Computer Science Colloquium

Unlocking Nature's Secrets: Drones, Biomimicry, and Beyond

Mostafa Hassanalian
New Mexico Tech Mechanical Engineering Department

Date: Monday September 16, 2024
Time: 5:30pm MDT
Room: Zoom zoom.us, Meeting ID 939 7776 5049, passcode CSE5085
            The talk will be held in Cramer Hall Room 203.

   Abstract:

Over millions of years, nature has evolved a wide array of processes, structures, materials, and functions that enhance efficiency. Engineers and biologists have increasingly drawn inspiration from this vast natural repository, seeking to learn from the solutions that biological systems provide. Often, nature offers the most effective answers for developing and optimizing various systems, including those used in aerospace. Natural systems present highly effective solutions to complex challenges in aerospace, such as drag reduction, locomotion, navigation, control, sensing, and design. The expanding field of biomimicry focuses on how engineers can apply these efficient, nature- inspired solutions, refined over millions of years, to modern engineering problems. Today, there is a growing demand for drones with diverse capabilities for both civilian and military applications, and significant interest in developing innovative drones that can autonomously operate in various environments and perform a wide range of missions. Over the past decade, the vast range of applications for drones has attracted considerable attention, driving the development of a variety of drones with different sizes and weights. Depending on their specific missions, drones are equipped with different types of equipment and payloads. The numerous advantages that drones offer have led to extensive research focused on optimizing and enhancing their performance.

Bio:

Dr. Mostafa Hassanalian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Dean's Research Scholar at New Mexico Tech. He earned his Ph.D. and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from New Mexico State University in July 2018 and December 2016, respectively. His main research interests are in the fields of autonomous systems, bioinspiration and biomimetics, and drones. Dr. Hassanalian serves as PI and Co-PI of $7.2 M projects from NSF, NASA, NIOSH-CDC, Alpha Foundation, Sceye Inc., etc. He has authored over 200 peer- reviewed journal and conference publications. In October 2021, 2022, and 2023 he was recognized as one of the Top 2% of Cited Scientists Worldwide. In October 2021, he also received United Nation-USA SDG Advocate Award from UNA Project Rocky Mountain Region. Some segments of his group's drone research (Taxidermy Bird Drone) have garnered global media attention, reaching an audience of 6 billion people. Coverage includes features in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, National Geographic, New York Post, The Washington Post, Reuters, EuroNews, and more.