Although objects like bridges, buildings, and airplane wings may seem quite rigid, by design they are capable of a surprising deal of bending. This elasticity allows them to deform safely and temporarily in windy conditions. However, very rarely, “Elastic systems like bridges, buildings, and planes can become oscillatory or unstable in the presence of everyday wind, with potential for the oscillations to become damaging,” says Justin Webster, associate professor of mathematics and statistics. “Understanding this has big implications for fields like civil engineering or alternative energy.”

Webster has received a new $290,000 National Science Foundation Division of Mathematical Sciences grant to “look at the mathematical models that describe these wind-structure systems,” he says, “and try to answer the questions, ‘What gives rise to these self-destabilization effects? And do I understand it well enough to stop it, or better yet, to prevent it altogether?’”  In other words, can we prevent the bridge collapsing or the wings snapping off the plane in windy conditions?

In contrast, certain energy harvesting devices require oscillation to function. As wind flows over one of these flag-like surfaces, it flaps, or “flutters,” generating electrical current. With these energy harvesters—as opposed to planes and bridges—says Webster, “It’s the opposite: You want the oscillations to happen. Not only do we want this to happen, but we want it to happen in an optimal way.”

For some of these systems, there are no existing mathematical models. For others, models exist, but they don’t seem to capture the way these systems behave in the physical world very well. As a first step, Webster and his students, including new members brought on board with the NSF support, will work to generate new, relevant models or refine existing ones. Next, they will analyze how the models address key questions in three applications: a bridge, an airfoil (like a plane wing), and a flutter-driven energy harvesting device.

In each scenario, Webster and his team will ask, “What conditions give rise to flow-induced oscillations that appear to be spontaneous? And if they do happen, can the model predict what they will look like—such as bending, or, more dangerously, twisting?” Right now, the answer to the latter is “no.” The new grant will help Webster get closer to “yes,” and as a result, eventually improve infrastructure safety and the efficiency of some alternative energy devices.

Emerging Leaders is a day long experience for students who are interested in developing their leadership capacity and learning more about the Social Change Model (SCM) of Leadership Development.  SCM at it's core, approaches leadership as a purposeful, collaborative, values-based process that results in positive social change.

Students interested in this experience should be prepared to engage with material that asks them to be introspective, name their values, share in brave spaces, and value the voices of other participants.

Participants do not need to hold leadership positions or be heavily involved on campus. In fact, we encourage new first year, transfer students, and new members and new student leaders of student organizations to attend this experience as it can serve as your orientation to leadership and involvement at UMBC.

This experience is designed for Undergraduate Students.

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

The Commons Skylight Lounge

9:00am - 4:30pm ; Doors open at 8:45am

Breakfast and Lunch are provided

Deadline to register is Wednesday September 13th, 12pm

Register HERE!

The School of Public Policy at UMBC is hosting a virtual information session about the Public Policy graduate programs on Wednesday, September 13. Please join us!

REGISTER HERE 

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

4:30pm EDT (GMT-4)

Webex video conference

The info session will give you the opportunity to talk to Faculty and Staff to learn more about our Master of Public Policy, PhD in Public Policy, Accelerated Bachelor/Master, and joint degree programs.

For 30 years, The Shriver Center at UMBC has addressed critical social challenges by bridging campus and community through engaged scholarship and applied learning. UMBC's participation as a Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Center is at the core of how Shriver Center programs acknowledge white supremacy and seek to dismantle hierarchies. Partnership values, principles, & practices drive relationships with the community and one another. 

Come learn more about how you might engage with our programs while you're a student at UMBC. Programs include: Sustained Community Service, Global Engagement and Peace Corps Prep, Community Leadership Programs, Choice Program, Public Service Scholars Programs, Peaceworker Program, and more! 

Find The Shriver Center on the 1st floor of the Public Policy Building, 12-3pm! 

This session is for EVERYONE: undergraduates, graduates, staff, faculty, and alumni!