Research

Research Structure

ASDL research is divided in five divisions: Advanced Concepts, Advanced Systems Engineering, Civil Aviation, Defense and Space, and Propulsion and Energy. Each division includes sub-research areas organized into branches.

Advanced Concepts

Division Chief: Dr. Stephane Dufresne

The Advanced Concepts Division performs research on cutting-edge vehicle design for the next generation of aircraft. This includes novel and revolutionary concepts for aircraft, manufacturing and design for manufacturing, advanced experimental methods, and rotorcraft technology.

Branches of the Advanced Concepts Division:

Advanced Systems Engineering

Division Chief: Dr. Simon Briceno

The Advanced Systems Engineering Division leads research to develop state-of-the-art design and systems engineering methodologies. These methods aim to leverage cutting-edge technologies to push the envelope and advance the ability to aid engineering design, analysis, trade-studies, and decision making at all levels, from the system of systems level to the technology and component level. This division researches and formulates methodologies, which are developed from a fundamental research level to full implementation on a broad range of real-world applications for sponsored research. In addition, the Advanced Systems Engineering Division maintains a database of existing methods and tools both internal and external to ASDL. Close collaboration with the other divisions is a driving philosophy in all research activities. This facilitates the ability to identify cross-division needs and broadens the implementation of new methods and techniques.

Branches of the Advanced Systems Engineering and Methods Division:

Civil Aviation

Division Chief: Dr. Michelle Kirby

The Civil Aviation Division explores a wide variety of research areas in the civil aviation sector, including environmentally-conscious aviation (particularly relating to noise and emissions), the operations and design of the national airspace and air transportation infrastructure, and the economics of air transportation. The division has several key partnerships with industry and government, including the FAA and NASA, and also collaborates with other top-tier engineering universities.

Branches of the Civil Aviation Division:

Defense and Space

Division Chief: Ms. Rebecca Douglas (Acting)

The Defense and Space Division explores topics related to military operations and systems across all branches of the military both within the United States and internationally. Key partnerships with ONR, AFRL, NAVSEA, the Canadian Navy, and the Italian Navy inspire a broad range of research topics from missile research to naval system of systems and operations research.

Branches of the Defense and Space Division:

Propulsion and Energy

Division Chief: Dr. Jimmy Tai
Chief Engineer: Mr. Russell Denney

The Propulsion and Energy Division in involved in research relating to all aspects of propulsion systems and alternative energy concepts. This includes air breathing and rocket propulsion for aerospace systems and alternative energy concepts and smart technologies for the future electric smart grid. Research is enabled by a plethora of industry and government partnerships, including Pratt and Whitney, GE, Rolls Royce, the FAA, NASA, the DoD (AFRL), and Delta.

Branches of the Propulsion and Energy Division: