Bogdan-Ioan Popa

Bogdan-Ioan Popa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Michigan, where he leads his own research group focused on wave control in engineered materials. His office is located at 3680 GGB, 2350 Hayward, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Professor Popa's research explores the design, optimization, and dynamics of metamaterials for controlling acoustic, elastic, and electromagnetic waves. Key applications include biomedical engineering, telecommunications, noise control, and bioinspired acoustic imaging. His work combines mechatronics, wave physics, and machine learning to develop active metamaterials with programmable functionalities that surpass traditional media limitations.

His publications demonstrate consistent focus on wave manipulation principles, particularly through active metamaterials and bianisotropic media, with applications in sound isolation, non-destructive evaluation, and acoustic imaging.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (2023) - For contributions to active acoustic metamaterials
• NSF CAREER Award (2020)

He mentors PhD students through weekly one-on-one meetings, expecting students to lead projects and graduate in approximately 5 years with three peer-reviewed publications. His research is funded by:

• National Science Foundation
• Office of Naval Research
• U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Research Center (via Automotive Research Center)

Professor Popa leads the Bogdan Popa Research Group, which develops smart complex structures for wave control applications. The group maintains laboratories in the G.G. Brown building and collaborates on projects involving active metamaterials, complex media dynamics, and bioinspired acoustic systems.