2022 – 2023
Caleb Aardahl – Iowa State University
FACTS- Floating Attitude Control Test System
Upon deployment, small satellites can fail to satisfy mission objectives due to the lack of affordable testing equipment for attitude determination and control. The Floating Attitude Control Test System project, known formally as FACTS, aims to reduce the failure rates of small sat failure upon deployment by providing sub-system level…Read More
Abigail Bangs – University of Northern Iowa
Identification of Microorganisms from the Depths of Wind Cave
Microbial communities are found almost everywhere on Earth including atmospheric samples, soils, freshwater systems, oceans, inside the human body, and other extreme environments, e.g. subglacial lakes. Characterizing the microbiomes found in Earth’s most extreme environments will hopefully aid in understanding what makes Earth habitable…Read more
Anna Braun – Drake University Analysis of Double-Strand Break Repair Pathway Genes in Human Cancer Cell Lines
Exposure to radiation causes double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in human DNA, leading to many types of cancers. Humans are at risk of radiation exposure through medical examinations, treatments, nuclear accidents, and space travel. Thus, investigating the effects of radiation-induced DNA damage is important for finding new ways to protect humans from radiation…Read more
Susanne Byrd – University of Iowa
Properties of Mars Induced Magnetic Fields as Compared to Venus
Since 2014, NASA’s MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution) spacecraft, which orbits Mars, has been gathering data to observe how the solar wind interacts with Mars’ upper atmosphere. The purpose of the MAVEN mission is to research the upper atmosphere’s interactions with solar wind to gain an understanding of how loss of volatiles has progressed through time….Read more
Jeffrey Carlson – University of Northern Iowa
Curing Nanocellulose for Extraterrestrial Applications
One of the many challenges that face an extraterrestrial mission is the need for high strength while maintaining a low weight during transport to reduce cost. Our academic research consists of creating materials with high strength-to-weight ratio from nanocellulose, which is synthezied by applying ultrasonic agitation organic polymer found in nature…Read more
Tepary Cooley – Drake University
Analysis of Increasing DNA Damage on Levels of DNA Ligase IV Found in Cancer Cells
Stability of the genetic materials is critical for all organisms including human beings. Exposure to radioactivity adversely affects genome stability by causing random breaks in the DNA backbone, leading to cell death. In humans, such breaks are predominantly repaired by an enzyme, DNA Ligase IV, via a random non-homologous end joining process. Thus, Ligase IV plays an important role in maintaining….Read more
Pedro Salazar Garcia – Iowa State University
Laser-Induced Graphene Ion-Selective Electrodes with Electrochemically Deposited Platinum Nanoparticles
Graphene is a 2D sheet of carbon atoms with diverse chemical and physical properties, such as high electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, that is suitable for large-scale production. This material has been widely studied over the past decade and is commonly used for the development of electrochemical sensors…Read more
Walter (Will) Golay – University of Iowa
Beam Me Up, Scotty! New Algorithms for Characterizing the Beams of Next-Generation CMB Experiments
The latest cosmologies predict inflation in the early universe to have imprinted a signature polarization pattern in the cosmic microwave background (CMB). The BICEP/Keck Array is a collection of telescopes that aim to…Read more
Ali Goldensoph – Drake University
Development of Remote-Controlled Compound MP Nanoparticles for Space Exploration
Radiation-induced DNA damage demands recognition as the ultimate insult to cosmonauts’ genetic material. Recently, we have identified a novel nuclear matrix metalloprotease (nMMP) activity possibly associated with DNA repair related to ‘Sample M’. In an effort to improve upon Sample M, we describe the optimization of nanoparticle encapsulation for the purified sample known as Compound MP…Read more
Jenna Heinen – University of Northern Iowa
The Spectroscopic Characterization of Crystals and Waters at Wind Cave National Park as an Analog for Space
Life in Space has been a question plaguing science for many decades. While onsite research is difficult to conduct, due to both the necessary expense and preparation behind it, there are places on Earth which can be used as models to study Space’s unique conditions and even its potential for life. In particular, my research advisor, Dr. Joshua Sebree, and I, as well as a group of other researchers at the University of Northern Iowa, have been using Wind Cave National Park as an analog for space, especially in studying…Read more
Jason Homann – University of Iowa
Working Towards Developing Fluxgate Magnetometers to be Used in Constellation Missions
As the constellation satellite market is growing, there is a need to develop high precision fluxgate magnetometers. To start with this task, we want to be able to characterize some different types of magnetic noise that typical spacecraft might need to deal with. We measure the magnetic fields of simple dipoles, oscillating magnetic sources such as electric motors…Read more
Yajatra Kulkarni – University of Iowa
Kinematic Shape Sensing of Two-Dimensional Plates in Bending
This project aims to extend strain-based kinematic shape sensing from 1-D beams to 2-D plates. Kinematic shapes sensing methods use discrete measurements of strain to infer structural deformations using purely geometric/kinematic models. This is computationally efficient, independent of structural material properties, and extremely accurate when applied to certain geometries. Previous efforts have focused upon the deformations of long, slender, beam0like bodies, which were dubbed…Read more
Jeff Leiberton – University of Iowa
Adjustable X-ray Optics: A New Technology for high Energy Astrophysics
X-ray telescopes differ from optical telescopes in the sense that they must utilize grazing incidence mirrors to “skip” X-rays to the detector. To meet the performance requirements necessary to achieve NASA’s science goals, we must stack many thin (<1mm) X-ray mirrors together. However, thin mirrors are susceptible to stray loads…Read more
Gage MacLin – University of Iowa
Multi Loop Control of Complex Autonomous Systems
This project aims to design and implement the guidance and control systems for various autonomous vehicles. Multi-loop control will be used to calculate a trajectory that leads to a desired position, and then calculates the required actuation commands to reach that desired position…Read more
Cameron Menini – Loras College
Computational and Experimental Aerodynamic Analysis of Future Conceptual Commercial Aircraft Designs
As the aviation industry continues to push forward with greener and more efficient travel, new design concepts are needed to reach the next level of aircraft aerodynamic efficiency. This research aims to conduct external flow analyses for conceptual aircraft over the complete flight envelope of modeled aircraft through CFD methods and wind tunnel testing…Read more
Christian O’Brien – University of Iowa
Near-Infrared Spectral Analysis of TYC 2597-735-1
Stellar merger remnants are most often obscured by opaque clouds of gas and dust. TYC 2597-735-1 presents a rare opportunity to observe the post-merger remnant and its surroundings in the near-infrared in order to better understand the impacts stellar mergers have on their systems…Read more
Emma Pellegrino – University of Northern Iowa
Exploring Microbial Composition of Moonmilk in Wind Cave National Park
Moonmilk is a white substance mainly composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) that is often found in limestone caves. It is one of many mineral composites in Wind Cave National Park South Dakota and is thought to be formed by microbial activity. Some of the evidence supporting this hypothesis lies in the association of metabolically active microorganisms in moonmilk such as…Read more
Jonathan Percy – University of Iowa
Hyper polarized Noble Gas Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical imaging plays a crucial role in chronic lung diseases for establishing diagnosis, determining severity and monitoring progression. This research project, led by Dr. Sean Fain, explores hyper polarized (HP) noble gases in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for clinical applications and benefits when combined with other imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT). In an ongoing study of survivors of acute COVID-19 infection…Read more
Ashley Rhodes – University of Iowa
Novel Matrices for Gas Entrapping Materials to Optimize Dissolution Kinetics and Delivery
The field of gaseous materials has many far-reaching and impactful applications. The ability to deliver gas to a specific area within the body has been shown to have therapeutic properties and can be beneficial for wound healing, improving cancer treatments, and decreasing inflammation. Many current methods for gas entrapment and delivery are inefficient and difficult to administer…Read more
Abigail Whittemore – Drake University
Signal Transduction Studies During Repair of Radiation-Damaged DNA in Skin Cancer Cells
A big concern for the health of astronauts and space crews is exposure to radiation and NASA lists “Risk of Radiation Carcinogenesis from Space Radiation” as one of its top research priorities. On Earth, we are protected from most space radiation by the atmosphere, but radiation increasingly affects those outside of Earth’s atmosphere and beyond low Earth orbit…Read more