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

这份职业建议书的目的是在休斯顿大学开发一个智能材料和结构学术项目。这项建议包括四个主要组成部分：1)在智能材料和结构方面进行创新研究。PI将集中在：(1)利用神经网络和基于滑模的鲁棒控制器对智能执行器的迟滞进行补偿。(2)形状记忆合金(SMA)驱动器的精确跟踪控制。(3)无位置传感器的形状记忆合金执行器的位置控制。(4)嵌入形状记忆合金丝作动器的复合板的主动控制。(5)采用压电片致动器的精确形状控制。(6)可控间隙减振。2)发展一流的智能材料与结构实验室，支持研究。3)建立新型的智能材料与结构课程，包括新课程和教学实验室。4)将研究、实验室开发和课程与本科教学、少数民族项目、女性工程项目和外展项目结合起来。这份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迟滞现象。所提出的控制方法具有补偿迟滞的潜力，显著提高了智能执行器的控制精度和稳定性，扩大了其应用范围。SMA伺服系统中位置传感器的消除将大大降低SMA的成本，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镜等精密系统的精度和鲁棒性。嵌入形状记忆合金驱动器的智能复合梁在形状主动控制和减振方面具有广阔的应用前景。采用可控侧隙的减振技术可以应用于许多悬臂柔性结构。2)加强休斯顿大学的研究和教学。3)有利于代表不足的学生参与工程研究。4)有利于高中生接受高等教育和从事工程职业。5)通过向学生提供这项新兴技术的知识，使当地行业和政府机构受益。

AbstractThis CAREER proposal is aimed to develop a smart materials and structures academic program at The University of Houston. 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 Houston. 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.