From Hyde Park, located north of Logan, University of Utah mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate Tyrel Rupp, is one of 21 students selected nationally for the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) Dynamics Summer School (LADSS). He will be partnered with a LANL staff member as a mentor for an intense nine-week research activity on a three-person multidisciplinary team.
Rupp, who restored his first motorcycle at 11 years old, and received his B.S. in mechanical engineering at Utah State University, is a member of the University of Utah Laboratory of Integrated Self-Powered Sensing, directed by mechanical engineering assistant professor Shad Roundy. His research interests are in the areas of wireless energy transfer and sustainable energy solutions.
Having studied dynamic modeling techniques of aerospace structures as an undergrad, Rupp now is applying this knowledge to modeling the dynamics of resonating magneto-electric laminates. Said laminates convert AC magnetic field energy to AC electric energy by coupling a magnetostrictive material layer with a piezoelectric material layer.
Although these structures have been built before, their potential to power in-vivo MEMS devices implanted in isolated locations, such as the cranial cavity, has not been fully examined. Subsequently the goal of his research is to model, optimize, build, and test such a structure. If successful, this research could feasibly lead to improved treatment of disorders such as Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Disease as well as aid doctors in further characterization and understanding of the human brain.
“Despite not spending the summer working on my own research in the lab, the LADSS program will be worthwhile to my overall graduate student program. Growing up my father always told me to make sure that my education doesn’t get in the way of my learning and I think this program at Los Alamos will be just that, a great learning opportunity,” said Rupp of his selection.
The LADSS program is designed to aid all undergraduate and graduate students entering into research fields that are heavily related to dynamic modeling. The LADSS projects and lectures in particular are based around topics such modal analysis, system identification and validation, as well as nonlinear systems. Furthermore, a good portion of the program is designed not only to technically educate, but also to help students develop professional skills such as grant and research paper development.
To learn more about Rupp and his research visit the Laboratory of Integrated Self-Powered Sensing.
