Laboratory for Space Weather Alert Technologies and the Colonization of Mars


NASA

Severe space weather storms can disrupt the power grid, knock out radio and satellite communications, and threaten spacecraft. Unfortunately, today's technologies provide only one hour of advanced warning before such a storm arrives at Earth from the sun. This NASA-supported research focuses on developing new advanced artificial intelligence algorithms that will provide much earlier warnings. Armed with this tool, colonies on the moon and Mars will be better able to protect themselves from harmful radiation showers. 


Hardware-based Computer Security

Computer security can be dramatically enhanced through the use of hardware devices that employ physical processes to obtain random numbers that act as keys for advanced cryptography. This research, in conjunction with Digital Authentication Technologies, Inc. applies location-aware physics-based devices to the task of authenticating remote users. 

Optical Catalysis and Carbon Sequestration

NSFThis NSF-funded research program is developing techniques to achieve catalytic gain in the process of creating long chain hydrocarbons from methane using optical catalysis. According to the EPA, methane molecules, once released, remain in the atmosphere from 9 to 15 years. Moreover, methane gas is 5 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, making its removal a top priority. The research will seek to develop the reduction of activation barriers through the use of very finely tuned, narrow band light to excite specific metastable states in methane. If successful, the technology will not only produce cleaner burning fuels, but will also eliminate a dangerous greenhouse gas from the atmosphere.