Digital Commons Network^™

Project Atlantis (Applied Technology Learning Activities For Non-Traditional Instruction In Space), Jaclyn Wiley, Diane Howard, Henry Neiberlien, Jaclyn Wiley

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

As commercial and governmental space endeavors increase in number and complexity, the need for people educated in space policy and law will also grow. In order to create this well-educated group of space professionals, a sophisticated space policy and law curriculum is needed. As accessibility of technology increases and more students are becoming digital natives, the importance of non-traditional curriculums increases.

This paper describes an educational experiment in which students in an independent study course created space policy and law educational videos based on topics within the curriculum of an existing undergraduate space law course. Two educational models can be …

Lower Limb Knee Exoskeleton, Umul Banin Jafri, Abdullah El Atrache Ceballos, Alex Clinkenbeard, Collin Nix

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project is the primary phase to develop a prototype of a lower limb exoskeleton through the implementation of novel hardware and software techniques that will overcome specific issues those current exoskeletons suffer from, such as lack of robust controllability, bulkiness, and actuation performance. At this phase, a knee exoskeleton with a linear actuator has been constructed. It is controlled by using data received from electromyography (EMG) signals. Furthermore, 3D printed parts of the exoskeleton frame have been developed in order to reduce weight and for rapid prototyping. The device is to be designed as an assistive device for a …

Assessing Trust In Air Traffic Controllers: A Pilot Study, Bradley S. Baugh, Woojin Choi, Scott R. Winter

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The safety of the National Airspace System is reliant upon the partnership between pilots and air traffic controllers facilitated through verbal communications. When the partnership based on trust is strong, the pilot is able to better manage the complexities associated with flying in congested airspace and reduce the possibility of certain errors. Studying barriers to communication is important in understanding how trust is built and maintained. Bias has been shown to be a barrier to trust in communications and aviation. Previous studies have researched trust in air traffic automation and trust based on confidence in the controller’s speech. However, a …

Rider Assist Technologies: Popular Types, Motivations For Use, And Information Sources Consulted By Users, Anastasia Diamond, Austin Smith, Collier Campbell, Taro Ito, Alex Chaparro Chaparro

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The ubiquity of advanced in-vehicle technologies for cars highlights the relative scarcity of comparable offerings for motorcycles despite the fact that many can be adapted for this mode of transportation. Aspects of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) such as advanced rider assist technologies may increase the safety of motorcyclists. In this study, we surveyed motorcycle riders about the types of advance technologies their current bikes were equipped with, as well as, the primary motivation for purchasing the technology, and how they learned to use the technologies (if applicable). The most frequently reported technologies owned by riders were handle bar controls, engine …

A Novel Binaural Audio Device For Cross-Platform Situational Awareness And Recall, Courtney Thurston, Daniel Silverio, Albert Dicroce, Jonathan Betancourt, Jose Polo Melo

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The goal is to create a lightweight integrated device consisting of a small camera, binaural microphones, a head orientation tracker, and a GPS unit mounted onto a pair of glasses. The device will allow the user to capture and record audio and video in the same manner that it was experienced organically by the user. This is enabled by the glasses-mounted camera and the small profile binaural microphones, which sit inside the ear without blocking the eardrum. The head orientation tracker and GPS unit are attached to the glasses and record positioning and orientation of the user for realistic playback. …

Cross Platform Training Via Augmented Reality And Neuromuscular Control Systems, Charles Pollock, Jeremiah Lantzer, Marcus Isnard, Abdullah Alosaimi

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Developing heterogeneous vehicle operations is the next step in progressing how technology can be utilized. Vehicles that operate in similar environments have an easier time working together autonomously rather than vehicles of different environments. This project focuses on utilizing the unique abilities of two vehicles with different operating environments and merging them into one system controlled by one user. The system uses one ground vehicle and one quadcopter which work in tandem. Spatial awareness and maneuverability of the user is achieved by utilizing a Heads-Up Display along with EMG sensors to recognize hand gestures. By using EMG sensors, a physical …

Simulation Environment For Autonomous Uav, Eugenie C. Fontaine, Christopher Gutierrez, Eric J. Osorio, Nicolas M. Prulhiere, Philip S. Giuliano

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The team is creating a simulation environment for autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to increase productivity and eliminate the hardware and financial risk for companies undergoing field tests. A team-developed code inputs and receives data from UAV software, which generates the simulation using computer physics. Whoever uses this program can choose their own payload and weather parameters and will not require any hardware to perform the mission. Running Software in the Loop makes this possible but requires extensive testing and an understanding of how separate programs communicate with each other. Another challenge is making the program modular, meaning that the …

Magnetic Hydro-Dynamic Propulsion Of Blood, Daniel Flores, Harvey L. Waters Jr, Arka Das

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The problem with current Ventricular Assist Devices is that the pump design imposes unnatural behavior to the flow of the blood such as stagnation and impingement regions due to the many moving parts, thus promoting the formation of blood clots. To solve this problem, a magneto hydromagnetic drive or MHD can replace the pump in the flow loop. MHD takes advantage of Lorenz’s force, which states that if a magnetic field is perpendicular to an electric field, a particle in the conducting fluid will experience a force orthogonal to both the magnetic and electric field thus to propelling the blood. …

The Effect Of Electronic Flight Bags In Flight Training On Preflight Skill Development And Aeronautical Decision Making, Shlok Misra

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of utilizing Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) in flight training with emphasis on preflight skill development and Aeronautical Decision Making. The study participants were student pilots or private pilots who used EFBs in flight training and had not logged more than 100 total flight hours. The study utilized a simulation of the preflight process of a Visual Flight Rules cross country flight in which the participants answered questions related to the flight preparation. Fifty percent of the study’s population completed this survey with the information provided through an EFB and the other 50% …

Review Of The Statistical Analytical Techniques For The Optimization Of Ultrahigh Pressure For Extracting Biologically Active Compounds, Katya K. Rivera, Foram Madiyar, Allison Larsen

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Biologically Active Compounds (BACs) are organic compounds that are rich in nutrients and have characteristics such as anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. When compared to conventional extraction methods, such as Soxhlet extraction, percolation, maceration, it takes a longer amount of time, resulting in lower percent yields, and the BACs are exposed to higher temperatures which might cause damage to the BACs when extracted. This review includes the factors that researchers have looked at are: temperature, pressure, the solvent to pomace ratio, and solvent effects which will allow us to better analyze the % yield of BACs extracted and optimize the …

The Effects Of Climate Change On Iceland's Renewable Energy Sources Throughout The 21st Century, Michael Conway, Daniel Roberts

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Iceland’s energy comes almost completely from its renewable resources, with the majority being hydroelectric energy, and the remainder being geothermal energy. For several months, researchers from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) conducted secondary-source research on the effect climate change will have on Iceland’s renewable resources throughout the next century. Most importantly, the researchers emphasized the importance of the Icelandic Government’s plans on responding to these upcoming changes. The Earth's rising temperatures are causing a shrinkage of Iceland’s glaciers, and changing the water runoff from these glaciers at an alarming rate. The rate of glacial decay is currently overflowing Iceland’s dams, but …

Development Of A Telemetry System For A Meteorologically Instrumented Small Unmanned Aerial System, Christopher Swinford, Kevin Adkins, Anthony Oreo

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) are now being realized as an important instrument in atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) research where they fill an important gap between ground-based instruments and the altitudes that manned aircraft can safely operate at. They also provide a way to obtain high spatial resolution near-surface measurements between fixed meteorological infrastructure. While there have been several sUAS sensor suites developed for the measurement of scalar atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, and pressure, only a small subset of these sensor suites are capable of measuring wind velocity. Most of these wind measurement solutions have been developed for …

Optimization Of Organizational Design, Patricia Nogueira Soares, Guilherme Esmael, Dyin Ogawa

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This study aims to present new techniques that airlines can utilize in order to gain efficiency through human resources allocation to adapt with the challenging and constant-moving environment of aviation industry.

As the classical hierarchical structure that dominates most of the airlines today is not a prone environment for the changes proposed, researchers will explore human resources optimization using the optimization software Lindo, mixed with concepts and techniques of Agile Methodology, such as evaluation score and talent mapping to develop a model for the best match between employees’ and tasks of Avianca Brasil Project Department, considering productivity and cost that …

Project Home, Deanna Demattio, Nick Mcguire, Ruben Rosa Polonia Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univerity

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This research considers the challenges NASA, SpaceX, and other private companies will face in the approaching two decades when sending astronauts on missions to Mars. The longest exploration is planned to take place in the 2030's, sending a crew of, at minimum, four astronauts to Mars for a year of research. The research conducted is assisting NASA, SpaceX, and alike companies ways to grow a complete diet on a planet that does not receive enough sunlight. Agriculture in enclosed and buried structures on Mars will enable astronauts to conduct extended surface exploration missions. We evaluated a deep-water culture indoor hydroponics …

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach Aiaa Design/Build/Fly 2018-2019, Brandon Wirkus

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The objective of the 2018-2019 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Design Build Fly (DBF) competition was to simulate a naval bomber capable of aircraft carrier operations. The aircraft had to fulfill many challenging design requirements including, the ability to drop attack stores remotely, unfold and lock its wings remotely from a stored configuration, take off from a ten foot ramp, and include a spinning radome.

This year-long project began with design and manufacturing studies in the fall semester. The spring semester was dedicated to iterating the design and recording the results in a technical design report. To complete …

Drone Defense, Allan D. Parra

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Modern drone applications extend from commercial to military and law enforcement use. Having autonomous quadcopters perform friendly dogfight demonstrates a platform that can be used in the field of protection and defense. This research aims to prove the concept of an autonomous quadcopter engaging another autonomous quadcopter as when being recognized in its field of view. Each quadcopter is built and configured to utilize an onboard computer that performs visual processing using an onboard depth perception camera. The computer communicates serially with an onboard autopilot to control the movement of the quadcopter. These quadcopters are equipped with a telemetry radio …

Project Atlas: A Mobile Universal Rocket Engine Test Stand, Collin Mickels, Conrad Herold Wright, Noah James Soderquist, Alona Prokofieva, Sattar Panahandehgar, Naveen Sri Uddanti, Noah James Soderquist James Soderquist

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Project Atlas is a mobile, trailer-mounted, rocket engine test stand developed by Experimental Rocket Propulsion Lab (ERPL) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach, Florida campus. The integrated test stand and automated data-acquisition and control system supports ERPL’s multitude of engine research projects, including bipropellant liquid and hybrid rocket engines. The need for an integrated universal mobile test stand stems from the inability to conduct frequent test fires on campus due to Class-3 airspace and liability issues. The test stand is designed as a horizontal thrust structure utilizing a dual flame duct to redirect and cancel reaction forces acting upon the …

The Comparison Of Venus Vs. Mars In Relation To Terraformation, Riya Joshi

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The deterioration of Earth due to overpopulation, pollution, the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and other conditions, is prompting the research of possible migration opportunities to other planets. Considerable, plausible futures for planet Earth end at the elimination of any forms of life currently present on its surface, in its atmosphere, or in its oceans. The emigration of the human race to another cosmos is inevitable especially considering the rapid decline of the planet today. Two such probable habitable worlds include Venus and Mars, the second and fourth planets of our solar system, respectively. Temperature, pressure, atmospheric climate, …

Ocean Savior From Above: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Suas) Operations During Near-Shore Ocean Rescues - Phase Ii: A Proposed Comprehensive Solution And Review Of Current Technologies And Concepts, Arrash Shekari

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Approximately 4000 people drown every year in the United States, 50-75 percent of which perish in open water environments (Branche & Stewart, 2001). In Volusia County, Florida, alone over 30 fatal drownings were recorded by the Volusia County Beach Safety Division between January 2012 and June 2017 (Shekari, 2018). To reduce drowning deaths in Volusia County, it is proposed that a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) solution be utilized for near-shore ocean rescues. The research examines the technical and financial feasibility of a comprehensive sUAS solution that is capable of detecting and predicting rip currents, detecting distressed bathers, and responding …

The Archimedes Initiative, Bianca Rodriguez

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Due to the lack of infrastructure and limited external source of energy in the developing world, our method to transport the water to these communities must be capable of generating its own energy. The Archimedes Initiative is conducting research into the efficiency and performance of hybrid-electrical and mechanical designs for water transport, and will be comparing both designs to determine which is most effective for implementation in developing countries. Factors such as material cost, resource availability, and ease of use are all considered during the design, testing, and future implementation of the project.

During the Fall of 2018, both the …

A Statistical Approach For Commercial Space Vehicle Integration Into The National Airspace System, Chris Hays, Daniel Chu, Pedro J. Llanos

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This paper explores commercial space vehicle (CSV) suborbital flight trajectories in the temporal and spatial domains for CSV integration into the National Airspace System. The research data was collected via the Suborbital Space Flight Simulator (SSFS) housed in the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach campus, and analyzed using an original MATLAB data analytics tool. This study primarily focuses on statistical trends observed in previously simulated flights supported by three Project PoSSUM (Polar Suborbital Science in the Upper Mesosphere) campaigns comprised of 34 flights and 19 control flights, and to identify relevant milestones in the CSV …

What Is Real?: Gaslighting, Brainwashing, And Ontological Crisis In The Works Of Philip K. Dick, Ethan Hale, Ashley Q. Lear Phd

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Philip K. Dick lead a life of constant uncertainty, questioning the nature and existence of reality through his many novels. Drawing upon Plato’s Parmenides and “Allegory of the Cave,” Dick provides countless examples of ontological crises faced by himself and his major characters. However, these same situations are exacerbated by additional veils set upon characters by other individuals through intentional manipulation in the form of gaslighting or brainwashing.

This paper draws upon situations of gaslighting, brainwashing, and ontological crisis from Dick’s major novels and philosophical writings to 1) better differentiate among these reality shifting concepts, 2) identify common response patterns …

Coupled Tropical Cyclone And Ocean Wave Model Sensitivity For Unsteady Waves, Laura Kent

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Operational models do not accurately incorporate air-sea interactions, which leads to inconsistencies in marine forecasts. A major component of next-generation operational models will include coupling between meteorology and wave models. The achievement of this goal requires improved coupling relationships, physically-based forcing terms in the spectral density transport equation of wave models, and software which facilitates computationally fast and ease of use in the development of coupled models. As the waves in the ocean are unsteady, a new parameterization is needed in order to take into account of growing and decaying waves. In this work, the researchers shall use the recently …

Artemis Mk. Iv Research Project, Eric Ford

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The Artemis Mk. IV Research Project is an ambitious development project of over 25 undergraduate students with the overall objective to compete in the Spaceport America Cup in the summer of 2019. The project focuses research in areas such as structural composites, solid propellant manufacturing, trajectory analysis, and parachute design. The project was accomplished by dividing the project into 7 categories: structures, propulsion, avionics, trajectory, development test, systems, and public relations. Each category had an undergraduate student as a group lead responsible for the deliverables of the category. Unique technologies applied in this research include filament wound composite airframes, pi …

Beamed Power Transmission To Low-Altitude Uav - Phase 1, Joseph Gunther

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

Fuel limitations are currently the largest obstacle for obtaining perpetual flight of all aircraft. Power beaming using a high-powered laser to an optimized Variable Multi-Junction (VMJ) cell array fixed to an electric aircraft is a possible solution. This research focused on the early stages of the practicality and design of an electric UAV powered by a remote power source and controlled with a pixhawk flight control system. The UAV in question, to remain feasible for low-budget testing, was assumed to have an operable range of 500 meters, with optimization of the power to lift ratio at the cost of maneuverability …

Cubesat Payload To Explore The Effects Of Space Radiation Exposure On Cell Population Growth, Sebastian Cox

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

A CubeSat payload is being designed to support an Embry-Riddle College of Arts and Sciences biological experiment. This experiment seeks to observe the effects of space radiation exposure on a cell population’s growth. To this end, the payload will be designed to carry 15 to 18 separate cell samples in an inoculated state into orbit. The cells will then be activated in sets of three every two weeks, allowing radiation damage to accumulate before later sample sets begin to grow. Throughout their lifetime, the payload will protect the cells from any other potential sources of damage besides radiation. Finally, the …

Harnessing The Economic, Nutritive And Commercial Potential Of Pomace Employing Principles Of Green Chemistry By Extraction Of Biologically Active Components (Bacs) Through Ultrahigh- Pressure Extraction, Allison Larsen

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

There has been substantial social and environmental pressure for the efficient reutilization of agricultural and food industry residues. According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization in the United States, 1-2 billion metric tons (Mt) of edible food produced for human consumption is wasted every year and among that statistic fruit processing industries contribute ~0.3-0.5 billion tons of waste. Pomace contains waste fractions such as skin peels, seeds, and pulp that could theoretically be an excellent substitute for feedstock for recovery of bioactive chemical compounds like lipids, pectin, flavonoids, and dietary fibers. However, these wastes are either incinerated or …

Evaluating Culturing Techniques Of Arthrospira Platensis For Long-Term Usage, Collin R. Topolski

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

The intended research is to develop a long-term culturing technique for growing Arthrospira Platensis, a cyanobacteria that is commercially referred to as Spirulina. The chosen cyanobacteria is known as a superfood due to having high concentrations of varying nutritional values. Additional benefits of Arthrospira are that samples have been found to survive well in microgravity, can be consumed with zero processing, and removes CO2 from the atmosphere. These characteristics enable this microorganism to be an excellent candidate for use in space travel within an advanced life support system (ALSS).

Experimentation for this project will consist of two main components; one …

Design And Development Of A Controlled Environment Chamber, Collin R. Topolski, Kayla V. Hollis, Danayit T. Mekonnen, Marcos A. Zamora, John Trzinski, Vijay Duraisamy

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

This project aims to build a versatile chamber that is capable of allowing experiments for any component required in an advanced life support system while maintaining a much lower cost compared to similar commercial products. The researchers plan to use the chamber for conducting experiments on plant and microbial life in a stable environment. These experiments will further research toward a bio-regenerative life support system capable of allowing humans to explore beyond Earth. The system is designed to control temperature, atmospheric composition, air flow, ambient pressure, water distribution, and light intensity. With these factors, the experiments can more closely mimic …

Development Of A 3d Printed Clinostat, Collin R. Topolski, Kayla V. Hollis, Janelle Hicks

Discovery Day - Daytona Beach

A largely unknown topic is how reduced gravity (hypogravity) affects organisms and their functionalities at a cellular level. A common method to conduct initial hypogravity testing is using a device known as a clinostat. Essentially, a culture of microorganisms or plant seeds can be placed at a specific radius perpendicular to the axis of rotation and rotated at a set RPM to simulate the experience of being in the lowered gravity environment. An issue with purchasing any commercial versions is the cost being very large for a customized system. To overcome this, multiple iterations have been developed to increasingly improve …