Led by Professor Stephen Eikenberry, the team has secured nearly $3.5 million in funding from a MURI (Multidisciplinary şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Research Initiatives) grant through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. Researchers will investigate new ways to view the cosmos —but the applications don’t only apply to the deepest reaches of outer space.

“We’re collaborating on the photonic technologies that we could apply to exploring the solar system, looking for life on Europa, and doing some of the work we need to do to colonize the moon and Mars,” Eikenberry says.

And the list goes on, from accurately identifying and characterizing space debris, to improving communication between satellites, to tracking stars and planets that orbit black holes.

“We could potentially image forming planets around baby stars in a way that hasn’t been done before,” Eikenberry says.

The team’s research focuses on two key technologies: photonic lanterns and heterodyne spectroscopy. By capturing, measuring and combining light waves in specific ways, researchers can synthesize images at scales and resolutions never seen before, further unlocking the mysteries of our reality.

Nearly a third of CREOL’s faculty members are involved, including professors Rodrigo Amezcua-Correa, Miguel Bandres, Peter Delfyett, Darren Hudson and Axel Schülzgen. As of Spring 2025, the CREOL astrophotonics team includes more than 20 undergraduate students and 15 doctoral students. One of them is Tara Crowe, who says she decided to pursue her doctorate at UCF because of the program.

“You either do optics, or you do astronomy,” Crowe says. “And I really wanted to do both. Surprisingly, there are very few programs that do both.”

The research funding will also make an impact beyond CREOL, providing opportunities for physics students to participate in the projects.

“CREOL has a very strong history of innovating brand-new technologies,” Eikenberry says, “And we’re getting some traction. We’re getting some real motion there.”

A New Type of Telescope

Imagine a telescope with an aperture the size of the entire Earth. What would we be able to see?

But before looking up, Eikenberry says look down — at your car stereo.

“Your radio in your car — you tune it. It’s got an oscillator,” Eikenberry says. “You turn your dial, and that’s adjusting your frequency. Meanwhile, you’ve got an antenna that’s receiving all the stuff.”

When the frequency being received by the antenna matches the frequency on your dial, you hear a clear sound.

This roughly describes how the Event Horizon Telescope works to observe the cosmos. It’s a network of radio telescopes around the globe that combine their individual signals to produce a single image. This is how the first direct image of a black hole was produced in 2019.

Radio waves are a form of electromagnetic radiation, or simply, light. The CREOL team’s goal is to apply the same concept the Event Horizon Telescope uses — but for infrared light.

“A lot more interesting things give off infrared or visible light, than give off radio waves,” Eikenberry says.

For example, the James Webb Space Telescope has produced world-famous infrared images, including Webb’s First Deep Field, the deepest infrared look into the universe to date.

Eikenberry says creating a global array of infrared telescopes will produce images with a resolution 10,000 times greater than radio telescopes can. However, combining and processing the telescopes’ data will require some photonic innovation.

CREOL is working with five other institutions as part of a Multidisciplinary şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Research Initiative (MURI), including The şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of Texas at Austin, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of Colorado Boulder, Yale şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of Southern California and şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of Michigan. The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is overseeing the award sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Eikenberry and Delfyett have been allocated $2 million to investigate the concept.

Delfyett says the key to “tuning in” the telescopes lies in laser frequency combs.

“A laser frequency comb is a light source that produces many different colors,” Delfyett says. “And the different colors add together to make very short bursts of light, which can be utilized for length or time metrology, meaning that we’re able to measure the distance between these two telescopes.”

And that precision is paramount.

“If we want these telescopes on the opposite side of the Earth to be able to look at some object, take the information and add it together to have improved resolution, we must know that distance to the accuracy of the wavelength of light.”

The result: an infrared or near-infrared telescope with a virtual aperture the size of our planet, or bigger.

“This will give us an unprecedented ability to explore and measure the cosmos,” Delfyett says.

Photonic Lanterns Light the Way

Delfyett says the same technology can be used to look back down on the Earth. Using a constellation of small satellites, the images that could be captured would have the same signature, ultra-high resolution.

This technology has broad applications, including defense and environmental science. Delfyett says it could provide new high-resolution looks at forests, jungles, deserts and even three-dimensional cloud structures.

On the ground, Eikenberry says the telescope array could provide the same close-up view of objects in orbit, including a precise observation not just of the outside — but the inside of the International Space Station, which is in low-Earth orbit.

“With this technology, we would look through the window and read the 10-point font of the text message a person just got from his wife back home,” he says.

Eikenberry says this could prove useful in identifying cracks and other defects on expensive equipment high above the Earth’s surface, which are major concerns for the safety of people and equipment in orbit.

“A piece of space debris the size of a big marble can knock out your billion-dollar satellite,” Eikenberry says. “And right now, with the classical diffraction limit, even with adaptive optics to remove the blurring of the atmosphere, you still only get images that are limited by the diffraction of the telescope. You see a blurry thing about the size of a softball, you don’t know, is that a collection of little rocks? Is it a ball of dust? A ball of dust you don’t really care too much about, but a bunch of rocks matters.”

This is where photonic lanterns come in. While the technology has existed for a while, Eikenberry’s team is now researching how to use them as quantum-inspired imagers to attain the high resolution necessary to characterize space debris. Considering light as a wave, photonic lanterns can measure both the brightness and phase of the light, which Eikenberry says is necessary to sharpen the picture.

Looking further out into the depths of space, while we can detect many distant objects (using radio telescopes and other methods), we can’t necessarily produce a visual image of them. Advances in photonic lanterns could change that.

Eikenberry points to the formation of new planets around other stars: “Right now, we kind of know they’re there by looking at their spectral signatures, but we could be able to actually take a picture and resolve it — and figuring that out would be a huge leap forward.”

Using this light-based technology could also lead to more answers about the darkness in the universe. Black holes, Eikenberry says, can accumulate material from neighboring stars, and shoot it out in a stream that moves at 99% of the speed of light — but why that happens remains unclear.

“It’s a big mystery that’s been around since the 1960s,” he says, “Why does it shoot out little, narrow streams of material out of the deepest potential wells in the universe?”

Capturing visual and infrared images could lead to new revelations in astronomy, astrophysics and even astrobiology, the researcher says.

The Future of Space Photonics

Eikenberry says the spirit of collaboration at CREOL is what makes the advances in this emerging field possible.

“We’re sort of tying it all together now and making this big push into space photonics and astrophotonics, in particular,” Eikenberry says.

The expanding research areas support UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright’s mission to strengthen the university’s position as a leader in space research. This is implemented through the Space and Planetary Instrumentation, Commercialization, and Education (SPICE) initiative, managed by the Florida Space Institute providing support to multiple colleges and departments, including CREOL for the advancement of space photonics. The SPICE project aims to attract even more funding by empowering researchers with the resources and facilities they need to conduct advanced experiments for space research and develop emerging space technologies.

CREOL also has plans to hire a space photonics instructor, and the program’s growth will allow more students to explore their passion for the space industry.

Crowe says her work on the team as a CREOL student means more than just making progress toward her doctorate.

“It makes you feel like you’re doing something that’s going to take you somewhere,” Crowe says.

About the Researchers

Eikenberry earned his doctoral degree in astronomy at Harvard şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą in 1997. He joined CREOL in 2021 after serving as a professor of astronomy at the şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of Florida and before that, Cornell şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą. Eikenberry’s research group at CREOL focuses on studying black holes, neutron stars, dark energy and extrasolar planets. He also specializes in building astronomical instruments to observe them.

Delfyett has authored more than 200 scientific publications, holds 45 U.S. patents, and was recently inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. He is UCF’s first sitting faculty member to be inducted into the National Academy of Engineering. He serves as the Director of the Townes Laser Institute and his contributions have been extensive, spanning the underlying physics, device development and application of semiconductor-based mode-locked laser diodes.

Whiting is one of only seven geographic combatant commanders, and the visit showcased key research areas and opportunities for collaboration that align with DoD transformative technology and national security research priorities.

UCF recently joined USSPACECOM’s Academic Engagement Enterprise, which allows for further collaboration opportunities with the command.

Whiting began the visit by hearing from several UCF leaders about the university’s unique space-related research endeavors, including Winston V. Schoenfeld, vice president for research and innovation; David Hagan, dean of CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics; Greg Autry, associate provost for space commercialization and strategy; David Metcalf, associate research professor and director of the Mixed Emerging Technology Integration Lab; Stephen Eikenberry, professor of physics and optics and photonics; Tarek Elgohary, associate professor and director of the Astrodynamics, Space and Robotics Laboratory; and Eric “Tubby” Shwedo, assistant vice president for federal relations.

In the introductory briefing, Whiting was exposed to cutting-edge research in areas such as cislunar developments, space photonics, and modeling and simulation.

The visit further exemplifies ±«°äąó’s track record for advancing meaningful space research, Schoenfeld says.

“Here at UCF, we have a rich history of exceptional research in key defense areas beneficial to USSPACECOM such as hypersonics, optics, cybersecurity, materials science and modeling and simulation — just to name a few,” he says. “Our research in these areas has benefitted from significant DoD support — with more than 30% of our federal funding coming from DoD sources for over a decade. I am excited about the collaborative partnership between UCF and USSPACECOM to further the impact our research activities of direct interest to USSPACECOM.”

After the roundtable introduction, the USSPACECOM delegation visited with ±«°äąó’s highly regarded ROTC programs — Army ROTC Fighting Knights Battalion and Air Force Detachment 159 — to see firsthand how UCF is cultivating the officers and leaders of tomorrow.

±«°äąó’s AFROTC program, which has been developing officers for the Air Force and Space Force for more than 50 years, has earned the DoD’s ROTC and Educational Institutional Partnership Excellence Award for multiple areas of excellence.

They met with President Alexander N. Cartwright to learn about workforce development and how UCF plays a critical role in supplying quality STEM professionals who are ready to unleash their potential at the crossroads of space and innovation.

The tour concluded with a visit to the newly established Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion (HyperSpace Center) to delve into the groundbreaking aerodynamics, propulsion and hypersonic research being conducted at the unique testing facility.

Kareem Ahmed, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, discussed specialized detonation methods and carefully crafted fuels that can enhance the efficiency and efficacy of propulsion technologies.

The HyperSpace Center stands out as a pioneering research and testing hub dedicated to advancing next-generation technologies in space propulsion and high-speed travel, playing a vital role in shaping the future of space exploration and defense capabilities.

Ahmed’s team has received multiple DoD grants to develop hypersonic technology, which will be capable of traveling at speeds of Mach 6 to 17 (4,600 to 13,000 mph).

Additionally, undergraduate and graduate students working under Ahmed presented projects in specific areas of hypersonic research, including a live demonstration test of one of their experimental engines.

UCF is well-positioned to continue delivering impactful research for the aerospace industry, having recently joined the newly founded Florida şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Space Research Consortium. As the state’s official space research entity designated by Space Florida, the consortium will facilitate the awarding of NASA research grants in partnership with Kennedy Space Center.

The USSPACECOM visit to UCF is a culmination of mutual interest, partnerships and prior tours earlier in 2024, such as when USSPACECOM Major General Samuel Keener visited UCF when it hosted NASA’s Lunabotics competition.

Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university’s extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field.

With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, UCF continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos.

±«°äąó’s cutting-edge areas of space expertise include:

Space Medicine

±«°äąó’s College of Medicine is pioneering new frontiers in aerospace medicine, positioning itself as a leader in space health research and education. Spearheaded by initiatives to create an interdisciplinary curriculum, UCF is integrating expertise from engineering, medicine and nursing to address the unique health challenges of space exploration.

The college is building on existing research in space health, including innovative studies on the effects of microgravity on bone health, which could lead to improved protection for astronauts. Collaborations across disciplines, such as testing therapeutics for radiation protection and developing antimicrobial solutions for space station environments, highlight ±«°äąó’s commitment to advancing astronaut health and shaping the future of space medicine.

Space Propulsion and Power

UCF is advancing space propulsion with groundbreaking research that could make space travel more efficient and viable for future missions. Researchers are developing innovative hypersonic propulsion systems, such as rotating detonation rocket engines, which harness high-speed detonations to increase propulsion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption — an advancement that could significantly lower costs and emissions associated with space travel, creating new commercial opportunities in the industry. UCF is taking its hypersonics research even further with its recently launched Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion — the HyperSpace Center.

Additionally, UCF teams are exploring novel power systems for spacecraft venturing far from the sun, where solar energy becomes impractical. With funding from NASA, researchers are creating storable chemical heat sources capable of providing essential heat and power in extreme environments, from the icy surfaces of distant moons to the intense heat of Venus.

Space Technology and Engineering

UCF is forging the future of space technology with innovations that push the boundaries of lunar and deep space exploration. Through advancements in lunar resource utilization, UCF has developed methods to efficiently extract ice from lunar soil so that it can be transformed into vital resources like water and rocket fuel, while new techniques for processing lunar soil drastically reduce construction costs for infrastructure such as landing pads.

UCF researchers are also pioneering 3D-printed bricks made from lunar regolith that withstand extreme space conditions, setting the foundation for resilient off-world habitats. Lunar regolith is the loose dust, rocks and materials that cover the moon’s surface.

±«°äąó’s Exolith Lab, part of the , continues to lead in space hardware testing, advancing resource extraction and lunar construction technologies. Meanwhile, FSI’s CubeSat program is opening new doors in space exploration with compact, affordable satellites that give students and researchers access to microgravity and beyond.

Space Commercialization

UCF’s new space commercialization program — led by , College of Business professor of practice and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy — positions the university as a leader in space-related business education.

Autry will guide the college’s efforts to deliver Executive and MBA programs in space commercialization, driving curriculum development and establishing space-focused programs that equip students to lead in the growing commercial space industry.

In addition to the space commercialization program, Autry will be working with external stakeholders, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force and commercial firms like Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, to develop opportunities to advance mutual interests in space.

This includes working with Kennedy Space Center to lead a State şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą System partnership with the state of Florida to develop the necessary talent to maintain and expand Florida’s leadership in space exploration and commercialization.

Autry will also be leading ±«°äąó’s effort to develop and execute a roadmap for the university’s SpaceU brand through targeted investments in talent and facilities.

Space Domain Awareness

UCF is advancing space domain awareness research to protect critical assets in orbit by developing sophisticated algorithms for tracking and predicting the movement of objects such as satellites and asteroids, so they don’t collide with spacecraft. Under the guidance of aerospace engineering expert Tarek Elgohary, UCF researchers are creating a computational framework to rapidly and accurately track space objects in real time. This initiative is backed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research Dynamic Data and Information Process Program.

UCF is also addressing the growing issue of orbital debris through a NASA-funded study that includes researchers from ±«°äąó’s FSI and . This project seeks to increase public awareness and support for managing space debris, a hazard to satellites and potential space tourism ventures.

Workforce Development

UCF is propelling students toward dynamic careers in the space industry with hands-on programs and sought-after internship opportunities. Through the new engineering graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, developed in collaboration with NASA, students are gaining essential skills in testing and evaluating space-ready electronic components — a key advantage for aspiring space professionals.

Additionally, UCF students can benefit from hands-on internships at Kennedy Space Center, where they gain real-world experience in various fields, from engineering to project management.

At the , students gain direct experience in microgravity research and robotics. The center embodies ±«°äąó’s commitment to democratizing space access, offering pathways for students from all backgrounds to participate in and contribute to the growing space industry.

FSI’s CubeSat program further immerses students in satellite design and operation, offering direct involvement in active space missions.

Planetary Science

UCF’s planetary science program is driving breakthroughs in space exploration with projects spanning the moon, Mars and beyond. The NASA-funded Lunar-VISE mission, led by UCF, will explore the Gruithuisen domes on the far side of the moon to understand their volcanic origins, potentially unlocking insights crucial for future space exploration.

Complementing this, UCF researchers are contributing to NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer mission, which will map water ice deposits on the moon — an essential resource for sustained stays in space. On another front, UCF scientists are studying dust behavior in microgravity through experiments that flew on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, potentially leading to strategies for mitigating lunar dust, a challenge for electronics and equipment on future missions.

Expanding its reach beyond the moon, ±«°äąó’s planetary science research involves asteroid studies, including the high-profile OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu and examining seismic wave propagation in simulated asteroid materials to understand asteroid evolution and early planetary formation. UCF is also home to the , a node of NASA’s Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which facilitates NASA’s exploration of deep space by focusing its goals at the intersection of surface science and surface exploration of rocky, atmosphereless bodies.

Additionally, UCF researchers are studying trans-Neptunian objects and using the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the solar system’s outer reaches, analyzing ancient ices to uncover clues about the solar system’s history, while also investigating exoplanets to advance our understanding of other planets and to search for life beyond Earth.

In parallel, UCF researchers are also advancing bold ideas for terraforming Mars through nanoparticle dispersion to create warming effect, making the Red Planet potentially more habitable.

UCF researchers have also contributed their expertise to multiple high-profile NASA missions, including Cassini, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Curiosity, and New Horizons.

Advancing Astrophotonics, History and Policy

±«°äąó’s space research spans pioneering astrophotonics technology, studies in space history and critical analyses in space policy, each offering unique insights into the universe. The within CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is pushing the boundaries of photonics and astronomy, using tools like photonic lanterns, fiber optics, and hyperspectral imaging to detect cosmic phenomena and address profound questions about dark energy.

Meanwhile, delves into space history, exploring the cultural and scientific impacts of milestones like the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle program, helping illuminate humanity’s journey into space.

The contributes to this comprehensive approach with its broad studies of space policy, both domestically and internationally, including examining military space policy and rising space powers. The work involves studying space law, international agreements, and policy frameworks that guide space activities, which is essential for addressing the governance and strategic planning needed for space exploration and utilization.

Pioneering Tomorrow’s Space Exploration

UCF is pushing the frontiers of space research and education, tackling today’s challenges while preparing for the demands of future space missions. As the new space race continues, ±«°äąó’s forward-thinking approach will continue to drive progress, inspire new possibilities and expand humanity’s reach into the universe.

The UCF team won the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN)-sponsored Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Quantum-inspired Efficient Information Extraction for Electro-optic Systems Grand Challenge — earning $125,000 to fund their research. The competition continues over the next nine months with four development phases, through which up to $500,000 may be awarded to develop high-resolution space imaging solutions.

“We are excited to work with UCF for the next phase of this grand challenge,” said Sarah Krug, AFRL sensors directorate and laser radar optics research engineer, in an NSIN release. “We have confidence in their well-defined solution to our problem, and we look forward to seeing how their photonic lantern technology influences quantum-inspired high-resolution sensing.”

±«°äąó’s project, the PQI2: Photonic Quantum Inspired Imager, is led by CREOL professors Stephen Eikenberry and Rodrigo Amezcua Correa. It is also supported by CREOL doctoral candidate and U.S. Space Force Major Matthew Cooper and Kerri Donaldson Hanna, assistant professor of physics and a member of ±«°äąó’s Planetary Sciences Group.

“We are honored that the AFRL chose to support our approach to this growing problem,” says Eikenberry. “We look forward to combining our proven photonic lanterns with new innovations in hardware to accurately identify and characterize space debris with unprecedented resolution.”

The AFRL issued a call for white papers from small companies, large defense contractors, and other universities to address the problem of human-made space debris detection and asteroid, comet, and interstellar object characterization. The challenge was to design and demonstrate a device that can sense beyond traditional imaging limitations, such as the Rayleigh diffraction limit, and recreate an image of the object sensed. AFRL will use the UCF team’s results when building future advanced systems.

“Our team’s advanced techniques and photonic lantern hardware expertise enables us to use new solutions which can approach the quantum resolution limit,” says Amezcua Correa. “In other words, our system will produce clear images using new technology we will create at UCF.”

Space debris presents a serious threat to future space research and commercialization for the United States and the world at large. It has been an increasing problem since the launch of the first human-made satellite, Sputnik, in 1957, marking the beginning of the space age.

“Unfortunately, it is common practice for space assets to be Intentionally destroyed once their operational life is finished,” says Eikenberry. “Additionally, advances in space technology and operations bring new risks of the nefarious destruction of spacecraft and satellites by adversaries which will contribute to more space debris.”

Current studies estimate 100 million pieces of space debris in orbit — many too small to track with current imaging technology. Debris as small as a marble traveling at an orbital velocity of 17,500 mph can cause mission-ending damage to spacecraft and satellites.

“A satellite colliding with space debris could potentially destroy capabilities to monitor hurricanes, distribute GPS navigation signals, or provide critical communication links to U.S. military personnel in hazardous areas across the globe,” says Cooper. “A collision with a manned spacecraft could be fatal.”

The potentially catastrophic effects of “space junk” are being voiced by NASA, the U.S. Space Force, the entire commercial space industry, and world leaders. Due to the potential damage from such small objects, the White House published a emphasizing the need to limit the debris created during space operations, and pushing for improved capabilities in tracking, characterizing, and even removing or destroying the debris.

A crucial first step towards mitigating the threat is improved information on the nature of the debris including the size, shape, composition, rotation and time evolution of individual objects. However, current telescopes have not yet leveraged photonic components to produce the sub-diffraction-limit observations necessary to produce clear images. Current imagery is blurry, sometimes making it difficult to determine if a photo is of one object or a group of objects, or if it is human-made or naturally occurring.

“Natural occurring debris, like some cometary- and asteroidal-materials, may simply disintegrate upon impact with a spacecraft or satellite while others can pose a serious threat,” says Donaldson Hanna. “It is critical to accurately identify the type of space debris so appropriate action can be taken.”

As UCF continues to the next phase of the competition, the team’s research will encompass the effort to build, evaluate and document the final system. The phases will include fabrication, integration and laboratory testing of a functioning system. The final phase will be an on-sky demonstration.

“Our work in this area has benefited significantly from a UCF Jump Start Award for Photonic Atmospheric Sensing Technology (PHAST),” Eikenberry says. “We would not have been in a position to win the AFRL award without the advancements we made using Jump Start funding.”

The Jump Start Fund was made available in 2021 by UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright as part of his to help position the university as the world’s leading public metropolitan research university. The fund gives UCF a new avenue for enhancing academics and student success.

“I am delighted that we were able to fund so many strong proposals and only wish that we had the resources to support more of them,” says Michael D. Johnson, ±«°äąó’s interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, in announcing the awards.

The Jump Start Fund is one of three funds the president made available as part of his investment program to help position UCF as the world’s leading public metropolitan research university. The program will award up to $50 million this fiscal year to projects proposed by faculty and staff that can elevate ±«°äąó’s academic excellence, student success and impact.

The initiative results from a new strategic budgeting approach by Cartwright after he became president last year, reallocating some funds to give UCF a new avenue for enhancing academics and student success.

The Jump Start Fund focuses on funding one-time projects or purchases that will amplify ±«°äąó’s impact. Proposals could address a variety of needs from research infrastructure and facilities renovations under $2 million to equipment, new programs, or temporary staff among others.

The Academic Excellence Fund will distribute $8.5 million recurring funds and $15 million in non-recurring funds. The Student Success Fund will award $1.5 million in recurring funds. The winners will be announced later. All three funds involve a review process leading to final decisions by the president and provost.

Seventy Jump Start proposals were submitted with more than 330 faculty and staff collaborating on the projects altogether. A complete list of all winning principal investigators and their teams is available .

The recipients:

College of Arts and Humanities

Lead: David Reed, assistant professor, School of Performing Arts

$56,442

Digital Media, Editing and Performance

The money will be used to help students stay competitive as they enter the world of performing arts by helping them prepare audition material using current technology. UCF has been unable to answer an industrywide shift toward digital audition materials, demo reels and scene work, largely due to the lack of high-quality equipment. The funds will be used to create and store three mobile professional studios that would allow students to film, edit and musically underscore audition material. The technology will allow all students to utilize professional grade equipment, elevating the quality of filmed material, providing relevant career preparation and creating an equitable opportunity for each student. Additional materials will also enhance the filming process for the actors. These include the procurement of a film-appropriate aluminum armory to supplement current UCF training, and foundational scenic training material, including film-appropriate and heavy-duty aluminum seating. This equipment is intended to provide students with industry-specific training materials and to elevate the aesthetic of the filmed material. Learning to use these tools will not only prepare students for the industry, but it will also make them more competitive in the job market.

College of Sciences

Lead: Li Fang, assistant professor, Department of Physics

$500,000 with $237,000 match

User Facility for Attosecond Soft X-Rays and Terahertz (UFAST)

Fang is leading a team that will create a new facility at UCF by renovating a clean room laboratory and purchasing the necessary components for secondary light sources and vacuum beam lines. Her proposal was contingent on landing an almost $2 million U.S. National Science Foundation grant for the instrumentation, which she was awarded earlier this month. When complete, UCF will have a one-of-a-kind user facility for attosecond soft X-rays and terahertz. UCF is building a world-class reputation in attosecond science.

Lead: Andres Campiglia, professor, Department of Chemistry

$350,000, with $85,150 match

Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry Instrumentation

The funds will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art liquid chromatography mass spectrometer for departmental use. In addition to improving the research capabilities of the chemistry faculty, the new instrument will enhance interdisciplinary interactions across the college and throughout campus with research faculty in need of chemical analysis. Immediate impact is expected on a variety of research areas within the chemistry department.  These include environmental contamination, atmospheric chemistry, green approaches to biodiesel production, development of new catalysts for precise selectivity control, synthesis of plasmonic-catalytic hybrid nanomaterials for biomedical sensing, discovery of bacterial compounds with antibiotic activity, diagnostics of disease biomarkers, and new and better approaches for AIDs treatment. Having the new equipment will enhance UCF competitiveness in securing federal funding and provide an excellent opportunity to train students with state-of-the-art instrumentation. By hiring a technician with expertise in mass spectrometry, the chemistry department will provide an $85,150 match.

College of Optics and Photonics

Lead: Stephen Eikenberry, professor,

$180,000, with $90,000 match

A Facility for Photonic Atmospheric Sensing Technology

Two groups of experts at UCF are collaborating under this grant to create a world-class virtual facility focused on atmospheric-sensing technologies. UCF is already known for its expertise in photonics through the College of Optics and Photonics. UCF also has extensive expertise in LIDAR technology thanks to its work at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, which the university manages for the U.S. National Science Foundation. But these experts have their joined forces to study and advance the field of atmosphere sensing, which focuses on the atmosphere around Earth. The atmosphere provides the air needed to breathe while also providing protection against the sun’s radiation and the extremes of space weather. Changes to Earth’s atmosphere, such as temporary disruptions caused by solar flares, for example, can impact the global community and economy. Monitoring the atmosphere, figuring out how to manage it and preparing for changes has local, regional, national and global implications with a direct connection to the human race’s survival. The team will leverage its expertise and work together to make UCF a leader in this critical area of research.

Lead: Peter Delfyett, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Distinguished Professor, şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Trustee Chair and Pegasus Professor

$325,000, with $50,000 match

Space Photonics in Interferometric Imaging for Communications, Environment, and Defense

The money will be used to build a test bed for sparse aperture array imaging that will serve as a cornerstone of next generation, space-based imaging modalities. The approach aims to exploit the revolution in optical laser technology, positioning UCF to create a system of mini-satellites with optical technology that would allow a viewer to read 10-point font text on a page from 600 miles away, such as reading text on a cell phone from low-Earth orbit. If successful, the team expects UCF would be positioned to compete for a variety of big grant proposals and contracts from multiple agencies.

College of Graduate Studies

Lead: Glenn Martin, research associate professor and lab director of Interactive Realities Laboratory, School of Modeling Simulation and Training

$495,085, with $200,000 match

Enhancement to the Stokes High-Performance Computing Cluster, Supporting Cross-Campus General-Purpose Research Computing

The money will be used to upgrade access to computational science research on campus. UCF has been using the Stokes high-performance computing cluster for the 15 years, which gives faculty and students capabilities to design, implement, and use mathematical models to analyze and solve a variety of scientific problems. The system needs updating to keep up with age and demand. The money will purchase modern equipment that will add 60 nodes to replace aging nodes used now. Stokes supports computational research across UCF with users coming from almost every college. In addition, computational research in various domains is increasing and provides a great opportunity for expanding research while requiring little additional space. Each month, multiple users from multiple lab groups across campus use Stokes for their research.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

Lead: Reza Abdolvand, professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

$430,000, with $105,000 match

Acquisition of Direct-Write Photolithography System for the UCF Central Cleanroom Facility

The money will be used to purchase a state-of-the-art direct-write photolithography system for UCF. The system is expected to modernize on-campus micro-nanofabrication facilities, which enable a variety of research activities with a focus on understanding and developing micro and nano-devices and circuits necessary for various industry applications. The system eliminates the entire time-consuming and expensive photomask making process and enables instant modification of designs. Harvard şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Stanford şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą and the şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of California at Berkeley have recently purchased similar systems. At least 20 faculty members across the College of Engineering and Computer Science, the College of Optics and Photonics, and College of Sciences are expected to use the new system to advance their research on technologies, such as next-generation electronics, micro-sensors, and optical microsystems. The investment is expected to help propel innovation and improve the university’s national standing in wide areas of research that depend on micro-fabrication capabilities.

Lead: Kareem Ahmed, associate professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

$500,000, with a $1.3 million match

Ultra-High-Speed Flow Facility for Hypersonics and Space Propulsion

UCF is home to the world-class Propulsion and Energy Research Lab, which has been producing new discoveries and advancements that, for example, promise to make travel from New York to London in 5 minutes. The engine test facility is used by many researchers at UCF from College of Engineering, College of Sciences and others. The high-level research has broad impact in hypersonics, space propulsion and energy power generation and extends to supernova science. However, the experimentation is outdoors, limiting the use of the lab’s ultra-fast lasers. The investment will cover the outdoor space and upgrade some of the equipment. This investment should result in propelling research forward. The proposal team estimates the remodel should make UCF more competitive for at least $3.5 million worth of research grants from federal agencies alone.

Lead: Parag Banerjee, associate professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

$50,000, with $20,000 match

Atomic Layer Deposition Batch Reactor for Functional Coating Powders

The money will be used to build a state-of-the-art, fully custom atomic layer deposition system for coating powders that will eventually allow researchers to work with larger batches of powder while maintaining atomic-scale precision. Precision is a key priority identified by faculty members involved in internationally recognized work. Five ALD (atomic layer deposition?) systems are already in use at UCF, each an irreplaceable part of the material synthesis process (particularly at a nanoscale). The newly funded system will be especially significant to the research conducted by the interdepartmental REACT cluster (which optimizes materials for use in renewable energy production) and the Optical Materials Laboratory. In recognition of its interdisciplinary potential, three colleges and one department (the College of Engineering and Computer Science, College of Sciences, College of Optics and Photonics, and Department of Materials Science and Engineering) have joined to provide $20,000 in matching funds.

Lead: Kristopher Davis, assistant professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

$205,570, with $58,000 match

Infrastructure Equipment Enhancement: Nanomaterials for Improved Solar Cell Efficiency and Virus Trapping

The requested funds will buy a particle analyzer system and a thermography system for use in observing and optimizing nanoparticles. Faculty members plan to apply the equipment to a wide range of research areas — most notably solar energy cell development and virology. In solar energy, there is a need for nanomaterial fabrication to improve the efficiency of cells’ electrical contacts, thus eliminating the price constraints currently limiting the technology’s spread. In medical research, engineered nanoparticles have shown a unique capability to tackle the complex mechanical properties of viruses like SARS-CoV-2. The professors who crafted this proposal each bring strong interdisciplinary track records to the table; between them, they have several multi-year projects with the Department of Energy and National Institute of Health, collaborations with many industrial partners and multiple National Science Foundation awards. Upon receipt, this funding will immediately increase ±«°äąó’s ability to compete for even more significant grants and will facilitate investigation in areas like electronics, dermatology and household product formulation — allowing UCF to broaden its research horizons as it furthers its recognized strengths in virology and solar energy.

Lead: Paul Gazzillo, assistant professor, Department of Computer Science

$100,000, with $50,000 match

Advancing Interdisciplinary Cyber Security and Privacy Research

Attacks on water treatment plants, the national pipeline and government and private businesses are increasingly common today, posing a threat to individuals and to national security. UCF has the expertise to tackle these threats with faculty in various colleges and within the Cyber Security and Privacy cluster. UCF is also home to award-winning student teams focused on keeping our networks safe. But to truly innovate solutions to the constantly emerging threats, UCF needs a new kind of physical space. The award money will be used to renovate an existing computer lab into a first-of-its-kind space at UCF that will support the interdisciplinary approach needed for advanced solutions. The lab will include:

• a sensory suite for comprehensive and real-time human state estimation, which will include eye-tracking,
• physiological monitoring, and other biometric devices needed for cognitive and behavioral research,
• cyber-analytics hardware and software platforms, used by cyber-security practitioners and for training cyber-defense professionals, and
• computational resources for data analytics and real-time data collection from the sensory measurement equipment and cyber-defense platforms.

The outcome is expected to translate into more research funding for UCF, a better prepared workforce and holistic solutions for problems that could potentially cripple our national economy and security.

Lead: David Mohaisen, associate professor, Department of Computer Science

$140,000, with $35,000 match

Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Privacy at the şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą

Already a leader in cyber security and privacy research and education, this project will launch a new online master’s in cybersecurity and privacy at UCF to meet the exceedingly growing demands. The main goal of this proposal is to aid in the development of high-quality online course content that would not be possible with the currently available resources. With the rise in need for cybersecurity experts, this program is expected to deliver workforce-ready graduates that will not only work in this field, but also lead it.

Lead: Sudipta Seal, Pegasus Professor and chair, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

$105,000, with $48,000 match

A Spray Drying Facility for Nano-Manufacturing

The money will be used to purchase and augment a spray drying instrument and enhance current facilities to serve nanoscale manufacturing research and training needs in Central Florida that are not currently met. Interdisciplinary research is key to solving big challenges, and this facility will reinforce that message by providing tools that can be used across disciplines. The purchase will support research in the areas of engineering, planetary and space science, biomedical engineering, and nano/micro-manufacturing. The tools will also augment the education and training of graduate and undergraduate students who already participate in several U.S. National Science Foundation Research Experience for undergraduates programs housed at UCF.

College of Medicine

Lead: Griffith Parks, associate dean for research and director, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

$300,000, with $300,000 match

Next Generation in High Resolution Tissue Imagining

The money will be used to purchase a high imaging platform for UCF researchers in the biomedical sciences. The platform will provide researchers with an ultra-high resolution imaging system, which is intended to help researchers advance the understanding of cancer, neuroscience and infectious diseases. The need for the platform is essential because biomedical sciences research is heavily dependent on the use of animals as models for human disease. However, a major challenge is the ability to visualize, image, record and study the structure, content and organization of complex tissues. For example, cancer research often involves the need to visualize the growth and characteristics of tumor tissue within the context of surrounding normal tissue, or to visualize the infiltration of immune cells to the tumor site. To be effective, these studies require ultra-high-resolution images and the use of a large number of “markers” on one sample coupled to powerful analysis software. These markers for different cell types are important to distinguish normal tissue from the wide range of types of tumors (e.g., aggressive tumors) and to identify the immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The platform will allow researchers to conduct this visualization in large quantities and at a faster rate than they can do so with current equipment available at UCF.

Office of Research

Center for Directed Energy

Lead: Robert Bernath, director, Townes Institute Science Testing Experimentation Facility (TISTEF)

$450,000, with a $806,000 match

TISTEF: Ready to Launch UCF to New Capabilities at Kennedy Space Center

The strategic investment money allows for expanded capabilities to the user base at the Townes Institute for Science, Technology, and Experimentation (TISTEF) Facility. UCF manages the federal facility, located on the Space Coast at Kennedy Space Center. The added capabilities are expected to benefit UCF researchers, private, and public agencies already using the facility and attract new users and open new areas of investigations at UCF in the engineering, optics, and other sciences areas. A significant amount of matching funds comes from the generous support of the Naval Research Laboratory, LP Photonics LLC and Booz Allen Hamilton. Upon completion over the next two years, UCF expects to see more grants and contracts for work conducted at TISTEF.

Lead: Shafaq Chaudhry, assistant director, Graduate and Research Information Technology

$500,000, with $70,000 match

Graduate and Research Information Technology (GRIT): Enabling Big Data and Computational Science via High-Throughput Networking

The funds will be invested in ±«°äąó’s cyberinfrastructure, building up three identified gaps in network support by a) increasing the overall campus network backbone to 100 Gbps; b) increasing our capacity for connection to the collaborative Internet2 research network to 100 Gbps; and c) allowing more labs to access the Advanced Research Computing Center (ARCC). These improvements are expected to enhance ±«°äąó’s capabilities across all forms of big-data research, providing the knowledge and connectivity necessary for us to forge our path as a leading public metropolitan research university. The Office of Research will provide a two-year $50,000 match in support of cloud connectivity, and a $20,000 annual match in support of data transfer functionality.

Lead: Tamara Gabrus, program director II, Faculty Cluster Initiative and Pre-Award Shared Services

$300,000, with $31,000 match

Research Commons: Cultivating Innovation by Advancing Access to Collaboration

Funding will be used to establish the Research Commons Collaboration Hub, a suite with all the resources needed to help faculty with sponsored research proposals. The hub will be in Technology Commons I, providing investigators and their dedicated unit pre-award staff a convenient one-stop connection. The Pre-Award Shared Services (PASS) team will provide oversight to augment the existing pre-award administration that is familiar with the nuances of each college, institute and center on campus. The inviting space, equipped with technology to support the research enterprise, will be dedicated to meeting the needs of our research-intensive, collaborative faculty while simultaneously reducing administrative burden on the faculty’s home unit by decreasing the hours they dedicate to managing their large, interdisciplinary proposal submissions. The hub staffing will also include the existing Research Development team that will be accessible to provide on-demand training in UCF research support systems such as the Pivot funding opportunity database. Once researchers have identified the appropriate funding opportunity and potential on-campus partners, they will find themselves ready to use the Research Commons Collaboration Hub. Office of Research staff from pre-award, contracts, awards management and grants accounting will also host office hours in the space to further aid their faculty and Departmental Research Administration, with the full life cycle of their awards.