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July 15, 2024

Welcome everyone,

These past few weeks have been quite eventful. The guys and I had our trip to Berlin together last week, and we got to tour the Siemens turbine facility while we were there. This was very interesting to me since my work at DLR this summer has applications with turbine engines. Beyond the tour, we explored the city, ate some amazing food (shoutout Terrazza Portofino) and went to the England-Netherlands public viewing at the Tor.

This week, the three of us in Cologne go to Stuttgart to visit Nikolas and hang out with him for the weekend before he comes back to Cologne with us on Sunday. Then, next weekend, I take a trip to Leiden, Netherlands, to visit my cousin and his husband at their home. I am very excited for this trip mainly because I have not seen this cousin in a long time, but I also get to add a third country to the list of countries I have visited.

Overall, we have a very exciting next few weeks, but we will also be very busy balancing travel, wrapping up the last few weeks of work, and making plans with each other.

See ya,

Grayson

July 9, 2024

Guten Tag,

I cannot believe it has already been a month in Germany! I have enjoyed every day spent here. I successfully created my first batch a couple of weeks ago and started to create a second batch of samples. I have been working with my DLR advisor on every step of the manufacturing process. My DLR advisor has been supportive and extremely helpful during every step of the process. My colleagues have also been very nice and extremely helpful when helping me better understand daily work life at DLR.

In my free time, I have also managed to watch some of the Euro Cup football matches. The environment while watching the football matches was incredible. I met so many nice people from all over Europe while watching the game. I am also excited for the upcoming trip in a few days! The plan in Berlin is to take a tour of the Siemens Energy facility and then explore the city.

I have also been exploring the city as well and took some photos!

Bis später!

Justin

July 2, 2024

Hey everyone!

The past few weeks have been incredible. I’m really starting to settle in at DLR. The work is getting very interesting, and my coworkers are all fantastic; we take lunch together every day and have frequent afternoon chats about life outside the office. Whenever they can, they also take the time to show me around our various test facilities and teach me about their own research. Through them, I’ve been exposed to so much more at DLR than I ever could’ve anticipated. My advisor, Ralf, has been essential in guiding my research and setting me up for success. He is always delighted to answer questions, check on my progress and provide helpful insights on a regular basis.

My Ph.D. advisor from Embry‑Riddle, Dr. Boetcher, and her husband visited me this past weekend in Cologne on their way to Hungary for a summer study abroad program. We explored the city together and even watched a few European Championship football matches (Go Team Deutschland!). The weekend before, I took a quick trip to the Netherlands to visit some old childhood friends who were touring Europe. It’s so easy traveling from one country to another over here!

Justin, Grayson, Nikolas and I are taking a trip to Berlin in a few weeks; we’re all super excited! We’re getting a personal tour of the Siemens Energy facility while we’re there. And of course, we’ll be engaging in the culture and checking out all of the beautiful sites the capital has to offer.

Talk to you all soon!

Nick

June 24, 2024

Guten Tag,

What an amazing three weeks it has been so far! I have already learned so much from Dr. Naumann (my advisor at DLR) in only just a couple of weeks. Not only is he able to give me insight on the technical knowledge of what we are studying but also the history behind the information. Over these past few weeks, Dr. Naumann and I have been conducting ammonia combustion experiments with a focus on O2 absorption cross-section measurements. I am beginning to become more familiar with the facility equipment and the specific procedures taken at this lab. It is interesting to compare both experimental procedures as well as post-processing techniques between the lab here in Germany and the lab I study at in Florida.

Not only has work been going well, but I have also been enjoying watching the 2024 European Championship. Here in Stuttgart, there is a massive area within the city for fans to come and watch the matches on jumbotrons. It is such an amazing experience to be able to watch the games with fans from all over Europe! I have had the pleasure of meeting people from Italy, Greece, France, Scotland and many other countries even outside of Europe. Truly an amazing time to be here in Germany!

Ciao,

Nikolas

June 17, 2024

Yo, everybody,

Me and the guys have been working for around two weeks now, and we are starting our third week today. Personally, I have been conducting setup for simulations and troubleshooting when they ultimately break. Thankfully, though, I will be taking part in some experimental work soon with oxidation of coatings, which will be an exciting break from simulations and a good way to familiarize myself with a field I am not all that familiar with.

Outside of work, I have mostly just been relaxing and enjoying the city. Justin, Nick and I have been joining up at least once a week to do some exploring around the city. There is this great set of basketball courts right next to the Rhine where we go and hoop a little bit. The city is wonderful and easy to navigate. This past weekend, Justin, Nick and I met up with Erik, a Ph.D. student at DLR, to watch the first game of the Euro Cup. Unfortunately, Scotland lost (badly), but the experience was still great.

Ciao,

Grayson

June 10, 2024

Guten Tag,

I have just completed my first week at DLR. I have been working on preparing the parameters for the manufacturing and mechanical testing of lunar regolith samples. I have also visited the Cologne Cathedral a couple of times and have walked around the city. My goal for this upcoming week is to work on manufacturing samples and getting more organized with my notes.

See you all soon!

Justin

June 3, 2024

Hallo aus Köln!

Our first week in Cologne was incredible. Justin, Grayson and I ventured around the city, went sightseeing, visited some historic places, rode bikes, ate lots of tasty food, and hung out with some locals! The city is rich in history and filled with gorgeous architecture. Despite practicing my German on Duolingo for the past three months, I’ve learned infinitely more about the language and culture from being here in person.

We’ve spent the first few nights in a hotel — shoutout to Michael, the hotel manager, for being an amazing host — but today, we’re finally moving into our permanent university housing. There’s a lot we need to do in a short amount of time, like grocery shopping, and buying odds and ends for our rooms. We also start work tomorrow, so we’re trying to mentally prepare for that. We’re starting to feel those first-day jitters, but we’re all immensely excited for this opportunity, nonetheless.

I’ll catch up with you all in a few weeks. Tschüss!

Nick

May 31, 2024

Guten Tag!

Wir haben es geschafft! We have made it to Germany. We had a little bit of a delay with one of our flights, but other than that, there were no issues. The flight to Germany was long, but it was smooth sailing across the ocean. It was also nice to finally meet my fellow researchers. We’ve been having weekly meetings together to plan everything out this summer, but we never had the chance to meet each other in person till we met at the airport. I am excited to begin working! Only a few more days till we all start. I am looking forward to a great summer!

Ciao,

Nikolas Hulliger

May 15, 2024

Hey guys,

My spring semester has been over for a little over two weeks now, and all my time has been focused on completing necessary research before my trip over to Germany with the others. I have what should be my final meeting with my DLR advisor this week so that we can finalize my ten-week plan.

See ya,

Grayson

May 6, 2024

Guten Tag!

I finished my spring semester last week, and I am ready to plan for our trip. I have been working on finalizing the budget packet and preparing for a meeting with my DLR advisor. I have started to work on finalizing a research topic and begin to work on a few things before heading out to Germany. I also plan to visit my family before I head out to Germany.I cannot wait to be in Germany in just three weeks!! I am also excited to learn as much as I can from this opportunity!

See you all soon!

Justin

May 1, 2024

Hey everyone,

My spring semester just ended, so now I can really start preparing for our trip! We leave in just under four weeks. In the meantime, I’ll be practicing my German on Duolingo (73 day streak and counting!), updating my work wardrobe, planning some fun weekend activities while in Germany, and taking a quick trip home to New Jersey before we depart.

I’ve been meeting with my DLR advisor to finalize our research plans and goals for the summer. I’m really excited to learn as much as possible over there and make the most of this opportunity.

Talk to you all soon!

Nick

April 22, 2024

Hallo alles,

The excitement and anticipation is really starting to build up! With our flights booked, it's almost time for us to depart for Germany. I have been practicing my German by listening to podcasts on my way to work and school.

Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting with my advisor from DLR Stuttgart, Dr. Naumann. We have begun our discussion on an experimental plan for the summer. We are planning to use some new equipment I do not have experience with, so I am excited for this new learning opportunity.

Till next time,

Nikolas

April 15, 2024

Hello everyone,

It is a little over a month before we have to head to Germany for the summer. Recently, we have been making preparations for the trip. Just today, we booked our flights over to Germany.

I have been working on individual preparations for myself. This has involved setting up meetings between my advisors, trying to narrow my topic down and filling out lots of forms. I, like the others, have been working on my weekly plan for the trip, but most of my time has been spent trying to find topics I would like to explore. I am hoping to do something that combines the experimental background of my ERAU advisor and my computational interests.

See ya!

Grayson H.

April 11, 2024

Guten Tag!

I am beyond excited for next month to be heading to DLR. I have worked on the budget packet for the trip to prepare for the expenses that will occur during my stay. I have worked with the other students to plan out the dates to travel to Stuttgart and Berlin during our time there. I have also been looking at research papers and starting to plan my week-to-week experimental schedule at DLR. I have a couple of exams that are coming up, so I must start studying for them. Cannot wait to share more with everyone!

Justin

April 1, 2024

Hallo!

My name is Nikolas Hulliger, and I am a first-year aerospace engineering graduate student at the University of Central Florida. I received my undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering also at the University of Central Florida in 2023. I am currently conducting research under the advisory of Dr. Subith Vasu. My current research project involves utilizing a Raman spectroscopy system to measure species concentrations at various pressures and temperatures. 

I am extremely excited to be a part of this NSF IRES program. It will be an incredible honor to participate in an international research collaboration program with researcher at DLR in Stuttgart, Germany! I have been meeting weekly with Dr. Raghavan, who has coordinated and organized the whole program, along with my fellow researchers in the program from Embry‑Riddle University: Grayson, Justin and Nicholas. There are still a few things we need to iron out before we are ready to ship off to Germany, but we are so close! Along with conducting research at the DLR facility in Stuttgart, I will have the opportunity to visit the other students at the Cologne DLR facility as well as the Siemens headquarters in Berlin.

Till next time,

Nikolas

March 6, 2024

Hey everyone!

My name is Nicholas Lopes. I’m a first-year Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. I earned my B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Embry‑Riddle in 2020 and 2023, respectively. This summer, I’ll be participating in the NSF IRES program at DLR in Cologne, Germany. This is an amazing opportunity for me to work with a new and diverse group of minds!

Right now, my cohort is in the trip planning phase — budgeting, booking flights, finalizing housing and arranging visits to various research facilities while in Germany. Shoutout to Dr. Raghavan, Zachary Stein and Perla Latorre Suarez for helping us tremendously with our summer preparation! Later this week, I’m meeting with my DLR advisor, Ralf Becker, to discuss a detailed research plan for the summer. I’m very excited for this amazing opportunity, and I look forward to updating everyone along the way!

Until next time,

Nick

March 18, 2024

Guten Morgen!

My name is Justin Astacio, and I am currently a senior aerospace engineering undergraduate at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. I am expected to graduate in the fall semester. I am excited for the chance to conduct research at DLR this summer. This will be my first time traveling outside the country, so I cannot wait to see what Germany is like.

I have been starting weekly meetings with Prof. Raghavan, Nicholas, Nikolas and Grayson to discuss travel dates and budgeting for the trip. I have also started to meet with advisor Dr. Facchini and Prof. Raghavan to discuss the research that I will be working on at DLR. I am beyond excited about what the future holds for me and cannot wait for summer to arrive!

Countdown till Germany — 10 weeks left!

March 25, 2024

Hello everyone,

My name is Grayson Hayes. I am a second-year Aerospace Engineering student at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University. This summer, I will be in Cologne, Germany, participating in research on CMAS particles by performing Particle Image Velocimetry (or PIV) to determine velocity of the particles. I am very excited about this work since it will allow me to refine my abilities in experimental aerodynamics.

Recently, the cohort has been preparing to purchase flight tickets to and from Germany for the summer. I have already had a meeting with my advisors, Dr. Surabhi Singh (ERAU) and Dr. Ravisankar Naraparaju (DLR), and I have been learning how to conduct PIV at ERAU to prepare for the summer.

Until next time,

Grayson H.