41-50 of 238 results
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CubeSats Hosting Flexible Appendages for On-Orbit Testing of Advanced Control Algorithms
PI Riccardo Bevilacqua
The objective of this work is to start the assembly of a CubeSat hosting specialized flexible appendages, taking inspiration from a previously designed spacecraft developed by the Advanced Autonomous Multiple Spacecraft (ADAMUS).
The objective of this work is to start the assembly of a CubeSat hosting specialized flexible appendages, taking inspiration from a previously designed spacecraft developed by the Advanced Autonomous Multiple Spacecraft (ADAMUS). This CubeSat will eventually enable testing of ADAMUS’ developed spacecraft control algorithms on-orbit.
Relevance to NASA: The innovation proposed herein lies in the ability to autonomously characterize and control complex space structures. This project will directly support NASA’s TA 4: Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Categories: Faculty-Staff
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A Machine Learning Based Transfer to Predict Warhead In-Flight Behavior from Static Arena Test Data
PI Riccardo Bevilacqua
The objective of this work is to combine high-fidelity numerical models with unique/ad-hoc experimental activities to strengthen basic science underpinning the test and evaluation framework for warhead fragmentation and fragments fly-out.
Warhead fragmentation predictions are based on either numerical simulations or static arena tests where detonations occur in unrealistic conditions (not flying). The first methodology presents many shortcomings: there is no agreement on the state of the art for simulations, and many tools ignore important aspects such as gravity, aerodynamic forces and moments, and rigid body motion of different shape fragments. Numerical simulations are also lengthy and cannot be used as online/on-the-battlefield tools. The experimental approach is also extremely limited, as it does not reproduce the real-world conditions of a moving warhead.
The objective of this work is to combine high-fidelity numerical models with unique/ad-hoc experimental activities to strengthen basic science underpinning the test and evaluation framework for warhead fragmentation and fragments fly-out. In particular, we will aim at combining the most advanced simulation capabilities with static experimental data, to obtain a transfer function predicting lethality and collateral damage of a given warhead in real-life conditions. Artificial neural networks and/or other machine learning tools (e.g., Random Forests) will be used to capture the underlying physics governing fragments dispersion under dynamic conditions, coming from NAVAIR’s Spidy software, and eventually combine this knowledge with real warhead characteristics, coming from the static test. This proposal is of high impact because of the existing gap in analytical tools to define and validate warhead fragmentation testing.
The broader impact (long term) of this work may be a software tool that the warfighter can use on the field to rapidly assess the effects of the arsenal at his disposal. This tool will be equally beneficial to designers and testers within the Air Force and the DoD in general.
Categories: Faculty-Staff
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Evaluating Preflight Weather Briefing Strategies
PI Elizabeth Blickensderfer
CO-I Thomas Guinn
CO-I Robert Thomas
The objective of this grant is to examine General Aviation (GA) pilots’ capability to conduct Preflight Weather self-briefings as compared to using Flight Services to obtain weather briefings. Previous research indicates that GA pilots are increasingly conducting weather self-briefings during preflight (Duke et al., 2019). Additional research indicates that GA pilots have moderately low performance when interpreting aviation weather observation and forecast products (Blickensderfer et al., 2019). Research is needed to assess and understand the attitudes, knowledge, and performance of GA pilots conducting self-briefings to identify possible gaps and, in turn, provide recommendations for future system design and pilot training.
Categories: Faculty-Staff
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STEM Literacy and Service-Learning
PI Sally Blomstrom
This service-learning project investigates STEM literacy and involves students in sections of Speech (COM 219). Students create an audio tour about a specimen from the A. Jewell Schock Natural History Museum. The audio tour includes the specimen’s scientific name, a description of its biology, its habitat, its diet, and the forces of flight related to the specimen as well as its biomechanics.
They will be instructed to develop content which includes descriptive information about the biology of the specimen (science), the biomechanics used (engineering), dimensions of the specimen and its rate of speed (math). They will use technology in the process of creating and sending the audio files, and the museum will use technology to make the files available to visitors of the museum, both online and in person (technology). The goal is to have students engage in research on a STEM topic and then communicate their knowledge to a general audience using technology. We are investigating if, and to what extent, the project increases STEM literacy which is defined as a demonstrated ability to read STEM text, tables, and graphics with understanding, to evaluate the quality of the read information, to identify relevant information and incorporate that information in written or oral communication.
Categories: Faculty-Staff
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Humanistic STEM: Blending Humanities and STEM to Increase Undergraduate Student Engagement, Knowledge, and Skills
PI Debra Bourdeau
NSF IUSE #2120807
Categories: Faculty-Staff
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Wind Powered Water Pump
PI Jeff Brown
CO-I Christopher Hays
The vision of the Wind-Powered Water Pump project is to develop a template for the development of long-range water transportation in areas where no other external energy sources are available.
In the developing world, the transportation of water from its source to an area of need can be troublesome. Many of the men and women in developing communities must exert strenuous amounts of effort to walk the miles to retrieve the few gallons of water that will be used over the following day(s). As representatives of the Honors Students Association, we propose a solution to this problem – a wind-powered water pump. This pump will eliminate the trek to get water, by efficiently and cheaply transporting the water to them.
Due to the lack of infrastructure and no external source of energy, the water pump must be powered with energy acquired by its own means. The project team will be conducting research into the efficiency and feasibility of multiple designs to accomplish this goal. The project will be divided into teams, each with a unique task deemed necessary to the completion of the project. Each team will be comprised of at least one, possibly two upperclassmen as leads and then primarily first-year students within the Honors Students Association. The team leads will be put into contact with a willing faculty advisor who will serve as a guide through the more challenging aspects of the project. Through this structure, teams will be able to accomplish their respective tasks while making progress toward accomplishing the project’s goal.
Categories: Undergraduate
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Gold Standards Training and Evaluator Calibration of Pilot School Check Instructors
PI Paul Cairns
CO-I Andrew Dattel
A key component of air carrier advanced qualification programs is the calibration and training of instructors and evaluators and assurance of reliable and valid data in support of such programs. A significant amount of research is available concerning the calibration of air carrier evaluators, but no research exists regarding the calibration of pilot school check instructors. This study was designed to determine if pilot school check instructors can be calibrated against a gold standard to perform reliable and accurate evaluations.
Calibration followed the principles and theories of andragogy and adult learning and teaching, including an emphasis on the cognitive domain of learning, learner-centered instruction, and human resource development. These in combination with methods commonly used in aviation instruction aimed to increase the effectiveness of the calibration. Discussion of these combinations is included. A specific method for delivery of the calibration was provided along with a complete lesson plan. This study used a one-group pretest-posttest design. A group of 10 pilot school check instructors was measured before and after receiving rater calibration training. Statistical measures included raw inter- and referent-rater agreement percentages, Cohen’s kappa and kappa-like statistics for inter- and referent-rater reliability, Pearson product-moment correlations for sensitivity to true changes in pilot performance, and a standardized mean absolute difference for grading accuracy. Improvement in all the measurements from pretest to posttest was expected, but actual results were mixed. However, a holistic interpretation of the results combined with feedback from the check instructors showed promise in calibration training for pilot school check instructors. A thorough discussion of the limitations and lessons learned from the study, recommendations for pilot schools, and recommendations for future research is included.Categories: Graduate
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Examining Unstable Approach Predictors Using Flight Data Monitoring Information
PI David Carroll
CO-I David Esser
The approach and landing phase of flight is statistically the most dangerous part of flying. While it only accounts for 4% of flight time, it represents 49% of commercial jet mishaps. One key to mitigating the risks involved in this flight segment is the stabilized approach. A stabilized approach requires meeting rigorous standards for many flight parameters as the aircraft nears landing. Exceeding any of these parameters results in an unstable approach (UA). The energy management (EM) accomplished by the flight crew, represented by the EM variables in the study, influences the execution of a stabilized approach.
While EM is a critical element of executing a stabilized approach, there appears to be a lack of studies that identify specific EM variables that contribute to UA probability. Additionally, several possible moderating variables (MVs) may affect the probability of a UA. Fortunately, modern jet transport aircraft have Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) systems that capture a wealth of information that enable the analysis of these EM variables. This study used FDM data to answer the questions about what influence a set of EM variables has on the probability of a UA event. The analysis also determined what impact a set of possible MVs, not directly related to EM, has on these EM variables influence.
The analysis used logistic regression (LR) to investigate FDM information. The LR provided estimations of odds ratios for each of the variables and the interaction factors for the MVs. These statistics defined a model to evaluate the influences of the EM and MVs, providing answers to the research questions posed. The results determined the model was a good fit to the data but had poor discrimination. The model supported three of the original seven EM hypotheses and none of the 28 MV hypotheses.
The study identified three specific EM variables that significantly influenced the probability of a UA event. Of the MVs, only one significant influence was revealed but was opposite that hypothesized. Identifying the EM variables, and examining their impacts, shows their importance in preventing UAs. Further, the results help prevent future UAs by informing the design of training programs. Additionally, the current effort fills gaps in the current body of knowledge, as there appears to be a lack of studies in the areas investigated.
A gap in the body of knowledge filled by investigating an area of limited research and the results provide practical application in the analysis of EM-related events. Aviation safety practitioners now have additional information to identify trend issues that may lead to the increased probability of a UA event. Finally, this study was one of very few granted access to actual operational FDM information by an air carrier. The data were crucial in evaluating the proposed model against real-world flight operations, comparing theory to reality. Without access to such closely held information, the research for this dissertation would not have been possible.
Categories: Graduate
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Developing Autonomous, Targeted Feedback in Precalculus
PI Darryl Chamberlain
The overriding goal of this project is to investigate student knowledge in a Precalculus course at ERAU-W in order to construct autonomous, targeted feedback for free-responses questions to enhance students' online learning. This will be accomplished by analyzing student responses to exam questions and interviewing students to probe how their mathematical conceptions correspond to their exam responses.
Categories: Faculty-Staff
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The Development and Validation of the Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS)
PI Barbara Chaparro
PI Joseph Keebler
CO-I Mikki Phan, User Experience Researcher, Google
The purpose of this research is to develop and psychometrically validate a new instrument that comprehensively measures video game satisfaction based on key factors. The video game industry often conducts playtesting sessions in order to provide insight into players’ attitudes and preferences. However, quality feedback is difficult to obtain from playtesting sessions without a quality gaming assessment tool.
A new instrument measuring video game satisfaction, called the Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS), with nine subscales emerged. These scales included Usability/Playability, Narratives, Play Engrossment, Enjoyment, Creative Freedom, Audio Aesthetics, Personal Gratification, Social Connectivity, and Visual Aesthetics.
The GUESS was developed and validated based on the assessments of over 450 unique video game titles across many popular genres. Thus, it can be applied across many types of video games in the industry both as a way to assess what aspects of a game contribute to user satisfaction and as a tool to aid in debriefing users on their gaming experience. Based on current best practices of scale development and validation, the project used a mixed-method design that consisted of item pool generation, expert review, questionnaire pilot study, exploratory factor analysis (N = 629), and confirmatory factor analysis (N = 729).
Results from this multistage process demonstrate that the GUESS can be administered to video game players with various gaming experience (e.g., newbie/novice, hardcore/expert) playing a variety of game genres. Ratings of all the items per factor can be averaged to obtain a score of each subscale and average scores for each subscale can be added together in order to obtain a composite score of video game satisfaction. This can aid game designers in determining aspects of a game to improve as well as emphasize to target gaming markets.
Since its development and validation, the GUESS continues to be used to understand video game satisfaction across platforms and user groups by both the GEARS and User Experience Research labs at ERAU as well as gaming labs from other universities.
This was dissertation research by Dr. Mikki Phan supervised by Dr. Barbara Chaparro and Dr. Joseph Keebler. Mikki is now a User Experience Researcher at Google in Mountain View, CA. For more information, see Phan, M. H., Keebler, J. R., & Chaparro, B. S. (2016). The Development and Validation of the Game User Experience Satisfaction Scale (GUESS). Human Factors, 58(8), 1217-1247 and http://www.wired.co.uk/article/science-can-now-determine-how-good-any-video-game-is . Contact Barbara.Chaparro@erau.edu to obtain the GUESS instrument.
Mikki Phan, PhDCategories: Graduate
41-50 of 238 results