Scholarly Commons

Dear Readers, Welcome to another year of The Black Box! Our Staff has worked hard to bring you this issue, and we're certain you'll enjoy it. This year we have submissions from a wide variety of students, faculty, and staff, giving you a unique perspective on our campus not often seen. As the editors, we would like to thank Dr. Eileen Landis-Groom for her guidance and limitless patience. We also …

In this paper, a high-fidelity simulation framework is developed to assess the feasibility of tracking space debris using a large low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation equipped with onboard passive radar sensors. By exploiting illumination from a distributed network of ground-based transmitters, the constellation provides consistent line-of-sight access to debris objects at higher altitud…

Learning Objectives • Identify the different data types and measurements • Identify the need for data and data sources • Explain data partitioning and honest assessment • Identify the necessity of data preparation and curation • Identify the data preparation process • Explore SAS VIYA platform and import data

This thesis presents the development and evaluation of an integrated sensor system for observing particulate matter concentration in the environment. The study was motivated by the need for a practical and flexible monitoring platform capable of supporting localized air-quality observation in settings influenced by particulate matter. Conventional regulatory monitoring systems provide high-qualit…

This study examines the role of national cultural determinants in shaping aviation safety culture across the Middle East. Employing an exploratory research design that integrates a literature review and structured safety culture surveys, it analyzes how national, organizational, and traditional values influence safety attitudes, communication practices, and reporting behaviors. While the Middle E…

Despite sustained regulatory reforms, infrastructural development and capacity-building initiatives, Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economies and a key regional aviation market, continues to experience significant safety deficiencies. This study examines how national cultural norms shape safety practices and performance in Nigeria’s aviation sector. Using an exploratory mixed-methods approach, …

Modern aviation maintenance operates within increasingly data-intensive technological environments, yet the operational integration of predictive maintenance into routine decision-making remains inconsistent across sectors. Contemporary aircraft incorporate centralized maintenance computers and condition monitoring architectures capable of fault aggregation, exceedance capture, and trend-based da…

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) systems introduce certification challenges associated with distributed propulsion, increasing software reliance, and tightly coupled architectures. These characteristics evolve within regulatory environments that are still adapting to emerging vehicle concepts. While digital engineering practices are increasingly adopted during system development, certification workflo…

Professional pilots face distinct mental health challenges arising from irregular schedules, fatigue, high responsibility, and the need to maintain medical certification. These factors contribute to elevated stress, anxiety, and depression, while concerns about stigma, confidentiality, and potential career consequences often discourage pilots from seeking professional psychological support. As a …

The adoption of small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (sUAS) represents a significant technological shift within the commercial aviation maintenance enterprise, offering the potential to improve inspection accuracy, enhance operational efficiency, and reduce maintenance-related risk. Despite these anticipated benefits, adoption intentions remain vague, influenced by a complex interplay of organizationa…

Thermal energy storage systems play an important role in improving energy efficiency, enabling load shifting, and supporting the integration of renewable energy technologies. Latent heat thermal energy storage using phase change material (PCM) offers high energy storage density and near isothermal operation, making it particularly attractive for ambient and cold temperature applications. Despite …

Understanding how mental states such as fatigue, workload, and engagement influence driving behavior is key to improving both road safety and the design of intelligent vehicle systems. With recent advances in portable electroencephalography (EEG) technology, it is now possible to study these cognitive states in realistic driving situations rather than only in clinical settings. In this ongoing re…

Understanding plasma behavior requires accurate measurement of electrical properties, such as the floating potential and plasma potential; the natural electric potential a conductive object acquires when immersed in plasma. This project, conducted in the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Laboratory (SAIL) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, focuses on developing a diagnostic system to me…

The Radiation Orbital Shielding Investigation Satellite (ROSISat) is a 1U CubeSat project studying the effectiveness of various shielding materials against single-event upsets (SEUs) in computer memory modules in Earth orbit. Developed by the Embry-Riddle Orbital Research Association (ERORA), a student organization at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, ROSISat provides hands-on experience in C…

This research presents an integrated study combining computational modeling and experimental validation to enhance the design and performance characterization of small-scale turbine systems. The theoretical component focuses on developing an object-oriented Python code for the preliminary design and performance prediction of radial turbines, capable of generating velocity triangles, thermodynamic…

The rapid growth in popularity of artificial intelligence, especially large language models (LLMs), has fueled a widespread desire to harness this technology for a variety of purposes. There are, however, a variety of concerns surrounding the adoption of LLMs that warrant an examination of the factors that influence user trust in these technologies. This study conducts a literature review surroun…

Pulsed Low-Temperature Plasma (LTP) has become a subject of interest in various fields, including propulsion, material processing, and medical technology. LTP flows are challenging to accurately simulate due to their physical complexities and multiscale nature, spanning scales ranging from meters on the system level to nanoscale when investigating the interactions between ions and electrons. The …

This paper answers a heretofore unasked question: What role do Nazi propaganda posters play in the broader ideological project of Volksgemeinschaft, particularly regarding the roles of industrial advancement as threatened by the anti-nation? Propaganda posters are used as a lens into how the regime depicted industrialization and technological advancement to support its racial and ideological goal…

Small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) are being utilized in a variety of environments, where changes in air density and pressure can influence flight efficiency and control stability. This study quantified how density altitude affects electrical current draw, battery performance, and flight duration of a multirotor sUAS across varied elevations in Argentina and Chile. Standardized flight tests, …

A hurricane’s intentions are unknown until you look it in the eye. Dragoon’s Coriolis Small Uncrewed Aircraft System (sUAS) has been engineered to collect atmospheric sounding data at low altitude regimes within these severe weather events. During 2025 operations, Coriolis has been classified as a mature prototype capable of operating more than 15 continuous hours and Beyond Visual Line of Sight …