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Elizabeth Besha

Dr. Elizabeth Basha, a graduate of both Pacific and MIT, joined the Pacific faculty in Fall 2010. Professor Basha recently received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award for a project in collaboration with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. The three-year grant will investigate the use of aerial robotics to wirelessly transfer power to maintain sensor network systems. This project builds the power transfer system, develops algorithms for selecting nodes to recharge on both the UAV and sensor network side, and extends power management solutions on the sensor networks.UAV - Bridge

This research introduces novel recharging systems and algorithms to supplement existing systems and lead to autonomous, sustainable energy management on sensor networks. Applications such as bridge fault detection that rely on sensor networks operating away from buildings often lack energy for long-term monitoring. In these scenarios, traditional recharging methods (e.g. solar panels) are unavailable or cannot provide sufficient energy (e.g. at night).

Dr. Basha has also created a new graduate course in robotics that began in Spring 2013, along with an undergraduate version that launched in Spring 2014. This three-year grant has also supported our Masters Program with MSES students contributing to the research as well as completing thesis on this project. Interested undergraduate students have also been able to contribute to the research on this project.

How drones can improve scientific research in the field

Apr 07, 2016 05:02 am UTC| Technology

Drones and promises about drones seem ubiquitous these days. And some of what we associate with drones comes with varying degrees of scariness. We think of automated planes shooting missiles, drones flying near...

Economy

Dollar Slides as NY Fed Rate Checks Spark Yen Intervention Speculation

The U.S. dollar weakened sharply against the Japanese yen on Friday after the New York Federal Reserve conducted rate checks on the dollar/yen currency pair, according to a source familiar with the matter cited by Reuters....

Yen Surges on Intervention Talk as Oil, Gold Rally Amid Global Market Uncertainty

Japans yen surged sharply against the U.S. dollar on Friday as currency traders assessed the growing likelihood of official intervention to stabilize the weakening currency. The sudden move in the Japanese yen came amid...

Threading Opportunity: How an India–EU FTA Could Reweave Textile Fortunes

After almost 18 years of negotiations, an IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) recently reconfirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is getting closer. Targeted for early 2026 completion, the deal could...

Yen Stays Under Pressure After BOJ Decision as Dollar Slides on Geopolitical Jitters

The Japanese yen remained rangebound on Friday after the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged, a move widely anticipated by markets, while the U.S. dollar headed for its steepest weekly decline in a year amid...

BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady, Upgrades Growth and Inflation Outlook for Japan

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept interest rates unchanged on Friday, a decision that aligned with market expectations, while delivering a more optimistic outlook for Japans economic growth and inflation. The central bank left...

Politics

Haiti Transitional Council Pushes to Remove Prime Minister Despite U.S. Warnings

Two members of Haitis Transitional Presidential Council said on Friday they intend to move forward with plans to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, defying strong warnings from the United States that such action...

Iran Warns of All-Out War Response as U.S. Sends Aircraft Carrier to Middle East

Iran has issued a strong warning to the United States, stating that any military attack on its territory would be treated as an all-out war, as tensions escalate ahead of the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier strike group...

Russian Drone Attack Hits Kyiv and Kharkiv Amid Ongoing Peace Talks

Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine early Saturday, striking multiple districts in the capital Kyiv and causing injuries and damage in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city. The overnight assault,...

U.S. Vice President JD Vance to Visit Azerbaijan and Armenia Following Historic Peace Deal

U.S. Vice President JD Vance is set to travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia next month, President Donald Trump announced on Friday, marking a significant diplomatic step following a landmark peace agreement between the two...

Pentagon Signals Reduced U.S. Role in Deterring North Korea as South Korea Takes Lead

The Pentagon has outlined a shift in its defense posture on the Korean Peninsula, signaling a more limited U.S. role in deterring North Korea while South Korea assumes primary responsibility. This approach is detailed in...

Science

NASA and SpaceX Target Crew-11 Undocking From ISS Amid Medical Concern

NASA has confirmed that the agency, in coordination with SpaceX, is targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, January 14, for the undocking of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission from the International...

Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production and Fully Automated Surgery by 2026

Elon Musks brain-computer interface company Neuralink is preparing for a major expansion, announcing plans to begin high-volume production of its brain implant devices and transition to a fully automated surgical procedure...

Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new NASA administrator, making him the 15th leader in the agencys history. The confirmation, which took place on Wednesday, marks...

Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trumps renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his...

NASA Cuts Boeing Starliner Missions as SpaceX Pulls Ahead

NASA has significantly scaled back Boeings Starliner program after years of technical issues and delays, announcing that the next Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without astronauts. The...

Technology

U.S. Lawmakers Demand Scrutiny of TikTok-ByteDance Deal Amid National Security Concerns

U.S. lawmakers are calling for closer congressional scrutiny of a new deal involving TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance, raising fresh concerns about national security, data privacy, and potential Chinese...

Ericsson Plans SEK 25 Billion Shareholder Returns as Margins Improve Despite Flat Network Market

Swedens telecom equipment giant Ericsson announced plans to significantly boost shareholder returns after reporting a sharp rise in net cash and continued margin improvements, even as the global mobile network market...

Microsoft Restores Microsoft 365 Services After Widespread Outage

Microsoft confirmed on Friday that it has fully restored access to its Microsoft 365 productivity suite following a widespread service outage that disrupted users across multiple regions, particularly in North America. The...

Tesla Plans FSD Subscription Price Hikes as Autonomous Capabilities Advance

Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is set to become more expensive over time as its technology improves, according to CEO Elon Musk. The announcement comes as Tesla Inc. continues its transition away from a one-time...

ByteDance Finalizes Majority U.S.-Owned TikTok Joint Venture to Avert American Ban

TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has finalized a landmark agreement to establish a majority American-owned joint venture aimed at safeguarding U.S. user data and avoiding a nationwide ban on the popular...