Collaborative Research with VAST
We believe strongly in collaborative research and would like to share in this section some of those projects. With today's interdisciplinary need of projects, it is very hard and sometimes nearly impossible to tackle major projects alone. For current efforts and past projects please visit those sections of our website.
Artificial Cochlear Systems: New Routes for Treating Hearing Loss and Hearing Disorders
In collaboration with Dr. Leo, Dr. Grant and Dr. Mueller, this project studies the development of a novel means of treating hearing loss through use of artificial hair cells that mimic the form and function of natural hair cells based on the use of nanoscale cellular membranes that generate current in response to a variety of stimuli including mechanical vibration. These membranes consist of aqueous droplets submerged in lipid solution that form a lipid bilayer at their contact surface. A pair of these droplets forms the primary transduction element for transforming sound induced vibrational motion into a measurable sensing current flow between the two aqueous cells.
Modal analysis of rotating carbon nanotube-carbon fiber-epoxy composite beams using the eigensystem realization algorithm
Rotating Test Setup, © Caleb DeValve
In collaboration with the Advanced Materials and Technologies Laboratory run by Dr. Pitchumani and Ph.D. graduate student Caleb DeValve, this work studies the use of eigensystem realization algorithm (ERA) to characterize rotating composite beams fabricated using a carbon nanotube (CNT) infused epoxy resin as the matrix material and several layers of woven carbon fiber fabric as the fiber reinforcement. Previous research has demonstrated that the addition of CNT's to composite resins increases the damping capabilities of the resulting material. The current work attempts to extend this knowledge by quantifying the CNT-damping during the rotation of a composite beam, for application to research involving vibration damping in rotating structures such as helicopter rotors and wind turbine blades.
Also collaborating in this project is Dr. Ameri from the University of Bristol. His expertise in operational [or output-only] modal analysis (OMA) and signal processing is aiding us in the characterization aspect of this project.
Publication:
DeValve, C., Ameri, N., Tarazaga, P.A., Pitchumani, R., 2013. “Modal analysis of rotating carbon nanotube-carbon fiber-epoxy composite beams using the eigensystem realization algorithm,” IMAC XXXI, Orange County, CA, February 11-14.
Also collaborating in this project is Dr. Ameri from the University of Bristol. His expertise in operational [or output-only] modal analysis (OMA) and signal processing is aiding us in the characterization aspect of this project.
Publication:
DeValve, C., Ameri, N., Tarazaga, P.A., Pitchumani, R., 2013. “Modal analysis of rotating carbon nanotube-carbon fiber-epoxy composite beams using the eigensystem realization algorithm,” IMAC XXXI, Orange County, CA, February 11-14.
Testing of ultra lightweight structures
The work herein is in collaboration with Dr. Dario DiMaio and Dr. Nima Ameri from the University of Bristol's Aerospace Department. VAST has developed a strong collaborative effort with University of Bristol in order to study testing techniques and methodologies for ultra lightweight structures. These structures are highly affected by sensor and excitation intrusions which can alter the system dynamics and yield corrupted data for validation. Developments of new testing techniques that are fast and effective and non-intrusive can highly benefit the testing of structures such as gossamer spacecraft, in order to be validated on Earth before they are launched. Various of sensing techniques as well as excitation techniques are being explored. The work also focuses on the application of ERA techniques for output-only modal analysis which can relax the need for excitation.
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Publication:
Ameri, N., Tarazaga, P.A., DiMaio, D., Ewins, D.J., 2012. “Non-Contact Operational Modal Analysis of an Optical Membrane for Space Application,” IMAC XXX, Jacksonville Florida, January 30 - February 2, 2012.
Tarazaga P.A., DiMaio, D., Ameri, N., Ewins, D.J., 2012. “Continuous Laser Scanning of a Lightweight Membrane with Monotone and Multi-tone Excitation Techniques,” Proceedings, 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference (SDM), April 23-26, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ameri, N., Tarazaga, P.A., DiMaio, D., Ewins, D.J., 2012. “Non-Contact Operational Modal Analysis of an Optical Membrane for Space Application,” IMAC XXX, Jacksonville Florida, January 30 - February 2, 2012.
Tarazaga P.A., DiMaio, D., Ameri, N., Ewins, D.J., 2012. “Continuous Laser Scanning of a Lightweight Membrane with Monotone and Multi-tone Excitation Techniques,” Proceedings, 53rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference (SDM), April 23-26, Honolulu, Hawaii.