Students passionate about the evolving space market had an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate with leading engineers from Texas Instruments (TI) and engineers and physicists from Michigan State University (MSU) at the inaugural Single Event Effects (SEE) Radiation Testing Boot Camp. TI sponsored the Jan. 16-18 event in partnership with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at MSU and the MSU Space Electronics Initiative.
“This was an experiential learning opportunity for students to gain insights on real-time space electronics and the harsh realities of intricate and expensive equipment experiences in space,” said John Papapolymerou, interim dean of the College of Engineering and director of the MSU Space Electronics Initiative.
Hosted at the MSU College of Engineering and FRIB, participants utilized the world-class nuclear science facility to better understand the role and importance of solid-state electronics in contemporary satellite design and construction. They also focused on other space mission applications and conducted hands-on experiments testing radiation hardness of Si integrated power circuits.
“This space boot camp along with the MSU Space Electronics Initiative is empowering the next generation of engineers and physicists to innovate for the final frontier,” said Reza Tanha, TI manager of Global Development Lab Engineering and director of the Space Electronics Consortium. “It bridges education and opportunity, inspiring students to shape the future of space technology, applications and exploration through connective collaboration of industry and academics.”
Eight electrical and mechanical engineering students participated in the three-day camp, which included a day of shadowing TI engineers during real SEE data collection, a day of lectures by national experts, and on the final day, a chance for students to work side by side with TI experts to set up and conduct testing on a space power device at the beamline electronics test station, conduct the test from the control room, and review real-time SEE data. To prepare for the boot camp experience during the previous semester, students received instruction from Sergey Baryshev, associate professor in MSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
TI’s leading experts in Space Product validation and qualification brought extensive experience in device radiation testing and testing procedures to the boot camp. Tyler Lew and Anthony Marinelarena, senior validation engineers for Space Power Products, led electronics testing activities and lectures on test planning and device preparation, setup and instrumentation, graphical user interface for data collection, control room procedures, and beamline test electronics.
Lectures by other national experts included Jason Clark, Space Product Solution marketing lead at TI, who presented on the economics of the space market; Rebecca Anthony, associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MSU, who lectured on diamond technology; and Steven Lidia, senior physicist with FRIB, who presented linear accelerator dosimetry.
Neha Sil, a senior in computer engineering at MSU, called the boot camp an incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals passionate about space electronics. “It offered valuable insights into TI’s mission while providing hands-on experience with their innovative products."
The boot camp also shared a glimpse of what the semiconductor industry will need, noted Jorge Penalozano, a master’s student in electrical and computer engineering at MSU. “The space electronics boot camp gave us the opportunity to see how semiconductor technology is pushing forward. At FRIB, we learned how heavy-ion radiation can help simulate conditions in space. It was especially great having the hands-on experience of exposing a device to the beam.”
"MSU's boot camp was amazing to not only see the linear accelerator but to be instructed on its operation by subject matter experts,” added Andrew Wormington, a master’s student in engineering technology and industrial distribution from Texas A&M University. “At the end of the boot camp, I walked away with new skills in SEE testing and a potential research opportunity."
This TI, FRIB and the MSU Space Electronics Initiative collaboration was a resounding success for students, and planning for the next boot camp is underway.
Contact Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Professor Sergey Baryshev at serbar@msu.edu for additional information.
Written by Kelley Monterusso and Pat Mroczek
MSU College of Engineering Media and Public Relations page