Faculty/Researcher List

Alison Flatau

Professor
UMD - Faculty

Research

Characterization, Devices

Research interests include dynamics of smart structures, with emphasis on actuator and sensor technologies and their application in noise, vibration and flow control. This includes a strong emphasis on the development and application of magnetostrictive material-based actuators and sensors and includes research on the application of smart materials in micro-systems, including synthetic jet design and micro- and nano-sensors.

Dr. Flatau holds a B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah. She joined the Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Maryland in 2002 after serving as Program Director for the Dynamic Systems Modeling, Sensing and Control Program at the National Science Foundation from 1998-2002. Prior to that, she was on the Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics faculty at Iowa State University (1990-1998). Her experience also includes four years at the National Small Wind Systems Test Center in Golden, CO. Since joining the University of Maryland, she has joined an active team of researchers in projects on the design and development of unmanned air vehicles with morphing capabilities using smart and multifunctional material actuation schemes, and she currently is the PI of an ONR MURI award involving members from six other institutions. Dr. Flatau is a Fellow of the ASME and a Senior Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.