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News & Press Releases

The 2024 University Scholars and Research Fellows announced

Provost Balasubramanian awards five UMassD faculty members for their innovative work

3+3 partnership
UMass Law and Dean College partner to offer an accelerated law degree program

Agreement will enable Dean College students to earn an undergraduate and law degree in six years instead of seven

Four Student Commencement Speakers headshots
Class of 2024 Student Commencement Speakers announced

Alexis Petty, Zemen Berhe, Susie Furtado, and Natalia Vargas to deliver speeches that exemplify determination and success

Leadership Awards Group Photo
Student leaders celebrated during 2024 Student Leadership Awards

The UMassD community came together to honor student achievements

Summer 2024 undergraduate student researcher awards announced

Winners of the Office of Undergraduate Research's awards exemplify research excellence

Wind turbines at Block Island Wind RI
UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science and Technology receives grant to create new offshore wind graduate certificate program

The new program in Ocean Observing, Modeling, and Management of Offshore Wind will begin enrolling students in spring 2025

PhD student David Anchieta in Sydney, Australia
Electrical engineering PhD student wins Best Paper Award from Acoustical Society of America

David Campos Anchieta recently received the award for a paper he presented at the ASA meeting in Sydney, Australia

Feature Stories

Feature stories
May
1
8:00AM
Physics Master of Science Thesis Defense by Miriya Jones

Topic: 3D Hydrodynamical Simulations of Merging One-CO White Dwarf Binaries Location: SENG 201 Abstract: In 1181, "a guest star", as bright as the planet Saturn was observed in the sky by Chinese and Japanese astronomers. A recent study has identified the star IRAS 00500 + 6713 as the remnant from the 1181 event, surrounded by the nebula "PA 30" and pointing to an unusual scenario where the explosion could have been caused by the merger of two white dwarfs. In this thesis, I will present a 3D hydrodynamical simulation model for SNe Iax in the context of the double-degenerate channel of merging ONe- CO white dwarf binary using the adaptive mesh refinement hydrodynamics code FLASH. I will discuss the explosion mechanism, the characteristics of the remnant, and other implications of this model. ADVISOR(s): Dr. Robert Fisher, Department of Physics (rfisher1@umassd.edu) COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Dr. Jay Wang, Department of Physics Dr. David Kagan, Department of Physics NOTE: All PHY Graduate Students are ENCOURAGED to attend.

May
1
8:30AM
Class of 2024 ECE Senior Design Capstone Presentations

The Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering is pleased to announce the Class of 2024 ECE Senior Design Capstone Presentations on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at Woodland Commons Conference Center from 8 am to 4 pm. This year we have nine teams who will be presenting their posters and prototypes, as well as giving an oral presentation. Off campus guests who will be attending can park in Lots #13 or 14 (no parking pass is needed). https://www.umassd.edu/campus-map/ --- https://www.umassd.edu/directions/ If you have any questions about this event, please contact Dr. Howard E. Michel, Senior Design (Capstone) Instructor (hmichel@umassd.edu). LIVE STREAMING: ECE Senior Design Capstone Presentations 2024 PARKING: LOT 13 OR 14, WHITE LINES ONLY. Thank you, and we hope to see you on May 1st!

May
1
9:30AM
Physics Master of Science Thesis Defense by Caleb Derochea

Topic: Assessing the Dynamically Driven Double-Degenerate Double-Detonation (D6) Progenitor Model for Type Ia Supernovae: A Comparison of Dynamic and Adaptive Mesh Simulations Location: SENG 201 Abstract: Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) play a crucial role in deciphering cosmological phenomena, including the accelerated expansion of the universe. Despite their significance, the driving mechanisms behind SNe Ia are yet to be fully confirmed. The dynamically driven double-degenerate double-detonation (D6) scenario has gained traction as the most likely explanation for nine hypervelocity galactic white dwarfs discovered by the ESA Gaia space mission. In this thesis, I will present a comparative analysis of hydrodynamical simulations of D6 SNe Ia using two leading hydrodynamical simulation frameworks: AREPO, which utilizes an unstructured, Voronoi tessellation dynamic moving mesh, and FLASH, with its structured adaptive Eulerian mesh. I will briefly describe the impact of our findings on the physical processes which give rise to SNe Ia. ADVISOR(s): Dr. Robert Fisher, Department of Physics (rfisher1@umassd.edu) COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Dr. Jay Wang, Department of Physics Dr. David Kagan, Department of Physics NOTE: All PHY Graduate Students are ENCOURAGED to attend.

May
1
1:00PM
Physics Master of Science Research Project by Samruddhi R. Shinde

Topic: Study of Interplanetary Optimization between Earth and Mars Location: SENG -201 Abstract: Astrodynamics-based trajectory planning, and optimization are vital in deep space exploration mission design. Interplanetary Trajectories are the orbital paths that a spacecraft takes between a starting and destination celestial body at a certain point in time. Maximum final mass and minimal travel time are two primary parameters that are always targeted to be optimized in Interplanetary trajectory. We focused on the time aspect in our study as it is very crucial when planning any interplanetary space trip. The track between Earth and Mars from 2020 to 2050 is shown using a trajectory optimization tool. The trajectory optimization tool is based on a genetic algorithm and determines trajectories using a patched conics approximation. Time of Flight (TOF), Departure C3 energy, Arrival Velocity, and the orbital elements of the proposed orbit are the tool's output parameters. To select an orbit for Earth to Mars, we focused on getting TOF, C3 Energy, and arrival velocity in the acceptable range. Further, we utilized two open-source libraries, Pykep and PyGMO, to validate the findings achieved using the optimization tool. The outcomes were the journey time, Arrival Vinf, Departure Vinf and Insertion DV. The two approaches were evaluated in terms of trajectory view and travel time. Between the two methods, there is a significant difference in travel duration observed. The best ideal year between 2020 and 2050 will be chosen after comparing the results of the trajectory plotted and TOF obtained from the optimization tool and Pykep library used. Advisor(s): Dr. Sarah Caudill, Physics Department (scaudill@umassd.edu) NOTE: All PHY Graduate Students are ENCOURAGED to attend. Open to the public. All interested parties are invited to attend.

May
1
3:00PM
Financial Aid FAFSA Help Labs LARTS 203

Financial Aid Services wants to remind all students to file their FAFSA! Join Financial Aid Services for FAFSA Help Labs in LARTS 203 on Wednesday from 3-4pm for help filing your FAFSA and learning more about financial aid. Contact Mark Yanni myanni@umassd.edu

May
1
4:00PM
Lavender Graduation

Celebrate students accomplishment with other LGBTQ+ Graduates! The Marketplace | UMass Dartmouth 4:00 to 7:00pm Contact Juli Parker, juli.parker@umassd.edu, 508-910-4582 Sponsored by the Center for Women, Gender & Sexuality

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