SPRING / SUMMER 2009 AEROCONTACT AEROSPACE ENGINEERING A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL of ENGINEERING

www.aero.umd.edu

A newsletter for alumni and friends of the Department Darryll Pines Named Dean of the of Aerospace Engineering at the A. James Clark School of Clark School Engineering, University of Maryland, COLLEGE PARK. In December 2008, the University of school rankings. Maryland announced the appointment The undergraduate of Dr. Darryll J. Pines as Dean of the program also A. James Clark School of Engineering went from 10th and the Nariman Farvardin Professor of to 9th during that Engineering, effective January 5, 2009. time. During his tenure as chair, the “President Mote and I are excited that IN this issue: department was Darryll has taken on this new challenge ranked in the top 2 CHAIR’S Message at the University of Maryland,” said five in Aviation Nariman Farvardin, Senior Vice Week and Space 4 Department President for Academic Affairs and News Technology’s Provost. “We are very confident that workforce under his leadership, the Clark School Dr. Darryll J. Pines 6 FACULTY News undergraduate and © Mike Morgan 2009 of Engineering will continue its rapid 8 ALUMNI NEWS graduate student ascent to be among the very best in the placement study. 11 STUDENT news United States.” Continued p. 3 15 commencement Professor Pines earned a Ph.D. in 1992 Interim Aero Chair Named and an M.S. in 1988 in Mechanical Newly appointed Dean Darryll Engineering from the Massachusetts Pines has announced that Institute of Technology. In 1986, Professor Inderjit Chopra has he received a B.S. in Mechanical agreed to serve as interim chair Engineering from the University of of the department. A national California, Berkeley. He came to the search is underway to find a University of Maryland in 1995 as permanent chair. Dr. Chopra is an assistant professor in the Clark the Alfred Gessow Professor and School and had served as Chair of the director of the Alfred Gessow Department of Aerospace Engineering Rotorcraft Center. “I am grateful since 2006. to Inder for being able to serve Under his leadership, the department the department in this time of was ranked 8th overall among U.S. great promise and transition,” universities (up from 11th last year), Pines said. Chopra began his and 5th among public schools in the term as interim chair in January. U.S. News and World Report graduate chair’sMESSAGE

Dear Alumni and Friends,

When I was asked to take over as the Interim Chair of the Department of Aerospace Engineering I reflected on a similar time, twenty years ago, when I served as the Interim Chair of the Department for four-and-a-half years. During the last two decades, I have seen enormous changes in the Department. The quality and national standing of the Department has increased dramatically. Twenty years ago, like now, we faced an economic downturn

iNDERJIT CHOPRA and the challenges that come with such developments. At present, like then, we continue to exhibit exemplary scholarship and innovation—qualities that withstand the test of time.

The competitiveness of the undergraduate program has increased enormously, both in terms of high school GPA and SAT scores. Today, projects such as “Design, Build and Fly” have become an integral part of the education we offer in the Aerospace Department, and a large number of our undergraduates (over 100) work on research projects in various laboratories along with graduate students. The undergraduate program is now ranked among the top ten schools in the country, and half of our graduating seniors opt for graduate education, a decision that speaks to the level of commitment and passion our students have for their chosen discipline.

Today, more so than twenty years ago, a greater number of students are full-time and are able to participate in more in-depth research projects. Two decades ago our graduate program was solid, but today it is ranked among the top ten graduate aerospace programs in the nation. Our graduate program, recognized internationally, attracts both high caliber domestic and international students. Our graduates are opting for positions in leading institutions and some of our PhDs are gaining faculty appointments at peer institutions. 2 Our faculty, more so than in the past twenty years, is extremely balanced in terms of teaching, researching, and service. There are many research leaders in the Department who are professionally connected to their colleagues nationally and internationally. Six faculty members are fellows of leading societies and eight hold associate-editorships of leading journals. Research productivity is at an all time high. Now, more than ever before, the culture of the department is one of collegiality with a focus on student success and research.

Twenty years ago, we had one, major national program, the Rotorcraft Center of Excellence, and today we have eight major national multidisciplinary programs (multi-year, multi-million dollars) led by our faculty. There is no doubt in my mind that our department is striving to be a powerhouse in cutting-edge aerospace research. Now, we have a truly broad-base in aerospace research that includes rotor aeromechanics, hypersonics, space telerobotics, smart structures, micro-systems, and space vehicles and propulsion.

When it comes to our facilities, the Department has been always proud of the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel which, although built 60 years ago, is still utilized by University faculty, students, and private clients for the latest research in low-speed wind tunnel testing. In 1982, with the inception of the rotorcraft center, there was a spur of rotorcraft-related structures and facilities developed during the following ten years that included two model rotor rigs, a 10 foot vacuum spin chamber, hover tower and composite research lab. With Dave Akin joining the faculty in 1986 a unique facility, the Neutral Buoyancy Tank, took shape. Our Neutral Buoyancy Tank, which simulates the microgravity environment of space, is the only such facility on any university campus in the nation. Such resources are truly unparalleled at many other educational institutions—and with such a wide range of fully functional experimental facilities being used by students for their dissertations, as well as other original research, our Department is truly poised to move to greater levels of achievement.

The economic downturn of two decades ago did not deter us from our goal of achieving excellence and, in a similar spirit, we should not be discouraged by the current economic climate. Instead, we should use the lessons of the past and the progress of the present to create opportunity for further growth into the future and fully utilize our resourcefulness and innovative abilities. We should never lose sight that our academic peers are very competitive and we cannot relent in our pursuit of excellence. There is no doubt in my mind that we have evolved and continue to advance through the years as a very forward-moving opportunity-driven, state-of-the-art Aerospace Department. As we search for a permanent chair, let us continue the work that will propel the Department to new heights in the next two decades and beyond.

Inderjit Chopra, Interim Chair, Gessow Professor, and Director of Gessow Rotorcraft Center (AGRC)

NEWSLETTER  spring/summer 2009 Cover Story, Pines, C’td. AIAA, and he has received an NSF Maryland prepared to provide Career Award. Pines has been Director of the Sloan advanced engineering skills to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station Scholars Program since 1996 and “The Department of Aerospace and companies that work with it. Director of the GEM Program since Engineering has excellent faculty, Efforts are planned to publicize the 1999, and he also served as Chair of the exceptional staff and innovative educational opportunity to area Engineering Council, Director of the students, and I have been humbled high school students as well, in NASA CUIP Program, and Director and honored to serve as its chair for what is termed a “STEM project” of the SAMPEX flight experiment. these past couple of years. It has truly (promoting science, technology, Last year, he served on the university’s been an exciting and rewarding time engineering and mathematics as Strategic Planning Steering Committee. period for me. But it is they who have career options for young people). made the department great,” said Pines. During a leave of absence from the “And now, building on the great work University (2003-2006), Pines served “Increasing the number of highly of my predecessors, I will continue to as Program Manager for the Tactical qualified engineering graduates is move the Clark School in the bold new Technology Office and Defense important for national security, and direction toward engineering excellence, 3 Sciences Office of DARPA (Defense our economic and international solidly grounded in the foundations of Advanced Research Projects Agency). competitiveness,” said University of discovery, invention and innovation.” While at DARPA, Pines initiated five Maryland President C. D. Mote, new programs primarily related to the Jr. “The University is excited to Southern Maryland be collaborating with our partners development of aerospace technologies Partnership Announced for which he received a Distinguished in Southern Maryland and the Service Medal. He also held positions A partnership of higher education Patuxent River Naval Air Station at the Lawrence Livermore National and naval organizations -- the towards this end. This is the right Laboratory (LLNL), Chevron University of Maryland’s A. James partnership at the right time.” Clark School of Engineering, the Corporation, and Space Tethers The new program will entail a College of Southern Maryland, Inc. At LLNL, Pines worked on the multi-year initiative encompassing the Southern Maryland Higher Clementine Spacecraft program, education and research activities, Education Center and the Naval Air which discovered water near the south starting in the fall of 2009. The Warfare Center Aircraft Division -- pole of the moon. A replica of the educational component of the will undertake a program to explore spacecraft now sits in the National Air program will enable qualified joint education and research efforts and Space Museum. College of Southern Maryland and establish four-year aerospace and students to take University of Pines’ current research focuses on mechanical engineering bachelor of Maryland engineering classes in structural dynamics, including science degree programs in southern three ways: by attending classes structural health monitoring and Maryland, in close proximity to the televised by the university’s prognosis, smart sensors, and adaptive, Patuxent River Naval Air Station. morphing and biologically-inspired Clark School and presented at structures as well as the guidance, Presently, no comparable degree the Southern Maryland Higher navigation, and control of aerospace options are available in the region. Education Center, by attending vehicles. He is a Fellow of the Institute The partnership seeks to increase classes offered by Clark School of Physics and an Associate Fellow of the number of people in southern adjunct faculty at the center and

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by attending Clark School classes in College Park on the campus of the University of Maryland.

The research component of the program will address the technical needs of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), including avionics, rotorcraft, air vehicles and unmanned systems, propulsion and Constellation Program power, manufacturing, and human Selects UM and SSL systems. The research will advance

The Clark School was the only university program in the the state of knowledge in particular country to be selected for NASA’s Constellation Program to areas of direct interest to the Navy. develop ideas for how astronauts will live and work on the moon. The Clark School’s Space Systems Lab (SSL) and 11 companies will work independently to develop concepts for “NAWCAD has world-class the program. engineering facilities. In partnership The SSL will be working on a “minimum habitat” - the with these educational institutions, functions that a lunar habitat absolutely has to provide, said who offer world-class learning Dave Akin, professor of aerospace engineering and head of the SSL. “All of the similar work we’ve done down through experiences, we’ll lay the foundation 4 the years with class projects in the senior Spacecraft Design for the future of Naval aviation,” course is directly applicable to this effort,” Akin said. Each organization will conduct a 180-day study focused on a topic said Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis, relevant to lunar surface systems. NAWCAD commander.

“These studies provide new ideas to help the Constellation Darryll Pines, aerospace engineering Program develop innovative, reliable requirements for the systems that will be used when outposts are established professor and dean of the Clark on the moon,” said Jeff Hanley, the Constellation Program School said, “The Clark School is manager at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. The recommendations from the studies will help determine excited about initiating this unique packaging options, identify basic functions for lunar habitats, education and research partnership and conceptualize innovative avionics, computer software, energy storage ideas and equipment and techniques that with the Naval Air Warfare Center, could help preparation for the lunar outpost site. Aircraft Division and the College The Constellation Program is building NASA’s next generation of Southern Maryland and the fleet of spacecraft -- including the Ares I and Ares V rockets, Southern Maryland the Orion crew capsule, the Altair lunar lander and lunar Higher Education Center.” surface systems -- to send humans beyond low Earth orbit and back to the moon. NASA plans to establish a human The Naval Air Warfare Center outpost on the moon through a successive series of lunar missions beginning in 2020. Lunar surface systems may Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is include habitats, pressurized and un-pressurized rovers, the Navy’s full spectrum research, communication and navigation elements, electrical power control, and natural resource use. development, test and evaluation, engineering, and fleet support For more information about NASA’s Constellation Program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/constellation center for Naval Aviation. Product areas include aircraft systems technology, propulsion, flight test

NEWSLETTER  spring/summer 2009 and engineering, avionics design Diversity: demographic diversity NASA Lecture Recap and production, and aircraft- and diversity in how a person platform interface. NAWCAD is thinks, approaches problems Dr. Woodrow the preeminent technical resource or reacts to challenges. Whitlow, Jr., for Naval Aviation forces, and Also considered are the relationships Director, NASA supports the interests of national between employees and the Glenn Research security around the globe. university (advisory boards, for Center presented Visit NAWCAD on the Web at instance) and the location or ability a special seminar http://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad. of the university to “feed” the on February organization. Upon the rankings’ 6, 2008 in release, aerospace engineering Martin Hall. University Ranked in Aerospace & Defense department chair, Dr. Darryll Dr. Whitlow’s Workforce Study Pines thanked Heidi Sauber, presentation WOODROW WHITLOW director of the engineering co-op focused on Aviation Week and Space and career services center, and technology Technology magazine has ranked the her staff for their tireless efforts developments that will enable University of Maryland third among in finding job opportunities the aviation industry to enhance 64 schools in its 2008 Aerospace for Clark School students. aircraft safety, reduce its impact and Defense Workforce Study. The on the environment, increase

University was ranked 5th in 2007. the capacity of the airspace, and The 2008 Rankings 5 allow the movement of people The Workforce Study asks were as follows: companies to list the top five and goods farther and faster. In institutions from which they 1. Purdue University addition, the goals of NASA’s space recruit. According to the AWST exploration efforts were presented 2. Penn State University; article in the August 18-25 issue, and technologies that will allow the list of preferred schools meet 3. (tie) University of human and robotic exploration of established criteria from which Maryland, University of the solar system were discussed. companies recruit the best and Illinois, and Virginia Tech brightest. Decisive factors include: 4. Georgia Tech Capacity: the courses and 5. (tie) Arizona State, Ohio State, innovative methodologies offered, UCLA, UC Davis, and University the research and development of Washington projects underway, and diversity.

Success: the measure of how well past graduates within the specific company performed, retention of past graduates, acceptance of offers from the company by graduates of that school.

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Sedwick Awarded 2009 Schmitz awarded 2009 • Norman Wereley was named NSF Career Award Nikolsky Honorary Technical Program Chair for Lectureship AIAA 2009 Adaptive Structures The National Forum which will be held in Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Fredric H. Schmitz, visiting research conjunction with the 50th Structures, a Faculty Early professor, has been selected to receive Structural Dynamics, and Materials Career Development the Alexander A. Nikolsky Honorary Conference in May and taking (CAREER) Award Lectureship. The Lecture will be place in Palm Springs, CA. to assistant professor delivered at the 65th AHS Annual • James Hubbard gave a keynote at Raymond J. Sedwick. Forum and Technology Display at the Smart Materials and Intelligent The grant, in the the Gaylord Grapevine Resort and Structures Conference in Ellicott amount of $400,000 Conference Center in Grapevine, City, MD in October 2008. More over five years, is Texas on May information about his presentation in support of his 27, 2009. research project on the Firefly Project can be found at: DR. RAYMOND SEDWICK entitled, “CAREER: The Lectureship http://www.asmeconferences.org/ Development and is awarded to, SMASIS08/InvitedSpeakers.cfm Application of “an individual • Alison Flatau received a Compact Helicon Sources.” Dr. who has a highly CONNECT Award from the Sedwick’s research interests include distinguished Alexander von Humboldt Stiftung/ space power and propulsion, career in and specifically the application Foundation for collaboration with vertical flight aircraft research of nuclear fission and fusion German scientist/engineer Uwe 6 and development and is skilled to space transportation. Marshner of the University of at communicating their technical Dresden, who is a visiting lecturer at “It’s always rewarding, more than just knowledge and experience.” In the Clark School this spring semester. monetarily, when an agency-appointed winning the award, Schmitz joins group of recognized experts in your the ranks of previous distinguished • Chris Cadou is now a Clark field can agree that your research idea Nikolsky recipients including Alfred School Keystone Professor. Keystone is good enough to be funded,” stated Gessow, a past chair and professor professors make a commitment to Sedwick. “To have that agency be the in aerospace engineering at the improving the quality of education National Science Foundation, and University of Maryland, and Barnes that funding be a CAREER grant, provided in the school’s most McCormick, Jr., a member of the is really quite an honor for me.” fundamental department’s advisory board and engineering The Clark School currently has four professor emeritus at Penn State. courses, such as NSF Career Award winners and “Introduction one PECASE Award winner. The Other Notable Faculty to Engineering CAREER Program is a Foundation- Achievements Design.” wide activity that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty • Dave Akin and research scientist who exemplify the role of teacher- Craig Carigan secured a $500K scholars through outstanding National Science Foundation research, excellent education, and research grant entitled, “An AUV the integration of education and manipulator/Vision System for research within the context of the Autonomous Interventions.” DR. CHRIS CADOU mission of their organizations.

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Department Welcomes…

Erika Aparakakankanange has joined the staff of the Department of Aerospace Engineering as the Program Management Specialist. Erika is new to the University of Maryland and previously taught fifth grade in the Montgomery County Public School District. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Education Policy Studies on campus at the UMCP School of Education. Erika serves as the first point of contact for department visitors and also assists faculty and students in both the MX-2 Suit Research is featured in graduate and undergraduate programs. Popular Science

Roop Receives MCPA Award At the University of Maryland’s Space System

Laboratory (SSL), a research team has developed Dr. Nicole Roop, associate director the MX-2 Suit. The project advisor is Dr. David for undergraduate Akin and the lead graduate student is Shane Jacobs. programs in aerospace Jacobs’ photograph is featured in Popular Science engineering, was given Magazine. The Maryland Advanced Research/ 7 the Maryland College Simulation (MARS) Suit is a low-cost test bed for Personnel Association’s extravehicular activity (EVA) research, providing an “Dedication to environment for the development and application of Professional Service” biomedical sensors and advanced EVA technologies. award at their It is used in the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility, annual conference allowing students and researchers to gain more in November at experience with human-telerobotic interactions the University of Maryland Baltimore in an integrated EVA worksite. MARS Suit is County (UMBC). DR. NICOLE ROOP currently in its second generation (MX-2) design.

Roop served as Initial tests and applications of MX-2 include president of the Maryland College correlation of MX-2 performance in EVA tasks Personnel Association (MCPA) from to both neutral buoyancy and space flight 2005-06, and is currently on the performance in Shuttle suits, tests of various governing board for ACPA: College approaches to EVA/robotic cooperation, and Student Educators International development of a virtual reality visual environment as a member-at-large. This award integrated into neutral buoyancy simulations. recognized Roop for her 10 plus years of professional service to both To view the Popular Science magazine article associations. She has also served online, please visit the following link: these associations on conference and convention committees, and is a http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp- member of the Directorate for ACPA’s space/article/2009-02/building-spacesuits Commission on Academic Support.

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Ruffa Releases Book and tough economic times and the honor, the National Space Trophy. gives Whiting-Turner strategies they use to succeed. The award has been presented Lecture annually for the past 23 years to

an individual who has excelled in The originator of the concept of Koratkar Promoted to Professor at RPI furthering national goals in the field lean dynamics, Stephen A. Ruffa, of space. Griffin, a Bush appointee, BS ’82, has released his latest book The department of aerospace ended his tenure as administrator of on the topic, Going Lean: How engineering proudly announces NASA on January 20, 2009. the Best Companies Apply Lean the promotion of alumnus, Nikhil Manufacturing Principles to Shatter Koratkar to full professor at The RNASA Foundation said it Uncertainty, Drive Innovation, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute selected Griffin for his part in Maximize Profits (Kindle Edition). (RPI). Professor Koratkar received developing the plan for completion As an aerospace engineer, Ruffa his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering of the International Space Station worked for the United States’ from the University of Maryland at following the loss of the space Department of Defense and College Park in November 2000. He shuttle, Columbia, personally researched lean manufacturing joined the faculty of the Mechanical, directing the shuttle return-to- across seventeen large aerospace Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering flight activities; initiating the first producers. His distinctive Department at the Rensselaer procurement of commercial cargo observations are framed by a Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the and crew service in the agency’s quarter-century of his experiences spring semester of 2001. Koratkar’s history; successfully establishing supporting many of the Defense research interests are focused on the the architecture for a sustainable, Department’s dynamic needs, which synthesis of carbon nanotubes and achievable, and technically viable 8 include the design, manufacture, their integration into multi-scale human exploration program; and test, and repair of cutting-edge structural systems, such as polymer awarding the initial spacecraft aircraft, as well as projects ensuring composites used in aerospace and and launch vehicle contracts that the availability of critical supplies rotorcraft applications. Koratkar’s will ensure the program meets its for wartime demand surges. other research interests include the demanding schedule. Ruffa’s works have been widely fabrication and patterning of metal According to RNASA, Griffin is also cited and recognized. His previous and silicon based nanostructures by being recognized for the impressive book, Breaking the Cost Barrier: A oblique angle deposition and their series of senior government and Proven Approach to Managing and application in energy conversion industry Implementing Lean Manufacturing devices such as lithium-ion batteries, executive (John Wiley & Sons, 2000), was fuel cells and solar cells. positions he held awarded the 2001 Shingo Prize prior to being for Excellence in Manufacturing named NASA Research. On November 6, 2008, Alumnus Griffin Honored administrator. with Awards Ruffa spoke on Maryland’s campus Former Apollo

as part of the Clark School of astronaut and The Rotary National Award for Engineering’s Whiting-Turner 2008 Trophy Space Achievement (RNASA) Lecture Series. He provided winner Capt. Foundation’s National Board of examples of companies such as Eugene Cernan Advisors has selected the immediate Toyota, Wal-Mart, and Southwest said, “Mike past NASA Administrator, Michael Airlines, who have managed Griffin has made D. Griffin (Ph.D. ‘77, aerospace to survive and even thrive in an enormous MIKE GRIFFIN engineering), to receive its highest

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contribution to the American Milke Honored as “Top Terp” and Best Buy. While with Rogers Space Program throughout his Wireless, Ouillet served as a senior career as a scientist, engineer, and James Milke, professor and associate advisor to the Executive team on manager. Few people understand chair in fire protection engineering corporate strategy and then moved the challenges and rewards of (FPE), was selected as a TIAA- to Best Buy Canada in senior spaceflight like he does. Mike has CREF “Top Terp” earlier this year operations, merchandising, and been a visionary, but with a realistic and has also been named this year’s finance positions. Most recently, and pragmatic approach to the grand prize winner, netting $1000 he served as the Vice President of challenges he has faced. Above all, for the FPE department. Finance for Best Buy International, Mike Griffin recognizes the positive a $16 billion entity with operations educational impact of our nation’s across three continents. Ouillet space program on the youth In 1991, he received his PhD from brings to UBC a wealth of of America.” the University of Maryland in experience in strategic consulting, Aerospace Engineering. He received business operations, and financial RNASA Advisor and former a Master of Science degree from leadership in growing, complex Space Shuttle astronaut Capt. Ken the University of Maryland in international organizations. Born Reightler added, “Mike Griffin Mechanical Engineering and is a in France, Ouillet graduated from is one of those rare individuals 1976 graduate of the Fire Protection Ecole Polytechnique, received his who is not afraid to tackle even Engineering program. Milke also has Masters of Science in Aerospace the most difficult engineering a Bachelor of Science degree Engineering from the University of and management issues, such in Physics from Ursinus College. Maryland and his MBA as those NASA has faced while from INSEAD. implementing the U.S. Space Milke was nominated for the 9 Exploration Policy and during the honor by recent FPE graduate As the Vice President of Finance, return-to-flight activities after the Andrew Neviackas (’06) and he Resources and Operations, Ouillet Columbia accident.” subsequently was honored at will have leadership responsibility a men’s home basketball game for maintaining a portfolio that Griffin will receive his trophy at the earlier in 2008. The TIAA-CREF includes finance, treasury, campus RNASA annual black-tie banquet “Top Terp” Award recognizes planning, land and building services, to be held on Friday, May 8, 2009, someone who demonstrates human resources, and a range of in Houston. excellence in education. business and ancillary services. One Griffin was also honored this past of the world’s leading universities, fall, along with James French, his Ouillet Appointed Vice the University of British Columbia co-author on Space Vehicle Design, President at University of conducts outstanding research and British Columbia 2nd Edition. The American Institute teaching over two main campuses. of Aeronautics and Astronautics With a $1.7 billion budget, 12,000 (AIAA) presented Griffin and The University of British Columbia employees and 48,000 students, French with its Summerfield Book announced the appointment of Mr. UBC is one of the largest employers Award, which goes to the best book Pierre Ouillet to the position of Vice in British Columbia. published by the AIAA each year. President, Finance, Resources and Operations, effective January 2009. Prior to joining UBC, Mr. Ouillet held a variety of senior roles in the private sector with organizations MIKE GRIFFIN such as McKinsey, Rogers Wireless,

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Distinguished Alumnus Bissell was a wing designer on the Kylie and Elliot as well as many William Bissell A-12, a Mach 3.2 photographic other relatives and friends. Passes Away aircraft. He was a designer in the Wing Group for the SR-71 from Memorial gifts can be given 1962 to 1964 and they built this to the Edgewood Vista Senior plane entirely out of titanium. He Living, C/O Bill Bissell Memorial assisted in designing the forward Bus Fund: 141 Interstate Lane, fuselage of the L-1011 cockpit Kalispell, Montana 59901. These area, and helped design the funds will be used for much wings for the XST (Have Blue) needed transportation to enrich prototype. He was also the Wing the lives of Bill’s fellow residents. Group Engineer for the exterior configuration design of the F-117A. Alumnus Jerome Persh, After 40 years with Lockheed, Mr. Materials Specialist, Passes Away Bissell retired and he and his wife moved to Bigfork, Montana. “The wing designer has been given Jerome Persh (MS ’58), a retired his own wings!” In 2003, Mr. Bissell was inducted Defense Department materials and in the Department of Aerospace structures specialist, died November William S. Bissell (BSAN, ’52) Engineering’s Academy of passed away on January 11, 2009, 6, 2008 at Inova Fairfax Hospital Distinguished Alumni at the College from chronic obstructive pulmonary in Kalispell, Montana. Bissell Park Aviation Museum. That year, 10 graduated from the University of disease and lung cancer. He was the event celebrated not only this a resident of Annandale, VA. Maryland in 1952 with a Bachelor class of Academy inductees, but of Science Degree in Aeronautical also the 100th Anniversary of Flight Mr. Persh was a staff specialist Engineering. Mr. Bissell turned his and the 55th Anniversary of the in the Pentagon’s Office of the love of building model airplanes Department. In his speech, Mr. Director of Defense Research into a career when he joined Bissell gave thanks to his family and Engineering (Advanced Lockheed Aircraft Company upon and friends, sharing fascinating Technology) from 1967 to his graduation. Bissell was assigned to stories and anecdotes about his time retirement in 1996. He was involved work in the Lockheed Advanced at Maryland and at Lockheed. with innovations in Defense Development Project, known as Department materials technologies, the “Skunkworks,” as a designer Bill is survived by his wife of 57 including composites and laser in 1954. His first project was the years, Mary Bissell of Bigfork; protective materials. He served U-2. Later, Bissell and his group three sons: Steve and wife Bonny as the Pentagon’s representative reengineered the U-2 and this new of Oregon, Eric and wife Karen on government and industry plane, known as the U-2R, was of Oregon; and Don and wife committees, including the National able to carry more fuel and reach Cindy of Bigfork; and a daughter: Academy of Sciences, the National a higher altitude than the original. Debbie Fulford and husband Kirk Materials Advisory Board and the Bissell also designed and built the of Bigfork; a brother: Bob; one Technical Cooperation Program. He also testified before Congress. JetStar, a ten passenger personnel sister: Sally; seven grandchildren: transporter for the Air Force, Michael, Daniel, Sheila, Ben, The Persh Conference, created which was later used as a Israel, Shaunna and Hannah; in his honor, is an annual forum presidential plane. three great grandchildren: Alena, at the Pentagon dedicated to the discussion of ideas, challenges and

NEWSLETTER  spring/summer 2009 studentNEWS opportunities related to materials Dust Mitigation Project and processing innovation. Receives Research Award Mr. Persh was born in the Bronx, N.Y., and served as a Navy Brandon Hall, an aerospace electrician’s mate during World War engineering senior and Clark II. He received an undergraduate degree from New York University School ambassador, has received and a Master’s Degree in Aerospace the 2008 NASA Academy Engineering from the University Research Award at Goddard Space of Maryland. He worked for Flight Center, an award which goes six years with General Electric BRANDON HALL in Philadelphia before joining to a project that made a significant the Defense Department. In contribution to GSFC research. retirement, he was a consultant for Zimmerman Associates and the The project, “A Dust Mitigation Vehicle,” is a prototype Institute for Defense Analyses. paving system for the Moon that utilizes only Survivors include his wife of resources available in-situ. Hall has been working 61 years, Doris A. Persh of with Goddard engineer Dr. Eric Cardiff for over a Annandale; two children, Michael year developing and testing the prototype vehicle. G. Persh of McLean, VA and Richard B. Persh of Nokesville, Lunar dust contamination is one of the paramount VA; and four grandchildren. problems that must to be addressed before NASA 11 returns to the surface of the Moon. One way to reduce the problem is to remove the source of the

GRID 2009 | April 13 dust by paving the surface. Cardiff and Hall’s dust 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. mitigation vehicle uses only the native solar flux GRID is a campus-wide, conference present in-situ in order to create a hard, dust-free style event where research done by graduate students at the University is surface for lunar operations. This project was in presented and discussed by faculty and students from many departments conjunction with Hall’s participation in the NASA and schools. GRID is a venue for Academy, a program that represents an immersive students to get feedback on their research and hone their conference and integrated multidisciplinary exposure and skills in the comparative intimacy of their own campus. training for students with career aspirations of critical

GRID is conducted with an inter- importance to the national aerospace program. disciplinary focus through a symposium consisting of both poster Hall and Cardiff presented their research in Cape and oral presentations, judged by panels specializing in each category. Canaveral, Florida in October for the annual Judges consist of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, administrators, library subject meetings of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, specialists, and advanced graduate the International Lunar Conference 2008, the students. GRID fosters a healthy competition among graduate students Conference on Exploration and Utilization of the awarding the best presentations amongst the participants. Moon, and the Space Resources Roundtable.

A. James Clark School of Engineering  Glenn L. Martin Institute of Technology studentNEWS

Mayo The competition, which attracted Each of the four Open Topic Receives seven registered teams for its Graduate Awards provides $5,000, Aerospace Corporation inaugural event, required each team’s bestowed annually to four graduate- Graduate autonomous robot to race around level students for outstanding Fellowship an array of traffic cones organized in scholarship in research endeavors Award an elliptical shape. The Robotics@ throughout their graduate studies. Doctoral student Maryland team, which took home Johnson is currently working in the David B. Mayo a $250 second place prize, was area of planetary entry heat shield is the second sponsored by the ECE Department, design and optimization under recipient of the Department of Aerospace the guidance of Mark Lewis. the Aerospace Engineering, the Institute for In addition, the AIAA Corporation Systems Research, the Clark School Foundation presented one of Graduate of Engineering, and the Office of david mayo its undergraduate scholarships Fellowship the Vice President for Research, and to Matthew Bishop. Bishop is a Award. Aerospace Corporation also received corporate support from junior in the aerospace program. donated funds to the college Clark School Corporate Partner of engineering and the BAE Systems, Apple, Robotic department to recognize graduate Research, LLC, and E.K. Fox. Davis is Awarded students who either were sons/ The event was conceived and NSF Fellowship daughters of veterans or actual organized by the Washington, veterans themselves. The award Congratulations DC Chapter of the Institute of includes a check of $2,500. to Nikesha Electrical and Electronic Engineers Davis, Aerospace 12 Mayo has served in the United Robotics and Automation Society Engineering States Marine Corps and completed (IEEE-RAS) in conjunction with doctoral student, two combat tours of duty in Iraq as members of the student organization for receiving the a member of 4th Combat Engineer Robotics@Maryland, and National Science Battalion. He has participated in Maryland’s Department of Electrical Foundation’s internships with the Navy Research and Computer Engineering (ECE). Louis Stokes Lab researching ship fire safety and The event is co-sponsored by Alliance for survivability, and the Army Research IEEE-RAS, the ECE Department, Minority and Robotic Research, LLC, based Lab (Redstone Arsenal) researching Participation NIKESHA DAVIS missile propellant sensitivity and in Gaithersburg, Maryland. (LSAMP) Bridge projectile aerodynamics. Currently, to the Doctorate he is a first year Ph.D. student in the AIAA Foundation Awards Fellowship for the 2008-2009 department working as a research Given to Maryland Students and 2009-2010 academic year. assistant under J. Gordon Leishman. Joshua Johnson, Nikesha Davis is originally from an aerospace Upper Marlboro, MD. She received Robotics@Maryland engineering Places 2nd in Inaugural her B.S. from Spelman College in Competition doctoral General Science and Mathematics, candidate, was along with a B.S.E. in Mechanical The Robotics@Maryland a recipient and Aerospace Engineering from undergraduate student team placed of the AIAA the University of Alabama in second in a new regional robotics Foundation Huntsville in 2006. After obtaining event hosted by the University of JOSHUA JOHNSON Open Topic her Bachelors degrees, she also Maryland on October 4, 2008. Graduate Award. received her Masters in Systems

NEWSLETTER  spring/summer 2009 Engineering with a minor in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2008. Nikesha is currently a first year PhD student working with Dr. Inderjit Chopra. Her research interests include Dynamics and Control, Aerodynamics, and Rotorcraft systems.

Hasan Receives Multiple NASA Awards Syed Hasan (BS ’04), a graduate student in the Department The University of Maryland’s increasingly popular open house, Maryland of Aerospace Day, starts its second decade April 25 by bringing back one of its most beloved features. A Global Village will once again take shape on Hornbake Engineering, was Plaza – featuring not only international student entertainment throughout recently honored the day, but delectable cooking demonstrations with free samples, and a wide twice by NASA. In range of events that promise a great day full of fun, learning and excitement.

November, Hasan Maryland Day’s opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m. on Hornbake Plaza received the Space with comments from University President Dr. C.D. “Dan” Mote, Jr. and 13 Flight Awareness other dignitaries. The day will be given a grand send-off as faculty, staff and Honoree Award, student volunteers march with a display of 204 flags of the United Nations. which is one syed hasan Mote says, “The single most important thing about Maryland Day is that of the highest the campus has gotten so excited about it, committed to it and creative presented to with it. That has led to more than 400 projects and programs – and the NASA and industry and is for enthusiasm 8,000 volunteers bring to welcoming more than 70,000 visitors.” first-level management. This award It was Dr. Mote who proposed the creation of a campus wide Maryland Day open house when he first took over as Maryland’s president in 1998. Its is presented to employees for success has become a model for many other colleges and universities around their dedication to quality work the U.S. “Maryland Day has gone beyond my wildest dreams,” says Mote. and flight safety (NASA.gov). In December, Hasan received the Space All over Maryland’s 1250 acre campus, visitors can “Explore Our World” with tours, exhibits and demonstrations. The university is broken up in to Flight Awareness Team Award. seven specific areas of exploration. There are lots of new events this year This award is used to recognize – including “Mission Madness” that explores the partnership between the small groups of employees that university and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center; Robot Alley explores have demonstrated exemplary robots past, present and future; and visitors will be able to take a fresh teamwork while accomplishing a look at the Maryland campus – which is now an Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Many visitors look forward to the annual Red & White spring particular task or goal in support football game – which will be held at 3:30 p.m. in Byrd Stadium. of the human space program. All events run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Everything is family friendly. Don’t Hasan is currently working at the miss a scoop of Maryland ice cream at the Dairy! Admission and parking Flight Dynamics Facility at NASA are free, and there will be free shuttle buses to and from the College Park Goddard Space Flight Center as Metro and on campus. Navigation is easy with the help of complementary activity maps that include descriptions of all events. Plan your day online a Systems Engineer involved with starting March 1 at www.marylandday.umd.edu, or email questions to: shuttle and rocket launch support. [email protected].

A. James Clark School of Engineering  Glenn L. Martin Institute of Technology studentNEWS Sloane Scholarship Mellish is originally from Houston, awarded to Mayo and Mellish Texas and completed her B.S. in Aerospace Engineering at Princeton University in June, 2008. Mellish David Mayo and Rochelle has participated in summer Mellish were selected to receive internships with the Alliances a Sloan Scholarship to facilitate for Graduate Education and the and complement their doctoral Professoriate (AGEP) program. studies with the Department of Currently, she is a first year graduate Aerospace Engineering. The amount student in the Department of of the Scholarship is $26,950, Aerospace Engineering at the which is available to cover actual University of Maryland working as jason leggett (r) costs of tuition, stipend, books, a teaching assistant. Her research professional travel and/or summer interests are in space systems. Each of the three winners received support while each student is a commemorative certificate and working toward their degree. International Student a cash award of $1,000. The Conference ‘Best Paper’ AIAA Foundation International Mayo is originally from Tuskegee, winner is Leggett Student Conference, which invites Alabama and completed his B.S. undergraduate and graduate AIAA in Mechanical Engineering with The American Institute of student members who won their 14 an aerospace concentration from Aeronautics and Astronautics regional student conferences to Virginia Military Institute in May (AIAA) announced the 2008 present and discuss their research 2006. He earned his aerospace AIAA Foundation International in a formal setting, provides a M.S.E. from the University of Student Conference “best paper” forum for the recognition of Alabama in Huntsville in May winners. Jason Leggett (BS ’08) outstanding student research, and 2008. His research focuses won first place in the undergraduate for the strengthening of inter- on the aerodynamics, flight division for his paper “Optimal regional bonds between school dynamics, and controls of flapping Stochastic Nonlinear Control engineering departments. Leggett wing micro aerial vehicles. of Spacecraft Angular Velocity.” placed first last April at the Leggett wrote his paper as a senior Mid-Atlantic Student Regional in the aerospace engineering honors Conference held at College Park. program under the advisement of Dr. Rob Sanner. Leggett is now a graduate student and department fellow at Johns Hopkins University studying Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in fluids.

Awardees were honored in January 2009 at the awards luncheon of the 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, held in Orlando, Florida.

MAYO & MELLISH

NEWSLETTER  spring/summer 2009 August & December 2008 graduation 2008 GRADUATES

August B.S. Emin Azariah David Berg Alexander Brown Jason Leggett Brian McCall Robert Nisson Jacob Zwillinger

M.S. M a s s i m i l i a n o D i C a p u a , Vanessa Gentzen Dory Lummer

Ph.D. Carlos Malpica

December B.S. Dustin Alinger Ajay Baharani Michel Bernabo Kanwarpal Chandhok Michael Knott 15 Chhabindra Koirala Michael Krasel Joseph Lisee David McLaren Roberto Semidey

M.S Peter Gardner Brendan Geraghty Eric Greenwood Robyn Harmon Ian Higgins Criag Lewandowski Elizabeth Matzinger Benjamin Nickless Fernando Raffan Daniel Sargent Richard Sickenberger Monica Syal

Ph.D. Anirban Chaudhuri Patrick Downey Amardip Ghosh Yik-Loon Lee Pramod Mathai Jason Pereira Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID The Department of Aerospace Engineering Permit No. 10 3181 Glenn L. Martin Hall College Park, MD University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742-2111

EXPECTATIONS greatContribute to the department through the University of Maryland’s Great Expectations campaign and support our mission to transform lives through exceptional educational and research opportunities. Your contributions can support AEROCONTACT is published for aerospace engineering initiatives such as graduate fellowships, alumni and friends of Department undergraduate scholarships, and named professorships. Please of Aerospace Engineering at the A. visit www.greatexpectations.umd.edu to learn more. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland. Gifts may be made by check to “University of Maryland College Park Foundation (UMCPF).” Please designate “The Department Your alumni news and comments of Aerospace Engineering” in the memo line, and mail to: are welcome. Please send them to: Becky Sarni, Department of Aerospace Engineering, 3181 Martin Hall, College Inderjit Chopra, Interim Chair Park, MD, 20742. Visit our web site at: Department of Aerospace Engineering http://www.aero.umd.edu 3181 Martin Hall University of Maryland Interim Chair: Dr. Inderjit Chopra College Park, MD 20742 Graphic Designer: Allison R. Ernst

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