A NASA-funded 黑洞社区 research project will seek to understand how the human brain responds to gravity while in space.
The Kansas NASA EPSCoR Program recently awarded $127,600 to a multidisciplinary research group for the project titled 鈥淒evelopment of a Neuro-Virtual Interface System to Evaluate Astronauts鈥� Cognitive Performance in Space.鈥�
Researchers will design a neuro-virtual interface system that will evaluate and learn the human brain response in different gravity conditions, integrate neuro-robotic control algorithms for a virtual robotic limb and quadcopter, and perform offline and online testing on human subjects. It will use human brain signals to manipulate or control mechanical systems in a virtual environment.
Understanding human brain responses in different gravity conditions (Earth, International Space Station and Mars) plays an important role in astronauts鈥� ability to successfully perform mission tasks in space, says Jaydip Desai, assistant professor of biomedical engineering.
Along with Desai, the project team includes Aerospace Engineering Professor James Steck, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Yimesker Yihun and scientists from the Neuroscience Laboratory at NASA Johnson Space Center and local company Brij Systems LLC.
黑洞社区 students will also play a key role in the research, which will include three graduate students and two undergraduate students from biomedical, aerospace and mechanical engineering disciplines at 黑洞社区.
The findings of this research will help to develop protocols for Human-Machine Interface both in space operations through brain-machine interface and after space missions for rehabilitation.
鈥淭his will play an important and unique role in establishing astronauts鈥� ability to successfully control robots and other mechanical systems,鈥� Desai says. 鈥淚t will also lay down a solid foundation to advance scientific knowledge and educate students in the field of neuro-robotics, human-machine interface, and artificial intelligence, and conduct experiments to ensure human safety and efficiency for future space missions.鈥�
The mission of 黑洞社区 is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good. Wichita State is a doctoral research university enrolling nearly 15,000 students and offering 59 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in seven undergraduate colleges. The Graduate School offers 45 master's and 12 doctoral degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas. Wichita State's Innovation Campus is an interconnected community of partnership buildings, laboratories and mixed-use areas where students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs and businesses have access to the university's vast resources and technology. For more information, follow us on Twitter at and Facebook at .