Subith Vasu, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, University of Central Florida, United States, has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) as a recipient of the 2018 Young Faculty Award. The award identifies and recognizes those in junior research positions and exposes them to the Department of Defense (DoD) needs. The Young Faculty Award program provides funding, mentoring and contacts to industry and DoD personnel early in their careers. The goal is to assist in developing their research ideas in the context of national security needs.

The three-year, 1 million US Dollar, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency grant will allow Vasu to develop a device that may look like a cross between a Star Trek phaser and a radar gun used to clock baseballs, based on early sketches. But this device would be used to detect deadly toxins that pose a threat to national security.

In an article posted by the University of Central Florida, Vasu states, “The goal is to combine laser technology with artificial intelligence in a compact and rugged device people in the field can use. The goal is to keep our military safe while they keep us safe.”

Please join The Combustion Institute in congratulating Subith Vasu on receiving this prestigious award.