Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering News

Abhishek Sastri ’20 won $25,000 from a Blue Origin-sponsored contest for his company’s microgravity coolant that could reduce energy consumption in data centers around the world.

Aerospace engineering researcher Samik Bhattacharya received a $441,000 grant to study bird wing morphing, which could improve the stability of unmanned aerial vehicles in strong gusts of wind.

The program is designed to prepare students for research and development careers in the biomedical industry, government labs and organizations and academia.

The technology can help communities become more resilient and aid utility companies in balancing out consumer power demands by storing excess energy from renewable sources like solar and wind.

The project teaches students the engineering skills and principles that are vitally important for establishing a diverse workforce in aerospace and related fields.

The annual top 10 research news list is based on UCF Today page views and coverage UCF research received by global, national, state and local media.

Taylor Peterson’s research will focus on the boiling effect of super-cooled cryogenic propellant in microgravity and will support NASA’S Artemis program.

The project focuses on rotating detonation rocket engines, which use high-energy explosions to produce more energy with less fuel, improving engine efficiency and cutting down space travel costs and emissions.

Using resources found in space to construct off-world structures can drastically reduce the need to transport building materials for programs like Artemis.