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.