Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in smart structures for aerospace including morphing, mechatronics…

Aerospace constantly requires to use structures that are lightweight and simultaneously with all other mechanical properties to be high and to use structures with good aerodynamic interaction in inner and outer airflow.

Several approaches to achieve these objectives are proposed:

-Usage of mechatronical stiffness for increase of mechanical properties of lightweight structures and for efficient actuation of morphing structures. The opposite approach of sustaining mechanical properties and reducing the mass is also possible. Mechatronical stiffness is a concept of extension of mechanical structure by an auxiliary structure that are interconnected by actuators. The considered morphing structures are aircraft wings and engine blades.

-Investigation of combination of multiple metal and carbon materials that is manufactured by additive technologies. The open question is whether such combination could increase the mechanical properties.

-Investigation of usage of additive technologies for design of structures with smart inner functional structure that enables to increase mechanical functionality not accessible by traditional manufacturing. Examples are new concepts of acoustic barrier with reduced transmissibility, heat exchanger without increase or even with decrease of hydraulic resistance etc.

-Investigation of control of aerodynamic interaction by control of aeroelasticity, control of aerodynamic layer, control of aerodynamic vortexes. It is proposed to achieve that by usage of mechatronic stiffness by mechatronic wing for outer aerodynamics or by mechatronic blade for inner aerodynamics.

The Centre of Aerospace Research at Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of CTU in Prague is very well equipped (//fs.cvut.cz/en-ustavy/en-sekce-center-of-aviation-and-space-research/en-center-of-aviation-and-space-research-12203/en-center-12203/). It has advanced Test Cells for aircraft engines and other laboratories where experiments can be carried out.

All topics promise interesting research and publication opportunities.

Both topics promise interesting research and publication opportunities.