 2nd
highest rate of occupational, heat-related deaths. Smokers often work in jobs that involve heat stress, so this
research is important to identify any possible impairments smokers have related to handling the heat.
Option(s): B, C
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
Food Science
Title: Extraction and purification of bioactive compounds from fruit processing waste streams
Description: The research would involve extraction and purification of bioactive compounds from fruit
processing waste streams. We would test pressurized hot water (a green technology) parameters to optimize
extraction of the compounds from the waste materials and then evaluate various membrane techniques
(reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration) to concentrate bioactive compounds in the aqueous extracts.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): Two students per option
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Title: Effect of parboiling conditions on parboiled rice properties
Description: Parboiling includes soaking, steaming and drying stages, and each stage exerts different impacts on
the resultant parboiled rice properties. It is important to optimize the parboiling process according to the
properties for different applications. This project will investigate the soaking condition and the addition of other
components to improve the stability of the resultant parboiled rice.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): One student per option
Industrial Engineering
Title: Developing Optimization Model of Parking Capacity Utilization
Description: Truck parking and hours-of-service (HOS) regulations are consistently reported as two of the top
ten concerns in the trucking industry according to an annual survey of industry stakeholders. Previous research
on parking shortages relied on qualitative, survey-based approaches. Unfortunately, these approaches do not
quantify the interaction between HOS and parking capacity leading to knowledge gaps. With the increasing
availability and wide-spread collection of truck GPS data, the proposed research will develop an optimization
model of parking capacity utilization subject to HOS regulations and roadway network characteristics.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): One student per option
Title: Maritime Transportation
Description: Maritime transportation has a significant impact on gross output, gross domestic product, employee
earnings, and employment. This project investigates these economic impacts to enhance the understanding of
its importance and potential outcomes of a disruption to inform future investment decisions which can result in
sustainable growth in the regional economy.
Option(s): A, B, C
Number of Student(s): Three student per option
Title: Mitigate Inland Waterway Disruption Impacts
Description: To mitigate inland waterway disruption impacts, we have developed the cargo prioritization and
terminal allocation problem (CPTAP) to minimize the total value loss of disrupted barge cargoes. Ongoing work
will develop enhanced optimization approaches to CPTAP to provide decision support for disruption response
stakeholders in order to minimize the total value loss of cargo disruptions on the inland waterways.
Option(s): A, B, C
Number of Student(s): Three student per option
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Title: Data Mining Methodologies
Description: Using data mining methodologies to understand the association among comorbidities that are
leading to extended length of stay and higher total charges, so that hospitals can have better disease
management during patient admission processes. Students will be learning and using data mining methods,
and applying to a large healthcare dataset.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): 5-7 students per option
Title: Clinical Trial Design Addressing Overdiagnosis and Overtreatment of Breast Cancer
Description: Identify research prioritization on clinical trial design addressing overdiagnosis and overtreatment
of breast cancer using value of information methodology. The goal is to characterize the uncertainty in
cost-effective analyses informing decisions to reduce overdiagnosis and overtreatment.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): 5-7 students per option
Title: Data Visualization for Electronic Health Records
Description: Create data visualization for electronic health records so that disease-associated uncertainty and
risk can be conveyed to illiterate patients. In the meanwhile, patient-reported outcomes can also be
incorporated in the medical decision-making process.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): 5-7 students per option
Title: Control, Engineering, Modeling and Transportation Statistics
Description: Projects related to inventory control, quality engineering, statistical modeling and / or transportation
statistics.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): One student per option
Management
Title: Innovation and entrepreneurship processes
Description: The research project focuses on understanding innovation and entrepreneurship processes in
emergent industries or, in other words, how technology moves from basic and applied science towards
development and commercialization. Specific project activities include literature review and industry databases
research and analysis. By participating in this project students will learn about specific topics, such as
entrepreneurship and innovation, and become familiar with methodologies used in management research.
Option(s): A, B, C, D
Number of Student(s): 5-7 students per option
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Mechanical Engineering
Title: Developing Nanoscale Materials
Description: My research is focusing on developing nanoscale materials for new energies, especially for
rechargeable secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries. The students will get
training in nanosynthesis using atomic layer deposition and electrochemical testing of various battery systems.
Option: B
Number of Students: 2 students
Title: Development of a Robotic 3D Printing Platform
Description: In this project, you will work at the interface of 3D printing and Robotics. You will help develop a
next-generation robotic 3D printing platform which is likely to turn 3D printing into a mainstream manufacturing
method for future factories. You will learn the cutting edge of 3D printing and the process of how to build a 3D
printer, and a 3D printing platform, including mechanical system, electronic system, and the whole software
chain from CAD to firmware. Background in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Mechanical
Engineering, Good at one of the following: programming, embedded systems/microcontrollers, circuit design
and analysis, OR mechanical design.
Options: A or B
Number of Students: 5-7 students per option
Title: Fundamental understanding of bio-inspired mechanical designs and development of systems for
sustainability
Options: A
Number of Students: 1-2 students
Title: Using 3D printing to manufacturing micro-scales devices.
Description: The applications of these devices include microfluidic systems, biosensors, and 3D batteries.
Options: A, B, C, D
Number of Students: 3 students
Supply Chain Management
Title: Investigation on Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer Practices of Online Retailers
Description: This is an investigation on business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) practices
of online retailers. We use multiple sources of data (e.g. company data, web crawling, simulation, experiments,
etc.) and different statistical techniques (e.g. regression, survival analysis, content analysis, etc.). We are
flexible enough to adjust to students’ interests and skills.
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Option(s): A, B
Number of Student(s): 5-7 students per option
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