Abstract:

Robotics is becoming a leading technology in the modern world, encompassing integrated computer controlled systems that are capable of interacting with their environment in order to carry out specific tasks. The objective of the robot project was to create a fully autonomous battle robot able to adapt accordingly to a dynamic environment.
The robot’s mission was to navigate, take corrective courses of action in the presence of obstacles, locate, identify and extinguish the “enemy” territory’s target lights before the enemy robot extinguishes the Battle Roach’s home target lights.
Stevens Institute of Technology provided their custom-made PIC microcontroller and a pre-assembled chassis to serve as the foundation for the robot. The Battle Roach’s design and construction used a set of requirements and guidelines which allowed modifications on the Stevens equipment to comply with the physical needs required for a successful mission. Once completed, the Battle Roach must compete against a champion battle robot on the battlefield to test its effectiveness. Multiple disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, and programming software were involved in the process of the creation of the fully autonomous battle robot.

Abstract:

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are the logical successors to modern aircraft and advancements in automated technology. The current generation of UAVs is focused on wartime capabilities and reconnaissance, leaving an existing market untapped by UAV technology: the commercial field. There are hundreds of applications for UAV technology in the civilian market, from emergency response applications and media outlets to communication technicians and horticulturalists.
 However, a versatile UAV does not currently exist for civilian purposes. A UAV of this capability should be compact, lightweight, and have the ability to carry a multitude of interchangeable instruments to suit its application. The concepts of UAV technology combined with interchangeable parts can become a powerful tool for commercial applications and can shape the future of aviation.

Abstract:

The focus of this project is theoretical research into applications for collaborative robotics in space and the simulation of the missions in a simplified environment utilizing equipment available at Stevens Institute of Technology. Mission profiles for collaborative robotics covered in this project include rescue and recovery missions as well as Lava Tube exploration missions. The simulations of collaborative robotics systems using Stevens equipment utilize two robot systems that communicate with each other via a tethered connection. The robots in each of the simulations are in a leader/follower setup, where one robot is responding to assist the other. The first two profiles to be tested are rescue/recovery and payload transfer. Additional profiles to be tested will be determined once these mission profiles have been refined in simulation. The programs developed for the simulations can later be modified for full-scale testing with minimal effort.

Abstract:

The objective of this project is to develop an optimization model for lunar colonization that would account for current technology as well as emerging technology. The model uses the returns from the mission to compute an efficiency of the colony as well as other useful statistics to compare the different configurations. To aid in the evaluation of the financial, scientific, and future mission infrastructure returns the lunar colony’s objectives were broken down into six parts. Once completed, the missions were compared on the revenue, cost, scientific return, and future mission savings to calculate a mission cost-time ratio and mission efficiency.

Abstract:

With President Obama’s initiative for space travel, research for new technologies can be pursued. The mode of space travel that will be chosen has to be configured to make space travel more frequent, less costly, and more efficient by implementing reusable resources. Modes of travel thus far have incurred payments of billions of dollars, with the Apollo Program costing $145 billion and the Space shuttle program costing $173 billion. New innovations in space travel will allow NASA to reach its full potential in the near future with programs that are recyclable, incurring less cost, and rendering greater efficiency. In addition, theses programs will foster deep space explorations to the moon, Mars and beyond, reinvigorating the amazing space age.

Abstract:

Inspired by Al Gore's plan for a Unified Energy Frid by 2020, this project researched the many renewable energy sources and their ability to create electricity. The goal was to find the best type of green source to power a city of approximately 30,000 people. The chosen location was the Borough of Princeton and Princeton Township. Design matrices and calculations determined the best energy source. After renewable energy sources were researched, the transmission systems and their certain capabilities and problems were investigated, especially with their acceptance of renewable evergy.

Another step in the team's research was done regarding a hybrid energy system. Hybrid systems are often a synergy, and this would be most beneficial for electricity production in the future. A conceptual design was based on current systems, while integrating current research and ideas and leaving room for improvement in the future. The ultimate goal was to find the best electricity provider while reducing the maximum amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are currently endangering the atmospher and increasing global warming.

Abstract:

Space exploration has been severely curtailed since 1969, when NASA first sent a man to walk on the moon. An entrepreneurial enterprise to re-energize the space program in which lunar resources would be mined and processed is conceptualized in this research project.

This project involves the methodology consisting of the three components of lunar exploration: i) Earth-to-Moon cargo and personnel transport, ii) assembly of a sustainable lunar colony, and iii) the processing of minerals from lunar soil.

The lunar soil or regolith is comprised of many minerals. Various product outputs from processing regolith will be analyzed to determine the most profitable resource combination after twenty-five years of operation. Ilmenite (FeTiO3), a mineral in regolith, would be processed to yield solid titanium for spacecraft manufacture and oxygen to be used as breathable air for present or future exploration. Quartz, another mineral in regolith, would be refined into silicon for use in solar energy. In addition, Helium-3 would be separated from the regolith for use in nuclear fusion reactors.

Design a system capable of transporting materials needed for a lunar colony from the earth to the moon. Keeping in mind the economical and practical aspects of such an undertaking, compare and contrast this design with NASA’s proposed Constellation program and two alternatives.

Using current and emerging technological developments, design a system capable of transporting materials needed for a lunar colony from the earth to the moon.

Main Objective:
To design a Lunar Colony that will be cost-effective, durable, and expandable. This will provide the foundation for a permanent Lunar Colony.

Background Information:
Geography:
Radioactive equator, poles with constant sunlight and frozen resourcesSoil:
Mostly basalt type rocks, composed of Iron, Silicon, Titanium, Oxygen, HeliumAtmosphere:
Very thin layer of 90% Nitrogen, Trace Helium, HydrogenTemperature Range:

-150° to +100° C at equator

-50° to +50° C at poles

Major Objectives:

Advance the ION Drive System

Create a new tile system for the shuttle

Find a method of cooling the tile system for the shuttle

Construct a model of the hybrid design

Enter our design into different competitions (held in Langley, VA)

Purpose:

Design a plane that can be used for both scientific purposes and for the military.
The plane must be:

Flexible

Adaptable

Capable of performing reconnaissance work

Geo-Mapping ready

Able to collect samples of various pollutants

Ready to conduct “Search and Destroy” missions
&

Prepared to research in general

Development of triple rotor blade wind turbine:

10-100 kW range

Choose blade design

Use active profile control

Choose shape memory alloy (SMA)

Compare efficiency of new model with current designs

The NASA SHARP Summer Program students will be offered the following options for their summer research.

1) They can select from a variety of current research within in the NASA core enterprises (of Aerospace Technology, Space Science, Earth Science, Space Flight, Biological and Physical Science) that are suitable for the NASA-NSIP competition. NASA SHARP participants will work with a faculty mentor during this summer and continue the project during the next Fall/ Spring to submit an entry for the NSIP competition.

2) Revolutionary Vehicles: Personal Air Vehicle Systems and Technologies. There is a separate category for high school juniors and seniors. A letter of intent to participate in the 2005 competition is required by December 31, 2004. New Jersey Space Grant will be happy to sponsor successful applicants.