When humans return to the moon, astronauts may be using technology developed by the NASA team led by graduates of San Diego State University. Shidere (’16)..
In 2020, Nadeli and her colleagues received $ 2.5 million through NASA’s Early Carrier Initiative to design and test magnetic couplers for transporting cryogenic fluids such as fuels that can withstand the harsh and dusty conditions of the Moon and other planets. Naderi is a Principal Researcher for the project and an electrician at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center near Lancaster, California.
Work was facilitated by the annual NASA list of techniques Gap that interferes with space missions. “We looked at it, identified some of those gaps, and came up with solutions for them,” she said. One such need: a better cryogenic coupler in space.
At very low temperatures, hydrogen, oxygen, and methane change from gas to liquid. In the liquid state, it can be used to generate large amounts of power for space missions. However, to transfer these fuels, a cryogenic coupler is required between the fuel source and its destination. Existing couplers that rely on mechanical parts to keep them closed may not cut it.
“Traditional couplers have many corners and gaps,” says Naderi. It’s a matter of the moon, as large amounts of dust on the moon can easily get into those small spaces. “Moon dust is abrasive and very dangerous to humans. It destroys equipment.”
Naderi’s team suggested connecting both sides of the coupler using specially designed magnets instead of the usual mechanical parts. They thought that the simple surface of the magnet lacked complex parts that could be filled with dust.
Naderi’s team worked with Alabama’s commercial partners. Correlated magnetic researchDevelop programmed magnets for use in couplers. Unlike common magnets with simple north and south poles, these patterned magnets behave differently depending on the position and angle of rotation.
“You can program them to do what you want,” Nadeli said. For example, you can build it to be attractive when you rotate it 5 degrees, but it will start to repel when you rotate it 15 degrees.
When connecting mechanical couplers, the user must carefully align the two sides. However, if pre-programmed patterned magnets are integrated into the coupler, they will self-align at a certain distance and require less input from the user.
“For example, if an astronaut is trying to connect one side of the coupler to the other, these magnets do that, rather than trying to make sure it’s fully inserted.” Naderi said.
She added that magnetic couplers can also be designed to operate autonomously without a human user, if desired.
Naderi’s team and their industry partners have tested magnets at extreme temperatures. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Back in Armstrong, they tested to make sure that the magnetic stone provided enough force to operate the coupler.
However, Nadeli said more work would be needed before the magnetic couplers were ready to be deployed and would like to secure more funding for further development and testing. NASA’s upcoming Artemis mission plans to bring humans back to the moon in 2025. Couplers can also be useful on missions to Mars.
Being a Principal Investigator on her own project was a learning experience for a young engineer.
“My job is project management and chief engineering,” she said. “Usually there are many people who do this. This project has given me the opportunity to learn to do all this at work.”
Nadeli moved from Iran to the United States alone at the age of 18. He attended a community college, transferred to SDSU, and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Since then, she has also earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from UCLA.
She admits that SDSU encouraged her to take her research seriously and gave her the opportunity to lead her to her current location.
“I don’t think I could have entered NASA without SDSU,” she said. “If you wanted, there was just a great opportunity for you to grab.”
At SDSU, Nadeli was very active in the engineering club and applied for NASA’s Pathways Internship as a junior. This is a program that allows students to directly explore their careers in space agencies. Her experience as an intern opened the door to working as an engineer at NASA Armstrong.
“I think this is all thanks to SDSU.”
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