Editors’ Note: This feature appears as it was published in the edition of UT Dallas Magazine. Titles or faculty members listed may have changed since that time.
06.16.2025
Volunteers from The University of Texas at Dallas prepared meals in 2023 at Feed My Starving Children in Richardson during a Juneteenth event organized by the Office of Student Volunteerism.
While Juneteenth is not an officially recognized National Day of Service, some organizations are using the federal holiday as a catalyst for volunteering and community-building, said Dr. Allison Russell, assistant professor of public and nonprofit management at The University of Texas at Dallas and an expert on volunteerism.
The most recently named federal holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day, was recognized by Congress in 2021, but early regional celebrations date back to 1866 at community gatherings in Texas that spread across the South. It commemorates the day in 1865 when Union troops freed enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, 2 1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
In North Texas, including at UT Dallas, many events that span the weekend and week leading up to Juneteenth bring together both service and celebration to commemorate the holiday.
For example, the UTD Bruce August Jr. Juneteenth Day of Service will include Comets traveling to the Feed My Starving Children site in Richardson, Texas, on June 17 to pack meals for communities facing food insecurity. Other activities on campus preceding the holiday include a mid-day kickoff celebration on June 16 with live music, treats and history spotlights, and the opening of the Bruce August Jr. student lounge in the Student Services Building.
In addition, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Dallas hosted the 4K Freedom Walk & Festival June 14.
“Four kilometers is roughly 2.5 miles; it took 2.5 years for the news of emancipation to reach the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston,” Russell said.
Fort Worth activist Opal Lee, the “grandmother of Juneteenth” who advocated to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, organized 2.5-mile freedom walks to raise awareness and promote the day and its significance for not only Black people but also every American.
Events that are organized by and for the Black community center the deep historical and cultural importance of Juneteenth both locally and nationally, Russell said.
“These events can be very impactful for anyone seeking an opportunity to learn more about the meaning of Juneteenth and to engage in self-reflection and community service,” she said.
–Jessica Good
06.12.2025
The UT Dallas student organization’s — Dallas Formula Racing’s — first electric vehicle is heading to the Formula SAE Electric international competition June 17-21 at the Michigan International Speedway. Students designed and built the car.
Since it was formed in 2014, The University of Texas at Dallas student organization Dallas Formula Racing (DFR) has designed and built six formula-style internal combustion engine cars for collegiate competition racing.
This month, the team will debut its first electric vehicle (EV) at the Formula SAE Electric international competition June 17-21 at the Michigan International Speedway.
“We’re very excited to make it to the EV competition this year,” said Safaa Siddiqui, a mechanical engineering sophomore in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and DFR president. “It took a lot of hard work to get here.”
Designing and building an EV is the latest accomplishment of DFR, which is the UTD chapter of SAE International, an association of engineers and technical experts in aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. Last year, DFR’s internal combustion car placed 29th out of 108 teams at the Formula SAE competition and finished second for overall best visual design.
The UTD team is one of 86 teams, including five others from Texas, heading to SAE International’s EV competition. The students unveiled the car at a May 8 campus event. The EV is about 10-feet long, has a single seat, an open cockpit and open, or exposed, wheels. The vehicle is painted black and features UT Dallas and the names of sponsors in white letters.
The car accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, said Shereef Kamel, mechanical engineering junior and DFR’s EV chief engineer. He said students overcame challenges such as testing the validity of its designs, making sure the battery and safety systems worked properly, getting the motor to spin, and integrating donated parts into the design.
Members of Dallas Formula Racing, a UT Dallas student organization, spent an estimated 16,000 hours designing and building the team’s first electric vehicle.
Kamel estimated that students spent a combined 16,000 hours designing and building the vehicle. Students work on vehicles in DFR’s shop at the Engineering and Computer Science West building.
“It’s a lot of work building a complete car from scratch,” he said.
DFR members, who come from a range of academic majors, work on projects from design and fabrication to marketing, event planning and fundraising. DFR must raise about $200,000 a year for parts, testing, competition fees and travel. The organization has received support from sponsors.
Rithvik Kaniganti, a business analytics junior in the Naveen Jindal School of Management and DFR’s marketing director, said he got involved because he is a “huge, huge” Formula One fan.
“I went to one of the kickoff meetings, and then I got hooked,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what experience you have, as long as you’re willing to work and help the team grow, we’ll show you everything you need to know.”
Designing, building and testing cars gives students hands-on experience that has led to full-time jobs for some participants, Siddiqui said.
“The time you put into the team, you’ll get it back,” said Cristobal Santamaria, an undergraduate majoring in accounting and marketing who serves as DFR’s director of creative media.
Most of all, students said they love being part of the organization.
“You can’t not have fun while working on a race car,” Kaniganti said.
–Kim Horner
05.19.2025
From left: Michelle Elele, Jordyn Dillard, Hasti Patel, Leslie Puentes, Heer Shah and Param Naik.
During the 89th Texas legislative session, six undergraduate students from The University of Texas at Dallas stepped into the heart of state government inside the state Capitol, gaining invaluable experience and making a positive impact through the Texas Legislative Fellowship Program (TLFP).
The program, administered in partnership with the UT System, takes place in the spring semester in Austin while the Texas Legislature is in session. Through the partnership with the UT System, the six students from UT Dallas are part of a cohort of 40 students representing all nine academic institutions, as well as UTHealth Houston. The program provides academic, professional and practical support for students while they intern in a state legislative office for the full semester. Open to students from all majors who are interested in public service, lawmaking or political leadership, it combines academics with real-world policy experience. UT Dallas students earn 12 credit hours and receive scholarships to offset housing costs in Austin.
“The Texas Legislative Fellowship Program is a superb way for interested students to experience firsthand the bustling, often chaotic, world of legislation and policymaking,” said Dr. Douglas C. Dow, associate dean of the Hobson Wildenthal Honors College, which administers the TLIP. “Our students come out of their semester experience understanding the legislative process in a way no research or mere classroom experience could. Beyond the knowledge, students discover how to excel professionally, civically, and personally, in the fast paced, hectic world of the Texas Capitol.”
Amanda Rockow MA’12, vice president for government and community relations, represents the University’s interests in Austin and has had a front seat to the students’ intern experiences.
“Not surprisingly, our students have risen to the occasion this session, providing valuable research, constituent services and unique perspectives for these legislative leaders while learning about working in a complex office environment like the Texas Capitol. I’ve really enjoyed watching their growth as professionals and as scholars,” she said.
Major: Criminology
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Dillard, who has her sights set on law school and a future in the legal field, served as a legislative aide in the office of Rep. Salman Bhojani BS’03. She managed the representative’s schedule, conducted in-depth research on proposed bills and provided key support to the legislative director.
Dillard said the highlight of the experience has been the opportunity to network. From meeting with constituents and professionals to engaging with industry stakeholders about proposed legislation, she gained valuable insight into the world of policymaking and advocacy. She credits the internship with strengthening her public speaking, communication, organization and time management abilities.
Major: Political science
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Elele served in the office of Rep. Rhetta Bowers and helped prepare the representative for committee meetings, track legislative bills and process constituent casework.
One of the most valuable lessons she learned is the importance of adaptability and interpersonal skills, especially when handling constituent casework. Elele said the most rewarding part of the internship were the people, as she formed lasting friendships with her colleagues and professional relationships with elected officials and industry representatives.
Major: Business administration
Naveen Jindal School of Management
Naik, who is aiming for a future in regulatory affairs, learned how policy is shaped, debated and brought to life as a legislative intern in the office of Rep. Angie Chen Button MS’80.
His main duties included constituent casework; meeting with advocacy groups, businesses and other stakeholders; and managing the logistics of events. He said meeting with stakeholders on various issues has helped give him a broader awareness of policy areas that he may not have otherwise encountered — from health care to environmental regulation to emerging technology.
“I now understand how policy evolves from a first draft into official law or regulation. If I end up representing clients in a legislative capacity one day, I’ll have firsthand knowledge of how third-party stakeholders engage with and influence that process,” he said.
Major: Economics
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Patel helped turn research into results and transform policy discussions into legislation as a member of Sen. Royce West’s office. She was responsible for drafting bill analyses and tracking legislation, often diving deep into datasets, transportation policy and tax law to provide essential context for proposed bills and amendments.
Patel said the experience has equipped her with skills that she plans to carry forward, especially into law school. She learned how to communicate confidently with high-level stakeholders, tailor her message for different audiences and stay composed under pressure. Most importantly, she said that good ideas aren’t always enough — legal strategy, strong relationships and political timing can be just as critical to success.
Major: Political science
School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences
Puentes was responsible for taking care of constituent affairs, serving as a bridge between state agencies and constituents to resolve problems for the office of Rep. Salman Bhojani. She also assisted with special projects for the representative.
She said she learned that the Capitol is a vibrant environment, rich with diverse perspectives. Working in public service offers continuous opportunities for learning and growth, and the experience has prompted her to reflect on her long-term goals.
Major: Biology
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Shah, who is also pursuing a minor in political science and plans to attend medical school after graduation, used her role in the office of Rep. Mihaela Plesa to hone her organization and time management skills. As committee director for the vice chair of the House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services, she helped organize committee meetings, draft talking points and facilitate communication between committee members and stakeholders.
Shah said the experience gave her a deeper appreciation for the complexities of public service and the importance of advocacy. She hopes to integrate her advocacy skills into her future role as a physician and work on behalf of patients in and outside the exam room.
04.30.2025
The University of Texas at Dallas’ new Comets LANding gaming and esports center will host summer camps for the first time this year, while a variety of other in-person camps on campus for youths will feature activities from sports to speech.
UT Dallas will offer three sessions of basketball skills camps for boys and girls age 6 to 16. Skills camp participants will work on shooting technique, ballhandling skills and team-play tactics, and will compete in contests throughout the week. Other athletics offerings include soccer camps, softball camps, basketball developmental camps and volleyball camps for a variety of ages and skill levels.
UTD’s Callier Center for Communication Disorders, which offers services to children and adults with speech, language and hearing disorders, plans four summer camps for children. The Summer Language Camp is a six-week language therapy program for children with language and learning disorders. It will focus on reading and listening comprehension, vocabulary development and narrative language development. The Summer Reading Camp is for children age 6 to 10 who are having difficulty learning to read. Also offered are Camp Interact for elementary children with social-skill difficulties and the Summer Listening Camp for children age 4 to 11 with hearing differences. Visit the Callier Center upcoming events page for more information.
The chess program is providing only in-person camps this year. There are three weeks available for students age 8 to 17 with morning and afternoon sessions. Participants are grouped from beginners to advanced by online assessment and prior tournament experience.
UTD’s gaming and esports program will host six weeks of summer camps in its new Comets LANding space. Comets LANding opened earlier this year with 16,000 square feet, more than 100 PCs and areas featuring stations with Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch consoles across two floors. Esports camps are open to youth age 8 to 15. Further details, when they are available, will be published on the esports website.
Other UTD summer camps for 2025 include:
Chinese Language and Culture: There will be weeklong sessions for children age 5 to 15.
Information Technology and Systems Exploration: It’s a weeklong camp for high school students.
Mean Green Comet Debate Institute: There will be numerous sessions for middle school and high school students.
For the most up-to-date information on summer camps and classes, visit UT Dallas’ Programs for Minors webpage.
–Jessica Good
04.07.2025
Movies like “The Terminator,” in which an artificial intelligence system goes rogue and tries to wipe out humanity, depict our worst fears about AI.
But outside of science fiction, there’s no need to be afraid of the technology becoming self-aware like the AI in the movies anytime soon, said Dr. Sriraam Natarajan, a professor of computer science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas.
“I want to reassure everyone that AI-driven Armageddon is not happening,” Natarajan said. “‘The Terminator’ is a great movie. ‘The Matrix’ is great, but they are fiction and are not going to happen in reality.”
Natarajan, who recently was named a fellow of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, said fear of AI often stems from misconceptions about the technology. There are a number of reasons not to be afraid of AI, he said.
AI does not have consciousness. Instead, AI mimics and predicts, Natarajan said.
“There’s this idea of artificial intelligence becoming all-knowing, pervasive and understanding everything, but we are not even close to having that type of technology,” he said. “It’s science fiction, a fantasy created by humans.”
AI is not close to being as smart as humans, he said. For example, AI would require exponentially more information to be capable of interpreting visual cues such as eye contact, a nod or a wave from another driver that humans easily understand as signals to go first at a four-way stop.
Could AI achieve human-like thinking in the future?
“Not in the frameworks that we have today, not in the next few decades,” Natarajan said.
AI systems are trained on data and cannot generate new knowledge outside of the scope of their training information, which humans control. Claims that AI can “learn” refer to its ability to identify patterns and relationships and to produce insights from the data and make predictions.
“Whatever data is being used to train an AI system is all that it can learn from,” Natarajan said.
But what if humans use AI to harm instead of help people, such as developing toxins instead of treatments? That is why much of current AI research is focused on safeguarding the technology from tampering and malicious use, Natarajan said.
“Safety is of paramount importance as it is with any critical invention, all the way from transportation to nuclear energy,” Nataranjan said. “We need to make sure that the deployment of AI systems is done with human safety in mind.
“However, I don’t fear AI; I fear people who misuse AI. That’s why guardrails are needed to keep AI from falling into the wrong hands.”
Natarajan sees AI as a technology breakthrough that will help increase productivity rather than make people’s jobs obsolete.
“The goal of AI is not to replace jobs but to train people to more effectively do things they are good at,” Natarajan said. “The mundane aspects of a job can be offloaded to AI. The creativity of these jobs will still rely on humans.”
AI has the potential to help humans solve pressing problems, Natarajan said, adding that a major focus of AI research aims to protect the technology from misuse.
“With AI, we have the potential to help cure diseases. We have the potential to better understand the impact of climate change on our environment. We have the potential to predict the next big forest fires and develop strategies to mitigate them,” he said. “There is a lot of potential with AI, and we should first understand the robustness of the AI systems before deploying them.”
–Kim Horner
Note to journalists: Dr. Sriraam Natarajan is available for news media interviews. Contact Kim Horner, 972-883-4463, kim.horner@utdallas.edu.
04.03.2025
The Margaret McDermott Mall on the UT Dallas campus as seen in Polycraft World, a Minecraft modification created by a team of UTD faculty and students.
In “A Minecraft Movie,” which opens in theaters April 4, four misfits transported to the video game’s cubic world must harvest materials to craft their way back home and protect themselves from threats such as zombies and hostile creatures called piglins.
Meanwhile, at The University of Texas at Dallas, a team of researchers has embarked on its own Minecraft mission: to build lessons within the popular game to teach students about semiconductors, batteries, polymers and even help premedical students prepare for the MCAT.
“We deliver complex content fully within Minecraft in an approachable, simple way,” said Dr. Walter Voit BS’05, MS’06, associate professor of materials science and engineering and of mechanical engineering and director of the Center for Engineering Innovation.
Voit, who leads the project, is a longtime Minecraft player who said he is eager to see the new movie starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. He and fellow researchers recently launched a startup company, Pedegree Studios Inc., which has licensed UT Dallas technology to develop educational games embedded in Minecraft. The company’s efforts include Overqualified! learning modules, which feature a digital replica of the UTD campus that the team previewed at South by Southwest in March.
Dr. Walter Voit BS’05, MS’06 (center), associate professor of materials science and engineering and of mechanical engineering at UT Dallas, discusses how Minecraft can be used as a training ground for students at an event at the Capital Factory in Austin during the SXSW festival.
Minecraft is a sandbox game that gives players freedom to explore, build and experiment without strict constraints. The platform makes it possible for developers to create a replica of a battery prototyping lab in the game, for example.
“It’s a space where you can learn real-life lessons in a realistic environment in a digital abstraction of often restricted spaces,” said Dr. Eric Kildebeck BS’05, research professor at UTD and a senior vice president of education at Pedegree Studios. As undergraduate classmates, Kildebeck and Voit were members of the inaugural cohort of Eugene McDermott Scholars at UT Dallas.
The abstract, blocky Minecraft environment also makes it possible to quickly build complex lab facilities in the game that do not need to be exact replicas of their real-world counterparts to function. A team led by Dr. Robert Steininger, a long-time research scientist in the Center for Engineering Innovation and aptly titled puzzlemaster at Pedegree Studios, carefully studies manuals, blueprints and physical layouts to re-create UTD labs and equipment and model human endeavors, like learning to make a computer chip from scratch, through Minecraft.
“We’ll find a 3D model of a scanning electron microscope, and then we’ll re-create it in the game,” said Steininger, an alumnus of the Eugene McDermott Graduate Fellows Program.
Pedegree Studios builds on the 2014 release of Polycraft World, a Minecraft modification created by a team of UTD faculty and students that incorporates into the game many aspects of polymer science and engineering, from petrochemical harvesting and refining to the creation of specialty items made from many different plastics, rubbers, ceramics and alloys. Researchers also received a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency grant in 2020 to use Polycraft World to teach artificial intelligence systems to respond to dynamic and unpredictable environments.
“In the beginning, the thought was: We want to provide some bonus experiences for students to poke into Minecraft and learn about polymers. We started by putting seven recyclable polymers in the game,” Voit said.
Now, researchers envision engaging science and engineering lessons matched to state and national accreditation standards that students at UTD and beyond can access on a gaming console, computer or phone.
“We’re here to help faculty package their course content dynamically to take advantage of the ways that students consume content today,” Kildebeck said. “We can teach students wherever they are, whenever they’re awake, using whatever device they’re on.”
–Kim Horner
03.17.2025
Assistant professor of practice Hannah Pourchot Neale MS’13, PhD’18, shown supervising an Accent Modification Program session, spoke of the vast options available within the field of speech-language pathology.
One of The University of Texas at Dallas’ highest-ranked areas of study is also among the top 10 careers in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The publication’s “100 Best Jobs” list, released in January, ranked speech-language pathologist ninth in terms of pay, room for advancement, a satisfying work-life balance and challenging work.
Like many hopeful speech-language pathologists, UT Dallas speech, language, and hearing sciences senior Kate Christi Sampang found her calling after witnessing the healing possibilities of the role. She has spent recent semesters building a strong foundation for graduate school through various clinical and observational experiences.
“I had a speech therapist starting from preschool all the way through second grade,” said Sampang, who is on track to graduate in May from the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS). “I had selective mutism, so I grew up in speech therapy and then just always had it in the back of my mind.”
Last April, U.S. News ranked UTD’s speech-language pathology graduate program 21st nationwide. The University’s Doctor of Audiology program tied for third.
Hannah Pourchot Neale MS’13, PhD’18 was drawn to speech-language pathology in high school when she witnessed a speech pathologist help her grandmother regain language skills after a stroke. She was inspired to pursue a bachelor’s in communication sciences and disorders before attending UT Dallas for her graduate studies.
Today, Pourchot Neale works as an assistant professor of practice of speech, language, and hearing at BBS and as a clinical supervisor. She believes that the drive to improve the lives of patients with communication disorders — along with the demand for specialized skills, competitive wages and job stability — make speech-language pathology a desirable career.
“The field is vast, and there’s no lack of need,” Pourchot Neale said. “You could work with infants who have a swallowing disorder or with adults who are struggling to communicate after a stroke. Or you could work with elementary school children who struggle to say specific sounds. A day in the life for each speech pathologist is so different, which is what makes the field exciting.”
Pourchot Neale also teaches courses in which undergraduate students observe and participate in clinical sessions with individuals who have communication disorders. Through these practicums, undergraduates gain firsthand experience while building a strong foundation for graduate studies.
Sampang is one of Pourchot Neale’s students in a practicum focused on non-native English speakers. Offered by the Callier Center for Communication Disorders and UT Dallas Intercultural Programs, the Accent Modification Program provides international students with opportunities to improve their spoken English through individual and group activities.
Sampang took part in another practicum under Pourchot Neale in Callier Center’s Super Speech program, which helps preschool and kindergarten children with speech sound errors.
“I really like how personal the speech program at UTD is,” Sampang said. “I’ve taken six classes with Dr. Neale, so I’ve known her for two or three years. You really get to know the professors and the students, and everyone is super supportive.”
–Javier Giribet-Vargas
11.22.2024
Recent recalls of contaminated carrots, ground beef, deli meat and other grocery items have raised new concerns about food safety.
Researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas are developing sensors aimed at making it possible for consumers to detect contaminants in food and water within minutes in the convenience of their homes.
The UT Dallas bioengineers published three proof-of-concept studies in 2024 that demonstrated their sensors’ ability to detect E. coli, salmonella and a common herbicide.
“Our goal is to develop accurate, rapid sensor technologies that consumers can use to ensure that their food is free of harmful contaminants,” said Dr. Shalini Prasad, department head of bioengineering and a Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.
“We are excited to design tools that give people more ability to protect their health,” she said.
In a study published in June in the journal Biosensors, Prasad and her team demonstrated a portable electrochemical sensing platform that detects and quantifies E. coli O157:H7 in water within five minutes. Although the study tested for a different E. coli strain than the one found recently in organic carrots, the researchers plan to expand the sensor to test for other types of the bacteria now that they have proven the technology works.
A study published in February in the journal Microchimica Acta demonstrated a device to screen for salmonella in water samples in less than nine minutes. And another study published in August in Electrochem showed that one of their sensors can detect in drinking water the toxic chemical paraquat dichloride, which is used to kill weeds.
Prasad said her team also is working on a sensor to detect altrazine, another toxic herbicide, and one to detect mycotoxins, which are produced by fungi.
Dr. Shalini Prasad, Cecil H. and Ida Green Professor in Systems Biology Science
Prasad has designed a variety of miniature cellular and molecular platforms that she is using to create faster and more affordable clinical diagnostics. She and her team have designed a wearable sensor that can detect in human sweat molecules associated with health conditions, including diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, and key biomarkers of infection, which could give users early warnings of infections such as COVID-19 and influenza.
The researchers also have developed sensor technology to test parameters of soil health; the presence in saliva of THC, the active component in marijuana; and a rapid test to detect fentanyl in liquid.
The UTD researchers are advancing their sensor technologies in collaboration with the Allen, Texas-based company EnLiSense, which develops lifestyle-based sensors and devices. Prasad is a co-founder of the company.
–Kim Horner
Note to journalists: Dr. Shalini Prasad is available for news media interviews. Contact Kim Horner, 972-883-4463, kim.horner@utdallas.edu.
10.14.2024
An artist’s concept of NASA’s Europa Clipper. (Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech)
NASA’s $5.2 billion Europa Clipper mission to study Jupiter’s fourth-largest moon – Europa – and assess its potential for harboring life will see the spacecraft travel through the most powerful radiation belt in the solar system.
Concerns surfaced this summer about whether the semiconductor transistors used throughout the on-board spacecraft electronic systems could withstand the radiation. The Jupiter system is particularly harmful to spacecraft because its enormous magnetic field — tens of thousands of times stronger than Earth’s magnetic field — traps charged particles and accelerates them to very high energies, creating intense radiation belts that bombard Europa and other inner moons.
After extensive testing, however, NASA confirmed that the transistors can support the mission. The space agency launched Europa Clipper on Oct. 14, and it should arrive in 2030.
The concerns about transistors, however, raised the question: What happens when electronics are exposed to high levels of radiation?
Dr. Robert Baumann, an expert on radiation effects and reliability in microelectronics, was the former chief technologist for high reliability products at Texas Instruments (TI) and is now director of radiation effects and reliability at the Center for Harsh Environments Semiconductor Systems (CHESS) at The University of Texas at Dallas. He is also lead author of the company’s Radiation Handbook for Electronics.
Baumann said that in this specific case, high-energy protons and electrons can excite electrons in atoms (a process called ionization), creating excess charge carriers.
“This excess charge is accumulated and trapped in the insulating layers and shifts the performance and operation of transistors,” he said.
Dr. Robert Baumann
The damage happens gradually and accumulates as the spacecraft mission progresses.
“Like getting a sunburn, it is not one ultraviolet light ray, or photon, that burns you; it is the accumulation of many UV rays that burns your skin,” Baumann said.
In electronics, one effect of exposure to radiation is the generation, accumulation and trapping of radiation-induced positive charge in the insulator in transistors that leads to an effect called the total ionizing dose, or TID.
Transistors operate as digital on/off switches or analog “volume” controls, where the flow of electric current is controlled by the voltage on the “gate” of the transistor. The transistor acts like a faucet for electrical current, and the gate acts like the handle of a water faucet, Baumann said.
“As transistors are exposed to radiation and start to accumulate TID damage, they start to drift, and eventually, at a high enough dose, the transistor no longer functions as intended,” he said. “Transistors impacted by the TID effect will ultimately either be stuck in the ‘on’ or ‘off’ position. Imagine your home faucet with water gushing out, and no matter how hard you try to turn the handle, nothing happens.”
(Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech)
The Europa Clipper is expected to spend only one day of each of its 21-day orbits in the harshest radiation environment around Jupiter. NASA determined that the Europa Clipper’s transistors will be able to restore themselves through a process called annealing after the spacecraft moves through the part of its orbit outside of Jupiter’s high-radiation environment.
“Looking for life on Europa is a big deal,” said Baumann, who will be keeping tabs on the mission as it progresses. “It is just too bad about the high radiation levels around Jupiter; it makes the whole job significantly more challenging.”
CHESS is part of the UTD North Texas Semiconductor Institute, where researchers focus on developing and characterizing materials, devices and systems to enable technology for harsh environments, including radiation. The institute positions UTD to contribute to the goals of the federal CHIPS [Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors] and Science Act of 2022.
–Kim Horner
08.16.2024
Students build a CubeSat, a small satellite, at the Satellite Workshop at UT Dallas. From left: Nibedita Swain, telecommunications engineering doctoral student; Iniyan Joseph, computer science junior; and Colin Wong, computer science sophomore.
The number of satellites circling Earth has increased 361% over the past five years, with nearly 10,000 active satellites in orbit, according to the Satellite Industry Association.
A predominance of these satellites provide internet access and are used in scientific research and weather monitoring, among other applications.
More satellites, however, also means more potential for cyberattacks, said Dr. Kangkook Jee, assistant professor of computer science in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at The University of Texas at Dallas.
“This is a developing field that combines cybersecurity and space,” said Jee, who studies safety and security issues in spacecraft in low Earth orbit. “It is really important to safeguard our assets in space.”
Dr. Kangkook Jee, assistant professor of computer science at UT Dallas, leads a session at the workshop about small satellite communication, which relies on radio waves.
Cyberattacks on satellites could disrupt communications, corrupt sensor systems, inject malicious code and disrupt space operations. For example, a cyberattack disrupted communications in Ukraine at the onset of Russia’s invasion of the country in 2022.
The rapid increase in the number of satellites in orbit has created a demand for experts trained to deal with cybersecurity risks and safety in space. Jee and two other faculty members received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation in 2023 to develop training materials for researchers and students, including a virtual test bed environment for space cyberinfrastructure – the underlying technology that facilitates satellite communication.
Co-principal investigators include Dr. Ovidiu Daescu, professor and department head of computer science and Jonsson School Chair; and Dr. Manuel Quevedo-Lopez, professor and department head of materials science and engineering and Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics.
Seventeen UT Dallas students and two students visiting from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology attended the Satellite Workshop, which drew 110 applicants.
This summer the researchers offered a three-day Satellite Workshop, supported by the grant, to teach 17 UT Dallas students and two students visiting from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology about satellite cybersecurity concerns and the challenges of ensuring that satellites can perform in harsh conditions, such as microgravity, radiation and extreme temperatures. The training included a lab exercise that simulated a war-game scenario in which different satellites compete to interfere with communication and/or steal data from other satellites. Students also built CubeSats, small 4-inch square satellites about the size of a Rubik’s Cube.
Jee, who recruited two students from the workshop to work in his lab, said he plans to organize additional opportunities to increase student interest in satellite technology.
“Engineers and computer scientists who work with satellite technology are in high demand,” Jee said. “This is a very good career area to go into because our nation needs these resources. And to put it simply: It is space; it is cool.”
–Kim Horner
