Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Dakotah Stirnweis, Graduate Student Shafali Bhardwaj, Graduate Student Angelos Kaminis, Graduate Student Sophia Kempf, Senior Kyara Ramos Falu, Senior Joslyn Patitz, Freshman
Lead Presenter's Name
Dakotah Stirnweis
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Pedro J. LLanos
Abstract
Microgravity Ant Pathfinding Study (MAPS) & Crystalline Ordered Spread Micro-Gravity Observation (COSMO) Experimental Payloads
MAPS & COSMO is a dual payload experiment which is aimed at expanding the fields of robotics and materials science. The first payload, Micro-gravity Ant Pathfinding Study (MAPS), will observe and analyze the Camponotus Floridanus species of ants’ pathfinding ability while in micro-gravity. Using control groups on the ground, the ants’ pathfinding ability will be quantified and compared to that of their counterparts, Tetramorium Caespitum species of ants’, during the micro-gravity trials. This analysis will help us to further understand the way multiple autonomous constructs interact and the benefits of emergent intelligence. The second payload, the Crystalline Ordered Spread Micro-Gravity Observation (COSMO), will grow aluminum sulfate in micro-gravity to be collected and analyzed, once back on Earth. It is theorized that due to the lack of strong gravitational forces, the molecular and atomic structures can grow more slowly, thus forming more perfectly to create stronger and more efficient crystalline lattices and matrices. This phenomenon can be exploited and applied to the development of crystalline structures in other materials such as semi-conductors.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes, Spark Grant
Microgravity Ant Pathfinding Study (MAPS) & Crystalline Ordered Spread Micro-Gravity Observation (COSMO) Experimental Payloads
Microgravity Ant Pathfinding Study (MAPS) & Crystalline Ordered Spread Micro-Gravity Observation (COSMO) Experimental Payloads
MAPS & COSMO is a dual payload experiment which is aimed at expanding the fields of robotics and materials science. The first payload, Micro-gravity Ant Pathfinding Study (MAPS), will observe and analyze the Camponotus Floridanus species of ants’ pathfinding ability while in micro-gravity. Using control groups on the ground, the ants’ pathfinding ability will be quantified and compared to that of their counterparts, Tetramorium Caespitum species of ants’, during the micro-gravity trials. This analysis will help us to further understand the way multiple autonomous constructs interact and the benefits of emergent intelligence. The second payload, the Crystalline Ordered Spread Micro-Gravity Observation (COSMO), will grow aluminum sulfate in micro-gravity to be collected and analyzed, once back on Earth. It is theorized that due to the lack of strong gravitational forces, the molecular and atomic structures can grow more slowly, thus forming more perfectly to create stronger and more efficient crystalline lattices and matrices. This phenomenon can be exploited and applied to the development of crystalline structures in other materials such as semi-conductors.