4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, Nevada 89154 Phone:(702) 895-0956, Fax:(702) 895-3936 woosoon.yim@unlv.edu

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Woosoon Yim
Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Radiological Contamination Search and Mapping using Unmanned Autonomous Systems with Plug-and-Play Interchangeable Components: Co-PI, DOE, Savanna River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (Sept 27, 2017 to Sept 26, 2018, $ 321,055)

The study addresses a potential use of UAS based mobile sensor network for radiation contour mapping and source searching in low-altitude clustered environments.

Tailoring mechanical implant for curing obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) using CT scan based computational model: PI, Faculty Opportunity Award (UNLV) (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019, $ 20,000)

In the search of an affordable solution to alleviate sleep apnea, a simple mechanical implant device was designed. To validate the effectiveness of the implant device an artificial lung based experimental testbed is used. In this testbed different parts of muscles located around a human air path is made of silicon with appropriate modulus and displacement and pressure sensors are embedded for measuring displacement and pressure changes at the air path during OSA patient breathing cycle.

Radiological Contamination Search and Mapping Using Unmanned Autonomous Systems with Plug and Play Interchangeable Components: Co-PI, Savannah River Nuclear Solution LLC (Sept 26, 2016-Sept 25, 2017, $303,227)

Development of Plug-and Play Interchangeable Components for Unmanned Aerial System with Mobile Manipulation Capability: Co-PI, Savannah River Nuclear Solution LLC (June 2015-May 2016, $ 249,282)

The objective of the project is to develop plug-and-play interchangeable components for an aerial robotic unmanned autonomous system (UAS). These components include (1) an advanced radiation sensor for simultaneous neutron measurements and gamma-ray spectroscopy, (2) a chemical sensor for measurements of vapors in air, and (3) a miniature robotic hand manipulator to handle in-situ sampling and related tasks. In addition, the UAS-based method of remote sensing of radiation and source localization will be developed.

Enhanced Situational Awareness using Unmanned Autonomous Systems for Disaster Remediation: Co-PI, NSF(August 2014-July 2017, $140,000)

The goal of this project is to enhance the situational awareness capabilities of law enforcement agencies and first responders by employing unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) with high-resolution sensing and imaging capabilities for disaster remediation. This is a collaborative research between University of Nevada, Reno and University of Utah.

Advanced Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Sensors for Aerospace Robotic Applications: Co-PI, NASA EPSCoR (Sept 2013-Aug 2016, $ 1,125,000)

The ultimate goal of this project is to advance the development and understanding of electroactive polymer actuators and sensors for emerging aerospace robotic systems. Specifically, the work focuses on material processing, modeling and control, and systems-level integration for electroactive polymers. Novel electroactive polymers such as ionic polymer-metal composites give large deformation when voltage is applied; and conversely, produce a measurable voltage when strained for sensing applications. Electroactive polymers can be exploited to create artificial muscles, actuators for robotics and compliant positioning systems, and embeddable miniature sensors for detecting strain, pressure, and force.

Agile and Robust Monitoring of NPP: Sandia National Laboratory, PI, (Feb 2013-Jan 2015, $209,978)

The project is to outline proposed activities for the development of physical security planning and physical protection system (PPS) design as well as consequence analysis for an advanced nuclear power plant (NPP).

Development of Ultrafiltration Membrane-Separation Technology for Energy-Efficient Water Treatment and Desalination Process: Department of Energy (DOE/BER) PI, (June 2012-Sept 2016, $512,000)

Although pressure driven membrane-based water purification process, such as ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO), can offer energy-efficient and environmentally friendly solution to clean water production, its broader use in large-scale fresh water production has not materialized. The membrane-based water purification technology can be potentially used in removal of hazardous chemicals (i.e., arsenic, pesticides, organics) from water.

Robotic Catheterization Using Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuator: PI, NSF CISE (Computer Information Science & Engineering) Computer Research Infrastructure (CRI) grant (June 1, 2010-May 30, 2015, $321,898)

Robotics has undergone dramatic changes during the past years. The leading edges of the changes include numerous innovations in medical robotics applied for surgery, diagnostics, drug delivery, and rehabilitation. Catheterization is becoming one of the most important medical practices since it engages minimally invasive medical procedures to administrate diversified medical functions.

RI: Collaborative Research: Intelligent Microwave Power Transmission and Control System for Artificial Muscle-Driven Biomimetic Robotic Systems: PI, (National Science Foundation, IIS-RI, September 1, 2007-August 31, 2010)

In this research, we introduce an innovative approach to use a wireless link between I-EAP based target locomotion units and a remote control/power unit. The remote unit can provide necessary intelligence to the target locomotion units for proper adaptation to changing environments and continuously supply power needed to drive them. The proposed approach, using a microwave-based power supply method, is useful-especially for a small scale undulatory locomotion system due to its untethered operation in complex, unstructured environments.

Collaborative Research: Biologically Inspired Cilia-Driven Microscale Robots: PI, (National Sicence Foundation, CISE, Aug 1., 2003 - July 2007)

The goal of this collaborative research effort is to develop biologically inspired cilia-driven smallscale-robots that are based upon a new, enabling technology, electroactive polymers (EAP). Of particular interest is the use of an electroactive polymer to produce an aquatic propulsor capable of suitable thrust and maneuverability.

 

Control Algorithms for Smart Fin PI, (ARL/UNLV Cooperative Research, SOldier FERST, May 1., 2003 - June 2008)

The project goal is to enhance accuracy of extended range smart munitions and guided projectiles by providing real-time servo control capability of smart fin on projectile airframe. The smart fin is actuated by MFC (Macro Fiber Composite) actuator and the fin angle tracking performance in different angle of attack and wind speed is being validated in the wind tunnel.

 

Shock Isolation Using Semi-Active Control Techniques
PI, (ARL/UNLV Cooperative Research, SOldier FERST, May 1., 2003 - June 2008)

The goal of the project is to develop a novel elastomer whose modulus can be actively controlled using electromagnet. Unique feature of the elastomer is that an external electromagnet can lower the storage modulus of the elastomer unlike other magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) that increases the modulus under external magnetic flux. The proposed bi-directional MRE can be useful for numerous military applications in shock isolation.