Blacksburg, Va. -- Michael Philen, assistant professor of aerospace and ocean engineering at Virginia Tech, has received the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award. The award will support Philen's research to develop fluidic flexible matrix composites, which are new material and structural systems that have the unique ability to change modulus on demand.
"I believe these innovative materials will lead to new and exciting opportunities for both government and commercial applications," Philen said.
The Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards provide seed money for research by junior faculty at Oak Ridge member institutions. These awards are intended to enrich the research and professional growth of young faculty and result in new funding opportunities. In 2008, Oak Ridge Associated Universities received 107 applications and awarded 30 grants.
Philen's general research interests are in adaptive structures, smart materials, bio-inspired systems and materials, and structural dynamics and control.
He aspires to create state-of-the-art intelligent structures that can adapt to better improve the performance of the system (e.g. reduced vibration, increased stability, improved surface control). His work involves exploring novel control methodologies and the development/application of smart materials to provide actuation, adaptability, robustness, and intelligence to the system.
He is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).
His web site is www.aoe.vt.edu/people/faculty.php?fac_id=mphilen