Mankbadi Named Director Of Embry-Riddle Center  

Capitalizing on its strength in aerospace engineering and participation in a recent multi-year, multi-million dollar grant from the State of Florida, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University announced recently the establishment of a Center of Excellence as part of its College of Engineering. The center will be devoted to advanced research in aeronautics and propulsion systems.

Embry-Riddle, a leader in aerospace and aviation education, is part of a consortium of four universities—Florida State University, University of Central Florida, and University of Florida— that was awarded a three-year $14.5 million grant in July to establish the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion (FCAAP). These universities will work collaboratively to develop innovative next-generation technologies for aerospace and aviation commercial use and build closer working relationships with industry leaders.

Dr. Reda (Ray) Mankbadi, a distinguished professor of aerospace engineering for Embry-Riddle's College of Engineering, has been tapped to direct the Center's research programs and coordinate its work with FSU and other university partners and researchers.

"This program is an exciting and excellent opportunity to enable Embry-Riddle's faculty and Ph.D. candidates to demonstrate our expertise in aerospace engineering," said Dr. Christina Frederick-Recascino, vice president for research at Embry-Riddle. 

As one of the four key higher education institutions who assisted in making FCAAP a reality, Embry-Riddle's participation in the program will concentrate on three specific areas of advanced research:

• Flow control mechanisms, turbulence control, and noise generation in jet engines to improve fuel efficiency and operational performance under various conditions.
• Advanced turbine and alternative power technology–developing the next generation of engines that use renewable energy sources, such as hydrogen. Embry-Riddle researchers also will be studying new cooling technologies that will enable turbine engines to run at higher temperatures to provide more thrust and engine efficiencies.
• Developing analytical tools for the next generation of micro-air vehicles and hypersonic vehicle technologies, as well as other future high-speed aircraft transport.

Embry-Riddle plans to announce more research program details later this year, according to Frederick-Recascino.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. The university educates more than 34,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs, with accreditation pending for Embry-Riddle's first doctoral programs, in Aviation and in Engineering Physics.

FMI: www.embryriddle.edu