Previous Featured Faculty: Carmen Latterell | Karen Gran | Viktor Zhdankin | Doug Dunham | Alec Habig | Xun Yu | Imran Hayee | Hecky | Carranza-Torres
Featured Faculty: Xun Yu
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Interests: sensors, actuators, carbon nanotube based devices, control systems, smart materials & structures, intelligent transportation systems
Courses Taught: ME 3140 (System Dynamics and Control), ME 3222 (Controls and Kinematics Lab), ME 4245 (Machining and Machine Tools), ME 4255 (Multidisciplinary Senior Design)
Website: http://www.d.umn.edu/~xunyu/
Dr. Yu's research in sensors includes non-intrusive detection of driver drowsiness though the development of Electrocardiography (ECG) sensors on steering wheel and heart rate variability analysis algorithms. Recently, this project has been selected as one of three winners in the North American region (USA and Canada) in the 3rd Collegiate Student Safety Technology Design Competition and will be in the international competition in June 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany.
Another current sensor project for transportation applications is the development of self-sensing concrete pavement. Carbon nanotubes are mixed with concrete, and the piezoresitive properties of carbon nanotubes enable the pavement itself to detect traffic flows.
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| Carbon nanotubes | Carbon-nanotube/cement composite |
Dr. Yu is also working on active noise cancellation systems which aim to reduce noise levels for homes closed to airports and for infant incubators in hospitals (see chart to the left).
He is also working Dr. Jon Holy in the UMD Medical School on the study of carbon nanotube substrates for directing stem cell differentiations.