Abdolvand has been elected to the National Academy of Inventors鈥� (NAI) 2025 class of fellows. He鈥檚 the only 麻豆原创 faculty member selected in 2025 for the honor, the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors whose work has made a tangible impact on society.

“I hope to use this position to inspire my young colleagues and students to deepen their belief in the power of innovation.”

The 2025 class includes 169 inventors from across the globe, representing every major field of discovery. NAI fellows will formally be recognized at the NAI 15th Annual Conference in California in June.

For Abdolvand, an expert in microelectromechanical systems and chair of 麻豆原创鈥檚 , this recognition is deeply humbling.

鈥淧ersonally, this achievement serves as a powerful reminder that curiosity and persistence eventually yield a meaningful harvest,鈥� he says. 鈥淧rofessionally, I view this induction not just as a milestone, but as a platform. I hope to use this position to inspire my young colleagues and students to deepen their belief in the power of innovation, encouraging them to sharpen their creativity and pursue every opportunity to translate complex research into real-world solutions.鈥�

Curiosity as a Catalyst

Invention and innovation have been the hallmark of Abdolvand鈥檚 career, though becoming an inventor was never a goal he set out to achieve. Instead, it blossomed naturally from his curious nature.

鈥淔or me, invention is not an isolated goal; it is the natural byproduct of trying to understand,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 find my mind is constantly ‘connecting the dots’ between my existing knowledge and new information. Once that clarity is achieved, innovation follows naturally.鈥�

That mindset fuels the work of Abdolvand鈥檚 , where he and his students design microsystems that apply the principles of energy conversion at the micro-scale. Their research focuses on developing efficient transducers 鈥� devices that allow electronic systems to interact with their environment with minimal energy loss.

Recently, the team developed a device that converts high-frequency signals into direct current, enabling easy sensing without sophisticated electronics. One of Abdolvand鈥檚 former students is now working to commercialize the technology, which he says is the most satisfying part of the research process.

Abdolvand works closely with the Technology Transfer team to ensure these promising innovations are not only properly protected through patent filing but also strategically positioned for commercial success.

Embracing Failure to Find Breakthroughs

“It is almost always the lessons learned during those unsuccessful attempts that provide the clarity needed to reach a … breakthrough.”

For the next generation of inventors, Abdolvand鈥檚 advice is refreshingly candid: reconnect with childhood curiosity, find the “why” behind everything and don鈥檛 shy away from failure 鈥� even when it happens often.

鈥淚nvention is a process of elimination,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e should not fear failure but rather embrace it as a necessary teacher. It is almost always the lessons learned during those unsuccessful attempts that provide the clarity needed to reach a new understanding and, ultimately, a breakthrough.鈥�

Through his research, mentorship and leadership, Abdolvand is shaping a future where innovation is fearless 鈥� driven not just by answers, but by the courage to keep asking questions.

麻豆原创 will aid in the development of this technology through a new regional research hub led by the University of Florida. The goal is to use digital twins, virtual representations of physical objects or processes, to optimize semiconductor manufacturing. The Florida/Caribbean hub is one of seven research hubs across the U.S. that comprise the Manufacturing USA institute called SMART USA, which was funded through a $285 million award from the federal administration earlier this year.

The funding was highly competitive and is a result of the U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute competition, which selected the SMART USA proposal from dozens of entries. SMART, which stands for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Research with Twins, is led by the Semiconductor Research Corporation.

鈥淭he focus of this hub is going to be on digital twins,鈥� says Professor Reza Abdolvand, the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering who co-led 麻豆原创鈥檚 portion of the proposal alongside Grace Bochenek 鈥�98PhD, the executive director of the Pegasus Research Institute and the director of the Institute for Simulation and Training. 鈥淭he goal is to accurately virtualize the manufacturing process so we can find out what could go wrong before starting the costly and time-consuming manufacturing process.鈥�

The Problems With Semiconductor Manufacturing

Semiconductor chips aren鈥檛 simple to make. They are fabricated in huge facilities called semiconductor fabrication plants which consist of highly controlled environments called cleanrooms. Here, the air is constantly filtered to remove small particles that could create defects in the final product. Most chips are made from silicon wafers, which are more brittle than glass, and the process of turning these silicon substrates into semiconductor chips is lengthy and complex 鈥� it can take hundreds of steps and up to six months to produce one batch of silicon wafers from start to finish.

鈥淢istakes in this process are very expensive and they can be made in many steps,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淚n the design, for example 鈥� if what you design is faulty, the end product will be faulty and you could lose billions of dollars.鈥�

Currently, the industry can and does use modeling and simulation in the design process, so they can better predict if the final product will work as intended. But this technology has not caught up to the manufacturing process.

鈥淢anufacturing is basically trial and error until you鈥檙e happy with what you see,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淭he hope is to extend the modeling concept to what the tool can do with the substrate. What if we can simulate what the tool does before it happens?鈥�

The tools used in the manufacturing process can become outdated and obsolete very quickly, which have also posed challenges for the industry, specifically increasing the modeling reiteration cost for manufacturing.

麻豆原创鈥檚 Role in the Research Hub

Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning now allows for development of realistic models that could solve the semiconductor industry鈥檚 challenges. AI-enabled digital twins can be used to mimic the manufacturing process, allowing tech businesses to predict what errors could be made before they occur, saving both time and money.

Abdolvand and Bochenek are leading the charge for the university. Together, ECE and IST researchers will gather, collect, analyze and interpret data that can be used to create a digital twin.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about this partnership and 麻豆原创鈥檚 contributions to SMART USA鈥檚 effort to achieve national security goals through聽innovative digital transformation,鈥� Bochenek says. 鈥淭his region will be key in ensuring the U.S. global competitive advantage in this semiconductor chip manufacturing.鈥�

Bringing semiconductor manufacturing to the U.S. is a key goal for the institute, to not only remain dominant in the global market, but to be more cost effective.

鈥淭he largest companies with semiconductor business are in the U.S. They do the design here, but the manufacturing is outside the U.S.,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淭he plan is to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. If manufacturing cost could be reduced through digital twining, manufacturing can be done in the U.S. and still be very cost competitive.鈥�

The inaugural group of selected laureates includes:

• Paul Amoruso 鈥�21 鈥�23MS 鈥� Ph.D. in computer engineering
• Mohammad Hossein Akyash 鈥� Ph.D. in electrical engineering
• Zubaidah Al-Mashhdani 鈥� Ph.D. in electrical engineering
• Fangzhou Ye 鈥� Ph.D. in computer engineering

As Future Faculty Laureates, these students have access to advanced opportunities that include the chance to teach courses, mentor undergraduate students, publish in academic journals, present at STEM conferences and draft research proposals. They can also participate in biweekly seminars at 麻豆原创 and other universities, and receive a small discretionary budget for conference travel and professional development.

Al-Mashhdani says the program provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for doctoral students who aim to become professors.

鈥淭he program is an exceptional resource to prepare for academic roles, something that isn鈥檛 typically addressed through formal training for graduate students,鈥� Al-Mashhdani says. 鈥淚 see this as an incredible chance to learn from experienced faculty, gain insight from their expertise, and grow both personally and professionally.鈥�

Amoruso says he is also grateful for the opportunity to hone his teaching skills, which he began to develop as a teaching assistant in his master鈥檚 program.

鈥淲hen I started working as a teaching assistant, I discovered a new passion for teaching others,鈥� Amoruso says. 鈥淥ne of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is the profound sense of satisfaction I feel when I successfully explain a seemingly complex problem or concept, and then watch as students grasp and understand it with clarity and confidence.鈥�

The Future Faculty Laureates Program was developed by professors Ron DeMara and Azadeh Vosoughi to address the gap in STEM curricula for students who want to become faculty members.

Students can be nominated for the program by their dissertation advisor through a formal submission process. Applicants are reviewed by the department鈥檚 development committee and the graduate coordinator for final selection by the department chair. Although 麻豆原创 electrical engineering and computer engineering doctoral students are the only students eligible for the program right now, the department does hope to expand it to multiple STEM disciplines and other universities in the future.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a longstanding gap in STEM programs nationally to train future faculty, including great teachers and mentors, beyond attaining technical research aptitudes inherent in every doctoral program,鈥� DeMara says. 鈥淪o we鈥檝e launched ways to make that interwoven with their degree program, rather than a glimpse in the month before graduation or as an afterthought.鈥�

Those who are interested in participating may contact the department chair, Reza Abdolvand, at reza.abdolvand@ucf.edu.

鈥淚f we take our values seriously,鈥� he says with a voice as welcoming as his smile, 鈥渢hen good things will happen.鈥�

His statement about values would be rather vague if there weren鈥檛 concrete reminders of them at the top of Abdolvand鈥檚 bookcase: thank-you cards from current and former 麻豆原创 students. The centerpiece of his uncluttered desk serves as another reminder: a well-worn mousepad with a picture of his daughter and son taken around the same time Abdolvand came to 麻豆原创 in 2014.

鈥淭his,鈥� he says, picking up the mousepad, 鈥渋s a big reason why I鈥檓 here.鈥�

He mentions values two more times before moving on to 鈥渢he objectives of 麻豆原创 as a whole鈥� and 鈥渢he objectives of the electrical and computer engineering department as a unit.鈥� Asked to explain what he means, Abdolvand pulls out another visual aid: a department magazine he helped conceive, called Charged.

鈥淩ight here,鈥� he says, pointing to the 10 faculty members on the magazine鈥檚 cover. They鈥檙e among 21 new electrical and computer engineering hires over the past two years, an expansion of more than 50%. 鈥淵es, this is about engineering and research, but people 鈥� quality people 鈥� are the most important part of our infrastructure. And this kind of growth 鈥� I didn鈥檛 think it was possible.鈥�

It鈥檚 an interesting comment from a research professor who could be describing impossible inventions that are smaller than dust particles. Instead, he has something bigger in mind.

鈥淪ee the tagline of the magazine?鈥� he says, tapping a finger on the four words under the Charged title: To empower and serve. 鈥淪erving our constituents 聽is at the core of our values.鈥�

Abdolvand has spent nearly as much time since 2022 vetting faculty candidates as he has looking through powerful electron microscopes. It isn鈥檛 enough to simply hire enough faculty to keep up with the demand from student enrollment.

鈥淲e need to find the right faculty,鈥� he says, speaking partly about their research interests in key fields like energy, AI and semiconductors. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more than that. They need to also fit the personality of 麻豆原创. Just like it is with humans, our personality is unique.鈥�

With that, he brings the connection between values, objectives and personality full circle to the link that until now has been missing from the conversation.

鈥淚nvention,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e invent in labs, of course, but there鈥檚 another kind of invention that makes 麻豆原创 different. Anyone who comes into our department will help us invent new ways to serve our students.鈥�

What he is talking about includes a new master鈥檚 program in robotics, certificate programs in electronic parts engineering and semiconductor manufacturing, and other tracks and minors that are still being developed.

鈥淭he foundation of our infrastructure, however, are the faculty and students,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淭hey reflect our personality. Young. Creative. This is a top university for social mobility, which is big. And we have a history rooted in technology. All of this is in the genes of 麻豆原创.鈥�

It鈥檚 this personality that attracted him to 麻豆原创 10 years ago when there was no university-level facility for fabrication of the microscale devices that his research depends on. He was willing to help build this infrastructure because he admits to also being drawn to something more obvious.

鈥淭his is Florida. It鈥檚 beautiful. And we are not a college town in the middle of nowhere. We鈥檙e in Orlando,鈥� he says as he picks up the mousepad again. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great place for raising a family.鈥�

We can鈥檛 leave Abdolvand the father, the hiring manager and the mentor without seeing something from Abdolvand the inventor.

鈥淵ou want to see what we research?鈥� he says, standing up from his desk. 鈥淥K, I鈥檒l show you. Although, you cannot actually 鈥榮ee鈥� anything.鈥�

He leads the way across the L3Harris Engineering Center to a cleanroom in another building. Until recently, it would have taken months to gain access to the cleanroom. Abdolvand spent four years reshaping the process.

鈥淨uicker access fits the infrastructure we want,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t means our research can be far more efficient.鈥�

Along a hallway, Abdolvand stands outside the windows of the cleanroom. Inside, researchers wear protective suits, head coverings and booties. From the windows, it鈥檚 like watching delicate surgery from a safe distance.

鈥淭he people don鈥檛 need to protect themselves from anything,鈥� Abdolvand says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e protecting the devices.鈥� For context, the air in a typical room has more than 500,000 particles of size 0.5 micrometer or larger per cubic feet. A cleanroom should have far less than that. 鈥淚f those small 聽particles sit on a device we鈥檝e fabricated, the device can be ruined.鈥�

None of it is visible: the particles or the devices.

鈥淚t鈥檚 complex, I know,鈥� Abdolvand says.

For more context, he points out a scanning electron microscope near the window. The scope bounces high-energy electrons off the surface of micro- and nano-devices to convert what is impossible to optically see into gray-scale pictures. This has helped Abdolvand develop microscopic devices similar to the tiny microphones that are utilized in smartphones.

鈥淚鈥檓 still amazed at times that we鈥檙e doing this kind of research,鈥� he says.

As he walks back toward his office, Abdolvand casually waves to one student and faculty member after another. These are the values and objectives he explained earlier, in plain sight. People. Personality. Mentorship. Then, before heading into another meeting, he finally opens up about the one topic he鈥檚 avoided: himself.

鈥淚鈥檓 an engineer, an inventor,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou know the [notion] 鈥� we鈥檙e good with 鈥榯hings,鈥� but not necessarily with people. And it鈥檚 true that I鈥檓 naturally an introvert. It鈥檚 my personality. So, for a long time I believed making the next important gadgets would be my calling. But after I came to 麻豆原创, I realized how fulfilling it is to be a teacher and mentor. It surprised me. What I鈥檓 doing now, the relationships, the cards in my office, this is not what I anticipated for my career. It鈥檚 much better than anything I ever imagined.鈥�

The two-week program, sponsored by Intel and hosted by 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Engineering and Computer Science, exposed students and local educators to the field of semiconductor manufacturing through a series of comprehensive and hands-on experiences.

Semiconductor chips manipulate and store electromagnetic energy, making them essential components in electronics such as computers, medical devices and smartphones.

Intel supported the workshops financially and through its Intel Scholars program at 麻豆原创, which offers undergraduates interested in semiconductor manufacturing paid internships and opportunities to work in 麻豆原创鈥檚 cleanrooms.

Intel scholars and faculty guided the participants through four separate modules that included the history of semiconductor electronics, the CHIPS and Science Act, semiconductor materials and a thorough look at the fabrication process.

There is a great need to prepare the emerging national workforce to meet the growing domestic and international demand for semiconductors, says Reza Abdolvand, 麻豆原创 professor and chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) department and SMART workshop coordinator.

鈥淲e have identified a gap in training that is not unique to 麻豆原创,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 across all educational institutions in the U.S. and that gap is training in semiconductor manufacturing. Institutions, including 麻豆原创, are trying to help the industry by creating workforce development programs that focus on this demand.鈥�

The SMART workshop aimed to address that gap in training and is a testament to 麻豆原创鈥檚 willingness to do so, Abdolvand says.

鈥淲e鈥檝e planned and executed the SMART workshop as part of the program this past summer,鈥� he says. 鈥淚n this workshop, we are compressing a huge amount of information and conveying it to participants in two weeks with the goal of reintroducing this training to a larger audience including undergraduate students, K12 teachers and college instructors.鈥�

The workshop covered many complex topics over a short time. Although it wasn鈥檛 a full education, it was crucial for igniting participants鈥� passion for furthering their semiconductor manufacturing knowledge, Abdolvand says.

鈥淲hat I would like to see is for them to get excited about the topic,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not about whether or not they totally understood what we鈥檙e talking about, but to get excited and interested.鈥�

Educators at 麻豆原创 and other higher learning institutions in the U.S. still have work to do in keeping pace with semiconductor manufacturing demand, Abdolvand says.

鈥淸Over] the past several decades, semiconductor manufacturing has moved outside of the U.S.,鈥� he says. 鈥淓ducational institutions, for the most part, didn鈥檛 invest enough [in training] undergraduate students in that domain. The U.S. is pursuing a revival of leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and that has recently come to the forefront of everyone鈥檚 mind in regard to technology leadership.鈥�

Will Goodman, a Valencia College electrical and computer engineering technology lab supervisor, says the workshop was easy to understand and translate to others.

鈥淲hen you break the production of semiconductors down, you realize how approachable some of the steps can be,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what made me feel like although this is a complex subject it can be very approachable.鈥�

The proliferation of semiconductors in everyday life is what prompted Eric Apfel, a Wekiva High School physics teacher, to attend SMART.

鈥淭he technology is growing and growing on a scale I couldn鈥檛 have imagined 20-30 years ago,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he devices that students carry around use semiconductors and it鈥檚 important to keep making them more efficient, better and smaller so they can continue introducing the technology to the next generation.鈥�

Apfel says he鈥檒l implement both the knowledge and the instruction methods that he learned at the workshop to his students.

鈥淚 plan to use everything in this workshop to give students an idea of something they may be interested in but may not even know about yet,鈥� he says.

Melyia Ingram and Labiba Ibrahim, both Intel scholars, say it was gratifying to teach others about semiconductors and enrich their own knowledge, too.

鈥淚t鈥檚 mainly about bringing people together about semiconductors,鈥� Ingram says. 鈥淲e learned about semiconductors and the nitty gritty of the process. This was a chance to get exposed to that and to teach others.鈥�

鈥淪MART 2024 is a workshop that allows you to learn more about chip manufacturing and have an opportunity to gain that experience at an undergrad level,鈥� Ibrahim says. 鈥淚 met all kinds of people, and they all had different perspectives. They asked us a lot of different questions and it helped reshape my perspectives, too.鈥�

Namisha Jagmohan 鈥�24, a student in the ECE department and a cleanroom co-op, says the workshop was a great way to make the complex topic of semiconductor manufacturing much more accessible.

鈥淭he world of semiconductor manufacturing is very daunting on the outside,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he more that you steep in it, the more you learn you have to keep asking questions and you鈥檒l eventually catch on to how everything works. We had the opportunity to demonstrate the whole manufacturing process from start to finish.鈥�

The student participants also had a fulfilling experience, with their interest in semiconductors piqued.

鈥淥nce I got to 麻豆原创, 鈥� I found a lot of interest in semiconductors, as it鈥檚 an interconnect in fields such as physics, materials sciences and more,鈥� says Christian Turner, an electrical engineering student at 麻豆原创. 鈥淕etting to go into the labs and feel like a researcher was different from going to class and just listening to a lecture.鈥�

The interactive portions of the SMART workshop provided 麻豆原创 electrical engineering student Thomas Parker with a new perspective and real-world experience with semiconductor manufacturing, he says.

鈥淭he part I found most engaging was how hands-on the experience was,鈥� Parker says. 鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 all that aware of what semiconductor manufacturing involved. It was great being in those cleanrooms and seeing how it was with building and creating these parts.鈥�

Overall, the SMART workshop accomplished its goal in empowering and inspiring students and faculty to pursue semiconductor manufacturing as part of their STEM education and curriculum, Abdolvand says.

鈥淚n my interactions with the students,” he says, “if I’ve managed to spark their curiosity and make them aware that this field exists [and is] something they can explore further, then that’s a significant victory in my book.鈥�

For more information on SMART 2024, please visit the . Interested electrical and computer engineering students can find available scholarships on the .

The program allows engineering students to gain real-world experience while meeting the needs of the industry. Starting Fall 2024, students can enroll in the graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, offered through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in partnership with the NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program.

The certificate program will train students to evaluate and test the electrical and electronic components of devices and equipment used in the harsh environment of space. 麻豆原创 is one of three universities 鈥� and the only university in Florida 鈥� to partner with NASA on the program.

“The new graduate certificate … marks a significant step in our commitment to enhance our role in this sector.” 鈥� Reza Abdolvand, chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

鈥淚n alignment with 麻豆原创鈥檚 vision as [America鈥檚] Space University and in response to the demands of prominent local industries, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is prioritizing space electronics as a key focus in both student training and research initiatives,鈥� says Reza Abdolvand, chair of the department. 鈥淭he introduction of the new graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering marks a significant step in our commitment to enhance our role in this sector and to foster stronger collaborations with leading organizations, including NASA.鈥�

Through their coursework, students will learn to establish test plans, conduct failure analysis and evaluate test results for usage. Then they can take what they鈥檝e learned in the classroom and apply it to real-world research through paid internships at NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

鈥淭his program will uniquely position students for internships and careers at NASA and, more generally, the aerospace and defense sector in both Florida and across the U.S.,鈥� says Assistant Professor Enxia Zhang, coordinator of the certificate program.

The goal of the program is to meet the industry need for electronic parts and electrical engineers who are already trained and educated. Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Florida is among the states boasting top employment for this profession.

A bonus for students is that the credits earned in the certificate program can be applied to a master鈥檚 degree, furthering their education and competitiveness in the industry.

鈥淚n many ways, the graduate certificate program is a gateway to other degree programs in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS),鈥� says Ali Gordon, the CECS associate dean for graduate affairs. 鈥淢any students realize that after they鈥檝e had a few graduate courses, they want more. A key feature of 麻豆原创鈥檚 graduate certificate program is that 100% of the credits earned towards the certificate can be applied towards a master鈥檚 degree.鈥�

Students who are interested in applying for the certificate should have completed a bachelor鈥檚 degree program in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Current undergraduate students are eligible to apply as a junior or senior, and the courses can be completed online.

To learn more or to apply, visit the graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering webpage.

The worldwide rankings, , place 麻豆原创 in a tie with Yale University (57) and ahead of U.S. institutions such as Vanderbilt (56), Princeton (44) and Florida State University (38).

The NAI rankings may be further adjusted as patent corrections are submitted by universities.

This is the 11^th year that 麻豆原创 has ranked in the top 100 universities in the world for patents.

鈥淚nnovation is at the heart of our mission at 麻豆原创, and these latest patent rankings reaffirm our commitment to pushing boundaries and making impactful advancements,” says Winston V. Schoenfeld, 麻豆原创鈥檚 interim vice president for research and innovation. 鈥淭he range of inventions reflects the dedication and ingenuity of our researchers across the research enterprise, and their efforts continue to position 麻豆原创 as a leader in innovation, both nationally and globally.”

The patents were secured by 麻豆原创鈥檚聽, which brings discoveries to the marketplace and connects 麻豆原创 researchers with companies and entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into successful products.

Svetlana Shtrom听鈥�08MBA, director of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Technology Transfer Office, says university patents are a valuable asset for universities, industry and society.

鈥淧atents facilitate transfer of technology from universities and foster collaboration between academia and the private sector,鈥� Shtrom says.聽鈥淭hrough collaboration with industry, university technologies provide solutions to pressing problems and create new products and services that benefit the public.鈥�

She says the patents also reflect the commitment of the university鈥檚 researchers to innovation, and they serve as a beacon to attract more students and faculty who are interested in cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship.

Here are a few of the 麻豆原创 inventions that led to patents in 2023:

Passive Insect Surveillance Sensor Device
Lead researcher: Bradley Willenberg, assistant professor, 麻豆原创

麻豆原创 researchers have developed a low-cost, easy-to-use device for detection of mosquitos and other insects that also indicates whether an insect carries a specific infectious disease. Through simple color-based tests (colorimetric assays) and biomolecular tools for detection (DNA aptamers conjugated to nanoparticles), a user can monitor viral presence in insect saliva samples. By doing so, various mosquito-borne emerging pathogens, including Zika, Dengue, and Chikunguya, can be detected.聽 The easily deployable technology can potentially help in the global fight and prevention against these deadly diseases. The .

Antiplasmodial Compounds
Lead researcher: Debopam Chakrabarti, professor and head,

This technology is a method of treatment for malaria by administration of specific fungus-derived compounds. Annually, malaria affects more than 200 million people and kills more than 600,000. Caused by Plasmodium parasites carried in mosquitos, an effective treatment is desperately needed. 麻豆原创 researchers used a聽 library of fungi found in habitats and ecological niches across the U.S. to find potential antimalarial compounds. The unique chemicals they identified provide starting points for developing lead compounds of new drugs against malaria. The research team is .

Coating for Capturing and Killing Viruses on Surfaces
Lead researcher: Suditpa Seal, Pegasus Professor and chair,

This technology is a nano-coating designed to capture, hold and kill viruses on a surface, such as on personal protective equipment and clothing, using natural light sources to protect against infections.

The COVID-killing coating is made with a nanomaterial that activates under white light, such as sunlight or LED light. As long as the nanomaterial is exposed to a continuous light source, it can regenerate its antiviral properties, creating a self-cleaning effect.

The efficacy of the disinfectant was shown through a study that was published in聽ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces聽this past year. The study found that the coating can not only destroy the COVID-19 virus, but it can also聽combat the spread of Zika virus, SARS, parainfluenza, rhinovirus and vesicular stomatitis.

Production of Nanoporous Films
Lead researcher: Yang Yang, associate professor,

麻豆原创 researchers have created , such as for fuel cells, hydrogen production, photocatalysts, sensing and energy storage, and electrodes in supercapacitors. The method improves performance and versatility and does not require use of costly precious metals, such as gold. Instead, the 麻豆原创 technology uses low-cost, earth-abundant resources such as iron, cobalt and nickel. The nanoporous thin films are designed to help meet today鈥檚 challenges in renewable energy production and conversion applications.

Method of Forming High-Throughput 3d Printed Microelectrode Array
Lead researcher: Swaminathan Rajaraman, associate professor, NanoScience Technology Center

This invention is a . The device has small channels and chambers that guide liquids, like samples or chemicals, to a central area where there are special electrodes. These electrodes can send and record electrical signals from tiny groups of cells called spheroids. Scientists can use this to see how cells react to different conditions and substances. The innovation offers an easy way to study biological cells, tissues and electrophysiological responses. The technology can help lead to advancements in disease modeling, toxicity assessments and drug discovery.

Adaptive Visual Overlay for Anatomical Simulation
Lead researcher: Greg Welch, Pegasus Professor, AdventHealth Endowed Chair in Healthcare Simulation,

This anatomical simulation allows users to wear a head-mounted display that presents an anatomical scenario onto a patient to allow for medical training, surgical training or other instruction. Users who experience the simulation will see a real body part or other anatomical items projected through an augmented reality system. The innovative, and provides constant, dynamic feedback to medical trainees as they treat wounds. Almost like a video game in real-life, the Tactile-Visual Wound Simulation Unit portrays the look, feel, and even the smell of different types of human wounds (such as a puncture, stab, slice or tear). It also tracks and analyzes a trainee’s treatment responses and provides corrective instructions.

System for Extracting Water from Lunar Regolith and Associated Method
Lead researcher: Phil Metzger 鈥�00MS鈥�05PhD, associate scientist,

This invention is and help to establish the industry. The process consists of robot mining of the regolith (loose, heterogeneous superficial deposits covering solid rock), transferring the mined material to a conveyer, and passing the soil through grinding and crushing stages. Included are mechanisms to sort the material into ice, metals, and other minerals, and final transport and cleanup. This technology allows mining water on the moon, which supports NASA missions, enables further commercial operations in space, and supports Space Force activities.

Inorganic Paint Pigment with Plasmonic Aluminum Reflector Layers and Related Methods
Lead researcher: Debashis Chanda, professor, NanoScience Technology Center

This invention, a plasmonic paint, draws inspiration from butterflies to create the first environmentally friendly, large-scale and multicolor alternative to pigment-based colorants, which can contribute to energy-saving efforts and help reduce impacts on climate.

The plasmonic paint uses nanoscale structural arrangement of colorless materials 鈥� aluminum and aluminum oxide 鈥� instead of pigments to create colors.

While pigment colorants control light absorption based on the electronic property of the pigment material, hence every color needs a new molecule, structural colorants control the way light is reflected, scattered or absorbed based on the geometrical arrangement of nanostructures.

Such structural colors are environmentally friendly as they only use metals and oxides, unlike pigment-based colors that use artificially synthesized molecules.

The researchers have combined their structural color flakes with a commercial binder to form long-lasting paints of all colors. And because plasmonic paint reflects the entire infrared spectrum, less heat is absorbed by the paint, resulting in the underneath surface staying 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than it would if it were covered with standard commercial paint.

Plasmonic paint is also lightweight, a result of the paint’s large area-to-thickness ratio, with full coloration achieved at a paint thickness of only 150 nanometers, making it the lightest paint in the world.

System and Method for Radio Frequency Power Sensing and Scavenging Based on Phonon-electron Coupling in Acoustic Waveguides
Lead researcher: Hakhamanesh Mansoorzare 鈥�21, postdoctoral researcher,

To meet the growing energy needs of the internet of things (IoT) and wireless communication systems, this new technology is .

The invention harvests ambient energy, specifically radio frequency electromagnetic waves, the most abundant form of communication among IoT nodes and hubs.

The technology can reduce the electronic industry鈥檚 reliance on batteries and broaden the expansion of the IoT and its energy needs.

A total of 18 projects received Phase I funding across 15 universities. 麻豆原创 received the most awards, with all three housed within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Dean Michael Georgiopoulos says this speaks to the quality of research produced by CECS faculty.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud to see that three of our research teams have been recognized by NASA for their innovative ideas that can shape the future of air travel and space flight,鈥� Georgiopoulos says. 鈥淥ur college has built a rich history with NASA and this award further solidifies the partnership between our respective researchers.鈥�

All Phase I award recipients will be eligible to compete for Phase II funding and University Leadership Initiatives and Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) grants. Learn more about the projects below.

Project Title: Multimodal Wireless Piezoelectric Microsensors

Award Amount: $50,000

Researchers: Reza Abdolvand and Hakhamanesh Mansoorzare ’21PhD

The third time was the charm for the Artemis I launch. After two unsuccessful launch attempts due to dangerously high engine temperatures, a crack in the fuel tank insulation and multiple fuel leaks, the rocket finally soared into orbit off the Space Coast.

To prevent these issues from delaying future Artemis missions or other NASA space explorations, a team of 麻豆原创 researchers is developing a wireless multimodal sensor module that can monitor conditions such as temperature, pressure, acceleration and airflow in real time.

The module, less than a cubic centimeter, will include multiple microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators that will measure those conditions. MEMS resonators are often used for motion sensing, time referencing and signal filtering in electronic devices but show promise in the aerospace engineering field due to their light weight, highly accurate readouts and cost-effective manufacturing.

Although the sensors will be roughly the size of a pencil eraser, they will be able to withstand extreme temperatures since there is no battery or electronics in the device. This will be the first wireless multimodal sensor of its kind.

鈥淧iezoelectric MEMS resonators can detect change in environmental parameters without the need for any auxiliary power source such as battery as they could be powered wirelessly by a remote transceiver unit,鈥� says Reza Abdolvand, professor and chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. 鈥淭his will create a unique opportunity for development of compact and battery-less sensing units that could withstand a harsh environment.鈥�

Once manufactured, the sensing system can be used across various NASA missions to detect dangerous temperatures in critical spacecraft components, monitor the pressure in fuel tanks to prevent leaks, measure the temperature and pressure of lunar regolith, and assess the climate conditions for takeoff.

Project Title: SUPERSAF-SAF for Low Emission Supersonic Transport

Award Amount: $50,000

Researchers: Subith Vasu, Justin Urso, Ramees Khaleel Rahman, Gihun Kim

Supersonic commercial aircraft may be able to fly faster than the speed of sound and reduce the time for transatlantic journeys considerably, but their ultra-fast flights powered by fossil fuels could have a harmful effect on the environment. Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Professor Subith Vasu and his team of postdoctoral scholars aim to protect the environment by studying the emissions of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), a greener alternative made from sustainable resources such as wood residues, fatty acids, fermented sugars and processed alcohols.

Several government agencies have started to test these fuels for emissions.

The team in the Vasu Lab will conduct shock tube experiments to test the NOx and soot emissions of several different SAFs. That data will be used to improve the aviation industry鈥檚 and NASA鈥檚 current chemical kinetic models that can predict the soot and NOx output of various SAFs in flight conditions.

鈥淭he data we collect could significantly improve the current chemical kinetic model and advance the production of combustors for supersonic flights,鈥� Vasu says.

The research is timely, given NASA recently awarded contracts to both Boeing and Northrop Grumman to develop technology roadmaps and concept vehicles for supersonic aircraft. Vasu plans to work with industry partners on this research and to seek additional funding from NASA beyond the MPLAN grant.

Project Title: A CNS Digital Twin Framework for AAM

Award Amount: $50,000

Researcher: Adan Vela

Airplanes and helicopters are often spotted in the sky, but in the future, cargo-loaded drones and passenger-carrying air taxis might become a common sight. Through NASA鈥檚 Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) mission, the organization aims to create a safe and accessible aerial transportation system that can send cargo or people to hard-to-reach areas or even tourist destinations.

However, before AAM can take flight, engineers must address fundamental challenges of the communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) system that supports control, command and collision of these vehicles, as they could face challenges from the low altitude at which they fly or the lack of a human pilot. Buildings or terrain could distort or delay important CNS signals such as GPS or 5G.

To better understand this problem, Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Assistant Professor Adan Vela will develop the CNS-AAM simulation engine, a digital twin framework that mimics the CNS system that the AAM would require. With the aid of computer science students, Vela will create the simulation engine in Python. The resulting framework will allow NASA, the FAA and researchers around the world to digitally develop and test new artificial intelligence algorithms that manage aircraft and CNS technologies, including cybersecurity measures that could protect UAVs from malicious attacks.

If you鈥檙e an engineering student interested in working on this project, contact Associate Professor Adan Vela at adan.vela@ucf.edu.

The technology can reduce the electronic industry鈥檚 reliance on batteries and broaden the expansion of the IoT and its energy needs.

Today鈥檚 wireless systems rely on batteries, which has an energy supply that will soon be outpaced by the growth of communication data and devices in the IoT, says the technology鈥檚 lead inventor, Reza Abdolvand, professor and chair of 麻豆原创鈥檚 .

鈥淭he growth is also limiting availability in the radio frequency spectrum,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ne reason is that today鈥檚 systems use part of their limited power budget to sense and monitor the amount of signal power they transmit and receive instead of solely amplifying the signal. This sensing is both for regulation purposes and maintaining transceiver performance.鈥�

To solve these issues, the 麻豆原创 researchers developed a technology that integrates power scavenging and spectrum sensing capabilities for ultra-low power applications. The resulting passive module would eliminate the need for power-hungry radio frequency sensing modules.

The invention harvests ambient energy, specifically radio frequency electromagnetic waves, the most abundant form of communication among IoT nodes and hubs.

Radio frequency to direct current conversion operates in a sub-millimeter footprint and within a lithographically defined frequency range. To address the spectrum availability issue, the researchers enabled the invention to handle more intelligent data transmission between the IoT nodes and hubs so that the IoT node 鈥渦nderstands鈥� the frequency occupancy in its vicinity.

In an example application, wake-up radios, which remain dormant and ideally consume zero power before being activated, could be built with the 麻豆原创 zero-power radio frequency-to-direct current conversion scheme and scavenge energy from the radio frequency power radiated by nearby modules.

Furthermore, the radiated radio frequency power, otherwise wasted, could be scavenged by the module and stored in a capacitor or a battery.

Abdolvand and co-inventor Hakhamanesh Mansoorzare, a postdoctoral researcher in Abdolvand鈥檚 lab, worked with 麻豆原创鈥檚 (OTT) to file a patent application in July 2022 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). To help with the patent expenses, the team recently secured the new Allowable Patent Expenses (APEX) award from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).

鈥淚 am truly excited that this technology, which is an offshoot of my Ph.D., could help towards a more sustainable future,鈥� Mansoorzare says.

For more information about the invention, see the . A prototype of the technology is available, and the team is currently seeking partners for licensing or research collaboration.

About the APEX Award

Intellectual property protection is supported by an Allowable Patent Expenses (APEX) award from the NSF, as part of its Partnerships for Innovation 鈥� Technology Translation (PFI-TT) program. The APEX award assists current PFI-TT grantees in their technology commercialization efforts by funding qualified university patent expenses.

“This is the first time that 麻豆原创 has received APEX funding to defray patent expenses,” says Raju Nagaiah, the Office of Technology Transfer assistant director who is managing the technology for patenting and commercialization. “It is going to cover the expenses related to filing and prosecution of the invention.”

The funding for the recently rolled out APEX program was secured by Abdolvand working with the Office of Technology Transfer and is an example of collaboration and innovation thriving at 麻豆原创, says Office of Technology Transfer Director Svetlana Shtrom.

鈥淎pplying for a patent can be quite expensive and involves contracting attorneys specializing in patenting such technologies,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he APEX supplemental funding will reduce the strain on the university鈥檚 intellectual property budget and will allow us to protect a greater number of promising new innovations.鈥�

In 2020 and 2021, Abdolvand secured $249,587 in PFI-TT funding to support his ongoing research to develop piezo-semiconductor acoustoelectric microdevices. Under the PFI-TT award, Abdolvand鈥檚 research team developed an invention for ultra-low power and miniaturized wireless transceivers.

Once the innovation was developed, Abdolvand and Mansoorzare worked with OTT to file a patent application in July 2022 with the USPTO. Then in September, the collaboration continued between the research and OTT teams, resulting in a $49,916 APEX supplemental award from NSF to cover the patent expenses. The researchers have also submitted a second invention disclosure to OTT for patent protection.

Researcher Credentials

Abdolvand leads the 麻豆原创 , which focuses on extending and applying hybrid integrated microsystems to various technology areas, including radio frequency, biomedical, and wireless sensing. The lab provides expertise in designing and fabricating microelectromechanical systems. He received his doctorate in electrical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and joined 麻豆原创鈥檚 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, part of the , in 2014.

Mansoorzare received his doctorate in electrical and electronics engineering from 麻豆原创 in 2021 under Dr. Abdolvand鈥檚 advisement and is a postdoc in the same group since then.

鈥淚 am delighted that we were able to fund so many strong proposals and only wish that we had the resources to support more of them,鈥� says Michael D. Johnson, 麻豆原创鈥檚 interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, in announcing the awards.

The Jump Start Fund is one of three funds the president made available as part of his investment program to help position 麻豆原创 as the world鈥檚 leading public metropolitan research university. The program will award up to $50 million this fiscal year to projects proposed by faculty and staff that can elevate 麻豆原创鈥檚 academic excellence, student success and impact.

The initiative results from a new strategic budgeting approach by Cartwright after he became president last year, reallocating some funds to give 麻豆原创 a new avenue for enhancing academics and student success.

The Jump Start Fund focuses on funding one-time projects or purchases that will amplify 麻豆原创鈥檚 impact. Proposals could address a variety of needs from research infrastructure and facilities renovations under $2 million to equipment, new programs, or temporary staff among others.

The Academic Excellence Fund will distribute $8.5 million recurring funds and $15 million in non-recurring funds. The Student Success Fund will award $1.5 million in recurring funds. The winners will be announced later. All three funds involve a review process leading to final decisions by the president and provost.

Seventy Jump Start proposals were submitted with more than 330 faculty and staff collaborating on the projects altogether. A complete list of all winning principal investigators and their teams is available .

The recipients:

College of Arts and Humanities

Lead: David Reed, assistant professor, School of Performing Arts

$56,442

Digital Media, Editing and Performance

The money will be used to help students stay competitive as they enter the world of performing arts by helping them prepare audition material using current technology. 麻豆原创 has been unable to answer an industrywide shift toward digital audition materials, demo reels and scene work, largely due to the lack of high-quality equipment. The funds will be used to create and store three mobile professional studios that would allow students to film, edit and musically underscore audition material. The technology will allow all students to utilize professional grade equipment, elevating the quality of filmed material, providing relevant career preparation and creating an equitable opportunity for each student. Additional materials will also enhance the filming process for the actors. These include the procurement of a film-appropriate aluminum armory to supplement current 麻豆原创 training, and foundational scenic training material, including film-appropriate and heavy-duty aluminum seating. This equipment is intended to provide students with industry-specific training materials and to elevate the aesthetic of the filmed material. Learning to use these tools will not only prepare students for the industry, but it will also make them more competitive in the job market.

College of Sciences

Lead: Li Fang, assistant professor, Department of Physics

$500,000 with $237,000 match

User Facility for Attosecond Soft X-Rays and Terahertz (UFAST)

Fang is leading a team that will create a new facility at 麻豆原创 by renovating a clean room laboratory and purchasing the necessary components for secondary light sources and vacuum beam lines. Her proposal was contingent on landing an almost $2 million U.S. National Science Foundation grant for the instrumentation, which she was awarded earlier this month. When complete, 麻豆原创 will have a one-of-a-kind user facility for attosecond soft X-rays and terahertz. 麻豆原创 is building a world-class reputation in attosecond science.

Lead: Andres Campiglia, professor, Department of Chemistry

$350,000, with $85,150 match

Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation

The funds will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art liquid chromatography mass spectrometer for departmental use. In addition to improving the research capabilities of the chemistry faculty, the new instrument will enhance interdisciplinary interactions across the college and throughout campus with research faculty in need of chemical analysis. Immediate impact is expected on a variety of research areas within the chemistry department.聽 These include environmental contamination, atmospheric chemistry, green approaches to biodiesel production, development of new catalysts for precise selectivity control, synthesis of plasmonic-catalytic hybrid nanomaterials for biomedical sensing, discovery of bacterial compounds with antibiotic activity, diagnostics of disease biomarkers, and new and better approaches for AIDs treatment. Having the new equipment will enhance 麻豆原创 competitiveness in securing federal funding and provide an excellent opportunity to train students with state-of-the-art instrumentation. By hiring a technician with expertise in mass spectrometry, the chemistry department will provide an $85,150 match.

College of Optics and Photonics

Lead: Stephen Eikenberry, professor,

$180,000, with $90,000 match

A Facility for Photonic Atmospheric Sensing Technology

Two groups of experts at 麻豆原创 are collaborating under this grant to create a world-class virtual facility focused on atmospheric-sensing technologies. 麻豆原创 is already known for its expertise in photonics through the College of Optics and Photonics. 麻豆原创 also has extensive expertise in LIDAR technology thanks to its work at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, which the university manages for the U.S. National Science Foundation. But these experts have their joined forces to study and advance the field of atmosphere sensing, which focuses on the atmosphere around Earth. The atmosphere provides the air needed to breathe while also providing protection against the sun鈥檚 radiation and the extremes of space weather. Changes to Earth鈥檚 atmosphere, such as temporary disruptions caused by solar flares, for example, can impact the global community and economy. Monitoring the atmosphere, figuring out how to manage it and preparing for changes has local, regional, national and global implications with a direct connection to the human race鈥檚 survival. The team will leverage its expertise and work together to make 麻豆原创 a leader in this critical area of research.

Lead: Peter Delfyett, University Distinguished Professor, University Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor

$325,000, with $50,000 match

Space Photonics in Interferometric Imaging for Communications, Environment, and Defense

The money will be used to build a test bed for sparse aperture array imaging that will serve as a cornerstone of next generation, space-based imaging modalities. The approach aims to exploit the revolution in optical laser technology, positioning 麻豆原创 to create a system of mini-satellites with optical technology that would allow a viewer to read 10-point font text on a page from 600 miles away, such as reading text on a cell phone from low-Earth orbit. If successful, the team expects 麻豆原创 would be positioned to compete for a variety of big grant proposals and contracts from multiple agencies.

College of Graduate Studies

Lead: Glenn Martin, research associate professor and lab director of Interactive Realities Laboratory, School of Modeling Simulation and Training

$495,085, with $200,000 match

Enhancement to the Stokes High-Performance Computing Cluster, Supporting Cross-Campus General-Purpose Research Computing

The money will be used to upgrade access to computational science research on campus. 麻豆原创 has been using the Stokes high-performance computing cluster for the 15 years, which gives faculty and students capabilities to design, implement, and use mathematical models to analyze and solve a variety of scientific problems. The system needs updating to keep up with age and demand. The money will purchase聽modern equipment that will add 60 nodes to replace aging nodes used now. Stokes supports computational research across 麻豆原创 with users coming from almost every college. In addition, computational research in various domains is increasing and provides a great opportunity for expanding research while requiring little additional space. Each month, multiple users from multiple lab groups across campus use Stokes for their research.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Lead: Reza Abdolvand, professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

$430,000, with $105,000 match

Acquisition of Direct-Write Photolithography System for the 麻豆原创 Central Cleanroom Facility

The money will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art direct-write photolithography system for 麻豆原创. The system is expected to modernize on-campus micro-nanofabrication facilities, which enable a variety of research activities with a focus on understanding and developing micro and nano-devices and circuits necessary for various industry applications. The system eliminates the entire time-consuming and expensive photomask making process and enables instant modification of designs. Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley have recently purchased similar systems. At least 20 faculty members across the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Optics and Photonics, and College of Sciences are expected to use the new system to advance their research on technologies, such as next-generation electronics, micro-sensors, and optical microsystems. The investment is expected to help propel innovation and improve the university鈥檚 national standing in wide areas of research that depend on micro-fabrication capabilities.

Lead: Kareem Ahmed, associate professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

$500,000, with a $1.3 million match

Ultra-High-Speed Flow Facility for Hypersonics and Space Propulsion

麻豆原创 is home to the world-class Propulsion and Energy Research Lab, which has been producing new discoveries and advancements that, for example, promise to make travel from New York to London in 5 minutes. The engine test facility is used by many researchers at 麻豆原创 from College of Engineering, College of Sciences and others. The high-level research has broad impact in hypersonics, space propulsion and energy power generation and extends to supernova science. However, the experimentation is outdoors, limiting the use of the lab鈥檚 ultra-fast lasers. The investment will cover the outdoor space and upgrade some of the equipment. This investment should result in propelling research forward. The proposal team estimates the remodel should make 麻豆原创 more competitive for at least $3.5 million worth of research grants from federal agencies alone.

Lead: Parag Banerjee, associate professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

$50,000, with $20,000 match

Atomic Layer Deposition Batch Reactor for Functional Coating Powders

The money will be used to build a state-of-the-art, fully custom atomic layer deposition system for coating powders that will eventually allow researchers to work with larger batches of powder while maintaining atomic-scale precision. Precision is a key priority identified by faculty members involved in internationally recognized work. Five ALD (atomic layer deposition?) systems are already in use at 麻豆原创, each an irreplaceable part of the material synthesis process (particularly at a nanoscale). The newly funded system will be especially significant to the research conducted by the interdepartmental REACT cluster (which optimizes materials for use in renewable energy production) and the Optical Materials Laboratory. In recognition of its interdisciplinary potential, three colleges and one department (the College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Sciences, College of Optics and Photonics, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering) have joined to provide $20,000 in matching funds.

Lead: Kristopher Davis, assistant professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

$205,570, with $58,000 match

Infrastructure Equipment Enhancement: Nanomaterials for Improved Solar Cell Efficiency and Virus Trapping

The requested funds will buy a particle analyzer system and a thermography system for use in observing and optimizing nanoparticles. Faculty members plan to apply the equipment to a wide range of research areas 鈥� most notably solar energy cell development and virology. In solar energy, there is a need for nanomaterial fabrication to improve the efficiency of cells鈥� electrical contacts, thus eliminating the price constraints currently limiting the technology鈥檚 spread. In medical research, engineered nanoparticles have shown a unique capability to tackle the complex mechanical properties of viruses like SARS-CoV-2. The professors who crafted this proposal each bring strong interdisciplinary track records to the table; between them, they have several multi-year projects with the Department of Energy and National Institute of Health, collaborations with many industrial partners and multiple National Science Foundation awards. Upon receipt, this funding will immediately increase 麻豆原创鈥檚 ability to compete for even more significant grants and will facilitate investigation in areas like electronics, dermatology and household product formulation 鈥� allowing 麻豆原创 to broaden its research horizons as it furthers its recognized strengths in virology and solar energy.

Lead: Paul Gazzillo, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science

$100,000, with $50,000 match

Advancing Interdisciplinary Cyber Security and Privacy Research

Attacks on water treatment plants, the national pipeline and government and private businesses are increasingly common today, posing a threat to individuals and to national security. 麻豆原创 has the expertise to tackle these threats with faculty in various colleges and within the Cyber Security and Privacy cluster. 麻豆原创 is also home to award-winning student teams focused on keeping our networks safe. But to truly innovate solutions to the constantly emerging threats, 麻豆原创 needs a new kind of physical space. The award money will be used to renovate an existing computer lab into a first-of-its-kind space at 麻豆原创 that will support the interdisciplinary approach needed for advanced solutions. The lab will include:

• a sensory suite for comprehensive and real-time human state estimation, which will include eye-tracking,
• physiological monitoring, and other biometric devices needed for cognitive and behavioral research,
• cyber-analytics hardware and software platforms, used by cyber-security practitioners and for training cyber-defense professionals, and
• computational resources for data analytics and real-time data collection from the sensory measurement equipment and cyber-defense platforms.

The outcome is expected to translate into more research funding for 麻豆原创, a better prepared workforce and holistic solutions for problems that could potentially cripple our national economy and security.

Lead: David Mohaisen, associate professor, Department of Computer Science

$140,000, with $35,000 match

Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Privacy at the 麻豆原创

Already a leader in cyber security and privacy research and education, this project will launch a new online master鈥檚 in cybersecurity and privacy at 麻豆原创 to meet the exceedingly growing demands. The main goal of this proposal is to aid in the development of high-quality online course content that would not be possible with the currently available resources. With the rise in need for cybersecurity experts, this program is expected to deliver workforce-ready graduates that will not only work in this field, but also lead it.

Lead: Sudipta Seal, Pegasus Professor and chair, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

$105,000, with $48,000 match

A Spray Drying Facility for Nano-Manufacturing

The money will be used to purchase and augment a spray drying instrument and enhance current facilities to serve nanoscale manufacturing research and training needs in Central Florida that are not currently met. Interdisciplinary research is key to solving big challenges, and this facility will reinforce that message by providing tools that can be used across disciplines. The purchase will support research in the areas of engineering, planetary and space science, biomedical engineering, and nano/micro-manufacturing. The tools will also augment the education and training of graduate and undergraduate students who already participate in several U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experience for undergraduates programs housed at 麻豆原创.

College of Medicine

Lead: Griffith Parks, associate dean for research and director, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

$300,000, with $300,000 match

Next Generation in High Resolution Tissue Imagining

The money will be used to purchase a high imaging platform for 麻豆原创 researchers in the biomedical sciences. The platform will provide researchers with an ultra-high resolution imaging system, which is intended to help researchers advance the understanding of cancer, neuroscience and infectious diseases. The need for the platform is essential because biomedical sciences research is heavily dependent on the use of animals as聽models for human disease. However, a major challenge is the ability to visualize, image, record and study the聽structure, content and organization of complex tissues. For example, cancer research often involves the聽need to visualize the growth and characteristics of tumor tissue within the context of surrounding normal tissue,聽or to visualize the infiltration of immune cells to the tumor site. To be effective, these studies require ultra-high-resolution images and the use of a large number of 鈥渕arkers鈥� on one sample coupled to powerful analysis software.聽These markers for different cell types are important to distinguish normal tissue from the wide range of types of聽tumors (e.g., aggressive tumors) and to identify the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The platform will allow researchers to conduct this visualization in large quantities and at a faster rate than they can do so with current equipment available at 麻豆原创.

Office of Research

Center for Directed Energy

Lead: Robert Bernath, director, Townes Institute Science Testing Experimentation Facility (TISTEF)

$450,000, with a $806,000 match

TISTEF: Ready to Launch 麻豆原创 to New Capabilities at Kennedy Space Center

The strategic investment money allows for expanded capabilities to the user base at the Townes Institute for Science, Technology, and Experimentation (TISTEF) Facility. 麻豆原创 manages the federal facility, located on the Space Coast at Kennedy Space Center. The added capabilities are expected to benefit 麻豆原创 researchers, private, and public agencies already using the facility and attract new users and open new areas of investigations at 麻豆原创 in the engineering, optics, and other sciences areas. A significant amount of matching funds comes from the generous support of the Naval Research Laboratory, LP Photonics LLC and Booz Allen Hamilton. Upon completion over the next two years, 麻豆原创 expects to see more grants and contracts for work conducted at TISTEF.

Lead: Shafaq Chaudhry, assistant director, Graduate and Research Information Technology

$500,000, with $70,000 match

Graduate and Research Information Technology (GRIT): Enabling Big Data and Computational Science via High-Throughput Networking

The funds will be invested in 麻豆原创鈥檚 cyberinfrastructure, building up three identified gaps in network support by a) increasing the overall campus network backbone to 100 Gbps; b) increasing our capacity for connection to the collaborative Internet2 research network to 100 Gbps; and c) allowing more labs to access the Advanced Research Computing Center (ARCC). These improvements are expected to enhance 麻豆原创鈥檚 capabilities across all forms of big-data research, providing the knowledge and connectivity necessary for us to forge our path as a leading public metropolitan research university. The Office of Research will provide a two-year $50,000 match in support of cloud connectivity, and a $20,000 annual match in support of data transfer functionality.

Lead: Tamara Gabrus, program director II, Faculty Cluster Initiative and Pre-Award Shared Services

$300,000, with $31,000 match

Research Commons: Cultivating Innovation by Advancing Access to Collaboration

Funding will be used to establish the Research Commons Collaboration Hub, a suite with all the resources needed to help faculty with sponsored research proposals.聽The hub will be in Technology Commons I, providing聽investigators and their dedicated unit pre-award staff a convenient one-stop connection. The Pre-Award Shared Services (PASS) team will provide oversight to augment聽the existing pre-award administration that is familiar with the nuances of each college, institute and center on campus. The inviting space, equipped with technology to support the research enterprise, will be dedicated to meeting the needs of our research-intensive, collaborative faculty while simultaneously reducing administrative burden on the faculty鈥檚 home unit by decreasing the hours they dedicate to managing their large, interdisciplinary proposal submissions.聽The hub staffing will also include the existing Research Development team that will be accessible to provide on-demand training in 麻豆原创 research support systems such as the Pivot funding opportunity database.聽Once researchers have identified the appropriate funding opportunity and potential on-campus partners, they will find themselves ready to use the Research Commons Collaboration Hub. Office of Research staff from pre-award, contracts, awards management and grants accounting will also host office hours in the space to further aid their faculty and Departmental Research Administration, with the full life cycle of their awards.