January 17, 2013
Aerospace engineering doctoral candidate Jerome Sicard and faculty advisor Jayant Sirohi were recently selected by the Dynamics committee of the 38th European Rotorcraft Forum to receive the best paper award. Together, they are working on research in the Aeroelasticity Lab that could revolutionize the use of micro-aerial vehicles; more specifically, microhelicopters. The outcome of their work could have the potential to save hundreds of lives during natural disasters such as fires and floods.
The ultimate goal is to design and build a miniature aerial rotary-wing vehicle equipped with the ability to morph its rotor from a large diameter to a smaller one. The rotor would have the ability to be rolled up, similar to how a tape measure rolls up into its casing. In this way, blades can be temporarily retracted to access confined spaces and extended to increase the endurance of the aircraft in hover.
One of the numerous challenges that come with a flexible rotor blade is instability. Because of its negligible structural stiffness, the flexible blade is susceptible to flutter instability, which induces a loss of efficiency. Sicard and Sirohi are working together on a solution to make the flexible rotor blade more stable and to improve its performance.
If their research is successful, the applications could be useful in many disastrous situations. One example includes aiding rescue teams identify civilians inside a burning building so that crews are able to quickly and efficiently find the precise location of the victims.
A secondary application would be to support the US military during reconnaissance missions. The microhelicopter's retractable flexible blades would allow the aircraft to explore caves and other small spaces to identify otherwise unseen threats.
In addition to working as a graduate research assistant, Sicard is also working as a teaching assistant for Sirohi’s Structural Dynamics course.
“I really enjoy being a teaching assistant,” Sicard said. “I love the student contact and teaching. I like to explain things and see the students understand it. It has been very enriching to me because I realized that I never knew material as well as when I taught it – I know solids, dynamics and structural dynamics much better now than when I studied the material myself.”
Sicard came to UT in 2009 after working in Toulouse as an engineer for a year. He graduated from Institut Superieur de l’Aeronautique et de l’Espace (ISAE) in 2008 with a BS in aerospace engineering.
“I’ve been in graduate school for three and a half years and have learned so much,” Sicard said. “This experience has been incredible. I’ve been to many conferences in different places – Amsterdam, Phoenix and Fort Worth. When I look for a job, I hope to find something that will allow me to keep attending conferences. I’ve met incredibly smart and knowledgeable people whom I’ve been able to share ideas with and look forward to doing so in the future as well.”
Sicard also credits his advisor with developing his passion and helping him grow.
“Dr. Sirohi is very proactive and always has an open door,” Sicard said. “We work together well. He’s given me so many opportunities. He supported me to present in Amsterdam, which was an amazing opportunity. He also gives me many responsibilities, which has given me great training.”
After graduating with his doctoral degree in Spring 2014, Sicard plans to return to working in the industry, either in Europe or in the United States.
