Kam K. Leang, Ph.D. Associate Professor; Principal Investigator Mechanical Engineering Dept. MS 312 University of Nevada, Reno Reno, NV 89557-0312 V/F: +1.775.784.7782/1701 Personal profile Detail CV available upon request   Education    Ph.D. Mech. Eng., Univ. Washington   (Dec. 2004); Advisor: Santosh Devasia    M.S. Mech. Eng., Univ. of Utah (Dec. 1999)    B.S. Mech. Eng., Univ. of Utah (Dec. 1997)

Sisi Song and Yingfeng Shan analyzing the response of a ionic polymer-metal composite actuator.

Research Team
 

Alumni

• Robert Riddle, MS (August 2011)
  Thesis title: "Design and characterization of scanning probe microscopy platform with active electro-thermal microcantilever for multifunctional applications." [PDF]
• Joe Hubbard, MS (July 2011)
  Thesis title: "Design and characterization of sectored (patterned) IPMC actuators for propulsion and maneuvering in bio-inspired underwater systems." [PDF]
• Seth Ashley, MS (October 2010)
  Thesis title: “Application of an Inverse-Hysteresis Iterative Control Algorithm for AFM Fabrication." [PDF]
  Seth Ashley is currently employed as Electrical Product Engineer at ALSTOM Power in Richmond, VA.
• Brian J. Kenton, MS (August 2010)
  Thesis title: "Design, characterization, and control of a high-bandwidth serial-kinematic nanopositioning stage for scanning probe microscopy applications" [PDF]
  Currently pursuing Ph.D. degree at the University of Nevada, Reno
• Alex Wirth, Undergraduate research scholar (September 2009 - May 2010)
• Conan Song, Undergraduate research scholar (September 2009-December 2009)
• Yingfeng Shan, MS August 2008
  Thesis title: "Fabrication and Integrated Feedforward and Feedback Control of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuators''. [PDF]
  Yingfeng joined the University of Nevada, Reno, for graduate studies in August 2008.
• Ugur Aridogan, Graduate student (July 2007 -- June 2008)
  Project: Repetitive control of piezoactuators for SPMs.
• Stephanie Cutler, Undergraduate Research (June 2007 -- June 2008)
  Project: Modeling and control of piezoelectric actuators for nano/bio technology
  Project support: The National Science Foundation, DUE
• Mike Freed, Undergraduate Research  (January 2007 -- January 2008)
  Projects: (1) Modeling and control of piezoelectric actuators for nano/bio technology, and (2)  Finite element modeling of an active AFM cantilever.
  Project support: The National Science Foundation, DUE
• Robert Riddle, Undergraduate Research (January 2008 -- June 2008)
  Project: Modeling and control of AFM. 
  Robert joined the University of Maryland for graduate studies in August 2008.
• Matthew R. Vaerewyck, Undergraduate Research (September 2007 -- June 2008)
  Project: Fabrication of a high-speed AFM scanner.
  Matthew joined VCU for graduate studies in August 2008.
• Timothy Hall, Undergraduate Research (June 2007 -- August 2007)
  Project: Optimizing the Design and Fabrication of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) Actuators to
  Propel an Autonomous Underwater Robot.
• Robert Brik, K-12 student scholar, Godwin High School, Richmond, VA (June 2006 -- June 2008)
  Robert joined MIT for undergradute studies in Mechanical Engineering.
• Jacob Dodson, Undergraduate Research (September 2006 -- May 2007)
  Project: Design and control of a biaxial cell-stretching platform.
  After graduating VCU, Ryan attended Virginia Tech and entered
  Ph.D. program.
• Greg G. Anderson, Undergraduate Research (January 2006 - June 2006)
  Project: Development of control software for a wireless mobile robot.
  Project support: VCU CTE Small Grant Award
• Ryan M. Mohr, Undergraduate Research (October 2005 - August 2006)
  Project: Control of a shape memory alloy actuator.
  After graduating VCU, Ryan attended UC Santa Barbara and entered Ph.D. program.
• James Beck, Undergraduate Research (October 2005 - May 2006)
  Project: Hysteresis characterization under charge-feedback control of a LIPCA device
  After graduating VCU, James attended Columbia University and entered Masters program.