Evidence of Scholarly Ability
14 Nov 2019This page presents evidence of my scholarly ability in computer science as required for the ICS Ph.D. Portfolio. This includes evidence of ability to identify, critically analyze, and research a problem, as well as written communication skills.
Publications
Masters Thesis
Forecasting of Energy Requirements for Planetary Exploration Habitats Using a Modulated Neural Activation Method, Engler S., Master Thesis, University of Calgary, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary Library Thesis Vault, (Mar 2017)
Abstract: Human travel to other planetary bodies will have duration of years, with little to no possibility of resupply. Consequently, the monitoring and forecasting of resource consumption is a mission critical capability. The actions of a single crew member can heavily influence small environments and throw forecasting models off to the point of total failure. It is hypothesized that the inclusion of variables accounting for daily astronaut activities and psychological state will allow for higher accuracy in forecasting. Utilizing consumption data from the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog Simulation in the form of electricity, and psychological data from the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, a generalized artificial neural-modulation method is introduced which allows the incorporation of emotional response into machine learning applied to forecasting. It is found that the changes in the activation functions correlate to observed crew behavior, and show significant improvement of forecasting results.
Contribution: I was the main contributor to this Masters thesis under the guidance of my co-supervisors, Prof. Binsted, and Dr. Leung.
Journal articles
Mars habitat power consumption constraints, prioritization, and optimization, Ansley, B., Engler, S.T., Binsted, K., Journal of Space Safety Engineering, Oct 31st, 2019 (In Press)
Abstract: The Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) is an experiment simulating long-duration life in a Mars habitat. Power for the habitat is generated by a photovoltaic system that exhibits daily variation in production rates. During days with cloud cover, the crew need to adapt their work schedule and support systems to ensure they can continue to function under low-power constraints. This paper accordingly presents the development and implementation of power budget profiles for low-, medium-, and high-power production days during Mission 5 of the HI-SEAS experiment. The applied power budget profiles limit which systems and devices can be used and for what duration. To generate these profiles, the HI-SEAS power subsystem was first characterized though power audits and data from daily crew use trends. The methods used to determine a prioritized list of habitat equipment for crew-member usage and compliance with restrictions are then discussed. Finally, an optimization method is proposed to determine the most efficient schedule to match each power usage profile with respect to crew preferences. The data from this experiment provide a novel opportunity to gain insight into power usage in space exploration habitats, establishing a foundation for the development of proper power generation and management technologies. Thus, this research can be used to provide meaningful guidance to most manned space systems in ensuring optimal power consumption under a variety of power generation conditions.
Contribution: This is my first paper as second author. I took the role of guiding Ms. Ansley on the papers research direction and provided data. I helped write the document and edited. I traveled to Germany to present the paper at the IAC ‘18 and was the corresponding author when we submitted to the journal.
Journal Info: Journal Space Safety Engineering
HI-SEAS habitat energy requirements and forecasting, Engler, S.T., Ansley B, Binsted K, Acta Astronautica, Volume 162, 2019, Pages 50-55, ISSN 0094-5765, May 31, 2019
Abstract: Travel to other planetary bodies represents a major challenge to resource management. Previous manned exploration missions of long duration have been resupplied with food, water, and air as required. Manned missions to other planetary bodies will have durations of years with little to no possibility of resupply. Consequently, monitoring and forecasting resource consumption are mission-critical capabilities. The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, a long-duration planetary analog simulation, has recently completed its fifth long-term isolation mission conducted to assess the energy, food, and water needs of a six-person long-term planetary mission. This study presents a novel method for forecasting energy consumption, which incorporates the emotional state of the habitat crew. Gathered data show inhabitants in small environments can be influenced considerably by the actions of a single member. This can result in dramatic changes in consumption that could cause forecasting models to deviate to the point of total failure. Previous work found that inclusion of the daily activities and the psychological states of the crew allows for higher accuracy in long-duration forecasts. Currently, psychological assessments in the form of a Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and a generalized artificial neural modulation method are used to incorporate emotional response into machine learning forecast methods. Using these techniques and developments, a large-scale smart habitat control and forecasting system is proposed that will monitor, control, and forecast HI-SEAS habitat resources for future HI-SEAS missions. This new system requires the incorporation of psychological and physiological data of the crew, together with information on their activities and schedules.
Contribution: I was first author and corresponding author on this paper. I wrote the bulk of the document and conducted the data analysis. Ms. Barnard contributed some of her data and a graph. Dr. Binsted provided guidance.
Journal Info:
Conference Proceedings
Mars Habitat Power Consumption Constraints, Prioritization, and Optimization. Barnard A., Engler S., Binsted K.,AC-18,C3,4,7,x42920,69th International Astronautical Congress (IAC), Bremen, Germany, 1-5 October 2018.
Abstract: The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (www.hi-seas.org) is an experiment that simulates life in a Mars habitat for long duration. Power for the simulation is generated by solar energy which varies in production rates daily. During days with cloud cover, crew need to adapt their work schedule and support systems to ensure they can continue to function over the duration of low power constraints. Presented here is the method developed and implemented by the crew from Mission 5 that creates power budget profiles for low, moderate, and high-power production days. The power budget profile limit which systems and devices can be used and for what duration. The HI-SEAS power subsystem is characterized though power audits and data from daily use trends. Developing tools to enable prioritization of components for crew-member usage and compliance with restrictions are discussed. Data production and usage from all five missions are presented and compared. An optimization method is proposed to discover the most efficient schedule to match power usage profiles.This research is applicable to most manned space systems with the goal of providing the most optimal power consumption in a variety of conditions
Contribution I took the role of guiding Ms. Ansley on the papers research direction and provided data. I helped write the documennt and edited. I traveled to Germany to present the paper at the IAC ‘18.
Planetary Exploration Habitat Energy Requirements and Forecasting. Engler S., Binsted K., Leung H., International Astronautical Congress, IAC-17,C3,3,6,x40041, Advanced Space Power Technologies and Concepts, (Sept 2017).
Abstract: Travel to other planetary bodies represents a major challenge to resource management. Previous manned exploration missions of long duration were resupplied with food, water, and air as required with regular resupplies. Manned missions traveling to other planetary bodies will have duration of years, with little to no possibility of resupply. Consequently, the monitoring and forecasting of resource consumption is a mission critical capability. The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), a long duration planetary analog simulation, has recently completed its fifth long term isolation mission gathering energy, food, and water demands for a six manned planetary habitat crew. Energy consumption data from five of the simulations are analyzed and discussed showing unique data sets for energy, food, and water demands of a six man long term planetary mission. A novel method for forecasting energy consumption will also be presented that incorporates the emotional state of the habitat crew. Gathered data show that environments can be heavily influenced by the actions of a single crew member resulting in dramatic changes in consumption, throwing forecasting models to the point of total failure. Previous work has shown that the inclusion of the daily astronaut activities and psychological state allow for higher accuracy in forecasting for longer duration. Currently psychological surveys in the form of Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and a generalized artificial neural-modulation method are used to incorporate emotional response into machine learning forecasting methods. Using these lessons and developments, a large scale smart habitat control and forecasting system will be proposed that will monitor, control, and forecast habitat resources for manned missions. This new system will require the incorporation of psychological and physiological data from crew members, crew activities, and schedule.
Contribution: I did the vast majority of contribution to this publication relying on my co-authors for general guidance.
Robotic Companions for Long Term Isolation Space Missions, Engler, S.T., Hunter, J., Binsted K., and Leung H., IEEE 15th International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots, Honolulu, HI, 28th June 2018
Abstract: We tested robotic companions for their ability to reduce stress and create emotional bonds in the event of a Mars-analog space mission. Two different robotic companion platforms were programmed with aggressive and passive personalities and given to crew members for a three-day evaluation. Surveys and feedback from crew members were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the robots? ability to reduce stress. Personality traits were examined in terms of the robots? ability to create positive interactions with the crew. Utilizing this information, a new behavioral model is proposed that will provide sufficient complexity and adaptability for a robot companion to interact successfully with humans, and to create emotional bonds and mitigate distress in crew members.
Contribution: I proposed the experiment and Dr. Hunter helped me design it. I obtained funding for the robotic platforms and conducted the experiment in HI-SEAS. I wrote the conference paper, acted as corresponding author, and presented the work. Dr. Binsted provided support during the experiment.
Towards Forecasting Resource Consumption In Mars Analog Simulations, Engler S., Caraccio A., Binsted K., Leung H., Poster presented at The 8th Annual International Mars Conference, CalTech, Pasadena, California, (July 2017)
Contribution: I was the main contributor to this poster creating the poster and collected the majority of the data. My co-author Carracio, A. contributed some data and did some editing to the poster. Dr. Binsted, and Dr. Leung provided guidance.
Planetary Habitat Systems Monitoring On a Mars Analog Mission, Engler S., Abrimov O., Binsted K., Hunter J., Leung H., 100 Year Starship Symposium: Pathway to the Stars, Footprints on Earth, Houston, TX. (2013)
Abstract: The NASA funded HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) is a planetary surface exploration analog site at ~8500 feet on the Mauna Loa side of the saddle area on the Big Island of Hawaii. This first mission will involve six astronaut-like (in terms of education, experience, and attitude) crew members living in the habitat for 120 days under Mars-exploration conditions. The habitat itself has been outfitted with a variety of real time sensors for water, heat, and energy consumption. This data shows a variety of traits within habitat living conditions that can be utilized for energy and water conservation. This mission started in February and will conclude on August 13th. Data of this type will give a picture of what resources are required for exploration or colonization on other planetary bodies. Future steps for habitat monitoring will be presenting outlining a data fusion model. This model will incorporate fuzzy logic for a centralized intelligent monitoring system.
Contributions: Primary contribution come from myself where I reduced the bulk of the data and wrote the paper, and presented. Co-author Abramov A. contributed some data and photos. Dr. Binsted, Dr. Hunter, and Dr. Leung provided guildance in the data reduction.
Prairie Dog II: The evolution of an Unmanned Ground Vehicle, Engler S., Leung H., Unmanned Systems Canada Conference - Canada at the Civil and Commercial Forefront, Halifax, (Nov 2011)
This paper won the “Best Student Paper” competition for this conference. I was the dominant author on this paper having conducted all the research, experimentation, writing and presenting. Dr. Leung contributed with support and guidance.
Abstract: In a military deployment to Afghanistan in 2009, theauthor built a small UGV, which was nicknamed thePrairie Dog. The Prairie Dog UGV was built withoff the shelf parts and open-source software. InAfghanistan field trials and operational testing ofUGV prototype was conducted. The Prairie DogUGV was evaluated for its compatibility to workwithin the combat environment seen in Afghanistan.The original R&D phase of this robotic platform,and the lessons learned and experiences using theUGV in Afghanistan were utilized in thedevelopment of the second generation of this UGV.The Prairie Dog II UGV, started construction inearly 2011. This new UGV is geared towardsprivate security and experimental R&D.Implementation of new sensors and artificialintelligence developed from the lessons learned inthe Afghanistan application allow for semi-autonomous control for this new UGV. Theintegration of the Robot Operating System (ROS),Microsoft Kinect sensor, and navigationalcapabilities of the UGV will be outlined. Utilizingthe experiences gained from the previous UGVplatform, a road ahead for military and civilianapplications of UGV will be discussed.
Contributions: I planned, constructed, and tested the robotic platforms in Afghanistan. Dr. Leung guided me on how to write the paper.
Technical Reports
Unmanned Ground Vehicle Trials Kandahar Province, Engler, S.T., 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, Edmonton, Canada, 1st December 2009
Abstract: Field Trials and operational testing of Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) prototypes were conducted in Afghanistan. This project included the Miniature Unmanned Ground Vehicle (MUGV) prototype produced by Defence Research and Development Canada – Suffield (DRDC Suffield), the Prairie Dog UGV independently designed and developed by Spr. Engler of 1 Combat Engineer Regiment, and the XMUTS-II UGV prototype from the Australian Department of Defence. Each UGV was evaluated for its suitability and compatibility to work with the environment and equipment seen in Afghanistan. Applications for the use of UGV in theatre were identified. Trials of the UGV prototypes being used in these applications in operational conditions were conducted. A comparison of the performance of each UGV was conducted in an attempt to identify strong/weak design points. Using the experience and data gathered from the trials TTP were derived for each of the operational applications. Finally, future requirements and a direction for further research and development are outlined
Testing Robotic Companions on a Simulated Mission to Mars, Engler S., IEEE Spectrum online, (2013)
An online article outlining my ongoing robotic companion experiment.
Benchmarking the 2D lattice Boltzmann BGK model, Engler S., Short communication. Amsterdam Center for Computational Science, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, (2001)
Abstract: A 2D Lattice Boltzmann BGK (LBGK) model on a D2Q9 lattice was constructed and tested foraccuracy in different physical situations. An introduction to the LBGK method is given followed by a detailed outline of the computer model construction. Due to thefact that LBGK models arerestricted to low Reynolds numbers only laminar fluid flow is examined here. The model was tested for accuracy by comparing model output to the analytical solution of flow lines past a right circular cylinder. Next, plane Poiseuille flow through a 2D channel is compared to the analytical fluid flow and pressure solutions.