News
COVID-19 Response
MARCH 31, 2020
In response to the current shortage of medical supplies, the FASER Lab is working to prototype and supply PPE to medical providers in the Blacksburg and New River Valley area. We are currently directing our capabilities towards face shields and a monitoring system for improvised respirators. These efforts are connected with other Virginia Tech organizations, such as the DREAMS Lab and the VT Carilion School of Medicine.
FASER has the capability to 3D print PLA, ABS, PC, and PETG with our 6 in-house 3D printers, plus one Formlabs resin printer. We also have a 90W laser cutter for wood, acrylic, plastics, and fabrics and a WAZER desktop waterjet for metals up to .5″, wood, and plastics. In addition, we have a drill press and an electronics workstation with solder, a signal analyzer, oscopes, and other electronics equipment.
Any additional laser cutter bed space would be appreciated. If you are interested in assisting with your own manufacturing equipment, would like to coordinate efforts, or are a medical provider in need of PPE, please contact William Chapin by email at wchapin@vt.edu.
Happy Holidays!
DECEMBER 20. 2019
From our robot family to yours, happy holidays! We wish you the best in this holiday season and heading into the new year!
New Series: Weekly Updates
DECEMBER 10. 2019
Starting in the spring semester, we will have a new series of posts called “Weekly Updates” focused around the members of our lab as they continue to go about their work. This series will give you a more in-depth and personal perspective on the work happening in the lab, as well as some information about the people who work here!
Article published by Dr. Erik Komendera
DECEMBER 9. 2019
Dr. Erik Komendera, associate professor and faculty advisor to the FASER Lab, published an article in association with Jian-Feng Shi and Gardell Gefke describing how the Space Automation and Robotics Technical Committee (SARTC) advances the development of robotics and automation, especially with application to space programs. Read it here.
Joshua Moser speaks on a panel at the 2019 International Astronatical Congress
OCTOBER 24. 2019
Joshua Moser, one of the three FASER Lab Ph.D students, spoke in Washington D.C. on the Space Applications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence at the 2019 International Astronautical Congress (IAC). The panel discussed current and future applications of artificial intelligence in space, and included discussion with audience members.
Joshua Moser presents research at 2019 International Astronautical Congress
OCTOBER 24, 2019
Joshua Moser presented his research at the In-Space Habitats and Infrastructures in Uncertain Environments session at the 2019 International Astronautical Congress.
J. Moser, J. Cooper, J. Neilan, L. Chapin, S. Glassner, and E. Komendera, “A Reinforcement Learning Approach for the Autonomous Assembly of In-Space Habitats and Infrastructures in Uncertain Environments,” in 70th International Astronautical Congress, 2019
Assemblers proposal awarded Early Career Initiative
AUGUST 31, 2019
The Assemblers project was awarded the Early Career Initiative (ECI). The ECI allows NASA technologists to lead hands-on development projects, delivering transformative technologies, collaborating with world-class innovators, and exploring new approaches to research and development. Work will begin with this funding in January 2020.
RASC-AL 2019 Special Edition: Moon to Mars Ice & Prospecting Challenge
JUNE 3-7, 2019
Virginia Tech, as one of the 10 finalists in the RASC-AL 2019 MMIP Challenge, traveled to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA to compete in a two-day competition. The FASER Lab is proud to represent VT at this competition.
