Advanced Systems Group

During the PIREAS grant the following opportunities were targeted and they continue beyond the active period of the grant through the AOMRP M-STAR Implementation Grant:

• Sambit Bhattacharya¹ is a Professor of Computer Science. He is interested in research on use-inspired Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) and he collaborates with researchers from other disciplines. He develops computational approaches that integrate scientific and engineering knowledge with data driven AIML modeling. Dr. Bhattacharya works on bioimaging applications, and on building predictive models for advanced manufacturing processes. He also researches applications of AIML in geospatial intelligence and robotics built by combining domain knowledge with models learned from data.
• Joseph Kabbes² teaches Astronomy and performs STEM Outreach through the FSU Planetarium and Observatory, along with presentations around the region. He has 35+ years of experience in Software Engineering and Design, along with experience in Rapid Prototyping using Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing. Mr. Kabbes also has experience in geo-spatial positioning.
• Daniel Autrey³ is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and he teaches general and physical chemistry. He has expertise in Raman spectroscopy, and his research interest is focused on developing two-dimensional nanomaterials (MXenes) as potential substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) based sensors and photocatalysts, as well as functionalized mesoporous materials for carbon capture applications.
• Bhoj Gautam⁴ is an Assistant Professor of Physical Science and has a background in chemical and optical sensors, light emitting diodes, and solar cells. Dr. Gautam also has done research in polymer chemistry and perovskite materials using optical spectroscopy.
• Shubo Han⁵ is a Professor of Chemistry with experience in protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases, nanomaterials, biosensors, and electrochemistry.
• Eid Haddad⁶ is an Associate Professor of Physiology and he is experienced in vaccines and immune-enhancers and steroid hormones. Dr. Haddad also has a strong interest in the use of domesticated Avian as an off-world food source and supply of organic material.
• Chekad Sarami⁷ is an Associate Professor of Mathematics and he teaches Mathematics and Computer Science. He is experienced in Data Science / Analytics and Machine Learning.
• Albert Chan⁸ is a Professor of Computer Science and his primary expertise is on high performance computing. He also has experience in mobile computing, game computing, and client-server development.
• Lieceng Zhu⁹ is an Associate Professor of Biology. Dr. Zhu's research focuses on the impact of environmental stresses on resistance of wheat plants to the Hessian fly.
• Abdelmajid Kassem¹⁰ is a Professor of Biology with experience in plant genetics and genomics. Dr. Kassem researches genetic and QTL mapping of important agronomic traits in major crops.
• Jiazheng Yuan¹¹ is an Assistant Professor of Biology with substantial experience in genetics, genetics and plant biotechnology. Dr. Yuan's research interesting is focusing on plant breeding, genetic variant determination and gene expression analysis for disease resistance and trait improvement.
• Chris Diorietes¹² is the Dean of Mathematics & Science at Fayetteville Technical Community College.

ASG faculty with areas of interest/exploration are listed below.

¹Sambit Bhattacharya, ²Joseph Kabbes, ³Daniel Autrey, ⁴Bhoj Gautam, ⁵Shubo Han, ⁶Eid Haddad, ⁷Chekad Sarami, ⁸Albert Chan, ⁹Lieceng Zhu, ¹⁰Abdelmajid Kassem, ¹¹Jiazheng Yuan

Lunar Dust Mitigation^3,4,5

Investigate the use of novel two-dimensional MXene antiferromagnetic nanomaterials embedded into textiles and other fibers (filters) to repel charged lunar regolith dust. The metallic materials are mechanically flexible, electrically conductive, and biocompatible. We hypothesize that charged micron-sized regolith particles would be repelled by the antiferromagnetic nanomaterials as well as induce electrical current within the material that could be harnessed for energy storage.

Robotics, Machine Learning, Edge AI^1,2,7,8

Autonomous mapping of structures such as lava tubes with data from camera, Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) positioning technologies, inertial measurement and LIDAR.  Development of edge AI for analysis of sensory data collected by robots swarms.  Precision positioning is essential for exploration and in-situ resource location.  Development of a mesh positioning model, both on and beneath the surface, requires accurate positioning to reduce error propagation.  The PIREAS grant allowed acquisition of robot supplies to pursue this research, while the NASA MINDS competition has funded both drones to simulate satellite overflight and more powerful edge AI tools.

Photovoltaics⁴

Develop highly efficient and transparent self-powered, smart solar visors for astronaut's basic electricity needs. We plan to use solution processed semitransparent organic solar cells to implement as lenses in visors. This project will enable the visors to serve as power sources to support EVA functions.

Lunar Farming^6,9,10,11

Lunar farming includes both animal protein and plant products. On the animal protein production pipeline, our concept is to develop a system to producing animal proteins under the limited lunar resources and environment. We envision a system that is portable, self-sufficient, recyclable, and edge AI-controlled system. The system is envisioned to be a self-contained box with an egg micro-incubator/chick growing house containing food and water and oxygen supply. The height of the box is envisioned to be self-controlled and adjustable to the height of the chick (once hatched).

On the plant production pipeline, we envision an aeroponic crop system capable of saving up to 95% water, 60% fertilizers, and 100% pesticides compared to plants grown in soil. Moreover, crops can be planted and harvested without interruption, which is extremely useful to develop lunar agriculture. The crop system will produce massive quantities of food in a vertical space format; nutrient solution can be recycled. Aeroponic crop system requires a highly automated control system to operate to achieve optimal plant growth. The leftover from aeroponic system will be used as feed for the animal protein production pipeline to accomplish the maximum sustainable lunar farming. Therefore, the factors that are critical for the space aeroponic crop system should be analyzed before it has been implemented under moon's gravity.

The primary goal of this project was to create the Advanced Systems Group (ASG) which will serve as a structure to increase FSU capabilities to respond to NASA grant opportunities.  The ASG is comprised of a rapid response team to review and communicate NASA opportunities to faculty, researchers whose interests align with Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) priorities, and students working on projects and research that focus on STMD topics. As part of the planning process FSU has identified faculty research interests that align with STMD topics and is in the process of developing co-curricular programs that will support those topics.  The ASG faculty members will submit at least one multi-disciplinary research proposal in NASA STMD priority areas to the upcoming NASA M-STAR implementation opportunity. NASA STMD funding opportunities are being monitored to determine future grant options based on expertise and interests of FSU faculty.