Research

NASA

With Brett Gasior, Kai Cui, Jonathan Homan, and Hee Jong Song

Using mylar-insulated cryopumping panels to improve vacuum level during warm temperature testing at JSC’s large thermal vacuum facilities

Abstract: Johnson Space Center’s Space Environment Simulation Lab (SESL) has both Chamber A, the world’s largest purpose-built thermal vacuum chamber capable of creating deep space conditions, and Chamber B, the largest human rated thermal vacuum chamber. A unique design feature of these chambers is the gaseous helium cryopumping panels within the liquid nitrogen shroud. This shroud is used to bring the chamber to cryogenic temperatures while the cryopumping panels trap gasses on its surface area to create a high vacuum environment of 5*10-6 Torr. In preparation for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) flight test, a series of functionals required the chamber to run at higher temperatures, and therefore did not need active cooling from the liquid nitrogen shroud. During testing, cryopumping panels were used to mitigate contamination during this main shroud warm-up. One of the cryopumping panels in Chamber A was covered with several layers of aluminized mylar to thermally protect the zone from the warmed shroud. This strategy was effective and became part of operations during JWST testing. Currently, Chamber B has requests for both commercial and NASA space suit tests at both high and low temperatures to validate thermal models. High temperature tests could benefit from reduced heater demand with an insulated shroud while still sustaining the high vacuum environment provided by the cryopumping panels. This paper will quantitatively define the thermal loads on the panels used in previous Chamber A warm up sequences. Additionally, this report will perform thermal analyses to assess the feasibility of adding layers of aluminized mylar to the cryopumping panels of Chamber B.

View the full paper here.

Research

University of Florida

With Dr. Jane Shin

Underwater Sensor Fusion in the Active Perception and Robot Intelligence Lab with a focus on Sonar Trajectory Design

I am currently developing sensor fusion techniques that combine information from sonar and camera images using path- planning algorithms that maximize outputs while minimizing necessary inputs.

With Dr. Aroba Saleem

GatorSense – An efficiency Oriented Approach to Remote Lunar Volatile sensing November 2021-Present using Integrated IR spectroscopy and MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) System

My team and I conducted research, design, and development for a sensor that will be used to detect volatiles emitted when lunar regolith is superheated during NASA’s MMPACT Project
Deliverables: ASM Submission; sensor prototype and patent in progress

With Dr. White and Dr. Tinker

Innovation in Engineering Education (collaboration between the College of Engineering and the Innovation Program)

I worked with a research team to discover the best innovation program launch methods and create a plan of implementation for introducing engineering students to innovative practices at the University of Florida.

With Professor John Bowden

“Mapping Florida’s Water Quality via Student Crowdsourcing” A UF Creative Commons Project

During the summer of 2020, I assisted in data collection, data compilation, and analysis for an investigation concerning microplastics in Florida's waterways. I was able to get involved in this ongoing project through the University of Florida's Undergraduate Research Scholar's Program.