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.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have become increasingly detected in surface waters worldwide, yet accurate interpretation of environmental monitoring data is often complicated by widespread non-detect observations. This study evaluated PFAS occurrence along the upper Trinity River in north-central Texas and examined how treatment of censored data influences contamination assessment. Ten surface water samples were analyzed using EPA Method 1633, with 31.7% of the measurements below the reporting limit. Multiple imputation was applied to estimate site-level concentrations and quantify uncertainty associated with censored observations. Spatial analysis revealed a 12.8-fold difference in PFAS concentrations between background sites (53.7 ng/L) and hotspot sites (684.9 ng/L). Three sites exhibited fluorotelomer sulfonate signatures consistent with potential influence from aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Comparison with conventional RL/2 substitution methods revealed an underestimation of total PFAS concentrations by approximately 30–71 ng/L across sites, with the greatest bias occurring at background sites. All sampling sites exceeded current U.S. EPA drinking water standards for regulated PFAS compounds, suggesting potential implications for downstream drinking water systems. These findings demonstrate that statistical treatment of censored observations can substantially influence PFAS concentration estimates and the interpretation of contamination patterns.

Habitat loss and fragmentation reduce landscape connectivity and are major drivers of biodiversity decline. In South Africa, mosaic corridor restoration has been proposed to reconnect protected areas, with the Tanglewood Conservation Area (TCA) representing an early property targeted for restoration. Establishing baseline ecological conditions prior to restoration is necessary to evaluate future change. Because bats respond rapidly to habitat quality and resource availability, they serve as effective indicators of ecosystem condition. We established baseline information on bat activity, diversity, and resource use within the Leopard Ridge property of TCA by surveying two key resources: water sources and a cave roost. Behavioral observation surveys were conducted at two water sites (Lodge and Causeway) and one cave from May–July 2025 using infrared video paired with ultrasonic acoustic detectors to document activity and identify species. At water sources, we quantified bat presence, drinking events, and foraging behavior, while emergence counts at the cave estimated nightly roost use. Across 30 water surveys, bats were observed for 2,346 total seconds (mean = 76 s/night), with only 44 seconds of foraging recorded. A total of 91 drinking events representing five species were documented, with greater activity at the Causeway site. Cave emergence averaged 720 bats per night, with Cape horseshoe (Rhinolophus capensis) and Egyptian slit-faced (Nycteris thebaica) bats present. These results provide baseline data for evaluating changes in bat activity, diversity, and resource use as restoration progresses.

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.

By leveraging a two-dimensional derivative thermogravimetric (2D-DTG) mixing ratio framework, my research measures distinct lignocellulosic carbon fractions and assesses their dynamics under different soil management over 19-month period (Jan 2023-Jul 2024). The 2D-DTG mixing ratio technique offers a quick, extraction-free method for delineating lignocellulosic fractions and management-induced alterations in soil organic carbon quality. The result shows that cellulose thermal peaks occurred at 330 ± 10 °C, while lignin peaks were detected at 490 ± 10 °C in NT, CC, and COMP soils but shifted to ~401 °C in CC+C soils. Thermal separation between cellulose and lignin domains decreased from ~180 °C (18 min) in NT to ~70 °C (7 min) in CC+C, indicating stronger coupling of lignocellulosic degradation. Cellulose peak intensity increased from 0.2 × 10⁻⁵ (NT) to 1.1 × 10⁻⁵ (COMP and CC+C), while lignin intensity increased from 0.3 × 10⁻⁶ (NT) to 5.4 × 10⁻⁶ (CC+C). Mixing-ratio analysis showed cellulose contributions of 51–58% and lignin contributions of 42–49% across treatments. Mean SOC increased from 1.95% (NT) to 2.17% (CC+C), with cellulose-derived carbon increasing from 1.01% to 1.27%, indicating enhanced lignocellulosic carbon integration under combined cover crop and compost management. Temporal analysis further showed that Lignin-derived carbon increased in later months, rising from ~38–40% to ~45–49%, indicating progressive labilization of recalcitrant lignin and greater incorporation into SOC pools. These results suggest organic amendments enhance lignin retention and long-term soil carbon storage with benefits for nutrient cycling and soil stability.

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.

This study investigated behavioral indicators of reproductive receptivity in captive Texas kangaroo rats (Dipodomys elator). Video-based behavioral observation surveys were conducted to compare behaviors and frequency of behaviors between isolated individuals and paired individuals, as well as among different combinations of paired individuals. In total, 18 unique behaviors were identified. Overall, the frequencies of behaviors were low, and no consistent differences were detected between pairing types. Under the current setup, behavior did not provide a reliable indicator of reproductive receptivity. We recommend that future studies house males and females separately prior to trials to ensure interactions between unfamiliar individuals.

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.

Coastal wetlands are critical ecosystems located at the dynamic interface between terrestrial and marine environments, shaped by the intricate interactions among sediment transport and deposition processes, geomorphology, hydrodynamics, and biogeochemical processes. They offer essential services, acting as a primary defense against storm surge flooding and reducing cyclone wind wave energy. However, the sustainability of coastal freshwater wetlands is increasingly threatened by natural and anthropogenic stressors, including sea level rise and land subsidence. The latter process alters coastal morphology and, in combination with saltwater intrusion, which is primarily driven by unsustainable groundwater pumping rates, contributes to the salinization of the soil, leading to a severe decline in freshwater wetlands' spatial extent and significantly reducing the ecosystem services they provide. Wetlands are particularly important in areas such as the Texas Gulf Coast, including regions extending from the Galveston to Beaumont County coasts, where there is a recurrence of cyclone events causing severe devastation, sprawling urbanization extending toward the coasts, and extreme use of groundwater resources to meet the demands of the growing population. This study utilizes an approach that incorporates remote sensing datasets and analysis techniques, including deep learning methods facilitated by GeoAI, and field-based geophysical methods to explore the following key objectives: (1) quantify spatial and temporal changes in coastal wetland extent and type from 2000 to 2024 in response to major stressors; (2) investigate the hydrogeological conditions of the critical zone in areas experiencing declining freshwater wetland coverage, assessing the impacts of environmental stressors on the wetland critical zone using key indicators such as subsurface erosion and other morphological indicators (3) evaluate how shifts in wetland dynamics influence their ability to mitigate cyclone-related hazards and examine corresponding spatiotemporal variations in methane emissions.

The Dockum Group is of palaeontologic and sedimentary significance due to the fossils and preserved sedimentary structures. The units contain a vast variety of Late Triassic vertebrates ranging from aquatic and amphibian to early mammals and dinosaurs, and in addition the Dockum Group contains preserved upper-flow-regime structures. Early result from initial samples collected from an outcrop of a preserved lake have yielded potential bone fragments and teeth. The opportunity to study how upper flow regimes and fossil assemblages are related to preservation makes the Dockum group a unique study area.

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.

Coastal aquifers around the Galveston Bay System, located along the Texas Gulf Coast, have been experiencing saltwater contamination for the past few decades. This is driven by extensive groundwater use, land subsidence as a result of groundwater pumping, and rising sea levels in both the short term (through storm surge from cyclones) and long-term (relative sea level rise). This study leverages multitemporal groundwater quality data from wells located proximal to the coast and further inland to assess the spatial distribution and propagation of key saltwater contamination indicators (TDS, Chloride, etc.). This is accomplished through cluster mapping to identify contaminant hotspots and their progression over time, as well as by assessing the extent of contamination through evaluating the relationship between distance from the coast and inland contamination. The key objective is to provide insights of the modes of aquifer contamination, identify susceptible areas, and determine key drivers that may contribute to this accelerating contamination.

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.

The Southern Oklahoma Aulacogen (SOA) records extensive bimodal magmatism associated with continental rifting during the opening of the southern Iapetus Ocean. This study presents new petrographic and geochemical data for selected Carlton Rhyolite flows, late diabase intrusions, and small gabbros from the Wichita Mountains that were previously unanalyzed or lacked complete trace element data.
Rhyolites are characterized by quartz and feldspar phenocrysts in a felsitic to spherulitic groundmass, with varying degrees of devitrification, sericitization, and alkali metasomatism. Diabases and gabbros display ophitic to subophitic textures defined by plagioclase and clinopyroxene, with olivine completely replaced by bowlingite in the gabbros.
Rhyolite samples show strong LREE enrichment, pronounced negative Eu anomalies, and elevated high-field-strength elements, consistent with A-type felsic magmatism. A rhyolite dike at the base of the thickest Carlton Rhyolite flow displays geochemical similarity to the overlying flow, identifying it as the only known feeder dike within the SOA. Diabase samples show moderate LREE enrichment, no significant Eu anomaly, and E-MORB–type patterns consistent with an enriched mantle source. Two diabase samples with elevated REE concentrations suggest at least two distinct mafic magma sources within the rift system.

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.

The Devonian Sierra Buttes Formation (SBF) occurs at the base of a thick succession of submarine Paleozoic island arc strata in the northern Sierra Nevada. Bulk eastward rotation of the succession has provided cross-sectional views of a variety of SBF sediments and volcaniclastics, arc deposits, and associated hypabyssal intrusions. The area of concern herein is centered on the prominent glaciated Sierra Buttes peaks, from which the formation takes its name. Coeval andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic deposits and subsequent intrusive bodies form a multistage complex assemblage making up much of the SBF in this area. To better understand this assemblage, detailed mapping of a small area was done in 2025.

Here we report results of detailed mapping of glaciated outcrops that occupy an area of ~ 245,000 m2 within the intrusive assemblage. A total of ten separate geologic units were identified within the field area. Sedimentary rocks, SBF, cap the sequence, and consist of black radiolarian chert and ash fall tuffs. A large unit of lapillistone, the result of seafloor fire fountaining, is at the base of the complex. Six separate intrusive units are identified, ranging from andesitic to dacitic in composition. Peperite, a rock that forms when magma quenches and mixes with unconsolidated wet sediment, is present along the contact with the SBF. Hyaloclastite, consists of glassy shards, which are the result of nonexplosive quench fragmentation, is the most abundant unit in the field area. Hosted within the hyaloclastite are disrupted fluidal feeder bodies, once part of an interconnected tubular network that fed the hyaloclastite and broke apart during continued intrusive activity.

Rapid population growth in Texas has accelerated urbanization and land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes, increasing pressure on groundwater resources and influencing the processes that control groundwater chemistry. To better capture the inherent heterogeneity of groundwater systems, a logistic distribution–based approach was applied instead of simple averaging, enabling a more robust assessment of long-term trends, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), major cations and anions, buffering capacity, and partial pressure of CO₂ (pCO₂). Analysis of nine major aquifers from 1985 to 2014 reveals a gradual decline in pH associated with increasing pCO₂ and carbonic acid formation, alongside strong variability in TDS driven by lithology, residence time, and recharge conditions. Carbonate buffering moderates these changes, with limestone-dominated aquifers showing greater resistance to pH variation, while hydrochemical facies indicate that groundwater evolution is primarily controlled by rock weathering and evaporation. A focused assessment of the Trinity Aquifer in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex (2015–2024) highlights clear depth-dependent differences, where shallow groundwater reflects recharge-driven, CO₂-influenced conditions and deeper groundwater exhibits more evolved, carbonate-buffered chemistry. Overall, the results demonstrate that natural hydrogeochemical processes, particularly carbonate equilibrium and water–rock interaction, remain the dominant controls on groundwater chemistry, with anthropogenic influences playing a secondary role despite rapid urban growth.