STUDENT POSTERS
Robert Morrison – Hamline University
Detecting Exoplanets in a Light Polluted Environment
Abstract: Light pollution has become increasingly dominant as the developed world continues to expand, presenting greater challenges for ground-based astronomy (GBA) even in the most isolated observatories. The capabilities and limitations of conducting astronomical research in a light-polluted environment are ever-changing, and this project examines the feasibility of GBA in such an environment with an observatory-class telescope. This research was dedicated to the detection of extrasolar planets transiting across their host stars via a light-curve, in which the star’s luminosity periodically dips as the planet crosses in front of it, blocking a portion of its light. The research focused on stars with known exoplanets where the parameters (area ratios, magnitude, etc.) were known, as well as the time of planetary transit. The method used to discern a star’s periodic depression was differential photometry, in which the star’s relative flux was compared to numerous others around it whose fluxes were assumed constant. Six systems with varying parameters were studied in which the acquisition of a light-curve, along with the quality of that light-curve, were compared to those of other systems to quantify the limits of the telescope under the conditions of skyglow. Data acquired was compared to exoplanet databases to evaluate the effect of light pollution on the accuracy of the data. Over the course of the research, two light-curves resulted where the transit was clearly distinguishable. The comparison of our data showed that, for successful transit detections, the transit depths were close to prediction, but transit durations were less precise. The successful acquisition of these light-curves presents the capabilities of scientific research and astronomy education via GBA, even at an amateur level, whereas inaccuracies or failure to detect some light-curves demonstrates the challenging effects of light pollution in an urban environment.
Cinna Chang, McKenzie Wagner, Wade Tuggle, Dr. Lifeng Dong - Hamline University
Evaluating Minnesota Hardwoods as Biochar Precursors for Supercapacitors
Abstract: Supercapacitors are increasingly used as energy storage devices because they can deliver high power. Unlike batteries, supercapacitors are able to uptake electric charge and dispel them in a short amount of time. They are particularly important in applications such as electric vehicles, buses, and light rail systems, where they take advantage of their large energy uptake and quick energy discharges. One promising material for supercapacitor electrodes is biochar, a carbon-rich product derived from plant biomass. When the biochar is activated to increase its porosity, the biochar exhibits high surface area and good electrical conductivity, making it well-suited for energy storage applications. In this study, the biochar is prepared using self-activation, a process in which calcium oxalate (CaOx) naturally present in biomass decomposes upon heating to form pores in the carbon structure. To explore locally available resources, there were five different Minnesota hardwoods selected that contained varying amounts of CaOx. In the production of supercapacitors, the biochar is first produced and self-activated using a top-lit updraft gasifier, next mixed with a PVDF/NMP solution to be rolled out on copper and aluminum foils, then put in a vacuum oven to remove impurities, and subsequently fabricated into coin-cell supercapacitors. After the supercapacitors are produced, the coins are put in a LAND battery testing for capacitance, or the measure of how much charge a capacitor is able to hold. Among the tested samples, black walnut showed the highest capacitance, reaching 19.51 F g⁻¹ at 0.1 mA. These findings suggest that locally sourced biomass, particularly black walnut, holds strong potential for sustainable supercapacitor electrode materials.
Swastika Acharjee – University of Minnesota
IMPRESS (IMpulsive Phase Rapid Energetic Solar Spectrometer): A CubeSat Mission for Investigating Solar Flares with High-Cadence X-ray Spectroscopy
Abstract: The IMpulsive Phase Rapid Energetic Solar Spectrometer is a 3U NSF CubeSat studying solar flares flares using 5-100keV soft and hard X-rays at 32 Hz, probing sub-second variability and the thermal and the thermal-to thermal transition to reveal particle acceleration.
Zoke Sackih – University of Minnesota
Validating z>7.5 Lyman Break Galaxy candidates with PASSAGE
Abstract: My project spectroscopically validates z>7.5 Lyman Break galaxy candidates in the COSMOS field with the JWST PASSAGE Survey. I photometrically select high-z COSMOS-Web galaxies, then use PASSAGE spectra to locate Lyman Breaks and compute redshifts.
Mubarak Abdi – Augsburg University
Student-led Intercollegiate Rocketry Challenge
Abstract: This Poster examines the role of a student-led Intercollegiate Rocketry Challenge, a multi-institution engineering initiative funded by the NASA Space Grant Consortium in 2026. The project brought together several college teams to collaboratively design, build, and launch high-power rockets while adhering to shared technical and safety requirements. Through a series of remote rocketry lessons, the initiative emphasized hands-on build support, technical guidance, effective communication, and coordination across teams with varying levels of experience. This work highlights the importance of expanding access to aerospace and engineering opportunities by supporting institutions with limited resources and fostering collaborative learning environments.
Jerid McDonald – Augsburg University
Bending and Flexing Halide Perovskite Solar Panels
Abstract: This summer Daniel Hickox-Young and I performed computational research on solar panels made of halide perovskite crystals as an alternative to silicone ones. Halide perovskite crystal cells are less efficient than silicone cells, but are much cheaper to produce and can be applied as a thin, flexible film. We tested how the efficiency of these solar cells changed when positive and negative strain was applied (i.e. bending and flexing). Using the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package (VASP) and Visualization for Electronic and Structural Analysis (VESTA) software we performed first order density functional theory calculations on the atomic structure of CsPbBr3 and CsSnBr3 crystals. We applied -2% strain to +2% strain in 0.5% increments and then relaxed the atomic structure. We measured the polar distortion of the crystal structure as well as its change in efficiency when under this strain. We were hoping that Sn would be a viable replacement for Pb in these solar panels, but in all tests we found that CsPbBr3 outperformed CsSnBr3 in both efficiency and in how much polar distortion was experienced. We found that by applying strain to the crystal structure we could shift the band gap and change what wavelengths of light were converted to electricity.