SAWE Academic https://www.sawe.org Society of Allied Weight Engineers, Inc. Fri, 29 May 2026 17:17:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 231197347 3835. Vibration Characterization for Active Damping in a 2U CubeSat Payload for Rocketry Applications https://www.sawe.org/product/3835-vibration-characterization-for-active-damping-in-a-2u-cubesat-payload-for-rocketry-applications/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:42:19 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10109 Paper
Ellen Froelich: 3835. Vibration Characterization for Active Damping in a 2U CubeSat Payload for Rocketry Applications. 2025.
 

Abstract

Vibration damping is essential to protect certain flight equipment and avionics, ensuring a successful flight in rocketry. The two main types of damping are passive and active damping. Passive damping uses materials to absorb shock and vibration during flight. This works under certain conditions but is not always sufficient. Active damping, however, offers more effective results. This damping method uses a data processor to assess the system’s vibration state and sends this information to a controller, which determines the appropriate action to reduce the vibration on the system, acting as a closed loop system. To implement effective damping, the vibrations the system experiences during flight need to be characterized. This includes determining the modes of vibration the system has, their locations, frequencies, and resulting displacements. The objective of the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities Rocket Team’s 2U CubeSat payload for the 2025 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is to characterize these vibrations that the CubeSat is experiencing during a flight to an altitude of 30,000 feet. Once the vibrations are characterized, an active damping system can be programmed and developed to reduce those vibrations.

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Ellen Froelich: 3835. Vibration Characterization for Active Damping in a 2U CubeSat Payload for Rocketry Applications. 2025.
 

Abstract

Vibration damping is essential to protect certain flight equipment and avionics, ensuring a successful flight in rocketry. The two main types of damping are passive and active damping. Passive damping uses materials to absorb shock and vibration during flight. This works under certain conditions but is not always sufficient. Active damping, however, offers more effective results. This damping method uses a data processor to assess the system’s vibration state and sends this information to a controller, which determines the appropriate action to reduce the vibration on the system, acting as a closed loop system. To implement effective damping, the vibrations the system experiences during flight need to be characterized. This includes determining the modes of vibration the system has, their locations, frequencies, and resulting displacements. The objective of the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities Rocket Team’s 2U CubeSat payload for the 2025 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is to characterize these vibrations that the CubeSat is experiencing during a flight to an altitude of 30,000 feet. Once the vibrations are characterized, an active damping system can be programmed and developed to reduce those vibrations.

 ]]> 10109 3833. Path Planning for Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Underground Mining https://www.sawe.org/product/3833-path-planning-for-autonomous-unmanned-ground-vehicles-in-underground-mining/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:24:52 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10108 Paper
Narges Bagheri, Darion Vosbein, Hassan Khaniani, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3833. Path Planning for Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Underground Mining. 2025.
 

Abstract

Autonomous robotic navigation in underground mining environments poses significant challenges due to confined spaces, poor lighting, and the absence of GPS signals. This study presents the design and implementation of an autonomous navigation system for the Husky unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), utilizing LIDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) within the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework. The system enables real-time mapping, obstacle avoidance, and both global and local path planning in GPS-denied environments. The performance of navigation system was validated through simulations in Gazebo and field tests in two physical environments: the Bunker Lab at New Mexico Tech and the Missouri S&T Experimental Mine. These tests confirmed the Husky’s ability to navigate complex terrain and generate accurate 2D occupancy maps without prior environmental knowledge.

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Narges Bagheri, Darion Vosbein, Hassan Khaniani, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3833. Path Planning for Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Underground Mining. 2025.
 

Abstract

Autonomous robotic navigation in underground mining environments poses significant challenges due to confined spaces, poor lighting, and the absence of GPS signals. This study presents the design and implementation of an autonomous navigation system for the Husky unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), utilizing LIDAR-based Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) within the Robot Operating System (ROS) framework. The system enables real-time mapping, obstacle avoidance, and both global and local path planning in GPS-denied environments. The performance of navigation system was validated through simulations in Gazebo and field tests in two physical environments: the Bunker Lab at New Mexico Tech and the Missouri S&T Experimental Mine. These tests confirmed the Husky’s ability to navigate complex terrain and generate accurate 2D occupancy maps without prior environmental knowledge.

 ]]> 10108 3830. A Mallard-Based Flapping Wing Aerial System https://www.sawe.org/product/3830-a-mallard-based-flapping-wing-aerial-system/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:17:58 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10107 Paper
Darion Vosbein, Jared Upshaw, Samuel Maimako, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3830. A Mallard-Based Flapping Wing Aerial System. 2025.
 

Abstract

Unmanned vehicles (UVs), commonly known as drones, have experienced rapid technological advancements in recent years, revolutionizing a wide range of industries from logistics to agriculture. In the context of ecological and environmental sciences, drones have emerged as a powerful tool for wildlife monitoring, enabling researchers to collect high-resolution data with minimal disruption to animal behavior and natural habitats. However, conventional drones—characterized by their rigid structures, propeller noise, and artificial appearance—can inadvertently introduce stress or behavioral changes in wildlife due to their intrusive presence. In response to these limitations, the field has seen a growing interest in biomimicry, the engineering approach that draws inspiration from biological forms and behaviors. This method has proven particularly promising in the design of bioinspired drones that more closely resemble natural wildlife in both appearance and movement. By mimicking the locomotion and visual profile of animals, such devices can better blend into ecosystems and minimize their ecological footprint. Among these innovations are drones that leverage taxidermy—using the preserved bodies of animals as the basis for mechanical systems. This approach creates a highly realistic façade that enhances stealth and enables the devices to be perceived as part of the natural environment. The use of taxidermized birds, especially species like the Mallard duck, has demonstrated potential for both aquatic and aerial surveillance applications. Flapping-wing drones and swimming robotic birds combine the advantages of camouflage with functional mobility, allowing for the discreet collection of data in wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems. These biomimetic devices offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional tracking methods, such as tagging or trapping, which can be harmful or stressful to wildlife. Additionally, the integration of modern sensors, microcontrollers, and remote operation capabilities into these platforms allows for real-time data acquisition and expanded deployment range, opening new avenues for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts. As biomimetic drone development continues to evolve, it holds great promise for reshaping how we observe and study wildlife—providing tools that are not only technologically sophisticated but also harmoniously integrated into the environments they monitor.

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Darion Vosbein, Jared Upshaw, Samuel Maimako, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3830. A Mallard-Based Flapping Wing Aerial System. 2025.
 

Abstract

Unmanned vehicles (UVs), commonly known as drones, have experienced rapid technological advancements in recent years, revolutionizing a wide range of industries from logistics to agriculture. In the context of ecological and environmental sciences, drones have emerged as a powerful tool for wildlife monitoring, enabling researchers to collect high-resolution data with minimal disruption to animal behavior and natural habitats. However, conventional drones—characterized by their rigid structures, propeller noise, and artificial appearance—can inadvertently introduce stress or behavioral changes in wildlife due to their intrusive presence. In response to these limitations, the field has seen a growing interest in biomimicry, the engineering approach that draws inspiration from biological forms and behaviors. This method has proven particularly promising in the design of bioinspired drones that more closely resemble natural wildlife in both appearance and movement. By mimicking the locomotion and visual profile of animals, such devices can better blend into ecosystems and minimize their ecological footprint. Among these innovations are drones that leverage taxidermy—using the preserved bodies of animals as the basis for mechanical systems. This approach creates a highly realistic façade that enhances stealth and enables the devices to be perceived as part of the natural environment. The use of taxidermized birds, especially species like the Mallard duck, has demonstrated potential for both aquatic and aerial surveillance applications. Flapping-wing drones and swimming robotic birds combine the advantages of camouflage with functional mobility, allowing for the discreet collection of data in wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems. These biomimetic devices offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional tracking methods, such as tagging or trapping, which can be harmful or stressful to wildlife. Additionally, the integration of modern sensors, microcontrollers, and remote operation capabilities into these platforms allows for real-time data acquisition and expanded deployment range, opening new avenues for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts. As biomimetic drone development continues to evolve, it holds great promise for reshaping how we observe and study wildlife—providing tools that are not only technologically sophisticated but also harmoniously integrated into the environments they monitor.

 ]]> 10107 3828. Biomimetic Swimming Taxidermy Duck Robot https://www.sawe.org/product/3828-biomimetic-swimming-taxidermy-duck-robot/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 19:09:15 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10106 Paper
Darion Vosbein, Kathryn McDonagh, Sean Goodyear, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3828. Biomimetic Swimming Taxidermy Duck Robot. 2025.
 

Abstract

Unmanned vehicles (UVs), commonly known as drones, have experienced rapid technological advancements in recent years, revolutionizing a wide range of industries from logistics to agriculture. In the context of ecological and environmental sciences, drones have emerged as a powerful tool for wildlife monitoring, enabling researchers to collect high-resolution data with minimal disruption to animal behavior and natural habitats. However, conventional drones—characterized by their rigid structures, propeller noise, and artificial appearance—can inadvertently introduce stress or behavioral changes in wildlife due to their intrusive presence. In response to these limitations, the field has seen a growing interest in biomimicry, the engineering approach that draws inspiration from biological forms and behaviors. This method has proven particularly promising in the design of bioinspired drones that more closely resemble natural wildlife in both appearance and movement. By mimicking the locomotion and visual profile of animals, such devices can better blend into ecosystems and minimize their ecological footprint. Among these innovations are drones that leverage taxidermy—using the preserved bodies of animals as the basis for mechanical systems. This approach creates a highly realistic façade that enhances stealth and enables the devices to be perceived as part of the natural environment. The use of taxidermized birds, especially species like the Mallard duck, has demonstrated potential for both aquatic and aerial surveillance applications. Flapping-wing drones and swimming robotic birds combine the advantages of camouflage with functional mobility, allowing for the discreet collection of data in wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems. These biomimetic devices offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional tracking methods, such as tagging or trapping, which can be harmful or stressful to wildlife. Additionally, the integration of modern sensors, microcontrollers, and remote operation capabilities into these platforms allows for real-time data acquisition and expanded deployment range, opening new avenues for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts. As biomimetic drone development continues to evolve, it holds great promise for reshaping how we observe and study wildlife—providing tools that are not only technologically sophisticated but also harmoniously integrated into the environments they monitor.

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Darion Vosbein, Kathryn McDonagh, Sean Goodyear, Mostafa Hassanalian: 3828. Biomimetic Swimming Taxidermy Duck Robot. 2025.
 

Abstract

Unmanned vehicles (UVs), commonly known as drones, have experienced rapid technological advancements in recent years, revolutionizing a wide range of industries from logistics to agriculture. In the context of ecological and environmental sciences, drones have emerged as a powerful tool for wildlife monitoring, enabling researchers to collect high-resolution data with minimal disruption to animal behavior and natural habitats. However, conventional drones—characterized by their rigid structures, propeller noise, and artificial appearance—can inadvertently introduce stress or behavioral changes in wildlife due to their intrusive presence. In response to these limitations, the field has seen a growing interest in biomimicry, the engineering approach that draws inspiration from biological forms and behaviors. This method has proven particularly promising in the design of bioinspired drones that more closely resemble natural wildlife in both appearance and movement. By mimicking the locomotion and visual profile of animals, such devices can better blend into ecosystems and minimize their ecological footprint. Among these innovations are drones that leverage taxidermy—using the preserved bodies of animals as the basis for mechanical systems. This approach creates a highly realistic façade that enhances stealth and enables the devices to be perceived as part of the natural environment. The use of taxidermized birds, especially species like the Mallard duck, has demonstrated potential for both aquatic and aerial surveillance applications. Flapping-wing drones and swimming robotic birds combine the advantages of camouflage with functional mobility, allowing for the discreet collection of data in wetlands and other sensitive ecosystems. These biomimetic devices offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional tracking methods, such as tagging or trapping, which can be harmful or stressful to wildlife. Additionally, the integration of modern sensors, microcontrollers, and remote operation capabilities into these platforms allows for real-time data acquisition and expanded deployment range, opening new avenues for ecological monitoring and conservation efforts. As biomimetic drone development continues to evolve, it holds great promise for reshaping how we observe and study wildlife—providing tools that are not only technologically sophisticated but also harmoniously integrated into the environments they monitor.

 ]]> 10106 3825. A Study of a Moving Mass Coaxial Monocopter https://www.sawe.org/product/3825-a-study-of-a-moving-mass-coaxial-monocopter/ Sat, 30 Aug 2025 17:20:06 +0000 https://www.sawe.org/?post_type=product&p=10103 Paper
Mark Beyer: 3825. A Study of a Moving Mass Coaxial Monocopter. 2025.
 

Abstract

The evolution of aerial drone technology has led to a growing interest in innovative configurations that optimize efficiency and maneuverability. Among these, monocopters have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional quadcopters, offering higher thrust-to-loading area ratios and reduced mechanical complexity. This paper presents the design, simulation, and control strategies for a novel moving mass coaxial monocopter. By leveraging the concept of moving mass control, which dynamically adjusts the center of mass to achieve precise orientation and trajectory adjustments, this monocopter design eliminates the need for complex stabilization mechanisms. The study explores the structural design and aerodynamic advantages of the proposed configuration, emphasizing its potential for lightweight, energy-efficient, and long-endurance missions. A comprehensive simulation framework is developed to analyze the nonlinear dynamics of the system to address associated challenges. The findings highlight the moving mass coaxial monocopter's capability to maintain stability and maneuverability in diverse flight conditions, offering a versatile solution for applications requiring rapid responsiveness and extended operational duration.

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Mark Beyer: 3825. A Study of a Moving Mass Coaxial Monocopter. 2025.
 

Abstract

The evolution of aerial drone technology has led to a growing interest in innovative configurations that optimize efficiency and maneuverability. Among these, monocopters have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional quadcopters, offering higher thrust-to-loading area ratios and reduced mechanical complexity. This paper presents the design, simulation, and control strategies for a novel moving mass coaxial monocopter. By leveraging the concept of moving mass control, which dynamically adjusts the center of mass to achieve precise orientation and trajectory adjustments, this monocopter design eliminates the need for complex stabilization mechanisms. The study explores the structural design and aerodynamic advantages of the proposed configuration, emphasizing its potential for lightweight, energy-efficient, and long-endurance missions. A comprehensive simulation framework is developed to analyze the nonlinear dynamics of the system to address associated challenges. The findings highlight the moving mass coaxial monocopter's capability to maintain stability and maneuverability in diverse flight conditions, offering a versatile solution for applications requiring rapid responsiveness and extended operational duration.

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