Courses taught by Dr. Shan at SU:
MAE625: Fracture Mechanics (Spring 2023)
The focus of this course is to develop a fundamental understanding of the mechanics of fracture of engineering materials and structures under static and cyclic loading. Students will be taught the principles of linear elastic and elastic-plastic fracture mechanics, fatigue, and their application to engineering design. This course will also introduce key applications of fracture mechanics in dry adhesion for industries including transfer printing and compliant manipulation. A literature survey presentation is used to bring cutting edge research of the subject into the curriculum.
ECS222: Dynamics (Spring 2020, Spring 2021)
ECS222 is a fundamental course in the subject of dynamics. The historical trend in mechanical engineering design has always been to move toward higher speeds in power machinery. This trend continues today. It allows one to package more power into smaller spaces. The penalty one pays is that dynamic forces, vibrations and stresses may lead to malfunctioning and failure. Static analysis becomes insufficient. Transportation speeds have increased, making dynamic analysis mandatory. The age of space travel makes dynamics a general education requirement.
ECS222 is a course with an emphasis on conceptual understanding through problem solving. The theoretical background and problem-solving methods are provided by your textbook and the lectures. ECS222 brings together your past experiences in physics, mathematics, and modeling, and builds upon them.
MAE525: Soft Robotics: Mechanics, Materials, and Machines (Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2021)
Soft robotics offers a range of advantages over their conventional rigid counterparts, especially in cases where human-machine-environment interactions are involved. The design and fabrication of soft robotics puts high demand on the integration of smart materials and relevant mechanics into functional machines. This course will explore the relevant materials and solid mechanics for recent progresses in soft robotics, including soft electronics, artificial muscles, and various soft robotic mechanisms. This course is completely self-contained and includes necessary background in hyper-elasticity, composite materials, and adhesion mechanics. The students will have opportunity to work on a team project to realize certain soft robotic mechanisms they choose. The students will also be asked to present most recent research on soft robotics.
Courses taught by Dr. Shan at UNR:
ME422/622: Introduction to Robotics (Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Fall 2016, Spring 2018)
Lectures focus on critical aspects of robotics analysis and design, with emphasis on the kinematics, statics and dynamics of robotic manipulators. Artificial intelligence including computer vision and machine learning is also briefly introduced. Underlying mathematical tools especially matrix manipulation are covered upfront and used throughout the whole class. Cutting edge research topics such as soft robotics are introduced through a lecture-opening video section which typically takes the first five to ten minutes of the lectures.
ME720: Continuum Mechanics (Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018)
Lectures focus on fundamental tensor analysis first, then elaborate on displacement, deformation, conservations laws and constitutive equations in the continuum mechanics framework. Basics of solid mechanics and fluid mechanics will also be touched on towards the end of the course. A literature survey presentation required by each student at the end of the course showcases the many applications of the materials covered in this class.
ME725: Fracture Mechanics (Fall 2018)
Lectures focus on linear elastic fracture mechanics, nonlinear fracture mechanics, and fatigue.
ME791: Soft Robotics (Spring 2019)
Soft robotics offers a range of advantages over their conventional rigid counterparts, especially in cases where human-machine-environment interactions are involved. The design and fabrication of soft robotics puts high demand on the integration of smart materials and relevant mechanics into functional machines. This course will explore the relevant materials and solid mechanics for recent progresses in soft robotics, including soft electronics, artificial muscles, and various soft robotic mechanisms. This course is completely self-contained and includes necessary background in hyper-elasticity, composite materials, and adhesion mechanics. The students will have opportunity to work on a team project to realize certain soft robotic mechanisms they choose. The students will also be asked to present most recent research on soft robotics.