One of the many challenges that face any 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 for extraterrestrial applications. Nanocellulose can be synthesized from cellulose, which is the most common organic polymer found in nature. Nanocellulose is synthesized by applying ultrasonic agitation to a mixture of purified cellulose in water. The result is a very viscous suspension of nanocellulose and water which is dried to form solids. These solids have a strength-to-weight ratio 8 times greater than steel while also remaining stiff. The main problem with making nanocellulose solids is the inability to control the shape of the solid being created and the abundance of cracks and impurities running throughout the solid which reduces the strength. The research currently involves combining nanocellulose of varying sizes, from 1 nanometer to 1 micron, to create a composite which, upon drying, has a lower density while still maintaining strength. During the drying process a nanocellulose suspension will lose 90% of the water, but when combining differing sizes of nanocellulose, volume loss is cut down to 20% which reduces strain on the material when drying leading to less cracking and better shape retention. The solids created are machinable and suitable for building structures. Using nanocellulose for planetary missions would negate the need for bringing building materials, reducing weight and thus reducing fuel needed for transport.
When charged particles from the solar wind interact with a planet’s atmosphere it induces a magnetic field. This research project aims to study this phenomenon at Mars and compare it to prior data from Venus to examine how planet-specific properties affect the interaction.
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-induced disorders. Last year, I investigated the effects of DSBs on B-Raf, an important signaling protein involved in cell growth and DNA repair pathways using human cancer cells as models. These cells were treated with doxorubicin, a radiomimetic drug (a compound that mimics radiation and creates DSBs in cells).
Samples were collected at Wind Cave National Park on multiple different trips. As the team goes deeper and deeper into the cave, the goal is to actively trace the types of microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, and archaea) throughout the cave. The process to obtain genus- and species-level identification of these samples utilizes PCR amplification of different sections of their genomic DNA followed by sequencing analysis. The objective of this project is to make a genetic map of the Wind Cave microbial system that includes public tour routes as well as deep wild cave regions, including previously reported lake extremophiles. This effort will determine how genetically unique or isolated the lake system is and what influence surface microbes and anthropogenic contamination from cave explorers may have had on the subterranean microbiome. An initial phylogenetic tree showing the relatedness of the identified microorganisms is presented. This project is based upon work supported by the Iowa Space Grant Consortium under NASA Award No. 80NSSC20M0107.
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 verification for CubeSats. The current FACTS platform can fit up to a 3U size CubeSat and features scalability. The system allows for the center of mass compensation and currently offers three degrees of rotational freedom. The system is currently being improved by verifying system dynamics using a Qualisys motion tracking system to analyze quaternions and spatial rotation to provide useful test documentation. The future for FACTS is to distribute the system as an open-source platform for smaller educators and universities for CubeSat testing and expand the system to fully test attitude control in six degrees of freedom.
Drone swarms have shown to be useful for multiple applications including search and rescue missions, environmental monitoring, and entertainment purposes. The objective of this work is to develop control algorithms, set up localization and communication systems, and writing code to enable to flight of many quadrotor drones at once. Over the summer, we set up a communication bridge between MATLAB and the Python swarming platform. This allows us to perform calculations and generate Bernstein polynomial trajectories in MATLAB and send those to the drones through ROS. We are currently expanding to new lab with a much larger flight space. With this new space, we plan to increase our swarm size to over 200 drones and potentially more in the future.
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. Under the supervision of Dr. James Byrne at the University of Iowa, we are working to fabricate a solid, biodegradable implant that has the capability of high-volume gas release. Our goal is to develop a matrix conducive to delivering a variety of gasses in vivo and be able to control the dissolution of the matrix to optimize timing of gas delivery. We are working to evaluate the potential of different biomaterials that form amorphous crystalline arrangements and to alter the properties of the material to control the timing of its dissolution within the body. These innovative devices can be used to store drugs, oxygen, and any other desired material to be delivered to biological systems. They could be extremely useful in expanding the capabilities of human spaceflight exploration and the survival of living systems in space. These devices have the potential to benefit and prolong life on earth as well as enhance and enable future space exploration.
Medical imaging serves a crucial role in establishing diagnosis, determining severity, monitoring progression, and uncovering the pathophysiology associated with many diseases. This research, led by Dr. Sean Fain, explores novel applications of hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in populations including those suffering from Long Covid, cystic fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, and radiation-induced pulmonary changes associated with radiation therapy. This technique differs from standard imaging practices today while measuring lung function more directly than conventional pulmonary tests delivering quantitative measures of ventilation, perfusion, and gas exchange of the lungs. After more research, these novel biomarkers could possibly guide adjustments to treatment and deployment of potential therapies to improve outcomes.
While experiencing zero gravity in space, astronauts without proper exercise will begin to develop muscle atrophy which can limit their ability to return to Earth safely. To combat this problem, researchers have suggest the use of centripetal force to mimic the gravitation force on Earth. However, this also comes with a host of problems both financially and physically. MISSFIT’s Artificial Gravity group works towards a new model of artificial gravity that will be both affordable to build, practical for space travel, and avoid negative health effects. The model prototype is currently being worked on right now, with much progress towards a finished prototype being made over the past few months.
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.