ASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) is pleased to announce the recipients of its Fall 2021 Call for Proposals. Award recipients include 1 faculty members and 35 undergraduate/graduate students, and are from 11 NASA CTSGC academic affiliate member institutions. Below are the names of all recipients of the Undergraduate/Graduate Grants, Scholarships, and Faculty Grants.
Congratulations to the Fall 2021 NASA Connecticut Space Grant award recipients!
Faculty STEM Education Research
Akin Tatoglu
University of Hartford
Investigating and Improving Interdisciplinary Communication Skills for STEM Students in a Peer Supported Project Environment
One of the core values of NASA is teamwork across multiple disciplines. Specifically, the future workforce need in STEM has a very high demand on interdisciplinary communication skills and teamwork. An interdisciplinary approach can enhance students’ learning ability and better model STEM processes in the real world. Serving to build a base for creating an experience that interconnects multiple disciplines within STEM, the specific goal of this project is to bring in engineering and biology students together, using real-world situations to investigate innovative ideas and to further improve interdisciplinary communication skills for STEM students in a peer supported project environment.
Graduate Research Fellowship
Thomas Davoren
Wesleyan University
Chromite-Ulvöspinel-Pyroxene (CUSP) inclusions in Apollo 12 Olivine Basalts
In our studies of olivine grains found in olivine basalts returned from Apollo 12, Dr. Jim Greenwood and I have discovered tiny features (~5-10 μm in diameter) that we named Chromite-Ulvöspinel-Pyroxene (CUSP) inclusions, for the structures are a vermicular intergrowth of these three minerals. Using optical petrographic and scanning electron microscopy, we explore the conditions that formed these CUSP inclusions. With the technological assistance of Yale’s Electron Microprobe, we create elemental maps of regions in olivine that are littered with CUSP inclusions to help identify the diffusive pathway of elements—particularly chromium—through the olivine lattice to CUSP inclusions themselves.
Margaret Deahn
Wesleyan University
Mapping and Minerology of Alpha Regio, Venus: Target of the DAVINCI probe
A high-resolution map of the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI) mission descent site (Alpha Regio) is necessary to have spatial context for near-infrared (NIR) images of the surface taken by the Venus Descent Imager (VenDI). This map and NIR analyses of relevant weathered minerals generated in the lab will help with preparation for the mission data. This research supports the NASA Science Mission Directorate goal of studying the origin and history of our solar system, and the potential for life elsewhere, by supporting a mission designed to study some of the Venus’s oldest terrains.
William Johnson
Yale University
Electropermanence for Energy-effcient Attachment of Modular Soft Robots
Future extraterrestrial missions require robots to navigate challenging terrain and adapt to unpredictable environments. Researchers proposed modular robots as an adaptive solution due to their reconfigurability. However, most modular robots are made from heavy components that are expensive to transport to space and rigid components that fail catastrophically when subjected to impacts. In contrast, modular soft robots are lightweight and survive harsh impacts, but they lack a modular attachment strategy that rivals their traditional counterparts. I propose compliant electropermanent magnets for the power-efficient modular attachment of soft robots. I will use these magnets to demonstrate soft robots achieving collaborative mobility.
William Levine
Yale University
Coupled Numerical Celestial Dynamical and Hydrodynamical Simulations to Connect our Solar System to the Exoplanets
It is known that gravitational perturbations and giant impacts between protoplanets are important in the final stages of planet formation. I will develop theia and deform, a novel computational framework to rigorously evaluate these processes in tandem by pairing the state-ofthe- art software from celestial dynamics and impact hydrodynamics. With my codebase, I will self-consistently examine the origin of our Solar System’s anomalous, empty inner region by comparing it to moon systems and multi-exoplanet systems. My proposal pertains to NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, and my hypotheses will be testable with data from robotic spacecraft.
Dani Lipman
University of Connecticut
3D CMZ: Distinguishing Near vs. Far Distances in the Galactic Center Using Spitzer and Herschel
A comprehensive 3D model of the central 500pc of the Milky Way, the Central Molecular Zone, (CMZ), is fundamental to understanding energy cycles in galactic nuclei. Current observational constraints are insufficient to distinguish existing 3D models. I propose to determine probabilistic distance for all clouds in the CMZ using Spitzer 8μm dust extinction and Herschel dust emission. The distance constraints will determine which, if any, of the existing models are consistent with observations. The results will be combined with complementary constraints to create full Distance Probability Density Functions for each cloud to further constrain 3D models of the CMZ.
Undergraduate Research Grant
Seth Larner
Wesleyan University
Searching for True Type Two Seyfert AGN with Chandra and SDSS Spectra.
The existence of true type two active galactic nuclei (AGN) would fundamentally contradict the canonical unifed theory of AGN which states that type one and two AGN differ only in angle of inclination. In accordance with NASA’s astrophysics mission directorate, support or refutation of this theory will increase understanding of the mechanisms of AGN accretion. This work will search for true type two candidates from among AGN observed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and Chandra X-ray Observatory in order to support or refute the unifed theory.
Vladimir Marosz
University of Connecticut
Construction and Evaluation of Electret Enhanced Organic Solar Cells in the Temperature Environment of Low Earth Orbit for CubeSat Applications
The prospect of more cost effective and more capable observation and communication platforms from low earth orbit are too great not to consider organic solar cell (OSC) power generation. Unique properties including foldability and low weight gift OSCs unmatched design potential. To realize this potential, greater power conversion efficiencies (PCE) and a knowledge of the relationship of PCE to the temperature environment of low earth orbit (LEO) must be investigated. Greater PCE by way of an electret, or permanent dipole, has been investigated, but not comprehensively for use in LEO.
April McBroom
University of Hartford
Undergraduate Student Research Electronic Computer-Aided Design
During the past 40 years, all electronic and computer designs have been automated by the industry. Computers are used to design other computers; this research project makes Electronic Computer-Aided Design (ECAD) comprehendible for freshman and sophomore engineering and technology majors. The usage of interactive media for teaching is the way of the future. Teaching students sophisticated electronic and computer automated design application software used in industry through traditional teaching methods has also posed challenges for educators. This project is essential during these times where online instruction has taken over. This project aims to develop a complete reference guide for Intel FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays) Quartus design tool. The material covered will be used for freshman, sophomore, and junior students. Upon completion of this project, the produced lessons and exercises will be available in a series of pdf and multimedia YouTube for students’ usage nationwide. This research project aims to enhance the conceptualization and analysis of engineering problems using both text and multimedia. The anticipated results are: 1) innovative instruction in the electronics and computer engineering core course, 2) continuous improvement of teaching and learning in undergraduate engineering education using the current technology, 3) a comprehendible model for distributing the finished product for undergraduate technical courses. These tutorials will be suitable for all students of Electronic Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Engineering/Technology, and Audio Engineering Technology. This project is all in line with NASA’s mission statement, “NASA’s comprehensive education program advances the nation’s educational goals through expanding and enhancing the scientific and technological competence of students and educators.”
Mona Peyravi
University of Connecticut
Supporting Inclusive Group Work in Studio-Style Physics Courses
Our research study will implement newly created group work guides for instructors and students to help support effective and inclusive group work in introductory STEM courses. We are going to study the implementation of these guides to see their effect on students’ conceptual learning, instructors’ and students’ attitudes and beliefs about group work, and on instructors’ use of group work in their courses. This aligns with the Science Mission Directorate, as the first step to a STEM professional is gaining the requisite knowledge and skills, including collaboration skills, which can all be acquired through the pedagogical strategy of studio physics.
Student Project Grant
Mary Ben Lee Apatoff
Yale University
Extravehicular Activity Sample Size Location Calibration Marker
NASA’s Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams (Micro-g NExT) is a challenge in which undergraduates design, build, and test a device that addresses a current space exploration challenge. This year’s challenges particularly focus on the lunar extravehicular activity (EVA) in relation to the upcoming Artemis missions, a program in which NASA will return astronauts to the moon (including the first woman and first person of color on the moon) using innovative new technologies for exploration. Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) will build an EVA Sample Size Location Calibration Marker for this engineering challenge. Astronauts deploy such sample markers next to potential lunar samples as one of the first steps of sample documentation. Photographs of lunar samples and adjacent sample markers help identify and provide information about the samples to scientists back on earth and help scientists analyze samples and calibrate photo documentation.
Austin Cheung
Yale University
IREC Competition Rocket
The Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) is devoted to helping undergraduates pursue their passion for aerospace. The Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) at Spaceport America helps us achieve our mission. This year, we will finish constructing a composite one stage rocket with innovative fabrication techniques to propel it to 10,000 feet above ground level, where redundant onboard electronics will deploy parachutes to safely recover the rocket. This innovative rocket will be flown at IREC during the summer of 2022.
John Fee
Fairfield University
Wireless Communication System Implementation with FPGA
The goal of this project is to establish end-to-end wireless communication using Field Programmable Gate Arrays. A modulator/demodulator will be designed with a pair of transceivers for transmitting and receiving messages. We are utilizing Quadrature Phase Shift Keying modulation for encoding messages. It uses four combinations of phase shift to encode two binary digits. We will implement this technique through Hardware Design Language in Simulink. This will be done using the MATLAB with the Simulink add-on. We will use the frequency band of 433 MHz for transmitting and receiving. Finally, the receiver will demodulate and decode the binary digits.
Hanah Leventhal
Yale University
Yale CubeSat
The Yale CubeSat is an undergraduate aerospace project to design and build a 2U CubeSat that detects cosmic rays in Low Earth Orbit. Cosmic rays are high-energy particles produced by cosmic accelerators that often appear as background noise in many space experiments, and can potentially affect satellite operations. The Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association is seeking funding to complete and test the space-grade cosmic ray detector, having designed a lab prototype and preliminary circuitry. We will purchase electronic components such as a scintillator, Printed Circuit Board and comparator chips to assemble into a flight payload.
Shaun Ormiston
Fairfield University
Solar Desalinator
The goal of this project is to create a solar powered water desalination system that is cost effective and also portable. This will be done after extensive research on ways to harvest solar energy, which can have potential applications in outer space since water is also scarce and will be an important resource as space exploration continues to grow–especially after many saltwater lakes were recently discovered on the surface of Mars. Due to this area of research being related to the aerospace industry, some of the team members may pursue higher degrees or employment in the field after graduation.
Alexander Prigge
Trinity College
Quantifying and Reducing Thermal Effects on the Mechanical Properties of Large Build Volume 3D Printing using High Temperature Polymers
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a form of Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) additive manufacturing where heated material is deposited to form a part layer by layer. High temperature polymers are sometimes chosen for this process due to their desirable mechanical properties, primarily their high strength to weight ratio and their high glass transition temperature. Heated build chambers are conventionally used to eliminate the thermal stresses caused by the temperature difference between the cool ambient air and the hot extruded material. A solution will be developed allowing the effective printing of high temperature polymers for large build volume parts.
Ryan Delaney Smithers
Yale University
Project Liquid
Liquid-propellant rockets are used extensively within the aerospace industry for orbital and deeper space missions, aligning it closely with NASA’s HEO Mission Directorate. Unlike solid rocket boosters, they add a higher degree of functionality due to its restartability, throttling capabilities, and efficiency. Project Liquid is a Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) initiative to develop a deeper scientific understanding of these liquid propulsion technologies. Members will develop the technical skills necessary for post collegiate work in the aerospace industry, which will further humanity’s development of orbital and deep-space rocketry.
Magdalena Tzcinska
Central Connecticut State University
A New Approach to Vertical Axis Wind Turbine Design
This project’s objective is to design and improve the efficiency, power generation, and overall design of Vertical Axis Wind Turbine. To do this, we will design, prototype, and test various parameters of our own vertical axis wind turbine to improve the performance relating to power generation. Relating to NASA’s Mission Directorate, renewable resources are necessary to meet societal needs because of growing concerns of climate change and vertical axis wind turbines can be more efficient in power generation than the horizontal axis wind turbines that are currently most commonly used.
Student Travel Grant
Katherine Bennett
Wesleyan University
Travel to Salt Lake City, UT – American Astronomical Society
Anna Fehr
Wesleyan University
Travel to Salt Lake City, UT – American Astronomical Society
Hannah Lewis
Wesleyan University
Travel to Salt Lake City, UT – American Astronomical Society
Ava Nederlander
Wesleyan University
Travel to Salt Lake City, UT – American Astronomical Society
Cassidy Soloff
Wesleyan University
Travel to Salt Lake City, UT – American Astronomical Society
Undergraduate Scholarships
Christopher Davenport
Central Connecticut State University
Maalik S McPherson
Trinity College
Nhat Pham
University of Bridgeport
Guilmar Valle
University of Connecticut
Jordaine Wisdom
University of Hartford
Transfer Scholarships
Claud Fanclik
Central Connecticut State University
Lindsey Japa
University of Connecticut
Anson Melick
Central Connecticut State University
Community College Scholarships
Kyle Gardner
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Anthony Lane
Naugatuck Valley Community College
John Massaro
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Lady S Navarro
Middlesex Community College
James Petkin
Naugatuck Valley Community College