Faculty

Computer-aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), Smart Manufacturing, 3D Printing

The fundamental research in computational geometry has led to much result in surface and volumetric object modeling. It has found its applications in design and manufacturing, medical simulation, virtual reality and haptics. High performance computing can be achieved with desktop parallel computing by using graphics hardware acceleration, which will result in a transformative change in the field of parallel computing. We have successfully introduced hardware acceleration into our algorithms and implementation and achieved significant improvement in geometric processing speed. Our research efforts have resulted in many publications in this field. We also work with local schools and education service center for region 5 to help them obtain research experience in advanced design and manufacturing, convert what they learn to engineering curriculum in K-12 education.

Haptic-augmented Learning for Engineering Education

Research indicates that students often have difficulty in understanding science and engineering concepts and instructors, likewise, have difficulty in conveying these concepts without effective teaching tools. Computer-mediated instructional technologies, typically in Virtual Environments, hold great promise for use in educational settings in that they can increase students' access to knowledge and act as vehicles that may promote learning. Recent advances in Virtual Reality and robotics enable the human tactual system to be stimulated in a controlled manner through 3-dimensional (3D) force feedback devices, a.k.a. haptic interfaces. With the addition of haptic (sense of touch) feedback, Virtual Environment / Virtual Reality technology has much greater potential to profoundly change the nature of inquiry in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. In addition, the cost of 3D haptic interface with authentic force feedback continues to drop, which facilitates its wide adoption as the affordable next-generation human-computer interface.

Haptic, Robotics, Virtual Reality-based Medical Simulation, Augmented Reality, Brain-Computer Interface

Surgical simulation and anasthesia simluation projects (consulting with Industry). This is a Surgical simulator developed by Dr Zhu with mySmartSim Inc. With the advance of mobile computing technology and Augmented Reality (AR) hardware, AR is more promising than ever for many applications. The Zhu lab has acquired many latest VR/AR facilities. The group is also working on 3D printer design and optimization, and prosthetics for rehabilitation.

GPU-accelerated Computational Optimization

Our research group is working on Graphics hardware (a.k.a. Graphics Processing Units, GPU) accelerated computational optimization research. GPU technology is emerging as a desktop parallel computing platform that is available on many personal computers. We combine GPU technology with our research in meta-heuristics, such as Genetic Algorithms and Tabu Search, which are generic stochastic optimization algorithms for all kinds of applications in continuous optimization and combinatorial optimization.

Mobile Computing Research and Development

Our research group is interested in mobile computing research and development. One project is funded by National Science Foundation DUE-1140457 to develop and assess smartphone apps for Engineering Economics.The Lamar University team consists of Dr. Albero Marquez, Dr. Julia Yoo and Dr. Weihang Zhu.

Energy Manufacturing and Production Scheduling Optimization

Our research group is interested in energy efficient manufacturing and optimization. Topics include Natural Gas Pipeline optimization and Energy-efficient production scheduling in industry.

Mariner Safety

Our research group provides information technology support for the Mariner Safety Leading Indicators research in the Maritime Safety Research Initiative. The series of multi-years projects are in collaboration with American Bureau of Shipping. The Lamar University team consists of Dr. Brian Craig, Dr. James Curry and Dr. Weihang Zhu.

Port Management

Our research group is interested in simulation of port operations, maintenance, expansion, logistics and disaster recovery; and big data-driven fuel consumption optimization in ships. We are actively involved with the Center for Advances in Port Management.

Current Funding:

• Co-PI, Maritime Prototype Leading Safety Indicators, American Bureau of Shipping, PI Dr. B. Craig, Co-PIs Dr. J. Curry and Dr. W. Zhu, Sept 2010 to Present
• Co-PI, Mariner Safety Analysis, American Bureau of Shipping, PI Dr. B. Craig, Co-PIs Dr. J. Curry, Dr. W. Zhu and Dr. K. Das, Sept 2009 to Present

Past Funding:

• Faculty mentor, Lamar University Undergraduate Research Grant, Nov 2017 to May 2018, PI Aleksander Allen
• PI, National Science Foundation DUE-1608886, RET Site: Incorporating Advanced Design and Manufacturing into High School Curriculum, with Dr. X. Fan, Dr. N. Brake, Dr. J. Zhou, Dr. X. Liu, and Dr. X. Li, Sept 2016 to Aug 2019, $555,380
• PI, National Science Foundation DUE-1457880, Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Scholars with Scholarships, Career Mentoring, Outreach and Advisement, Professional Societies and Engineering Learning Community (SCOPE), with Dr. J. Curry, Dr. B. Craig, Dr. J. Zhou and Dr. H. Chu, Sept 2015 to Aug 2020, $625,300
• PI, Distinguished Faculty Fellowship - Teaching, and Teaching Innovation Grant, Lamar University, Sept 2015 to August 2018
• Faculty mentor, Lamar University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow Grant, April 2017 to November 2017, PI Aleksander Allen
• Faculty mentor, Lamar University Undergraduate Research Grant, Nov 2016 to May 2017, PI Aleksander Allen, co-mentor Dr. Hassan Zargarzadeh
• PI, Lamar University Research Enhancement Grant, Sept 2015 to August 2016
• PI, Gill Foundation, Prosthetic Hand Design with 3D Printing, June 2015 to May 2016
• PI, Gill Foundation, 3D Printing, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Contest, June 2015 to May 2016
• PI, Multi-method Simulation Framework for Port Operations, Expansion and Disaster Recovery, Center of Advances in Port Management, March 2016 to May 2017
• Co-PI, Development of the ASTM Standard for Injury and Illness Data Collection and Reporting and the ASTM Standard for Near Miss Collection and Reporting, Ship Operations Coopera-tive Program (SOCP), Woodinville, Washington, PI Dr. B. Craig, Co-PIs Dr. J. Curry and Dr. W. Zhu (2014 - 2018)
• PI, National Science Foundation DUE-0737173 'A Study of the Impact of Haptic-augmented Learning Tools on Dynamics Course', Co-PI Dr. J. Zhou, Dr. K. Aung and Dr. M. Srinivasan, Apr 2008 to Mar 2010
• PI, Lamar University Research Enhancement Grant, Sept 2010 to Aug 2011
• PI, Lamar University Research Enhancement Grant, Sept 2009 to Aug 2010
• Co-PI, Wood Procurement Optimization for a paper mill (PI: Dr. J. Curry, Co-PI: Dr. A. Marquez), June 2008 ~ Nov. 2008
• PI, Lamar University Research Enhancement Grant, Dec 2006 to Aug 2007
• PI, Lamar University Research Enhancement Grant, Dec 2005 to Aug 2006
• PI, 'Agent-based Modeling and Simulation for Hazardous Waste Reverse Logistics', Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center, Co-PI Dr. J. Curry and Dr. H. Lou, Sept 2008 ~ August 2009
• PI, Lamar University Online Teaching Grant for 'Engineering Materials and Manufacturing Processes', Sept 2011 to Dec 2012
• Co-PI, ABS Safety Survey and Analysis, American Bureau of Shipping, PI Dr. B. Craig, Co-PIs Dr. J. Curry and Dr. W. Zhu, June 2012 to Dec 2012
• Co-PI, National Science Foundation DUE-1140457, Multimedia Learning of 'Engineering Economics' through Role Play Gaming on a Mobile Platform, PI Dr. A. Marquez, Co-PIs Dr. J. Yoo and Dr. W. Zhu, May 2012 to April 2016, $191,505
• Co-PI, Facilitating Active Learning with Inverted Classroom, Lamar University, PI Dr. J. Zhou, Co-PIs Dr. K. Aung, Dr. W. Zhu and Dr. X. Liu, Sept 2015 to August 2016

Sponsors:

• American Bureau of Shipping
• Center for Advances in Port Management
• Gill Foundation
• Lamar University
• MeadWestvaco
• National Science Foundation
• Ship Operations Cooperative Program
• Texas Hazardous Waste Research Center