Collaborative Laboratory Research Articles

Collaborative climate labs: A youth-led methodology for co-creating community responses to climate change

This article presents the Collaborative Climate Laboratories (CiCli-Labs), a participatory research methodology that bridges citizenship, science and politics. This methodology is grounded on young people’s knowledge and experience about their communities and seeks to develop a strategy for co-designing climate solutions with local stakeholders. Carried out in schools, the CiCli-Labs engage scientists, activists, business owners, and politicians in discussing climate problems identified by young people. By bringing together different positionalities that emerge from people’s diverse social roles, the CiCli-Labs aim to foster conditions for democratic citizenship and climate justice, embracing the necessarily conflicting yet binding dimensions of politics that can produce transformative and reciprocal learning. Additionally, it responds to the growing demand within educational research for community-based approaches capable of tackling the shortcomings in promoting youth agentic power in participatory designs, often marked by one-off events and youth-washing practices. The CiCli-Labs’ methodology builds on community profiling, through which students identify climate-related issues that work as catalysts for broader dialogues with local actors, challenging traditional adult-centric power dynamics. The methodology evolves through a sequential design based on the adaptation of participatory tools and methods: i) Climate Problem Tree; ii) Climate Social Cartography; iii) Pros-and-Cons Circuit; iv) Solutions Funnel; v) Climate Speed Dating; vi) Hands on Earth and Eyes on Clouds. The methodology was implemented in eight schools in northern Portugal, involving more than 300 students (grades 8 to 12). We discuss the rationale and practicality of the CiCli-Labs while mobilising empirical illustrations of the methodological process and participants’ perceptions about it, thereby contributing to furthering the problematisation of democratic research practices with young people.

Presentation of a distributed testing infrastructure for joint experiments across multiple remote laboratories for robust development of new district heating concepts

4th-generation district heating networks confront numerous challenges such as integrating decentralized renewable energy sources, bidirectional heat transfer, new storage concepts, low-temperature operation, custom heat supply, data management, and advanced control strategies. Laboratory and hardware-in-the-loop testing offer a safe, cost-effective environment for testing and validating these innovations. This paper presents a framework for joint experiments in multiple remote laboratories, enhancing the testing of district heating system components. This distributed testbed enhances the efficiency of testing by utilizing existing equipment and expertise from various laboratories, thereby reducing costs and time and allowing for more scenarios to test. It targets manufacturers, grid operators, and research institutions, facilitating collaborative lab work for technology testing before field deployment. This approach allows for diverse test scenarios, considering component interactions across different locations without identical hardware or software. The framework's efficacy is shown in a proof-of-concept with a low-temperature district heating network integrated across four Fraunhofer Institutes. An initial experiment connects a test building and a ground-source heat pump physically existing in different labs with emulated models of a district heating network and a geothermal source. Results from a three-week operation validate the framework's performance.

Interview with Journal of Cell Science Editor Rob Parton

ABSTRACT Rob Parton is a Group Leader and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow in the Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Deputy Director of the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. He completed his doctorate at the University of Leicester in the UK. After using electron microscopy (EM) during his PhD to study trafficking of tetanus toxin in neurons, he was inspired to continue using advanced microscopy approaches to further our understanding of the fundamental cellular process of membrane trafficking. After several years fostering international collaborations as a postdoctoral fellow and junior Group Leader at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, his lab moved to the University of Queensland in 1996. In 2023, he was elected an Associate Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). Rob joined Journal of Cell Science as an Editor in March 2024 and brings to the journal his expertise in multiscale analysis of membrane function, membrane microdomains, lipid droplets and advanced microscopy techniques in cell biology. We spoke to Rob over Zoom to hear more about his career journey, the evolution of the membrane trafficking field and his advice for running a highly collaborative lab.

Supporting the Teacher Identity of Pre-Service Science Teachers through Working at a Non-Formal STEM Learning Laboratory

This qualitative case study aims to examine the role of a non-formal STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning laboratory in supporting the development of teacher identity among pre-service science teachers. With teacher identity impacting the educational responsiveness and resilience of a teacher, it is important to support the professional identity of STEM educators if we are to enhance the quality of STEM education. Data collection occurred in three stages between 2017 and 2024. Qualitative content analysis through an inductive category formation was used for data analysis. The intercoder reliability was checked (Cohen’s kappa 0.802). Results suggest that non-formal STEM learning environments can enhance pre-service teachers’ professional learning and identity by allowing the autonomous practical application of theory in an authentic collaborative laboratory environment and by strengthening their self-efficacy through positive teaching experiences. Participants reported that such versatile experiences are generally not available during their formal university education. This study offers suggestions for STEM teacher education and insights into ongoing research dialogues about the role of non-formal learning in supporting the learning and identity of STEM teachers.

LIBS as diagnostics of analytical chemistry for surface mapping of complex mixed samples simulating debris inside the TEPCO's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPS) reactor cores

The Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) launched the Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology (NEST) Framework to pursue careers in the nuclear field, by exposing researcher working on these topics to international challenging project of real-world issue and by transferring the knowledge and expertise accumulated in the current generation to them through hands-on training.In this framework the 2022 edition of the NEST project offered a training educational period at the Collaborative Laboratories for Advanced Decommissioning (CLADS) located at Tomioka, Futaba District, in the Fukushima prefecture (Japan).Among the research sectors active at CLADS there is the application and development of the LIBS technique as diagnostics of analytical chemistry aiming at characterizing the debris inside the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)’s FDNPS reactor cores after the tsunami of March 2011, which destroyed three of the six reactors of the plant. These debris need to be chemically characterized with techniques suitable to be implemented in compact, remote and radiation resistant devices, due to the residual radioactivity of the cores. The present study shows the results in realizing chemical bi-dimensional maps of samples in the form of compressed tablets of mixed oxides, with a complex distribution and concentration of chemicals simulating these debris. The results allowed to create detailed maps of the samples, with spatial resolution down to 0.5 mm and an excellent correspondence between the real spatial distribution of the materials and that reconstructed by LIBS.Moreover, it was found a good correspondence between the nominal concentration of the chemicals and the concentration estimated by using LIBS.This study shows the potentialities of LIBS in the realization of chemical maps on samples of interest for FDNPS, providing multi-elemental images of the samples under analysis.

In vitro protein digestibility to replace in vivo digestibility for purposes of nutrient content claim substantiation in North America's context

The reliance by North American regulatory authorities on in vivo rodent bioassays—Protein Correct-Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) in the U.S. and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) in Canada—to measure the protein quality for protein content claim substantiation represents a major barrier for innovation in the development and marketing of protein foods. Although FAO in 2013 proposed a new method (Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score, DIAAS), it is still not used for protein content claim substantiation in any jurisdiction. Together with public health efforts to increase the consumption of plant-based foods, removing hurdles is key to incentivizing the food industry to measure protein digestibility in making food formulation decisions as well as in claiming protein content on product labels. To address this issue, a pathway has been proposed to position alternative methods for in vitro protein digestibility in collaborative studies to generate the data necessary for method approval by a certifying body. The latter is critical to the potential recognition of these methods by both Health Canada and the US FDA. The purpose of this article is to briefly summarize the state-of-the-art in the field, to inform the research community of next steps, and to describe the path engaging collaborative laboratories in a proficiency test as the first step in moving forward toward acceptance of in vitro digestibility methods. Throughout, a consultative and iterative process will be utilized to ensure the program goals are met. Success will be achieved when the proposed path results in the acceptance of an in vitro methods for protein digestibility used for PDCAAS determinations, which will enable increased protein analyses and improved nutrition labeling of protein foods.

High-Precision Measurement of the 238Pu/239Pu Isotope Ratio by TIMS.

With an aim to improve the precision of isotopic standards of special nuclear materials like uranium and plutonium, National Bureau of Standards (NBS) undertook the recertification of isotopic standards prepared between 1960 and 1970. In a recent initiative, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in collaboration with New Brunswick Laboratory Program Office (NBL PO) undertaken efforts to recertify SRM 946, SRM 947, and SRM 948. The primary goal of this drive is to lower the uncertainties associated with the isotopic compositions of plutonium standards. The drive is also aims to minimize the uncertainty associated with measurement of the 238Pu content from 2% to ∼0.3%. In this connection, our laboratory at the Fuel Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, proposes a novel indicator "minima in the (RMO254/(i+16))/(RM238/i) curve" (where i = m/z 233 or 235 amu), which is the ratio of the isotope ratio of metal oxides (238M16O/iM16O) to that of metal ions (238M/iM) of uranium in determining the accurate 238Pu content by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. Various enriched uranium spikes have been employed to study the efficacy of the minima in the (RMO(254)/(i+16))/(RM238/i) curve. With the combination of monitoring the minima in the (RMO(254)/(i+16))/(RM238/i) curve and the application of the 233U spike (with an isotope abundance of 238U ∼ 0.05%), an external precision of 0.2% has been achieved in the determination of the 238Pu/239Pu isotope ratio for isotopic standard SRM 947.

High-power test results for a cylindrical-shell silicon carbide higher-order-mode damper

The next high-current Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) is a new accelerator to be built at Brookhaven National Laboratory in collaboration with Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. In the EIC Electron Storage Ring (ESR), there will be beam currents of up to 2.5 A, which will excite massive higher-order-mode (HOM) power in the 17 single-cell 591 MHz superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities. Damping the HOM power in the ESR SRF cavities is a challenge. A room temperature cylindrical shell shape silicon carbide (SiC) beamline HOM absorber (BLA) was chosen as the baseline design, due to its broadband and high-power capability, and previous demonstrations at other accelerator facilities, albeit at much lower power. Because the EIC BLA HOM power dissipation is significantly greater than the previous applications, it is imperative to carry out high-power testing to determine the maximum device performance levels achievable for thermal transport, rf breakdown, and mechanical stress, prior to finalizing the design. A SiC HOM absorber with a state-of-the-art geometry size was prototyped to verify the shrink-fit technique, test outgassing rate, and high-power handling capability. This paper presents the HOM damper’s prototyping and test results. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Retrospective Review of Positive Newborn Screening Results for Isovaleric Acidemia and Development of a Strategy to Improve the Efficacy of Newborn Screening in the UK.

Since the UK commenced newborn screening for isovaleric acidemia in 2015, changes in prescribing have increased the incidence of false positive (FP) results due to pivaloylcarnitine. A review of screening results between 2015 and 2022 identified 24 true positive (TP) and 84 FP cases, with pivalate interference confirmed in 76/84. Initial C5 carnitine (C5C) did not discriminate between FP and TP with median (range) C5C of 2.9 (2.0-9.6) and 4.0 (1.8->70) µmol/L, respectively, and neither did Precision Newborn Screening via Collaborative Laboratory Integrated Reports (CLIR), which identified only 1/47 FP cases. However, among the TP cases, disease severity showed a correlation with initial C5C in 'asymptomatic' individuals (n = 17), demonstrating a median (range) C5C of 3.0 (1.8-7.1) whilst 'clinically affected' patients (n = 7), showed a median (range) C5C of 13.9 (7.7-70) µmol/L. These findings allowed the introduction of dual cut-off values into the screening algorithm to reduce the incidence of FPs, with initial C5C results ≥ 5 µmol/L triggering urgent referral, and those >2.0 and <5.0 µmol/L prompting second-tier C5-isobar testing. This will avoid delayed referral in babies at particular risk whilst reducing the FP rate for the remainder.

More than just 'added value': The perils of not establishing shared core facilities in resource-constrained communities.

The accelerating pace of technological advancements necessitates specialised expertise and cutting-edge instruments to maintain competitive research in life sciences. Core facilities - collaborative laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art tools and staffed by expert personnel - are vital resources that support diverse scientific endeavours. However, their adoption in lower-income communities has been comparatively stagnant due to both financial and cultural challenges. This paper explores the perils of not supporting core facilities on national research enterprises, underscoring the need for balanced investments in discovery science and crucial infrastructure support. We explore the implications from the perspectives of funders, university leaders and lab heads. We advocate for a paradigm shift to recognise these facilities as essential components of national research efforts. Core facilities are positioned not as optional but as strategic investments that can catalyse breakthroughs, particularly in environments with limited resources.

Collaborative Learning in Computer Labs for Science Education

This study analyzes the use of Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) in computer laboratory settings for secondary school science education. The literature review evaluates the impact of collaborative methods using computer simulations, virtual experiments, and other digital technologies. The search yielded 33 relevant studies, indicating that collaborative conditions outperformed individual laboratory work in computer environments across various measures. Collaborative work in pairs or small teams has been shown to lead to better learning outcomes and expert-like reasoning patterns. Additionally, students have reported finding collaborative computer laboratory work more enjoyable, engaging, and preferable to independent work. The integration of computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) into science education presents opportunities to enhance students' learning experiences through interactive and collaborative approaches. This study highlights the importance of student-centered learning design, effective group dynamics, and reliable technology infrastructure for successful CSCL implementation. Additional research is required to identify the best group composition and task design, as well as the implications for effectively implementing computer-supported collaborative learning in science laboratories.

Considerations for Expanding Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Networks.

Capturing Data on Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns and Trends in Use in Regions of Asia (CAPTURA) gained insight into the range of national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stakeholders' long-term visions for AMR surveillance networks. As national AMR networks mature, stakeholders often contemplate adding laboratories to the network to achieve greater representativeness, boost data quantity, or meet other goals. Therefore, stakeholders should carefully select laboratories for expansion based on their goals and several practical criteria. Based on CAPTURA experience, the key criteria a national network may consider when expanding its AMR surveillance network include location, laboratory ownership, access to linked clinical and prescription databases, logistical ease, a laboratory's collaborative spirit, laboratory practices and equipment, laboratory staffing and quality assessments, laboratory methods and specimen types, data cleanliness and completeness, and the quantity of AMR data.

Monchique’s Innovation Laboratory—A Space for Dialogue and Knowledge Sharing to Foster Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction

BRIDGE (bridging science and local communities for wildfire risk reduction) is an action–research project developing a community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) process which is being fostered through a collaborative innovation laboratory (InnoLab). BRIDGE integrates different forms of knowledge and action, linking science and local communities to reduce their vulnerability and to enhance strategies for forest fire risk reduction. Applied in Monchique, a forest-fire-prone municipality in Portugal, the InnoLab creates a space for dialogue and knowledge sharing between multiple actors that, directly or indirectly, manage forest territories. BRIDGE attempts to facilitate social learning about forest fire risks, strengthen collaborative networks and enhance adaptive capacities (socially and institutionally) for forest fire prevention. This paper shares results of the InnoLab activities, which include (i) school community activities on wildfire risk perception; (ii) participatory mapping of Monchique’s vulnerabilities and risks; (iii) participatory sessions to create the community visioning for Monchique’s territory, to define priorities and capacities to be improved, and to identify functions and responsibilities to act upon; and (iv) workshop on CBDRR strategies for action. Lessons are shared on how InnoLab can represent an innovative participatory approach to promote CBDRR processes in forest-fire-prone territories by both contributing to the recognition of local knowledge systems and encouraging the active role of forest communities through strengthened local networks for a more lasting commitment to forest fire risk reduction policy.

Hybrid Solvent Retention Capacity (SRC) to predict Australian soft wheat cookie quality

The Solvent Retention Capacity (SRC) method has been widely used in evaluating soft wheat quality elsewhere but not in Australia. This paper studies the potential of applying SRC to predict the Australian soft wheat quality in sugar snap cookies, which the Indonesian mills value. The cost-effective hybrid SRC method improves efficiency and repeatability in general by replacing the manual shaking mechanism with a programable multitube vortex shaker. The hybrid SRC method helps to reduce work health and safety risks by eliminating manual tube shaking steps. The collaborative laboratory study is conducted with two Indonesian mills and compared against SRC measured by the hybrid and automatic SRC methods. All SRC values measured using the hybrid SRC method are significantly correlated with those measured with manual and automatic SRC methods: SRC water (r = 0.8–1.0, p < 0.0001); sucrose (r = 0.9, p < 0.0001); sodium carbonate (r = 0.9, p < 0.0001); and lactic acid (r = 0.7–0.8, p < 0.01). Among the four SRC solvents, considering the SRC water is highly effective in discriminating hard and soft wheat, the high correlations between different laboratories, the relatively smaller standard deviation across laboratories and storage time and temperature at 22 °C and the significant correlation with cookie spread, it could be the best predictor of Australian soft wheat quality. Overall, the hybrid SRC method could be helpful in the Australian soft wheat breeding program, especially in the early-stage selection of soft wheat cultivars. The cookie spread negatively correlates with Rapid Viscosity Analyser peak viscosity (r = −0.8, p < 0.01), suggesting Australian soft wheat targets a lower pasting property for a better cookie performance. The SRC values of flour samples from four different soft wheat cultivars are affected by storage temperature at 22 °C and 32 °C over 12 months with inconsistent trends. The flour samples stored at various temperatures across 0, 1, 3, 6 and 12 moths, particularly those kept at a higher temperature, have more variability in their SRC values and higher uncertainty, which must be accounted for when comparing results between different laboratories. A standard SRC range will be established in collaboration with the Indonesian mills to categorise the Australian soft wheat quality suitable for the Indonesian market.

Design Thinking in Public Policy Design: A Typological Study

In recent years, design has emerged as a method for shaping public policies and services. This article employs a typological research approach to analyze the application of design thinking in the field of public policy. Its aim is to elucidate the developmental trajectory of design thinking, assist designers in gaining a better understanding of the unique context of public policy, and promote the further evolution of design thinking in the domain of public policy. Through literature analysis and comprehension, this article is built upon the foundation of public sector policy labs. It constructs an analytical framework based on two dimensions, institutional nature and participation stages, categorizing public sector innovation labs in the field of public policy into three types: exploratory labs, executive labs, and collaborative labs. It also summarizes the classification criteria and characteristics of each type of lab. Furthermore, the article explores the inherent logical relationships between different types of labs, offering a systematic and scientific analysis to facilitate the integration of design thinking into public policy.

Perceptions of Students Toward Physics Learning Strategies at the Secondary Level

The study aimed to find out the perception of students towards physics learning strategies and to analyze perceptions of the student’s learning strategies. The research design is quantitative in nature and follow survey design with random sampling methods to take the perceptions of 500 students for the sample size was selected 75 students from five government school towards physics learning strategies. Data was collected by using paper based closed ended, which utilized a Likert scale format. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used for the analysis of data. The study revealed that students generally exhibited a positive attitude towards learning physics and showed a preference for social interaction, group study, ICT based learning, logic resonance, collaborative learning, note taking, and note making, problem solving, laboratory method and feedback from teachers. While the use of lecture method and rote learning strategies, students gave a negative response. The study emphasized the importance of considering students' opinions and preferences when designing and implementing effective learning strategies. It suggested that teachers and educators prioritize the use of collaborative learning, laboratory methods, feedback and problem solving strategies in physics classes. A physics lab is required to effectively understand the material for students towards visualizing concepts in physics were positive from the statements that visualizing concepts helps students remember and understand physics easily and quickly. This study also highlighted the need for further research to explore the integration of these effective learning strategies into physics instruction in order to enhance student learning outcomes.

A New Test Method for Biochemical Analysis of Plasmalogens in Dried Blood Spots and Erythrocytes From Patients With Peroxisomal Disorders.

Measurement of plasmalogens is useful for the biochemical diagnosis of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP) and is also informative for Zellweger spectrum disorders (ZSD). We have developed a test method for the simultaneous quantitation of C16:0, C18:0, and C18:1 plasmalogen species and their corresponding fatty acids in dried blood spots (DBS) and erythrocytes (RBC) by using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Normal reference ranges for measured markers and 10 calculated ratios were established by the analysis of 720 and 473 unaffected DBS and RBC samples, respectively. Determination of preliminary disease ranges was made by using 45 samples from 43 unique patients: RCDP type 1 (DBS: 1 mild, 17 severe; RBC: 1 mild, 6 severe), RCDP type 2 (DBS: 2 mild, 1 severe; RBC: 2 severe), RCDP type 3 (DBS: 1 severe), RCDP type 4 (RBC: 2 severe), and ZSD (DBS: 3 severe; RBC: 2 mild, 7 severe). Postanalytical interpretive tools in Collaborative Laboratory Integrated Reports (CLIR) were used to generate an integrated score and a likelihood of disease. In conjunction with a review of clinical phenotype, phytanic acid, and very long-chain fatty acid test results, the CLIR analysis allowed for differentiation between RCDP and ZSD. Data will continue to be gathered to improve CLIR analysis as more samples from affected patients with variable disease severity are analyzed. The addition of DBS analysis of plasmalogens may allow for at-home specimen collection and second-tier testing for newborn screening programs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Minecraft: A Remote Laboratory for Game-Based Distance Learning

Immersive learning environments are some of the technological and cognitive artifacts that can support active teaching approaches, in which product and process evaluation can sustain significant learning even in remote contexts, if well designed and calibrated for the students in training. The paper delves into the experience of remote laboratory teaching conducted within the MineClass project between 2018 and 2021, during which the pandemic school saw a reduction at a national level of active and collaborative laboratory activities due to social distancing, both in-person and remotely. The study integrates results from case studies, qualitative and quantitative surveys, and semi-structured interviews directed at participants in the experimentation. Within the larger primary sample, a follow-up questionnaire was administered in 2022 with the aim of exploring the didactic use of the video game during the pandemic years; most respondents reported continuing laboratory teaching activities with Minecraft even to support distance learning after the conclusion of the MineClass project. The results show the positive impact of the experimentation in terms of perceived added value by teachers for the development of cross-cutting competences, increased motivation, involvement, and autonomy of their students. Conference organisers' note: This paper was granted the EDEN Best Research Paper Award, in cooperation with The UNESCO Chair in Education and Technology for Social Change. It is a traditional award of EDEN Annual Conferences and Research Workshops. The appointed honourable jury blind selects 8-10 finalists and appoints only 1 Best Research Paper Award that is officially announced during the Gala dinner of the Conference. EDEN Best Research Paper Award competition is based on evaluation results on submission of Full Papers presented to the Annual Conference that follow five standard evaluation criteria: The paper deals with a research question. Rigorous examination/research methods are applied. Findings, results and outcomes are convincingly presented and critically examined. Conclusions are thoroughly discussed (including applicability, transferability, and further research. Literature is reviewed against state of the art. The composition of the honourable jury for the EDEN Best Research Paper Award is composed in cooperation with The UNESCO Chair in Education and Technology for Social Change: Alfredo Soeiro, Chair, University of Porto, Portugal Orna Farrell, Dublin City University, Ireland Maria Rosaria Re, University of Roma Tre, Italy

A New Approach to Advertising Education: The Transformative Impact of a Collaborative Research Laboratory

This paper explores the potential of a collaborative research laboratory to enhance advertising education by catalyzing student learning, engagement, and faculty interaction. By offering a comprehensive blueprint through this lab, we illuminate how institutions can leverage the benefits of such labs through immersing students in practical consumer and advertising research, audience analysis, and industry-aligned research tools and methodologies. We delve into a variety of engagement methods, ranging from lab-bounded courses, faculty-guided research projects to special topic workshops, and expert guest lectures. Despite the significant long-term investment required, this study underscores the lab’s potential to draw new students, faculty, corporate partners, and community members due to its applicability to the industry and rich networking opportunities. Furthermore, we address challenges tied to the lab operation and management, such as faculty workload, while acknowledging the lab’s promising potential as a focal point of advertising education.

Flight Demonstration of High Altitude Aircraft Navigation With Cellular Signals

This article presents the first demonstration of navigation with cellular signals of opportunity (SOPs) on a high-altitude aircraft. An extensive flight campaign was conducted by the Autonomous Systems Perception, Intelligence, and Navigation Laboratory in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force to sample ambient downlink cellular SOPs in different regions in Southern California, USA. Carrier phase measurements were produced from these signals, which were subsequently fused in an extended Kalman filter along with altimeter measurements to estimate the aircraft’s state (position, velocity, and time). Three flights are performed in three different regions: 1) rural, 2) semiurban, and 3) urban. A multitude of flight trajectories and altitudes above ground level (AGL) was exercised in the three flights: 1) a 51-km trajectory of grid maneuvers with banking and straight segments at about 5,000 ft AGL, 2) a 57-km trajectory of a teardrop descent from 7,000 ft AGL down to touchdown at the runway, and 3) a 55-km trajectory of a holding pattern at about 15,000 ft AGL. The estimated aircraft trajectory is computed for each flight and compared with the trajectory from the aircraft’s onboard navigation system, which utilized a GPS receiver coupled with an inertial navigation system and an altimeter. The cellular SOPs produced remarkable sustained navigation accuracy over the entire flight trajectories in all three flights, achieving a 3D position root mean-squared error of 10.53 m, 4.96 m, and 15.44 m, respectively.