Congratulations to the University of Miami College of Engineering PhD candidate, Mark Ciappesoni, who was recently selected as a NASA Space Technology Graduate Researcher for the proposal titled “Ink-Jet Printable Infrared Detectors for In-Space Deployment."
The awarded proposal focuses on the manufacturing of optoelectronic devices in space. Optoelectronic devices are critical elements of any space mission system, with applications ranging from detectors, sensors and lasers, to solar cells.
Ciappesoni will conduct the proposed research under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Sung Jin Kim, an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of BioNIUM Nanofabrication facility. They will work with the researchers at NASA Ames Research Center to develop a composite material system that enables ink-jet printable devices for targeted infrared spectral response, which will allow for the potential of spectroscopic profiling of planetary atmospheres and various sensors for in-space needs.
“The successful outcome of this project will contribute to the inexpensive space manufacturing of optoelectronic devices for various in-space applications,” says Ciappesoni.
The award will support Ciappesoni and Dr. Kim in developing groundbreaking, high-risk/high-payoff, early-stage space technology. These valuable contributions will help make science and space exploration more effective, affordable and sustainable.
