Spring/Summer 2024 Call for Applications Awardees Announced!

Curriculum Development Grant

Edward Moore
Central Connecticut State University
Development of Freshman Design Competition for Introduction to Engineering Course

Today, Introduction to Engineering is taught at Central Connecticut State University as a purely theoretical course without hands on project or laboratory components.  Introduction to Engineering is a critical class, setting the stage for the rest of their careers.  It must survey the many different skills and abilities that will lead to professional success.   Quantitative skills should be addressed, to be sure, but teamwork, leadership, design, budgeting, scheduling, communication, professionalism, and a passion for iteration should also be part of every engineer’s toolkit.  In an informal survey a group of upper division students give the existing course a 3/10 for “interest”.  This group of students stayed with the program despite the shortcomings of their introduction to the discipline.  It is likely that some students became discouraged and left the program entirely.  A redesign of the course should both enhance retention, as well as engender an appreciation in students for the many facets of engineering.

Addition of a design project to this course will align it with the NASA Exploration Systems Directorate, since this will improve the ability of engineering students to work in cross functional teams while solving open-ended design problems, the solutions to which must be highly reliable and cost effective.

Faculty Project Grant

David Shekhtman
Fairfield University
Spectroscopy of (2+1)- and (3+1)- Multiphoton Acetone Tracer Excitation for Nonintrusive Laser Diagnostics of High-speed Flow

The proposed project is the continuation of the spectral study of the acetone excitation process. Using an experimentally obtained acetone spectrum (many lines have yet to be identified with documented acetone energy states), the re-excitation of acetone plasma and photolysis byproducts will be explored to determine the practicality of SNR enhancement and two-line thermometry. The results will aid researchers when using acetone as a tracer in high-speed flow inside a ground-test facility. The proposed project requires additional optics to gain more knowledge on the excitation processes of acetone.

Faculty Research Grant

Djedjiga Belfadel
Fairfield University
Multi-Sensor Fusion for Robust Drone Swarm Navigation without GPS

This project aims to provide an alternative navigation system to enable a swarm of drones to conduct autonomous missions in a Global Positioning System (GPS) denied environment. To achieve this goal, we propose a relative navigation system, using an extended Kalman Filter (EKF) to fuse the observation from the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), an optical flow and a ranging sensor. This methodology uses two waveforms to achieve secure and high communication data rate using a low-cost beam-switching phased array. This system thus enables drone operations even in GPS- denied environments. This cost-effective solution aligns with NASA’s Space Technology strategic enterprise.

Michelle Fabiani
University of New Haven
Satellite Imagery for Archaeological Looting Detection

This project seeks to collect monthly satellite imagery on 661 archaeological sites in Lower Egypt in two time periods: 2015 – 2017 and 2018 – 2023. The resulting data will provide the seed for a future project to code for and analyze how looting activity changes over space and time in response to natural (environmental) and human (economic, conflict) influences. This work extends a previous pilot project, expanding the data collection approach and is an intermediary step towards identifying these risk factors and opportunity structures for looting activity. Relevant to the Science Mission Directorate, it will facilitate interdisciplinary analysis of landscape changes.

Chee-Hoi Leong
Central Connecticut State University
Effect of Chronic Eccentric Cycling Training on Bone Mineral Density in Healthy Females

Exposure to microgravity in space leads to skeletal muscle atrophy, reduced muscular function, and bone mineral density (BMD) loss. Current exercise countermeasures, including structured programs with basic equipment like treadmills and cycle ergometers, aim to mitigate these effects but fall short due to insufficient training stimulus. Eccentric cycling, however, offers high-force, low-demand exercise, potentially restoring muscle function and BMD more effectively. Our study aims to assess the effects of 8 weeks of chronic eccentric cycling on BMD, body composition, and muscular function. We hypothesize significant improvements to BMD, body composition, and muscular function, aligning with NASA’s mission to design effective space exploration exercise protocols.

Cheryl Li
University of New Haven
Skeleton Tracking for Space Explorations

Space exploration is driven by humanity’s long-standing dream of venturing beyond our planet. Beyond scientific advancement, it fosters technological innovation and prompts us to ponder profound existential questions. However, challenges such as astronaut health and productivity in space persist due to hazardous conditions. To address this, researchers are developing Human-Robot Interfacing systems, expanding beyond remote operations to various setups like co-located and group interactions. This research aims to offer a promising solution by leveraging advancements in computer vision and AI. In particular, the project utilizes depth cameras to track human movements in real time, enhancing the control of robots for space exploration. The short-term goals of this research involve constructing a sophisticated 3D skeleton tracking system and developing advanced algorithms, while the long-term objectives aim for autonomous exploration robots to support in-site resource utilization and surface construction for space exploration.

Nikodem Poplawski
University of New Haven
Automated Asteroid Occultation Project

We propose to support and expand a local network of Northeast USA telescopes–partially or fully automated, located at local (primarily CT) astronomy clubs, private residences, local colleges, and perhaps secondary schools, for the primary purpose of observing asteroid occultations. Specifically, observing with many telescopes will increase the number of observed chords per successful occultation which will improve shape and position estimates. The resulting observations will improve upon the knowledge of asteroids, perhaps planetary moons, through accurate measurements of size to better than sub-km, shape of similar accuracy, and position (sub milli-arcsecond accuracy) of these solar system bodies.

Sriharsha Sundarram
Fairfield University
Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) Metal Foam – Phase Change Material (PCM) based Passive Thermal Energy Storage Units

The goal of this project is to explore the use of metal foams with triply periodic minimal surface lattices as thermal enhancers for phase change materials in thermal storage units. A fabrication approach using metal 3D printing is employed to manufacture lightweight arbitrary structures that serve not only as thermal enhancers but also offer load bearing capabilities. The thermal performance of these structures will be characterized via experiments and simulations. This project ties in directly with the Space Operations Mission Directorate which has identified heat rejection and storage systems as one of the technology areas relevant to the agency’s mission.

Brian Wells
University of Hartford
Design and Application of Multiscale Metamaterial Devices Used in Space Imaging and Communication

Metamaterials are a form of synthetic composites that can manipulate light in ways that are not possible with naturally occurring materials. These materials can potentially revolutionize space communication and imaging, crucial to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). However, one of the biggest challenges to realizing these advancements is the difficulty of fabrication and production. This project aims to explore new fabrication techniques using FDM and SLA 3D printing along with PCB plotting. We propose to develop, produce, and test a variety of new dielectric, conductive, and semi-conductive filaments and resins that can be implemented into 3D printing technologies. These materials will be used to fabricate several theoretically novel imaging and communication metamaterial devices. We’ll construct a stand-alone electromagnetically shielded anechoic chamber to ensure accurate results for precise microwave metamaterial characterization. This will also act as a springboard for near-future funding proposals. A minimum of ten undergraduate research students across disciplines will be engaged in these projects, and the findings of the proposed and previous related projects will be published in top peer-reviewed scientific journals upon completion.

Xingguo Xiong
University of Bridgeport
Machine Learning based Wildfire Detection Using Satellite Imagery and Drone Surveillance

This project proposes a machine learning-driven wildfire detection system integrating satellite imagery with drone surveillance. Machine learning analyzes satellite images to pinpoint potential wildfire spots, enhanced by drone surveillance to address image gaps. Equipped with sensors and cameras, drones capture data including GPS, temperature, and humidity, providing detailed insights into wildfire activity. Combining satellite imagery’s wide coverage with drone’s flexibility ensures accurate and timely detection. AI automation enhances detection processes, enabling firefighters and communities to respond swiftly and evacuate efficiently. This aligns with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) which seeks to expand the frontiers of broad scientific pursuits in Earth Science, enhancing early wildfire detection and response capabilities.

Faculty Travel Grant

Meredith Hughes
Wesleyan University
Bringing Wesleyan Astronomy Students to Green Bank Observatory

We propose a 3-day trip for Wesleyan astronomy students to Green Bank Observatory, where they will experience hands-on telescope use and access to a receiver lab in the context of a world-class observatory.  Given the shift of our field towards remote observations, it is increasingly necessary to provide opportunities for students to experience hands-on data collection and the operation of a national facility.  This course is the “advanced observational” offering in Wesleyan’s astronomy sequence, and is aligned with NASA’s mission directorates in terms of astrophysics education, specifically developing student capability in the area of science-enabling technologies through exposure to instrumentation.

Faculty/Student Research

Haoyu Wang
Central Connecticut State University
Remote Robotic Repair Based on Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and AI

The goal of the research is to develop an intelligent remote-control system for robots to conduct repairs using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to get control commands from the user and allow the user to visualize just-in-time data analytic and real-time video feed of the operation site. Robot Operating System (ROS) will be used to connect sensors, robots, and VR and AR devices. Large language model and deep learning will be used to build AI models for intuitive and intelligent human-robot interfaces.

STEM Education Research Grant

Tomoyasu Mani
University of Connecticut
Molecular Quantum Days for High School Students

This project proposes to develop a new outreach program, weekend workshops (Molecular Quantum Days), targeted at high school students focusing on molecular quantum science and technologies.  The new program will allow high school students to explore the quantum world through molecular science, connecting quantum concepts with phenomena/technologies students find in daily life. Students will explore fundamental concepts in quantum mechanics through hands-on activities and discussions facilitated by PIs and undergraduate/graduate assistants. The project aligns with NASA’s mission to develop cutting-edge quantum technologies for space exploration and scientific discovery under the Space Operation and Space Technology Mission Directorates.

Jacob Werblow
Central Connecticut State University
The Power of STEM: Capturing Teacher Voices in the NASA Astro Camp Teacher Prep Program

Conducted by the CT STEM Academy, the NASA Astro Camp Teacher Certification Program gives classroom teachers and aspiring educators the chance to learn how to inspire youth to learn about astrophysics, earth science, and heliophysics, which directly align with NASA’s Exploration Systems Development and Science Mission Directorate. Building off the success of our Spring 2024 research  grant, where we trained 13 individuals and conducted an external evaluation using surveys, we now propose to provide a level-I training at CCSU in the Fall and to conduct an external evaluation focus group with the participants of the program.