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Sebastian Scherer is an Associate Research Professor at the Robotics Institute (RI), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), where he leads cutting-edge research in autonomous aerial systems and robotics. His work focuses on enabling unmanned rotorcraft to operate safely and efficiently in cluttered, low-altitude, and extreme environments. Education: Ph.D. in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University (2010) MS in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University (2007) BS in Computer Science (Minor in Robotics), Carnegie Mellon University (2004) His research interests span robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, SLAM, visual-inertial odometry, energy infrastructure, and public policy . He has made seminal contributions to UAV autonomy, including the first obstacle avoidance for micro aerial vehicles in natural environments (2008) and the first automatic landing zone detection and landing on a full-size helicopter (2010). His recent publications (2023–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on resilient autonomy, multi-robot exploration, foundation models for robotics, and large-scale dataset development. His team has released key datasets like TartanGround , BETTY , and SubT-MRS , and simulation tools like Pegasus Simulator , indicating a systems-level approach to advancing real-world autonomy. The research trends emphasize self-supervised learning, robust perception, risk-aware planning, and multi-modal fusion for off-road and urban environments. Scientific Awards: Popular Science Best of What's New 2010 Award AIAA@Infotech Best Paper Runner-up Award (2010) Siebel Scholar Dr. Scherer has advised numerous students and leads a vibrant research group focused on high-impact robotics applications. He has secured significant grants related to UAV autonomy, energy infrastructure, and urban air mobility. His lab develops experimental infrastructure such as AIrTonomy for testing next-generation autonomous aerial vehicles. He is actively involved in advancing SLAM and localization in extreme environments, notably through participation in the DARPA Subterranean Challenge. His team develops large-scale datasets and benchmarking frameworks to push the boundaries of robustness and generalization in mobile robotics.

• Robotics
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Autonomous Navigation
• +13 more

Kristofer Pister is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences at the University of California, Berkeley. He co-directs the Berkeley Sensor and Actuator Center (BSAC) and the Ubiquitous Swarm Lab. His career spans groundbreaking innovations in Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), Control Systems, and Low-Power Circuits, with a focus on Smart Dust and synthetic insects. Education: Ph.D. and M.S. in EECS from UC Berkeley (1992, 1989); B.A. in Applied Physics from UC San Diego (1986). His research areas include MEMS , Control Systems , Robotics , and Integrated Circuits , with recent work on self-powered micro-sensors, crystal-free radios, and interplanetary swarm networks. Key awards include the ISA Albert F. Sperry Founder Award (2009) , Alexander Schwarzkopf Prize (2006) , and the NSF CAREER Award (1996) . He has authored numerous influential publications in wireless sensor networks and microrobotics. His lab, Ubiquitous Swarm Lab , explores distributed robotics and swarm intelligence. Pister emphasizes open collaboration in research, ethical conduct in academia, and efficient resource utilization for graduate students.

• Micro/Nano Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
• Control Systems
• Robotics
• +6 more

Dr. Kevin Kochersberger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech , with a career spanning academic research, technical innovation, and educational leadership. His work focuses on autonomous aerial systems , robotic control , and applied aerodynamics , particularly through the Uncrewed Systems Laboratory . Kochersberger's research has pioneered UAV-based radiation detection , 3D terrain mapping , and low-resource drone applications , including establishing the African Drone and Data Academy in Malawi . Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1994) M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1984) B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech (1983) A.S., Engineering Science, Jamestown Community College (1981) Kochersberger's publications demonstrate expertise in UAV path planning , smart material actuation , and radiation source localization , with over $9M in research funding. His scientific awards include AIAA Associate Fellow (2009) and Aviation Week Aerospace Laureate (2003). Notable projects involve helicopter-deployable robotic systems and urban canyon navigation without GPS. Recent articles highlight BVLOS drone simulators , 2.5D terrain mapping , and autonomous negative obstacle traversal , reflecting his focus on real-time adaptive control and heterogeneous robotic systems . He teaches Drone Technology and Flight Operations and Advanced Design Projects , emphasizing student-driven innovation and industry collaboration .

• Dynamics and control
• Autonomous aerial systems
• Applied aerodynamics
• +7 more

Jyrki Kajaste is a Lecturer at the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Aalto University. His academic career focuses on mechanical engineering and energy systems, with a strong emphasis on fluid power and hydraulic technologies. His research bridges theoretical and applied engineering, particularly in sustainable energy solutions and mechatronic systems. Research Focus: Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Power, Sustainable Energy Key Projects: CO2 adsorption heat engines, hydraulic system optimization, energy-efficient machinery Jyrki's publications highlight advancements in hydraulic systems, pneumatic efficiency, and additive manufacturing. His collaborations span international conferences like SICFP and the Baltic Mechatronics Symposium, showcasing interdisciplinary applications of mechanical engineering principles.

• Mechanical Engineering
• Energy Systems
• Hydraulic Engineering
• +3 more

Antonio Alguacil Cabrerizo is an Assistant Professor (starting 2025) at Université de Sherbrooke, where he currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow (2023-2025). His academic trajectory includes dual doctoral degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Université de Sherbrooke and École Nationale Supérieure d'Aéronautique et de l'Espace, complemented by aerospace engineering degrees from ENSEEIHT and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. His research integrates computational fluid dynamics with machine learning, focusing on: Aeroacoustic prediction and noise source identification Deep learning surrogates for fluid and acoustic systems Turbomachinery and airfoil aerodynamics Data-driven modeling of spatiotemporal physical systems This work advances computational efficiency in simulating complex wave propagation, turbulence effects, and fluid-structure interactions. Publication analysis reveals consistent focus on developing neural network-based computational methods for aeroacoustics and fluid dynamics. His 15 most recent works demonstrate progressive refinement in applying convolutional architectures to predict acoustic scattering, refraction phenomena, and turbomachinery noise with increasing physical accuracy and computational efficiency. Awards and recognition include: Top 5 in AIAA Best Student Paper in Aeroacoustics (2024) Graduate Scholarship Award from CFD Society of Canada (2022) Eureka Scholarship from Université de Sherbrooke (2021) Best Poster Prize at CRASH Day (2021) He secured a $70,000 CAD startup grant (2025-2028) from Université de Sherbrooke for establishing his research program. No student advising relationships or laboratory affiliations are currently documented.

• Fluid Mechanics
• Aeroacoustics
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• +3 more

Alexis Lussier Desbiens is an Associate Professor at the Université de Sherbrooke in the Department of Mechanical Engineering , Faculty of Engineering. He co-founded several research labs and initiatives including NSERC CREATE CoRoM (Collaborative Robotics in Manufacturing) and NSERC CREATE UTILI (Uninhabited Aircraft Systems Training). His work bridges robotics, mechanical design, and sports equipment innovation. PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Stanford University, 2012) BEng in Mechanical Engineering (Université de Sherbrooke, 2005) Postdoctoral Research (Harvard University, 2013) His research focuses on robotics and automation , particularly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with bioinspired design principles for mechanical intelligence. Key areas include: Autonomous UAV perching and climbing Hybrid locomotion systems Sports equipment dynamics (skis, hockey sticks) Magnetorheological actuator applications Conservation biology tools via aerial sampling Recent publications highlight interdisciplinary work in robotics , sports engineering , and ecological monitoring . His projects often integrate mechanical design with environmental or human-centric applications. Scientific recognition includes: Best Student Paper (IEEE SMC, 2021) Best Poster (ISEA, 2020) National Geographic Explorer (2020) CSME Gold Medal (2005) Current grants (2020-2023) include: $339,000 - High-performance UAV for power line interactions $1.65M - NSERC CREATE UTILI training program $120,000 - Intelligent hockey stick development He also leads the CREATEK Research Lab and maintains global collaborations with institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and EPFL.

• Robotics
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Mechatronics
• +7 more

Dr. Goetz Bramesfeld serves as a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Toronto Metropolitan University, where he leads research in applied aerodynamics and unconventional flight systems. His expertise spans flight vehicle design, small UAV development, and motorless flight dynamics, with particular emphasis on energy harvesting from atmospheric phenomena. Bramesfeld's educational background includes a PhD (2006) and MS (1999) from The Pennsylvania State University, and a BEng (1998) from Technische Universität Braunschweig. His research interests focus on applied aerodynamics , flight dynamics , and energy-efficient aircraft design , with notable contributions to sailplane optimization, gust energy extraction, and microwave-powered UAV concepts. His work bridges theoretical aerodynamics with practical applications in both terrestrial and planetary exploration contexts. Analysis of his publication record reveals consistent innovation in energy harvesting flight systems, particularly through gust energy extraction and unconventional propulsion methods. His research evolves from traditional sailplane optimization toward cutting-edge concepts like microwave-powered aircraft and planetary exploration gliders, maintaining strong connections between fundamental aerodynamics and real-world flight applications. Bramesfeld actively supervises graduate students through the Applied Aerodynamics Laboratory of Flight (AALF) and maintains significant professional engagement as a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), member of the Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute (CASI), Associated Editor for the Technical Soaring Journal, and board member of the Organisation Scientifique et Technique du Vol à Voile (OSTIV).

• Applied Aerodynamics
• Flight Vehicle Design
• Small UAV Design
• +5 more

Mark McQuilling is an Associate Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at Saint Louis University's School of Science and Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from Wright State University, alongside M.S. and B.S. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky. His research focuses on experimental fluid mechanics, low Reynolds number flows, laminar-to-turbulent transition, airfoil design, unsteady aerodynamics (turbomachinery and airdrop systems), bio-fluid flows, and flow control. His work integrates advanced fluid dynamics techniques with practical applications in aerospace and biomedical engineering. Dr. McQuilling oversees the Fluid Systems Laboratory, which includes subsonic and supersonic wind tunnels, a water tunnel, and thermal system facilities. These labs support undergraduate and graduate research, with capabilities such as Laser Doppler Velocimetry, DPIV systems, and strain gauge balances. His thermal research spans micro-scale fluid phenomena to planetary atmospheric modeling, including studies on Uranus/Neptune vortex dynamics and airdrop parachute aerodynamics. Highlighted research areas include low-pressure turbine blade aerodynamics, parachute drag prediction, and bio-fluid studies like pharyngeal airflow analysis in sleep apnea patients. His peer-reviewed publications (over 20 entries) address topics ranging from micro-air vehicle wing design to thermal management in turbine blades. McQuilling is active in professional organizations like AIAA, ASME, and ASEE, and previously worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory. His email is mark.mcquilling@slu.edu.

• Experimental Fluid Mechanics
• Low Reynolds Number Flows
• Laminar-to-Turbulent Transition
• +4 more

Dr. Abdessattar Abdelkefi is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at New Mexico State University's College of Engineering. He directs the Nonlinear Dynamics & Energy Harvesting Laboratory (NDEHL) and holds a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech (2012). His research bridges dynamics, fluid-structure interactions, and renewable energy, with applications in drones, MEMS, and energy harvesting. Research Focus Dr. Abdelkefi's work spans Dynamics & Vibrations , Aeroelasticity , and Robotics & Controls , emphasizing nonlinear phenomena and energy conversion. Key areas include: Vortex-induced vibrations for renewable energy harvesting Bio-inspired drone design and aerodynamic optimization Nanoscale sensors and microgyroscopes Flexoelectric and piezoelectric material applications Publication Trends Recent articles (2019-2020) focus on experimental/theoretical synergy in energy harvesting (galloping, vortex-induced, piezoelectric) and bio-inspired UAV design. Over 70% involve computational modeling validated with wind tunnel/field tests, highlighting innovations in broadband energy capture and nano/microsystem efficiency. Awards & Honors 2020: Outstanding Research Professor (MAE Academy) & Teaching-Research-Service Synergy Award (College of Engineering) 2019: Early Career Award (NMSU Research Council), Outstanding Research Professor, Los Alamos NMC Faculty Appointee 2013: Best Paper Award from Theoretical & Applied Mechanics Letters 2011–2012: Graduate Scholarships (Virginia Tech) Laboratory & Advising NDEHL researches vibration-based energy harvesting, nonlinear dynamics, and drone aerodynamics. Dr. Abdelkefi mentors graduate students in experimental/computational projects, though specific advisees are unnamed in available data.

• Dynamics and Vibrations
• Aeroelasticity
• Fluid Structure Interaction
• +6 more

John Whitney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University's College of Engineering. He joined the university in January 2016. His research focuses on human-safe robotics, medical robotics, soft robotics, MEMS, microrobotics, and bio-inspired design, with a particular emphasis on flapping aerodynamics and insect flight mechanisms. He has led major research initiatives including the National Science Foundation-funded 'Controllable Compliance' robotic arm project and Office of Naval Research projects on haptic manipulators for explosive ordnance disposal. Whitney holds a PhD in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University (2012) and an SM in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT (2006). He is affiliated with Northeastern's Institute for Experiential Robotics and has contributed to advanced systems like the ANA Avatar XPRIZE robotic avatar. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches combining mechanical engineering, control systems, and biomedical applications. Education: PhD in Engineering Sciences, Harvard University, 2012 SM in Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT, 2006 Awards: 2023 Impact Award Finalist, International Conference on Robotics and Automation 2022-2023 College of Engineering Faculty Award Recipient His research spans teleoperation systems, haptic feedback mechanisms, and soft material manufacturing. Notable projects include a MR-safe haptic system for prostate biopsies and a novel robotic arm for contact-rich environments. His lab's work on flapping-wing microrobots draws inspiration from insect flight dynamics to improve micro air vehicle (MAV) performance. Whitney advises teams like the Northeastern Mars Rover Team and ANA Avatar XPRIZE finalists, demonstrating his commitment to hands-on student engagement. His publications emphasize practical robotics solutions for medical, industrial, and exploratory applications.

• Human-safe robotics
• Medical robotics
• Soft robotics
• +5 more

Mike Rubenstein is an Assistant Professor with joint appointments in the Department of Computer Science and Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University. He holds the Lisa Wissner-Slivka and Benjamin Slivka Professorship in Computer Science and is affiliated with the Center for Robotics and Biosystems. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from USC, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University. Prior to joining Northwestern, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University's Self-Organizing Systems Research Group. Rubenstein's research focuses on advancing multi-robot systems to enable capabilities beyond traditional single robots, emphasizing parallelism, adaptability, and fault tolerance at scale (hundreds to millions of robots). His work spans swarm shape control, modular self-reconfigurable robotics, bio-inspired satellite constellations, and novel sensing for air vehicle swarms. Key themes include algorithmic control for large-scale systems and hardware innovations to overcome current limitations in swarm robotics. His advising has produced notable student achievements, including Petras Swissler's Best Student Paper Award at DARS 2021 and Drew Curtis's NDSEG Fellowship. Research trends across his publications reveal a consistent emphasis on scalability, real-world applicability, and bridging hardware constraints with algorithmic innovation in swarm systems. Rubenstein actively mentors graduate students and leads projects involving swarm robotics platforms like FireAnt and PCBot. His lab focuses on developing systems where simplicity in individual robots enables emergent complexity at the swarm level, with applications ranging from space exploration to medical imaging.

• Swarm Robotics
• Multi-Robot Systems
• Decentralized Control
• +3 more

Majid Taghavi is a Research Fellow at the Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London. He leads the Soft Robotic Transducer Lab, focusing on developing advanced soft actuators for healthcare and robotics applications. Previously, he held a postdoctoral position at the University of Bristol’s SoftLab, where he pioneered artificial muscle technologies. He earned his PhD in BioRobotics from Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna with highest honors and an Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) scholarship. His research interests include soft robotics, materials engineering, and actuator design. Key projects involve creating monolithic soft robots with self-sensing, variable stiffness, and high contraction actuators. Recent work explores applications in wearable, implantable, and surgical robotics. Notable achievements include developing electric actuators with 98% contraction and human-muscle-equivalent power density. His articles highlight advancements in electrostatic actuators, dielectric elastomers, and biomimetic designs. Awards include the IIT scholarship and academic honors for doctoral work. He advises on open positions in his lab and collaborates across disciplines. His labs (Soft Robotic Transducers Lab and Robotics Forum) drive innovations in soft robotics systems and transducers.

• Soft Robotics
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• +5 more

Prof. Alexander Lanzon is Chair of Control Engineering at the University of Manchester, where he directs the Control, Dynamics and Robotics Laboratory and leads research in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Research Focus: Robust/nonlinear control via passivity and dissipativity methods Negative imaginary systems theory for precision motion control Multi-agent coordination for UAV swarms and robotic networks His recent publications demonstrate theoretical advances in stability analysis frameworks and applications to energy storage optimization and aerial swarm control. This reflects dual emphasis on fundamental theory and engineering implementations. Leadership Roles: Deputy Head of Research for School of Engineering Associate Editor for IEEE Control Systems Letters Fellow of IET, IMA, and InstMC Current Projects: Micro-scale Co-generation Compressed Air Energy Storage Centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Distributed control for multi-tilt tricopter systems

• Robust Control
• Nonlinear Systems
• Multi-Agent Systems
• +2 more

Dr. Pei Huang is a Senior Lecturer in Energy Engineering at Dalarna University, Sweden, working within the Department of Information and Technology. His academic career focuses on multidisciplinary research at the intersection of energy systems, electromobility, and sustainable urban development, with significant contributions to both teaching and research in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Dr. Huang received his Ph.D. from the City University of Hong Kong in 2017. His educational background has provided a strong foundation for his current research in energy systems and sustainable technologies, bridging engineering principles with practical applications in the energy transition. Dr. Huang's research interests span several critical areas in modern energy systems. He specializes in peer-to-peer energy sharing, urban energy systems, and electromobility, with particular focus on electric vehicles as mobile power sources. His work also encompasses positive energy districts, district heating systems, building energy efficiency, and HVAC systems. A distinctive aspect of his research involves applying machine learning to address uncertainty in energy systems, creating more resilient and adaptive solutions for the energy transition. His multidisciplinary approach connects energy engineering with computer science, urban planning, and sustainability science. Analysis of Dr. Huang's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on integrating electric vehicles into energy systems as flexible resources. His work demonstrates how vehicle-to-grid technology can enhance grid resilience and enable community energy sharing through innovative solutions like the Electric Vehicle based virtual Electricity Network (EVEN). There's also a notable focus on applying artificial intelligence to optimize energy systems, particularly in data-scarce scenarios where he combines clustering analysis and transfer learning. His research bridges the gap between theoretical models and practical implementation, with several studies based on real-world data from Sweden, demonstrating immediate relevance to current energy challenges. Dr. Huang has been highly successful in securing research funding, with approximately SEK 10 million secured for projects at Dalarna University. His current research portfolio includes: PI for a 2023-2026 Energy Agency project on enhancing grid resilience through electric vehicle-based virtual electricity networks (SEK 2.64 million) PI for a 2023-2026 FORMAS project on photovoltaic and electric vehicle utilization (3.75 million SEK, with a competitive success rate of 13.8%) Co-PI and national coordinator for a 2023-2026 CETPartnership project on thermal energy storage in district heating (2.32 million Euro) Co-PI for a 2024-2026 Swedish Energy Agency project on electric vehicles for frequency regulation (3.25 million SEK) Dr. Huang serves on the editorial board of the journal Buildings and has published extensively, with 49 journal articles, 1 book, 5 book chapters, and 19 conference papers to his name. His research has active participation in IEA tasks, demonstrating international recognition of his expertise. In addition to his primary energy research, Dr. Huang has made significant contributions to neuroscience, particularly in Parkinson's disease diagnostics and treatment, showing the breadth of his interdisciplinary approach.

• Electromobility
• Peer-to-peer energy sharing
• Urban energy systems
• +10 more

Dr. P.M. Mohite is a Professor at the Department of Aerospace Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur , with a career spanning over two decades in composite materials research. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur (2007) and has been a Visiting Assistant Professor (2008-2009) and later Assistant , Associate , and Professor (2019-present) at IIT Kanpur. Research Interests include: Advanced composite structures analysis Micromechanics and damage modeling Finite element adaptive methods Metal plasticity and polymer composites Aerostructural optimization Key Publications focus on damage mechanics, structural optimization, and micromechanical characterization, with recent works on evolutionary algorithm-based composite design and boundary layer effects in laminates. Scientific Awards received: Best Student Award (B.E. Mechanical, 1998) AIAA Students Paper Contest Finalist (2006) Teaching Contributions include core courses like Composite Materials and Finite Element Methods , alongside advanced postgraduate topics in aerospace structural analysis. Advising has impacted 30+ M.Tech/Ph.D. students, including international collaborations with Université de Biskra (Algeria) and Ecole Centrale de Nantes (France).

• Composite Structures Analysis
• Micromechanics of Materials
• Finite Element Analysis
• +6 more