{"id":79579,"date":"2025-12-11T09:57:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-11T09:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/79579\/"},"modified":"2025-12-11T09:57:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T09:57:12","slug":"famu-fsu-engineering-department-formalizes-aerospace-identity-reflecting-decades-of-research-excellence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/79579\/","title":{"rendered":"FAMU-FSU Engineering Department formalizes aerospace identity, reflecting decades of research excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nTransformation recognizes institutional leadership in high-speed aerodynamics, advanced manufacturing and next-generation flight technologies
\n\"FourThe Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering is led by four longtime engineering researchers (left to right): Chiang Shih, Jonathan Clark, Rajan Kumar (chair) and William Oates. (Scott Holstein\/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)<\/p>\n

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering\u2019s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is reaching new heights in aerospace research and education. Driven by cutting-edge grants, state-of-the-art facilities and a spirit of collaboration, MAE is shaping the future of flight and inspiring the next generation of innovators.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this momentum is Rajan Kumar, professor and director of the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP). Under his leadership, the MAE department is bridging mechanical engineering with aerospace innovation and opening doors to exciting opportunities for both students and faculty.<\/p>\n

Recognition of the Mission with a New Name<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, following a comprehensive review and official approval by Florida A&M University and Florida State University, the Department of Mechanical Engineering became the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE).<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving that name is very important for students getting jobs in aerospace and for training them in the areas of interest,\u201d Kumar said. \u201cIt will boost our rankings and expand career opportunities for our students, especially in the growing aerospace sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

The department\u2019s new name signals a focus on cutting-edge research and education.<\/p>\n

\u201cAerospace engineering is one of the fastest-growing fields in research and graduate education,\u201d said Zhiyong (Richard) Liang, Sprint Eminent Scholar Chair Professor and associate dean for research. \u201cThe new MAE department showcases the powerful synergy between our mechanical and aerospace strengths, boosting our visibility and attracting top-tier research and students from around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

This transformation brings with it three graduate programs in aerospace engineering: a non-thesis Master of Science, a thesis-based Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy. The department also offers a specialized Aerospace Engineering \u2013 Aerodynamics Certificate to ensure undergraduate students have a variety of pathways to launch their careers.<\/p>\n

\"AnIn a lab at the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion. (Bruce Palmer\/University Communications)
\nFlorida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP): A National Research Asset<\/p>\n

FCAAP is located in the college\u2019s Aero-Propulsion, Mechatronics and Energy Center devoted to the needs of the highly competitive aerospace industry. Kumar\u2019s group studies things that \u201cmove very fast,\u201d \u2014 like rockets and aircraft \u2014 and the resulting hypersonic flow that you can\u2019t see with the naked eye but has a major impact on performance and noise.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt FCAAP, we\u2019re powering national programs involving high-speed aerodynamics,\u201d Kumar said. \u201cOur one-of-a-kind polysonic wind tunnel offers testing capabilities you won\u2019t find anywhere else. It spans speeds from Mach 0.2 to Mach 5 \u2014 covering subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic velocities \u2014 making it an invaluable resource for groundbreaking research.\u201d<\/p>\n

The facility\u2019s several low-speed tunnels are crucial for studying takeoff, landing, automotive and industrial testing. It also features jet labs for studying engine exhaust.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe focus on the engine exhaust noise and its impact on the aircraft and nearby structures,\u201d Kumar said.<\/p>\n

Understanding aerodynamic flow and noise at different speed regimes is critical to aircraft performance and safety. Engine exhaust noise can cause structural fatigue and impact nearby communities, while precise flow control at supersonic and hypersonic velocities is essential for structural integrity and thermal management, making these research capabilities vital for developing quieter, more efficient next-generation aerospace systems.<\/p>\n

In recent years, the FAMU partnership in the joint college has begun to pay off for FCAAP as well. Since joint-appointed engineering faculty and their graduate and undergraduate students from both FAMU and FSU work and learn at the center, grants through the HBCU have started to enhance the facility through enhancements and operating expense reallocations. This development opens more bandwidth for future operational and infrastructure expansions.<\/p>\n

\"AThe research wind tunnel at FCAAP has been a major aerospace research facility since its inception in the early 2000s. (Bruce Palmer\/Florida State University)
\nLeading-Edge Research: Major Federal Investments Drive Innovation
\nAEROMORPH Center of Excellence<\/p>\n

The MAE department recently secured several significant grants, including $5 million that helped launch a university-led AEROMORPH Center of Excellence funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).<\/p>\n

\u201cA little over two years ago, we received a joint grant with the University of Florida from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research,\u201d said Cummins Professor William Oates. \u201cIt started with an idea to look at sensors, extreme environments and high-speed aerodynamic applications and turned into something much bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

The consortium allows students, post-docs and faculty to interact with AFRL engineers and scientists to develop technologies for next-generation high-speed flight vehicles.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a group at Wright Patterson and Eglin collaborating with us on advanced sense-assess-respond functionalities for autonomous aircraft systems,\u201d Oates said. \u201cThey are investigating something called physical reservoir computing, where instead of doing artificial intelligence on a computer, you integrate it into a structure. You can put it in the skin of an aircraft and make the aircraft aware of its environment so it can autonomously navigate.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hyper-Velocity AFRL Research<\/p>\n

Kumar and his team received a $4 million grant from AFRL to establish hyper-velocity research capabilities. This funding will advance air and space vehicle technology and support experimental and computational progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe objective is to develop technologies for next-generation vehicles and to train students in research areas of national interest,\u201d Kumar said.<\/p>\n

This grant enables the department to push the boundaries of hypersonic flow diagnostics, invest in cutting-edge equipment and explore new frontiers at ever-higher Mach numbers.<\/p>\n

\u201cHypersonic research is the crucial need in the aerospace industry today,\u201d Kumar said. These advances build on decades of pioneering work within the department.<\/p>\n

CISCOR Center: Robotics for Extreme Environments
\n\"TwoCISCOR Director Professor Jonathan Clark (left) and Associate Professor Christian Hubicki (right). (Mark Wallheiser\/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)<\/p>\n

Jonathan Clark, professor and director of the Center for Intelligent, Systems, Control, and Robotics (CISCOR), is collaborating with mechanical engineering researcher Camilo Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez on underwater robots, funded by a $1.05 million grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to explore the benthic region of the sea floor.<\/p>\n

Clark is also involved with a project funded by NASA that examines the development of rovers with the unique ability to traverse lunar terrain.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe developed a legged platform that can move through fine, powdery lunar regolith, climb steep slopes and walk on the terrain efficiently,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n

In another project, Associate Professor Christian Hubicki received a grant from L3Harris to develop a hybrid leg\/wheeled robot for exploration and IED removal.<\/p>\n

\u201cChristian and I are working on new ideas to create robots that can go over rough terrains and reach difficult spots where IEDs might be hiding or hard to reach,\u201d Clark said.<\/p>\n

Professor Carl Moore is part of a National Science Foundation-sponsored engineering research center, Human Augmentation via Dexterity (HAND) and that involves five partner universities, including FAMU.<\/p>\n

\"HeadshotProfessor Carl Moore (Scott Holstein\/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)<\/p>\n

HAND is developing advanced robotic hands that can work alongside humans in real-world settings. The center\u2019s goal is to create versatile robot hands that are easy to use right out of the box, equipped with AI-powered capabilities that improve over time.<\/p>\n

These systems feature intuitive controls that workers can operate immediately, making robotic assistance more accessible across industries and in everyday circumstances.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to develop low-cost test beds for teaching and training people dexterity and robotic dexterity,\u201d Moore said. \u201cThe idea is to get platforms that don\u2019t cost hundreds and thousands of dollars in people\u2019s hands.\u201d<\/p>\n

Computer Modeling: Digital Twins Enable Virtual Aerospace Testing<\/p>\n

Several faculty members focus on the computational aspects of aerospace research. Associate Professor Unnikrishnan Sasidharan Nair uses numerical simulations to study aero-propulsion problems, including supersonic inlets and exhaust plumes of high-speed aircraft. His research expands to other fields, like aeroacoustics, noise propagation and hypersonic transition.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome things cannot always be done in the wind tunnels,\u201d Nair said. \u201cThat\u2019s where computational studies come into the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nair and others digitize the tunnel to set up a virtual model that can be simulated. They create something called a digital twin of the tunnel-model system, and it helps them use mathematical equations to solve for millions and billions of spatial features of the flow field around an aircraft to understand what\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n

Sustainable Aviation: Zero-Emissions Aircraft Development<\/p>\n

Along with several colleagues at the joint college and other commercial and academic partners, Professor Juan Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez is working on a NASA ULI (University Leadership Initiative) grant to develop concepts for an integrated zero emissions aircraft that uses liquid hydrogen both as fuel and as coolant for components of the power train.<\/p>\n

His research targets thermal management solutions for advanced power systems and the optimization of renewable energy conversion processes. Thermal management plays an important enabling role in aerospace systems.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor example, we need innovative thermal management solutions to use large (megawatt-scale) fuel cell systems for commercial aircraft. Renewable energy processes are integral to space exploration. In this context, the new MAE designation reflects well our research direction,\u201d Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez said.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Ord\u00f3\u00f1ez wants to work on projects that have potential to bring innovations to the energy conversion systems we use as a society and at a global scale.<\/p>\n

\"HeadshotKrafft Professor David Larbalestier, chair of the Department of Materials Science & Engineering (Mark Wallheiser\/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)<\/p>\n

While aerospace applications drive the department\u2019s new identity, the transformation also reflects decades of materials science excellence that underpins advanced aerospace technologies.<\/p>\n

The department is home to Professor David Larbalestier and other internationally recognized leaders in superconducting materials, advanced microscopy and materials characterization and more, representing the department\u2019s deep expertise in developing the fundamental materials that enable next-generation propulsion systems, lightweight structures and high-performance aerospace components.<\/p>\n

This foundation of materials science with aerospace engineering creates a powerful research ecosystem where fundamental material innovations directly address critical challenges in extreme flight environments, from hypersonic thermal management to advanced electromagnetic systems.<\/p>\n

InSPIRE Center: Strategic Regional Partnership for Aerospace Manufacturing<\/p>\n

The Institute for Strategic Partnerships in Research and Education (InSPIRE) is an FSU initiative designed to establish a new aerospace and advanced manufacturing hub in Bay County, Florida. The institute is designed to support workforce development, national defense needs and economic growth in the Florida Panhandle. The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is an InSPIRE strategic partner, serving as an academic hub for faculty and researchers. Eventually, Bay County graduate students will earn advanced aerospace and manufacturing engineering degrees through the joint college while working at the InSPIRE facility.<\/p>\n

Farrukh Alvi, a Don Fuqua Eminent Scholar, professor of mechanical engineering and the Senior Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation at Florida State University, is the founding director of FCAAP and played a key role in launching InSPIRE.<\/p>\n

Combined, the new degree offerings and the InSPIRE center will only heighten the department\u2019s impact, Kumar said.<\/p>\n

Collaboration as the Key to Success<\/p>\n

\u201cThe FAMU-FSU College of Engineering stands out for its joint structure, drawing students and faculty from both Florida A&M University and Florida State University,\u201d Kumar said, noting that students from both institutions work together in labs and multicultural settings.<\/p>\n

This tradition of collaboration extends beyond the institutional partnership to encompass computational and experimental faculty teams, as well as the overlap in mechanical, aerospace and materials science engineering.<\/p>\n

The department\u2019s interdisciplinary approach has been foundational to its research centers and laboratories, creating an integrated ecosystem where diverse expertise converges on complex aerospace challenges. Kumar said this collaborative framework, built over decades, formed the essential foundation for the aerospace redesignation and continues to drive the department\u2019s research success.<\/p>\n

The commitment to student development remains central to this collaborative mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are dedicated to hands-on research training and professional development for students,\u201d Chiang Shih, professor and director of the AME Center, said. \u201cOur role is to prepare them for work with organizations like NASA. In the past four years alone, over 28 students have interned there.\u201d<\/p>\n

This partnership model extends well beyond the two universities, encompassing a broad network of academic and industry collaborators that amplifies the department\u2019s research capabilities and impact.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe continue to collaborate with University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Ohio State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and others, because it\u2019s helpful,\u201d Kumar explains. \u201cWe cannot do everything at one institution, but because of these collaborative efforts, we have been very successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TwoInside the hotjet research facility at Florida Center for Advanced Aero-propulsion (FCAAP). (Bruce Palmer\/Florida State University)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Transformation recognizes institutional leadership in high-speed aerodynamics, advanced manufacturing and next-generation flight technologies The Department of Mechanical &…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":79580,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[232,234,233],"class_list":["post-79579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee","tag-tallahassee-headlines","tag-tallahassee-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79579"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79579\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}