BU College of Engineering - Aerospace and Mechanical

Research Interests:

Theoretical & computational (bio) mechanics
Theoretical & computational (bio) acoustics
Medical (ultrasound) imaging
Inverse problems
Finite element methods
Scattering
Multiple scales
Microstructure
Dynamics and vibration of complex systems.

Ph.D., M.S., Stanford University, B.E.S.M., Georgia Institute of Technology

Paul Barbone uses tools from applied mathematics to study forward and inverse problems in (bio)mechanics, (bio)acoustics, medical imaging, and other areas. He has studied and made contributions in the areas of structural acoustics; waves in elastic media, piezoelectric media, layered media, periodic media, and in media with microstructure; vibration of infinitely complicated structures, hybrid asymptotic/numerical methods, optimal finite element methods, algebraic eigenvalue problems, nonlinear acoustic propagation, multiphase (bubbly) flow and ultrasound imaging. His most recent interests (as of 2001/02) lie in the areas of inverse elasticity problems as applied to medical imaging (elastography) and soft-tissue biomechanics.

James Bethune

Research Interests:

Computer-aided Design

Ed.D. Boston University

As director of the Computer-Aided Design Laboratory, Professor Bethune introduces students to the creative thinking processes and the most recent technology in computer-aided design. He introduces students to AutoCAD and supplementary software and helps them to design and test projects in both two and three dimensions, and to render final drawings. Professor Bethune is the author of ten popular texts on electronic drafting and computer applications in technical drawing that are used at many levels of instructions, from introductory to advanced, thoughout the country. Professor Bethune is a recipient of the Boston University Alumni of the Year Award and the Outstanding Professor Award.

Thomas Bifano

Research Interests:

Automatic control of precision mechanisms
MEMS sensor and actuator array systems
Manufacturing of photonic devices
Micro-fluidics, micro-optics
Neutral ion beam machining
Optical disc manufacturing

Ph.D., North Carolina State University, M.S., B.S., Duke University

As the director of the Precision Engineering Research Laboratory, Professor Bifano studies design and manufacturing of microscale optical and fluidic systems. Current projects include fabrication of micromechanical deformable mirror systems and microvalve array systems, and on the study of advanced MEMS-based acoustic sensors and smart structures. These multidisciplinary efforts combine research on mechanism design, optics, ultraprecision surface finishing, high speed parallel control, and semiconductor processing technology to produce massively parallel coordinated micro-mirror devices. Dr. Bifano also develops new technologies for the manufacture of compact disc stampers, ceramic mirrors, and hard disk substrates using ultraprecision machining processes. He has developed models of precision material removal process and pioneered new technologies for machining of ceramics and glasses.

William Carey

Research Interests:

Underwater Autonomous Systems; Multiphase media; Acoustic arrays
Vibration and Acoustic Signal Processing
Sound Radiation and Scattering

Ph.D., M.S. and B.S., The Catholic University of America

Professor Carey's research is currently focused on the use of autonomous array systems and array signal processing to perform measurements of the acoustical properties of the oceanic coastal margins. Some these research activities falls under the category of multiphase media since ocean sediments are composed of several media such as sand, silt, water, and bubbles. This research has recently been performed in conjunction with the Woods Hole oceanographic Institution. Dr. Carey is a Member of the Cosmos Club, a member of Sigma Xi, a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America, a Fellow of the IEEE, recipient of the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society's "Distinguished Technical Achievement Award" and Editor Emeritus of the Journal Of Oceanic Engineering. He is an Associate Editor of the Journal of the Acoustical Society and recipient of the Pioneers of Underwater Acoustics Silver Medal. Dr. Carey is also an Adjunct Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an Adjunct Scientist in Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Robin Cleveland

Research Interests:

Shock Wave Lithotripsy
Acoustic Imaging
Medical Ultrasonics
Sonic Boom Propagation

Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin, M.Sc., B.Sc., University of Auckland (New Zealand)

Professor Robin Cleveland carries out research in the field of physical acoustics with an emphasis on nonlinear acoustic propagation. He uses a combination of experimental measurement, numerical calculation, and theoretical analysis, to study problems such as lithotripsy (breaking of kidney stones by shock waves), high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for therapeutic destruction of tissue, ultrasonic imaging of tissue, and sonic boom propagation in the atmosphere. Professor Cleveland has also worked on aspects of mine detection by acoustics, ultrasound propagation in bone, MEMS based transducers and opto-acoustic transduction. Professor Cleveland's research is carried out at the Physical Acoustics Laboratory at Boston University.

Current projects that Professor Cleveland works on are: shock wave lithotripsy, quantitative ultrasound imaging of HIFU lesions, monitoring and controlling acoustic cavitation. Professor Cleveland is a member of the Gordon Centre for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (an NSF ERC). He is a fellow of the Acoustical Society of America and Associate Editor of the Journal of the Acousical Society of America.

Pierre Dupont

Research Interests:

Robot kinematics, dynamics and control
Medical applications of robotics
Image guidance of minimally invasive surgery

Ph.D., M.S., B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Professor Dupont conducts research in image-guided minimally invasive surgery. This work is interdisciplinary, drawing from kinematics, control systems, robotics, acoustics and solid mechanics. Topics of interest include design of medical robots and instruments, modeling tool-tissue interaction, development of multi-probe or multi-modal imaging techniques for surgical guidance; and teleoperation or automation of instrument motion. His current focus is to develop robotic instruments and imaging technology that can be used to perform complex repairs inside the beating heart. Such surgeries are needed to correct congenital heart defects (the most common birth defect) in the fetal and pediatric heart as well as to repair the effects of heart disease in older patients. Prof. Dupont holds a number of positions with the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and is affiliated with Boston University's Center for Information and Systems Engineering (CISE). He is also Associate Scientific Staff in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at Children’s Hospital, Boston.

Kamil Ekinci

Research Interests:

Nanomechanics, nanomechanical sensors
Dissipation and noise in mechanical systems
Physics of ultra-thin metal films

Ph.D., M.S. Brown University, B.S. Bogazici University

Professor K.L. Ekinci’s research focuses on mechanical systems at the nanometer length scales. His lab, the Laboratory for Nanometer Scale Engineering, is an integral part of the recently renovated BU Nanoscale Research Facility, where nanoscale mechanical and electronic devices can be fabricated using state-of-the-art nanofabrication techniques. Through measurements of the physical properties of nanomechanical systems, Dr. Ekinci hopes to gain a better understanding of the fundamental physical processes in nanomechanical systems such as dissipation and fluctuations. The practical aspects of his research involve the design and fabrication of ultra-high speed nanomechanical sensors.

The efforts in the field of nanomechanical systems in Ekinci’s lab are complemented with investigations of the electronic conduction and mechanical structure of thin metal films through scanning probe microscopy and transport measurements in Ultra High Vacuum (UHV).

Sheryl Grace

Research Interests:

Aerodynamics
Fluid dynamics
Acoustics

Ph.D., M.S.A.E., University of Notre Dame, M.S., Oklahoma State University, B.S., the University of Akron

Professor Grace's interests lie in the fields of unsteady aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. She focuses on creating analytical and computational models of the mechanics which create sound and vibration. She is most interested in applications in which the vibration and sound result from the interactions of unsteady flows past solid bodies, such as for aircraft external structures and marine and aircraft propulsion systems. Her analyses are intended to be used as predictive tools in the design of next generation systems, and they offer a less expensive mode of prediction as compared to experiment.

Three examples of physical applications her research group has considered in the past are the noise generated by high-lift wing systems, the effect of vane clocking in turbines, and the vibration and sound generated when flow passes over wall apertures and cavities. The first is of great interest to commercial airline design, the second impacts blade fatigue in aircraft engines, and the third has a wide variety of applications ranging from the design of high speed trains to new configurations for better cooling in computer chips.

Recently, Dr. Grace's group has also done research related to gerbil hearing. In particular, a computational acoustic scattering model of the gerbil ear was created to analyze the head-related transfer function which describes how a given source of sound interacts with the gerbil ear when the gerbil is in a given environment.

R. Glynn Holt

Research Interests:

Physical Acoustics
Sonoluminescence
Rheology of Foam
Biomedical Acoustics and High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Ph.D., B.S., University of Mississippi

Professor Glynn Holt's research interests span a range of disciplines and involve physical acoustics, interfacial wave phenomena, nonlinear drop and bubble dynamics, and surface and bulk rheology. An experimentalist, he uses acoustic levitation as a non-contact probe of the behavior of free liquid surfaces. Some of his efforts are geared toward studying the effects of gravity on fluid problems, and he has been an investigator on liquid-drop experiments conducted on board the space shuttle. Professor Holt is currently involved in three research projects: an investigation of bubble-mediated bioeffects of high-intensity focused ultrasound with potential clinical applications to tumor therapy and hemostasis (Army/NCPA); an investigation of the role gravity plays in sonoluminescence--the phenomenon in which short pulses of light are emitted by collapsing bubbles (NASA); and a project to explore the mechanical and acoustic behavior of aqueous foams near the order-disorder transition utilizing a unique acoustic levitation/modal analysis technique (NASA).

Professor Holt, a recipient of an Office of Naval Research Graduate Fellowship and a DAAD research fellowship in Germany, was selected by NASA as a payload specialist (alternate) crew member for the flight of the Second United States Microgravity Laboratory, which flew aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1995.

Michael Howe

Research Interests:

Fluid mechanics
Acoustics
Structural vibrations

Ph.D., B.S. Imperial College (England)

Dr. Howe has over 25 years experience of research in fluid mechanics, acoustics, random vibration, and structural mechanics. He has published more than 150 refereed journal articles on these and related subjects. He recently published Acoustics on Fluid-Structure Interactions in the Cambridge University Press series "Monographs of Mechanics." His current sponsored and non-sponsored subjects for research are concerned with:

(i) the production of sound, vibration and self-noise by turbulent flow, transitional boundary layers, free shear layers, etc, interacting with elastic structures and projectiles

(ii) pressure transients generated by high speed trains

(iii) the mechanics of towed and free falling bodies

(iv) scattering of sound

(v) fluid mechanics of thermoacoustic systems

Mort Isaacson

Research Interests:

Engineering Education
Engineering Ethics
Interdisciplinary Interacations Between Technology and Society

Professor Isaacson's previous research includes experimental studies in wind engineering and waste and water disposition. He also conducted policy studies on energy development, water supply, solid waste disposal, and recycling.

J. Gregory McDaniel

Research Interests:

Structural acoustics
Automotive brake squeal
Biological vibrations
Ocean wave energy

Ph.D., M.S.M.E., The Georgia Institute of Technology, B.S.M.E., The University of Florida

Professor McDaniel's work integrates analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches in efforts to improve the built world and understand the natural world. Most of his research falls in the area of structural acoustics and involves interactions of vibrations and acoustics with complex structures and media. Examples of recent projects include mitigating automotive brake squeal, steering and mixing of waves in composite structures, escape hatching of the red-eyed tree frog, and the rheology of wet foam.

Elise Morgan

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E-mail

Research Interests:

Mechanical behavior of biological materials
Mechanical stimulation of tissue differentiation
Micromechanics of multiscale media
Damage mechanics

Ph.D., M.S., University of California, Berkeley, B.S. Stanford University

Professor Elise Morgan’s research focuses on the interplay between the mechanical behavior, structure, and biological function of tissues. She uses methods from engineering mechanics, materials science, and cell and molecular biology to investigate how mechanical “signals” (forces and displacements) contribute to the development, adaptation, degeneration, and regeneration of bone and cartilage. This work involves experimentation, computational modeling, and theoretical analysis. Through her research, Professor Morgan hopes to gain insight into causes and potential treatments for diseases or conditions such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and impaired bone healing.

Professor Morgan’s current research projects are in the use of mechanical stimulation to promote cartilage formation, 3-D visualization and prediction of spine fractures, structure-function relationships in ischemic bone, and non-invasive diagnostics of bone fracture healing.

Todd Murray

Research Interests:

Laser ultrasonics
Nanoscale materials characterization
Acoustic wave propagation
Optical sensors and NDE
Photorefractive materials and devices
Optoacoustic imaging

Professor Murray’s research is focused on the development of optical sensors for materials characterization, defect detection and process monitoring in the Laser Acoustics Laboratory. He has developed laser-based inspection systems for the nondestructive evaluation of thin films and is currently developing a system to measure the thermal and mechanical properties of materials on a sub-micron scale for the inspection of microelectronic and micromechanical devices. He has also developed models for the pulsed laser generation of ultrasound in multilayer materials systems and currently works to expand these models to describe ultrasonic wave propagation in a variety of materials systems. Additional projects involve the development photorefractive crystal based optical sensors and optoacoustic imaging systems for medical applications.

Ray Nagem

Research Interests:

Structural dynamics
Random vibration
Wave propagation
Inverse problems

Ph.D., S.M., B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor Nagem is developing a computational model for wave propagation in coupled fluid-elastic systems that he applies to large-scale problems in the ocean environment while a visiting scientist at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. He also specializes in the theory and applications of wave scattering with emphasis on methods for detecting submerged and buried objects. Such algorithms are used in sonar systems, optical and electron microscopy, spectroscopy, radiography, and ultrasonics. Other areas of study include molecular dynamics and structural dynamics pertaining to flexibe structures suitable for space habitation.

Allan Pierce

Research Interests:

Wave propagation and scattering in heterogeneous materials
Acoustical oceanography, underwater sound
Wind turbines
Structural acoustics and vibrations

Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S., New Mexico State University

Professor Pierce is known for a large variety of fundamental research on the mechanics of waves, acoustics, and structural vibrations. Past work includes atmospheric acoustics, nuclear test detection, sonic booms, interaction of sound with structures, waves on fluid immersed shells, diffraction and scattering of sound, the mechanics of marine sediments, and noise control. His landmark book, Acoustics: An Introduction to its Physical Principles and Applications, is widely considered the definitive acoustics textbook. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Acoustical Society of America, and past co-editor of the Academic Press series on Physical Acoustics and of the Journal of Computational Acoustics. Dr. Pierce has received the Silver Medal in Physical Acoustics, the Rossing Medal for Acoustics Education, the Gold Medal of the Acoustical Society of America, the Per Bruel Gold Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Gold Medal of AFECT (Acoustical Foundation of India), and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Senior U.S. Scientist Award. Before coming to Boston University to take the position as Department Chair (1993-1999), Dr. Pierce held the Leonhard Chair in Engineering at Penn State, and prior to that he was Regents Professor at Georgia Tech.

Tyrone Porter

E-mail

Research Interests:

Integration of ultrasound technologies with chemical and biomolecular engineered vesicles for diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Ph.D., University of Washington

Prof. Porter's overall goal of his research program is to push the application of ultrasound technology in new and exciting directions. Applications could include using ultrasound technology to test the growth of cancer and drug delivery through microscopic carriers. Prof. Porter's lab is working on new ultrasound technologies and novel chemical formulations for assessing tissue perfusion, targeted contrast enhancement of diseases in ultrasound images, and improving the uptake and activity of drugs while reducing adverse side effects.

Ron Roy

Research Interests:

Physical acoustics
Medical ultrasonics for imaging and therapy
Bubble dynamics
Nonlinear acoustics
Acousto optics

Ph.D., M.Phil., Yale University, M.S., University of Mississippi, B.S., University of Maine at Orono

Professor Roy's main area of research is physical acoustics, which is the study of the generation, propagation, and detection of acoustic waves as well as the interactions of sound with matter. Of particular interest is acoustic cavitation and bubble dynamics, especially problems related to sonoluminescence (light from sound), sonochemistry, and the inception and detection of inertial cavitation activity. He is active in the fields of Medical Ultrasonics and Bioacoustics, particularly studies relating to the role played by bubbles and cavitation microstreaming in diagnostic and high-intensity therapeutic ultrasound. Bubble-related underwater and ocean acoustics have been long-standing areas of interest, particularly in the study of ocean ambient noise mechanisms, near-surface scattering from bubble clouds, and the acoustics of ship wakes. Fluid mechanics (two-phase flows), nonlinear acoustics, acousto-optics, and high-power industrial acoustics are all areas of past and present activity.

Current Projects:

The Physics of Non-Invasive Therapy Using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
Nucleating Inertial Acoustic Cavitation in Tissue Using Laser-Heated Gold Nano-Particles
The Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems (CenSSIS): Acoustics Thrust
Acousto-Optic Imaging
The Detection of Undersea Mines Using Single-Channel, Iterative, Time Reversal Acoustics
Mitigation of Cavitation Damage in the ORNL Spallation Neutron Source

Hua Wang

E-mail

Research Interests:

Control of nonlinear phenomena and bifurcations

Ph.D. University of Maryland

Professor Wang is an expert in nonlinear control and in particular in the control of systems having complex nonlinear dynamics. He is also affiliated with Boston University's Center for Information and Systems Engineering (CISE).

Donald Wroblewski

Research Interests:

Experimental fluid mechanics and heat transfer
Microfluids
Plasma deposition
Turbulent flows

Ph.D., M.S., University of California, Berkeley, B.S., Pennsylvania State University

Professor Wroblewski's research program is focused on experiments and modeling of fluid-thermal transport phenomenon, with two areas of active interest. The first involves a multi-disciplinary effort, encompassing fundamental issues in thermal-fluids, controls and materials to formulate the knowledge base necessary for implementing advanced feedback control for plasma spray for thermal barrier coatings. His work has included modeling and simulation of rapid solidification, experimental characterization of thermal-fluid interactions in plasma spray field, and development of new sensor concepts for spray pattern diagnosis. The second area involves collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory, NOAA, and Airborne Research of Australia to study turbulence in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere and its effect on Aerospace systems. He has participated in several field measurement campaigns that employ aircraft instrumented with fast-response, high resolution turbulence probe, to characterize both large-scale two-dimensional coherent structures and small scale three-dimensional turbulence in and around the sub-tropical jet stream.

Victor Yakhot