Prof. Sunil K Agrawal (Biography)
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Rehabilitation Medicine, Columbia University
Title: Rehabilitation Robotics: Improving Everyday Human Functions
Abstract:
Neural disorders, old age, and traumatic brain injury limit activities of daily living. Robotics can be used in novel ways to characterize human neuromuscular responses and retrain human functions. Columbia University Robotics and Rehabilitation (ROAR) Laboratory designs innovative mechanisms/robotics with these goals and performs scientific studies to improve human functions such as standing, walking, stairclimbing, trunk control, head turning, and others. Human experiments have targeted individuals with stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, ALS, and elderly subjects. The talk will provide an overview of these robotic technologies and scientific studies performed with them to demonstrate strong potential of rehabilitation robotics to improve human functions and quality of life of people.
Prof Reza Moheimani (Biography)
Professor and James Von Ehr Distinguished Chai, University of Texas at Dallas
Title: The Art of High-Precision Mechatronics
Abstract:
High-precision mechatronics has emerged as a critical field, enabling groundbreaking advancements through the synergistic integration of electromechanical components and sophisticated control systems. This presentation will highlight several innovative mechatronic systems, developed in the Laboratory for Dynamics and Control of Nanosystems at the University of Texas at Dallas over the past decade, that have pushed the boundaries of performance and accuracy. Our research has focused on developing arrays of active microcantilevers for high-throughput atomic force microscopy, on-chip scanning tunneling microscopy and atomic-precision lithography for fabrication of silicon qubits, and feedback-controlled MEMS force sensors capable of measuring dynamic forces with unprecedented sensitivity. By leveraging the power of feedback control, these systems have achieved remarkable performance levels, unlocking new applications in nanotechnology, materials science, biology, and quantum computing. This talk will delve into the underlying principles, challenges, and future directions of high-precision mechatronics, offering valuable insights for researchers and engineers alike.
Prof. Lucy Pao
Palmer Endowed Chair Professor, University of Colorado Boulder
Title: TBA