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2021 NASA EPSCOR ISS/SFO

Proposal Abstracts

Contents 

21-ISS 2021 -0003..................................................................................................................................... 1

Appendix G - Three-Dimensional Plume-surface Interaction and Crater Formation Dynamic 

Measurements in Reduced Gravity Environments .................................................................................... 1

21-ISS 2021-0005...................................................................................................................................... 2

Thermal transport characterization of phase-change material (PCM) infused in annular passage filled 

with additively manufactured metal foam obtained through Octet-shaped unit cell reticulation under 

micro-gravity conditions........................................................................................................................... 2

21-ISS 2021-0006...................................................................................................................................... 3

Suborbital Flight Demonstration of Ionizing Radiation Dosimeters for use in the Upper Atmosphere - 

Appendix G

....................................... ........................................................................................................................... 3

21-ISS 2021-0013...................................................................................................................................... 4

3-D printing of flexible electronics for in-space manufacturing and investigations via microgravity 

parabolic flight tests: EPSCoR Suborbital Flight Opportunity

.................................................................................................................................................................. 4

21-ISS 2021 -0003

Appendix G - Three-Dimensional Plume-surface Interaction and Crater Formation Dynamic 

Measurements in Reduced Gravity Environments 

University of Alabama in Huntsville 

Dr. Lawrence Thomas 

Summary not submitted in NSPIRES. 
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2021 NASA EPSCOR ISS/SFO

Proposal Abstracts

21-ISS 2021-0005

Thermal transport characterization of phase-change material (PCM) infused in annular passage 

filled with additively manufactured metal foam obtained through Octet-shaped unit cell 

reticulation under micro-gravity conditions

The University of Mississippi

Dr. Nathan Murray

This proposal is aimed towards understanding the melting-solidification dynamics of phase change materials in 

the presence of porous mesh under terrestrial and micro-gravity conditions. A comprehensive experimental 

and computational program will be executed where firstly, the direct numerical code will be validated against 

our in-house experimental data under terrestrial conditions, which will be followed by a topology optimization 

program to tune the Octet-unit cell structure for superior charging and discharging capabilities under both 

terrestrial and micro-gravity conditions. The proposed concept of reticulating the Octet topology and infusing 

the void space with phase change material is expected to enhance the effective thermal conductivity of the 

composite by over 25 times compared to PCM-only configuration, which will be a significant enhancement in 

PCM capabilities and will open new lines of research in the area of microgravity science and technology 

involving tunable lattice frame materials infused with PCM. 

Above objective is not possible with the current state-of-the-art computational models since the experimental 

data of transient response of PCM infused in porous media under microgravity conditions does not exist in the 

literature. Through this program, we will deploy a payload weighing less than 1 kg with overall external 

dimensions within 100mm x 100mm x 340 mm, comprising of four different configurations of additively 

manufactured lattice with infused PCM, on-board data acquisition of transient temperature response, onboard video recording facility and storage. The payload will be carried by our flight service provider Zero-g 

where 4 parabolic flights with 30 parabolas per flight will be executed in a Boeing 727-200F aircraft. For each 

of the maneuvers, a micro-gravity time frame of 17 seconds is expected, and, in this duration, the four 

configurations will be heated such that their melting-solidification phases can be captured under micro-gravity 

condition.

A comprehensive data analysis and direct numerical model training and validation program will be executed 

following the flight testing. The project will provide a validated computational model, a topology optimization 

strategy, and real-time transient thermal response experimental data, all under micro-gravity condition. Above 

deliverables are expected to significantly enhance our fundamental understanding of the phase change 

process and interfacial heat and mass transport characteristics under micro-gravity conditions."
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2021 NASA EPSCOR ISS/SFO

Proposal Abstracts

21-ISS 2021-0006

Suborbital Flight Demonstration of Ionizing Radiation Dosimeters for use in the Upper 

Atmosphere - Appendix G

Oklahoma State University 

Dr. Andrew Arena 

While the radiation environment in low-Earth orbit, e.g. aboard the International Space Station (ISS), has been 

studied in great detail, a similar level of detail is lacking regarding the ionizing radiation environment in the 

Earth s atmosphere. To put it bluntly, we know far more about the radiation environment 400 km above our 

heads than at 40 km above our heads. Suborbital flight provides an opportunity to measure the steady state 

atmospheric ionizing radiation environment (SSAIRE) between 20 and 120 km, thereby providing important 

information regarding the SSAIRE that have seldom been addressed in the past. Such measurements will allow 

us to validate computer models of the SSAIRE and will provide important information regarding the impact of 

the SSAIRE on the health of high altitude aircrew and passengers and on possible effects of the SSAIRE on 

radiation sensitivity avionics. In addition, suborbital tourism is on the cusp of becoming a reality and 

passengers on flights to the highest altitudes in our atmosphere will naturally be concerned about their 

radiation exposure during such flights. Measurements made aboard suborbital flights can directly address and 

alleviate their concerns regarding radiation exposure in the upper atmosphere. 

We propose to demonstrate a version of the Active Tissue Equivalent Dosimeter (ATED) designed specifically 

for measuring ionizing radiation exposure in the atmosphere aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard suborbital 

flight. ATED is a tissue equivalent proportional counter (TEPC) developed by the Oklahoma State University 

(OSU) Radiation Physics Laboratory (RPL) under a 2007 NASA EPSCoR grant NNX07AT66A, Tissue Equivalent 

Detectors for Space Crew Dosimetry and Characterization of the Space Radiation Environment. ATED 

previously operated aboard the ISS in 2018 under NASA EPSCoR grant NNX6AD50A Demonstration of the 

OSU Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter for Space Crew Dosimetry aboard the International Space Station. 

Figure 1 shows a representative sample of the results obtained during the 2018 ISS ATED experiment. The 

atmospheric ionizing radiation version of ATED, henceforth referred to as AirTED, is designed to be produced 

in larger numbers so that it may be deployed for radiation monitoring purposes aboard multiple commercial, 

business and military aircraft, as well as high altitude UAVs, balloons and suborbital vehicles. For this reason, 

numerous changes to the design have been made in order reduce instrument cost, size and mass, as well as 

implement a number of lessons learned from the ISS flight. 

In addition to the AirTED, we propose to fly a Liulin-b21 Mobile Dosimetry Unit (MDU), a compact Si 

spectrometer produced by the Space Research and Technology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTIBAS). In terms of their sensitivity to ionizing radiation, the Liulin b21 and the AirTED can be seen as 

complimentary. The AirTED is sensitive to radiation of LET e1 keV/mm including heavy ions, secondary 
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2021 NASA EPSCOR ISS/SFO

Proposal Abstracts

neutrons and lower energy protons. LET or linear energy transfer is the amount of energy deposited by a 

radiation particle per unit path length as it traverses a material (sensitive volume of a detector in this case) and 

is directly proportional to absorbed dose, the principal quantity used in measuring ionizing radiation. The 

Liulin-4 is sensitive to charged particles and energetic x/g-rays with signal between 0.1 to 40 keV/mm, 

including high energy protons, electrons and positrons, charged pions and muons encountered in the upper 

atmosphere. By using both of these compact detectors together, we will be able to measure the total 

absorbed dose and other biologically-weighted dosimetric quantities over the whole of the LET spectral range 

relevant to radiation protection of passengers and crew in the upper atmosphere. 

21-ISS 2021-0013

3-D printing of flexible electronics for in-space manufacturing and investigations via 

microgravity parabolic flight tests: EPSCoR Suborbital Flight Opportunity

Iowa State University - Iowa Space Grant Consortium 

Dr. Tomas Gonzalez-Torres 

Our groups at Iowa State University (ISU) will collaborate with NASA Marshall Flight Research Center (MSFC) 

and Zero Gravity Corporation (Zero-G) on developing and validating electrohydrodynamic inkjet (EHD) printing 

for in-space manufacturing via parabolic flight tests. EHD printing utilizes the electrical force to drive the 

printing mechanism without the need for gravity. The project will pave the path for manufacturing sensors and 

electronics on a flexible substrate and/or mounted onboard the International Space Station (ISS). 

Our team has been working with MSFC as part of NASA s Exploration Campaign efforts, aligned with the key 

focus area of in-space manufacturing and STEM education strategic plan. NASA MSFC is leading an effort to 

send a 3D printer to the ISS in 2025. Our team has been down-selected to validate the feasibility of integrating 

EHD printing into nScrypt for this mission. So far, we have established NASA collaborations via a seed grant 

from Iowa NASA EPSCoR, and a NASA EPSCoR supplement grant. We have successfully initiated preliminary 

research work, developed a portable EHD printer, and promote STEM education and outreach. This EPSCoR ISS 

Suborbital project will give us opportunities to run flight tests and contribute significantly to accomplish NASA 

missions. 

The overarching goal is to develop and validate EHD printing via suborbital flight tests, and to ensure this 

technique is capable of manufacturing sensors and electronics for use as wearable devices at ISS. The 

experimental validation in the flight test will help simulate printing in space and optimize our design of the 

printing system. More specifically, the objectives are 1) establish an integrated computational and 

experimental tool to model EHD printing in microgravity; 2) create new nano-inks and provide fundamental 

knowledge on how ink formulation influences the printing process; 3) validate the portable EHD printer via 

parabolic flight tests (Zero-G microgravity environment); 4) utilize in-situ data analytics for quality assurance; 

5) establish feedback control schemes via artificial intelligence tools; 6) promote the STEM education and

outreach activities between Iowa and NASA through the EPSCoR program.
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2021 NASA EPSCOR ISS/SFO

Proposal Abstracts

The benefits of a microgravity environment to the research include: 1) Calibrate the performance of EHD 

printing under gravity-free environment; 2) Further develop theoretical and simulation studies to model the 

printing process under microgravity; 3) Study how ink formulation and property affect the printing quality in 

microgravity; 4) Design new protocol for both materials development and printing process to optimize printing 

performance; 5) contribute to the economic development, science, research and education infrastructure in 

Iowa. Upon success, we will establish research infrastructure towards long-term and self-sustaining capabilities 

in aerospace between Iowa and NASA. The project will lead to the following deliverables: 1) models of the EHD 

printing process; 2) nanoink synthesis and formulation; 3) performance of the printed patterns; 4) knowledge 

of the structure-property relationship of the nanoink and printed materials; 5) flight test and result analysis. 

Our long-term goal is to integrate the proposed printing technique into NASA s current nScrypt system by 

2025. 

The Sc-I Dr. Hantang Qin has a long track record in EHD printing process modeling, control and optimization. 

The Co-I Dr. Shan Jiang has expertise in material synthesis, with a particular focus on nanomaterials and ink 

formulation. He has also held US patents for fabricating different types of particles and ink formulation. The 

NASA PI Tomas Gonzalez-Torres will supervise the progress and promote the idea with NASA colleagues. Dr. 

Curtis Hill provides a support letter for this proposal.