Noted Penn State rotorcraft researcher, Ed Smith to lead seminar at UAH

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (March 10, 2014) - Ed Smith,the director of the Vertical Lift Research Center of Excellence at Penn State University, will lead a seminar at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) on Wednesday, March 19.

Smith's presentation is from 10 a.m., to 11:30 a.m., in the Olin B. King Technology Hall (room S-105). All government, industry, faculty, staff and students are invited to attend. The seminar is free, but due to limited seating registration is required: http://www.osp.uah.edu/registrations/RSESC02.php. The seminar is co-hosted by the UAH Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center, and the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department.

During his talk, Dr. Smith will discuss his rotorcraft research at Penn State, and share recent accomplishments, future directions and potential collaborations with UAH.

Smith has been a member of the Aerospace Engineering faculty at Penn State University since 1992. Smith built an active research program in helicopter dynamics. He has secured research sponsorship from the US Army (Army Research Office (1994 Young Investigator Award), AATD, AED, AFDD), US Navy (ONR, NAVAIR), NASA, Boeing Rotorcraft, Sikorsky Aircraft, Bell Helicopters, LORD Corp., Goodrich, Timken, and a number of small technology businesses.

In the summer of 1995, Smith led a team of Penn State faculty members and established the Penn State Rotorcraft Center, funded by the newly formed National Rotorcraft Technology Center (NRTC). This Center, competitively renewed for five year terms in 2001, 2006, and 2011, has sparked a wide array of educational activities, new facilities, and research programs and is helping to train the next generation of rotorcraft engineers.

He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Penn State. Smith attended graduate school at the University of Maryland Center for Rotorcraft Education and Research, earning master's and PhD degrees in Aerospace Engineering.

Smith's research and teaching interests are in all aspects of helicopter dynamics, including tailored composite rotor blades, active vibration control, rotor lag damping and aero-mechanical stability, shipboard helicopter operations, driveline dynamics, and anti-icing systems. Smith has been active in the American Helicopter Society (AHS International), and the AIAA.

He has received numerous awards including the 1994 AHS Director's Award for Outstanding contributions to vertical flight technology by an AHS Member under the age of 30, the Lawrence Sperry Award from the AIAA, the 2002 Penn State Engineering Society Outstanding Research Award, the 2007 Penn State Engineering Society Outstanding Advising Award, and the 2013 Penn State University President's Award for Engagement with Students.

Smith was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He enjoys exercise, music, travel, and serves as captain of the Vikings in the Nittany Hockey League.