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Future of K-12 Educational & Outreach Programs with Executive Director, Dr. Colleen Conklin
No full textStill have questions? Feel free to ask the Executive Director of K-12 Educational and Outreach Programs
UAS Legislation
No full textAre you unsure how recent UAS-related legislation affects your school\u27s curriculum? This session dives into the key federal and state laws, including Remote ID, approved manufacturers, Florida-specific UAS laws, FRIAs, and more. This session is recommended for instructors and administrators
AAM in Florida and Systems Thinking for eVTOLs
No full textTake a brief journey to learn about Wisk and their path to building the first all-electric, 4-seater, self-flying air taxi in the US. This session will go over Wisk, how Wisk is developing autonomous AAM, progress in Florida for the AAM industry, and an overview of how Model-Based Systems Engineering and Systems Thinking is used to design complex eVTOL systems
Lunar Inflatable Habitats: A Comprehensive Literature Review
Get PDFThe development of inflatable lunar habitats represents a critical step toward sustainable human exploration of the Moon and beyond. Research efforts have primarily focused on optimizing these habitats for long-term durability, self-sufficiency, and adaptability in harsh extraterrestrial environments. Key studies highlight the advantages of inflatable structures, such as their lightweight, compact deployability, and efficient use of space. Inflatable habitats offer significant interior volume compared to rigid structures, allowing for better accommodation of life support systems and equipment. However, challenges related to structural integrity, radiation shielding, thermal management, and the integration of essential systems remain critical. Innovations such as hybrid approaches combining rigid elements with inflatable modules address some of these challenges by enhancing the robustness and longevity of the habitats. Researchers also explore advanced materials and in-situ resource utilization to reduce dependence on Earth-supplied materials, while design methodologies emphasize modularity and scalability to extend mission duration. Notably, these habitats must withstand lunar environmental factors such as micrometeoroid impacts, extreme temperature variations, and cosmic radiation, which require durable, multifunctional materials and careful engineering. Overall, the literature underscores the potential of inflatable lunar habitats as a feasible solution for sustaining human presence on the Moon. Interdisciplinary collaboration between space technology, architectural design, and engineering is critical in overcoming hurdles and advancing these habitats for future missions. The combination of inflatable structures with modularity, advanced life support systems, and ISRU technologies is poised to play a pivotal role in the next phase of human space exploration
Direct-Air Carbon Capture
Get PDFClimate Change is a pressing issue with multiple avenues of approach. Building on the work of the faculty group, a prototype system was modeled, built, and tested to obtain practical results for the electrical energy consumption and deposited carbon dioxide mass characteristics of a bench scale system. These characteristics are then compared to the current U.S. Dept. of Energy carbon capture cost targets to gauge the feasibility of the approach and build a robust understanding of the areas of improvement. While phase separation is a proven methodology, it has generally not seen use in direct air capture due to the inherently low mass fraction feed streams. However, by preconcentrating the carbon dioxide, we can take advantage of the efficiency of phase separation at higher concentration regimes, and recover our work via a heat exchanger. This allows us to achieve theoretical performance of around 33 GJ/tonne of carbon dioxid
Shattering Reality\u27s Limits with the Revolutionary Potential of AR and VR
Get PDFThis presentation examines the disruptive potential of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in enhancing sensory information for decision-making, communication, situational awareness, and operational efficiency. The evolution of night vision technology is analyzed, from early military applications to contemporary advancements such as the US Army’s Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular or ENVG-Bs by L3 Harris. The limitations of traditional night vision devices are discussed, highlighting their overreliance on ambient light and challenges related to weight and stability. The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) by Microsoft is introduced, featuring a comprehensive heads-up display that integrates GPS and situational data, which carries the potential to enhance training through virtual simulations, alleviating current logistical burdens. The potential of AR and VR to revolutionize civilian sectors, particularly in aviation, is also explored, with a focus on simplifying complex data input and enhancing pilot training and aircraft maintenance. Ultimately, the role of machine vision is introduced, suggesting that machines could effectively leverage AR technologies for maintenance analyses. The true disruptive potential of AR and VR lies in their applications, empowering individuals to make more informed decisions through enhanced data perception and analysis
Sustained Exposure of Candida parapsilosis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa to Simulated Microgravity: A Model for Assessing Colony Growth and Pathogenicity
Get PDFTo date, research has shown that Candida parapsilosis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, yeast commensals of the human gut microbiota, can transition into opportunistic pathogens, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, with microgravity further exacerbating their pathogenicity. Previous research supported by the Office of Undergraduate Research shows that exposure to microgravity increases antifungal resistance, one specific example being Amphotericin B. Building on these findings, this experiment aims to investigate the differential expression of virulence-related genes in Candida parapsilosis and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa isolates experiencing simulated microgravity under a Rotating Cell Culture System and those subjected to normal gravity conditions. Preliminary experimentation on colony growth and pathogenicity has revealed nearly double the growth rates in yeast cultures exposed to simulated microgravity compared to those grown under normal gravity. While the normal-gravity group exhibited a traditional growth curve featuring a prolonged lag phase followed by exponential growth, the simulated microgravity group demonstrated a delayed adaptation period but ultimately surpassed the growth of the normal-gravity cultures. This rapid growth under microgravity conditions suggests an adaptive advantage that may enhance yeast pathogenesis, increasing their potential for infection and colonization in the spaceflight environment. By examining genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation, such as ERG2, ALS1, and HWP1, this research seeks to elucidate the impact of simulated microgravity on yeast virulence to demonstrate significant alterations when comparing cultures grown under simulated microgravity conditions to those maintained under normal gravity, providing insights into the transcriptional regulation of virulence factors in response to the spaceflight environment
Applying Machine Learning and Feature Engineering to Constrain Spica\u27s Apsidal Constant through MESA Simulations
Get PDFAs a prominent binary star system in the constellation Virgo, Spica (α-Virginis) offers valuable insights into stellar interiors and dynamics. In binary systems, gravitational interactions between the stars cause subtle deformations that affect their orbital paths, and the steady rate of this change is referred to as the apsidal constant. This constant provides critical information about a star’s internal structure and evolutionary stage. Traditionally, stellar environments are studied through simulations like MESA (Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics), but solving for the apsidal constant through such simulations is computationally intensive and time-consuming. This research seeks to integrate machine learning techniques to efficiently solve for the apsidal constant, with two key objectives: (1) implement a variety of machine learning and deep learning models to constrain the apsidal constant, and (2) apply feature engineering techniques to identify the most significant variables influencing its determination.
Both machine learning and deep learning approaches demonstrate significant potential in estimating Spica’s apsidal constant. Through evaluations ranging from simple machine learning models to more advanced architectures like transformers, the relationships within the underlying dataset were uncovered, revealing the key features influencing the determination of the apsidal constant. The most impactful features identified include luminosity, age, and effective temperature, as determined through both model-based and model-agnostic methods. In summary, integrating machine learning not only improves the efficiency of estimating Spica’s apsidal constant but also offers a novel approach that could be applied to other areas of stellar astrophysics
Exploring the Impact of Student-Athlete Traits on Flight Training Performance: A Comparative Analysis
Get PDFThis study explores whether pilots who are student-athletes demonstrate superior performance in flight training compared to those who are not involved in organized sports. Student-athletes often cultivate skills such as discipline, time management, resilience, and mental focus—qualities that are also critical for success in aviation. In aviation, performance depends not only on technical proficiency but also on the ability to manage stress, adhere to complex procedures, and maintain focus during high-stakes situations. Similarly, athletes often operate under intense physical and mental demands, balancing rigorous practice schedules with academic responsibilities. This parallel suggests that student-athletes may develop transferable skills that enable them to adapt more easily to the challenges of flight training, potentially leading to enhanced performance. However, balancing sports and flight training may also introduce challenges, such as time constraints and fatigue, which could complicate their ability to excel. Nonetheless, the structured lifestyle of student-athletes—where they learn to manage time efficiently—might mitigate these challenges, fostering a balanced approach to both aviation training and athletic commitments. Understanding whether student-athletes perform better in-flight training is not only relevant for flight schools but could also suggest that aviation schools and flight programs should consider athletic involvement as a valuable predictor of success. This study opens the door to rethinking recruitment and training strategies, ensuring that individuals with diverse experiences and well-developed soft skills are adequately recognized and supported in aviation education