Embedded Files
Additive Manufacturing
Embedded Sensors
Adaptable Structures
In-Space Manufacturing
Inflatable and Origami Structure
Space Debris Removal
Additive Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing
2PP Printed Butterfly Wing Scales
To achieve active control over AM bioinspired microstructures, enabling on-demand surface modifications.
Researcher(s): Zefu Ren
CAD model of butterfly wing scale microstructure
Optical and SEM images of printed batterfly wing microstructures
Equilibrium contact angle measurements for water droplets
Ren, Z., Yang, Z., Srinivasaraghavan Govindarajan, R., Madiyar, F., Cheng, M., Kim, D., & Jiang, Y. (2024). Two-photon polymerization of butterfly wing scale inspired surfaces with anisotropic wettability. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16(7), 9362-9370. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c14765
2PP Printed Eggbeater Microstructure
To achieve active control over AM bioinspired microstructures, enabling on-demand surface modifications.
Researcher(s): Zefu Ren
Microstructure spacing turning
Voltage vs. compressive strain
Natural eggbeater microstructure
SEM image of printed eggbeater structures
Demonstration of droplet transportation
Demonstration of wetting state transition
Demonstration of droplet gripping
Ren, Z.; Yang, Z.; Srinivasaraghavan Govindarajan, R.; Tang, K.; Xu, S.; Cheng, M.; Jiang, Y.; Kim, D. “Two-Photon Polymerization of Bioinspired Microstructure with Tunable Wettability Controlled by Dielectric Elastomer Actuator.” ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Vol. 17, No. 45 (2025): 62662–62671. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c10911. URL: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c10911
AM Method for MXene Integration for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding
To develop a safer, scalable synthesis process for titanium carbide MXenes and demonstrate integration of MXenes into AM systems for advanced EMI shielding aerospace materials.
Researcher(s): Madison Hardiman
SEM images of titanium carbide MXene powder
Embedded Sensors
Embedded Sensors
AM Cryogenic Tank with Embedded Continuous Fiber Optic Sensors
Additive manufacturing of complex space structures with embedded fiber optic sensors; developing lightweight cryogenic tank systems for future Martian & Lunar exploration missions.
Researcher(s): Scott Bender, Darren Nyugen
Additively manufactured prototype tank
Prototype tank cross-section with channels for embedding sensors
Adaptable Structures
Adaptable Structures
Adapted Leading Edge Enabled by Pneumatic Artificial Muscle Actuators
Develop a compact, lightweight morphing leading-edge fairing system capable of dynamically modulating surface geometry to actively control junction-flow structures around the wing–body interface.
Researcher(s): Aliya Zhagiparova
Fairing attached to wing with the PAM actuator inside (left) side view and (right) front view
Smoke visualization at 10 m/s for α = 15◦, baseline (0 Hz)
Smoke visualization at 10 m/s for α = 15◦, actuation at 10 Hz
Heatmap at 10 m/s for α = 15◦, between baseline (0 Hz) and actuation at 10 Hz
In-Space Manufacturing
In-Space Manufacturing
Simulated Microgravity Using a Random Positioning Machine for In-Space Additive Manufacturing
This project focuses on developing a dual-axis Random Positioning Machine (RPM) to simulate microgravity conditions for in-space manufacturing (ISM) research.
Researcher(s): Miles Lettinga
Simulation of mean acceleration at the center of RPM
Model of final design concept
Inflatable and Origami Structures
Inflatable and Origami Structures
Knitted Inflatable Habitats
Development of an inflatable structure that incorporates knitted geometry that can be created using an automated process, reducing the effect of human error in the manufacturing of the inflatable restraint layer.
Researcher(s): Scott Bender, Madison Hardiman, Chester See Yue Zhe
Knitted Inflatable Subscale Model
Damage tolerance burst testing
Project Oracle
Project Oracle works to find and analyze general algorithms which are able to solve angle relationships within complex thick-panel origami structures without relying on oversimplification or pattern-specific solutions. The project has already found two Laws of Thick Origami which can solve single-cell structures, and is currently working on expanding to much larger and more intensive origami patterns.
Researcher(s): Jackson Schuler
Angular Rotation of origami patterns with 6 degrees of freedom
Project Vulcan
Current hinges often utilize multi-part designs which require lubrication and introduce many failure points, while also being bulky and limiting full range of motion. By swapping out metal or plastic hinge assemblies for composite single-part structures, Project Vulcan increases range of motion, operating loads and environments, while decreasing mass and failure points for articulating structures.
Researcher(s): Jackson Schuler, Josh Shuster
Origami panels in the folded and unfolded orientation
Space Debris Removal
Space Debris Removal
ALICE: Autonomous Limb for Interception and Capture of Elements
This project is intended to assess the feasibility of fabricating a cost-effective, multi-appendage robotic end-effector that utilizes a hybrid mechanism for active debris removal (ADR) through a sub-scale proof-of-concept test article.
Researcher(s): Chester See Yue Zhe
Shape-memory Wire Configuration
Exploded Model of Strain Wave Gearbox
RIDDANCE: Removal of Irregular Debris using Double Assisted Nets with Controlled Enhancement
To design and develop a compact, latch-based dual-net deployment mechanism for active space debris removal.
Researcher(s): Sahasra Boyapati, Chester See Yue Zhe
Net Capture Simulation
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