Bandura to start new National Science Foundation project

Kevin Bandura

Kevin Bandura, associate professor in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, recently received a grant from the National Science Foundation to assist in the research of advanced digital calibrators for 21cm cosmology.

Story by Hannah Morgan, Graduate Assistant

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Bandura explained the project is focused on radio astronomy, specifically for 21cm cosmology. The expansion of the Universe driven by dark energy is still one of the greatest mysteries in science. Optical telescopes can measure this expansion, but are limited to measuring individual galaxies. Radio surveys can get around this limitation, if done precisely.

“We are looking at the neutral hydrogen in the universe to try to understand how the universe is expanding,” Bandura said. “But to be able to make this measurement, we need to know how our radio telescopes behave to new levels of precision.”

This project is to help better understand telescopes and deploy deterministic digital calibration signals.

“That’s what this grant is all about,” Bandura said. “Figuring out new systems to understand your telescope better using new radio signal technology.”

Bandura will develop new radio signal technology and calibration of the system.

The three-year project started in September 2021 and has been funded for $233,044 over the project period.

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