On Thursday, April 7, NASA Deputy Administrator and ND alum Dr. Dava Newman (’86) visited the Notre Dame Turbomachinery Laboratory at Ignition Park. Dr. Newman is the Apollo Professor of Astronautics and Engineering Systems at MIT and is best known for her groundbreaking research in wearable technologies, namely her BioSuit, a compact and more skin-tight suit that could potentially allow future space travelers greater flexibility and movement.
During her visit, Dr. Newman met with NDTL director Joshua Cameron and the team of research scientists to learn about the lab’s unique capabilities and the exciting research being conducting there; she also had the opportunity to tour the newly completed laboratory facility.
NDTL research scientist Dr. Chiara Bernardini was excited to meet with Dr. Newman and also share a bit of her native Italy with her: “It’s truly an honor to have Dava here at the lab; her research in space suit technology is changing the way we think about space travel and exploration at an innovative and yet very practical level. For astronauts to be able to move around more easily and quickly…this would make a world of difference for current and future teams of explorers. I also discovered that we share a common love for espresso. Some say that I have a special gift for making it—I hope Dr. Newman liked it!”
More information on Dr. Newman’s BioSuit is available here.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Danielle R. Wood)
Originally published by Jasmin Avila at turbo.nd.edu on May 02, 2016.