FSU Engineering faculty member wins DARPA recognition

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<p>One of two engineering faculty members in Florida to be so recognized.</p>

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William S. Oates, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA, [DARPA</a> | Home](<a href=“http://www.darpa.mil%5DDARPA”>http://www.darpa.mil)) as one of 33 rising stars at 24 U.S. universities to participate in the agency’s Young Faculty Award program for 2009. The 33 participants will receive grants of approximately $300,000 each to develop and validate their research ideas over the next two years.</p>

<p>The objective of Oates’ research project, titled “Field-Coupled Mechanics and Nonlinear Control of Photo-Responsive Adaptive Structures,” is to optimize special characteristics within a type of material known as photoelastomers — polymers that change their shape in response to light — to create highly adaptable “smart” structures. Among the possible applications for such materials could be using them to:</p>

<pre><code>* Design flapping-wing, micro-air vehicles — essentially tiny, remotely piloted or autonomous aircraft that could be used for military or law-enforcement surveillance or for safe observation of hazardous environments

• Provide texture control of adaptive skins, which could increase the maneuverability or efficiency of aircraft under certain conditions
• Design remote laser control of microfluidic systems and microscale actuators for drug delivery or microelectronic communication devices
  </code></pre>

<p>“This award will provide a wonderful opportunity to advance our knowledge of these fascinating materials,” said Oates, who has served on the faculty of the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering since 2006. “I am looking forward to working with DARPA and several Department of Defense organizations to transition these materials to various applications.”…

See: [The</a> Florida State University](<a href=“Florida State University”>Florida State University)
and <a href=“Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - Content not found”>Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - Content not found;