High school sophomore Abigail merchant has made it her mission to use technology to reduce flood-related deaths. The 15-year-old lives in Orlando, Fla., a state where flooding is frequent in part because of its low elevation.
The changing climate is increasing the risk. Warmer air holds more water, leading to heavier-than-usual rainfall and more flooding, according to the U.S. Environmental protection Agency.
abigail Merchant
Table of Contents
School
Orlando Science Middle High Charter, in Florida
Grade
Sophomore
Hobbies
Basketball and playing the drums
Currently satellites, synthetic aperture radarand GPS are used to collect data on flood damage, track the location of victims, and communicate with emergency responders. But technology failures and slow data transmission speeds lead to delays in response time, Merchant says. The increase in global flooding has intensified the need for more accurate and reliable methods.
Last year Merchant built what she says is a more effective way to track and collect data during floods: a small, inexpensive, standardized CubeSat integrated with artificial intelligence. The little satellites use a multiple of 10- by 10- by 10-centimeter units-which allows manufacturers to develop their batteries, solar panelscomputers,and other parts as off-the-shelf components.
The CubeSat takes images of an area and uses pattern recognition to detect flooding, assess infrastructure damage, and
Student Develops CubeSat to Detect Flooding in Real Time
A student-led project has resulted in a CubeSat capable of detecting flooding in real time, offering a perhaps life-saving tool for emergency responders. Developed by MIT graduate student, Maya Merchant, the device utilizes machine learning to analyze images captured from space and identify flood conditions.
The CubeSat, weighing just 95 grams, was remotely connected to a laptop via Bluetooth during ground-based testing. The computer contains a machine learning algorithm-written by Merchant using Python-that analyzes collected images to detect flooding.
The CubeSat takes a high-definition image of its surroundings every 2 minutes and transmits it to the laptop. The satellite transfers up to 1,500 images daily and stores them on a 16-gigabyte SD card.
The algorithm than analyzes patterns, including changes in the water’s colour and the image’s pixel density. When the algorithm detects flooding,the device can alert emergency responders.
“While manny existing systems operate on multihour cycles, the CubeSat captures high-resolution images every 2 minutes,” Merchant says. “The system can then trigger alerts that are delivered to frist responders via SMS or email.”
To test their system, Merchant and her team built a city model made of Lego blocks in an empty bathtub. They positioned the CubeSat over it, and it took images of the scene. They then added water and dirt to make it look more like a real flood. The CubeSat successfully transferred the images to the laptop, and the algorithm detected the flooding.
Out of 30 teams, the Satellite Sentinels placed third.
Continuing her work at Accenture
Merchant is continuing her research on flood-prevention technologies at Accenture in Richmond, Va., where she works remotely as a payload owner and designer for the company’s CubeSat launch team.
After the MIT program ended, Merchant decided to scale her project.She reached out to her former mentor Chris Hudson, the global technical lead in space cybersecurity at Accenture. He offered her an internship.
Merchant is working to make the transition from prototype to functional product but, she says, needs to overcome obstacles she encountered with her MIT project.
The main one was that the model struggled to detect flooding in variable conditions. It’s be
Young IEEE Member Aims to Follow in President Kramer’s Footsteps
Varadraj Gurupur, a rising engineering enthusiast, credits IEEE (institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) with profoundly shaping her understanding of the field and inspiring her future ambitions.From a prosperous science fair project to presenting research at IEEE SouthEastCon, Gurupur’s journey demonstrates the impact IEEE can have on young innovators. She plans to join IEEE as a student member in college and aspires to one day serve as the organization’s president, inspired by a conversation with current IEEE President Kathleen Kramer.
From Science Fair to IEEE Community
Gurupur’s involvement with IEEE began after presenting her science fair project, details of which were not specified in the source material. The experience quickly transformed IEEE into a supportive community. “[IEEE] quickly became a community that has shaped my understanding of what engineering can accomplish,” she stated.
This early engagement led to a notable opportunity: presenting her research on a CubeSat project at the IEEE SouthEastCon conference. A CubeSat is a type of miniaturized satellite used for space research and education. Presenting at such a prestigious conference was a pivotal moment for Gurupur. “She felt on top of the world” and described the experience as “one of those experiences that really changes you.”
Inspired by President Kramer
A key moment in solidifying Gurupur’s aspirations came during a local IEEE event where she met Kathleen Kramer before Kramer was elected IEEE President. They discussed Gurupur’s work, and the interaction left a lasting impression.
“after she was elected, I realized that I would love to become the president of IEEE someday,” Gurupur explained. Kramer’s election served as a powerful example of leadership and dedication within the organization.
Gurupur’s ultimate goal is to emulate Kramer’s impact. “I hope one day that I can step into the same shoes as her and continue to help IEEE the same way it helped me.” Kathleen Kramer’s term as IEEE President began in January 2024 and extends through December 2025. https://spectrum.ieee.org/ieee-presidents-note-dec-2025
The Importance of IEEE Student Membership
IEEE offers a robust student membership program designed to support and nurture the next generation of engineers and technologists.Benefits include access to technical publications, networking opportunities, scholarships, and professional development resources.https://www.ieee.org/membership/students.html Gurupur is eager to take advantage of these benefits when she begins her college studies.
key Takeaways:
* IEEE provides a valuable community for young engineers and technologists.
* Early involvement in IEEE can lead to significant opportunities like presenting research at conferences.
* mentorship and role models, like IEEE President Kathleen Kramer, can inspire future leaders.
* IEEE student membership offers resources and support for aspiring engineers.
Worth a look