Structures Labs
 

Structures Labs

Structural Dynamics and Adaptive Structures Lab

This laboratory is the largest of the Penn State Center for Acoustics and Vibration’s facilities, measuring nearly 1000 square feet. The laboratory is used primarily for experiments and houses a wide variety of equipment, including a small machine shop and electronics shop.

The laboratory provides an extensive array of transducers, power supplies, signal conditioners, data acquisition equipment (including conventional spectrum analyzers and several multi-channel Fast Fourier Transform analyzers), an SMS modal analysis system that interacts with these analyzers, several PCs, and a wide range of modern instrumentation such as accelerometers, micro-phones, sound pressure level meters, shakers, and impact testing kits. An LCR meter is available for measuring the electrical impedance of piezo-structures over a broad range of frequencies.

The laboratory also contains a large vibration testing pad and an overhead crane for moving large pieces of equipment. In addition, there is a full range of computer technology available, including laser printers, color printers and scanners, and digital cameras. There is access to the University computer network and the internet access grid.

Key Faculty:: George Lesieutre


Nano-/Micro-engineered Materials Lab

Research in the Nano-/micro-engineered Materials Lab focuses on experimental studies on carbon nanotubes, polymer nano-composites, and nano-porous ceramics. The lab’s primary goals are to obtain knowledge on multi-scale structure-property relationship and to establish scalable manufacturing technologies.

Within the lab, researchers synthesize carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and process them so the CNTs can be dispersed and magnetically assembled in a polymer matrix to form CNT-polymer nanocomposites. Researchers also study how micro-structures influence interlaminar strength of the nanocomposites, while evaluating the scalability of magnetic assembly. Similar studies are done on nano-porous ceramics and their fracture toughness.

Key Faculty: Namiko Yamamoto


 
 

About

The Penn State Department of Aerospace Engineering, established in 1961 and the only aerospace engineering department in Pennsylvania, is consistently recognized as one of the top aerospace engineering departments in the nation, and is also an international leader in aerospace education, research, and engagement. Our undergraduate program is ranked 15th and our graduate programs are ranked 15th nationally by U.S. News & World Report, while one in 25 holders of a B.S. degree in aerospace engineering in the U.S. earned it from Penn State. Our students are consistently among the most highly recruited by industry, government, and graduate schools nationwide.

The department is built upon the fundamentals of academic integrity, innovation in research, and commitment to the advancement of industry. Through an innovative curriculum and world-class instruction that reflects current industry practice and embraces future trends, Penn State Aerospace Engineering graduates emerge as broadly educated, technically sound aerospace engineers who will become future leaders in a critical industry

Department of Aerospace Engineering

229 Hammond Building

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA 16802

Phone: 814-865-2569