CAREER: A Career Plan for Research and Education in Smart Materials and Structures

这个CAREER项目的目的是在阿克伦大学开发一个智能材料和结构学术项目。本提案包括四个主要部分：1)在智能材料和结构方面进行创新研究。PI将重点关注：(1)使用神经网络和基于滑模的鲁棒控制器补偿智能执行器中的滞后。(2)形状记忆合金（SMA）执行器的精确跟踪控制。(3)无位置传感器的SMA执行器的位置控制。(4)嵌入式SMA线致动器复合板的主动控制。(5)采用压电贴片作动器进行精密形状控制。(6)采用可控间隙减振。2)建设先进的智能材料与结构实验室，支持研究。3)建立新型智能材料和结构课程，包括新课程和教学实验室。4)将研究、实验室发展和课程与本科教学、少数族裔项目、女性工程项目和外展项目相结合。本职业发展计划的意义和影响是多方面的：1)促进智能材料和结构的技术发展。几乎所有的智能执行器都存在磁滞。所提出的控制方法有可能补偿滞后，显著提高智能执行器的控制精度和稳定性，并扩大其应用范围。消除SMA伺服系统中的位置传感器将大大降低其成本，扩大SMA的应用范围。所提出的主动形状控制将显著提高空间反射器等精密系统的精度和鲁棒性。嵌入SMA致动器的智能复合梁将在主动形状控制和振动阻尼方面实现许多潜在的应用。利用可控间隙的减振方法可以应用于许多悬挑柔性结构。2)加强阿克伦大学的研究和教学。3)让代表性不足的学生参与工程研究。4)有利于高中生在工程领域接受高等教育和就业。5)通过向学生提供这一新兴技术的知识，使当地行业和政府机构受益。

This CAREER proposal is aimed to develop a smart materials and structures academic program at The University of Akron. This proposal includes four major components:1) Conduct innovative research in smart materials and structures. The PI will focus on:(1) Compensation of hysteresis in smart actuators using neural networks and sliding-mode based robust controller. (2) Precision tracking control of Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators. (3) Position control of SMA actuators without a position sensor. (4) Active control of a composite plate with embedded SMA wire actuators. (5) Precision shape control using piezo patch actuators. (6) Vibration damping using controllable backlash.2) Develop a state-of-art Smart Materials and Structures Laboratory to support research.3) Establish a novel smart materials and structures curriculum, including new courses and a teaching laboratory.4) Integrate research, lab development and the curriculum with undergraduate teaching, minority programs, women engineering programs, and outreach programs.The significance and impact of this Career Development Plan are multifold:1) Contribute to the advance of technology development in smart materials and structures. Hysteresis exists in almost all smart actuators. The proposed control approach has potential to compensate for hysteresis and significantly increase control accuracy and stability of smart actuators and widen their applications. The elimination of the position sensor in a SMA servo system will dramatically decrease its cost and widen SMA's application. The proposed active shape control will significantly increase accuracy and robustness of precision system such as space reflectors. The smart composite beam with embedded SMA actuators will enable many potential applications for active shape control and vibration damping. Vibration damping using controllable backlash can be applied to many cantilevered flexible structures. 2) Strengthen research and teaching at The University of Akron.3) Benefit underrepresented students to participate engineering research.4) Benefit high school students to pursue higher education and careers in engineering.5) Benefit local industries and government agencies by supplying students with knowledge of this emerging technology.