Vibration and Control Laboratory:
561 Benedum Hall
The Vibration and Control Laboratory is devoted to the study of smart structures and microsystems. The primary focus is on the use of smart materials in a variety of applications, including structural vibration control, microelectromechanical systems (including sensors, actuators, resonators and filters), and energy harvesting. The laboratory is well equipped for experimental and analytical research. Equipment includes computers and data acquisition hardware for simulation and real-time control of dynamic electromechanical systems; a variety of modern transducers and instrumentation for sensing, actuation and measurement such as dynamic signal analyzers, shakers, high voltage power supplies and amplifiers, and a variety of basic instrumentation and sensors; and a work center for constructing electronics and test rigs, with emphasis on piezoelectric systems.
Recent projects include the development of novel frequency synthesis and control technology for system-on-chip applications, funded by the Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse; development of miniature valve hardware for fuel cells, supported by the Department of Energy; vibration analysis and control in a weapons system, supported by DARPA and the U. S. Army; and development of novel long-stroke piezoelectric motors for NASA.
Contact: William W. Clark (wclark@engr.pitt.edu)
