The Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium awarded undergraduate fellowships in the Fall of 1998 to students at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa and Hilo, and Community Colleges. At Manoa and Hilo, the awards were given for space-related research and provided a stipend of $3000 per semester to each recipient. At the Community Colleges, Fellows received stipends that depended on the scope of the projects.

University of Hawai'i at Manoa:

• Jessica Hiraoka, a senior in Mechanical Engineering, is continuing her work on "Computer Aided Testing (CAT) of a Piezoelectric Active Strut for Space Structures using LabVIEW Software." Working under mentor Dr. Mehrdad Ghasemi Nejhad of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jessica's objective is to develop software for automatic application of voltage during testing and operation of miniature active struts designed and fabricated by former Space Grant Fellows. Final Report
• Sheldon Kono, a sophomore in Meteorology is continuing his research on the atmosphere which he began as a summer fellow. His project, titled "Using GPS Technology to Probe the Atmosphere" has applications to climatological studies of water vapor in the atmosphere and precipitation observations in Hawai`i and the Mainland. Sheldon's mentor is Dr. Steven Businger of the Department of Meteorology. Final Report
• David Ishimitsu, a junior majoring in Mathematics, will work with mentor, Dr. Brent Tully of the Department of Astromony, on "Mapping the Universe." David's project will produce a three-dimensional map of our Local Supercluster of galaxies which may lead to better understanding of the mass distribution and large-scale structure of the universe.

• Kevin Leong, a senior in Electrical Engineering, is working in the field of space-based communication and sensor systems with mentor, Dr. Wayne Shiroma of the Department of Electrical Engineering. Kevin's project, titled "Quasi-Optical Linearizer" involves the use of a new, quasi-optical, linearizer component for improved efficiency and output power when sending and receiving signals in space. Final Report
• Dan Sakata, a senior in Mechanical Engineering, is continuing his work, titled "Trouble-Shooting, Assembly, and Testing of a Piezoelectric Active Strut for Space Structures," under the guidance of mentor Dr. Mehrdad Ghasemi Nejhad of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dan plans to test the active struts in inchworm and no-inchworm modes with and without loading. Final Report
• Andrew Guyette, a senior in Electrical Engineering, will be researching the use of quasi-optical techniques to ultimately define a single antenna capable of both high-gain and low-gain operation in space. Andrews's project, titled "Quasi-Optical Power Amplifier" will be performed under the guidance of mentor Dr. Wayne Shiroma of the Department of Electrical Engineering.
• Tuan Ha, a senior in Electrical Engineering, is using the VHDL programming language to design a decoder system for research on high-speed communications over satellite channels. His project, titled "Design of a Decoder System for Reliable High-Speed Satellite Communication," is being conducted under mentor Dr. Gregory Uehara of the Department of Electrical Engineering. Final Report
• John Mazotta, a senior in Electrical Engineering, is working under the guidance of mentor Dr. Jung-Chih Chiao of the Department of Electrical Engineering on a project titled, "High-Speed Quasi-Optical Beam Steerer." John's research focuses on a new electronic beam-steering method for quasi-optical transmitters and receivers suitable for remote sensing and satellite communication systems. Final Report
• Daniel Sherwood, a senior in Meteorology is continuing a study of "Optical Depth Variability in the Central Pacific" with his mentor, Dr. Anthony Clarke of the Department of Oceanography. Daniel is using photometric data collected at sea level and at the Mauna Loa Observatory to assess the temporal changes in aerosol optical depth in the atmosphere within and above the Pacific Marine Boundary Layer. This information benefits remote sensing studies of the oceans, atmosphere, and climate. Final Report
• Jason Hall, a senior in Mechanical Engineering will be working with mentor, Dr. Mehrdad Ghasemi Nejhad of the Department of Mechanical Engineering on advanced materials for space structures. His project is titled "Processing and Performance of Continuous Fiber Ceramic Composites (CFCCs) using Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) and Polymer Pyrolysis." Jason plans to manufacture CFCCs and examine samples , after mechanical testing at different temperatures, with a scanning electron microscope. Final Report
• Gregory Kodani, a junior in Electrical Engineering, will work on a project to improve power and efficiency of millimeter-wave-frequency remote sensing systems. Gregory's project is titled, "MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) Variable Capacitors." His mentor is Dr. Jung-Chih chiao of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

• Kimo Marion, a junior in Biosystems Engineering, will be investigating the effectiveness of marine alga species in enhancing a closed environment life support system for space habitats. Working under the direction of mentor Dr. Loren Gautz of the Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kimo's project title is "A CELSS Simulator to Evaluate Marine Algae for Space Research."

• William Forsyth, a senior in Electrical Engineering, will work on a project aimed at improving bandwidth efficiency of radio wave transmissions in space with a new equalizer design. William's research, titled "High Frequency Transmission Line Equalizer" will be conducted under mentor Dr. Wayne Shiroma of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

• Peter Ammerman, a senior in Mechanical Engineering, completed a summer fellowship project titled "Magnetorheological Material Based Torque Transmission Clutches." The work relates to the use of applied magnetic fields to adjust torque transmission clutches in space hardware. Mentor for this project was Dr. Melek Yalcintas of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

• Susie Shaw, a senior in Geology, will conduct field work on Kilauea Volcano to collect spectral reflectance data. Susie's project, titled, "Field Determination of Visible to Near IR Spectral Characteristics of Basaltic Surfaces and Sulfur Mineral Coatings: Application of Natural Spectra to Remote Sensing to Io" will be guided by mentor Dr. Ken Hon of the Department of Geology.

• Joanne Snow, a senior in Chemistry, will be working with mentor Dr. Edward Herlicska of the Department of Chemistry on fullerene chemistry, which is important to studies of carbon in extraterrestrial materials. Joanne will aim to synthesize known and new derivatives of fulleride C ₆₀ in a project titled, " Synthesis and Characterization of Buckminsterfullerene Derivatives."

• Jessica Powers, a junior in Astronomy, will be acquiring observations on Mauna Kea and conducting research to study the initial stages of star formation. Jessica's project, titled "High-Resolution Imaging/Modelling of Circumstellar Disks" will be performed under mentor Dr. Gerald Moriarty-Schieven of the Joint Astronomy Centre.

• Sean Rosemary Keefe, a sophomore pre-Engineering major, will be working on a project using remote sensing data to detect the extent of burning-induced deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. The title of her project is "Remote Sensing of Brazilian Biomass Burning Using GOES Data." Her mentor is Dr. Ronald Takata of the Chemistry Department.

• Elin Howard and Jonathan Wilkins, both sophomores in Science Education, will summarize the astronomy projects at LCC Observatories serving undergraduates, pre-college students, and the public. Working with mentor, Dr. Fritz Osell of the Astronomy Department, Elin and Jonathan will produce a comprehensive archiving system for astronomy projects and images.

• Kapono Ciotti, a liberal arts major, will be working with mentor, Dr. Inge White of the Ethnobotany Department, on a study of native and non-native plants on Coconut Island in Kaneohe Bay, O'ahu. Kapono's field research of the types and locations of plants on the island will provide ground-truth information for a GIS/GPS ethnobotanical map.

The Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium awarded undergraduate traineeships in the Fall of 1998 to students at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. The awards provided laboratory training and practical experience in any space-related field of science, engineering or math. Trainees received a stipend of $1,000 per semester.

University of Hawai`i at Manoa:

• April Gumayagay, a sophomore in Electrical Engineering, will work with mentor, Dr. Wayne Shiroma of the Department of Electrical Engineering on a project to design and implement a data-acquisition system for measuring radiation patterns of an integrated active antenna.

• Jason Day, a junior in Chemistry, will gain practical experience in synthesizing inorganic compounds and in using infrared and mass spectroscopy and magnetic resonance methods. Janson's mentor is Dr. David Harwell of the Department of Chemistry.

• Kendall Ching, a sophomore in Electrical Engineering, will be working in the field of telecommunications with mentor, Dr. Wayne Shiroma of the Department of Electrical Engineering. Kendall will learn fabrication techniques for quasi-optical active antenna arrays.

• Kristin Smith, a sophomore in Physics, will work with mentor Dr. David Tholen of the Institute for Astronomy to analyze data from Mauna Kea Observatories to characterize and determine orbits of small solar system bodies, expecially asteroids.

The Hawai`i Space Grant Consortium awarded graduate fellowships to students at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa for 1998-99. The awards were given for space-related research and provided nine-month stipends and additional funds for travel and supplies to each recipient.

University of Hawai`i at Manoa:

• Julie Field, PhD student in Anthropology, is continuing her research on "The Role of Geography in Prehistoric Aggression." Julie is using digital image processing techniques on high-resolution, multispectral satellite images along with aerial photographs to build a database of topography, vegetation, and archaeological sites in the Sigatoka Valley of Viti Levu, Fiji. With this GIS database, she is analyzing relationships between geography, human expansion, and inter-group aggression and competition. Her mentor is Dr. Terry Hunt of the Department of Anthropology.

• Kathleen Moore, PhD student in Physiology, is continuing her investigation of the effects of sodium intake on bone morphometry, bone strength, and blood pressure. Her research project, "The Effect of Dietary Salt on Bone in a Genetically-Defined Rat Spaceflight Model," is being conducted under mentor Dr. Martin Rayner, Professor of Physiology. Kathleen's laboratory analyses may ultimately lead to better understanding of the effects of salt intake on human bone fragility and, in turn, improved health for astronauts on long-duration space missions.

• Lewis Pinault, PhD candidate in Geology and Geophysics and JD candidate at the Richardson School of Law, is working on the nature of metal and sulfide minerals in shocked chondritic meteorites. These minerals are redistributed by shock waves generated by impacts on asteroids. The work will shed light on formation of mineral veins by impact processes, with implications for carbonate veins in martian meteorites and glassy silicate veins in lunar rocks and other types of meteorites. This research will also contribute to understanding the physical properties of asteroids, potentially useful information in planning future mining operations on asteroids. His mentor is Dr. Ed Scott of HIGP and the Department of Geology and Geophysics.