James Hubbard, Langley Distinguished Professor, National Institute of Aerospace, University of Maryland

Bio-inspired research in the Center for Adaptive Aerospace Technology (CAATS)

Abstract: An overview of research being conducted in the Center for Adaptive Aerospace Technology (CAAT) will be presented with a special focus on bio-inspired technology. The impact of low Reynolds number, high lift flight envelopes and nonlinear dynamics on vehicle design and analysis will be previewed. A brief case study of avian flight and ornithopter unmanned aerial vehicle challenges will be also be presented. Implications for the future of such technology and vehicles on government, commercial and academic interest will be discussed.
 
Address: Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland.
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Short Bio: Dr. Hubbard began his career in 1971 as an engineering officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine serving in Vietnam. He received unlimited horsepower, steam and diesel engine Marine Engineering license from the U.S. Coast Guard and at the age of 19 was one of the youngest to get such an honor. He has served as a Professor of engineering at M.I.T., Boston University and is presently the Langley distinguished Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. His research involves the design, analysis, simulation and fabrication of spatially distributed systems, smart materials and smart transducers. He has co-founded two companies whose commercial product base built upon his experience in smart materials and smart sensors. He has received numerous awards for teaching and mentoring excellence including the M.I.T. Goodwin Medal for "Conspicuously Effective Teaching", The M.I.T. Stewart Award for "Outstanding Service to the Community" and in 2002 was awarded "The Key to the City" of his hometown, Danville Virginia for Lifetime achievement and mentoring. He has more than 60 technical publications, 12 U.S. patents, and has served on numerous technical Boards and Committees of the National Academy of Engineering. He currently resides in Hampton Virginia with his 3 sons, his wife Adrienne.

Education B.S. (1977), Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology M.S. (1978), Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Phd. (1982), Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Selected Relevant Publications:

1. D. Keats-Pullen, J.E. Hubbard, Jr., N.M. Guerreiro, "Spatial Weighting of Smart Materials for Real-Time Measurement of Aerodynamic Forces." Technical Paper (submitted for publication in Journal of Intelligent Material Systems & Structures), 2005.

2. J.E. Hubbard, Jr., "Dynamic Shape Control of a Morphing Airfoil Using Spatially distributed Transducers", Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, Vol. 29, Number 3, 2006, Pages 612-616.