NASA Grant Enabling Research on Inflatable Structures

Contact: Ali Abedi, 581-2231

ORONO — The University of Maine has received a two-year NASA grant to create an interdisciplinary research and education program focused on a wireless system to detect leaks in inflatable structures, such as lunar habitats, and domes and bridges used in defense and civilian situations.

UMaine Professor Ali Abedi has received more than $252,000, including matching funds from the Maine Economic Improvement Fund, for the project that started in May and is expected to employ one doctoral candidate and 10 undergraduates.

Various science and engineering fields are part of the project, including wireless communications theory, electronic chip design and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). MEMS accelerometers will detect impacts on the inflatable structure and assist an intelligent chip in detecting leaks. Three investigators from Maine institutions — UMaine, University of Southern Maine and Jackson Laboratory — will work with NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia to create the research and education program.