Research

University of Houston researchers are developing a hybrid CFD–DSMC computational framework to model gas venting into space environments, improving prediction accuracy for NASA missions such as OSAM-1 and Gateway.

Researchers at the NASA MIRO IDEAS² Center developed lightweight, impact-resistant architected materials using additively manufactured ULTEM structures. The study combined finite element modeling and experimental ballistic testing to demonstrate improved impact resistance at significantly lower weight for potential spacecraft protection applications.

The UH IDEAS² Center team, led by Dr. Tian Chen, advanced the additive manufacturing and mechanical testing of architected ceramic lattices for aerospace applications. High-fidelity Kelvin-cell, octet-tetrahedral, Schwarz P, and gyroid lattices were fabricated and tested, confirming high elastic moduli and strong stress capacity suitable for lightweight, damage-tolerant space structures.

IDEAS² researchers presented architected materials research at multiple national and international conferences, showcasing work on tensegrity structures, auxetic surfaces, predictive controllers, and advancing the Center’s global recognition.

UH and Stanford collaboration explored origami-inspired parabolic thin-shell reflectors for spacecraft communication.

UH–Texas A&M IDEAS² team developed experimental apparatus to study vibration behavior in periodic tensegrity structures.

UH IDEAS² team developed prototypes of robotic manipulators and soft gripper systems for future space structure inspection and maintenance.

UH IDEAS² team advanced the fabrication of bistable deployable structures using AR-guided assembly methods.

Texas A&M IDEAS² team advanced DHT structure topologies for deployable towers, supported by undergraduate research and prototyping.

Texas A&M IDEAS² researchers investigated nonlinear wave propagation and tunable bandgap formation in tensegrity space structures.

UH IDEAS² Soft Robotics team enhanced robotic joint sensing and pneumatic soft gripper control with integrated self-sensing elements.

UH Space Architecture IDEAS² team developed improved inflatable and rigid bistable habitat prototypes for lunar and planetary applications.

UH SICSA team tested the Extended Reality Neuraframe (XRN) framework during zero-gravity flights to evaluate space habitat design.

Texas A&M team advanced deployable tensegrity research by testing a three-foot WT-HexaSine system with sinusoidal trusses.

UH Bio-Inspired Robotics Lab advanced tendon-driven soft robotic arm sensing and modeling for space applications.

Texas A&M researchers developed and tested a pseudoelastic SMA tensegrity tower to support deployable space structure design.

UH students collaborated with NASA Marshall to test a dome-shaped adaptive mechanism integrated with a lunar rover for autonomous surface operations.