Smart Materials and Structures Laboratory

Other Research

1. Research in Innovative: Use of Smart Materials in Propulsion System Components

-- Control and Experimental Issues

Funding Agency: NASA
This research will concentrate on innovative use of smart materials, such as piezoelectric ceramics, shape memory alloy, and fiber optic sensors, in propulsion system components such as nacelles, blades and fan blade casing, for vibration control and health monitoring.

2. A New Approach: Compensate Hysteresis using Neural Networks and Sliding-Mode based Robust Controller

Funding Agency: NSF through a CAREER grant
Almost all smart actuators exhibit hysteresis to some degree. Hysteresis is often responsible for position inaccuracy in regulation or tracking tasks and even causes instability in severe cases. Modeling and compensation hysteresis in smart actuators received considerably amount of attention. In this research, a new approach is proposed to compensate hysteresis in smart actuators by using neural network controller and sliding-mode based robust controller. The neural network controller will be used to cancel the hysteresis and the sliding-mode based robust controller will compensate uncertainties such as the error hysteresis cancellation and to ensure system’s stability. Advantages of the proposed approach include: 1) The neural network controller (NNC) has the capacity to deal with multiple factors dependent the hysteresis. 2) Conservatism of the robust controller will be reduced and performance can be improved. 3) Stability of closed-loop system is insured. 4) Smooth robust control action is guaranteed.

3. Vibration Damping using Controllable Backlash

Funding Agency: NSF through a CAREER grant
This research will includes the following tasks: 1) Fabricate the test stand which can mount various actuators and beams with difference modal frequencies. 2) Develop an algorithm to control the backlash to achieve maximum damping. 3) Test the proposed actuators to control the backlash for vibration damping. Tracking control of the actuator during the process to close the backlash is important and the control approach presented in Project 2 will be implemented to control the smart actuators.

4. Development of a New Aerospace Related Course – Introduction to Smart Materials and Structures in The University of Akron

Funding Agency: Ohio Space Grant Consortium (OSGC)

The goal of the project is to develop a new course entitled, “Introduction to Smart Materials and Structures” at senior/graduate level at The University of Akron. This course is closely related to the discipline of aerospace. The objective of this course is to give students necessary theoretic knowledge to enable them to design smart structures. This course will cover basics, modeling, design and control of smart structures using various smart materials such as piezo-ceramics, shape memory alloy, MR fluid and fiber optic sensors.

5. Innovative Use of Smart Materials in Propulsion System Components

Funding Agency: Ohio Board of Regents (OBR)

The tasks of this research include: 1) Setup a smart propulsion system component test rig where active vibration control and passive vibration damping using piezoelectric ceramics can be conducted. 2) Develop control algorithms and conduct experimental studies for active vibration control the propulsion system component using piezoelectric ceramic sensors and actuators. 3) Develop algorithms and conduct experimental verification for passive vibration damping of a propulsion system component using piezoelectric ceramic sensors and actuators.