Aimy Wissa
For more information
Education
- Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland 2014
- M.S. Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland 2010
- B.S. Aerospace Engineering, Pennsylvania State University 2008
Academic Positions
- Assistant Professor (August 2015-present) Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Adjunct Assistant Professor(August 2014-August 2015) Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Visiting Scholar (August 2014-August 2015) Department of Mechanical Engineering Stanford University- Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Laboratory
- Graduate Research Assistant (January 2009-August 2014) Department of Aerospace Engineering University of Maryland- Morpheus Laboratory
Research Interests
- Flapping-Wing Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs)
- Avian-inspired Deployable Structures for flow control
- Insect-inspired Elastodynamics
- Multi-functional morphing structures
- Bio-inspired mechanisms and robotics
Selected Articles in Journals
- C. Duan and A. Wissa, "Covert-inspired flaps for lift enhancement and stall mitigation" Bioinspiration & Biomimetics (2021) Accepted
- Bolmin, O., J Socha, M Alleyne, A Dunn, K Fezza, and A Wissa "Nonlinear elasticity and damping govern ultrafast dynamics in click beetles" Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Feb 2021, 118 (5) e2014569118
- Gustafson, K., O.Angatkina, and A. Wissa" Model-based design of a multistable origami-enabled crawling robot," Smart Materials and Structure (2020) 29 015013
- Ito, M., Duan, C., and A. Wissa, " The Function of the Alula on Engineered Wings: A Detailed Experimental Investigation of a Bioinspired Leading-Edge Device.," Bioinspiration & Biomimetics (2019) 14 056015
- Bolmin, O., L Wei, A Hazel, A Dunn, A Wissa, M Alleyne “Latch and release: how the thoracic hinge morphology and mechanics enable the click of Elaterid beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae)” Journal of Experimental Biology (2019) 222: jeb196683
- Lynch, M., B. Mandadzhiev, and A. Wissa , “Bioinspired Wingtip Devices: A Pathway to Improve Aerodynamic Performance During Low Reynolds Number Flight," Bioinspiration & Biomimetics (2018) 13 036003 .
- Mandadzhiev, M., Lynch, M., Chamorro L., and A. Wissa , (Invited) , "An experimental study of an airfoil with a bio-inspired leading edge device at high angles of attack," Smart Materials and Structure (2017) 26 094008
- Pagano, A., T. Yan, B. Chien, A. Wissa , and S. Tawfick (Invited) "A crawling robot driven by multi-stable origami" Smart Materials and Structure (2017) 26 094007. (This publication won best paper award from ASME's ASMS Branch in Structural Dynamics and Control. This publication was also part of SMS Highlight Collection for 2017)
- Wissa, A., J. Grauer, N. Guerreiro, Y. Tummala, C. Altenbuchner, J.E. Hubbard, Jr., M. Frecker, and R. Roberts, "Free Flight Testing and Performance Evaluation of a Passively Morphing Ornithopter," International Journal of MAVs (2015) 7(1):21-40.
- Wissa, A., J. Calogero, N. Wereley, J. E. Hubbard, Jr., and M. Frecker, "Analytical Model and Stability Analysis of the Leading Edge Spar of a Passively Morphing Ornithopter Wing," Bioinspiration & Biomimetics (2015) 10 065003.
- Tummala, Y., M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J.E. Hubbard Jr., "Design optimization of a twist compliant mechanism with nonlinear stiffness" Smart materials and structures (2014) 23 (10), 104010
- Tummala, Y., A. Wissa , , M. Frecker, and J. E. Hubbard, Jr., "Design and optimization of a contact aided compliant mechanism for passive bending,” Journal of Mechanics and Robotics (2014) 6 031013.
- Tummala, Y., M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J. E Hubbard, Jr., "Design optimization of a twist compliant mechanism with nonlinear stiffness," Smart Materials and Structures (2014) 23 104011.
- Tummala, Y., M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J.E. Hubbard, Jr.,(invited), "Design and optimization of a bend-and-sweep compliant mechanism," Smart Materials and Structures (2013) 22 094019. (This publication won best paper award from ASME's ASMS Branch in Structural Dynamics and Control)
- Wissa, A., Y. Tummala, J. E. Hubbard, Jr., and M. Frecker, "Passively Morphing Ornithopter Wings using a Novel Compliant Spine: Design and Testing," Smart Materials and Structures (2012) 21 094028.
Articles in Conference Proceedings
- Zekry, D., C. Duan, M. Ito, A. Wissa "Design of Experiments for Two-and Three-Dimensional Bio-inspired Flow Control Devices" AIAA SciTech 2021 Forum. AIAA 2021-0467 (Extended abstract was subject to peer review)
- Lee, K., A. Wissa "Dynamic characterization of a bio-inspired variable stiffness multi-winglet device." Proc. SPIE 11377, Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials IX, 113770K (21 May 2020);
- Angatkina, O., K. Gustafson, A. Wissa, and A. Alleyne. "Path Following for the Soft Origami Crawling Robot." Proceedings of the ASME 2019 Dynamic Systems and Control Conference, Park City, Utah, USA. October 8-11, 2019. V003T20A009. ASME. (Full draft paper were subject to peer review)
- Gustafson, K., L. Urrutia, A., Pankonien, G. Reich, and A. Wissa, "Adaptive and Compliant Wingtip Devices enabled by Additive Manufacturing and Multistable Structures", Proc. SPIE 10965, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication IX, Denver, CO USA. (This publication won Best Student Paper Award & Best Bioinspiration Symposium Award)
- Ito, M, C Duan, L Chamorro , and A Wissa. "A Leading-Edge Alula-Inspired Device (LEAD) for Stall Mitigation and Lift Enhancement for Low Reynolds Number Finite Wings." Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2018-8170 San Antonio, TX. (Abstract and full draft paper were subject to peer review)
- Duan, C., J. Waite, and A. Wissa. "Design Optimization of a Covert Feather-Inspired Deployable Structure for Increased Lift", 2018 Applied Aerodynamics Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, AIAA 2018-3174, Atlanta GA (Extended abstract was subject to peer review)
- Angatkina, O, B. Chien, A. Pagano, T. Yan, A. Alleyne, S. Tawfick, and A. Wissa . "A Metameric Crawling Robot Enabled by Origami and Smart Materials," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2017-3836, Snowbird, UT. (Abstract and full draft paper were subject to peer review)
- Bolmin, O., C. Duan, L. Urrutia, A. Abdulla, A. Hazel, M. Alleyne, A. Dunn, and A. Wissa, "Pop! Observing and Modeling the Legless Self-righting Jumping Mechanism of Click Beetles," The 6th International Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Machines 2017, Stanford, CA.
- Pagano, A., B. Leung, T. Yan, B. Chien, A. Wissa, and S. Tawfick "Multi-Stable Origami Structure for Crawling Locomotion," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2016-9071, Stowe, VT. (Abstract and full draft paper were subject to peer review)
- Waite, J., C. Duan, G. Reich, and A. Wissa "Computational Model for Application of Avian Covert Feathers to Aerial Vehicles," International Conference of Adaptive Structures and Technologies 2016, Bolton Landing, NY.
- Mandadzhiev, B., M. Lynch, L. Chamorro, and A. Wissa "Alula-inspired Leading Edge Device for Low Reynolds Number Flight," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2016-9210, Stowe, VT.
- Wissa, A., K. Han, and M. Cutkosky, "Wings of a Feather Stick Together: morphing wings with barbule-inspired latching," Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems, 2015, Barcelona, Spain.
- Hasnain, Z., J. Hubbard Jr., J. Calogero, M. Frecker, and A. Wissa, "Understanding the Relationship Between Pitch Agility and Propulsive Aerodynamic Forces in bio-inspired Flapping Wing Vehicles,” Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures, and Intelligent Systems Conference, 2015-8835, Denver, CO.
- Hasnain, Z., J. Hubbard Jr., and A. Wissa, "Analyzing the Pitch Agility of an Ornithopter Undergoing Passive Compliant Element Induced Shape Change," Proceedings of 33rd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, 2015, Dallas, TX.
- Wissa, A., J. Calogero, and J. Hubbard, Jr., "Stability Analysis of the wing leading edge spar of a passively morphing ornithopter," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures, and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2014-7528, Newport, RI.
- J. Calogero, M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J. Hubbard Jr., "Optimization of a bend-twist-and-sweep compliant mechanism,” Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures, and Intelligent Systems Conference, 2014-7518, Newport, RI
- Wissa, A., Y. Tummala, J. E. Hubbard, Jr., M. Frecker, and M. Northrup, “Inertial effects due to passive wing morphing in ornithopters,” Proceedings of 22nd AIAA/ASME/AHS Adaptive Structures Conference, 2014, National Harbor, MD.
- Wissa, A., N. Guerreiro, J. Grauer, J. E. Hubbard, Jr., C. Altenbuchner, Y. Tummala, M. Frecker, and R. Roberts, "Flight testing of novel compliant spines for passive wing morphing on ornithopters," Proc. 21st Adaptive Structures Conference, 2013, Boston, MA.
- Tummala, Y., M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J. E. Hubbard, Jr., "Design optimization of twist compliant mechanism," Proceedings of Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conference, 2013, Snowbird, UT.
- Tummala, Y., M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J. E. Hubbard, Jr., "Design and optimization of bend-and-sweep compliant mechanism," Proceedings of International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, 2013-12338, Portland, OR.
- Altenbuchner, C., J. E. Hubbard Jr., and A. Wissa, "Free flight validation of a flexible multi-body structural dynamics of a bio-inspired ornithopters," Proc. 51st Aerospace Sciences Meeting, 2013-1157, Grape Vine, TX.
- Tummala, Y., M. Frecker, A. Wissa, and J. E. Hubbard, Jr., "Design of bend-and-sweep compliant mechanism for passive shape change," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2012-7996, Stone Mountain, GA.
- Wissa, A., Y. Tummala, J. E. Hubbard, Jr., M. Frecker, and A. Brown, "Testing of novel compliant spines for passive wing morphing," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2011-5198, Scottsdale, AZ.
- Tummala, Y., A. Wissa, M. Frecker, and J. E. Hubbard, Jr., " Design optimization of a compliant spine for dynamic applications," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2011-5207, Scottsdale, AZ.
- Tummala, Y., A. Wissa, M. Frecker, and J. E. Hubbard, Jr., "Design of a passively morphing ornithopter wing using a novel compliant spine," Proc. Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems Conf. 2010-3637, Philadelphia, PA.
Research Honors
- Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication Best Student Paper Award: In Memory of H. Don Wolpert (2nd Place) (3/2019)
- PI/Advisor on SPIE Best Student Paper Contest (1st Place) (3/2019)
- AFRL Summer Faculty Fellow (6/2018-8/2018)
- AFOSR Young Investigator Program Award (2017)
- 2018 Best Paper in Structures Award in Structural Dynamics and Control from the Adaptive Structures and Material Systems (ASMS) branch of the Aerospace Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (2018)
- AFRL Summer Faculty Fellow (6/2016-8/2016)
- 2015 Best Paper in Structures Award in Structural Dynamics and Control from the Adaptive Structures and Material Systems (ASMS) branch of the Aerospace Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) (2015)
- McNair Scholar (2007-Present)
Recent Courses Taught
- ME 370 - Mechanical Design I
- ME 475 (IB 480) - Bioinspired Design
- ME 498 AW3 (ME 498 AW4) - Bio-Inspired Design