Two students in the University of New Mexico's Department of Mechanical Engineering have been awarded the 2024-2025 New Mexico Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Scholarships.
The recipients, Alex Atcitty and Micah Wolbrecht, will each receive $5,000 for two academic semesters to support their research projects aligned with NASA goals.
Atcitty is collaborating with Professor Tariq Khraishi on a project aimed at finding an analytical second-order solution to the damage zone and plastic shape of a semi-infinite crack tip. "In the past, Dr. Khraishi has worked with students to find a first-order solution with the software Mathematica, and in this project, we are using those results to make a second order," Atcitty said.
Wolbrecht’s research focuses on building a data acquisition system and post-processing procedure to measure heat transfer in rocket chamber walls. He will work under Assistant Professor Georgios Koutsakis. Wolbrecht noted that rotating detonation rocket engine development is significant due to its potential for a 10-25% improvement in fuel-thrust efficiency. "Our new data acquisition system will enable research to understand cooling heat transfer of various high heat flux applications," he stated.
The Undergraduate Research Scholarship opportunity is available to full-time undergraduate students enrolled at any community college or university in New Mexico who are majoring in a STEM field. Scholarships are awarded competitively based on factors including the research project's alignment with NASA goals, faculty recommendations, and grade-point average. These awards fund students' research for up to four academic semesters.
