Research and Project

Problem statement:

1. Conceptual design of an electrified commercial aircraft based on Boeing 737 Max

2. Preliminary aero-structural analysis and design

3. Wind-tunnel testing and verification

Objective: 

1. To suggest feasible, manufacturable, and sustainable carbonless commercial aircraft design 

2. To establish a common design tool for commercial aircraft considering new propulsion systems

Problem statement:

1. 3 axial gimbal systems do not exist, or they are bulky.

2. Highly precise gimbal systems are only for large-scale systems.

Objective: 

1. To convert currently existing man-powered systems to automated ones.

2. To integrate the system for drones, field robots, and space applications.

Problem statement:

1. Current UAVs are excessively structured (too heavy and too sturdy).

2. Current UAVs do not use advanced technologies such as multifunctional materials, structures, and 3D prototyping.

Objective: 

1. To extend the sustainability of currently existing UAVs.

2. To establish the manufacturing process of small UAVs using nonconventional materials and structural innovations and optimization.

Problem statement:

1. Existing 3d printable materials such as PLA and ABS are not capable of handling multi-axial incoming forces.

2. Structures are typically designed to maintain their shapes under pressure and forces.

3. A simple lattice structure/material is neither multi-functional nor optimized in design

Objective: 

1. To design multi-functional and controllable lattice structures/materials 

2. To design and apply a control law to lattice structure for active actuation and motion

Methods:

1. Topology optimization, 3D printing, Mechanical Testing, and Wind-tunnel testing

2. ANSYS and FEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Problem statement:

1. Noise is one of the major issues in aerospace to solve but not yet fully solved.

2. Conventional wings are prone to noise and shock-induced vibration while the deflection angle in control surfaces changes due to discontinuity or sharp edges.

3. Camber morphing could be a solution that is conformal!

Objective: 

1. To analyze noise characteristics between conventional and camber morphing wings. 

2. To implement, verify, and suggest better noise characteristics from camber morphing methods, types, and shapes.

Methods:

1. Airfoil 3D printing, Morphing mechanism design and implementation, wind-tunnel testing, Aero-acoustic analysis 

2. ANSYS and FEA (Finite Element Analysis)

Problem statement:

1. Morphing wings and their mechanisms have gained popularity and attention for potential improvement in energy for next-generation aircraft design and operation. 

2. Field test flight and wind tunnel test results for the practical implementation of morphing wings have not been fully investigated. Especially it is of interest to know and understand transitional states from one airfoil to another in morphing. 

Objective: 

1. To design cost-effective and simple internal morphing mechanisms for conformal camber morphing using 3d printable materials. 

2. To understand important "transitional" aerodynamic effects through rigorous wind-tunnel tests which may guide secret design aspects in morphing wings and mechanism design.

Methods:

1. Wind tunnel test, CAD, ANSYS, FEA

2. Skin design and 3d printing, actuation system design for conformal camber morphing.

Problem statement:

1. A wind tunnel is an important aerodynamics testing apparatus. But a typical wind tunnel is large in volume, heavy, and expensive to operate. 

2. No commercial wind tunnel exists that could be sitting on a desk, low-speed subsonic (below or near 15~20 m/s), and portable.

Objective: 

1. To develop desktop-style, stand-alone, and compact in the size wind tunnels. 

2. To fully investigate, verify, and modify aerodynamic performance up to commercial and near industrial level.

3. To implement automated control features for non-conventional and conventional wing shapes and their testing

Methods:

1. Operate existing wind tunnel provided by InnoScience Co. Ltd. 

2. Data Acquisition (DAQ) and analysis

Problem statement:

1. IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensor is a combination of 3 axis accelerometer and 3 axis gyro. 

2. Accelerations from 3 axes and angular velocities from roll-pitch-yaw are normally read from equipped IMU on the body of a system for local motion.

3. IMUs are prone to turn on/off time and style, temperature, manufacturing process, wiring, and even humidity even in non-operational conditions.

4.  The price range of IMUs is from $5.00 for educational ones to approximately $20,000 for tactical purposes.

Objective: 

1. To establish the mutually beneficial network and eco-system for both small to medium-scale logistics companies AND innovative technology-driven entities (AI, robot, Industry 4.0 related).

2. To establish and identify practical and real-life related problems of logistics companies and link them to problem solvers.

3. To establish non-profit, and experts driven committees that mediate both entities.

4. To identify core and element technologies components to share among technology companies from largely formed problems given by logistics companies.

Methods:

1. Various networking events, technology exhibitions, and technology showcase

2. Problem survey and analysis through statistical approaches.

Problem statement:

1. When do we trust robots more? 

2. How do we quantify the trust between humans and robots? 

3. What social experiments should be performed and what do we have to do to improve on the robot design and functional aspects?

Objective: 

1. It is our main objective to collect various data on how humans react when they interact with robots. 

2. It is of interest to analytically and numerically model and quantify collected data and extract meanings. 

Methods:

1. Social experiments, Interactive robots, and Statistical analysis

Problem statement:

1. Can we visualize emotions? 

2. What is a good way of visualizing human emotions? 

3. Can robots help visualize them?

Objective: 

1. It is our main objective to collect various data on how humans emotions are categorized into various motions. 

2. It is of interest to analytically and numerically model and quantify collected data and extract meanings. 

Methods:

1. Social experiments, Interactive robots, and Statistical analysis, robot control