Michael Philen

Professor Michael Philen is a Professor and Assistant Department Head for Laboratory Facilities in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He directs the Aerospace Structures and Materials Laboratory (ASML) and is a core member of the Center for Research and Engineering in Aero/Hydrodynamic Technologies (CREATe).

Education

• Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 2006
• M.S. Mechanical Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 2005
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1998

Research Interests

Professor Philen’s research centers on adaptive structures and smart materials. He investigates how advanced actuator and sensor technologies—such as piezoelectrics, shape-memory alloys, magnetorheological fluids, and fluidic flexible matrix composites—can be integrated to create intelligent systems that adapt to external stimuli. His work spans morphing aircraft control surfaces, prosthetic sockets with adaptive fit, energy-harvesting composites, structural health monitoring, and variable-stiffness structures.

Recent publications (2020–2024) demonstrate a strong emphasis on translating fundamental material science into practical biomedical and aerospace devices, with particular attention to experimental validation and multi-scale modeling. The body of work evidences a trend toward multifunctional composites that simultaneously provide structure, sensing, actuation, and energy harvesting.

Honors & Awards

• 2020 Dean's Award for Excellence in Service
• 2015 AIAA Associate Fellow
• 2011 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
• 2010 Dean’s Award for Outstanding New Assistant Professor
• 2009 ASME Adaptive Structures and Material Systems Best Paper Award in Structural Dynamics and Control
• 2008–2009 Certificate of Teaching Excellence
• 2008 Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award (ORAU)
• 2008 Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship
• 1998–2006 Eastman Kodak Research Fellow

Service, Grants & Labs

Professor Philen has served as Chair (2020–present) of the ASME Aerospace Division Adaptive Structures and Material Systems Branch Committee, and as General Chair of the 2016 ASME SMASIS Conference. He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures and Smart Materials and Structures, and has held numerous guest-editor roles for special issues in these journals.

He directs the Aerospace Structures and Materials Laboratory (ASML) at Virginia Tech, a facility dedicated to advanced diagnostics, experimental testing, and development of adaptive structures and smart materials. ASML houses capabilities for structural dynamics, control testing, and characterization of multifunctional composites.