成人直播

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 28, 2026

Kennesaw State researcher recently received a two-year grant worth nearly $180,000 to develop advanced mirror coatings materials for future detectors of gravitational waves from the far reaches of the universe, allowing astrophysicists to draw conclusions about activity in space.

An assistant professor of , Prasai said the grant will also help students gain research opportunities as well as access to world-class scientists through the international LIGO Scientific Collaboration, whose pioneering work was recognized by the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics.

鈥淭his award provides resources and stability to pursue some of the fundamental scientific questions that my research group is interested in,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he award allows us to continue this work, involve students in cutting-edge research, strengthen our collaborations with scientists at other institutions, and pursue new discoveries.鈥�

(Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) uses lasers and mirrors to detect gravitational waves passing through earth. Those waves are caused by cataclysmic events in the universe such as colliding black holes, merging neutron stars, and potentially exploding stars. These waves carry information about some of the most extreme events in the universe. Prasai鈥檚 research focuses on the materials used in the highly reflective mirrors of these detectors. Even tiny thermal vibrations within the mirror coatings can interfere with the measurements, and improving these materials could help detectors capture weaker signals from farther away.

In Prasai鈥檚 research group, the grant will allow researchers to study and develop advanced glass-like coatings for the mirrors of Cosmic Explorer, a proposed next-generation gravitational-wave observatory that aims to detect signals from much farther into the universe than current detectors such as LIGO. The research is part of a collaborative effort through the Center for Coatings Research. The research has applications in physics, chemistry, astrophysics, and astronomy.

Prasai came to Kennesaw State鈥檚 in 2024 after seven years at Stanford University as a postdoctoral researcher studying materials for gravitational-wave detectors in collaboration with scientists in the international LIGO research community. At 成人直播, Prasai has established the Amorphous Materials and Optical Coatings (AMOC) laboratory, which he hopes will contribute to the international scientific effort in studying the universe while creating meaningful research opportunities for undergraduate students.

The award is covered under award number 2513491.

鈥� Story by Dave Shelles

Photo provided

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, 成人直播 offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 51,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university's vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.