NSF REU-SITE: Unmanned Aerial Systems with Real-World Applications in Oklahoma

During the last 15 years at OU Dr. Merchan- Merchan has mentored more than 100 undergraduate (UG) students in his research laboratory. He has established a well-developed program for UG research and strongly believes that close mentoring is essential for UG research success. Some of those students include several McNair Scholars, Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) scholars, Honors Research students, National Merit Scholars, and students seeking to fulfill their experimental electives. UG students participating in his research have published in journal publications and presented at several national and local conferences. Many of these UG students have decided to continue to graduate school. Several students were awarded the prestigious NSFGRFP award using data from his UG research to support their application.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/wilson-merchan

Dr. Sun mentors in the Capstone program, closely guiding undergraduate (UG) students with their research projects. In Spring 2020 he sponsored and mentored a group of students working on an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) project. He also serves as a mentor for the Sooner Rover Team, whose objective is to design and build planetary rovers to compete in international competitions and push boundaries on rover design for interplanetary missions. He is participating in the NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program. This program introduces UAS- related UG level classes and aims to enhance student participation in STEM and show how a popular technology, such as UAS, may lead to a secure career path. Furthermore, he serves as a research mentor for UG students enrolled in research courses and through the Honors Engineering Research Experience (HERE) program to conduct individual research projects.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/wei-sun

At the University of Oklahoma, Dr Sanchez instructs courses in Space Systems and Mission Design, Space Sciences and Astrodynamics, and various subjects within the field of aerospace. Dr. Sanchez has mentored students in the Aerospace Engineering Capstone program, guiding them in their studies related to orbital mechanics and spacecraft mission design. In the most recent Capstone project, the students delved into developing methods for autonomously capturing and returning artifacts from asteroids to Earth for scientific analysis. This innovative mechanism also holds potential for addressing the issue of debris in low Earth orbit, as it can be adapted to facilitate the cleanup of orbital debris. One practical approach involves deploying unnamed spacecraft with these capabilities. Through their involvement in this mentoring program, students gain valuable experience conducting comprehensive research, defining mission objectives, designing spacecraft, and manufacturing and testing their creations.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/diogo-sanchez

Dr. Dai has taught courses in mechanics of heterogeneous materials, structural mechanics, aerospace structures, aeronautics, and advanced aerospace structures. His research focuses on developing advanced materials and composites for aerospace applications, materials for extreme environments, and polymer and ceramic nanocomposites. During his time at OU, Dr. Dai has provided undergraduate students with valuable research opportunities. He has sponsored and mentored Capstone Projects for senior mechanical engineering students, including a team whose project received First Place for Outstanding Experimental and Testing Project at the Poster Fair. Undergraduate researchers in his laboratory have received the Gallogly College of Engineering Research Fellowship. He has also mentored students through the NSF REU-Site program on projects involving the design and development of 3D-printed drone frames and remains committed to providing hands-on undergraduate research experiences.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/jingyao-dai

Dr. Kazempoor has a strong industrial background and can provides the industrial perspective to students conducting research in his lab. He worked for five years as a senior engineer and project manager at Baker-Hughes/General Electric (BH/GE). He was responsible for driving innovative research, development activities and taking new technologies from the conceptual stage to full commercialization. His most recent projects (before joining OU in the Fall 2019) at BH/GE focused on four specific areas: emission reduction techniques & technologies, sustainability & energy efficiency, natural gas monetization, and renewable energy application in the Oil & Gas Industry. One of his latest areas of research is “Natural Gas Leak Detection Using drones”.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/pejman-kazempoor

Dr. Bashetty has taught a wide range of aerospace courses, including Introduction to Aerospace Systems, Control Systems, Robotics, Flight Mechanics, Aerospace Vehicle Structures, and Helicopter Engineering. At OU, Dr. Bashetty serves as the Capstone Coordinator in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. In this role, he has mentored numerous undergraduate teams on aerospace-focused design projects, particularly involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which also align with his graduate and undergraduate research. These projects include the High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite UAV, Autonomous Ground Station for a Weather Sensing Drone, Drone Platform for Mini Drone Swarms, and Variable-Pitch Propeller Design for Solar-Powered UAVs. Dr. Bashetty also advises the Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program and mentors students participating in the University's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), demonstrating a sustained commitment to student-led innovation and hands-on learning in aerospace engineering.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/srikanth-bashetty

Dr. Jiang teaches Design of Mechanical Components, Nanocomposites, and other related courses, and he mentors undergraduate students through research experiences. His research interests include sustainable and multifunctional composites, additive manufacturing, biomechanics under extreme conditions, and artificial intelligence for materials design. Dr. Jiang and his graduate students are conducting groundbreaking research to automate the design of advanced lightweight composites, with potential applications in industries ranging from aerospace to healthcare. His research integrates machine learning (ML), materials synthesis, and 3D printing to develop an AI-guided design framework for composite materials. By establishing direct relationships between desired mechanical properties and material microstructures, the team aims to accelerate the discovery of high-performance composites. Machine learning algorithms are trained using structural images and mechanical testing data to generate new material designs with minimal human intervention.

To obtain more information visit: https://www.ou.edu/coe/ame/people/faculty/yijie-jiang