Alfred University Space Materials Institute informational event set for February 28

two men standing by research equipment — Alfred University alumnus James LaPaglia ’24 (B .S., mechanical engineering, left) and Noam Sokolovsky, a senior ceramic engineering major and student intern, work on a microwave system used for solidifying lunar and Martian regolith simulants, as part of research being conducted by the university’s Space Materials Institute.

Alfred University is hosting an informational event Friday, Feb. 28, to discuss its Space Materials Institute (SMI). The SMI was established last fall to advance the science and technology of materials in support of aerospace and outer space exploration.

The Feb. 28 hybrid event, which will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. in person in Room 357 of the McMahon Engineering Building—there is also a remote Zoom option—will include five short presentations focusing on topics in space related materials. The presentations will reflect a wide range of perspectives, from representatives of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) and industry experts to student intern researchers.

The Space Materials Institute is developing new materials and processes that enable different aspects of space exploration, in collaboration with Alfred University faculty, staff, and students as well as government agency and industry partners. Research area examples include materials that enable or enhance space operations; materials processing off planet; and materials analysis and characterization.

SMI projects engage students in hands-on experiential learning opportunities, while allowing companies to develop and protect intellectual property. Agencies and companies working with SMI include NASA, ARPA-E, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Army Research Laboratories (ARL), SpaceX, Blue Origin, Safran Aerosystems, Lockheed Martin, Washington Mills, Lithoz, and Blue Star Advanced Manufacturing.

Washington Mills has developed a lunar regolith simulant (artificial lunar dust). The material is commercially available for experimentation and testing so that processes can be developed on Earth for eventual “in situ resource utilization” of actual materials found on the moon. Alfred University senior ceramic engineering major Braden Heim served as an intern at Washington Mills for its lunar regolith project.

Dr. Holly Shulman ’87 is director of the Space Materials Institute and president of Blue Star Advanced Manufacturing, working on the NASA Moon to Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technologies (MMPACT). Blue Star Advanced Manufacturing has employed and trained more than 10 student interns to work on NASA contracts to develop extreme energy-efficient microwave dust mitigation and processing of regolith for landing pads and 3D construction. This technology is applicable to lunar, Martian and other environments. The Feb. 28 event at Alfred University will include a live demonstration featuring microwave sintering of lunar regolith material.

A joint project between Alfred University and DEVCOM (U.S. Army Capabilities Development Command), Army Research Laboratory—funded by a $13.5 million federal contract over five years—studies forming and characterization of ultra-high temperature ceramic (UHTC) materials. Research at Alfred University also focuses on discovering next-generation UHTCs while characterization of a wide range of UHTC materials provides a pathway to making improved materials for defense systems and aerospace applications. These materials must be able to withstand the extreme temperatures that result from traveling at speeds greater than Mach 5. Scott Misture ’90, Ph.D. ’95, Inamori Professor, materials science and engineering, serves as principal investigator.

The public is invited to attend the Feb. 28 event, either in person or remotely via Zoom. Refreshments will be served to those attending in person. Message the Space Materials Institute on LinkedIn or email [email protected] to request the Zoom meeting link.