New Age of Space Exploration

Over the last four years, NASA has invested millions of dollars in the College of Engineering and Computing to generate research, technology and talent. During this time, 20 FIU students have gone on to work at NASA, and 70 students are currently working on NASA research at FIU.

I think the most important thing we are contributing to NASA is the human potential.

Daniela Radu, associate professor at FIU, director, NASA - FIU CRE2DO Director

Researching Real Solutions

Shielding technology from the harsh radiation of space 

Professor Arvind Agarwal and his Plasma Forming Laboratory have developed a new coating to protect machinery for use on the lunar surface – think rovers and excavators – against radiation levels up to 1,000 times greater than on Earth. A sample of the coating is heading to the International Space Station, where it will be mounted to a platform outside the facility for exposure to space. The coating will then be analyzed for its resistance to radiation. NASA expects the test's findings will help the agency reduce service and repair needs.

State-of-the-art solar panels for the Moon 

Professor Daniela Radu and Professor Cheng-Yu Lai are researching lightweight and ultra-efficient solar panels to supply NASA with renewable energy. Professor Radu is using nanomaterials, two-dimensional substances with unique properties, to create solar-ray absorbers as thin as a billionth of a meter wide. Professor Lai is making nanomaterial semiconductors for the panels to efficiently and securely store energy. The resulting technology aims to capture power at three times the efficiency of today’s commercially available solar cells.

Creating powerful communication technology 

John L. Volakis, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing, is researching communication and image visualization technologies. Volakis is designing foldable antenna arrays, which will occupy minimal room on a spacecraft and unfold to send and receive signals. Volakis is also investigating large-bandwidth technologies that make it easy to send and detect low signals and wearable communication devices to help astronauts transfer information while their hands are busy.

Producing the next wave of computer chips

Professor Cheng-Yu Lai has received a grant to train students in the production of computer chips to support NASA’s future missions. The initiative is projected to be vital to the space agency as the U.S. looks to produce more electronic components domestically. Funding will allow FIU to acquire a tool that enables the mass production of chips through a method similar to 3D printing. One student will intern at NASA every summer to produce chips, and FIU will team up with industry partners to help them produce their designs.

Protecting future residents of the Moon

Professor Osama A. Mohammed, associate dean of the College of Engineering and Computing, and a team of FIU researchers from the Energy Systems Research Laboratory are working to ensure that the lunar base planned for the Moon under the Artemis Program has secure power. Mohammed is working on a cybersecurity framework to ensure that the individual parts of the habitat can request power from each other safely. These habitats will likely have their own power supply and occasionally need to request energy from each other to perform a task, such as operating a machine. Mohammed’s cybersecurity technology seeks to keep these communications from being intercepted.