The TaskTimer project focuses on the development of an automated task management board designed to support individuals living with dementia and other memory-related conditions. People with dementia often benefit from consistent routines and clear visual reminders, but traditional task boards require manual resets and caregiver supervision. The TaskTimer addresses this challenge by providing an electronic system that displays daily tasks, allows users to easily mark them as complete, and automatically resets tasks at midnight. The system uses an embedded computing module connected to a display to present tasks in a clear and simple interface. When a task is completed, the next action moves into view, helping users stay focused on what needs to be done next. Tasks can also be scheduled to appear on specific days or exist for only one day, allowing routines to be tailored to individual needs. In addition, a caregiver application was developed to allow caregivers to remotely add or modify tasks, monitor whether tasks have been completed, and manage the user’s schedule. By combining an accessible task display with remote monitoring capabilities, the TaskTimer helps individuals with dementia maintain daily routines while reducing the level of supervision required from caregivers.

Abstract

The development of large-scale photovoltaic systems in high-irradiance regions can significantly support the decarbonization of the electricity generation industry. This project presents the design of a 20-MW grid-connected photovoltaic power plant in Ouarzazate, Morocco. Hourly solar irradiance data from 2017 to 2019 were used to compute plane-of-array radiation and the resulting power output with a module nominal efficiency of 22%. The required panel area was determined from rated conditions, and the annual energy production was calculated by summing the hourly energy generation. Results indicate an annual electricity generation of approximately 55.9 GWh with inter-annual variation below 5%.

This project presents a preliminary design for a 20 MW thermal biomass power plant in southern Louisiana. The proposed plant will use a blended biomass fuel stream based on regional availability, including rice hulls, bagasse, and switchgrass/wood chips (planned 30/30/40 mixture, with final basis and assumptions to be justified). The analysis will use standard thermodynamic notation and methods from class and the textbook.
A Rankine cycle model will be used to estimate the plant thermal energy requirement and determine the annual energy demand (MJ/yr) needed to maintain the target electrical output. Using lower heating value (LHV) data from biomass property tables, the study will then calculate the required annual biomass consumption (kg/yr), including the mass of each biomass type in the proposed blend. In addition to the energy balance, the project will evaluate biomass transportation logistics by estimating the number of truckloads required per year and the land area needed to support switchgrass production within the regional agricultural system.

This poster presents the structural design of the Automated Parts Washer (APW), a senior capstone sponsored by Mary Kay and developed by engineering students at Texas Christian University. The APW is designed to provide an automated ultrasonic cleaning solution for cosmetic manufacturing components such as nozzles, caps, and trays. All structural components of the system have been modeled in Autodesk Inventor to enable a fully integrated digital design environment that supports visualization, dimensional coordination, and verification of system layout prior to fabrication. The washer frame utilizes 80/20 aluminum structural members, selected for their strength, modularity, and ease of assembly. This material choice provides flexibility in frame configuration, allowing rapid design iteration and future modification while maintaining robust structural support for the fluid-filled wash tank, ultrasonic hardware, and plumbing systems. The resulting design balances structural integrity, manufacturability, and adaptability for prototype construction and testing.

This paper presents the design and electrical performance analysis of a 10-MW
grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) power plant located west of Fort Worth, Texas, in a region selected for high solar irradiance, flat terrain, and transmission accessibility. Emphasis is placed on electrical system architecture, including module configuration,
DC string sizing, inverter selection, transformer integration, and interconnection with the utility grid. A single-axis tracking (panel pivoting) system is incorporated to maximize incident solar radiation and increase daily energy capture. Parametric studies
are performed on tilt angle, tracking strategy, module efficiency, and inverter performance to evaluate their influence on overall system output and electrical efficiency.

This project aims to retrofit and build on the first iteration of the Coté Cruiser, an autopiloted Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) originally developed for automated sonar surveys. It established the baseline for autonomous navigation and sonar data logging, but the second iteration will enhance the craft’s power, sonar system, and real-time diagnostic capabilities. These upgrades provide a significant use case for the project sponsor, Freese and Nichols Inc., particularly in San Antonio, where underwater structural surveys of the river could potentially save the city nearly $2 million in damage funds.

This project focuses on the development of a biological and environmental sensor network to monitor the health and feeding behavior of oysters. This system utilizes a specialized cage design to consolidate oysters and sensors into a single, high-precision monitoring hub. The system correlates oyster valve gape activity - specifically feeding duration and frequency - with real-time water quality parameters such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a. These upgrades provide a significant use case for the project sponsor, Freese and Nichols Inc., by establishing a scalable model for remote water quality monitoring that can be expanded across the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

The increasing accumulation of plastic waste in landfills has created a need for innovative recycling solutions. This research explores the use of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and polypropylene (PP) waste to produce plastic-sand composite bricks, inspired by the work of Gjenge Makers. In addition to evaluating the strength and durability of these bricks, the study analyzes the amount of recycled plastic incorporated into each and its potential to be remelted and reused, continuing its lifecycle. The plastic-sand composite bricks promote sustainable building practices while removing immense amounts of plastic from local landfills.

This study presents the preliminary design and performance assessment of a 12-MW utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant proposed for Hebbronville, Texas. The site was selected due to its high solar irradiance, land availability, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. Solar resource data obtained primarily from the NREL database, using two years of solar data, is used to evaluate system performance. The study analyzes plant layout, PV module and inverter selection, and the use of fixed-tilt and tracking panel configurations. Using photovoltaic performance factors (POFs) and standard generation calculations, the plant’s expected power generation and annual energy production are estimated to evaluate the anticipated performance of the system.

This project designs a 15-MW photovoltaic (PV) power plant, located just outside San Angelo, TX in San Saba County, Texas (30.98∘N, −99.00∘W), to evaluate the performance trade-offs between two configurations: a fixed-tilt stationary system and a horizontal single-axis tracking (HSAT) system. Utilizing three years of meteorological data (2021–2023) from the NREL National Solar Radiation Database, the study will perform parametric analyses on the Ground Coverage Ratio (GCR) and DC:AC loading ratios. Calculations will determine annual energy yield, Performance Ratio (PR), and Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). Results will quantify the energy gain of tracking systems against increased land requirements and O&M costs, providing a technical justification for solar deployment in the Texas CREZ corridor

This poster presents the electrical and controls design of the Automated Parts Washer (APW), a senior capstone sponsored by Mary Kay and developed by engineering students at Texas Christian University. The system will integrate sensors, actuators, and a programmable control architecture to automate the washing cycle while minimizing operator intervention, designed to improve efficiency, safety, and consistency in industrial component cleaning.. A PLC control system coordinates key subsystems including fluid pumps, spray nozzles, and heating elements, and an ultrasonic bath component to ensure uniform cleaning coverage. Electrical design emphasizes safe power distribution, component protection, and reliable signal interfacing between sensors and control hardware. Control logic will be implemented to manage cycle timing, temperature regulation, and fluid circulation while incorporating safety interlocks and fault detection. Human-machine interaction is provided through a user interface that allows operators to select wash cycles and monitor system status. The resulting design demonstrates how integrated electrical systems and control strategies can transform a traditionally manual cleaning process into a repeatable, automated solution suitable for small-scale manufacturing and maintenance environments.

Climate change and economic factors have led to a considerable increase in demand for renewable power generation in Texas, with yearly renewable generation increasing from 12% in 2015 to 34% in 2025. This study evaluates the feasibility of a 100 MW wind power plant located on the outskirts of El Paso, TX. The plant would require 30 to 40 wind turbines producing 3 MW each, powering up to 75,000 homes on average and providing clean, independent energy to the surrounding metropolitan area. The report focuses on the technical concerns of the proposed wind power plant and predicts its performance based on average hourly weather data in the region.

Due to unprecedented urbanization in North Texas, coyotes have become more frequently observed in urban settings. The proposed project will examine the spatial distribution of coyote observations in North Texas, focusing on identifying spatial patterns. It also assesses whether these patterns are indicators of long-term adaptation in response to rapid urbanization in the region.  This study will use spatial analysis techniques to determine whether coyote observations are spatially clustered, identify potential hotspots, and assess whether the clustering is associated with a certain cover type. In addition, visual comparisons of multitemporal observations of data will be conducted to evaluate whether distribution patterns change over time. By integrating hotspot analysis and land cover data, the project aims to better understand how coyotes may be adapting to urban environments in North Texas.

This project proposes using ArcGIS-based spatial analysis to identify various vegetation zones at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R) and the surrounding area, with the goal of supporting ecological management decisions. This will be accomplished through spatial overlay and other GIS analysis tools applied to relevant datasets, including topography (elevation), soil type, precipitation, and vegetation distribution derived from existing geospatial datasets. The distribution of plants based on these factors will help identify distinct zones for the various plant types such as, forbs and wildflowers, vines, shrubs, trees, grasses, and riparian-type plants found at FWNCR. By compiling the results of the GIS analysis and producing maps to support both visual and statistical analysis, the project will provide insights for end users to identify existing and potentially new zones for ecological management.

This study analyzes the spatial relationship between energy infrastructure and population growth in Texas using GIS. Energy datasets, including power plants and pipelines, are combined with population data to evaluate whether infrastructure aligns with areas of increasing demand. Areas that do not have the infrastructure to handle the demands will result in blackouts and possibly more permanent issues to the power grid. Results are expected to show high energy concentration in low-population regions like West Texas, while rapidly growing urban areas such as Dallas–Fort Worth and Houston may face increasing demand pressures. These findings will inform energy planning and infrastructure development for these various energy companies and ONCOR.

Students find it difficult to work in uncomfortable temperatures. The temperature of the Paschal High School auditorium has been a complaint of students and staff for years. A recent survey found that 75% of students and teachers find the auditorium either uncomfortably cold or uncomfortably hot. This research explores the temperature fluctuations in the auditorium in the context of events taking place in the auditorium. Six sensors were placed around the Paschal High School auditorium and recorded the temperature and humidity every couple of seconds from December 19 to March 1st. From this data, I was able to calculate “feel’s like” temperature, and graph this against time, taking note of any significant events that may have affected temperature.

As climate-related health effects become increasingly more visible, the public perceptions of planetary health education may change. This study explored public expectations for the role of health professionals in planetary health advocacy, education, and clinical practice. A link to an online Qualtrics survey was sent to potential participants through community service events, coalition meetings, and websites. Responses were validated for a final analytical sample of 88 adults aged 18 and older. Results indicate that a large majority of participants have a positive view on environmental conservation, reflected by a mean score of 54.7 (SD 7.8) out of a possible 75 on the New Ecological Paradigm Scale. A majority of respondents indicated they were already observing health impacts of climate change in their daily lives, most commonly as increased allergy-related symptoms (70.2%), injuries due to severe weather events such as storms or floods (64.3%), and heat-related illnesses (57.1%). Respondents indicated that health professionals and professional organizations should play an active role in educating the public and advocating for policy responses to the health effects of climate change. The most frequent responses were found for health professionals bringing climate-health effects to public attention (88.1%), professional organizations engaging in significant advocacy (86.9%), and clinicians leading sustainability efforts in hospitals and clinics (85.7%). Significantly, 78.6% of participants expressed that health professionals have a responsibility to discuss these health effects directly with their patients. Overall, this sample of adults perceives that human health is already negatively affected by environmental changes and strongly supports health professionals to take advocacy and educational roles to address planetary health problems.

When Roundup is used on plants and soils, Glyphosate has different effects on the solubility (LogKow) and degradation pathways of molecules based on soil factors. These soil factors have to do with the organic composition of the soil. Organic matter in soils comes from 1,2,4-Trihydroxybenzene, Ferulic Acid, and Vanillic Acid. Pesticides degrade these molecules and make daughter molecules. This can show the assessment on how glyphosate alters degradation by comparing parent–daughter product distributions and LogKow.

Our project will focus on the evaluation of how the introduction of invasive fire ant species has affected horned lizard populations. The fire ant species is not native to the greater Texas area and, when introduced, preyed on the Texas horned lizard’s primary food source, the harvester ant. This has greatly reduced the lizard’s range, as it consumes few other insects. Its status as the university mascot further highlights its vulnerability to the TCU community. This study examines the impact of invasive fire ants on horned lizard populations in Texas. We will accomplish this through two approaches in the ArcGIS environment: first, by comparing maps of the lizard’s historical and current ranges, and second, by analyzing the temporal distribution of fire ant populations to determine whether a correlation exists with changes in the lizard’s range.

The Fort Worth metropolitan area faces increasing roadway congestion, automobile dependency, and growing accessibility challenges for households with limited vehicle and physical access. Although Tarrant County contains several rail assets, much of the regions' transit network remains limited in coverage and connectivity compared to neighboring systems in Dallas. Rather than proposing new infrastructure, this study aims to evaluate the existing rail corridors within Tarrant County to identify where improvements could generate the greatest mobility, equity, and connectivity benefits.

Using ArcGIS Pro, a weighted multi-criteria analysis is applied to three existing corridors where freight lines are already present: a south-to-north line dubbed the “Green Line”, with termini in Burleson and Keller, a west-to-east line dubbed the “Blue Line”, with termini in Benbrook and Arlington, and a southwest-to-northeast line dubbed the “Purple Line”, with termini in Crowley and Euless/Grapevine. Each corridor meets at Fort Worth T&P / Central stations and stops in significant population/economic centers. Buffers surrounding each corridor are analyzed to evaluate demographic demand, transportation efficiency, connectivity, and physical feasibility. Key variables include the percentage of households without vehicles, median income, senior and disability populations, highway congestion proximity, risk factors, and major destinations served.

By integrating demographic vulnerability indicators with transportation demand and physical constraints, this study identifies which existing retail corridors demonstrate greatest need and potential for targeted improvements. The results provide a GIS-based framework for prioritizing transit investments in automobile-dependent metropolitan regions and offer data-driven guidance for improving rail accessibility and connectivity across Tarrant County.

This project will study how rare earth elements (REEs) and other important critical materials can be released (leached) from coal and coal ash. Coal ash is produced in large amounts across the United States, and many studies show that it can contain valuable elements that are needed for electronics, renewable energy technology, and national defense. However, we still do not fully understand how easily these elements can be removed from the ash or what chemical conditions make them more or less available. Learning this will help determine whether coal ash can be used as a practical source of critical materials and how it should be safely managed.

We are looking to map sea-level rise along the California coast from 2000 to 2026. The sea level is currently rising approximately .25 inches per year. We are going to focus on how this is affecting California, and we are going to pair this information with properties in California that will be underwater by 2050. It is estimated that 10 billion dollars' worth of property will be underwater in the next 30 years. The part of California that is under the highest risk is Northern California, specifically the Bay Area. We will be mapping floodplains and low-lying areas in the Bay Area to show what areas are at the highest risk of water damage.

Landslides are a common and potentially destructive natural hazard, posing risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and human populations. Central Texas, particularly Hill and Bosque Counties within the Texas Hill Country, is prone to landslide occurrence due to its rugged topography and variable geologic formations. This project assesses landslide susceptibility across the region using spatial analysis techniques in a GIS framework. Multiple datasets were integrated, including Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to derive slope and flow accumulation, geologic formations, soils (hydrologic and erosion data), and stream networks. Each dataset was reclassified according to relative landslide risk and combined through a weighted overlay analysis to produce a landslide susceptibility map identifying areas of low, moderate, and high risk. The resulting map provides a framework for environmental hazard assessment and can support land-use planning and risk mitigation strategies in Central Texas.

Science for Starters is a student-led outreach initiative that provides weekly after-school STEM programming for elementary grade students at the Como Community Center in a historically underserved neighborhood. Supported by the EPIC (Experiential Projects to Impact the Community) grant, the program aims to address gaps in grade-level STEM skills and limited access to hands-on learning opportunities. TCU undergraduate volunteers lead each session, which includes relationship-building activities, a brief introduction to a STEM concept, and a hands-on, inquiry-based activity that encourages problem-solving and collaboration. Topics explored include chemistry, physics, space exploration, engineering, and the human body. Through these experiences, the program fosters curiosity in STEM while promoting mentorship, leadership development among undergraduate volunteers, and sustainable STEM enrichment within the Como community.

Unhoused individuals with diabetes frequently present to the Beautiful Feet Ministries Medical Clinic with preventable foot complications due to limited access to foot care supplies and limited education on preventive practices. This project addresses these gaps through a combined resource distribution and educational intervention model. Free foot care kits, patient-friendly educational materials, and an instructional video were developed to support preventive foot care and improve recognition of warning signs. Awareness workshops further expand outreach and encourage clinic-based foot screenings. By integrating accessible resources with targeted education, this initiative aims to empower unhoused individuals with diabetes to take a proactive role in their foot health and reduce avoidable complications.