Justin Selected with NASA NIFS Opportunity for Mars Mission
Fall 2017
Justin Morales is a Mechanical Engineering student with a focus in Material Science at Florida State University (FSU). He was awarded with the prestigious NASA NIFS opportunity (Internships, Fellowships & Scholarships) to work on a collaborative project between NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Dr. Cheryl Xu’s lab. The purpose of this project is to manufacture one kind of flexible, thermally-stable, radiation-shielding-capable ceramic composites for Mars exploration mission. Space is an extreme environment and NASA’s missions require advanced materials that can provide sufficient protection for space vehicles, structures, and astronauts (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Depolyable habitats to block space radiation exposure (Credit: NASA.gov).
News from the FSU 12th Annual Innovators’ Reception
Fall 2017
The Florida State University Offices of Research and Commercialization recognize the members of the university community who have achieved notable milestones in intellectual property and commercialization. Quotes from VP Dr. Gary Ostrander: “Your efforts to commercialize your research are enthusiastically applauded as it is no small task to first recognize the marketplace potential of your work, and then endure the highs and lows of its commercial journey. Each of you is an innovator in the truest form and FSU is fortunate to have access to your vision and expertise as we work together to improve the world.”
Photo taken with FSU President John E. Thrasher.
Dr. Xu win GAP awards to take science from lab to market (Featured in FSU news)
Summer 2017
Dr. Xu developed a novel sensor using ceramic material that can withstand harsh environments, such as the inside of a turbine engine located on a jet or in a power plant. These sensors can provide critical temperature and pressure data, alerting operators to potential problems before they occur.
High Temperature Furnace Apparatus for Dielectric Property Characterization of Ceramic Materials
Spring 2017
In order to measure the electrical properties of ceramic materials, an experimental apparatus has been designed and set up to measure the dielectric properties of ceramic materials at high temperature and in hostile environments, which is one of free space measurement (wirelessly non-contact non-destructive measurement).
FSU researchers win GAP awards to launch ideas to marketplace (Featured in FSU news)
Summer 2016
Dr. Xu is using a 3D printer to create a novel ceramic material that can withstand harsh environments, such as the inside of a high-speed jet turbine. The sensors can provide critical data about heat and pressure abnormalities occurring in the intricate spaces of these turbines that can help predict issues before they occur.
Dr. Xu selected as the 2015 recipient of the IEEE Education Society Teaching Award
The IEEE Education Society has selected Dr. Chengying Xu to be the 2015 recipient of the Mac E. VanValkenburg Early Career Teaching Award. On behalf of the IEEE Education Society, James (Jim) J. Sluss, Jr., Ph.D., President, IEEE Education Society, informed Dr. Xu of her selection as recipient of this award. “For leadership in engineering education innovation and outstanding classroom teaching, providing students with hands-on experience in classes and research, and helping them understand fundamentals using practical examples.”
2011 ONR Young Investigator
Dr. Chengying Xu is among the 2011 ONR Young Investigator Awardees.
2011 SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer
The Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award is nearly 30 years young. Since 1980, it has recognized manufacturing engineers, age 35 or younger, who have made exceptional contributions and accomplishments in the manufacturing industry.
UCF Scientists Win Research Grant to Develop Power-Plant Sensor
From Orlando Sentinel, September 1, 2009: A trio of UCF scientists has been awarded $811,186 by the U.S. Department of Energy to invent a tiny-but-tough device that could help solve global warming and reduce energy consumption.
A Textbook: Intelligent Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Control
A new book “Intelligent Systems: Modeling, Optimization and Control” authored by Professor Shin and Prof. Xu has been published in Jan. 2009 by CRC Press, Francis and Taylor Group. This book provides a thorough introduction to the field of soft computing techniques. It covers every major technique in artificial intelligence in a clear and practical style.