Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

在数百万年的进化过程中，大自然发展出了各种过程、物体、材料， and functions to increase efficiency. Through biomimicry and inspiration, engineers 生物学家利用进化的洞察力为复杂的任务提供解决方案 in aerospace industries, such as drag reduction, locomotion, navigation, control, sensing, and drone/robot design. This research project will investigate bioinspired solutions for the development and optimization of autonomous systems for planetary exploration. The REU student will study the characteristics of natural species, such as animals, birds, or insects’ locomotion, dynamics, structure, behavior, etc., and 将生物启发的经验应用于高效无人机和机器人的设计 planetary exploration. Students will perform laboratory analyses on natural species 探索机翼几何形状和身体结构，然后将概念应用于设计和 空中、水上或陆地机器人的原型，包括空气动力结构， control systems, and operational machinery. The student will learn aerodynamics, design 原理，SolidWorks软件进行设计和3D打印，Arduino编程 通过开发仿生无人机/机器人来控制和电路布线. 研究成果将包括提高对飞行空气动力学的理解 of novel control algorithms for the designed motive platform, and the integration of bioinspired designs to planetary exploration challenges. 

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jamie Kimberley, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering 

随着增材制造在工程设计中变得越来越普遍，研究人员 是否试图利用独特的能力来创建无法实现的复杂结构 by traditional manufacturing techniques.  Of particular interest are lattice structures which are capable of absorbing large quantities of energy under dynamic loading (e.g. impact) conditions. Many recent studies have focused on demonstration of the response 在各种晶格拓扑结构中，很少有研究对高速率进行了研究 response of the constituent materials themselves. These material response data are 对于新型动态AM结构的设计、仿真和优化至关重要 energy absorption.  This research project will engage the INTENSE REU participant to address this knowledge gap by conducting dynamic compression experiments on AM polymer specimens. The participant will design cylindrical specimens to be loaded at three orientations (0, 45, 90 degrees) with respect to the AM build direction. These specimens will be printed using a variety of feedstocks (e.g. PLA, PVB, ABS). Dynamic compression experiments will be conducted on the Kolsky bars in Dr. Kimberley’s research laboratory. As part of this research the REU participant will develop skills in computer modelling, 3D printing, high-speed imaging, digital image correlation, and data processing in MATLAB. Research outcomes include an improved understanding 常见增材制造聚合物原料和应力应变的速率依赖性力学响应 data sets associated with these materials as a function of orientation relative to the build direction.

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Michaelann Tartis, Professor of Chemical Engineering 

This research study will utilize previously developed hydrogel formulations that match the mechanical properties (stiffness) of human cranial tissues to study the 空化和剪切变形在模拟创伤性脑损伤中的作用. 水凝胶配方将优化，包括组织模拟的各向异性 白质性质和各向同性灰质性质，用于光学和 acoustic imaging during an impact of a cranial phantom in a drop tower apparatus.  Optimization for simultaneous imaging requires these materials to be transparent, contain tissue-like sound scatter, and tissue-matched attenuation. The REU student 高速数码相机能否获取高速加载实验图像 and high-frame rate ultrasound.  To understand which impact circumstances may result 在空化所致损伤中，轻重型颅脑外伤有几种 参数会变化:冲击能量，头部方向，超声波位置 transducer, soft tissue models, and 3D printed skull geometries. The student will 利用MATLAB和ImageJ软件提取空化事件的数量、位置、持久性; and frequency over a given time period. The student will gain experience in acquiring and quantifying image datasets using image processing.  Research outcomes will include 冲击诱发的创伤性脑损伤的新认识和见解 toward mitigation methods.

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Chelsey Hargather, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering

Additive manufacturing (AM or 3-D printing) is the process of fabricating objects by depositing layers of material.  This project focuses on adding thermite to standard 3-D printer filament to create an energetic ink. The ink could be 3-D printed onto an energetic material substrate, allowing for multi-point initiation, user-imposed 控制燃烧速率，和/或在含能基材中修改燃烧轮廓.  Current research has demonstrated printing of an ABS filament with 20% Ba(NO₃)₂ (barium nitrate) + Al thermite into combustible geometries as shown in Figure 4.  intensive REU的参与者将通过创建定制的3d打印机来参与这个项目 长丝使用Filabot EX2长丝挤出机，探索变量来增强和 tailor the energy release. A test matrix with variables including base filament material, thermite system, mass loading, and burn rate enhancer addition will be explored. Upon 挤出时，材料的稠度，就长丝直径而言，将是 evaluated for each material system.  The best performing materials will be printed using a standard commercial 3-D printer (e.g. Prusa or Artillery) for characterization of burn rate and mechanical properties (e.g. tensile strength) of the 3-D printed samples.  The REU participant will test the effectiveness of these energetic inks at initiating an energetic substrate through supervised combustion testing. The REU 参与者将通过生成学习材料选择和设计技巧 and testing of the systems in the materials matrix.  Skills in planning and safely 执行燃烧测试，以及材料表征将被开发 by the REU student. Research outcomes include development of printability maps for 铝热剂混合物及其对成分的先验材料性质估计的见解 based on material composition. 

 Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Curtis O'Malley, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Faculty Mentor:  Dr. Andrei Zagrai, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

近年来，太空任务在数量、性质和操作人员方面的急剧增加 多年来，对评估和鉴定结构的技术和方法的需求得到了加强 integrity of a vehicle or payload through all stages of spaceflight from launch to orbit to re-entry.  NMT 是否开发了使用机电阻抗的结构健康监测技术 有源压电传感器通过本科设计团队和研究生研究 projects.  The developed systems and experiments have been tested on high altitude balloon and suborbital rocket flights.  The student performing research on this project will perform ground-testing of structural health monitoring systems investigating the integrity of structural joints.  The goal of the project is to determine characteristic 原始状态下螺栓连接和焊接连接的机电阻抗特征 “damaged” conditions to train intelligent algorithms to detect damage anomalies.  The project will utilize previously developed 硬件，如图5所示，学生将构建他们自己的测试设置 for the joint testing.  The student will be exposed to the science of vibrations and signal processing as well as the technology of piezoelectric and acoustic sensors.  研究成果包括对系统振动响应变化的理解 a function of various damage states including weld failures or loose bolts