Research
Academics
Dynamics & Controls
Dynamics & Controls
Dynamics & Controls research in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science centers on several areas:
- Complex systems
- Control of structure-borne noise
- Fluid-structure interaction (aeroelasticity)
- Flutter suppression
- Noise and vibration suppression
- Nonlinear dynamics and chaos
- Robotics
Examples of research projects include active control and closed-loop identification of flutter instability in typical section airfoil; active control of sound transmission, active control of low frequency modes in an aircraft fuselage; optimal collocated and multivariable hybrid active-passive vibration control design; approximate dynamic programming; reconfigurable control of aircraft; on-line learning in neural and Baysian networks; sensor planning for integrated surveillance systems; intelligent systems for criminal profiling; ensor modeling, data acquisition and management, and data fusion in the context of swarm robotics; and coordination and control of two robots handling a large structural object performing a series of intricate maneuvers in a confined work space.
Core Faculty:
Donald B Bliss, Associate Professor - Dr. Bliss has broad research interests in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and structural dynamics.
Earl H Dowell, William Holland Hall Professor - Dr. Dowell's research encompasses the broad field of aeroelasticity, acoustics, nonlinear dynamics, structural dynamics, and unsteady aerodynamics.
Silvia Ferrari, Assistant Professor - Dr. Ferrari's research focuses on approximate dynamic programming; reconfigurable control of aircraft; on-line learning in neural and Baysian networks; sensor planning for integrated surveillance systems; and intelligent systems for criminal profiling
Devendra P. Garg, Professor - Dr. Garg's research in the Robotics and Manufacturing Automation Laboratory is on the control of multiple robots that can work together.
Kenneth C. Hall, Julian Abele Professor - Dr. Hall's research focuses on unsteady aerodynamics, structural dynamics, and aeroelasticity of turbomachinery and aerospace vehicles. Novel approaches to modeling complex physical phenomena using computational fluid dynamics. Optimization and sensitivity analysis. Fluid dynamics of animal propulsion.
Brian P. Mann, Assistant Professor - Dr. Mann's research focuses on nonlinear dynamics and vibration utilizing analytical, numerical, and experimental techniques; and fundamental investigations of phenomenon and application areas where dynamical systems theory plays an important role.
Lawrie Virgin, Professor - Dr. Virgin's research is centered on studying the behavior of nonlinear dynamical systems.
The mission of Duke's Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science educational programs is to provide the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to be successful in the practice of engineering; the preparation necessary to undertake professional registration; an educational preparation for graduate or professional study; and an education background that is the basis for professional growth and leadership throughout a career that may encompass a broad range of endeavors, both technical and non-technical.