University of Washington - William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics

Continuing our celebration of undergraduate research excellence! Today, we're highlighting an impressive team from our Nonlinear Dynamics and Control Lab who presented at our undergraduate showcase. Trail Sammarco, Marco Jawili, Celeste Yuan, Felicity C. and Maya Morse were researching a crucial challenge in aerospace: optimizing sensor placement for satellite proximity operations. Using fiducial markers and innovative observability analysis, they're improving how spacecraft can safely perform intricate maneuvers like docking and on-orbit refueling. Their work with AprilTag fiducial systems wasn't just theoretical - their simulations of geostationary flybys provided valuable insights into optimal marker placement, considering real-world constraints like solar panels and camera visibility. This outstanding undergraduate team, mentored by graduate students Nicholas Andrews and Joshua Cheng under the guidance of Professor Kristi Morgansen, is advancing our capabilities in autonomous space operations. Their research could impact everything from satellite servicing to space debris removal! Proud to see our undergrads contributing to such cutting-edge aerospace research! Access their poster here: https://lnkd.in/gbJuNJW7 #AerospaceEngineering #UndergraduateResearch #AutonomousSystems

🤖 Cross-disciplinary research alert! Continuing our undergraduate showcase series with groundbreaking work from our Control and Trustworthy Robotics Lab. Marc Alwan from the UW Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, working with our Professor Karen Leung, is developing life-saving technology for disaster response. Their project combines autonomous UAVs with ultra-wideband radar to detect vital signs of survivors through rubble in search and rescue operations. Using advanced signal processing and neural networks, Marc's work enables drones to detect breathing and heart rates from a distance, even through obstacles. The implications for disaster response are enormous - imagine UAVs quickly scanning collapsed buildings to locate survivors. What's particularly exciting is the fusion of aerospace engineering with computer science. The team is not just collecting data - they're developing sophisticated algorithms for autonomous, perception-aware control to optimize search patterns in disaster zones. Access Marc's research poster: https://lnkd.in/gvTD3gRg Outstanding work, Marc! #DisasterResponse #Robotics #ComputerScience #Aerospace #UndergraduateResearch

Continuing our showcase of outstanding undergraduate research! Today, we're spotlighting impressive work from our Quantitative Flow Visualization Lab. Lucas Vos and Sara Hines are diving deep into fluid dynamics, experimentally validating numerical simulations of wall shear stress generated by vertically impinging planar jets. Using sophisticated hot-wire anemometry and precision 3-axis measurements, they're capturing detailed velocity profiles and translating them into comprehensive shear stress distributions. Their meticulous approach - from careful calibration to data collection in increments as small as 0.1mm - demonstrates the rigor needed in experimental fluid mechanics. This validation work is crucial for advancing our in-house simulation software and deepening our understanding of wall jet physics. Under the guidance Professor Dana Dabiri, these undergrads are contributing to fundamental fluid dynamics research with applications across aerospace and mechanical engineering. Their results are already showing promising trends that align with theoretical projections! Fantastic work by our undergraduate researchers in advancing our understanding of complex fluid phenomena! Access their research poster here: https://lnkd.in/gZP3TQh2 #FluidDynamics #UndergraduateResearch #Engineering #ExperimentalPhysics

🎓 Let's hear it for our three outstanding undergraduate researchers from the Z-Pinch Lab who presented their groundbreaking fusion research at our undergraduate showcase! Alejandro Santana is measuring thrust performance using a ballistic pendulum, pushing the boundaries of deep space travel. His work could lead to fusion-powered spacecraft capable of interstellar flight, with predictions of achieving over 1000 newtons of thrust! Elyse Lian has calibrated a modified CCD spectrometer to monitor impurities in Z-pinch plasma. Her precise measurements of carbon emission lines help us understand plasma heating dynamics, crucial for optimizing fusion conditions. Walker Holmquist is developing innovative pyrometry calibration methods to measure extreme temperatures in fusion propulsion systems. His work tackles the challenge of measuring electrodes that may exceed 3800 Kelvin, essential for designing sustainable fusion reactors. Together, these researchers are advancing different aspects of Z-pinch fusion technology - from propulsion to diagnostics to thermal management. Their contributions bring us one step closer to practical fusion energy and revolutionary space travel. Congratulations to these talented researchers and their faculty adviser, Uri Shumlak, for pushing the boundaries of fusion science! #FusionEnergy #SpaceTravel #UndergraduateResearch #STEM #Innovation

Undergraduate research spotlight on Claire Fisher! We're proud to share her work in our ILLIMITED LAB, in collaboration with Bart Boom and Professor Ed Habtour. Claire presented their research into how Northern Gannets survive high-speed water impacts during their incredible 60+ mph dives! 🐦💨 This research focuses on the unique vertebrae dynamics of gannet necks, using innovative physical modeling to understand how these birds prevent neck buckling during impact. By simulating vertebrae with laser-cut plates and replicating muscles using nonlinear elastic cords, our resesarchers are uncovering nature's ingenious solutions to extreme biomechanical challenges. This work not only advances our understanding of avian biomechanics but could also inspire new approaches in engineering and material science. 🔬🌊 Special thanks too to research collaborators: KAUST's Tadd Truscott and Friday Harbor Lab's Adam Summers. Congratulations on this impressive showcase, Claire! Looking forward to seeing where this research leads. Visit Claire's research poster: https://lnkd.in/g6ZazmA4 #Biomechanics #UndergraduateResearch #FridayHarborLabs

A great big welcome to our new assistant professors! Read more about Charles Dorn, Martin Nisser, and Avin Vijay - they're right at the top!

Read about how drone-focused research in A&A's CTRL (Control & Trustworthy Robotics Lab) under Assistant Professor Karen Leung is creating safer conditions for firefighters in rugged conditions! And thanks, Isaac Remy, for contributing insight and context into this work.

Applications for the 24-25 season are now open! Design Build Fly at UW is committed to fulfilling our motto: “educate and compete”. Join our team to gain hands-on experience and develop the skills needed to excel as an engineer. Motivated students of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply. Applications close October 2nd. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gdJTbMH5 #aviation #planes #airplane #aircraft #flight #aiaa #universityofwashington #uofwa #modelaviation #aeronautics #engineering #aerospaceengineering #designbuildfly #aiaadbf #dbf2024 #aiaadbf #rcairplanes #aviationlovers #engineeringlife #mechanicalengineering #compositematerials #carbonfiber #electricalengineering #educateandcompete

A big welcome to Assistant Professor Vijay!

👁 Deadline to apply: This coming Wednesday (Sept 11) We are launching three new certificates to advance your aerospace career, starting later this month: 1. Modern Aerospace Structures Gain a foundation for designing and analyzing modern aerospace structural mechanics. 2. Aerospace Composite Structures Study the mechanics of composites to design modern aircraft and other composite structures. 3. Aerospace Control Systems Learn to design, analyze, and optimize control systems. Applications close Wednesday, September 11. *Check with your employer for a tuition support program.* Each certificate program consists of four courses, totaling 16 credits. You would take one 4-credit course per quarter (Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer). Each course is delivered in the evenings with remote options for working professionals. For more information on any of these requirements and to get on our notification list for when applications open, please visit our webpage: https://lnkd.in/gXDN5tKu