Past Recipients

Faculty-Student Summer Research Grant

Tom Filburn
University of New Haven
NASA Life Support Primer Update

This project is intended to update a life support training primer and class that was created in 2007 for NASA’s Exploration System Mission Directorate. The training extended for 3 days with a focus on systems and materials required to support crewed exploration vehicles and habitats. The ultimate product was a 3 day seminar that covered Vehicle Thermal Control and Crew Comfort (Day 1), Air Revitalization (Day 2), and Water Reclamation (Day 3). This project will provide an update to sections 1 and 2 (Thermal Control, Air Revitalization) of that training primer. Dr Tom Filburn will lead a team of two undergraduate researchers to enhance those topical sections of the 2007 primer.

Haoyu Wang
Central Connecticut State University
Robotic Deburring and Blending of Aerospace Parts Based on 3D Vision and Differential Geometry

This project will contribute to NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. The goal of the research is to use differential geometric method and 3D vision in path planning and motion planning to improve current robotic deburring and blending of aerospace parts. The shape operator of a surface does not only provide the mean curvature of the surface (its trace), the Gauss curvature (its determinant), but also the radius of the circle that best fit the curve generated by intersecting the surfaces. The project will use properties of the shape operator to find an analytical formula/algorithm for deburring and blending.

Brian Wells
University of Hartford
The University of Hartford Multiscale Metamaterial Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Summer 2023

This research will be conducted with Professor Brian Wells at the University of Hartford Multiscale Metamaterial Research Laboratory, focusing on fabricating and characterizing multiscale metamaterial designs with a particular focus on application in satellite communication, astronomy, and astrophysics. This project is significant for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). The work will include two undergraduate students, one from the University of Hartford and the other from a two-year Community College, and will span eight weeks during the Summer of 2023. The available projects will include (1) investigating and developing multiscale metamaterial beam steering technologies for application in satellite communications and (2) designing and fabricating high-index 3D-Printed Metamaterial compact flat lenses for application in broad-band microwave imaging.

Faculty STEM Education Programming Grant

Marco Bonett-Matiz
University of Bridgeport
Summer Math Preparation Workshop for Underrepresented STEM Students

UB School of Engineering incoming freshmen typically place in MATH 103 Introduction to College Algebra or MATH 106 College Algebra (versus MATH 109 Pre-Calculus or MATH 110 Calculus). This generally positions the student at least a year behind in their engineering courses leading to a longer timeframe to graduation, education costs and often retention loss. A virtual math-focused summer preparation workshop with an on-campus residential component will be conducted to support 25 incoming underrepresented freshmen STEM students with on campus accommodation for up to four students. The project aligns with all mission directorates, but most closely the Science Mission Directorate.

Philip Gee
Norwalk Community College
Norwalk STEM Science Fair

Hold a STEM Fair at Norwalk Community College. High School students will present the research they have conducted to panels of judges to demonstrate the Scientific Method and what they learned from the findings/research.

Meng-Ju Sher
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan Girls in Science Summer Camp

Female faculty members from Wesleyan’s natural science and mathematics, in partnership with Middletown Public Schools, run a one-week “Girls in Science Summer Camp” for underserved elementary school girls from Middletown, CT, and surrounding communities. The camp is designed to reveal to 32 girls, 9-12 years old, the science that surrounds them in their daily lives, while also giving them exposure to (1) scientific concepts and vocabulary, (2) equipment and experiments, and (3) female scientist role models, including both faculty and female Wesleyan science students. Campers explore science topics ranging from neural activity, renewable energy, to biochemistry through hands-on activities and science-inspired art projects.

Faculty STEM Education Research Grant

Candice Etson
Wesleyan University
Supporting Spatial Thinking to Improve Physics Learning

Our goal is to help build the diverse and skilled workforce our nation needs by removing barriers to student success in introductory physics. We aim to do this by developing online tutorials that use computer simulations students can manipulate and explore on screen to help them learn about the behavior and relationships between electric and magnetic fields. Preliminary data suggests this approach can benefit all students, but especially women, with weaker spatial reasoning skills more than tutorials without simulations. As we pilot additional tutorials, we expect to learn more about the factors that impact how students learn physics.

Faculty Project Grant

Mihai Duduta
University of Connecticut
Dielectric Elastomer Actuators as Solid State Grippers for Space Application

Soft robots offer new solutions for longstanding challenges in Robotics, particularly operation in unstructured environments. The proposed research aims to develop and evaluate soft robotic grippers based on dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Operating as completely solid state devices, DEA grippers can provide the operator rich information on gripping parameters through embedded proprioception. The project will support a student in demonstrating a four digit gripper that can be deployed from a confined space, and withstand low pressure and damaging radiation, in a controlled laboratory environment.

Faculty Research Grant

Danushka Bandara
Fairfield University
Memory Retrieval Under Stress

This project aims to explore the effect of stress on memory retrieval in simulated virtual environments. Since astronauts face high-risk situations such as extravehicular activities, they are constantly exposed to stress, affecting their memory retrieval. This project will quantify the effect of stress on memory retrieval in simulated 3D environments and the effect of various factors on memory retrieval (timing of stress, sensory modality, and emotion). This interdisciplinary project will move the study of memory forward as well as train students on human subject experiments and analysis of physiological data. This project supports NASA space operations mission directorate’s human research program and NASA Exploration systems development mission directorate’s Extravehicular (xEVA) and Human Surface Mobility program.

Djedjiga Belfadel
Fairfield University
Autonomous Drone Swarm Navigation in a GPS denied Environment

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), and the range sensor. This methodology uses two waveforms to achieve a 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.

Chandranil Charkraborttii
Trinity College
Analyzing Anomalies from Solar Observations to Detect, Predict and Interpret New and Existing Solar Phenomena

This research will analyze observations from multiple NASA’s solar observatory missions to find, explain and predict anomalies in solar observations. Leveraging the time series nature of data, we will use unsupervised machine learning techniques to detect anomalies. Using cluster analysis techniques, the flagged anomalies will be correlated with existing phenomena for future prediction of these events and to find new potential solar phenomena. Automated interpretation will be performed to generate reasons why the model flagged certain observations as anomalies. The project will promote scientific understanding of solar effects on Earth and the interplanetary environment in accordance with Science Mission Directorate.

Kehan Gao
Eastern Connecticut State University
Exploring the Potential of Deep Learning for Mars Image Classification and Analysis

Deep Learning (DL), which uses multiple layers of artificial neural networks to learn and process information, has achieved breakthroughs in a wide range of applications, including image recognition. In this project, we will apply three DL convolution neural network models to classify two NASA image datasets: MSLNet and HiRISENet, featuring Mars surface and Mars orbital images, respectively. Undergraduate students participating in the project will gain valuable research experience in the fascinating field of Mars image classification. By applying state-of-the-art image classification approaches, the project aims to produce valuable research outcomes that will be published and shared with data science classes.

Yuriy Garbovskiy
Central Connecticut State University
Controlling Ions in Advanced Liquid Crystal Materials Tailored to Space Applications

Electrically driven liquid crystals have the potential to revolutionize existing and emerging technologies critical to space exploration, space imaging, space communication, and space navigation. Because the electric field induced effects can be altered by ions typically present in liquid crystal in minute quantities, the control over ions in liquid crystal materials is essential for the development of advanced space applications. This project related to NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate and Science Mission Directorate focuses on the development of new approaches to control ions in liquid crystals by utilizing ion-capturing and ion-releasing nanomaterials and thin films.

Huan Gu
University of New Haven
Evaluating the Impact of Microgravity on the Virulence and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus Aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen and part of astronauts’ skin microbiome that constantly mutates in response to environmental changes. The extreme gravitational forces (g-forces) during space traveling could alter S. aureus’s activities and astronauts’ skin such as thinning, providing opportunities for multi-antibiotic resistant skin infections. However, how the change in g-forces affects S. aureus’s activities, specifically, virulence and antibiotic susceptibility, remains unknown. In this project, we developed a new method to rigorously control g-force and evaluate its effects on S. aureus’s activities, enabling the development of effective strategies to prevent and treat mediated infections during space traveling.

Shivanjali Khare
University of New Haven
Channel Anomaly Prediction with Multi-granularity Fusion and GRUs

This proposal presents an approach for improving anomaly prediction in large telemetry datasets generated by NASA missions. The proposed method combines a multi-granularity encoder-decoder-based fusion network with a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) based anomaly prediction model to identify complex spatiotemporal patterns, correlate anomalies across different channels and granularities, and reduce false positives. The resulting approach aims to minimize the risks associated with spacecraft operations and increase mission success. This research is significant to NASA’s mission directorates as it provides an innovative and effective way to improve anomaly detection and reduce false positives, thereby enhancing mission safety, reliability, and efficiency.

Anna Kloc
University of New Haven
Epigenetic Analysis of Chromatin Modifications in Human Heart Tissues Affected by Epstein-Barr Virus

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Inflammation of the heart muscle, known as myocarditis, is a condition most often associated with a viral infection. Such inflammation can have devastating consequences on cardiac function, yet it can be challenging to diagnose due to a wide range of clinical manifestations. Epstein-Barr virus is often reactivated in astronauts during space travels, and it has also been implicated in heart disease. However, despite the association between viral infection and heart disease, the molecular networks that guide disease progression and outcomes are not fully understood. This research project will elucidate how viral infection in the heart is regulated on an epigenetic level, with emphasis on histone modifications. This analysis will contribute to a better understanding of cardiac disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus induced pathology.

Yingcui Li
University of Hartford
Novel Method to Study Bone Loss Cellular Mechanism Using Computer Controlled Image Analysis from High-Throughput, Multi-Image Cryohistology on Growth Plates

During space missions lasting six months or longer, astronauts can experience bone loss equivalent to two decades of aging. and they only recovered about half of that loss after one year back on Earth. This bone loss may not completely be recovered even years after returned to earth (1). Bone loss would cause bones to become brittle and likely to fracture (break), resulting in osteoporosis, or weak bones. Bone loss therefore poses a great danger to astronauts’ health and their ability to carry out basic functions during space travel and after returning to earth and it is a significant and unresolved health risk.

Our bodies have a natural cycle for removing old bone cells and rebuilding new bone cells. The balance of bone formation and bone turnover (bone loss) needs to be maintained so that bone structure and density are stable. Bone undergoes continuous cycles of modeling and remodeling (2, 3). With advancing age, at the cellular level, the amount of bone resorbed by osteoclasts (bone removing cells) is not fully restored with bone deposited by osteoblasts (bone forming cells) and this imbalance leads to net bone loss. Thus, aging and osteoporosis are intimately linked. After age 50, human start losing bone faster than our body can build it. In fact, due to this accelerated process of bone loss, women can lose up to 20% of their bone density within 5 to 7 years following menopause (4). Many other risk factors have been linked to bone loss such as diet lacking calcium, family history of osteoporosis, limited mobility, and long-term space travel under low or micro gravity (4, 5).

The underlying molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis are believed to be the increased activity of osteoclasts, decreased activity of osteoblasts, or a combination of both, which lead to an imbalance in the bone remodeling process with accelerated bone resorption and attenuated bone formation. There is an urgent need to fill the gap of a direct measurement of the rate of bone formation and turnover to understand the cellular mechanism of this process. In this study a novel method is developed using laboratory mice and in vivo vital mineral injections to a) measure the rate of bone formation b) measure the rate of bone turnover c) identify cell types in order to detect anomalies during this process. Using computer-controlled image analysis quantitative study of bone formation and turnover process at the cellular level can be achieved for the first time. This is significant because with the result of this study we will learn for the first time the detailed cellular mechanism of bone loss, and this may provide valuable insight into new preventive and treatment methods to this condition.

Solaleh Miar
University of Hartford
Interdisciplinary Student Engagements in the Development of a Novel Preventive Approach with the Potential to Mitigate Space-Induced Muscle Atrophy

Muscle atrophy in astronauts is a life-threatening condition during spaceflights. In this proposal, we aim to design a modulated drug delivery system to provide biochemical and electrical cues to eliminate muscle loss and promote muscle function. This novel research focuses on the development of an electrosensitive drug delivery system capable of releasing Myostatin Inhibitors (chemical cue) paired with external stimulation to prevent muscle atrophy with the application of muscle loss prevention in astronauts. To evaluate the efficiency of the designed system, the impact of the combination of chemical and electrical stimuli on muscle volume and function will be studied in-vitro.

Cameron Oden
University of New Haven
Degradation of PPCPs Using Metal Oxides Native to Martian Soil

Access to clean water is a challenge for NASA’s space exploration missions. Current technologies rely on membrane filtration and adsorbents to generate potable water. Planetary exploration missions, however, will require water treatment technologies that are not dependent on consumables. The Martian surface has an abundance of metal oxides, including iron, manganese, and titanium oxides, that could potentially be used to degrade water contaminants. The primary goal of this research is to evaluate the use of metal oxides native to the Martian surface for the photocatalytic and thermocatalytic degradation of aqueous contaminants resulting from pharmaceuticals and personal care products.

Hao Sun
University of New Haven
Design of NIR-Induced Self-Healing Polymer/Polydopamine Composite Materials with Radiation Resistance

Self-healing polymer materials that can autonomously repair their physical damages are highly desired for various applications in biomedical devices, electronics, and aerospace. However, the lifetime of self-healing polymers would be significantly compromised by high frequency ionizing radiation such as gamma and X-rays. In the proposed research, we aim to develop polymer/polydopamine nanocomposite-based self-healing materials which not only can repair themselves, but also resist ionizing radiation. We envision that this study will present the next-generation polymer materials for NASA’s space-related applications by constructing self-healing spacecrafts, and protecting astronauts from cosmic radiation during the space exploration.

Sriharsha Sundarram
Fairfield University
Innovative Thermal Protection Systems for Space Vehicles based on Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) Polymer Nanocomposite Structures

The goal of this project is to explore innovative ablative thermal protection systems for space vehicles through the fabrication of flexible polymer nanocomposites with triply periodic minimal surface architectures. A fabrication approach using 3D printing is employed to manufacture custom designed lightweight conformal structures that serve not only as thermal protection system but also offer load bearing capabilities. The thermal and mechanical properties of these structures will be characterized. This project ties in directly with the Space Operations Mission Directorate which has identified conformal ablative thermal protection systems as one of the technology area relevant to the agency’s mission.

Faculty Project Grant

Xin Shen
University of Hartford
Multidimensional Light Field Imaging and Visualization

This project is focus on the multidimensional light field sensing and visualization technologies. We plan to integrate and extend light field imaging into higher-dimensions which contains the spacial, temporal and polarimetric information. Signal processing approaches and algorithms will to be investigated for computational reconstruction and optical display. Light field based multidimensional information extraction, reconstruction and visualization can enhance users’ knowledge of the observation. This project aims to provide opportunities for undergraduate student involvement on early research and education in optics and photonic. It has a close relevance to areas of interest of NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).

Brian Wells
University of Hartford
Development and Fabrication of Conductive Filaments in 3D Printing for Design of Multiscale Metamaterial Devices for Space Communication and Imaging

Metamaterials, light manipulating synthetic materials not found in nature, have the potential to produce revolutionary effects in space communication and imaging. Both of these are of the utmost importance in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). A persistent obstacle in their realization is fabrication and production. In this project, we propose to develop, produce, and test a variety of new conductive and semi-conductive filaments that can be implemented into 3D printing technologies. These filaments will then be used to fabricate two theoretically novel imaging and communication metamaterial devices, an angle-independent Salisbury screen and a band-pass optical filter.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Susan Freudzon
Fairfield University
Biomedical STEM Outreach in Bridgeport, CT

Dr. Susan Freudzon seeks funding to support a STEM afterschool program at the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club in Bridgeport, CT. This program seeks to engage approximately 15 middle-school students from under-represented backgrounds through innovative hands-on STEM curriculum delivered by Fairfield University undergraduate students. Students will learn about the engineering design process, experimental design and analysis using Biomedical Engineering themed activities. The aim is to increase confidence and curiosity about STEM subjects and to inspire them to pursue engineering education and careers. The program concludes with a tour the Fairfield University engineering labs, machine shop, and 3D printing center.

Peter Kootsookos
Middlesex Community College
CT Public Library Middle School Robotics Workshops

CT Public Library Robotics Workshops promotes robotics by presenting workshops at interested Connecticut public libraries. The target audience are middle schoolers but the workshop is accessible to anyone capable of learning to program in Scratch.  The workshop builds a robot line-follower in three stages: sensing the line, moving the robot, and connecting the two to follow the line.  The applicants prototyped the workshops during summer of 2022 at the Ledyard and Willimantic public libraries. However, we have received interest from more libraries and wish to scale the program by involving student helpers from our three institutions or any others interested.

Lin Lin
Middlesex Community College
Adventures in Learning STEM Gems Camp 2023

Adventures in Learning STEM Camp seeks to get children excited about learning by presenting opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in creative and innovative ways. Campers learn about the marvels of science through scientific experiments, experience computer technology, learn the wonders of math, and the value of engineering. This year our camp will take on a newly adopted format. We will take children on expeditions around the City of Middletown to discover STEM GEMS (Great Educational Middletown Sites) and learn how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics impact our lives every day. After spending years behind a screen in virtual classes, the children will be able to enjoy time outdoors and it will be a welcome change.

Fatma Pakdil
Eastern Connecticut State University
Collaborative Research: Research Experiences for High School Students in Big Data Analytics in Healthcare

There is a shortage of high school students who intend to pursue a career in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). To support NASA’s mission directorates that aim to increase interest in STEM among students, this proposal aims to perform a research institute at Eastern Connecticut State University for high school students to increase awareness of STEM fields. Participant will 1) be encouraged to pursue STEM careers, 2) develop an awareness of STEM fields, and 3) learn how to use big data analytics in STEM fields.

Faculty Research Grant

Pierre Christian
Fairfield University
Black Holes in Virtual Reality

This project proposes to create a virtual reality (VR) environment that mimics real life black holes with computer simulations. The VR environment will accurately simulate the trajectories of objects hurled towards the black hole, and will be directly controlled with VR motion controls. The resulting VR environment will not only be beneficial for pedagogical purposes, but also be accurate enough to be utilized for professional black hole research. By removing the barrier of entry for researchers to utilize black hole numerical simulation codes in their research, this project is relevant to the Astrophysics Division of the NASA Science Mission Directorate.

Omar Faruk Emon
University of New Haven
3D Printing of Functional Polymers for Sensing Applications

Additive manufacturing could be employed to realize need-specific electronics. The goal of this project is to develop a 3D printing solution (system and materials) for fabricating polymer-based flexible sensors. The standard sensors come with predefined geometries, mechanical properties, and sensitive ranges. Commercial 3D printers generally do not support functional polymers for electronics and, more importantly, customization in materials to vary the specifications. This research will provide a pathway to “make what is needed” instead of “work with what is available”. Therefore, it is believed to be crucial for NASA’s space-related applications by enabling on-demand fabrication, adjustment, and repair of electronics.

Scott Graves
Southern Connecticut State University
Osprey’s view of a Curious Natural Perched Beach, Guilford, CT – µUAS Aerial Mapping

The “Osprey’s view of a Curious Natural Perched Beach” project combines low altitude small Unmanned Aerial Systems (μUAS) mapping with traditional on-ground Transit Surveys to produce high-resolution geo-referenced orthomosaic image/maps and 3D landform visualizations of an important, yet previously unexplained, natural perched beach in a suburban setting that appears to be in continual landward migration driven by storm surge over wash events. The project activities are in line with NASA’s strategic goals including use of Remote Sensing and Earth Observations to enhance our understanding of the environment while providing information that helps in planning and stewardship of the coastal environment.

Naser Haghbin
Fairfield University
Developing a Human Blood Vessel using 3D Bioprinting and Cell Culturing techniques

3D bioprinting technology will have an essential role in the future of NASA space missions to print human tissues for the health of astronauts. This research will design and fabricate a blood vessel that produces a volumetric flow rate. We develop a 3D CAD model in a cylinder, which acts as a mold. Then, the bioink and cells mixture is 3D printed inside the cylinder mold and a spherical mold. We will then use microscopy to examine the growth of cells in the blood vessel’s muscular and vascular layer.

Kristine Horvat
University of New Haven
Exploring Oxygen and Fuel Options for Mars Using Different Algae Growth Conditions

Mars exploration is necessary to determine its hospitality to human living. As a result, many challenges must be overcome, including determining ways to produce oxygen and fuel, which are important to the Space Technology Mission Directorate. In this study, Chlorella algae will be grown under different pressure, temperature, and gas-phase composition conditions. The monitoring of the gas-phase composition and algae volume over time will help determine the oxygen production rate, algae growth rate, and ability to produce oil under varying conditions. Results will provide evidence to the feasibility of growing Chlorella on Mars as an oxygen and fuel source.

Goli Nossoni
University of New Haven
Moonglomerete for Construction on the Moon

In the past years, most researches in NASA and elsewhere focused on making a type of geopolymer concrete for moon construction with a different binder than cement paste due to the lack of water and cement on the moon. The goal was that the new concrete should be placed using the new technology of 3D printing. However, researchers are still trying to discover a feasible binder. Even a small amount of binder transported from earth may costs millions of dollars. Since the focus was on finding this binder, researchers tried to implement the proposed solution of 3D printing some sort of non-hydraulic Portland cement concrete rather than addressing the basic problem statement. The problem statement is “construction materials on the moon with integrous material with minimum transportation from earth.” The proposed research plans to construct bricks from moon materials and energy generated on the moon with no need of any materials from earth. Instead of being 3D printed, the bricks will be made using a robotic manufacturing process. The new material uses for manufacturing bricks is called Moonglomerete, which solely uses rocks already present on the moon. Although the proposed material is very different than concrete, it still can be classified a sort of “mooncrete” where larger lighter colored moon rocks (anorthosite) will be embedded in a binder made from smaller darker rocks (basalt) that are molten to form bricks. The structure of these bricks are compatible with conglomerate rocks on earth. Basalt has a lower melting point than anorthosite. The energy required to melt dust particles of basalt will be supplied using relatively small Fresnel lenses. The temperature at the focal points of the lenses can reach more then 2000°C on the earth, which can melt most rocks in less than a minute.

Rahul Singhal
Central Connecticut State University
Synthesis and characterization of MnCuO and rGO/MnCuO materials for supercapacitor applications.

We will synthesize and characterize the materials for supercapacitors to store high specific energy. The proposed work is related to NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD). We will synthesize MnCuO and rGO/MnCuO by hydrothermal method at various temperature. The synthesized materials will then be physically characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The electrochemical characterizations such as cyclic voltammetry, charge-discharge, rate performances, and cycleability will be carried out in a three electrode system using the electrodes of the synthesized materials, Pt. foil, Ag/AgCl as working, counter, and reference electrodes, respectively.

Qian Yang
University of Connecticut
Predicting Melting Point of Eutectic Mixtures with Graph Neural Networks

Molten salt mixtures are promising candidates for use as electrolytes in new battery technologies, with applications ranging from space vehicles in harsh environments such as Venus to electric-powered aircraft. Prediction of the eutectic melting points for these materials is a key technical challenge. We propose utilizing graph neural networks to train data-driven models for prediction of eutectic melting temperatures. We will curate a benchmark dataset by combining a large database of molten salt eutectics with structural and other feature information. A fast machine learning model would pave the way for future high-throughput screening of eutectic mixtures for battery design.

Guoan Zheng
University of Connecticut
Miniaturized optofluidic ptychography for terrestrial and astrobiological research

We aim to develop a miniaturized optofluidic ptychography platform for the search of micron-size organisms and crystals in perennial springs in Peyto Lake in Banff National Park. The remarkable simplicity of the proposed device allows the construction of high-resolution microscopes that can detect and capture the behavior of microscopic organisms and microparticles in difficult terrestrial environments. The possibility for designs that have low weight and that can survive vibrations and shocks encountered during rocket launch as well as landing on a destination moon or planet makes the proposed device a particularly strong candidate for space mission and astrobiological studies.

Faculty Project Grant

Barbara Murdoch
Eastern Connecticut State University
Publishing undergraduate research in peer-reviewed journals

This project seeks to fund the cost of publishing two research manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, each the result of undergraduate research and previously funded by research grants from the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium. Publication of our novel results will disseminate our findings to national and international audiences and demonstrate the exceptional research capacity of undergraduate researchers. Our research explores the diversity and antibiotic production of the scorpion microbiome and has implications for NASA’s directorate of Human Exploration, that requires having the knowledge of microbial diversity and antibiotic arsenal required to eradicate bacterial infections, in space and on earth.

Faculty STEM Ed Programming

Donna Hylton
Middlesex Community College
Adventures in Learning STEM GEMS Camp

Adventures in Learning STEM Camp seeks to get children excited about learning by presenting opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in creative and innovative ways. Campers learn about the marvels of science through scientific experiments, experience computer technology, learn the wonders of math, and the value of engineering. This year our camp will once again take on our newly adopted format. We will take children on expeditions around the City of Middletown to discover STEM GEMS (Great Educational Middletown Sites) and learn how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics impact our lives every day. After spending years behind a screen in virtual classes, the children will enjoy time outdoor and visiting STEM locations.

Faculty STEM Ed Research

John Drazan
Fairfield University
Expanding Access to Informal STEM Enrichment Through Sports

We seek to evaluate the efficacy of using sports as a venue for informal STEM enrichment among underrepresented youth. We will host a one-week summer research experience at Fairfield University for 16 high school students. There will be two parallel programs, one focused on traditional engineering research and one focused biomechanics in sports. We will compare the demographics, starting STEM interest, and ending STEM interest of participants in both programs. We hypothesize that sports biomechanics research will engage a more diverse set of students with lower starting STEM interest relative to the traditional engineering research program.

Faculty-Student Summer Research

Haoyu Wang
Central Connecticut State University
In-Space Robotic Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing through Robotic Teleoperation and Just-In-Time Data

This research will contribute to NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. The goal of the research is to develop an intelligent remote-control system for robots to conduct in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing operations using virtual reality and augmented reality 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. Cloud computing and Internet of Things (IOT) will be used to acquire, store, and process the data from multiple sensors at the operation site. Deep learning will be used to build AI models for intelligent human-robot interfaces.

High Altitude Ballooning/Cubesat (HAB/C)

Chong Qiu
University of New Haven
High-altitude Ballooning with Portable Ozone Monitors in Preparation for Stratospheric Ozone Measurements during the 2023 Solar Eclipse

An interdisciplinary team of engineering seniors will select a portable ozone monitor for both ground and stratospheric ozone monitoring. The team will build a proper housing for the ground ozone measurements. The team will also build necessary power and data transmission accessories for the ozone monitor in order to assemble a complete payload of a high-altitude balloon for stratospheric ozone measurements. The engineering solutions in this project will be used for stratospheric ozone measurements during the 2023 solar eclipse. The project’s objectives are well-aligned with the atmospheric science and planetary science missions of the NASA Science Mission Directorate.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

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.

Faculty Research Grants

Sahar Al Seesi
Southern Connecticut State University
Gene Allele-Specific Expression (ASE) Estimation from Bulk and Single Cell RNA-Seq Data

Gene allele specific expression estimation is an interesting computational biology problem that answers the question of whether the paternal, the maternal, or both copies of an inherited gene are expressed (active) in a your body. This question is asked by many biologists, but the computational methods to address it are still not good enough to accurately give an answer. In this research project, we propose computational solution to address this problem using transcriptomic sequencing data. The project aligns with the mission of NASA’s gene lab, under the Human Exploration Mission Directorate, which focuses with mutli-omics (including transcriptomic) data-driven research.

Ali Bazzi
University of Connecticut
High-availability Energy Systems for Space Colonies

Space colonies have recently become of higher interest recently to explore new resources away from Earth. The main goal of this project is to significantly increase the availability of electrical energy systems in future space colonies during unexpected failures or events, thus enhancing the energy security of such colonies. The proposed research provides a framework and specific solutions where prediction, diagnostic, and fault-recovery methods, combined with enhanced microgrid architectures, will enable a more secure electrical energy supply for future space colonies. Future colonies will require a reliable and available power supply for many critical systems. Transformative approaches proposed here can provide relevant solutions. These include rapid fault prediction and diagnosis of system- and component-level faults in a colony’s electrical energy system, which is to be treated as an islanded microgrid; and utilization of unused power distribution and conversion capacity in available infrastructure to maximize the system’s available energy under faults and uncertain events.

Ruth Blake
Yale University
Extreme PO₄ Biosignatures: Testing the Thermal Limits of the δ18O-PO₄ Biomarker at Hydrothermal Conditions

The PO₄ oxygen-isotope composition of DNA from biomolecules/biomass can serve as an internal thermometer and biosignature to study in-situ habitats of microorganisms from unknown and remote sources on Earth and on ocean-bearing worlds in our solar system. However, an offset in δ¹⁸O fractionations was observed for (hyper)thermophiles, at temperatures greater than 70°C, making the application of DNA thermometry problematic for extreme hydrothermal conditions. To fully understand the mechanism of fractionation of internal PO₄ pools, we propose to test the hypothesis that the offset is due to intracellular fractionation caused by production of PO₄-rich compatible solutes that are enriched in δ¹⁸O.

Dana Casetti
Southern Connecticut State University
Point Spread Function Modelling of WFPC2/HST Images with Deep Learning

This project will explore a novel way of achieving high-precision astrometry using deep learning techniques. We will work with WFPC2/HST images which are severely undersampled. The astrometric precision of these images is limited as a ”pixel-phase” bias is present even in the best, state-of-the art classical centering algorithms. We have identified an ideal and unique data set in the WFPC2 archive to explore and implement this deep-learning technique. The project has great synergy with existing research at SCSU and at Space Telescope Science Institute, and it involves two science departments at SCSU.

Byungik Chang
University of New Haven
Analysis of Energy Saving Wind Tower Erection on Mars

The main source of energy on Mars exploration missions is solar panels. However, the prevalence of dust on Mars limits their generation capabilities by blocking the solar cells thereby hindering their access to the sunlight. Surface winds on Mars typically move about 16 to 32 km/h. Thus, a wind energy could be another way to generate energy on Mars when humans arrive but it requires frequent maintenance and protection (take-down) because unpredictable weather. The primary goal of the research is proposing and analyzing alternative wind turbine erections and minimizing energy consumption in wind tower erection on Mars.

Eric Dieckman
University of New Haven
Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) of Additively Manufactured Metals (AMMs)

Additively manufactured materials (AMM) provide the ability to create complex parts without machining. These parts are difficult to inspect, primarily due to geometry and anisotropic/heterogeneous material properties. Detecting and classifying flaws in AMM is vital to their use in safety-critical applications, such as NASA’s spaceflight missions. NASA is developing AMM parts ranging from engines to antennas, which cannot be easily inspected – current inspection techniques are expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to apply outside a lab. Use of common ultrasonic testing equipment adapted to AMM can provide a way to leverage existing technology in the nascent field of AMM testing.

Reihaneh Jamshidi
University of Hartford
Thermal and Mechanical Analysis of 3D-printed Structures for Space Applications

3D-printing facilitates creation of more complex geometries using less amounts of materials and manufacturing steps in comparison with conventional manufacturing techniques. This enables component design and fabrication of space systems with less production time and cost, and environmental impacts. The challenge however, is qualification and verification of 3D-ptinted materials for space applications, as the extreme space environment imposes stringent requirements. The proposed study will investigate the effect of thermal cycling in space, on the mechanical properties of the 3D-printed parts. Thermal cycling can produce stress in structures, which contributes to mechanical defects and failure. This is extremely important for study of 3D-printed materials for space applications, as these structures are built layer upon layer, and stress can initiate delamination and breakage at the interface between the layers.

Derek Laux
Eastern Connecticut State University
Examining the Effects of Microgravity and Space Radiation on Cellular Senescence

Space travel exposes the human body to unique threats. Microgravity and cosmic radiation can both contribute to physiological health risks, including cardiovascular changes, muscle atrophy, and bone density loss. Astronauts show elevated levels of senescence, which seems to provide a molecular explanation for many of the health problems related to space travel. How microgravity and radiation induce senescence and components of these cells that may contribute to disease remain unknown. This study will address NASA’s goal of understanding biological responses to spaceflight by examining how microgravity and radiation induce cellular senescence and by examining molecular targets to alleviate age-related dysfunction.

Seok-Woo Lee
University of Connecticut
Development of Small-Scale Cryogenic Linear Actuator by Using Novel Intermetallic Compounds

Space missions often involve ultra-cold environments, and cryogenic actuators must be mechanically robust for long-term cyclic work, generate high power, as well as perform high precision motion in such extreme environments. Recently, we discovered a novel intermetallic compound CaFe2As2 that meets these demanding requirements. In this project, therefore, a new type of cryogenic linear actuator will be developed by performing the combined set of works that include the evaluation of cryogenic linear actuation performance, understanding of physics behind cryogenic actuation properties, and the development of proto-type linear actuators that operates at a temperature between 4 and 150 K.

Robert Nazarian
Fairfield University
Increased Heat Stress in a Changing Climate

In a warming climate, changes in heat stress more significantly impact human health than the increase in temperature alone; some studies go so far as to suggest that the tropics may not be habitable due to extreme heat stress. Our goal is to use an ensemble of high-resolution climate models to calculate the change in heat stress over the northeast US through 2100, focusing on the compounding effects of increasing temperature and relative humidity. This study supports NASA’s training and research missions by advancing our understanding of our changing climate and providing undergraduate students with a robust research experience.

Aaron Van Dyke
Fairfield University
Examining Sex Differences in Brain and Behavior After Long-Term Social Isolation Using Rats

The psychological and biochemical effects of living in confined conditions for prolonged periods that are typical of orbital and deep-space missions have not been fully explored. This collaborative project will examine sex-specific effects of social isolation on locomotor, anxiety, social, and cognitive behaviors using rats. Adolescent male and female rats will be confined to social isolation (1 per cage) or small groups (2-4 per cage) for 5 weeks before behaviors are assessed. Subsequently, protein markers for decision making and memory will be quantified using Western blotting. This interdisciplinary project will train undergraduate students in behavioral and biochemical techniques.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Ruth Blake
Yale University
FemLED STEAM: Young Inner-city Females Lead, Envision, and Develop for STEM

There is a shortage of Inner-city students exposed to Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In supporting NASA’s mission directorates that seeks to inspire the pursuit of careers in STEM within traditionally unrepresented groups, the proposal’s goal is to develop a STEM workshop for inner-city females focused on STEM career development, STEM women of color history, STEM appreciation role-playing, and STEM product-creation. Participants will 1) have the confidence to pursue STEM careers, 2) advocate for peers with STEM interest, 3) develop a greater awareness of diverse STEM fields, and 4) appreciate the mentoring and cross-cultural experience with university STEM students.

Faculty-Student Summer Research Grants

Haoyu Wang
Central Connecticut State University
Robotic Intelligent Grasping for Unknown Objects Using Vision, Force Sensing, and Deep Learning

This research will contribute to NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. The goal of the research is to develop a robotic intelligent grasping system using vision, force sensing, and deep learning. The system can be mounted on a vehicle on another planet to help on tasks such as retrieving samples or conducting repair or maintenance jobs. Two undergraduate students will design and prototype an error tolerant gripper and integrate it and a deep learning computer to an ABB IRB 1200 robot with integrated force control and vision. They will also develop system software for vision, force control, and deep learning

Cy Yavuzturk
University of Hartford
Transport and Flow Characteristics of Graphene-Doped Nanofluids in Double-Pipe Heat Exchangers

The objective of the proposed study is the experimental/analytical assessment of heat transfer and flow characteristics of graphene-doped nanofluids in concentric tube heat exchangers. A double-pipe system will be configured such that graphene-doped primary fluid of varying graphene volume fractions flows in the inner tube while a secondary flow of deionized water counter-flows in the annulus. The controlled changes of thermal properties will allow for the assessment of nanofluid heat transfer characteristics. The study results have implications in the characterization of heat transfer phenomena using graphene-based nanofluids in cooling applications for operation of aeronautical vehicles and related subsystems.

Faculty Project Grants

Luz Amaya
Central Connecticut State University
Design and Manufacture of Portable Solar Potable Water Generation System

“This project will design and manufacture a low-cost, portable, and efficient potable water generation system using solar power. This self-sustainable system will generate drinking water and can be utilized mainly in low-income and disasters areas. This project is a continuation of a research project with positive results, however, still requires modifications that meet design constraints such as portability, variation of atmospheric conditions (humidity and temperature), and lower manufacturing costs. Development of this system will be the first of its kind, advancing water generation systems with renewable power. Additionally, this project involves multidisciplinary research combining expertise across multiple departments.”

Bryan Connolly
Eastern Connecticut State University
Building an Open Source Micro-Tomato Breeding Collaborative for Space and Off Planet Colonies

“Tomatoes are a popular nutritious vegetable that will likely be grown on the space station and off planet colonies. A limited number of extremely small statured tomatoes, dubbed micro-tomatoes, exist that are 12” tall, making them ideal for growing in the confined habitats of space. These tomatoes have very limited genetic diversity. I propose to create diverse gene pools of small statured tomatoes by hybridizing micro-tomatoes with other tomato types that vary in color, flavor, shape etc. These gene pools will be shared with universities, schools, and amateurs to develop a network of breeders to select new micro-tomatoes for space.”

Myrta Groeneveld
Manchester Community College
Math Advancement Program

“Manchester Community College proposes a Math Advancement Program to target students placed in the lowest level of mathematics. The program promotes a mixture of learning skills, individual growth and subject mastery. We aim to create a course that provides individualized curriculum and an inviting environment, where students learn about basic concepts of mathematics as well the different resources available to them on campus and in the community. There is a need for a booster program where students can remediate their basic math skills while developing their academic and organizational skills. These skill-sets lead to an increase self-confidence and college success.”

Xin Ye
University of Hartford
Acute Effects of Combining Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Voluntary Isometric Exercise on Neuromuscular Functions

“Aligning with the Human Exploration & Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) to provide countermeasures to microgravity-induced human neuromuscular deterioration, the purpose of this investigation is to examine the acute effects of combining neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and isometric exercise (ISO) on human neuromuscular functions. At least 28 healthy participants will be recruited to participate in this 4-visit experiment. The participants will undergo different exercise modalities (Control, ISO, and NEMS + ISO), and pre- and post-measurements such as strength and motor unit firing properties will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy of the combined exercise modality (NMES + ISO).”

Faculty Travel Grants

Reihaneh Jamshidi
University of Hartford

Faculty Research

Leslie Frame
University of Connecticut
Development and Characterization of Extraterrestrial Soils for Local Vehicle Test Beds

       The United States has existing plans to return to the Moon, send manned missions to Mars and unmanned missions to Venus.  Lesley Frame (UConn, Assistant Professor in MSE) and Jani Macari Pallis (UB, Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering) will collaborate to create regolith/soil simulants for two small realistic test beds which will emulate Lunar, Martian, and Venusian landscapes. The proposed research and resulting test beds will be used by both UConn and UB to attract students into STEM capacity building opportunities, including participation in NASA challenges and research related to exploration, transportation and housing on these extraterrestrial surfaces.

Anna Kloc
University of New Haven
Evaluating the impact of human herpesvirus infection on heart function

       Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The heart can be infected by viruses, which may lead to an inflammatory, and potentially life-threatening, condition known as myocarditis. Human herpesviruses, often reactivated in astronauts during space travels, have been implicated in heart disease. The goal of this research project is to analyze the genomic sequences of herpesviruses found in human cardiac samples, and characterize the expression patterns of inflammatory markers associated with heart disease. These analyses will lead to a better understanding of herpesvirus-induced heart pathology, and help develop diagnostic tools that assess cardiac disease progression. 

Robert O’Brien
University of New Haven
The Impact of Thermal Variations of Connecticut Salt Marshes on Associated Marine Wildlife as Detected Using Remote Sensing.

        As a result of climate change, sea levels are rising around the globe threatening the ecological role of coastal salt marshes. Remote imagery will be used to identify thermal variations and resulting wildlife behavior at three Connecticut salt marshes. The compilation of this salt marsh specific data will add to general knowledge, particularly building on ecology, environmental science, and marine biology. The creation of an efficient procedure for obtaining temporal data using remote sensing equipment such as small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV) and Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras will optimize operational capability in future data collection missions.

Carter Takacs
University of New Haven
Investigating genetic compensation as a biological response to deleterious mutations

       Prolonged human exposure to ionizing radiation in space can lead to an accumulation of genetic mutations and increased cancer risk. Recent work has revealed that genetic mutations can be tolerated through genetic compensation, which refers to an organism’s ability to compensate for deleterious mutations by turning on unaffected genes that possess similar functions. We propose to use zebrafish as a model to 1) explore how this process is triggered and 2) identify cellular factors involved in this process. Ultimately, this work will inform biological strategies to mitigate the damaging effects of radiation, thereby enabling human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.

Shue Wang
University of New Haven
Mechanoregulation of osteogenic differentiation in simulated microgravity

       Microgravity causes several physiological changes during space travel, including osteoporosis-like loss of bone mass. Although it is known weight-bearing exercises could potentially lower the risk of osteoporosis, the mechanisms underlying how mechanical loading affects cells and causes bone loss is not clear. We will first quantify the effects of simulated microgravity on osteogenesis – bone formation process- and identify the key signaling related to this process. Next, we will compare osteogenic differentiation in microgravity with and without applied mechanical compression to see if this returns the functions of the normal state. Completion of this project will provide a fundamental understanding of how changes in mechanical loading cause bone loss and osteoporosis, which will in turn improve and develop new treatments.

 

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Ruth Blake
Yale University
STEMing Up!

      The shortage of ethnic youth engaged in STEM indicates the need for STEM to be valued by parents— children’s first and most influential teachers. It is also often said that youth need rolemodels that “look like them”. We propose to develop an engaging workshop for parents living in underserved neighborhoods that will expose them and their children to STEM careers/research and will be presented by a team of primarily ethnic STEM professionals. Parents will receive knowledge /tools to recognize and promote STEM engagement by their young children and foundations to prepare them for future participation in STEM summer camps.

Donna Hylton
Middlesex Community College
Adventures in Learning STEM Camp

      Adventures in Learning STEM Camp seeks to get children excited about learning by presenting opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in creative and innovative ways.  Campers learn about the marvels of science through scientific experiments, experience computer technology, learn the wonders of math, and the value of engineering. This year our camp will again be working with the Middletown Public Schools to help prepare pre-school children for kindergarten by using a program called Bridges to Brilliance. This app teaches young children letters, numbers, and concepts of STEM. Children will have tablets to explore during our program and this will be reinforced by integrating Lego projects for hands-on creativity.

Faculty Project

Ruth Blake
Yale University
Direct analysis of DNA-bound phosphate: Toward combining temperature with taxonomy in the search for life

       Isotope thermometry has been limited to only those organisms having biomineral hardparts such as shells, bones and teeth, which has excluded 2 entire domains of life: Bacteria and Archaea. The recently developed DNA Thermometry proxy, based on 18O:16O ratios of PO4 in DNA (DNA-PO4), now extends isotope thermometry to all lifeforms and habitats. Proposed work to develop methods for direct analysis of DNA-PO4 will allow faster analysis of smaller samples which is critical to future applications of DNA Thermometry including to linking temperature with taxonomy/metabolomics and addressing the key questions of who’s there? what they’re doing? and at what temperature?

Faculty Travel

Ivana Milanovic
University of Hartford
Travel to ASME FEDSM2020 conference in Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando, FL

       One of NASA’s strategic objectives is cultivation of a workforce with the right balance of skills and experience. My research ‘Simulation-Based Approach to STEM Challenges,’ funded by CT SG Educational Grant 2019-2020, investigated the use of simulations, application building, and inquiry-based learning (IBL) in the undergraduate engineering curriculum,
specifically in the thermo-fluids topical thread. The project findings are described in detail in American Society of Mechanical Engineers Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting (FEDSM) conference paper ‘Unified Assessment Approach for Courses with Simulation Component.’ I am seeking funds to support travel to the ASME FEDSM2020 conference and present my research findings.

Faculty-Student Research

Sarah Maurer
Central Connecticut State University
Development of heterogenousa abiotic mixtures and analysis of their potential for chemical evolution

      Heterogenous abiotic mixtures will be prepared as is produced from interstellar and geochemical reactions. These mixtures will be used to model chemical evolution as a precursor for the origin of life. The mixtures will be exposed to cycles of drying and wetting such that would happen naturally from day/night cycles. The mixtures will be analyzed using LC-MS and analyzed using multivariate statistical analysis to determine the mixtures and conditions that are most likely to lead to complexity, and possibly life. NASA supports this work through its Science directorate under the Planetary Science Division through their Exobiology program. 

Peyton DeBowsky
Manchester Community College

Nathan Linklater
Central Connecticut State University

Ameh Fioklou
University of Hartford
Agave Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Mechanical Properties Evaluation

       Composite materials have gained applications in many industries including aerospace. The current research project deals with improving the tensile capacity of concrete through the addition of agave bers. This study will investigate the mechanical properties of agave ber-reinforced concrete as a composite material. The effects of agave ber proportion on the mechanical properties of the composite will also be investigated. The mechanical characterizations will be performed using fourpoint bending test (exural testing) in accordance with ASTM C1609, split tensile strength test, and compressive test in accordance with ASTM C39.

James Greenwood
Wesleyan University
Weathering of Venus basalt

       We propose an experimental study of the weathering of Venus basalts under Venusian conditions. This work is compelling because of recent discoveries of weathering minerals from Magellan radar emissivity data (Gilmore et al., 2019). We will be testing the hypotheses that 1) chlorapatite can be formed as a weathering mineral on Venus, and 2) if pyrite can be formed as a weathering mineral on Venus. This work is directly relevant to Strategic Goal 1 of the 2018 NASA Strategic Plan, as it seeks to expand human knowledge through scientific discoveries in order to understand the Solar System 

Jessica Smith
Central Connecticut State University
Investigating the Physiology of Anaerobic Iron Respiration by Early Earth Microorganisms

       It is known that early Earth was devoid of oxygen, and that the earliest organisms that inhabited the planet respired insoluble metals including Fe(III). Furthermore, it has been proposed that Mars and other iron-rich planets are suitable for extremophilic Fe(III)-reducers. Regardless, little is known about the physiology and evolution of metal-breathing species. In this study, we propose investigating mechanisms of iron-respiration in extremophiles using genome sequencing, comparative transcriptomics, and laboratory adaptive evolution techniques with extremophilic microorganisms. Results from this research will aid in NASA’s goal to explore the “origin of life on earth and the search for life elsewhere”. 

Bryan Weber
University of Connecticut
Investigating the Atomization Process of a Modern Pressure-Swirl Aero-Engine Injector at Engine Relevant Pressures

       Despite the impact of the performance of modern liquid fuel injectors on the design and effectiveness of advanced aero-propulsion systems, the breakup processes of conical-lm injectors are not well understood. The proposed research focuses on improving the prediction of the spray cone angle and breakup length of a pressure-swirl fuel injector at elevated ambient pressures up to 15 bar. High-speed and high-resolution back-lit imaging will be utilized to capture the atomization behavior under various fuel ow rate and ambient pressure conditions, with multiple aviation fuels being utilized for testing. The experimental results will be then contrasted with established spray models.

 

 

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Harvey Hoffman
Fairfield University
Afterschool Robotics with Wakeman Boys and Girls Club

       The Afterschool Robotics at Wakeman Boys and Girls Club is a service learning Robotics course offered at Fairfield University in Spring 2020. The program aims to build a STEM pathway through mentorship between undergraduates and middle school students. The project will introduce approximately 15 undergraduate engineering students at Fairfield University to the knowledge and skills to engage in robot building and then mentor approximately 15 middle students from Wakeman Boys and Girls Club. The undergraduate students will apply their learning and demonstrate leadership in conveying technical knowledge to young learners to encourage their interest and capabilities in STEM.

Edward Moran
Wesleyan University
The 2020 Sturm Memorial Lecture

       The Sturm Lecture is an annual public event that is designed to bring the excitement of astrophysics and space science to members of the Wesleyan campus and the greater Middletown area. A diverse audience of 200-250 people is expected.

Faculty-Student Research

Miad Faezipour
University of Bridgeport
ECG-Based Cardiac Assessment for Microgravity and High Altitude Atmospheres

       This research project focuses on the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal characteristics and introduces novel methods to identify certain types of arrhythmia and/or the onset of heart attack with high accuracy. This is especially important as fatal heart episodes have been reported in connection with takeoffs and landings as well as high-altitude atmospheres. Signal processing techniques will be employed to identify ECG characteristic feature points and then machine learning will be applied to classify the signal into healthy or classes of irregular ECG beats. The proposed techniques are intended to conveniently assist monitoring the heart functionality in conditions such as aerospace environments. 

Eoin King
University of Hartford
Assessment of Aircraft Noise Abatement Strategies

       This project will examine approaches to environmental noise control at airports across the US and quantify the effectiveness of various noise abatement strategies. This will be achieved by i) conducting a large-scale survey of noise abatement strategies across 280 airports, ii) assessing trends in noise complaint data for selected airports, and iii) assessing overall trends in noise exposure data (where available). Research will be conducted by two undergraduate students with backgrounds in engineering and/or data analytics.

Faculty Research

Lindsey Hanson
Trinity College
Nanoparticle-polymer composites as optical stress sensors for early damage detection

Early detection of stress concentration is vital to the prevention of catastrophic failures in
aerospace components. An optical stress sensor, or material that converts mechanical stress into
an optical readout, would allow for non-destructive, high throughput assessment of stresses before
damage progresses. Recent work showed that the absorbance spectrum of gold nanoparticles
changes with compressive stress. However, neither the effect of uniaxial compression or tension
on the optical response nor that of incorporating the particles into a polymer is known. In this
project, we will lay the foundations for self-reporting composite materials by incorporating gold
nanoparticles into polymers and studying their optomechanical properties.

Susan Masino
Trinity College
Tree-based carbon: A comparison of existing models, direct measurement and citizen science

Accurate measurements of tree volume and associated carbon storage are necessary to determine ongoing negative carbon emissions. Recent detailed measurements have found that the volume of larger, older trees is underestimated systematically. NASA satellites and missions have been focused on studying forests and the movement of carbon through ecosystems, and recently started a ground-based citizen science initiative using smartphones to measure tree height. Here, we partner established experts and undergraduate students to compare data gathered with traditional tools, state-of-the-art instrumentation and the citizen science initiative to enable cross-validation and highly accurate measurements of large trees growing within a forest setting.

John Mertens
Trinity College
Optimization of Chemical Kinetics Model of NH3 Combustion Using Experimental Data

Developing the most efficient methods for Energy Storage is critical for many power systems, both
on earth and in space. Major new international efforts are underway to study the use of ammonia
(NH3) as an energy carrier, i.e. storing energy by synthesizing ammonia, and later recouping the
energy by combusting the ammonia. The goal of this study is to develop the definitive detailed gas
phase chemical reaction mechanism for ammonia combustion, using extensive pre-existing and
additional new experimental measurements as benchmarks. This is strongly related to NASA’s
Goal 2: Advance understanding of Earth and develop technologies to improve the quality of life on
our home planet.

Rob Narzarian
Fairfield University
Global Impacts of Mixing in Submarine Canyons

Model simulations and observations suggest that individual submarine canyons can be regions of intense ocean mixing. Our goal is to calculate the total amount of the ocean’s mixing occurring in submarine canyons and determine its role in sustaining the ocean’s circulation. We will utilize a high-resolution ocean topography map and computational model for energy fluxes to calculate the mixing within each canyon based on Nazarian 2017a. This study supports NASA’s training and research missions by advancing our understanding of the distribution of mixing and its role in ocean circulation, as well as providing undergraduate students with a robust research experience.

Noah Planavsky
Yale University
Towards an Understanding of Phosphorus Cycling on Waterworlds

Phosphorus is a key factor for life as we know it.. Continental weathering is considered
the only source of phosphorus to the oceans, implying that fluid-rich exoplanets (so called
waterworlds) may be biological deserts due to severe phosphorus limitation. However, in
contrast to the prevailing view, preliminary results from anoxic alteration experiments with
crystalline basalt indicate that anoxic basalt alteration is an efficient source of bioavailable
phosphorus. We plan to extend this research with experiments at a range of environmental
conditions, pH, pressure, and basalt types to provide a more robust framework to make predictions about exoplanetary biospheres.

Faculty STEM Education Research 

Elizabeth Cowles
Eastern Connecticut State University
Going Further: Do High School Research Experiences Impact Persistence in STEM?

Attracting students to enter STEM fields is a NASA strategic goal. Research experience for undergraduates increases their persistence in STEM. Can research do the same for high school students? Here we assess the outcomes of a high school biotechnology research program. Our objectives are to analyze the effects of the following on applications and acceptances to college: student research participation, family influences, mentor-pairing and credentials in skill acquisition. The results will provide evidence on the most effective practices for attracting, retaining, and supporting students into college STEM programs.

Ivana Milanovic
University of Hartford
Simulation-Based Approach to STEM Challenges

One of NASA’s strategic objectives is cultivation of a workforce with the right balance of skills and experience. The proposed research will investigate the use of simulations,  application building, and inquiry-based learning (IBL) in the undergraduate engineering curriculum, specifically in the thermo-fluids topical thread. The objectives are to address the challenges of (1) moving students from being successful in highly structured tasks to navigating the unstructured tasks, and (2) fulfilling the ABET student outcome (k) which states that students should have the ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Donna Hylton
Middlesex Community College
Adventures in Learning STEM Camp

Adventures in Learning STEM Camp seeks to get children excited about learning by presenting opportunities to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math in creative and innovative ways.  Campers learn about the marvels of science through scientific experiments, experience computer technology, learn the wonders of math, and the value of engineering. This year our camp will be working with the Middletown Public Schools to help prepare pre-school children for kindergarten by using a program called Bridges to Brilliance. This app teaches young children letters, numbers, and concepts of STEM. Children will have tablets to explore during our program and this will be reinforced by integrating Lego projects for hands-on creativity.

William Herbst
Wesleyan University
A public Lecture on Astronomy at Wesleyan University

We propose to build on the legacy of the Sturm Memorial Lecture Series and contribute to a celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of NASA’s landing on the Moon by providing a public lecture on the topic of astronomy by a prominent astrophysicist for the greater central Connecticut community.

Faculty-Student Summer Research

Haoyu Wang
Central Connecticut State University
A wearable system for quick visualization and diagnosis of issues in space using mixed reality technology

This research will contribute to NASA’s Human Exploration and Development of Space strategic enterprise. The goal of the research is to develop a wearable system based on mixed reality (augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)) to help human quickly visualize and diagnose issues in space vehicles or habitats. Two undergraduate students will design and prototype the system which integrates Microsoft Hololens (AR), HTC VIVE and MANUS VR (VR), and a computer through software development using their application programming interface (API).

Faculty Research

Djedjiga Belfadel
Fairfield University
Robust Approach for Space Based Imaging Sensors Alignment
“Accurate space born sensor calibration is a critical element for space exploration and space technology enhancement. The aim of this project is the improvement of space born imaging sensor, by removing systematic errors from the sensor output, to contribute to the urgent national security need to protect our nation against enemy ballistic missiles. To achieve this goal, The PI and students will develop a computational model to improve the accuracy of the sensor calibration, in real time, while simultaneously tracking the target. This project will expose students to complex mathematical and computational problems and allow them to work on projects related to space technology. “

Clayton Byers
Trinity College
Energetics and Decay of Isotropic Turbulence from an Oscillating Grid
“A theoretical and experimental study of isotropic turbulence is performed by designing, building, and utilizing an oscillating grid. The influence of the grid geometry on the energy spectrum and decay rate of the turbulence is investigated. The effect of these different physical initial conditions leads to a clearer understanding of the turbulence energy cascade and dynamics, enabling an assessment of how turbulence is initialized in computational simulations. This will supply researchers and engineers with refined capabilities in studying turbulence, ranging from climate and weather models, computer simulations of turbulence over airfoils and other complex bodies, and even stellar turbulence dynamics.”

Khaled Elleithy
University of Bridgeport
Collaboration with Akram Abu-aisheh, University of Hartford
Implementation and Performance Evaluation of Overlay End System Multicast (ESM) for Stable and Fast Streaming of Multimedia Applications over Satellite Networks
“This grant will be used to investigate the issues related to the implementation of Overlay End-System Multicast to support satellite Internet and networks. Furthermore, we will develop both analytical and mathematical models to evaluate the performance of overlay networks for stable and fast streaming of multimedia applications over satellite networks. The results produced by this research would help satellite networks designers to design and implement more robust and efficient future networks that support variety of multimedia applications. The objectives of this proposal are very relevant and extremely important to NASA strategic goal 4 Optimize Capabilities and Operations.”

Kevin Huang
Trinity College
Collaboration with Haoyu Huang, Central Connecticut State University 
VR/AR Mediated Teleoperation of Dexterous and Legged Space Robots(Continued collaboration research between CCSU and Trinity College)
“This work aims to extend the decision making and adaptiveness of human beings to space operations through remotely operated robots. Autonomous robots alone are poorly suited for handling unpredictable environments. Our previous work implemented state of the art virtual reality (VR) interfaces and software bridges for teleoperated dexterous robots at two academic institutions, Trinity College and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). Beyond continuing promising work toward this end, we will develop novel regimes for human-controlled legged locomotion of space robots. This novel interface will enable robots to overcome challenging terrain in order to reach and complete a dexterous task.”

Natalie Schultz
Yale University
Measuring Fine-Scale Urban Carbon Dioxide Emissions using a UAV Sensor System
“Urban areas are the dominant source of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere, yet cities also have major opportunities to implement climate change mitigation measures. However, it remains a challenge to directly measure fine-scale urban  CO2 emissions. The objective of this project is to quantify urban CO2 emissions at high spatial and temporal resolution using a low-cost sensor system aboard a lightweight UAV. This research will advance our understanding of urban CO2 dynamics, as well as provide a method that has the potential to be widely deployed across cities for urban CO2 monitoring. “

Paul Slaboch
University of Hartford
Characterization of the Acoustic Absorption of Hollow Cylinders
“Commercial aircraft engine fan noise is currently controlled through the use of acoustic liners on the inside of the engine cowling. Recent studies have found that hollow cylinders packed closely together can act as an acoustic liner. The cylinders have been shown to exhibit better acoustic absorption below 1000 Hz than traditional liners, however the physical mechanism behind the absorption is not well understood. This project will develop experimental and computational methodologies to characterize the acoustic absorption of various configurations of additively manufactured cylinders to better understand the underlying mechanisms. This work directly supports Strategic Thrust 3A of the NASA Aeronautics Strategic Plan 2016.”

Kamau Wright
University of Hartford
Scaling Effects of Multiple Plasma Discharges On Decomposition of CO2
“This study will investigate the scaling effect of using multiple plasma micro-discharges on decomposition of CO2. Plasma – an ionized gas – will be generated in the laboratory using electrical energy from high voltage power supplies. While decomposition of CO2 has been demonstrated with various types of discharges, the challenge remains in achieving high conversion rates while maintaining reasonably high efficiency. This system has the potential to generate value-added products such as oxygen, from decomposition of CO2, helping to enable the ability of human space explorers to operate further away from Earth, as they are facilitated by in situ oxygen production methods.”

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Alison Draper
Trinity College
“Tech Savvy 2019 Conference for Girls”

 

Faculty Research

Rebecca Kramer
Yale University
“Bagbots: Using Robotic Skins for Deployable Self-Constructing Soft Robots”
The ideal robotic system for space and extraterrestrial applications would be one that is lightweight and compact during transport, but able to adapt its stiffness, structure, and mass for task performance. The goal of the proposed project is to realize deployable self-constructing robots (bagbots) based on robotic skins that ingest and manipulate material. A bagbot will be transported as a lightweight system, but will perform forceful tasks by self-constructing a body made from clay or regolith surface materials. Bagbots are optimal for exploration of unknown environments, which directly contributes to NASA’s strategic goal to expand human knowledge through scientific discoveries.

Corey O’Hern
Yale University
“Using Geometric Cohesion to Make Strong, Light-Weight Materials”
Entangled granular media such as u-shaped particles can be packed into low-density, jammed structures that resist compression and extension. Prior work has shown that these materials can be used as freestanding, load-bearing structures under gravity. Using experimentally validated computer simulations, we will demonstrate the existence of geometric cohesion in zero-gravity environments, and study the effect of variations in particle shape, friction coefficient, and bending rigidity on the mechanical properties of geometrically cohesive packings. We will develop the capability to program materials with a given strength that can be efficiently disassembled through vibration, and reassembled for the next application.

Christina Zito
University of New Haven
“Evaluating the Impact of Endothelial Cell Derived Exosomes on Skeletal Muscle Viability and Homeostasis”
Prolonged exposure to microgravity results in skeletal muscle atrophy. The aim of this proposal is to study how different cell types regulate skeletal muscle homeostasis. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that carry specific cargo to neighboring cells and tissues where they affect protein function, gene expression, and ultimately cell viability and cell function. We will study whether exosomes derived from endothelial cells play a role in regulating skeletal homeostasis. A better understanding of the molecular pathways involved in regulating skeletal muscle viability will help in the development of new treatments for the prevention or quick reversal of muscle atrophy.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Donna Hylton
Middlesex Community College
“Adventures in Learning – STEM Camp”

Faculty Travel

Ali Senejani
University of New Haven

Faculty Research

Matthew Graham
Eastern Connecticut State University
“Knock, Knock, Who’s There? A Diversity Discovery Mission of Unculturable Bacteria in Scorpions”
Antimicrobial resistance is the survival of bacteria in the presence of antibiotics. Each year 25,000 Americans die because our current antibiotics cannot kill their infections. Bacterial infections are a growing concern in space too. As most antibiotics used today were isolated from bacteria, the discovery of new antibiotics requires the discovery of new bacteria. This proposal seeks the discovery of novel bacteria from ancient organisms, scorpions. A series of sophisticated molecular techniques, performed by undergraduates, will reveal the collection of bacteria (the microbiome) found in two different scorpion species, at a level of unprecedented detail. The research has implications for treating antimicrobial resistance on earth and in space.

Ivana Milanovic
University of Hartford
“Fighting Howls and Hisses in Jet Engine”
One of NASA’s goals is to achieve substantial noise reduction for future subsonic aircraft. This is a challenge since not all underlying causes of aircraft noise are understood. This project will investigate two dual-stream nozzle configurations using Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) with the objective of predicting the appearance of tones in jet engines and their sources. The focus of the work is on exploring the nature of duct modes. First, elements of the numerical procedure will be studied for a 4-strut nozzle, validating the results with existing experimental data. The approach will be applied to a 3-strut geometry and different excitation methods. The proposed study will lead to methods for suppression or avoidance of undesirable tones in aircraft engines.

Brian Stewart
Wesleyan University
“An Improved Model of Molecular Vibrational Energy Transfer”
This research will build energy transfer scaling relationships valid at the high velocities important in modeling shocked gases in hypersonic flight and atmospheric entry by combining experimental and computational determinations of rate coefficients with insight from simple models. Existing mostly empirical models rely upon low-velocity, one-dimensional scaling. Prior experiments have demonstrated the limitations of one-dimensional dynamics and the importance of including the rotational degree of freedom. These insights will be the starting point for an improved model. The grant will provide the foundation for this effort by extending experimental capabilities, providing computational time, and supporting ongoing collaborations.

Faculty STEM Education Research

Milagros Castillo-Montoya
University of Connecticut
“College Instructors Learning to Teach Subject Matter to Socially Diverse Students”
College and university instructors are teaching increasingly diverse college students-with little or no preparation, particularly within the STEM fields. Through an embedded case study of 10 college instructors, this project seeks to understand how faculty, including those in STEM, learn to teach their subjects in ways that enhance diverse students’ academic learning  by connecting the subject matter to students’ lives. Preliminary findings show the STEM faculty grapple with knowing how to make substantive connections between their students’ lives and the content of their disciplines. Findings have implications for the teaching and learning of undergraduate education, particularly in STEM fields.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Geillan Aly
University of Hartford
“Field Trip to National Museum of Mathematics”

Ryan Munden
Fairfield University
“STEM Outreach Through Robotics Service Learning”

 

Faculty Research Grant

Abdelshakour Abuzneid
University of Bridgeport
“Computer-Aided Simulator and Benchmark Testbed for the Internet of WSNs Using Satellite Link Communications”
The Internet of Wireless Sensor Networks (IoWSN) consists of many sensors and collects data from remote areas, which are used to help science labs located in space. However, due to the limited computational capabilities and battery lifetime of sensors, applications need to be judicious in using of the resource. The contributions of this research will include the implementation of an application to integrate space station and satellites to control IoWSN efficiently. The IoWSN will be investigated and built using satellite link communications. This project aims to alleviate unnecessary communications and to improve the performance, security and lifetime.  Such networks will be used to improve the life of earth by applying this technology in many applications.

Paul Slaboch
University of Hartford
“Effect of Aft Rotor on Forward Blade Wake in Counter Rotating Open Rotors”
Counter rotating open rotor (CROR) propulsion systems produce a large operating efficiency increase over conventional aircraft engines. The noise radiated by the CROR limits the functionality of the system. A significant portion of the noise is generated by the ingestion of forward rotor blade wakes by the aft rotor. This project will describe the effects of the aft rotor on the forward blade wakes through detailed analysis of an experimental dataset acquired by NASA Glenn Research Center. These effects can be directly correlated to the far field acoustics that prohibit this technology from being utilized in commercial aviation.

Xingguo Xiong
University of Bridgeport
“Balloon/Drone-based Aerial Platforms for Remote Particulate Matter Pollutant Monitoring”
Detailed data about distribution of Particulate Matter (PM) pollutants and their diffusion are essential to evaluate their effects on human health and environment. This research aims at developing balloon and drone based aerial platforms for remote PM pollutant monitoring. Compared to ground-mounted PM sensors, balloon/drone based aerial platforms cover much wider areas with better flexibility.  They can monitor remote, dangerous or difficult-to-access locations. Such platforms can be used not only for PM monitoring but also for studying climate change, ecological rehabilitation, among others.

Faculty STEM Education

Seth Redfield
Wesleyan University
“A Public Lecture on Astronomy at Wesleyan University”

 

Faculty Research

Brendan Cunningham
Eastern Connecticut State University
“The Efficient Use of Space Orbit”
This project looks at the inefficiencies with the use of earth orbit and how launch satellites are decided by satellite operators. There will be an analysis of the strategies satellite operators use in response to allocation mechanisms that may allow the satellite services to improve.

Andrea Kwaczala
University of Hartford
“Using Acoustic Waves as a Therapeutic Tool to Mitigate Bone Loss During Spaceflight”
A device will be developed that can eliminate microgravity-induced bone loss effects. It will be applying acoustic waves to the growth of stem cells in vitrowith the use of biosensors, automation and telemedicine.

Jillian Smith-Carpenter
Fairfield University
“Characterization of Dithiolane-Modified Self-Assembly Structures”
Dithiolane-modified peptides will be synthesized, purified, and characterized. This will allow the relationship between pH and the supramolecular peptide self-assembly structures to be investigated.

Bryan Weber
University of Connecticut
“Measurement of Chemical Pathways During Autoignition at High Pressure”
A system with the ability to measure species fractions during autoignition will be developed. Gas samples will be collected by the system from a rapid compression machine at a high pressure. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry will allow a species will be identified and quantified.

Faculty STEM Education Research

Nancy DeJarnette
University of Bridgeport
“Children’s Engineering K-5 Initiative”

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Alison Draper
Trinity College
“Tech Savvy 2017 Conference for Girls”

Faculty Travel

Amanda Harper-Leatherman
Fairfield University

 

 

 

Faculty-Student Summer Research

Luyi Sun
University of Connecticut
“Nanocoatings With Outstanding Thermal Insulation and Flame Retardancy for Aerospace Applications”
“In the summer of 2016, three community college students and one University of Connecticut (UCONN) undergraduate student worked in my lab. The students worked on a group of nanocoatings containing a high concentration of well-aligned nanosheets. Because of unique micro-structure, such nanocoatings exhibit outstanding mechanical, barrier, optical, and flame retardant properties. The four students were divided into two groups, with one focused on flame retardant nanocoatings, the other on iridescent nanocoatings with potential applications in sensors, etc. Both did a great job, and are expected to publish a paper late this year based on their research results produced this summer.”

Theodore Sussman
University of Hartford
“Infrastructure Condition Assessment With Space Based Lidar”
“This grant provided a unique opportunity to explore remote sensing data available from satellites and other space vehicles. This data can be very useful for infrastructure monitoring applications and gaining experience with this data was a valuable experience. The initial goal of the research was to identify the position of a bridge on the University of Hartford campus and verify changes in the positioning of the bridge from the satellite data with on the ground measurements. Instead, the students obtained data from each available system and developed images of the University of Hartford campus in attempt to locate the bridge.”

Haoyu Wang
Central Connecticut State University
“Tele-Operating Collaborative Robot With Virtual Reality for Repair Jobs in Space”
“A system was designed and prototyped to tele-operate a collaborative industrial robot with a virtual reality (VR) device. The VR device used in the project was VIVE from HTC, and the collaborative industrial robot chosen was YUMI dual arm robot from ABB. A software was also developed to realize the control from VIVE on YUMI, which was written in combination of C#, C++, and RAPID languages. This work built solid foundation for future research in VR control of industrial robot on repair jobs in space. It also has broad potential applications on earth, such as long distance repair and maintenance.”

Roman Zajac
University of New Haven
“Assessing Salt Marsh Change Using Low Level Aerial Imagery”
“Salt marshes around the world are exhibiting marked erosion, loss of area, and shifts in their component habitats, thus compromising their ecological value. This project used low-level aerial imagery obtained from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone, to quantify elements of salt marsh landscape structure that are indicators of salt marsh change (SMC). Tracking and characterizing these mechanisms of change within ecosystems is a key element of NASA’s strategic plan in order to advance our understanding of Earth systems.”

Peter LeMaire
Central Connecticut State University
“Lithium Ion Cathode Preparation and Characterization”
“This project is part of a larger research focus in the area of electrochemical energy storage devices, (e.g. Li ion rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors), in the Department of Physics & Engineering Physics (PEP) at CCSU. In this project, the students synthesized various non-stoichiometric combinations of  LiMn_2-xFe_xO₄;  0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 cathode materials by the sol-gel method. Along the way, they learned valuable research techniques in the preparation of materials, the stability of these materials using DSC/TGA, and X-Ray diffraction for the study of the structure of materials.”

 

 

Community College Quadcopter Challenge

Douglas Hoffman
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Quad Squad Teams A and B

Stella Litwinowicz
Housatonic Community College
Housatonic Flyers

Ren Sharma
Naugatuck Valley Community College
NV Fly High

Jakob Spjut
Quinebaug Valley Community College
QQ (Quinebaug Quadcopter)

Faculty Collaboration Grant

Dr. James Greenwood
Wesleyan University
“Chondrule Formation Experiments”

Faculty Research Grant

Dr. Nidal Al-Masoud
Central Connecticut State University
“Omni-Directional Robotic Rover: Wheel-Soft Soil Interaction, Control, and Agility”
In this project, theoretical analysis along with experimental validation of a new approach to enhance the maneuverability and traction of a smart robot on uneven, soft soil similar to the terrains encountered in planetary exploration missions.  Based on obtained research, the future control scheme of this project will include stability analysis, motion control, obstacle avoidance, and adaptability to terrain topography.

Dr. Kagya Amoako
University of New Haven
“Developing Anti-Bacterial Surfaces for Preventing ‘Sick’ Spacecrafts”
This study aims to develop new surfaces that can fight off bacteria contamination in spacecrafts.  The ultimate goal of this project is to develop nitric oxide (NO) releasing polydimethylsiloxane polymer sheets that are able to release NO for days to weeks.  Such material will not only impact antibacterial surface development but also thrombosis, blood-contacting medical devices, and foreign body response research.

Dr. Richard Christenson
University of Connecticut
“Dynamic Load Testing of a Spacecraft Parachute Deployment System Using Real-Time Hybrid Substructuring”
This project will demonstrate a new methodology for physical experimentation of spacecraft components subjected to shock and vibration, namely Real-Time Hybrid Substructuring (RTHS).  This new method has the potential to reduce costs and allow for system level performance to be more accurately tested earlier in the component design process.  This project is highly relevant to NASA strategic goals to improve the technology of component testing of Parachute Deployment System for Mars exploration and is anticipated to lead to funding from NASA to further develop RTHS test capabilities for spacecraft shock and vibration testing.

Dr. Amanda Harper-Leatherman
Fairfield University
“Incorporating Aerogels Into Electrochemical Glucose Biosensors”
A biosensor is an analytical device that that can be used to detect analytes relevant to medicine, the environment, and food.  The effects of incorporating glucose oxidase into aerogels for use in biosensors for glucose detection was studied to see if the large porosity and surface area of aerogels would help to improve the overall biosensor performance and signal.  It was the team’s hope to enhance understanding of glucose electrochemical biosensing with the ultimate goal of helping in the future development of biosensors for other clinically or industrially relevant targets including any relevant to human activity in space.

Dr. Andre Taylor
Yale University
“Flexible Carbon Nanotube/Silicon Solar Cells”
This project proposes to use materials chemistry, micro/nano fabrication techniques to develop flexible solar cells that minimize weigh without the sacrifice in power conversion efficiency.  The research plan includes synthesizing organic and organometallic molecules that will facilitate the construction of networks for the dissociation of excitons, collection of carriers and the absorption of photons, improve the area and efficiency of CNT/Si hybrid solar cells, and demonstrate CNT/Si solar cells that are flexible.  These research efforts could improve energy generation for water recovery, energy storage, and waste reclamation that are all critical challenges for human space missions.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Dr. Ryan McCulloch
University of Bridgeport
“NGSS K-12 Teachers Workshop”

Dr. Ryan Munden
University of Fairfield
“Fairfield/ACCESS Enhanced Summer STEAM Camp”

Dr. Seth Redfield
Wesleyan University
“A Public Lecture on Astronomy at Wesleyan University”

Dr. Eileen Roark
Manchester Community College
“Introducing Students to STEM Careers Student Conference”

Faculty Travel

Dr. Jani Pallis
University of Bridgeport
CSBF in Palestine, Texas (for HASP)

 

 

Faculty Research

Scott Graves
Southern Connecticut University
“Osprey’s View of Coastal Resiliency in Urban Environments (Osprey CRUE)”
The Osprey CRUE Project (Osprey’s View of Coastal Resilience in Urban Environments) provided a unique opportunity to further develop our Research Agenda in µUAS deployment for mapping coastal habitats. The project is/was a perfect test-bed for furthering our research in monitoring coastal habitat, and in providing both the time and resources to prove the viability and utility of µUAS for this unique low altitude remote sensing of coastal environments.

Baikun Li
University of Connecticut
“Conversion of Human Wastes to Electricity in Microbial Fuel Cells: Towards Self-Sustaining Life Support Systems”
The objective of this project is to develop a novel multiple-anode/cathode MFC (MAC-MFC) as a simple compact on-site human urine treatment system and electricity population device.  By using electrogenic bacteria indigenous in human wastes, the proposed MAC-MFC system can enhance biofilm growth on electrode surface, accelerate the electron transfer, and integrate multiple MFC units in a single unit to achieve high power output at a small footprint.  With numerous MFC applications from NASA’s standpoint, the novel MAC-MFC system is expected to solve accumulation of waste and generate electricity on long-term space missions.

Julian Norato
University of Connecticut
“A Geometry Projection Method for the Topology Optimization of a Skin-Space Frame System”
A computational method for the design of rigid lunar and planetary habitats made of a space frame covered by a constant-thickness skin. A methodology was developed whereby an analytical geometry description of a set of bars is projected onto a fixed finite element grid for the topology optimization of 2-dimensional frames. This project will significantly advance this formulation to encompass the above requirements for habitat design by accommodating 3-dimensional frames, incorporating a constant-thickness skin, enforcing stress constraints, and incorporating the design-dependent distributed loads.

Nimmi Sharma
Central Connecticut University
“Earth Atmosphere Studies Using NASA-type Micro Pulse Laser Radar and CCD Camera Lidar”
The project will advance understanding of the impact of aerosols (small particulates suspended in the atmosphere) on the earth’s climate and help improve health by developing methods to monitor and track aerosol pollutants.  By combining three different types of instruments – a NASA-type Micro Pulse Lidar (MPL) system, sunphotometers and a unique CCD Camera Lidar (CLIDAR) system, the team will conduct experiments and data analysis to generate aerosol maps of how aerosol patterns change over time and altitude.  These aerosol maps will be useful for climate modelling, research/enforcement on air pollution and quality, studies of atmospheric transport and weather, and public policy-making.

Fu-Shang (John) Wei
Central Connecticut University
“Design & Test of a Scaled K-MAX Helicopter Using Universal Joints”
The goal of this research is to explore the possibility of increasing the helicopter operational envelop by changing the rotor shaft tilt angle without impacting the power and lift of the system. This is an important tradeoff design parameter for K-MAX intermeshing rotors. Bevel gears and universal joints are two different types of design which can be used to achieve the required rotor shaft tilt angle. This grant provides a research opportunity to work with Kaman helicopter, discuss with Kaman helicopter expert and prepare a presentation opportunity to the national technical society.

Faculty STEM Education Programming

Dr. Michele Dischino
Central Connecticut University
“Biomedical Engineering and Technology: The Power to Move”

Alison Draper
Trinity College
“CT Tech Savvy Conference 2015”

Amrys Williams
Wesleyan University
“Under Connecticut Skies”

Faculty STEM Education Research

Mary C. Arico
University of Hartford
“Creation of an Evaluation Tool for STEM Programming”

Faculty Travel

Wook-Sung Yoo
Fairfield University
47th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education in Memphis, TN

 

Graduate Research

Guy Bennevat Haninovich
Wesleyan University
Mapping Macroblooms: Investigating the drivers of Sargassum invasion in the Caribbean

Influxes of pelagic Sargassum Natans and Sargassum Fluitans, beginning in 2011, has created a new Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt (GASB) that is being influenced by a multicontinental set of drivers. The GASB has had catastrophic effects on coastal livelihoods and aquatic ecosystems. The purpose of this research is to develop a spectral library spanning multiple species and clones of algae and a procedure for spectral analysis of surficial macroalgae mats. This work will provide context for the spatial distribution of algae mats in relation to their driving forces.

Katie Durkee
University of New Haven
Generating Self-Healing Polymers from Biomass Resources for Space Related Applications

Polymers from biomass resources are next-generation materials. The goal of this project is to develop self-healing polymers containing carbon nanotubes from biomass sources. Current polymers are synthesized using petroleum resources. However, at the current rate of consumption, these resources are expected to be depleted in the coming decades. This research will use biomass resources to synthesize novel polymer networks containing carbon nanotubes. The polymer/carbon nanotube network materials developed could be used to make NASA’s mission to Mars more feasible. These polymers could be employed in protecting astronauts from harmful radiation, developing a residence on Mars, and designing a spacecraft.

Andrew Gibbs
University of Connecticut
Constraining Dust Properties from Mid- and Far-Infrared Data in M33: A Pilot for JWST

The era of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has begun and brought exiting new science to the world of Astronomy and Astrophysics. One of the key improvements of JWST over other telescopes is its ability to observe the infrared (IR) emission of dust that surrounds stars at high resolution. The caveat, however, is that the wavelength range it can observe this emission at is highly limited and therefore there can be crucial information left out. In this project, we investigate whether or not we can provide any constraints in just the near to mid IR range.

Josué Martínez-Martínez
University of Connecticut
Trustworthy AI for Astronauts Computer-Aided Diagnostic Systems

The development of trustworthy AI for health and astronauts is an important area of research that has the potential to greatly benefit space exploration and medicine. By utilizing machine learning and medical imaging data, AI models can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions for astronauts in space. The development of explainable AI models can ensure that medical professionals and astronauts can understand and trust the decisions made by these models. In this project is proposed a robust and explainable AI CAD system. This is going to be accomplished by using the RobustAugMix technique and the SHAP methods.

Skyler Wright
University of Connecticut
Estimating the Star Formation Efficiency of Molecular Clouds Using Deterministic and Stochastic Modeling Techniques

Through measuring the 21μm extinction-corrected Hɑ and FUV luminosities of HII regions in the M33 galaxy, mass and age estimates for those regions can be approximated through comparison with stellar population synthesis models such as Starburst99 and SLUG. This allows us to estimate star formation efficiency (SFE) on scales of less than 10pc, far smaller than previous kpc-scale studies. This is crucial to understanding how the interstellar medium (ISM) is transformed into stars across disparate scales – this is a topic of interest under NASA’s SMD, specifically the question of “How did we get here?”

Undergraduate Research

Hanna Adamski
Yale University
School
The Signature of Planet Nine in Earth’s Orbital Elements

An outstanding mystery in the outer solar system is the origin of the unexpected orbital clustering of extreme trans-Neptunian objects observed with semi-major axes in excess of 250 AU. One proposed hypothesis for this alignment is the gravitational influence of a distant, undiscovered solar system planet known as Planet Nine. In this work, we apply the REBOUND orbital integrator to quantify the gravitational influence of the proposed Planet Nine on Earth’s orbital evolution. In particular, we demonstrate the effects of a ninth planet as compared with analogous perturbations induced by relativistic effects, potential stellar flybys, and measurement uncertainties in the Earth’s orbital ephemerides. By examining the collective effect of Planet Nine on Earth’s orbit over Myr timescales, we demonstrate the regions of parameter space in which a Planet Nine could feasibly be ruled out based on the absence of detected perturbations to Earth’s orbit.

Kyle Hochenberger
Fairfield University
UAV Relative Navigation in a GPS Denied Environment

This project aims to design a new navigation system for a group of drones that operates in environments where GPS signals are not available. The proposed solution is a vision-based navigation system that combines data from onboard sensors, such as the inertial measurement unit (IMU) and optical flow sensor. Using a special filter called the extended Kalman Filter (EKF), this approach provides real-time position and orientation updates, and it can also be used in GPS-denied environments.

Simulations were conducted with three drones to test the efficacy of the proposed system and the results showed that it can provide reliable navigation information in challenging situations. Tools such as Matlab and Simulink were used to code and simulate data. In the simulations we could generate UAV waypoints. With the waypoints we could simulate the IMU and EKF to test and measure theories. We can determine that the simulations are correct by measuring the error of the data. This project contributes to the field of aerospace engineering and has many practical applications in various military and civilian operations, such as reconnaissance, surveillance, disaster observation, and rescue missions in extreme environments.

In conclusion, this project demonstrates the feasibility of using a vision-based navigation system to provide accurate navigation information in GPS-denied environments for a swarm of drones. This system has the potential to improve the efficiency of autonomous missions and open new possibilities in various military and civilian operations.

Dillon Stan
University of Hartford
3D Stereoscopic Imaging for Spatial Mapping and Orientation

Integral imaging is an auto-stereoscopic technique which is useful for analyzing visual data, particularly for the purpose of object recognition and computer vision. Integral imaging can also refer to the reconstruction of a three-dimensional scene by using multiple two-dimensional images. Our research will focus on accelerating integral imaging and object recognition to operate in real-time, for use with mobile/remote platforms to facilitate integral imaging and spatial data collection for spatial mapping and computer vision outside of a laboratory setting. Integral imaging may prove useful for orientation via environmental mapping without the need for conventional GPS.

Student Project

Caroline Hollingsworth
University of Hartford
Digital Stethoscope Project

Modern medicine has evolved dramatically in the 20th and 21st centuries and has incorporated technology—this is almost true; stethoscopes use the same technology that they have been using for over a hundred years. The heart, one of the most valuable organs in the human body, is still being examined by doctors using technology that has the same principles as a string attached to the end of a can, while there are incredibly advanced pieces of technology we carry with us every day. This is the problem at hand, and a digital stethoscope, which is more accurate in detecting heart murmurs, arrhythmias, and other heart conditions is the way. Being able to record bodily sounds is very important when conducting research and diagnosing disorders, however, it cannot be done without having the tools to process the sound and filter it. This is the second part of this research project. Understanding filtering and being able to play back sounds from specific chambers of the heart to precisely locate issues will be much more useful in gauging irregular sounds than working with a standard stethoscope.

When conducting the research of this project, the first step is to understand how the heart works and to find the best points to place the four microphones. It is also necessary to research the microphone specs and find the recording ranges of the microphones. Along with this, research about how sound travels through the 3D printing materials will be done and the material will be selected for the prototype. The next part of this project is to design and build the first version and to collect data on how it feels and works. During this time frame, the filtering programming and design will be in progress, and by the time the prototype is ready, the filtering tools will be ready for use. The next part of this project is to test and collect data on the first version of the project. From here, the next few weeks are dedicated to modifying and testing versions using various materials and designs (both physical and digital) to find the ideal version. The goal is to be able to filter out any unwanted bodily noise and to have the ability to mute specific parts of the heart and lungs for singling out a sound.

This project is useful for long-distance communication. Since heart sounds are being digitized, they are easily transferable and can be monitored from hundreds of miles away. This project can track, record, filter, and separate the heart sounds of people traveling outside of earth to closely examine how the heart may be affected in space. This project also uses technology for exploring how sound travels throughout the body, filtering, and learning about the heart.

The materials that will be needed to pursue this research project are 3D printing materials, various microphones, software, and adhesive materials. Other funding that is needed for this project is for the signal processing software, audio interface, and other digital items such as computer memory. Lastly, this project will be presented at the Biomedical engineering Annual Meeting next fall in Seattle Washington.

James Kueny
Fairfield University
Using Sensor Fusion to Navigate UAV’s in GPS Denied Environment

This project aims to provide an alternative navigation system to enable a swarm of drones to conduct autonomous flights 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 data stream from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and an optical flow sensor. This methodology uses two inputs to achieve reliable data transmission at a lower cost. This system thus enables drone operations even in GPS- denied environments. This cost-effective solution aligns with NASA’s Space Technology strategic enterprise.

Luke Reed
University of Hartford
Ultra-Clear Resin-Based Stereolithography (SLA) 3D-Printed Optical Lenses for Astrophotography Application

For this project, we will design and fabricate ultra-clear resin-based optical lenses through Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing for telescopic astrophotography hardware. The 3D-printed optics will be integrated with DSLR and mobile phone cameras producing data that will be compared with available commercial-grade equipment. Various lens designs will be printed and put through rigorous testing and characterization using laboratory optical benchmarking. Multiple optical configurations will then be constructed and used to photograph several of the Messier Catalogue objects and planetary bodies. These results will be compared with data collected using a Nikon D3200 and Rokinon 135mm F2.0 ED UMC Telephoto Lens with Sky-Watcher Star Tracker. This project will promote NASA-related research and continue to solidify a collaborative relationship with the University of Hartford’s Multiscale Metamaterial Research group.

Student Travel

Alaina Einsig
Wesleyan University

Community College Scholarship

Josh Calderon
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Justin Gonzalez
Norwalk Community College

Joseph Hawker
Norwalk Community College

James Petkin
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Daniel Gaewski
University of New Haven

Undergraduate Scholarship

Alexa Fiorica
Fairfield University

Jacob Ivanov
University of Connecticut

Kyle McGregor
Wesleyan University

Charlotte Michaud
University of New Haven

Ingrid Schwarz
Central Connecticut State University

Jordaine Wisdom
University of Hartford

Graduate Research

Emma Louden
Yale University
Creating a Predictive Model of LEO Satellite Impact on Ground-Based Astrophysics

More than 24,000 satellites are set to launch in the next decade. These satellites are a direct threat to ground-based astronomy. As a proactive approach in advance of these constellations, I will develop HYPASAT, a software to model tracks that will be seen at observatories from satellites launching in the next decade. Based on HYPASAT results, I will define a ranking scale for which science cases are most at risk and rank the cases based on their priority in the Decadal Survey. My advances NASA Science Mission Directorate goals and lays the foundation for the next generation of observational astrophysics.

Andrea Mejia
University of Connecticut
Constraining Black Hole Binaries and Mergers

Black hole merger detection rates and masses are much larger than previously predicted by canonical stellar evolution models. Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) disks are therefore a promising location to boost the masses and rates of black hole mergers. Black holes embedded in a gaseous disk experience torques, leading to migration within the disk and hierarchical mergers. To establish how effective AGN disks are at forming and merging black hole binaries, we use a hydrodynamic code (Pencil Code) to run simulations of multiple black holes in a gas disk, where we investigate the effects of multiple migrators on migration torques.

Undergraduate Research

Madison Liguori
University of New Haven
Skin Thinning Mediated Bacterial Penetration During Space Travel

During space travel, astronauts endure a drastic change in the microgravity environment. The human microbiome is affected tremendously, which causes a variety of health-related issues, especially on the skin tissues. It is reported that proteobacteria microbe, which is most known for protecting against skin sensitivity, are significantly eliminated from human skin during the space travel, which allows the astronauts’ skin to be more susceptible to stimulus. One of the main issues is skin thinning. Skin thinning is caused by skin stretching past its elongation point, and not returning to its original shape, therefore leading to wrinkles. In addition, the microgravity changes also drastically affect the cell regeneration rate on the skin epidermis layers and cause an uneven flow of fluids in the body. These factors increase the likelihood of skin thinning on the astronauts; however, the mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, we proposed a method to analyze the bacterial characteristics through controlling centrifugation and cell-to-liquid mass density to mimic the microgravity. The characteristics changes on bacteria (both molecular and compositional level) at different microgravity environment and the affection to skin thinning will be explored. Based on the results, we will develop a fast in vitro skin model to quickly evaluate the relationship between bacteria changes on the skin and its protective or harmful effects on skin tissues.

Abigail Moran
University of Connecticut
Measuring Galactic Acceleration with Pulsar Timing

Improvements in pulsar timing have made it possible to measure the time derivatives of the binary periods of pulsar systems. These changes are in part the result of the relative acceleration between Earth and the pulsar. By isolating this effect, we can measure the galactic acceleration at the pulsar’s position. We will create a data release of these acceleration values and map the data in three dimensions. This can be used to evaluate galactic mass distribution models and to map dark matter density, thus adding to our scientific understanding of the galaxy, and directly serving NASA’s Science Mission Directive.

Kurt Rueckl
University of Connecticut
The Experimental Fossilization of Cyanobacteria in a Proterozoic Ocean Analogue: Implications for Biosignatures on Mars

Fossilized bacteria represent the oldest uncontested biosignatures present on Earth and potentially other planets. Understanding the initial fossilization process is critical to interpreting these any extraterrestrial biosignatures. This proposed research will investigate the difference between the initial fossilization of two cyanobacterial species, isolated from a Proterozoic ocean analog, during changing conditions that simulate surface water evaporation. This is a pioneering study and highly relevant to NASA’s Science Directorate. Results will be the critical foundation in future experiments as part of my undergraduate honors thesis, analyzing the potential fossilization of bacteria on Mars during its own period of surface water evaporation.

Student Project

Kevin Clark
Trinity College
Geothermal Energy Systems

This project aims to produce a renewable solution to satisfy the world’s need for clean energy. The objective is to design and build a thermodynamic cycle that uses constant temperature below a planet’s surface to generate clean geothermal energy. By inducing a phase change in the refrigerant, the system will maximize the temperature difference with respect to the ground’s constant temperature to dump heat into the ground to provide cooling, and pump heat from the ground to provide heating. The designed system will not rely on external power and can be scaled to fulfill various energy needs.

Samantha Lorr
Yale University
YUAA IREC 2023

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 continue research on designing our own solid fuel rocket motor, exploring the thermochemistry of combustion. Additionally, we will finish constructing a composite 2-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 and rover payload. This innovative rocket will be flown at IREC during the summer of 2023.

Manjot Singh
Fairfield University
Design of a Testbed for Soilless Root Vegetable Growth in Microgravity

Controlled and reliable growth of root vegetables is important for manned deep space exploration, to fully sustain nutritional expectations for the crew. Current systems have been proven successful at growing certain leafy vegetables, but a more complete diet is needed for extended missions. A new design is proposed that will accommodate root system expansion, ensure proper nutrient delivery, and allow for investigation of optimal lighting and irrigation conditions, as well as support media. High-density crop layout designs are being developed with crew time optimization considerations during the entire growth cycle. This proposal seeks to fabricate such testbed design.

Ananya Swamy
Trinity College
Muscle Activation Visualization System for Microgravity Environments

A system will be developed to map and display a user’s muscle activation using sEMG sensors and LED lights. The user will perform an isometric contraction using a designed test fixture. They will receive real-time visual feedback through a color-coded LED system based on applied force. This feedback system will be calibrated for each user in a psychological study to understand the relationship between perceived and actual exertion. This system will be a viable solution for astronauts to exercise and monitor muscle strength in microgravity environments. A visual feedback system of their muscle activation will combat muscle atrophy in space.

Student Travel

Alaina Einsig
Wesleyan University

Hannah Lewis
Wesleyan University

Anna Ort
University of New Haven

Autumn Pearce
Yale University

Undergraduate Scholarship

Dillon Camarillo
University of Hartford

Daniel Dabrowski
Central Connecticut State University

Tyler Gillette
Trinity College

Elizabeth Giman
Yale University

Eric Habjan
University of Connecticut

Huy Huong
University of Bridgeport

Carolyn Marchak
University of Hartford

Benjamin Mousseau
Yale University

Eric Rumsfeld
Wesleyan University

Elizabeth Schoemer
Trinity College

Eric Sinson
Trinity College

Durga Tiwari
Central Connecticut State University

Victor Vasquez
Trinity College

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Samuel Sequeira
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Nikaila Campbell
Capital Community College

Jonathan Escobar
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Luis Garcia
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Alyssa Mancini
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Dennis Patino
Naugatuck Valley Community College

James Petkin
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Ricardo Reyes
Middlesex Community College

Madison Schwartz
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Sherry Zhumi
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Graduate Research

Bjorn Larsen
University of Connecticut
Enhancing the search for a gravitational wave background using custom noise

A signature of the nHz gravitational wave background has been manifesting in pulsar timing array datasets, suggesting a detection of the background may be imminent. In order to make this detection, noise from e.g. the interstellar medium must be mitigated in each pulsar. We will therefore create a custom noise modeling framework for the upcoming International Pulsar Timing Array data release 3. Our goals are aligned with NASA under the Science Mission Directorate, as a detection of the gravitational wave background will lead to new understanding about supermassive black holes and the cosmological implications of gravitational waves.

Elias Oakes
University of Connecticut
Are GMCs real? Measuring the virial parameter at high resolution in NGC 253

Although molecular clouds are commonly invoked as fundamental structures in the interstellar medium, the degree to which interstellar molecular gas is organized into discrete, bound structures remains unclear. I propose to address this via a multiscale analysis of extremely high resolution ALMA 12CO(2-1) observations on a 1.3×1.3 kpc2 field of the nearby galaxy NGC 253. I will use dendrograms to analyze the hierarchy of molecular gas on scales from 5 pc to 1 kpc, investigating the scale dependence of gravitational boundedness, gas turbulence, and angular momentum. These results will have important implications to help bridge our understanding of the Milky Way and other galaxies.

Andrew Pace
University of Connecticut
Implementation of Filtered Laser Rayleigh Scattering for Select Liquid Fuels

This project directly relates to NASA Taxonomy Area 01 (TX01: Propulsion Systems). This project will analyze highly turbulent premixed flames, a key part of propulsion and propulsion applications. While high turbulence is common in many propulsion applications, an understanding of flame interactions with high turbulence is still lacking. This project will contribute to a better understanding of these flame-turbulent flow interactions using key jet fuels (ethanol, toluene and n-dodecane). The experimental data created will be provided for public use and help fulfill the currently existing knowledge gap for the aforementioned liquid fuels.

Undergraduate Research Grant

Kevin Chen
Yale
Discovery and Characterization of IR-induced Functional Micropeptides

The mechanisms mediating the mammalian response to ionizing radiation (IR) downstream of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway have been studied extensively. Recently, micropeptides, encoded in erroneously annotated noncoding transcripts, have added a novel and unexpected layer of regulation to numerous biological functions, including the cellular response to stress. This project aims to discover and characterize functional micropeptides that are induced by p53 in response to IR and mediate the outcomes of the cellular response to stress. This work will extend the goal of the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate to uncover biological mechanisms in response to the space environment.

Amelia Geist
University of Connecticut
Experimental Validation of the Mechanical Stiffness of 3D-Printed Tubular Lattices

The goal of this project is to design, fabricate and mechanically test 3D-printed truss lattice lattices with tubular struts with the objective of determining the functionality. These tubular lattice structures will be compared to the performance of lattice structures with solid struts and eventually compared to computational data from prior research. These findings show that tubular strut-lattices have superior weight-to-stiffness ratio than solid strut-lattices. These findings will have a direct impact for the design of space structures; lattices offer tailored functionality along with low weight. These can be used for structures which support satellites or instruments, space vehicles, and potentially for the use of planetary exploration.

Nathan Green
University of Hartford
Vibro-Adaptor

Vibration syndrome is a disease where the feeling in the nerves is lost because of exposure to large amounts of unregulated vibrations. The purpose of the proposed research is to determine if the human nervous system is more sensitive to linear vibrations or perpendicular vibrations. Furthermore, the research will state which type causes more harm over time. Both types of vibrations will be created with a series of rotating DC motors inside of a 3D printed rectangular prism. A deformation sensitive resistor will be placed around the device and measured continuously to determine the force of vibrations for both types. The impulse of the vibrations will be found to determine the time dependence of the various modes of vibration. Whichever mode of vibration causes a higher force and impulse will define the degrees of freedom that tools, machines, and devices should vibrate in, and how long those vibrations should be allowed to persist to avoid vibration syndrome.

Samuel Marcus
Wesleyan University
Digital Characterization of Fractures in Deglaciated Valleys in Order to Predict Subglacial Fracture

I aim to better understand and quantify a relationship between fracture patterns and geometry in deglaciated valleys. In late summer of 2022 I will travel to a recently deglaciated area of a U-shaped valley and collect images of a cross section of the deglaciated section of the valley. I will attempt to identify a relationship between fracture patterns and topography in the valley, and if I am able to quantify such a relationship, I plan to use machine learning to attempt to predict fractures below anthropocene trimline using data from above anthropocene trimline.

Student Project Grant

Alexandros Cooke-Politikos
University of Hartford
Metamaterial Lens Design and 3D-Printing Fabrication for Compact Radio

For this project we will design and construct, via 3D-printing, a metamaterial flat lens to be fitted with our radio horn telescope. An initial scaled design will be created to work in the 10.5 GHz band which will be put through rigorous testing and characterization before scaled to operate at 1.42 GHz and attached to the radio horn telescope waveguide. The metamaterial lens will improve resolution, increase signal to noise, and allow for a more compact horn design. This will promote NASA-related research and continue to solidify a collaborative relationship with the University of Hartford’s multiscale metamaterial research group.

Derek Gaudino
University of New Haven
Aerosol Science and Its Application in Wildfire Detection

The proposed project is to design a wildfire smoke detection device that utilizes the principles of optics to measure aerosol optical depth of particulate matter within the air. This can be achieved through the combined use of LEDs or light emitting diodes, and photodiodes. This device could decrease detection time for wildfires, which would allow for earlier suppression and burn control measures to be taken. It would also help decrease the amount of damage done to the environment, atmosphere, and potentially save lives and property in the process.

Gianluca Mazzi
Central Conecticut State University
Effect of Processing Parameters on Mechanical Behavior and Structure of FDM Printed Polylactic Acid and Carbon Fiber Polylactic Acid Composites

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3-D printing will be applied for development of structural net/near net shapes using polylactic acid (PLA), a monolithic polymer and fiber or particle reinforced PLA composites. Experimental printing parameters will be varied to maximize the uniformity and strength of PLA and composite PLA. Printed samples will be evaluated for axial tension properties, microstructure, density, and other analytical methods to thoroughly characterize the printed polymer and polymer composite. Results of this work are intended to progress the applicability of FDM 3-D printing for structural material development.

Student Travel Grant

Derik Walter
Central Connecticut State University
Travel to the 2022 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition Conference in Columbus, Ohio

The objective of attending the International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE) conference, from October 30th to November 3rd, is to present our senior capstone project and learn from fellow engineers about ways to improve our design. Our project is the design, manufacturing and testing of a guard for a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) to improve the efficiency of the turbine. Three guards were designed to test how the distance of the guard and angle of attack affect the rotational speed of the turbine. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to test their effects on the turbine’s efficiency. The most efficient guard design was chosen for prototyping and made from Polylactic Acid (PLA). After the prototype was tested and design changes made as necessary, the model was scaled up to full size and attached to the new turbine frame. Using an Arduino microcontroller, the output voltage from the generator was measured and converted to revolutions per minute (RPM). As students in the future continue with our work, we want to provide them with as many resources as possible to help spark their own sense of creativity and innovation. Continuing to help students explore green energy will lead to wind turbines with increased efficiency. The IMECE community would be the perfect resource to learn more about green energy and ways we can improve our design. Our goal is to learn from other professional engineers and network to further our careers as engineers.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Paige Diciccio
University of Hartford

Bhawana Joshi
Central Connecticut State University

Alberto Labrada
University of Bridgeport

John O’Connell
Eastern Connecticut State University

Seth Utter
University of Connecticut

Roland Van Duine
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Nathan Breiling
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Joey Gonzalez
Norwalk Community College

Omkar Newland
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Gabriel Santos DeMelo
Naugatuck Valley Community College

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-e

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 Grants

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

Graduate Research Fellowship

Jacob Bowie
University of Connecticut
Effectiveness of a Minimal Exercise Training Program on Athlete Detraining as a Model for Countermeasures to Microgravity Effects on Skeletal Muscle

The Human Exploration Mission Directorate defines cardiovascular and muscular fitness as a research focus area. We aim to 1) quantify detraining to support use of this as a validated microgravity research model and 2) to assess the effects of a once weekly exercise protocol (MRP, Maximal Returns Protocol) on post-season, 12 weeks detraining among trained athletes. MRP is an evidence-based protocol designed to maximize the adaptive response. If MRP is effective, we will observe maintained or improved (vs. control) cardiovascular function (i.e., VO2max, heart rate during maximal exercise) and muscle strength (i.e., bench, squat, handgrip strength).

Andrew Casey-Clyde
University of Connecticut
Multi-Messenger Detections and Constraints of Supermassive Black Hole Binaries

The local number density of supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs) is expected to be directly observable with gravitational waves via pulsar timing array experiments, while the masses and redshifts of SMBHBs contributing to the gravitational wave background (GWB) is expected to contain information on both the black holes themselves, and the galaxy mergers that produce these binary systems. We propose to develop a framework for constraining the masses, redshifts, and local number density of SMBHBs with the GWB. In addition to providing more general constraints on their population, this framework will tie SMBHB population models to a future observable.

Erica Misner
University of New Haven
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Model for Borrelia Burgdorferi Infection

With constant improvements to space travel come more opportunities for exposure to novel and dangerous pathogens. Unfortunately, in vitro antibiotic testing does not represent accurate clinical efficiency against pathogens. Our objective is to establish zebrafish as an inexpensive, simple organism for the testing of antibiotics against resistant strains of bacteria. Straightforward immersion infection techniques will be utilized to infect zebrafish with Borrelia burgdorferi, shown to be highly antibiotic-resistant and capable of surviving extreme conditions including vacuum. Well-established PCR methods and antibiotic-susceptibility testing will be performed as proof of concept. These techniques can be applied to deep space exploration vessels as well as underserved communities with minimal laboratory equipment.

Undergraduate Research Grant

Anna Fehr
Wesleyan University
Dynamical Study of HD 106906’s Disk Morphology and External Perturber

A debris disk is a collection of dust and other debris around a star, analogous to the Kuiper belt around our Sun. While debris disks are common around main sequence stars, HD 106906 is one of few systems known to host an external planetary-mass companion as well as a directly imaged debris disk. Hence, it provides a unique opportunity to analyze dynamical interaction between the two, where the properties of both can be measured. In this project, we will interpret observations of disk morphology alongside orbital constraints derived from the proper motion of the planet by using dynamical models.

Hannah Lewis
Wesleyan University
Determining the Mean Molecular Weight of Gas in the Debris Disk Around 49 Ceti

Circumstellar disks are collections of gas and dust around stars. There are two types: the younger, gas-rich protoplanetary disks, and the more evolved, gas-poor debris disks. However, some debris disks such as 49 Ceti are gas-rich, which poses important questions about circumstellar disk evolution and our understanding of our solar system’s evolution. This project proposes to combine observations of vertical structure with measured excitation temperatures from C18O line ratios in the disk around 49 Ceti to determine H2 density, which will indicate whether the gas is primordial or second generation and yield important insight into the process of disk evolution.

Eric Rumsfeld
Wesleyan University
Measuring Dynamical Masses of Gas-Bearing Debris Disk Host Stars

Dusty debris disks that orbit main sequence stars are comparable to our Solar System’s Kuiper belt. While debris disks have less gas than their younger counterparts, a surprising discovery by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) is that many of these debris disks do in fact have substantial reservoirs of molecular gas. We will combine archival ALMA data with new Gaia data that provide precise stellar distances to measure dynamical masses of gas-bearing debris disk host stars. We will compare the dynamical masses that we derive with stellar evolution models to test our understanding of these isolated young stars.

Cassidy Soloff
Wesleyan University
A Transit Survey of Bright, Hot Star

Radial velocity and transit surveys have dramatically expanded the number of exoplanets detected, but this sample of exoplanets is shaped by the technological biases of these techniques. Wide field-of-view transit surveys expose for dimmer stars while the radial velocity technique is less effective at making detections around hotter stars because they lack spectral features. With the arrival of Wesleyan University’s new 24-inch automated research telescope, we can conduct a transit survey targeting bright, hot stars to search for exoplanets missed by other radial velocity and transit surveys. For non-detections, we can calculate the probability that no transiting planet exists.

Jillian Ulibarri
University of New Haven
Determining the Role of KHSRP on mRNA Stability in the Vertebrate Embryo

NASA aims to understand the effects spaceflight has on human physiology. During spaceflight, humans experience oxidative stress, which can alter the function of AU-rich element binding proteins (ARE-BPs), which are important regulators of gene activity and human physiology. I propose to 1) identify potential mRNA targets of ARE-BPs that display instability during embryonic development, 2) use CRISPR/Cas13 to determine whether they are regulated by KHSRP, a highly expressed ARE-BP and 3) assess how oxidative stress impacts the function of KHSRP. Doing this work will provide insights into the effects of KHSRP on maternal mRNA stability and oxidative stress impacts.

Student Project Grant

David Holtman
Central Connecticut State University
Designing and Manufacturing Forward Swept Tip Helicopter Blades

The proposed project is to increase the lift force of a preexisting intermeshing rotor helicopter and repair the ground test stand used to measure the lift of said helicopter. The proposed method to increase the lift force includes the manufacturing of forward swept tip blades. Swept tip blades provide greater lift at large Mach numbers and greater efficiency. The design and manufacturing of the proposed project requires the use of CAD, FEA, and CFD software, as well as CNC machining and 3D printing. The total cost of the project amounts to $567 and will take 288 days to complete.

Janae Annabeth Kellarakos
University of Hartford
Horn Antenna Design and Construction for Preparation of Metasurface Beam-Steering Implementation for 21cm Neutral Hydrogen Detection

For this project we will design and construct a radio horn telescope using three different horn materials that can be used to detect and evaluate the presence of neutral hydrogen in interstellar clouds within our Milky Way galaxy. This project is a preliminary and necessary step for future design and fabrication of metasurface beam-steering lenses that can be used to improve resolution and control of desired frequency ranges in radio astronomy. This will promote NASA-related research and establish a collaborative relationship with the University of Hartford’s multiscale electromagnetic research group.

Nishita Mirchandani
University of Hartford
MINK Aero: Active Aero Rear Wing

Aerodynamics packages enhance overall vehicle performance in track related driving. The Active aero rear wing project seeks to automate and manufacture a rear wing of a Formula Society of Automotive Engineering (FSAE) vehicle to maximize the overall vehicle handling performance while minimizing drag. FSAE is a global collegiate competition that test students’ ability to design and build a functional race car. Throughout the development of our group, MINK (Mirchandani-Iacuone-Noval-Kral) Aero’s project, multiple electronic controlled wing designs will be analyzed through computational fluid dynamic simulations, Finite element analysis, testbench analysis, as well as physical model testing in a wind-tunnel.

Sarah Pentzke
Yale University
Yale Space Station

The Yale Space Station will be the name for the semi-permanent installation of a ham radio tower on the roof of Yale University’s Environmental Science Center. The first experiment that will be done will be an Earth-Moon-Earth moonbounce experiment, using the moon and radio waves’ unique qualities to complete a calculation of the speed of light. The YSS is also planned to serve as a tool for activities such as contacting astronauts in the International Space Station through NASA’s ARISS program and to aid the Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) in communicating with their cube satellite in orbit.

Derik Scott Walter
Central Connecticut University
Wind Turbine Guard

A guard for a wind turbine will be designed and tested to increase the effectiveness of the turbine. The guard will orient itself to the direction of the wind through smooth mechanical motion. CFD software will be used to test each design. Data analysis will determine a final design. Once a guard design has been chosen, a prototype will be built to test the design in application. Modifications will be made as needed to address any issues the guard encounters. A final report will be written and presented to display the accomplishments and effectiveness of the guard design.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Joshua Grajales
Wesleyan University

Brenna Hoar
Trinity College

Alisa Levin
Trinity College

Ava Nederlander
Wesleyan University

Clare Staib-Kaufman
Yale University

Guilmar Valle
University of Connecticut

Keduse Worku
Yale University

Transfer Scholarships

Alberto Labrada
University of Bridgeport

Stephanie Tripodi
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarships

Steven Duncan
Capital Community College

Derlyn Hernandez
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Lindsey Japa
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Kishan Kunver
Capital Community College

Ryan Marquis
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Steison Ruiz
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Undergraduate Research

Gabriel Galeotos
University of New Haven
Assessment of Cytokine Expression Patterns Associated with Heart Disease

“Heart disease is a significant issue faced by people throughout the world, which is associated with higher mortality.  Astronauts traveling in space experience decreased cardiac function, manifested as dizziness and shortness of breath.  Simultaneously, they exhibit aberrant immune system gene expression patterns, which predispose them to infections both in space, and upon return to Earth.  The goal of this project is to define the expression patterns of inflammatory markers associated with viral infection of the human heart.  These analyses will provide a better understanding of molecular mechanisms that underlie cardiac disease, which may guide future diagnostic outcomes.”

Benjamin Martinez
Wesleyan University
An Unbiased Survey of Black Hole Activity in the Local Universe

“Cosmological simulations have shown that the fraction of low-mass galaxies in today’s universe that contain a nuclear black hole is directly related to the mechanism by which massive black hole seeds formed in the early universe. We have obtained optical emission-line measurements for an unbiased sample of local galaxies using a variety of instruments and will separate the objects into four distinct activity classes. We must remove continuum features from our spectra via the process of starlight subtraction, and examine X-ray and near-IR source catalogs for additional evidence of black-hole accretion to create a comprehensive picture of black hole activity in the nearby universe.”

Sarah Myrick
University of Connecticut
Titanium Metallurgy on the Moon

“Titanium alloys are highly desirable for aerospace applications because of their lightweight, high specific strength and corrosion resistance. Fortunately, it is known that the moon is rich in titanium ore, which can be extracted and processed in ceramic crucibles using concentrated solar energy. Manufacturing of goods using readily available resources in space would significantly reduce transportation costs. Nonetheless, one major challenge in titanium metallurgy is metal-mold reactions. My goal is to examine the use of the novel ceramic oxide perovskite–Strontium zirconate– as a mold material, because it shows a notably low thermal conductivity and high chemical stability.”

Kimberly Paragas
Wesleyan University
Gas Giant Atmospheric Mass Loss

“Atmospheric mass loss is one of two aspects that influence the evolution of planets, making it essential for understanding their origin. The helium 1083 nm line offers insight into the atmospheric escape of close-in exoplanets, which significantly sculpts their population. This project aims to detect excess helium absorption in the atmosphere of the gas giant HAT-P-18b and estimate its present-day mass loss rate by using transit observations taken with an ultra-narrow band filter. The outcome of this project will provide valuable data for constraining mechanisms of mass loss, as helium outflows have only been detected in 5-6 planets to date.”

Kiarra Richardson
University of New Haven
Harnessing Microenvironment Regulation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSCs) Differentiation in Simulated Microgravity

“One of the essential problems that astronauts need to overcome during prolonged space travel is osteoporosis-like bone mass loss. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) based therapy is an attractive tool for bone tissue engineering and regeneration. In this project, I will investigate how microenvironments, including substrate stiffness and geometry guidance, affect osteogenic differentiation in a simulated microgravity. The outcome of this project will provide fundamental understanding of osteogenic differentiation and aid in the prevention of bone loss, not only in microgravity but also potentially in age-related osteoporosis.”

Mason Tea
Wesleyan University
Analysis, Characterization and Variability of Local, Accreting X-ray Binaries with Archival Chandra Observations

“Compact objects are often found in binary systems, emitting X-ray radiation from plasma in their accretion disks as they siphon material from a donor star. Observations of these X-ray binaries (XRBs) in nearby galaxies provide the best opportunity to study gravitational effects of compact objects on their environment and the high-energy physics powering their emission. In performing a detailed spectral & temporal analysis of the roughly 80 brightest X-ray sources within 15 Mpc, I hope to assess their spectral state and variability in order to more accurately constrain the parameter space and local population of XRBs and black hole binaries (BHBs).”

Molly Watstein
Wesleyan University
New Insights into AGN Unification from NuSTAR Observations of Nearby Seyfert 2 Galaxies

“Recent X-ray studies have reported a correlation between accretion rate and the presence of a hidden broad-line region in obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs), suggesting that a substantial revision of the unified model for AGNs is needed. These investigations, however, were based on soft X-ray data, which are unreliable for determining intrinsic luminosities and accretion rates in such objects. Using NuSTAR data in the hard 3-80 keV band, I will determine the intrinsic X-ray luminosities of a large sample of obscured AGNs that have sensitive Keck spectropolarimetry observations, which will afford a definitive test of the accretion-rate hypothesis.”

Student Project

Zachary Andalman
Yale University
Active-Adjustment Ornithopter

“An ornithopter is a flying machine which generates thrust and lift by imitating the flapping motion of birds. While ornithopters have greater maneuverability and stealth compared to traditional aircraft, they are much less efficient. The Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) will design and build an ornithopter using active adjustment systems to improve efficiency. Active adjustment systems allow the ornithopter to adapt to conditions in real time using on-board sensors and microcontrollers. YUAA will also utilize aerodynamics simulation software to optimize the mechanical design. The project will require a combination of engineering precision and creativity.”

Samuel Dorman
Fairfield University
Integration of an Automated Jewelry Unpacking Method in Production

“Biomerics NLE is a company which engraves thousands of bracelet charms every week. The charms arrive individually packed in a protective film and arrive in boxes of well over 100 charms. Our task is to design a fully automated machine responsible for passing the charm bags through the system and ultimately discarding the protective bag and the tag that is attached while the charm is placed in a plastic sorting tray. The tray contains a matrix of one hundred charms and is easily stacked, thus allowing the charms to be easily moved to the next step in the engraving process.”

Saachi Grewal
Yale University
Rover with Robotic Arm

“Rovers and other unmanned vehicles allow humans to explore new places and learn more about our cosmic surroundings in places a human cannot safely venture at present. Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) will design and build a rover with a robotic arm, able to move and perform tasks through remote operation. We will attempt high levels of engineering precision to create a rover with custom built parts, suspension kinematics, a functional robotic arm, and mechanical and electrical integration. The project has adapted due to Covid-19 restrictions and allows members working remotely across the USA access to engineering.”

Ohsafa Harding
Fairfield University
Assistive Robotic Arm for Wheelchairs

“The “Robotic arm for wheelchair users” enables a person in a wheelchair with limited mobility to perform daily functions such as picking up and placing objects and opening doors. The arm will be suitably mounted on a wheelchair. To keep the cost of the product low, the structure of the arm will be 3D printed. The robotic arm will have five degrees of freedom, using DC and servo motors and featuring 2 elbow joints, 2 revolute joints, and a gripper mechanism. The arm will be manipulated using a repurposed user interface such as a game controller.”

Patrick Meagher
University of Connecticut
Measurement of Dodecane Droplet Combustion Under Microgravity Conditions Achieved Via Sounding Rocket as Part of 2021 Spaceport America Cup

“This project measures the liquid surface regression rate of a dodecane droplet burning under microgravity conditions. Remote visual observations as well as pressure, temperature, and local acceleration will be recorded using a specially developed microcontroller. The experiment will be packaged into a student built hardened payload fitting a 3 CubeSat formfactor. Microgravity is achieved by flying the payload to a target apogee of 30,000 feet aboard a student manufactured sounding rocket as part of the 2021 Spaceport America Cup. The rocket is propelled by a student researched and developed 39,000 newton-second solid rocket motor.”

Robert Merlino
Fairfield University
Investigation of Sand Ingestion in Aircraft Combustor Liner

“The combustor liner in a turbine engine consists of effusion cooling holes that allow air to pass through them and keep the liner itself cool. When sand and other particles enter these holes, they may block or stick to the holes, decreasing the engine’s ability to control its temperature. This creates obvious issues for safety and could potentially blur cooling requirements for such engines. It is the goal of this project to examine the effect different surface roughness values of the holes due to common machining processes have on the rate of particle buildup and in turn airflow blockage.”

Audrey Whitmer
Yale University
IREC Rocket 2021

“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 continue research on designing our own solid fuel rocket motor, exploring the thermochemistry of combustion. Additionally, we will finish constructing a composite 2-stage rocket with innovative fabrication techniques to propel it to 30,000 feet above ground level, where redundant onboard electronics will deploy parachutes to safely recover the rocket and rover payload. This innovative rocket will be flown at IREC during the summer of 2021.”

Hannah Zukowski
Trinity College
System Design and Spectral Analysis of Turbulence in Blood Flow for Aortic Valve Stenosis

“Aortic valve stenosis is caused by the narrowing of the aortic valve located between the left ventricle and aorta. We propose to investigate a quantitative analysis of sound signals produced by a similar system, enabling a repeatable and unbiased diagnosis of the severity of a narrowing. The goal of this project is to identify a relationship between the severity of valve stenosis and the frequencies of sound signals due to pulsatile flow through the valve. This research aligns with NASA’s Mission Directorate for STEM research and engagement as it will provide us with experience researching mechanical, electrical, and biological systems.”

Graduate Research Fellowship

Zachary Lane
Central Connecticut State University
Syntrophy within Ferroglobus placidus and Other Archaea Species

“In the beginning, Earth was devoid of oxygen and was comprised mostly of metal reducing organisms. Ferroglobus placidus, an isolated archaea from a submarine hydrothermal vent, is a hyperthermophile that reduces Fe(III) to Fe(II) and has been shown to be able to utilize specialized shuttles for growth. Through shuttle-mediated interspecies electron transfer, two separate species can use this shuttle to generate a syntrophic relationship. In this study, we propose to investigate the mechanisms of syntrophy between two sets of hyperthermophiles. Results will aid NASA’s goal to further research the “origin of life on earth and the search for life elsewhere”.”

Jonathan Mercedes-Feliz
University of Connecticut
Improving Supermassive Black Hole Accretion Models with Cosmological Hyper-refinement Simulations

“Understanding the connection between massive black holes and their host galaxies remains an unsolved problem in astrophysics. I propose to investigate the physical mechanisms that drive black hole growth by using new ultra-high resolution simulations that for the first time, resolve transport of gas down to sub-parsec scales in a fully cosmological context. I will test predictions of popular sub-grid accretion models against gas inflow rates explicitly resolved at sub-pc scales in simulations for different physical conditions. These results will be used to identify the most promising mechanisms to develop an improved accretion model for future large volume cosmological simulations.”

Javier Portillo
Yale University
RNA Polymerase Ribozyme Evolution and the Origins of Life on Earth

“Early in Earth’s history, during the “RNA World,” it is hypothesized that an RNA may have had the ability to self-replicate via RNA-polymerization and been able to support primordial RNA populations and RNA genomes. However, a self-replicating RNA has yet to be discovered. Here, we aim to create highly efficient RNA polymerases using in vitro selection methods coupled with next-generation sequencing to experimentally investigate the origin and evolution of RNA-based life. The creation of an RNA self-replicase offers a glimpse into how life may have originated on Earth and provides a path to creating synthetic life in a test tube.”

Undergraduate Scholarship

Stephanie Brij-Raj
Fairfield University

Nathan Green
University of Hartford

Anthony Ragazzi
Trinity College  

Skyler Szot
Trinity College

Erkin Verbeek
Trinity College

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Caleigh Dodge
Central Connecticut State University

Nhat Pham
University of Bridgeport

Jaime Torres-Latorre
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Daniel Gaewski
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Ashley Indrisek
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Graduate Research Fellowship

Logan Fries
University of Connecticut
Tidal Features in Merging Galaxies at z ~ 0: Quantifying their Color and Mass-Ratio

Gravitational interactions between galaxies are predicted to produce tidal features during the first close passage and the final merging phases. We present a study to analyze the optical color of tidal features from a sample of 56 post-mergers from Weston et al. (2017) (Mstellar > 2 x 10^10 M, z < 0.08) We plan to analyze the SDSS ugriz images using a new morphological substructure extraction and quantification method by Mantha et al. (2019) which reliably extracts low surface brightness features. Ultimately, we hope
to distinguish whether tidal streams come from a wet or dry merger remnant which will help to estimate the makeup of the ages of stars within the streams.

Katie Stubbs
Wesleyan University
Characterization of volatile zonation in lunar apatite and britholite

Lunar apatite and britholite, minerals found in rocks formed by late cooling of magma, is important for learning about water and its history on your moon. By investigating the spatial zoning of elements like REEs, chlorine, fluorine, sulfur, and others, we can determine if they made their way into their crystal structure by typical crystal fractionation (volcanic cooling) or by metasomatism (hot water delivering elements after the crystal has already formed). This fits into NASA’s Science Directorate by uncovering more of the moon’s history, and especially investigating how water behaves in volcanic processes

William Theune
University of New Haven
Investigating the role of the neuroprotective gene adnp in neuronal development and maintenance

Exposure to radiation and microgravity can contribute to increased risk of neurodegeneration. This proposal aims to examine the role that the activity-dependent neuroprotector (ADNP) gene plays in neuronal development and maintenance. ADNP/ADNP-derived peptide NAP has been shown to provide neuroprotection, and mutations in adnp are associated with Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. I propose to 1) generate adnp knockout and overexpression zebrafish models to characterize adnp function in neurogenesis and 2) decipher gene regulatory networks regulated by adnp through transcriptome analysis. This work will provide valuable insights for mitigating harmful effects of cosmic radiation and microgravity during space travel.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Maeve Cantwell
University of Hartford
Nozzle noise: Simulation for jet engines

A rectangular mixer-ejector nozzle will be explored with the ultimate goal of achieving jet noise reduction for various aircraft concepts. The proposed research will employ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA) to assess the performance of an 8:1 aspect ratio rectangular nozzle used together with a simple ejector box. Flow quantities will be evaluated as a function of geometric parameters with and without mixing tabs. The goals are to: (1) validate simulation results with the experimental data from NASA Glenn Research Center, (2) pursue further modifications in mixer-ejector nozzle geometry, and (3) reduce noise in jet engines.

Grace Percival
University of Connecticut
Correlations between Supermassive Black Hole accretion rates and fundamental properties

Since the turn of the century, black holes have confounded scientists, trapping everything that falls inside of their event horizon, including light. Given their integral role in the evolution of galaxies, understanding black hole behavior could yield important insights into the early Universe. Using fundamental properties, such as black hole mass, spin, and accretion rate, to understand what makes a black hole active or quiescent could be the key to uncovering larger truths about the cosmos.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Anthony Cammuso
Central Connecticut State University

Matthew Iossa
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Derlyn Hernandez
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Graduate Research Fellowship

Cecelia Harold
Yale University
Defining a new understanding of breast cancer development in women for long-term space missions

       Radiation exposure astronauts face is a critical consideration for safe space missions. This is especially important for NASA’s plan to expand human presence in deeper space. A compelling aspect of risk assessment is to define the molecular determinants of gender-based cancer predisposition. One determinant is prolactin, important for breast development and lactation. Increased prolactin expression in pre-menopausal women increases predisposition to breast cancer. This project seeks to understand why prolactin predisposes women to breast cancer. This builds into the larger goal of 1
understanding how gender affects cancer occurrence to develop safety guidelines for not only astronauts, but the overall community. 

Laura Logozzo
Yale University
Illuminating riverine dissolved organic carbon dynamics and export using carbon age

       DOC is one of the largest carbon reservoirs globally, but its sources are poorly quantified. Carbon age indicates whether DOC is sourced from surface soils or deeper sequestered soils. I will estimate DOC age and flux on the Connecticut River seasonally and long-term using 14C. This will address when in the year older DOC is mobilized in rivers, and whether there is an overall trend towards older DOC. The project addresses NASA’s strategic goal “understanding the sun, earth, solar system, and universe,” since carbon is an essential element to life and climate, and this project will constrain riverine carbon sources.

 

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Fallon Konow
Wesleyan University
Constructing a Survey of the Local Interstellar Medium using Hubble Spectra

       The cool gas and dust clouds that make up half of the visible matter within galaxies is referred to as the Interstellar Medium (ISM). Understanding the composition and dynamic nature of the local (within 100 pc) ISM (LISM) is extremely important because of its proximity and interaction with our solar system, and its necessity in ensuring other astronomical observations are accurately accounting for extinction. Because of their importance I hope to identify the presence of LISM clouds as well as determine clouds’ particular radial velocity and elemental abundance in order to make a more accurate survey of every LISM cloud. 

Nicole Karpinski
Central Connecticut State University
Uncovering mechanisms of direct metal-microbe iron corrosion by Geobacter metallireducens

       Microbial corrosion costs global industries billions of dollars a year, yet physiological mechanisms microbes use to induce corrosion are largely unknown. Recently it has been shown that electricity producing Geobacter species are capable of directly taking up electrons from metal surfaces and inducing bio-corrosion. In this study, gene and protein expression analyses, as well as laboratory adaptive evolution, will be used to identify extracellular components involved in direct metal corrosion by Geobacter metallireducens. Findings from this study will be useful towards combating, managing, and preventing corrosion, which is a focus for the NASA Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology Strategic Enterprise.

Aikaterini Stylianides
University of Hartford
Computational Aeroacoustics of a Coaxial Jet Engine Nozzle

       Jet noise is a major contributor to engine noise, especially during take-off. A typical multi-stream jet engine nozzle is annular with structural members (struts) holding various components of the nozzle together. Struts are designed to cause minimally disturb the ow, but may behave as bluff bodies with unsteady wakes. This research focuses on modeling a 3-strut nozzle using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Aeroacoustics (CAA). The nozzle will be studied under varying ow properties and multiple acoustic conditions. This will allow for the validation of similar models as well as provide a tool for future researchers to utilize.

 

 

Student Projects

DeShawn Adams

Trinity College
Harvesting Useful Work from Ocean Waves

       The US government estimates that 71% of the Earth’s surface is water-covered, with the ocean holding about 96.5 percent of Earth’s water. This 96.5 percent of water produces waves full of useful energy. An average 4-foot, 10-second wave striking a coast puts out more than 35,000 horsepower per mile of coast, horsepower we can utilize. Our mission is to explore current designs for a system that converts energy generated from sea waves into useful work, and to synthesize these designs to develop a unique system that maximizes the work output at a reasonable cost for global distribution.

Theo Evers
Yale University
Payload Rover

       Rovers and other unmanned vehicles expand the reaches of human understanding through exploration of areas inhospitable to human habitation. Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association (YUAA) has in the past produced numerous vehicles of this sort but this project will be significantly different. YUAA will design and build for the first time a vehicle that will be deployed from a rocket. All of YUAA’s previous models were conveyed by hand to their mission sites. Deploying the rover remotely via rocket will add significant hurdles that our team must overcome. We will need to develop new strategies and designs to accomplish our task.  

Alexander Hoganson
Yale University
IREC Rocket 2020

      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 be focusing research on designing our own solid fuel rocket motor, exploring the thermochemistry and physics of combustion. The objective of our student researched and designed solid fuel motor is to propel a lightweight, high-fidelity composite rocket built with innovative fabrication techniques to 10,000 feet above ground level, where redundant onboard electronics will deploy parachutes to safely recover the rocket and rover payload.

Scotty Parajon
Yale University
Developing a Guided Parafoil Payload Return System for the HAB to Create a High Altitude Experimentation Platform

       Prior YUAA experimentation with high altitude balloons has seen great success with launching, tracking, and collecting data at high altitudes. However, due to Connecticut’s geographical location, there is a high risk of losing our payload and instruments if they are blown into the Atlantic. Thus, to ensure ability to recover of the payload in all circumstances, I propose a guided parafoil system to allow the payload to land safely. This would also allow YUAA to take full advantage of the high cost-efficacy of balloon launches and to utilize them as a testbed for all future prototype high altitude scientific experiments.

Gordon Perrett
Central Connecticut State University
Solar Panel Design to Maximize Efficiency

       The project is to create a solar panel that will increase the efficiency of the panel without improvements being made to the solar cell. This project will utilize a combination of techniques to maximize the amount of light a solar panel can collect and minimizing the Panels footprint. The system will consist of three components: a system that will follow the sun, a system that will change the geometry of the panel to maximize light capture, and a cooling system.

Keith McHugh
Fairfield University
Device to Convert Plastic Bottles into Household Objects

       The use and disposal of plastic everyday is damaging to the environment as only 9% is recycled currently. The goal of this project is to design and fabricate a desktop device that will allow to remanufacture used plastic bottles for other applications like 3-D printing lament. The device is capable of taking in plastic bottles of varying sizes and turn them into long bands of plastic that can be used for other applications. This objective is in line with strategic mission of NASA for sustainable long term space exploration and is compact enough to be included in space missions.

Colette Scheffers
Trinity College
Quantitative Characterization and Model Design Analysis of Heart Murmurs

       We will mimic ow conditions contributing to heart murmurs to find quantitative data that will confirm the grade of the murmur. After creating simulations in COMSOL Multiphysics, we will design and build a pulsatile pump system to measure the ow’s acoustic movement and quantitatively determine murmur severity. This project applies to health monitoring and treatment, giving patients confidence in a correct diagnosis and allowing heart murmurs to be characterized in potentially remote locations. Specifically, this work could better determine the cardiovascular health of astronauts, provide risk reduction, conduct health monitoring, and help NASA ensure the long-term success of their programs.

 

Student Travel

Kyle Lingard
Central Connecticut State University
Gordon Research Seminar and Conference at Hotel Galvez

Mitchell Owen
Fairfield University
Federal Aviation Administration, William J. Hughes Technical Center

Maxime Parent
Eastern Connecticut State University
Butler University, Indianapolis IN

Hunter Vannier
Wesleyan University
Honolulu, Hawaii

Undergraduate Scholarship

Jack Breton
University of Hartford

Salena Hingorani
Fairfield University

Emma Hintz
Central Connecticut State University

Derek Kuldinow
Yale University

Maxime Parent
Eastern Connecticut State University

Gordon Perrett
Central Connecticut State University

Mason Tea
Wesleyan University

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Savannah LaPerriere
Central Connecticut State University

Adairez Nieves
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Nathan Benham

Northwestern Connecticut Community College

Angel Green
Capitol Community College

Stephanie Tripodi
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Graduate Research Fellowship

Alexandra Garza
University of New Haven
Zebrafish as a Model for Genetic Compensation to Counteract the Negative Impacts of Increased
Mutational Load on Humans in Space

The impact of radiation on astronauts is a significant concern for space travel. One
proposed mechanism to combat the mutational load associated with this radiation is genetic
compensation. This compensation allows an organism to upregulate similar genes to compensate
a mutated gene for its functional loss. This proposed research aims to use zebrafish as a model to
assess the degree of sequence similarity required for genetic compensation, and to further
characterize the role of upf1 in this pathway. Overall, this work will point to potential strategies
to counteract the negative impacts of increased mutational load on humans in space.

Cory Jubinville
University of Connecticut
Evaluation of Novel Genetic Enhancer Elements in Muscle Regeneration by CRISPR-Cas9 Editing

Extensive skeletal muscle atrophy experienced after short periods in low-gravity
exhibits a significant obstacle to NASA’s strategic goal of maintaining constant human
presence in low-Earth orbit, and deep space exploration. Muscle maintenance and
regeneration by muscle stem cells combats muscle atrophy upon activation of genetic
myogenic programming. However, understanding genetic regulation of genes crucial to
muscle stem cell activation, such as myoD, remains elusive. This project evaluates novel
regulatory enhancer element influence on myoD by disrupting predicted enhancers via
CRISPR-Cas9 editing. Understanding genetic regulation of muscle stem cell activation will
set the foundation for targeted interventions remediating spaceflight-associated muscle
atrophy.

Malena Rice
Yale University
Asteroid Occultations Using a Large Network of Small Telescopes

We explore the feasibility of and present initial designs for a large network of small telescopes
purpose-built to monitor stars for occultations by solar system minor planets. Precise
measurements of the orbits of minor planets, achievable with this network, will provide critical
clues about perturbations by other objects in the solar system, constraining the
abundance/distribution of as-yet undiscovered asteroids, moons, and planets (such as the
proposed Planet Nine). Such a network directly addresses NASA’s strategic goal to “expand
human knowledge through new scientific discoveries” by studying the architecture of the solar
system to understand planetary system formation more generally.

Jeffrey Steiner
University of Connecticut
Proposed Habitat Design and Analysis Methodology for Various Locations on the Lunar Surface

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has established that a long-term human presence in orbit around, and on the moon, is a significant focus in the development of space exploration. The objective of this project is to develop a methodology of analysis which is applicable to habitats constructed in various locations on the lunar surface. This methodology will address the effects of temperature cycling, micrometeoroid impact, and radiation exposure on any future habitats, built with various methods of construction. The methodology will be validated by designing a proposed lunar habitat which utilizes prefabricated composite layers shielding a dome-shaped frame.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Sean Byrne
Central Connecticut State University
Mass measurement of the faintest quiescent black hole binary system

Black hole research applies to NASA’s astrophysics roadmap from 2013. In section 4.2 of the roadmap under the question “how does our universe work?”, black holes are the subject matter for extremes. We will be obtaining five orbital light curves of the black hole binary system XTE 1118+480. This stellar massive black hole has the shortest confirmed orbital period; four hours. The binary pair also has the lowest quiescent accretion rate. With the light curve and orbital period, we will estimate the orbital inclination and find a precise mass ratio and distance. This information will help us study X-ray transients.

Emily Hughes
Wesleyan University
Experimental Evaporation of Martian Brines to Determine Spectroscopic Signatures

A central element of NASA’s strategic plan is the quest for the discovery of life on Mars via rover
and orbiter missions. Stable liquid water is often considered the necessary precursor to life. Brines,
with depressed eutectic temperatures, are the most promising form in which liquid water may be
stable on the Martian surface. We will experimentally create, and evaporate, Martian analogue
brines in a Mars chamber, and obtain Visible-Near Infrared (VNIR) spectra from these brines,
which we can compare to CRISM data. This aids in determining the validity and potential locations
of stable liquid water on the Martian surface.

Anthony Ragazzi
Trinity College
An Embedded System to Monitor the Breathing Condition of Astronauts Using Wireless Data Transmission and Machine Learning

The underlying research proposes to build an embedded system that uses adaptive
supervised machine learning to evaluate breathing signals of astronauts. The signals will be
measured with an abdominal strain gauge and transmitted to the main processing station using
wireless communication (i.e., Bluetooth) for further analysis. Breathing features will be extracted
using in-house developed algorithms and analyzed via supervised machine learning to classify
breathing measurements to: normal breathing, breathing with body movement, movement
without breathing, apnea or loss of sensor connection. The proposed design provides real-time
monitoring of an astronaut’s health condition and generates timely warnings when unexpected
urgencies emerge.

Andrew Reardon
Yale University
Natural Teleoperation of a Robot Arm Using a Sensory Sleeve

Given the danger of spacewalks, decreasing the number of hours astronauts spend outside of the spacecraft is imperative for crew safety. Towards this objective, I propose a method using natural human motion to control a robot arm. Specifically, I will use stretchable sensors embedded in a sleeve to measure an operator’s arm position to teleoperate a robot arm for remote repairs and upgrades of spacecraft. The soft sensors are flexible, washable, and do not impede movement. The outcome of my proposed work will be a wearable sensory sleeve for robot teleoperation to address NASA’s technology thrust in Remote Interaction.

Brenna Roberston
University of Connecticut
Fitting Observed Spectral Energy Distributions to Determine Black Hole Spin

The pursuit of new knowledge about the universe has been a driving force in scientific discovery.
One of the most mysterious objects in the universe are supermassive black holes, which have
recently been found to be at the center of all galaxies. Growth of central black holes is highly
correlated to galaxy evolution and feedback, so learning fundamental properties such as mass,
spin, and accretion rate are crucial to understanding much larger astrophysical phenomena. In order
to determine black hole spin, we will fit theoretical models to observed spectral energy
distributions.

Student Project

Alexander Kavadas
Central Connecticut State University
Modular Collision Avoidance System For Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

The proposed project is to create a stand-alone collision avoidance system for UAVs that will allow for pilots to receive feedback on their position relative to the various obstacles experienced in average UAV missions. The system will work off of feedback controls to designate certain distances between the UAV and the obstacle as safe or dangerous. The system will consist of two components: the system that is attached to the drone, and the ground unit.

Donovan Ross Palmer
Trinity College
Land-based autonomous navigation vehicle

This design project seeks to create an artificially intelligent land-based vehicle capable of autonomous navigation and real-time mapping of its surrounding environment. The objective is to have the robot be capable of self-localization using mobile mapping and GPS waypoints, maneuver around any physical obstruction, and be able to respond to other outside stimuli when necessary. Unmanned vehicles provide opportunity to tackle NASA’s mission of space exploration and scientific discovery as it is imperative that if we are not the ones exploring the universe, that we have technology with artificial intelligence do it for us.

Abigail Ridler
Eastern Connecticut State University
The effects of dietary antioxidants on the development of insulin resistance in hindlimb suspended mice

Astronauts in space often face complications of muscle atrophy and metabolic stress. One such
problem is the development of insulin resistance due to the build-up of reactive oxygen species
(ROS) and glycogen in weight-bearing muscles. This study aims to determine the effects of
dietary antioxidants on glycogen stores, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and
insulin resistance in hindlimb-suspended mice, using glucose tolerance tests and glycogen and
superoxide dismutase assays. The results of this study can then be used in the formulation of
diets for astronauts in order to reduce oxidative damage, and possibly increase space exploration
lengths.

Student Travel

Arun Malla
University of Connecticut
Engineering Mechanics Institute 2019, at California Institute of Technology

 

Undergraduate Scholarship

Lukas Corey
Yale University

Alexander Henton
Wesleyan University

Alisa Levin
Trinity College

Keduse Worku
Yale University

Isabella Yung
Trinity College

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Debora Cruz
Central Connecticut State University

Caleigh Dodge
Central Connecticut State University

Amara Falotico
Central Connecticut State University

Jacob Parent
University of Connecticut

Ashton Stephens
University of Connecticut

Community College Scholarship

Zachary Dezeil
Three Rivers Community College

Jimmy Mendoza
Middlesex Community College

Miguel Montijo
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Elizabeth Schneider
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Patrick Dubiel
University of Hartford
Numerical Calculation of a Cobra Probe
“The three-hole cobra-head pressure probe (THP) uses calibration curves to accurately measure a fluids total and static pressure as well as its flow swirl angle. These calibration curves are created while using air as the working fluid. The project proposed will investigate how the change of the working fluid affects these curves. These curves will be produced by creating a CFD model that replicates the calibration procedure. These calibration curves will then be compared to see if the curves produced for air are accurate for the new working fluid or, if a relation between the two working fluids needs to be determined to be able to use the original calibration accurately.”

Russell Moore
Fairfield University
Pixel-Level Image Fusion Algorithms to EO/IR Multi-Sensor System
“Since the Cold War, the United States has relied on reconnaissance satellites for the safety of its citizens. Our research will add to this effort, using multiple images from electro-optical sensors and fusing them for the purpose of target tracking. Satellite imaging can provide surveillance of an area and capture data otherwise inaccessible through other sensors or methods. This project researches and develops an improved algorithm for target tracking.  Improving this technology will undoubtedly benefit global efforts to study and monitor our planet, which aligns with NASA’s strategic goal of driving new advances in aerospace science and technology.”

Skyler Szot
Trinity College
Helicopter Vibration Analysis Through Spectral and Chaotic Analysis
“This project seeks to study servo-flap helicopter vibration data during hover and forward flights utilizing both MATLAB and FORTRAN. A linear power spectral analysis will be implemented to compute the magnitudes of helicopter vibration in harmonics of its fundamental rotating frequency, in order to capture the dynamic behavior as a servo-flap helicopter alters its flight condition. A chaotic analysis approach will also be used to provide information regarding the fractal dimension that is not possible to obtain using traditional linear approaches. The results obtained from these analyses will generate useful data for the further development of aviation systems by NASA.”

Hunter Vannier
Wesleyan University
Using Hubble to Look Back at the Sun’s Historical Trajectory Through the Local Interstellar Medium
“The local interstellar medium (LISM) is a diverse place of various densities and elemental components. We do not fully understand how these clouds of interstellar gas and dust influence our solar system’s heliosphere and in turn its influence on The Earth and other planets in our solar system. Because the outward moving solar wind is contained by the LISM, the density of the LISM is an important constraint on the understanding of this interaction. Using UV data obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope on eight individual stars within <50 pc from the Sun, we observed absorption features in almost every one. This sample of is along our Sun’s historical solar trajectory, so the outcome of this project would aid in a better understanding of how the composition and density of LISM may have contributed to the shrinking or expansion of the heliosphere and in turn how it may have affected the atmosphere and even biological evolution on Earth on a timescale of four to five million years. “

Zhengdong Wang
Yale University
Using Generative Networks to Derive Causal Features of Weak Lensing Convergence
“This fellowship will use new machine learning techniques to generate weak lensing convergence maps. In the process, the neural networks will learn fundamental, independent causal features for why mass is dispersed through space the way it is. These insights will help answer deep questions about cosmology, advancing NASA’s core decadal science goals. The machine learning experience gained from this fellowship will support future NASA data pipelines, mission operations, and status as the world leader in space technologies.”

 

Undergraduate Scholarship

Julia Burch
Central Connecticut State University

Joyce Caliendo
University of Connecticut

Michael Kohler
University of Hartford

Leah Lansdowne
University of New Haven

Hetal Petal
University of Connecticut

Genesis Paz
University of Bridgeport

Donovan Palmer
Trinity College

Simran Sehgal
University of Connecticut

Alexandra Sinson
Trinity College

Jonathan Stanford
University of New Haven

Austin Thomas
University of New Haven

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Paige Dowding
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Julio Acosta-Silverio
Capital Community College

Micalyia Douglas
Capital Community College

Trajada Jackson
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Joel Limieux
Northwestern Connecticut Community College

Cindy Otchere
Capital Community College

Alondra Torres
Capital Community College

Linda Vossler
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Kale Williams
Naugatuck Valley Community College

 

Project Grant

Lincoln Berkley
Yale University
“Collaborative Rovers for Planetary Exploration”

Jackson Ceme
University of New Haven
“Studying Viscosity and Elasticity of Silicone Elastomers for Space Seal Applications”

Ian Denzer
Yale University
“Ornithopter”

Hanna Engstrom
Trinity College
“Flow Monitoring for Infusion Therapy”

Alicia Kacharia
Yale University
“Solar Powered High Altitude Payload Balloon”

David Norris
University of Hartford
“Liquid Fueled Rocket Flight Control System”

Keshav Raghavan
Yale University
“CubeSat Cosmic Ray Observatory”

Katherine Unfried
Fairfield University
“Lend a Hand (Lightweight Low Noise Prosthetic Hand)”

 

Student Travel

Michael Boyle
Yale University

Jovelt Dorsainvil
Fairfield University

Michael Henderson
Wesleyan University

Ismael Mireles
Wesleyan University

Benjamin Rumrill
Eastern Connecticut State University

Anthony Santini
Wesleyan University

Internship Award Recipients

DeShawn Adams
Trinity College
Education Internship
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT)

Jacob Dayton
Eastern Connecticut State University
Laboratory Internship
The Jackson Laboratory

Stephen DeRosa
University of Hartford
Industrial Internship
United Technologies Aerospace Systems

Dina DiGiacomo
University of Connecticut
Industrial Internship
Synovel Laboratory

Giselle Koo
Tunxis Community College
Education Internship
Discovery Museum and Planetarium

Jacob Kowalski
University of Connecticut
NASA Academy Internship
Ames Research Center

James Laudon
Quinebaug Valley Community College
Industrial Internship
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT)

Zachary Ouellete
Central Connecticut State University
Education Internship
Connecticut Science Center

Austin Thomas
University of New Haven
NASA Academy Internship
Goddard Space Flight Center

Graduate Research Fellowship

Sarah Arveson
Yale University
“Sulfur at Extreme Conditions: Exploring the Interiors of lo and Sulfur-Rich Planets”
Sulfur plays an integral role on Jupiter’s volcanically active moon, Io, where sulfur-dominated plumes erupt to heights of 500 kilometers above the surface. As such, sulfur is an important component in the subsurface of Io, though the high-pressure properties of sulfur remain poorly understood. Additionally, a number of exoplanets exhibit sulfur-rich atmospheres. I propose to determine sulfur’s phase diagram at planetary interior conditions. These experiments will provide insight and expand knowledge of the evolution of bodies within our Solar System and beyond in accordance with goal 1 and objective 1.1 set forth in NASA’s 2018 Strategic Plan.

Sara Molly Wagner
Wesleyan University
“Early Planetary Degassing: An Example at Newberry Volcano, Oregon”
How did volatiles accrete in the rocky materials of early Earth? Some plume volcanoes carry chemical signatures that bear strong resemblances to a primordial Earth. I am studying emission rates of trace volatile mercury and volcanic CO₂ at Newberry Volcano, Oregon. I aim to track how much of these species is released by the volcano and injected into a crater lake. Mercury is largely stored in sediments whereas CO₂ is released as a surface flux from the lake. Detailed chemical data on sediment and CO₂ fluxes will allow me to calculate a Hg/CO₂ value that may represent the primordial Earth. I will compare the obtained ratios with Hg and C analyses of suites of meteorites.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Jonathan Brown
University of Hartford
“Acoustic Analysis of Spike Inlet Auxillary Doors on Fan Noise Radiation”
Commercial supersonic aircraft are becoming a reality again as technology continues to move closer to a realizable aircraft. While the engines are designed for peak efficiency at Mach 2, they must also operate at subsonic speeds. When flying at subsonic conditions, engine noise becomes the largest contributor to the overall noise of the aircraft. A computational acoustic analysis will be completed on a commercial supersonic engine inlet with a spike center-body. This project will develop computational methodologies to characterize the radiated acoustics with the auxiliary doors open and closed. This work directly supports Thrust 2 of the NASA Strategic Implementation Plan 2017.

Sam Cutler
University of Connecticut
“Examining High Redshift Rotation Curve Outside the Local Universe”
Examination of galactic rotation curves in the local universe has yielded evidence of both cusp and core type dark matter profiles. We present one of the first studies of a galactic rotation curve for a distant gravitationally-lensed massive, dusty star-forming galaxy, CL2244-1, with a spectroscopic redshift 1.77. Using VLT/XSHOOTER spectroscopy, we perform a 2D spectral analysis of the H$/alpha$ emission. With this rotation curve, we fit a dark matter density profile and determine the functional form of the profile (cusp or core).  Predictions from comparing the shape of the rotation curve of CL2244-1 to that of M33 and other galaxies in the local universe suggest that the dark matter profile of CL2244-1 is best represented by a cuspy profile. Though this cuspy profile supports the cold dark matter cosmological model, we cannot rule out self-interacting dark matter, whose interactions may not have had time to shift the density profile to a core at such early times.

Jeremy Hopwood
Central Connecticut State University
“Design, Implementation, and Wind Tunnel Testing of an Aeroservoelastic Flutter Control System”
The purpose of the proposed research is to successfully design, implement, and test an aeroservoelastic control system to suppress flutter of an aircraft wing using optimal control methods. There are four main objectives of this research. First, an accurate aeroservoelastic model will be developed. Second, the controller will be designed to yield an optimal and stable response past the flutter speed via the minimization the wing’s energy as well as the input energy using state feedback and gain-scheduling by air velocity. Third, the controlled aeroservoelastic model will be simulated, and the stability, time response, and robustness will be validated. Fourth, the control system will by physically implemented on a flexible wing, which will be subjected to wind tunnel testing and analyzed. Through these objectives, the proposed research will contribute to aerospace engineering and bring flexible aircraft concepts closer to the creation of commercially viable high-efficiency, lightweight flexible aircraft.

Nicole Zalewski
Wesleyan University
“Measurement of the Radar Properties of the Oldest Rocks on Venus to Constrain Mineralogy“
The proposed research project examines the differences in composition between Venus’ volcanic plains and the elevated terrain of older material of unknown composition. Using radar properties of the terrain, we week to find strong evidence that properties of this older material is consistent with minerals high in silica content, which would only have been able to form on a planet abundant with water. This research would provide valuable information for learning about history of our solar system and how it evolved to its current state, which are currently goals of NASA.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Adrienne Fisher
University of Hartford

Terra Ganey
Wesleyan University

Anthony Machado
University of Connecticut

Chris Shimwell
Eastern Connectcut State University

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Charles Baird
Quinebaug Valley Community College / Eastern Connecticut State University

Rachel Marino
Middlesex Community College / Wesleyan University

Ashton Stephens
Quinebaug Valley Community College / University of Connecticut

Community College Scholarship

Debora Cruz
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Jacob Murphy 
Middlesex Community College

Project Grant

Jazmine Collado
Central Connecticut State University
“K-MAX Helicopter Instrumentation”

Graduate Research Fellowship

Yotam Cohen
Yale University
“The Nature of Newly Discovered Low Surface Brightness Galaxies”
Using the Dragonfly Telephoto Array, a new robotic refracting telescope optimized for low surface brightness imaging, we have detected numerous low surface brightness objects in deep, wide field images centered on nearby galaxy groups. As part of HST cycle 24, we are obtaining ACS imaging for 23 of these objects. The high-resolution data from ACS will allow us to measure accurate distances to these objects using resolved stellar populations, as well as their physical and structural properties. More generally, this work will use HST to provide the first systematic insight into galaxies whose surface brightness peaks at > 24 mag arcsec^-2 outside the local group, in line with NASA’s mission of advancing our knowledge of the universe.

Amanda Marston
University of New Haven
“Evaluating the Protective Effects of Vitamin E and N-Acetyl-Cysteine Against DNA Damage Caused by Ionizing Radiation”
Obtaining damage caused by ionizing radiation is a job-related hazard that astronauts face. Ionizing radiation causes an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) which then allows DNA damage and cell death to occur. This harmful interaction can in turn result in cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. However, antioxidants have been shown to lower the amount of ROS. Therefore, we propose that pretreatment with Vitamin E and N-acetyl-cysteine prior to being exposed to ionizing radiation will lower the amount of DNA damage accrued. To analyze our hypothesis, assays will be performed to investigate ROS levels in cells pretreated with antioxidants.

Michael Oldakowski
University of New Haven
“Effects of Oxygen on Pathogenic Bacteria”
Recent data has shown that pathogenic bacterial biofilms may grow differently in space stations than Earth. There were several investigations on space related environmental factors but oxygen levels were not studied. This proposal will investigate how different oxygen levels affect biofilm growth. Our laboratory has shown that Lyme disease spirochetes can form an organized biofilm which is resilient to environmental factors. This biofilm model will be used to better understand how spirochetal bacteria respond to low or no oxygen conditions. Results from this study will help to better understand the safety measures needed during space travel to ensure successful missions.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Alexandra Goriounova
University of New Haven
“Collection and Chemical Analysis of Micrometeorites”
Rain water will be collected in order to obtain micrometeorite pieces that are falling to the Earth’s surface, and chemical composition analysis will be conducted on the collected micrometeorites. This project will focus on metal micrometeorites, as they can easily be isolated by strong magnets and analyzed using chemical instruments at University of New Haven. As an outreach effort, collection devices will be duplicated for K-12 students to collect micrometeorites from locations in the greater New Haven area. This process will expose students to STEM related work, augment their space knowledge, and hopefully encourage their STEM interests.

WeSaam Lepak
University of Hartford
“Investigating the Acoustic Performance of Additively Manufactured Reeds as an Acoustic Liner in Aircraft Engines”
The noise emission from airplanes is reduced by coating the interior of the jet engine with an acoustic liner to absorb sound. NASA has recently found that reeds can be used as an effective acoustic liner to absorb sound in the low frequency range whilst utilizing little weight, though the geometry has not yet been optimized to maximize acoustic absorption. This proposed research project will investigate the effect of diameter, orientation, variability, and spacing of reeds to optimize acoustic absorption. Such research will decrease environmental noise from airplanes, aligning with NASA’s strategic mission to improve humanity’s quality of life.

Neha Pasnoori
University of Bridgeport
“Cooperative Intrusion Detection System for the Internet-of-WSNs Using Satellite Link Communications”
The Internet of Wireless Sensor Networks (IoWSN) consists of many sensors communicating through satellites. The network collects data from remote areas, which will be used to help science labs located in space. However, due to the limited computational capabilities and battery lifetime of sensors, applications need to be judicious in using resources, which makes it difficult to implement Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). The objective of this project is to devise an IDS implementation method for integrated space station and satellites to control IoWSNs. With this proposed method, unnecessary communications can be substantially reduced, and the performance, security, and lifetime of the IoWSNs will improve.

Benjamin Rumrill
Eastern Connecticut State University
“The Effect of Microgravity on the Growth and Function of Neural Cells”
In 2015, scientists discovered that spaceflight could lead to cognitive deficits, due to the inhibition of neural stem cell differentiation (Blaber et al., 2015). The purpose of this research is to test for changes in the production of neural stem cells ability to replicate and differentiate, when grown in simulated microgravity compared to normal conditions. The working hypothesis is that microgravity experienced during spaceflight, impairs the ability of neural stem cells to reproduce and differentiate. If the production of neural cells is affected by microgravity, then it may explain the cognitive deficits found in astronauts after spaceflight.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Basel Alnajjar
University of Connecticut

Lauren Atkinson
Eastern Connecticut State University

Cameron Bopp
Central Connecticut State University

Leah Lansdowne
University of New Haven

Samuel Nguyen
Fairfield University

Hetal Patel
University of Connecticut

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Ryan Avery
Fairfield University

Sarah Douyard
University of Connecticut

Jonathan Stanford
University of New Haven

Community College Scholarship

Hector Navarro
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Project Grant

Sean Coughlan
Trinity College
“Biomimetic Autonomous Underwater Vehicle”

Christina Ficaro
Fairfield University
“Portable Solar Powered Desalination Unit”

Ryan Hyatt
University of Connecticut
“AIAA Rocketry”

Arkid Koni
Central Connecticut State University
“CCSU Lunar Exploration Club”

Alex Laferriere
Trinity College
“Biomimetic Autonomous Underwater Vehicle”

Thomas Moroski
Fairfield University
“Precision Adhesive Application”

Jordan Rippe
University of New Haven
“Understanding the Enzymatic Mechanism of TET2 Proteins for Leukemia Studies Using QM/MM Molecular Dynamics Simulation”

Student Travel

Ryan Adler-Levine
Wesleyan University

Carly Balskus
Eastern Connecticut State University

Sophia Flury
Wesleyan University

Melissa Luna
Wesleyan University

Graduate Research Fellowship

Sarah Arveson
Yale University
“Immiscibility of Molten Iron Alloys in Planetary Cores”
In this research, melting experiments will be performed on Fe-Si-O to understand the physicochemical properties of core materials. Preliminary measurements reveal that immiscible melts are produced at high pressures, providing evidence for stratification that may have been integral in sustaining a dynamo before inner core formation. These experiments will provide insight into planetary core evolution.

Sonia Chavez
University of Connecticut
“Nanocoatings to Increase the Barrier Properties and Thermal Insulation for Aerospace Applications”
This project will focus on developing a nanocoating with outstanding barrier properties and thermal insulation for aerospace products. To do so, inorganic nanosheets [montmorillonite (MMT)] will be used with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to form a hybrid nanocoating with a highly ordered structure. In addition to PVA, epoxy will be used as an alternative binder to further improve the properties of the substrate and a crosslinking agent will be used to further bond the components through covalent interactions.

Kierstin Daviau
Yale University
“Identifying Exoplanet Interiors from Atmospheric Signals”
This research will investigate the connection between a planet’s interior and atmosphere using high-pressure/temperature experiments on the oxidation reactions between SiC and SiO2, materials proposed to make up carbon-rich exoplanets. Results will be compared to existing and upcoming exoplanetary atmosphere measurements, and frequency bands will be recommended for observation in order to detect a carbon-planet atmosphere.

Jordyn-Marie Dudley
Wesleyan University
“Characterization of Water in Differentiated Achondrite Parent Bodies”
The objective of this study is to determine the water abundance and hydrogen isotopic compositions of 15 achondrite meteorites, characterize their parents bodies, and determine if they provide evidence of a water-rich accretion. Like NASA’s Space Science enterprise, this study aims to generate and communicate knowledge of the evolution of the universe, solar system, planets and anomalous Earth.

Anthony Patelunas
University of Connecticut
“Determination of the Muscle Stem Cell Lineage by Single-cell Transcriptomics”
This project will characterize transcriptional changes of muscle satellite cell progenitors and identify novel markers for activation such as growth factor receptors. Defining development and identifying markers will enable future targeted approaches to activating and maintaining satellite cells in atrophying skeletal muscle.

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Lauren Atkinson
Eastern Connecticut State University
“Evaluating the Scorpion Microbiome for Diversity and Antibiotic Production”
Scorpions are routinely exposed to potentially deadly microbes since many of their prey are vectors for deadly pathogens. This study aims to test the diversity of the scorpion microbiome and test for antibiotic production by members of the microbiome. The discovery of new antibiotics would benefit the medical community and space exploration, seeing as antibiotic resistance increases under microgravity and human immune systems weaken during missions.

Louis Cappucci
Trinity College
“Ignition Design and Test for a 3-D Printed Titanium Rocket Engine”
This experimental research project will seek to determine the most robust and reliable system of rocket engine ignition, which will be used to build and test a Titanium alloy 3D printed rocket engine. The purpose of this research is to consider several types of ignition methods and to experimentally determine the superior method based on several design consideration.

Lillian Hyde
Eastern Connecticut State University
“Assessment of Microglia Function in Brain and Blood Microenvironments”
This study will assess if microglia activation differs in cerebrospinal fluid compared to fetal bovine serum. By establishing a baseline for microglia function in their native environment, space travel conditions can eventually be tested to asses its affects on the central nervous system.

Celeste Smith and Paula Tartell
Wesleyan University
“The Newberry Volcano Crater Lakes, OR: Analogs for Ancient Planetary Environments?”
Some volcanic lakes bear strong resemblances to early planetary environments. This research will study such a lake at Newberry volcano in Oregon where the local ecosystem is largely provided for by elements provided by the volcano. With the essential nutrients also come volcanic toxins, in this case mercury. The pathways of mercury and CO2 gas from the subaqueous vents and hot springs into the lake will be determined and the effects of toxic mercury will be assessed.

William Tait
University of Connecticut
“Investigation of Hydrate Sodium Carbonate Powders as a Dry Sorbent for CO2, SOx, and NOx”
This project aims to research hydrated sodium carbonate powders (HSCPs), which are a mixture of sodium carbonate and dry water, a powder that is a silica-coated water-air emulsion, as a dry sorbent for carbon dioxide and other gaseous pollutants. The recycling efficiency of HSCPs will also be tested, since being able to recycle the sorbent for reuse would be economically and environmentally friendly.

Dana Wensberg
Trinity College
“Liquid-Fueled Rocket Injector Design for Additive Manufacturing”
This research seeks to develop a fuel injection plate for a liquid bipropellant rocket using additive manufacturing (3D printing). This project will utilize Arcan’s Q20+ machine. The injector must fit to an existing nozzle and set of performance requirements. This research will demonstrate the application of additive technology in high performance rocketry, enhancing NASA’s ability to create more effective components.

Project Grant

Gukyoung An
University of Bridgeport
“CanSat Competition: The Knight Gliders”

Seth Hanson
Central Connecticut State University
“The Implementation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for the Detection of Radioactivity”

Tyron Hill
Central Connecticut State University
“Multirotor With Multi-Directional Robotic Arm”

Student Travel

Jalal-ud-din Butt
Central Connecticut State University

Jacob Fanthorpe
Wesleyan University

Melissa Luna
Wesleyan University

Undergraduate Scholarship

Ervin Lara
University of Bridgeport

Hetal Patel
University of Connecticut

Kyle Vaccaro
University of Hartford

Kim-Vui Duong
Central Connecticut State University

Ian Waters
Central Connecticut State University

Community College Scholarship

Donna Crane
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Lydia Gjuraj
Norwalk Community College

Michael Koutoumbas
Norwalk Community College

Tahje McClain
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Hector Navarro
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Roger Pappineau
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Donato Piroscafo
Gateway Community College

John Rivera
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Matthew Stromberg
Norwalk Community College

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Giuliano Stabile
University of Connecticut

Summer Internship

Cassidy Atkinson
University of Connecticut

Thomas D’Auria
University of Connecticut

Stephen DeRosa
University of Hartford

Justin Longton
Three Rivers Community College

Jacob Mikullitz
University of Connecticut

Thienly Nguyen
University of Hartford

Levi Reynolds
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Community College Scholarship

Josiel Batista
Naugatuck Valley Community College

 Elaina Becher
Quinebaug Valley Community College

Lydia Gjuraj
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Lindsey Japa
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Jody Jarvella
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Donato Piroscafo
Gateway Community College

Levi Reynolds
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Andre Roscoe
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Lanaya Shuler
Naugatuck Valley Community College

William Perry Weingart
Northwestern Connecticut Community College

Community College Transfer Scholarship

Andrew St. Amand
Central Connecticut State University

Emina Hodzic
University of Hartford 

Sarah Kurtz
Fairfield University

Graduate Research Fellowship

Tian McCann
University of Connecticut
“3D Printed Hydrogels for Skeletal Muscle Differentiation for Human iPS Cells”
The effect of 3D printed hydrogels with varying matrix stiffness on the differentiation of human iPS cells towards skeletal muscle will be investigated and an in vitro skeletal muscle culture model will be developed.

Manal Tahhan
University of Connecticut
“Computational Design Method for Skin-Frame Habitats”
A computational method to design lunar habitats made of bars covered by a skin is proposed. The goals for this project are to render feasible designs, implement a length constraint on the bars for packing purposes, and minimize the weight of the structure while maximizing the habitable volume.

Project Grant

Lauren Atkinson
Eastern Connecticut State University
“Evaluating the Scorpion Microbiome for Diversity and Antibiotic Production”

Kevin Bartlett
Central Connecticut State University
“Hybrid Propellant Rocket Engine”

Joseph Dworkin
Trinity College
“A Biomedical Exoskeletal Arm”

Christopher Gutierrez
Fairfield University
“Micro Bioreactor Array for Tissue Engineering Applications”

Evan Haas
Yale University
“Experimental Hybrid Fuel Rocket Engine”

Julia McManus
Fairfield University
“Wear-Free Power Transfer”

Jack Roth
Yale University
“Investigating the Tardigrade and E. Coli via High Altitude Balloon”

David Rutledge
Central Connecticut State University
“Hybrid Propellant Rocket Engine”

Michael Van der Linden
Yale University
“YUAA Cosmic Ray Cubesat”

Student Travel

Lauren Atkinson
Eastern Connecticut State University

Jalal-ud-din Butt
Central Connecticut State University

Kimberly Colavito
University of Hartford

Kevin Connolly
Eastern Connecticut State University

Nina Kosciuszek
Fairfield University

Jeffrey Panko
University of New Haven

Avi Stein
Wesleyan University

Christina Welch
Eastern Connecticut State University

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Alec Andrulat
University of New Haven
“Developing a Serious Game to Enhance Experiental Education at University of New Haven: Gamifying of the Supply Chain Management Course”
This project aims to integrate gamification concepts into EGRM 6641 Supply Chain Management, a Master’s level course in the Industrial and Systems Engineering program at the University of New Haven.

Hannah Fritze
Wesleyan University
“Searching for Intermediate Mass Black Holes in Ultraluminous X-Ray Binaries”
Star formation information will be gathered for a number of ultraluminous X-ray sources using multi-wavelength spectral and temporal analysis of observations taken by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The outcome of this project will allow better understanding of the evolution and nature of stellar-mass black holes.

Anna Mercaldi
University of New Haven
“Anti-Bacterial Surfaces for Preventing ‘Sick’ Spacecrafts: Optimizing NO Releasing Polymer Composition for Increased Stability Under Room Temperature Conditions”
The goal of this project is to determine stability effects from first conjugating NO to additives before incorporating the formed complexes, at different percentages into PDMS.

Sophia Sanchez-Maes
Yale University
“Probing the Wavelength Dependence of Stellar Activity Driven Doppler Noise”
By formulating a physical model of spot/faculae related activity, and testing its fit with large and precise dataset similar observations for an activity-quiet star, wavelength-dependence will be investigated.

Dennis Scheglov
University of Connecticut
“Using a Cylindrical Coordinate System to Facilitate Multi-Material 3D Printing”
A proposed device will be able to incorporate multiple materials into a print simultaneously, or print in fewer materials at drastically increased speeds. Based on a cylindrical coordinate system, this method will incorporate the benefits of composite material structures and their properties into its prints.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Dylan Bernard
Central Connecticut State University 

Jalal-ud-din Butt
Central Connecticut State University

Daniel Cataldo
University of Connecticut

Kevin Connolly
Eastern Connecticut State University 

Meagan Ferreira
University of Connecticut

Rami Hamati
Wesleyan University

Ravina Hingorani
Fairfield University 

Christopher Hollaway
Central Connecticut State University

 Alicia Lynn
Central Connecticut State University

David Machado
Wesleyan University

Anthony Mastromarino
University of Hartford

Samuel Nguyen
Fairfield University

Tristan Peirce
Trinity College

Kailey Pisko
Eastern Connecticut State University

Austin Thomas
University of New Haven

Christina Welch
Eastern Connecticut State University

Michael Wright
Fairfield University

Helicopter Workshop

Connie Freelove
Housatonic Community College

Rami Hamati
Wesleyan University

Nicholas Saint
Housatonic Community College

Gregory Smith
University of Hartford

William Perry Weingart
Northwestern Connecticut Community College

Industrial/Technical Internship

Jason Alvarez
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Tier One

Wesaam Lepak
University of Hartford
Longman Lindsey

Anthony Mastromarino
University of New Haven
United Technologies Aerospace Systems

Daniel Pappalardo
University of Hartford
United Technologies Research Center

Education Internships

Amy Christensen
University of Connecticut
Connecticut Invention Convention

Bailey Muchin
University of Connecticut
Connecticut Invention Convention

NASA Academy

Jack Stallman
Trinity College

Garrett Taylor
University of Connecticut

Community College Quadcopter Challenge

Eric Abell, John Gray, Melanie McFadden, Amy Skrypczak
Quinebaug Valley Community College
QQ (Quinebaug Quadcopter)

John Beane, Joseph Dolan, Maari Lang, Khoa Nguyen, Bibi Rahamatullah
Naugatuck Valley Community College
NV Fly High

Blake Bennett, Brandon D’Agostino, Nichole Dineson, Nicholas Saint, Christopher Torok
Housatonic Community College
Housatonic Flyers

Daniel Fetzner, Lillian Orelup, Pedro Pinales, William Weingart
Northwestern Connecticut Community College
Quad Squad – Team B

Kristen Mallery, Jesse Marek, Michael Pavlik Jeffery Wright
Northwester Connecticut Community College
Quad Squad – Team A

Community College Scholarship

Jason Alvarez
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Ricardo Figueroa, Jr.
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Geoff Rose
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Graduate Research Fellowship

Shaun Mahmood
Wesleyan University
“Characterization of Hydrous Melt Inclusions in Lunar Return Samples”
Water content in the lunar crust and mantle is becoming increasingly important for understanding the early formation processes.  For this study, maps of melt clusions within lunar sample 75055, 50, 75055, 123b (ilmenite basalts) and additional Apollo samples will be created to detect H₂O and OH content within these features in preparation for further quantitative analysis.  For this study, SEM imagery and EMPA geochemical maps will be utilized to determine mineralogy of the host grains of these inclusions. Examination of the resulting geochemical data will allow better understanding of the early lunar surface and mantle.

Shawn McGinley
University of New Haven
“A New Method for Early Cancer Diagnosis (Liquid Biopsy)”
The goal of this research will be to test a novel biosensor for the quick and effective diagnosis of cancer cells utilizing the principle of nucleic acid hybridization.  Cancer cells release small RNA containing vesicles that have previously found to be useful in determining whether a patient has cancer through the detection of mutations.  This technology could be very influential in NASA’s future strategic goals due to radiation levels astronauts are periodically exposed to while on missions to space.  This novel biosensor will be extremely useful in the monitoring of astronaut health before, during, and after missions.

Benjamin McKeeby
Wesleyan University
“An Analysis of Hydrothermal Sulfate Formation in St. Lucia Using the Mars 2020 Instrument Suite”
This study will attempt to distinguish between abiotic and biologically mediated sulfate minerals of a Mars Analogue using a combination of Raman spectroscopy techniques in conjunction with SEM and XRD analysis.  Additionally the presence of biosignatures in the form of organic molecules within sulfate minerology will be investigated.  Combining this data with SEM images of the regions will allow for mapping of the distribution of organics throughout the sampled regions.

Lorenzo Sewanan
Yale University
“Dissecting Multiscale Impact of Microgravity Induced Changes on Cardiac Physiology and Function Using Molecularly Detailed Myofilament Model”
This project proposes to examine the effect of preload alterations on the myocardium by extending out molecularly detailed model of myofilament activation to include a thermodynamically consistent model of myosin kinetics, to validate the completed model using high-fidelity data from the literature, and to carry out extensive multiscale simulations to understand how microgravity induced changes in preload may impact fundamental design of efficient experiments and even potentially inform preventative and counter measures to control adverse effects on the heart.

Student Project Grant

Sheila Berna
University of Bridgeport
“CanSat Competition (Team: GliderTron 3000)”

Jessica Durkin
Eastern Connecticut State University
“The Effect of Microgravity on Neuron Viability and Communication”

Student Travel Grant

Sheila Berna
University of Bridgeport
CanSat Competition in Burkett, TX

Katherine Burgos
Eastern Connecticut State University
Society of Developmental Biology

Phillip Carroll
University of Bridgeport
Travel to Palestine, TX

Joshua Hauge
University of Bridgeport
Travel to Fort Sumner, NM for HASP

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Katherine Burgos
Eastern Connecticut State University
“The Effect of Simulated Microgravity on the Functions of Olfactory Neurons in the Nematode, C. Elegans”
The purpose of this project is to better understand how microgravity affects the nervous system of a living organism. Understanding whether microgravity affects the organism, C. elegans, can potentially help to uncover the specific ways that the function of human neurons are impaired during spaceflight. Moreover, in the long term, it can also contribute to the development of strategies that can reduce the disturbances caused by microgravity and potentially prevent them from affecting humans during spaceflight.

Cerys Holstege
Yale University
“Characterization of Novel Radiation Resistant Microorganisms”
Two recently isolated and previously uncharacterized highly UV-C resistant microorganisms, Hymenobacter sp. and Geodermatophilus sp., were studied in a lab at NASA Ames Research Center.  Exposure experiments were followed by RAPD analysis, a PCR reaction that allows the visualization of DNA breaks and their repair over time, and thymine dimer detection with immunoblotting, which allowed the quantification of the number of thymine dimers in exposed DNA. 

Nina Kosciuszek
Fairfield University
“Incorporating Aerogels Into Electrochemical Glucose Biosensors”
Procedures were developed to synthesize glucose oxidase encapsulated aerogels to use in glucose sensing electrochemical biosensors in order to systematically determine if the aerogel’s high porosity and surface area would enhance the performance of these sensors. The team hoped this research would increase understanding of how porosity and surface area affects glucose biosensing with the long-term goal of improving biosensors for other clinically or environmentally relevant targets including any relevant to human activity in space.

Hanna Morales
Wesleyan University
“Syntheses of Flourinated Trehalose to Test Their Impact on Protein Stability”
The goal of this research is to determine the effect that fluorination will have on the osmolyte properties exhibited by trehalose, since fluorination of sugars has previously shown to enhance protein-carbohydrate affinity (N’Go, 2014, Chemistry). Two difluorinated derivatives, 6,6’-dideoxy-6,6’-difluorotrehalose and 4,4’-dideoxy-4,4’-difluorotrehalose, are the focus of this research, paying careful attention to the mechanism by which they interact with water, how the fluorine atoms affect this interaction, and how a protein’s structure and behavior change as a result of the fluorinated compound’s presence.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Courtney Driscoll
Trinity College

Kim-Vui Duong
Central Connecticut State University

Alicia Lynn
Central Connecticut State University

Samuel Nguyen
Fairfield University

John O’Neill
Fairfield University

Tristan Peirce
Trinity College

Community College Scholarship

Itania Lamarre
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Jonathan Stanford
Naugatuck Valley Community College

Graduate Research Fellowship

Alan Shen
University of Connecticut
“Additive Manufacturing of Flexible Sensors”
The ink rheology and particle size that best suits micro-dispensing direct write applications were tested using a novel design for displacement sensing technology, optimized ink formulation analysis, and a new angle for additive manufacturing process control: line-to-line spacing. The process strives for accurate printed resistance accuracy and involves in-situ aligning conducting and insulating inks to generate the circuit. Also conducted were electrical tests to compare the resistance between commercial resistor devices and micro-dispensing printed resistor devices.

Student Project Grant

Andrew Arkebauer
Yale University
“High Performance UAV”

Brian Beitler
Yale University
“Sky Metagenomics Rocket Project”

Jalal-ud-din Butt
Central Connecticut State University
“CCSU NASA Rover Challenge Team”

Leonard Cannon
Central Connecticut State University
“Space Frame Optimization for Rapid Prototyping”

Sandra Diaz
Central Connecticut State University
“Solar Powered RC Plane”

Noel Laflamme
Fairfield University
“Table-Top Micro Patterning Device”

Betsy Li
Yale University
“Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association CubeSat”

Dominic Miceli
Central Connecticut State University
“CCSU NASA Rover Challenge Team”

Scott Smith
Yale University
“Automated Optical Telescope for Astrophotography and Outreach”

Kelly Woods
Southern Connecticut State University
“Carbon Nanotube Synthesis From Block Copolymer Deposited Catalyst”

Ian Wooley
Yale University
“Yale Undergraduate Rover Association (YURA)”

Student Travel Grant

Melissa Lowe
Wesleyan University
47th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference

Dominic Miceli
Central Connecticut State University
NASA Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama

Jesse Tarnas
Wesleyan University
American Geophysical Union and American Astronomical Society Meetings

Undergraduate Research Fellowship

Rachel Aronow
Wesleyan University
“Planet Formation and Stellar Characteristics in Tatooine-Like Systems”
KH 15D consists of two young stars in orbit about their common center of mass, enclosed by a disk of gas and dust that undergoes precession. This project had two main branches of study, the first of which was continuing to study the system in optical and near-infrared light. The second goal of the project was to try and detect KH 15D using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), a radio interferometer located in Chile.

Caitlin Hansen
Southern Connecticut State University
“Determination of Nanoparticle Size Distributions to Investigate Sameness”
This project aimed to create a method to automate or semi-automate the size measurements of nanoparticles in images taken with a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM).  The overall purpose of this study was to use image processing methods to reduce the error associated with manually measuring particle sizes.

Fiona O’Donnell
University of Connecticut
“Analysis of Lunar Habitats”
This research project analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of current proposed design concepts of lunar habitats in terms of structural safety, and feasibility of transport and construction. The first phase of this research project was to identify the constraints on the design of lunar habitats as well as currently proposed designs for lunar habitats. A review of the scientific literature on lunar habitats including design constraints, feasible materials, and proposed structures has been performed to evaluate existing lunar structural designs and to identify a design that will best meet these requirements.

Tristan Peirce
Trinity College
“Analyzing the Dynamics of Highly Turbulent, Interacting, Bluff Body Flames”
The key focus of this work will be an investigation of the turbulent flow field in which interacting turbulent flames reside. Detailed comparisons between the single and multiple bluff-body flow fields to analyze the flow field modifications that the adjacent flows introduce will be performed. Understanding flame interaction will have important consequences towards NASA’s mission to develop next-generation high performance engines.

Jeffrey Panko
University of New Haven
“High Velocity Atmospheric Deceleration Devices: CFD Simulations of Parachutes and Ballutes”
This research intends to model deceleration devices, specifically, parachutes and ballutes, in order to provide data into the optimal design and flight characteristics which exceed the performance of current devices.  Through utilization of modern Computational Fluid Dynamics software, research will be conducted towards determining the effects of ballute features, such as seams, ram air inlets, and varying body shapes, on global and local flow around rigid geometries to provide design insights as to which produce optimal coefficients of drag. Said research will aid in the production of systems that allow the exploration, development, and research of space alongside relevant technologies.

Dana Wensberg
Trinity College
“Real Time Cardiovascular Monitor Employing a Digital Stethoscope”
The goal of this research was to create a reliable and comprehensive heart monitor that operated via wireless communication between a main console (responsible for processing) and the device capturing and sending heart sound data – acting as a real time cardiovascular monitor employing a digital stethoscope.

Undergraduate Scholarship

Benjamin Bartolome
Yale University

Phillip Carroll
University of Bridgeport

Daniel Cataldo
University of Connecticut

Aylin Garcia-Soto
Wesleyan University

Joshua Hauge
University of Bridgeport

Jessica Johnson
Central Connecticut State University

Paul Klaucke
Southern Connecticut State University

Anthony Mastromarino
University of New Haven

Jacob Mevorach
Trinity College

Daniel Pappalardo
University of Hartford

Garrett Sullivan
Southern Connecticut State University

Luis Mauricio Uyaguari
Trinity College