When Justin Webster sees a flag rippling in the breeze, he thinks about equations. Webster, assistant professor of mathematics, studies “flutter”—a physical phenomenon caused by interactions between a fluid, such as air or water, and a flexible structure, such as a flag, a sail, or even an airplane wing. A small group of engineers and mathematicians has been working for years on how to extract usable energy from fluttering objects as an alternative means of energy production. Now, they have a chance to take flutter technology to the next level.

“There’s no such thing as free energy, but there are lots of situations where there’s ambient energy available,” like a flapping flag, Webster says. “You just have to find an efficient mechanism for turning it into meaningful, useful energy.”

Currently, prototypes exist for doing just that. You start with a narrow flap of material 50 to 100 cm long and coated with piezoelastic material, which can convert mechanical energy (like flapping) into electrical energy. Next, you attach the flap to a pole in a field that tends to get a lot of wind, and voilá, you can generate electric current. If you can efficiently store that energy, you could potentially help power homes and businesses in remote locales, such as the desert or mountains, which also tend to be windy, Webster says.

Moving the needle

In their current form, these devices are far from optimal. Part of the challenge is that “the mathematical models that we currently have don’t make predictions that are consistent with what engineers see during experiments,” Webster explains. 

Without accurate predictions, it can take many experimental attempts to make progress—and the experiments are often difficult and costly to carry out. With a more accurate model, not only would progress be faster, but more research groups might take up this work.

A new grant from the National Science Foundation will help Webster, Jason Howell at Carnegie Mellon University, and Earl Dowell at Duke University move their field closer to making efficient, fluttering energy-harvesters a reality. 

Webster is an applied mathematician, Howell is a computational mathematician, and Dowell is an engineer and one of the  world’s leading experts on flutter. Over the next three years, they will work together to refine existing mathematical models of “flag” flutter and produce new models that more accurately reflect what engineers like Dowell actually see in their experiments. 

Their new model will need to include elements such as wind speed, how many times an object flaps per second, and how much energy is stored in an hour. Each element must be represented in the model by its own equation, and all those individual equations must somehow be connected to each other mathematically. To succeed, it will take analytical acuity plus a degree of finesse. 

Webster’s goal is a more accurate model that will help engineers ask and answer questions about the materials used to collect energy from flutter. What is the best size and shape for the flaps? What should they be made of? How should the piezoelastic material be arranged on the flap to optimally capture the energy? “All of these are open—and very difficult—questions,” he says.

Problem-solving from every angle

It’s actually fairly unusual for applied mathematicians and engineers to work directly together in this way. Webster explains, “We’re often working on the same problems, but typically from different angles.” 

The opportunity to move the renewable energy field forward through collaboration is what drew him to this project. By learning each others’ languages and debating approaches to tackling such a complex problem, he’s confident their research will achieve more than would be possible for a math or engineering team alone. “There’s a myriad of interesting and challenging problems here, as we’re learning from each other every day,” says Webster of his collaboration.

The team will also benefit from the fresh perspectives of student researchers. “I’m excited that the students in my project, as well as other projects in the department recently funded by NSF, can get involved in some really interesting and difficult mathematics,” Webster shares. 

So, while charging your cell phone with the streamers on your bicycle may be a ways off, Webster, his colleagues, and his students are hoping to get us one step closer.

Banner Image: Justin Webster. All photos by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.

Position Summary

The Director of Development (DOD), a member of the senior management team, reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of the museum’s Development, Marketing & Communications, including Board of Trustees activities, in collaboration with the Executive Director. The Development Department develops a strategic approach to fundraising, grant opportunities, donor cultivation and endowment growth in an effort to increase the financial position and sustainability of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. In partnership with the Executive Director and the Board of Trustees, s/he will develop and manage relationships with stakeholders and key constituents of the museum. The Director of Development will serve as the key Board liaison and will participate in regular Board and standing committee meetings of the Board of Trustees. S/he ensures that the museum’s communication strategy reflects the mission, strategic direction and position of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis Internship Program

Apply for an internship, earn a paycheck and learn the skills you need for an
exciting career in intelligence!

WHAT'S NEEDED

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) leads DHS in the business of intelligence. We offer undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to hone their skills to prepare for careers as intelligence professionals. We need students in the following areas:
• Intelligence Analysis: Includes analysis of issues related to terrorism, cybersecurity, border security, transnational crimes and counterintelligence.
• Intelligence Operations: Includes open source collection, document and media exploitation, counterintelligence operations and coordination of information sharing activities.
• Mission Readiness: Includes budget and finance, human resources, program management, security, strategic planning and policy development.
• Information Technology and Data Science: Includes information assurance/IT security, IT engineering, data science and visualization, and programming
and development.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

All applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Be a current degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited university. Must have at least one academic year of study after an I&A internship. Rising seniors are eligible to apply if they will be going directly on to graduate school.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Be 16 years old or older.

HOW TO APPLY

DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis will be accepting applications for the Summer 2020 internship program through the September 4 Intelligence Community Virtual Career Fair. Interested students should upload a PDF with a resume, unofficial resume through spring 2019 and proof of fall 2019 enrollment to their registration. Registration and full fair details at ICVirtualFair.com

Questions?

Contact IA-InternshipProgram@hq.dhs.gov for more information

Visit us at DHS.gov/Office-Intelligence-and-Analysis

• The Haven Recovery Residence, a unique “sober living” residential community for students in abstinence-based recovery, launches August 2019 in Catonsville. The Haven Recovery Residence is a peer-led, clinically supervised residential community where students help each other navigate sobriety, identifying with each other’s challenges, and sharing successes – while succeeding in college.
  
  
• The Haven Outpatient Center will open in October 2019 in a separate location in Catonsville. The outpatient center will provide students with evidence-based Intensive Outpatient and Outpatient treatment programs to help them address substance use issues in a safe and relatable space while staying engaged in their college experience. Treatment programs are covered by most insurance and are conveniently scheduled in late afternoons, evenings, and weekends to accommodate busy student academic schedules. The center will include a student-designed coffee lounge for studying, meeting friends, and hanging out in a safe and judgement-free space. All UMBC students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families are welcome to attend the weekly student-led recovery meetings, social events, and mindfulness activities that will be hosted here each week.
  
  
• Customizable mentoring and monitoring programs are available to provide peer mentoring and support, weekly individual counseling, drug testing, group support, and family counseling/communication.