WPI Experts

As NASA prepares for the historic Artemis II crewed Moon mission, WPI experts in aerospace engineering can offer perspective and discuss their research which seeks to help overcome some of the hurdles to safely returning people to the Moon. Projects include: 

• Creating computer simulations and exploring the use of electron beams to prevent clingy, sharp, and damaging lunar dust from sticking to surfaces. 

  The goal is to protect astronaut space suits and other space exploration equipment.

   

• Exploring how to control liquids with wire screens in low gravity. 

  The goal is to improve phase separation applications such as water purification or fuel management, on spacecraft and space stations on the moon. 

   

• Designing robust vehicle trajectories.  

  The goal is to improve autonomous cislunar operations.

Yonghui Ding, an assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, is working on a new approach for heart bypass grafts to improve heart bypass surgeries. He and research collaborators have developed a rapid 3D-printing process using biodegradable “ink” and light to produce tubular implantable scaffolds that can help regenerate blood vessels to the heart.