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Adnan Akay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Professor Akay's research is in the areas of acoustics, vibrations and noise control. His research covers fundamental issues related to generation and transmission of sound and vibration, as well as engineering aspects of noise and vibration control. The research on these topics focuses on understanding the physics of the underlying phenomena and involves theoretical modeling and experimental investigations. At present, his efforts are concentrated on modeling and measurement of friction, friction-induced sounds, and thermodynamics of vibrations. A collaborative research effort is under way on friction-induced vibrations and sounds with specific applications to aircraft and automotive braking systems, and friction devices in general. For this research Professor Akay and his students developed a special “laboratory brake” that allows detailed investigation of brake noise and vibration problems with the ultimate goal of developing design guidelines for controlling friction-induced sounds and vibrations. Research is also under way on techniques to predict and measure damping in built-up structures -- such as automobiles, aircraft, naval vessels, and other mechanical systems -- to provide design guidelines for reduced noise and vibration. Several novel damping methods involving particle dampers and friction dampers are under development. To measure damping and stiffness properties of friction contacts, Professor Akay’s research team designed and constructed a unique test rig that accurately measures friction and identifies its properties. His research on contact damping is aimed at reducing gas turbine blade vibrations as well as inducing damping in complex structures through their joints and connections. A theoretical study is underway on the thermodynamics of vibrations such as those found in atomic oscillations. Professor Akay and his co-workers are extrapolating results of these studies to larger scale structures. Professor Akay's research projects also include radiation and scattering of sound, and noise control of such diverse products as electric motors, fans and antennas. Professor Akay has a broad range of interests and activities in the improvement and development of engineering education in general and mechanical engineering in particular. He continues to promote the idea of flexible curriculum that would permit students to customize their learning according to their innate talents and desired goals. He also supports inclusion of leadership skills in the preparation of engineers and speaks for the need to extend the domain of engineering beyond its traditional boundaries to include societal concerns that are often found at the interface of engineering and arts and humanities. Recent Publications
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