Research
Fluid-Structure Interaction
Flexible, actuated structures, including insect wings and fish fins, deform under inertial and aerodynamic loads. The structural deformation affects the surrounding flow field - and in turn, the affected flow field affects the structural deformation. This phenomena is called “fluid-structure interaction (FSI)”. FSI problems are notoriously complex and challenge even the most sophisticated computational methods. In our group, we develop reduced-order methods to capture the FSI of flexible insect wings and more fundamentally, actuated flat plates and airfoils. Our models can be used for parametric design, optimization and control problems that higher-order FSI solvers are not well suited to handle.
Insect Locomotion
Scaling physics make it hard to achieve locomotion at small yet length scales, yet insects make it look easy. This is in part because their exoskeletons are finely tuned to reduce the energetic and control efforts required to move. In our lab, we call this concept “Intelligent Morphology”. Through a combination of biological experiment, mathematical modeling and engineering design, our group seeks to understand how insects locomote so that we can better design and fabricate insect-inspired robots.
Pollination Mechanics
An estimated 10% of flowering plants house their pollen in specialized tube-like structures called poricidal anthers. This includes economically valuable crops, such as tomatoes, chilies and eggplant, that are valued at over 130 billion dollars globally each year. Pollen is extracted from poricidal anthers by bees performing a routine called “buzz pollination”, where the bee bites the anther and engages its flight muscle to vibrate the anther. The resulting vibration releases pollen grains, which are collected on the insect’s body and eventually transferred to another flower as the bee continues to forage. Despite the importance of buzz pollination, relatively little is known about the mechanics of this process. Our group aims to understand the mechanics of poricidal anthers.