Morgan Ambourn – Computer Engineering
Distance Perception in Virtual Reality
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Project Advisor(s): Jonathan Kelly | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) is used for several applications including entertainment, education, and workforce training. Accurate distance perception in these environments is essential to the quality and effectiveness of these applications. However, research has shown that distance in head-mounted display (HMD) VR systems is consistently underperceived compared to distances in the real world. Although recent technological improvements have allowed distance perception to become more veridical, it is necessary to evaluate whether distances in modern, consumer-oriented HMDs are still underperceived. Therefore, distance perception was investigated using contemporary HMDs (e.g., Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2), and a real environment. The real environment was a university classroom; the virtual environment was a 3D replica of the classroom. Participants viewed an object and judged its distance through a verbal report and blind walking. On verbal trials, the participant verbally reported how far away the object appeared to be. On blind walking trials, the participant walked (without vision) to the location where they thought the object had been. Verbal and blind walking judgments were significantly shorter in the Oculus Quest than the real classroom, indicating under perception of distance.
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Noah Berthusen – Software Engineering
Efficient Quantum Circuit Compression using Reinforcement Learning
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Project Advisor(s): Peter Orth | Advisor(s): Teela Wilmes
Abstract: Computations by the current generation of noisy intermediate scale quantum (NISQ) computers are often plagued by errors such as decoherence and cross talk. Such errors severely limit the depth of NISQ quantum circuits, yet many quantum algorithms that show promise of a quantum speedup require deep circuits and prolonged coherence times. In this work, we propose leveraging Reinforcement Learning (RL) to intelligently build quantum circuits that can recreate given target states, given no information about the circuit used to construct them. The RL agent learns about the hidden system by receiving rewards based on local observables, calculated using the target state, and the fidelity of the final state. By constraining the depth of the circuits built by the agent, we hypothesize that this approach allows us to compress the depth of quantum circuits necessary to create the target state. One important application of our method is dynamic quantum simulation, where the target state is a time-evolved state using a given Hamiltonian and a Trotterized quantum circuit. Our method promises quantum simulations out to longer final times than are currently feasible on NISQ devices.
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Casey Bradt – Aerospace Engineering
Stirring the Pot of Cleaner Cooking Technology
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Project Advisor(s): Mark Bryden | Advisor(s): Nicole Gupta
Abstract: Much of the developing world relies on biomass (wood) cookstoves/fires that vent to the cooking space. These cookstoves have been shown to be significant negative contributors to anthropogenic climate change, deforestation, and children’s and women’s health. Because of this, the design of biomass cookstoves is a topic of ongoing research and development. However, these efforts have focused on the design of the cookstove and have not addressed the cooking system (i.e., the cookpot). This research project developed a novel computational model appropriate for the design of the cookpot that determines the user-critical design parameters of the heat loss, mass loss, efficiency, and time to boil. Specifically, this research addressed the relatively unstudied problem of high mass-transfer natural convection from a horizontal surface using the steady-state model developed by Brewster and extended this model to account for transient behavior of heating water in a cookpot. The model has been validated using Brewster’s steady-state data and qualitative cooking data. Future work will validate the model against experimental data. This project addresses, in part, the issue of energy justice. Significant research time is spent improving the energy solutions favored by the wealthy and little is spent on energy solutions needed by the poor.
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Nicholas Heger – Computer Engineering
Physics Solver/Simulator
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Project Advisor(s): Simanta Mitra | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: Physics problems often come across as difficult and seem as though there is no defined steps one can take to solve them. Because of this, physics classes, which are required for many majors, have grown a reputation as very challenging and something a student “just has to get through” without really learning the material. This project aims to provide students and others interested in learning physics a resource for completing physics problems that will help them to visualize the problem better and, in some cases, to see that there often may be a defined set of steps that can be taken to solve a problem. In order to complete the above objectives, this project was to make web application that has several units, each for completing a different type of physics problem that students in early physics classes are likely to come across. To make this web application, I used HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, along with a couple different libraries to enhance the user’s experience. I used GitHub for version control and as a place where this project can be downloaded or contributed to by anyone on the internet. I hope this project will be helpful to people learning physics!
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Stephanie Jou – Aerospace Engineering
Structural Analysis on Small UAS
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Project Advisor(s): Vinay Dayal | Advisor(s): Brad Eilers
Abstract: This project proposes the integration of a structural analysis of the Open UAS research team's small unmanned aircraft system (UAS). The project consists of the subsystem modeling of the wing, tail, and landing gear. These subsystems are modeled through Solidworks or ANSYS and then analyzed with ANSYS Mechanical APDL or ANSYS Workbench. For these analyses, material properties such as the density and elastic modulus are researched and input into the programs. The loads and constraints are placed in the program to obtain solutions for each subsystem. The project includes some background information of the subsystems and the results are analyzed for each. This project concludes with some takeaways and proposed methods to improve this analysis to incorporate it to the Open UAS research team's iteration design process.
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Timothy Kaufmann – Chemical Engineering
Modeling Calcium Alginate Diffusion
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Project Advisor(s): Ian Schneider | Advisor(s): Mackenzie Schwartz
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to analyze two different models for the diffusion of calcium chloride crosslinker into alginate hydrogel. A model was created in MATLAB using PDE toolbox and another model was created using a semi-infinite domain approximation. It is assumed in both models that no reaction is taking place. Opacity data from a 10 hr. diffusion experiment was manipulated and fit to the models to determine the diffusion coefficient. The diffusion coefficients obtained from the MATLAB and error function models are 0.000621 cm^2/min and 0.000915 cm^2/min respectively. Based on the results the semi-infinite domain models the data better at radiuses less than 0.6 cm. However, at radiuses larger than 0.6 cm the PDE toolbox model is a better fit. Further testing of this model is necessary, it is also recommended that the system be modeled without the no reactions assumption to see how it compares to the data.
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Gabriel Kjeldgaard – Mechanical Engineering
Enzymatic Loading of LIG Biosensors for Pesticide Detection
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Project Advisor(s): Jonathan Claussen | Advisor(s): John Wagner, Sarah Wilson
Abstract: This enzymatic biosensor for paraoxon is made on a laser induced graphene working electrode which makes it cost effective and has the possibility of mass production in the future. The sensor is functionalized with Acetylcholinesterase (ACHE) which is inhibited by paraoxon. The inhibition of the enzymatic reaction with acetylthiocholine chloride to form acetic acid and thiocholine which is oxidized, giving off dithiocholine and 2 electrons, is observed through electrochemical testing using amperometry. The biosensor has repeatable results with a linear range that does not include the nominal range of paraoxon concentrations found in ground water. Different methods to decrease the linear range to include nominal concentrations should be considered. The low cost of these sensors allows for the future possibility of use in an internet of things mapping system in the agriculture industry to apply targeted pesticide application to decrease over spraying which is costly and has negative environmental effects.
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Sylvia Knight – Industrial Engineering
Does Polarization Turn off Younger Voters?: Investigating the Effects of the 2016 Presidential Election on the 18-22 Age Bracket
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Project Advisor(s): David Peterson | Advisor(s): Devna Popejoy-Sheriff
Abstract: This study investigates what effect reminding young adults of the 2016 United States presidential election would have on their future voting behavior. It seeks to further the investigation into the motivations for voting. The experiment was conducted using a sample of Iowa State University students between the ages of 18 and 38. It was found that participants who were asked to think about their emotional reaction to the 2016 United States presidential election were significantly more likely to say that they would vote in an election if one was held today. These findings suggest that, at least in the case of the 2016 election, reminding young adults of past elections is likely to increase their motivation to vote.
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Karter Krueger – Software Engineering
Playing Catch with a Mobile Robot
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Project Advisor(s): Yan-Bin Jia | Advisor(s): Patrick Determan
Abstract: In this project, I designed, built, and programmed a mobile robot capable of catching a tennis ball thrown at it. The robot is designed to be lightweight to allow for high acceleration to quickly move to position to intercept the ball. The robot uses a stereo depth camera mounted on a gimbal to actively track the moving ball. As the camera tracks the ball, 3D position coordinates are passed to a Kalman filter that uses known dynamics, such as gravity, to accurately estimate the trajectory of the ball and predict the expected interception point for the robot. A motion planner then determines a velocity plan for the motors to drive the robot to the correct position at the correct time to intercept the path of the ball and catch it in the basket.
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Bethany Lippert – Industrial Engineering
Using Systems Thinking to Increase Effectiveness of a Local Food Pantry
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Project Advisor(s): Ana Luz | Advisor(s): Devna Popejoy-Sheriff
Abstract: The purpose of this project was to identify ways that Food at First, a local food bank, could more effectively serve the Ames community by applying a systems mindset. The project was conducted using the double diamond design thinking methodology consisting of four stages: observation and ideation, defining the problem, design for intervention, and implementation. After analyzing the system, the focus of the project became: How might we reduce the amount of time the executive director spends on non-value-added tasks to decrease overtime and prevent burn out? Through volunteering, observation, and SWAT analysis, primary issue areas were identified. After synthesizing issues and identifying potential solutions, the following issues were selected: not having time to complete office work (missing deadlines), getting pulled into volunteer work, frequent interruptions (phone calls or volunteers), and incorrect/inaccessible information on the website. Uninterrupted work time was established from 11-1 pm daily. Email templates and group email lists were created to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks. The website was modified to improve clarity and make information accessible to reduce the number of questions received. Issues were identified and solutions implemented that allowed the executive director to do her job more effectively, impacting the whole organization.
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Heather MacMurdo – Materials Engineering, World Languages & Cultures
Comparative Analysis of the 2001 No Child Left Behind Policy and the 1960s Bilingual Movements, and their effects on Bilingualism in the United States
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Project Advisor(s): Brian Behnken | Advisor(s): Holly Dunlay-Lott, Flor Romero-De-Slowing
Abstract: This project assesses the Bilingual Education Act (BEA) of 1968 and the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 to compare their effectiveness. The BEA developed from civil rights activists’ demands. It provided grants to help develop education in the student’s native languages. However, the BEA from the beginning became dissociated from these larger civil rights demands. It also mainly supported programs designed to transition students to English instead of maintaining the student’s ancestral language. With each reauthorization the bill became further divorced from the initial ideals that inspired it. The NCLB was founded on the idea that the United States needed to increase accountability in schools to help the country stay competitive globally. To do so the NCLB mandated nationwide standardized assessments to measure educational achievement. However, these assessments and the erroneous assumptions of bilingual learning capabilities negatively impacted students with limited English language proficiency. My initial hypothesis was that since the BEA was connected to the Civil Rights Movement it would have accomplished more than the NCLB. This hypothesis would appear to be true only in a limited fashion. Instead, both bills failed students in ways that impacted their educational success.
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Joaquin Matticoli – Aerospace Engineering
High-Fidelity Aerodynamic Optimization for Wind Turbine Blades
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Project Advisor(s): Ping He | Advisor(s): Jackie Kester
Abstract: The goal of a wind turbine is to produce as much electricity as possible. To achieve this, the aerodynamic properties of the blade become a key factor of consideration, since they affect how much lift is produced and, thus, the torque and spin rate. These properties can always be improved upon to increase the efficiency and power output of the wind turbine. Through this project, we used a high-fidelity aerodynamic optimization framework to maximize the power output of NREL6 wind turbine blades. We ran tests to determine the correct constraints necessary for the optimization framework to produce structurally sound wind turbine blades with a higher power output. After comparing with experimental data from the NASA-Ames wind tunnel, we found that the torque output was only 6% off. After eight iterations, we produced a wind turbine blade with a 6% torque increase compared to the baseline NREL 6 blades. This optimization research is also helping prove that computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solvers work correctly and provide valuable optimization results. As part of the optimization, we provided thickness and axial thrust constraints for structural considerations. We are now evaluating what difference running a single point versus multipoint solution does to the shape of the blades.
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Augusto Menezes Savaris – Computer Engineering
Exploring how Unsupervised Learning Techniques can Affect Supervised Image Classification
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Project Advisor(s): Christopher Quinn | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: Image classification is very important to many real-world applications, including medical imaging, self-driving vehicles, and security systems. Image classifiers need to be trained on labeled data to successfully classify new images. However, labeled data can be expensive to obtain. We explore a framework that leverages unlabeled data to learn the most fundamental features of images and apply the learned knowledge into image classification tasks. We are training an Autoencoder to learn how to encode an image into a low dimensionality representation, preserving only the most relevant features. Then, we transform the Autoencoder into a classifier by adding a final layer to the neural network, and train the new layer using a limited amount of annotated data. Using this strategy shows significant performance improvements for image classification on the MNIST data set compared with just using labelled data.
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Stefan Peng – Computer Engineering
Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells through Electric Field Stimulation
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Project Advisor(s): Donald Sakaguchi | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: Neural stem cells (NSCs) show promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases and repairing nervous system injuries. Potential applications include in vivo treatments for nervous system damage as well as in vitro modeling of the nervous system. Microfluidic devices show potential as a neural stem cell-based high-throughput drug screening platform. This platform could lead to faster drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and could be used in conjunction with traditional drug screening assays and animal tests. My goal for this project is to quantify neural stem cell growth within the microfluidic device environment. Cell viability within the microfluidic devices was assessed using propidium iodide (PI) assays. Neurosphere growth was quantified, as well as cell proliferation using Ki67 antibody immunolabeling. Other avenues of investigation included characterization of neurosphere growth using GFP-expressing/non-GFP-expressing co-cultures and characterization of cell differentiation using immunocytochemistry. Preliminary results indicate that the microfluidic devices are compatible for cell proliferation and the growth of neurospheres.
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David Reynolds – Mechanical Engineering
Development of a Microfluidic Platform for Embryonic Zebrafish Confocal Microscopy Imaging
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Project Advisor(s): Raquel Espin Palazon & Long Que | Advisor(s): Kirsten Hauge
Abstract: Embryonic zebrafish have been used extensively when studying hematopoiesis due to their high similarity with the human hematopoietic system. While in vivo imaging is one of the main advantages of using this animal model, there is no commercially viable device for managing these subjects under confocal imaging. Therefore, expensive reagents such as agarose and large amounts of time are needed for imaging. This project aimed to develop a 3D-printed system that contains the embryonic (1-3 days post-fertilization, hpf) zebrafish's anatomical features and controls the subject for confocal microscopy imaging, reducing considerably the time and money spent to correctly positioned the embryos for in vivo imaging. First, the chip's constraints, outlining the embryonic zebrafish's anatomical structure, were obtained for the initial design. For the design process, the physical prototype was designed with Solidworks (3D modeling computer-aided software). For chip fabrication, the device was fabricated with a Form 2 SLA 3D Printer. Once fabrication was complete, the device underwent a scrutiny process to ensure the device was functional, controlled the zebrafish, and posed no disruptions in imaging. This device's development will continue to pioneer genetic and developmental studies, potentially converting into a marketable product for its relevant fields.
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Thomas Simon – Chemical Engineering
Investigating How Aptamers Dock with SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein
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Project Advisor(s): Monica Lamm | Advisor(s): Nicole Prentice
Abstract: Song et al. proposed that they have made an aptamer that binds or “docks” well with the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, a protein of great interest on the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To begin to verify their results, the software HADDOCK was used. HADDOCK uses a computational molecular docking approach that allows users to test if certain molecules bind well with others. Using docking approaches can save countless hours of experimental time. With HADDOCK, one can investigate how a strand of RNA, an aptamer, binds with a specific protein, in our case the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The data generated by HADDOCK can then be used to guide researchers toward focused experiments with aptamers that have a higher chance of working in the real world. A docking study was conducted using the aptamers proposed by Song et al. It was found that their aptamers bind well with the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein and allows for further experimentation in a laboratory setting to continue to verify their results. Citation: Song et al. (Discovery of Aptamers Targeting the Receptor-Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Glycoprotein, Anal. Chem. 2020, 92, 14, 9895–9900).
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Jidong Sun – Computer Engineering
Adaptive Administration System for First-Year Honors Program
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Project Advisor(s): Simanta Mitra | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: Each spring semester, the University Honors Program (UHP) recruits student leaders and matches them in pairs to teach the HON-121 Seminar. The previous matching process involved pooling students' data from many sources and manually creating matches based on students' availability, preferences, and other factors defined by the UHP staff. The project was designed and developed to solve the problems of the manual process by creating a centralized dashboard to view all of students' information at once, a student-leader portal to gather that information, and a matching engine to create leader pairs manually or automatically, following the dynamic constraints set by the users. With future maintenance in mind, the application is highly configurable to accommodate changes in data managed and changes in matching parameters. This project was developed with the Angular and Spring Boot frameworks and designed as a web-based application to reduce the set-up overhead for users. It used oauth2 provided by Okta for user management and authentication, ensuring the security of student data.
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Srisai Anirudh Tangellapalli – Computer Engineering
Evaluating Machine Learning Models to Identify Leaf Damage on Sorghum
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Project Advisor(s): Joshua Peschel | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: This project presents an alternative approach to detect sugarcane aphid infestation on the underside of sorghum leaves using computer vision techniques and deep learning. Currently, monitoring sorghum plant health is time-consuming and requires much manual labor with room for human error. Therefore, an automated computer vision-based technique to detect symptoms of sugarcane aphid infestation can significantly improve the overall health of the sorghum field. The results from this study provide a method to accurately gauge aphid infestation to apply appropriate amounts of pesticides, effectively preventing unnecessary chemical runoff and overuse of pesticides. We used a dataset composed of 1863 images extracted from infield video to test and train two machine learning models. The first model is used to classify the entire frame into two categories, healthy or unhealthy. The second model uses a specific subset of the dataset because the model can segment individual leaves in the frame, which are then classified. The first model successfully classifies each frame with high accuracy. The second model struggles to locate each leaf and fails to classify them correctly. The second model requires more training time as well as more data. Overall, the first model performed significantly better than the second model.
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Danielle Thompson – Chemical Engineering
Environmental Impacts of Modified Escherichia coil Lignocellulose Biomass Component for Biofuel Production
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Project Advisor(s): Laura Jarboe | Advisor(s): Mackenzie Schwartz
Abstract: Escherichia coli is used in fermentation reactions to aid in the production of biofuels, specifically the conversion of sugars into ethanol. Unfortunately, due to the ease of infection in E. coli, fermentation batches are often lost due to bacteriophage infection. The use of a genetically modified strain with bacteriophage resistance may overcome this issue. A sustainability-focused literature review of the use of a modified E. coli strain as a lignocellulose fermentation agent in biofuel production was conducted. In terms of biofuels, lignocellulosic feedstock is a highly sustainable option since it is otherwise waste. The material and energy inputs to degrade lignocellulose into useful components are large, however it provides an inexpensive feed source and decreased waste. Lignocellulose has a mid-level energy value while having a high sourcing sustainability. The CRISPR/Cas9 method of speeding up genetic modification allows for improved fermentation processes and is more efficient than alternative modification methods. Safety practices can be put in place to ensure there is no health or safety risk to humans or the environment associated with the modified strain. The industrial processes used to convert lignocellulose into biofuel have high operating cost due to the degree of cooling, aeration, agitation, and single-use materials.
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Brian Todey – Civil Engineering
Determining the Viability of Paper and Non-Synthetic Wax for Food Packaging
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Project Advisor(s): Greg Curtzwiler | Advisor(s): Kathleen Shields
Abstract: This research project explored the viability of using paper with a non-petroleum-based wax (beeswax, soy wax, and carnauba wax) liner as an alternative to polypropylene and low-density polyethylene which are used to make plastic wrappers currently in candy bars, potato chip bags, and cracker packaging. A variety of wax mixtures were created, and these wax samples were applied to paper using wet application and a laminator. Packaging samples where then tested using Cobb testing, Oil Drop Testing, Water Vapor Permeation Test, Differential Scanning Calorimeter, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Three main conclusions were drawn from this research study: Brittle waxes struggled to adhere to paper which reduced their ability to black water vaper transmission, soy wax and mineral oil helped reduced the brittleness of waxes it was mixed with but these mixes were also associated with an increase in permeability, and beeswax performed consistently in both Cobb tests and the permeation value was similar to that of plastics (polypropylene, and low density polyethylene) used in food packaging.
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Iris Top – Computer Engineering
Hardware Trojans
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Project Advisor(s): Randall Geiger | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: Current computer engineering curriculum does not cover hardware security at the undergraduate level. It is assumed in many classes that security at the hardware level is impenetrable and that the hardware itself is not compromised in any way. As the internet of things (IoT) continues to grow, so do the number of ways that hardware in a system can be, or already has been compromised. The goal of this honors project is to provide easy to understand learning materials for classes or tech talks. This material covers general hardware security, vocabulary, an in-depth investigation into hardware trojans, and why it is an important topic for all students to understand. It includes lecture slides, a prerecorded lecture, a lab, and a homework assignment.
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Alexander Vande Loo – Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering
Robotics Development
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Project Advisor(s): Kristin Rozier | Advisor(s): Jackie Kester, Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: This project explores robotics design in terms of structural elements, controls, and sensor inputs. More specifically, this project was intended to design the structure, code controls for, and assemble a robot that is able to autonomously navigate a 2D space, avoiding any obstacles present and recording a map of this space. To achieve this goal, the project was broken up into three stages. The first stage was to assemble the structure and calibrate the controls for different model robotics kits. This gave a better idea for how different movement configurations of robots are built and controlled. The second stage was to take one of these kits and modify it by 3D printing a structure to add on that allowed the addition of extra sensors. After adding on the new sensors, the code and controls were modified to add autonomous obstacle avoidance capabilities to the robot. Finally, the third stage was to design, manufacture, and code a robot capable of autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, and mapping over a specified 2D area. The final robot was able to successfully navigate an area of 30 x 30 cm with a randomly placed obstacle having no collisions and producing a map of the area.
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Robert Walling – Software Engineering, Music (Curriculum)
Music Tracker
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Project Advisor(s): Simanta Mitra | Advisor(s): Jason Follett, Kevin Judge
Abstract: As a music major, I noticed many of my colleagues struggle to prepare dozens of pieces for grad school auditions. Many people used bulky notebooks or spreadsheets that caused a large chunk of practice time to go toward bookkeeping. To change this, I created an app that allows users to better track practice sessions and allow practicing to be more efficient. In this presentation, I lay out the process of writing code, developing a database, running code on the cloud, and packaging an app to be deployed for Apple and Android.
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Phillip Ward – Mechanical Engineering
Using Physical Principles to Create an Image
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Project Advisor(s): Amy Kaleita | Advisor(s): John Wagner
Abstract: This project explores the world of the camera along with its history and all its intricacies. Cameras are something taken for granted in everyday life, being as accessible as sitting in our pockets every day. No one sits and thinks about how this marvel of technology works. Although it took hundreds of years to develop the first working commercially available cameras, the principles that govern how a camera works are actually very simple to understand. From the lens and the shutter, to the film and rules of exposure, I will be going over how and why a camera works. I take this information of the rules governing light physics and use it to build a camera of my own utilizing simple parts and models. Documenting my progress along the way, and using my second passion for film and my filmmaking skills, I created a fun video of my journey on producing my own original images. My goal of this project is to inform people in a fun and creative way about the world of cameras, a tool literally everyone uses in their everyday life, and hopefully inspire people to do their own projects with cameras.
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Benjamin Welte – Electrical Engineering
Christ in Middle Earth
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Project Advisor(s): Susan Yager | Advisor(s): Vicky Thorland-Oster
Abstract: More than half a century after its initial publication, J.R.R. Tolkien’s best-selling book, The Lord of the Rings, remains a landmark of popular culture in the English-speaking world, and the story’s abundant elements of naturalism, philology, and premodern European myth represent Tolkien’s eclectic personality well. But to limit Middle Earth’s inspiration to these interests would omit the single most important feature of Tolkien’s life: his devout Catholic faith. This essay attempts to analyze the role of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Catholic religion in shaping the story, characters, and message of The Lord of the Rings. Specifically, it examines parallels between the implicit soteriology, ecclesiology, and Christology in Middle Earth and the Catholic theology that enlivened Tolkien’s imagination. A comparison between The Lord of the Rings and the Catholic faith illumines the significance of the story’s events and reveals the purpose their author saw behind both his life and the lives of his readers.
