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1. Design Space Exploration of Lithium-Ion Battery Packs for Hybrid-Electric Regional Aircraft Applications

   https://doi.org/10.2514/1.B38658  

   Misley, Anna; Sergent, Aaron; D’Arpino, Matilde; Ramesh, Prashanth; Canova, Marcello (May 2023, Journal of Propulsion and Power)

   Distributed hybrid and electric propulsion systems are one of the most promising technologies to reduce aircraft emissions, resulting in research efforts to investigate new architectures and the design of optimal energy management strategies. This work defines the optimal requirements in terms of battery pack sizing and cell technology for a hybrid-electric regional wing-mounted distributed propulsion aircraft through the application of a design space exploration method. The propulsion system considered in this study is a series-parallel hybrid turboelectric power train with distributed electric fans. A set of six lithium-ion battery cell technologies was identified and experimentally characterized, including both commercially available and prototype cells at different combinations of specific energy and power. A model of the aircraft was developed and used to define the optimal energy management strategy for the hybrid turboelectric propulsion system, which was solved using dynamic programming. The design space exploration was conducted by varying the cell technology and battery storage system size; and the effects on fuel consumption, energy management strategy, and thermal management were compared. 

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2. Toward Building Sustainable Mars Infrastructure: A CO ₂ ‐Breathing Plasma Thruster for Orbit Maintenance and In Situ Oxygen Generation

   https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202500325  

   Taploo, Anmol; Duppada, Guru Sankar; Keidar, Michael (January 2026, Global Challenges)

   ABSTRACT This study explores a dual‐use CO₂‐breathing plasma thruster capable of operating in very low Martian orbits (80–160 km), delivering electric propulsion and in situ oxygen generation. Experimental results demonstrate a thrust of over 1 N at input powers ranging from 0.1 to 1 kW across varying discharge frequencies. Optical emission spectroscopy reveals strong emission at 777.1 nm corresponding to atomic oxygen, along with spectral features of CO and CO₂, confirming the effective dissociation of CO₂within the plasma. These findings support the viability of propulsion systems as multifunctional platforms for future Mars missions, enabling both aerial/ground mobility and human habitats without stored propellant gas. 

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3. Electrokinetic Propulsion of Polymer Microparticulates Along Glassy Carbon Electrode Array

   https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4046561  

   Cortez, Jennifer; Damyar, Kimia; Gao, Runtian; Zhou, Tuo; Kulinsky, Lawrence (June 2020, Journal of Micro and Nano-Manufacturing)

   Abstract Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a force applied to microparticles in nonuniform electric field. This study discusses the fabrication of the glassy carbon interdigitated microelectrode arrays using lithography process based on lithographic patterning and subsequent pyrolysis of negative SU-8 photoresist. Resulting high-resistance electrodes would have the regions of high electric field at the ends of microarray as demonstrated by simulation. The study demonstrates that combining the alternating current (AC) applied bias with the direct current (DC) offset allows the user to separate subpopulations of microparticulates and control the propulsion of microparticles to the high field areas such as the ends of the electrode array. The direction of the movement of the particles can be switched by changing the offset. The demonstrated novel integrated DEP separation and propulsion can be applied to various fields including in vitro diagnostics as well as to microassembly technologies. 

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4. Electrokinetic movement of the microparticulates between high resistance microelectrodes under the influence of dielectrophoretic force

   Cortez, J.; Damyar, K.; Gao, R.; Zhou, T.; Kulinsky, L. (September 2019, Proceedings of the World Congress of Micro- and NanoManufacturing)

   Dielectrophoresis is a force applied to microparticles in non-uniform electric field. The presented study discusses the fabrication of the glassy carbon interdigitated microelectrode arrays using lithography process based on lithographic patterning and subsequent pyrolysis of negative SU-8 photoresist. Resulting high resistance electrodes would have the regions of high electric field at the ends of microarray as demonstrated by simulation. The study demonstrates that combining the AC applied bias with the DC offset allows the user to separate sub-populations of microparticulates and control the propulsion of microparticles to the high field areas such as the ends of the electrode array. The direction of the movement of the particles can be switched by changing the offset. The demonstrated novel integrated DEP separation and propulsion can be applied to various fields including in-vitro diagnostics as well as to microassembly technologies. 

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5. Comparative Analysis of Instructors' and Practitioners' Perspective on Competencies for Implementing Sensing Technologies in the Construction Industry

   https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10892865  

   Adegoke, Abiola; Akanmu, Abiola; Afolabi, Adedeji; Abraham, Yewande; Nnaji, Chukwuma (October 2024, IEEE)

   Contribution: This research category full paper contributes to the body of knowledge by revealing the areas of agreement on competencies for implementing sensing technologies by instructors and industry practitioners in the construction industry. The findings will help the instructors equip the future workforce with the competencies to implement sensing technologies through integrated curriculum development. Additionally, the findings could help industry practitioners update the competencies of the current workforce in the construction industry for effective sensing technologies deployment. Consequently, this study's findings will help reduce the misalignment in competencies acquired by the future workforce and the industry-specific competencies for implementing sensing technologies. Background: Adopting data sensing technologies like laser scanners, radio frequency identification systems, cameras, and unmanned aerial vehicles in the construction industry requires a workforce with the necessary competencies. To address this, curriculum content should be balanced to train emerging workers to meet industry expectations for implementing these technologies. This balance is crucial to minimizing the resources employers spend on post-hire training. This study compares the perspectives of instructors and industry practitioners on the competencies required for implementing sensing technologies in the construction industry. Research Question: What are the perspectives of industry practitioners and instructors on the competencies for implementing sensing technologies in the construction industry? Methods: This study employed a three-round Delphi survey administered to instructors in accredited higher education institutions and construction industry practitioners in the United States. Through the successive Delphi survey rounds, the study compares the instructors' and construction industry practitioners' perspectives on essential competencies required for implementing sensing technologies in the construction industry. Findings: The first survey round shows the suitability of instructors' and industry practitioners' expertise in partaking in the study. The second survey round shows a trend toward convergence, indicating potential similarities between instructors' and industry practitioners' perspectives on specific competencies required for implementing sensing technologies in the construction industry. The third round showed the qualitative feedback from instructors and industry practitioners on their perception of the competencies for implementing sensing technologies in the construction industry. 

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