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STARS: System lifecycle perspective of an autonomous robotic swarm test arena
Get PDFSwarm robotics presents a robust platform for investigating distributed control, adaptive behavior, and autonomous coordination within a system of systems framework. The Roving Swarm comprises 24 low-computation robots, emulating eusocial insect behavior through vision-sensing and decentralized decision-making. A key subsystem, the motion-sensing and interaction module, integrates real-time object detection, swarm coordination, and environmental responsiveness, employing Pixy2 vision sensors and Arduino 33 IoT controllers. The robots use DC motors for actuation, enabling structured rotational and translational motion, and demonstrate dynamic adaptability to environmental cues such as light intensity and peer movements. Designed for modularity and scalability, the system lifecycle of the swarm supports enhancements such as additional sensory inputs, improved localization techniques, and advanced motion planning algorithms. A controlled testbed, incorporating an overhead tracking system, boundary constraints, and adjustable lighting, ensures repeatable, safe, and systematic evaluation of swarm behaviors. This lifecycle approach facilitates the analysis of emergent properties, refinement of coordination strategies, and bolstering of resilience across decentralized multi-agent systems. Beyond its research applications, the platform doubles as an experiential educational tool in robotics, artificial intelligence, and cyber-physical systems. A curriculum rooted in the swarm system immerses students in real-world problem-solving, embedded systems programming, mechatronics, and bio-inspired algorithm development. Planned lifecycle advancements include incorporating additional sensory modalities, leveraging machine learning for enhanced object tracking, and fostering cooperative behaviors in dynamic environments. Through a systems-of-systems approach that blends robotics, control theory, and bio-inspired computing, the Roving Swarm exemplifies technical innovation and experiential learning. It bridges theoretical concepts with practical deployment, fostering both academic and applied advancements
Perceptions of a Crewed Mission to Mars: Appraising General Public and Industry Support
Get PDFA human-crewed mission to Mars represents a bold undertaking unlike any in our species history. It will test the limits of human capability, technological innovation, and scientific exploration. Even with cutting-edge technology, a highly trained crew, and robust support systems, this mission carries significant risks. Additionally, it will demand a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar investment, making public backing essential, especially as taxpayer resources are diverted from other national priorities. Gaining widespread support for such an ambitious effort is critical for policymakers, mission planners, academia, and industry leaders. Understanding whether the public endorses this investment—and to what extent—is vital for shaping strategies, building coalitions, and securing funding. This research aims to analyze public sentiment and perceptions surrounding a Mars mission using data mining techniques and text analysis tools. In addition to capturing general public opinion, we will assess the perspectives of aerospace professionals, offering a complementary view grounded in industry expertise. While public sentiment reflects the views of everyday citizens, the professional perspective provides insights into the perceived feasibility, value, and priorities within the field. By comparing both viewpoints, we will understand how each group evaluates the mission’s objectives and implications. These insights will inform stakeholders about the expected level of support from the broader public and the aerospace community—critical factors in shaping the path forward for a human mission to Mars
Astrobiological Gigantism: An Examination of Deep-Sea Gigantism in Extraterrestrial Oceans
Get PDFAstrobiological gigantism refers to the potential emergence of disproportionately large organisms in extraterrestrial aquatic environments, particularly within the subsurface oceans of water-based moons and exoplanets. This paper examines the evolutionary, ecological, and environmental factors that could drive the development of gigantism beyond Earth, drawing parallels with deep-sea gigantism observed in Earth\u27s oceans. By integrating astrobiology, planetary science, and evolutionary biology, this research aims to establish a framework for understanding how life may evolve under extreme conditions and what implications such discoveries may have for the search for extraterrestrial life. Further, this study evaluates specific celestial bodies—Europa and Enceladus—that may provide suitable conditions for such organisms. The inclusion of these celestial bodies refines our theoretical framework, aiding future astrobiological missions
Characterizing the Solar Sources of Periodic Mesoscale Solar Wind Structures that Drive Particle Precipitation in Earth’s Upper Atmosphere
Get PDFThe solar wind is a constant outflow from the Sun that continuously bombards Earth with magnetic fields and electrically charged particles. This outflow poses a threat to satellites near Earth which provide services essential to society, such as GPS and communications. It is well established that geomagnetic disturbances at Earth occur regularly from the background solar wind, outside of times when there is a large-scale solar eruption such as a coronal mass ejection (CME). Thus, it is important to understand what aspects of the background solar wind cause geomagnetic disturbances that adversely impact our space-based assets, and forecast when such events will occur. The properties of the solar wind are largely determined by where the plasma originated from on the Sun. However, the solar sources of geomagnetic disturbances are largely uncharacterized because it is only possible to determine where the solar wind originated from on the Sun with the use of a model. In this work, we combine modeling and data analysis to characterize a series of events observed by the Balloon Array for Radiation-belt Relativistic Electron Losses (BARREL) instrument, in which particle precipitation occurs in Earths upper atmosphere associated with ultra-low-frequency (ULF) waves, that were directly driven by periodic mesoscale structures in the solar wind at the same frequency. In this quasi-statistical study, we use the Wang-Sheeley-Arge (WSA) solar wind model to derive the sources of solar wind measurements back at the Sun. We categorize these events as originating from one of the three types of coronal magnetic field (active region, quiet Sun, or coronal hole). We also determine the solar wind composition for each event which provides further information about where the solar wind originated from at the Sun. This work is a critical first step to having a future capability of forecasting when the background solar wind will contain periodic mesoscale structures, and if they will be geoeffective
Quantitative Analysis for Scanning Electron Microscopy Images of DU-Silicide
Get PDFThis project explores advanced image analysis techniques to assess the microstructure of depleted uranium fuel compacts before and after undergoing deformation in a rolling mill. Utilizing Python imaging libraries such as scikit-image and OpenCV, we aim to extract key quantitative metrics, including fuel plate thickness, particle size distribution, and material composition from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Additionally, uncertainty quantification methods will be applied to evaluate measurement accuracy. By automating feature extraction and material classification, this study contributes to enhancing the precision of SEM-based material characterization, which is critical for nuclear fuel research and reactor conversion programs
Discover Eaglesearch: Using the Hunt Library For Your Research
No full textIn this webinar, you will learn how to effectively use the Hunt Library\u27s search tool, EagleSearch, to search over 100 databases at once
USI
No full textUnmanned Safety Institute (USI) provides an overview of the testing and certification for Level I – Safety Certification and Visual Line of Sight Operations (VSO)
SEAPERCH - Dive into STEM: Navigating SeaPerch Success
No full textDiscover the exciting world of SeaPerch, an underwater robotics program that inspires students to dive deep into STEM learning. Led by David Williams, an experienced teacher and coach of a SeaPerch Internationals team, this session offers an engaging overview of the SeaPerch program. Learn how to guide your students through building and testing their own underwater ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) while fostering teamwork, problem-solving, and engineering skills. David will share his expert tips and tricks, drawn from his experience coaching a team to the SeaPerch Internationals, to help you and your students excel in this challenging and rewarding competition. Whether you\u27re a beginner or looking to refine your approach, this session will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make waves in your classroom and beyond
ACA UAS Program Info
No full textThis session covers essential aspects of ACA drone operations. It explores operations, best practices, and checklists. Participants learn about utilizing Canvas for UAS resources, review our flight operations manual, and obtaining LAANC approvals. The significance of TRUST certificates, FAA credentials, flight cards, and flight bands is also highlighted. Finally, future Drone Olympics plans will be discussed