SRMP Seminar: June 5th

[Drew Carman]

Join the Summer Research Mentorship Program for the start of their summer seminars.

Friday, June 5, 2026

209 Akerman Hall

2:30pm-3:30pm

First Talk:

Title: Solar Sail Momentum Management Using Model Predictive Control

Abstract: Solar sails leverage solar radiation pressure (SRP) for fuel-free space propulsion. However, environmental disturbance torques lead to reaction wheel angular momentum accumulation, necessitating robust momentum management. This research introduces a model predictive control (MPC) framework tailored for NASA’s Solar Cruiser mission, which utilizes an Active Mass Translator (AMT) and Reflectivity Control Devices (RCDs) as momentum management actuators under inherently coupled dynamics. Our work establishes the foundation of MPC-based momentum management for solar sails and bridges the gap between optimization theory and realistic mission requirements. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed strategy successfully manages momentum growth in realistic scenarios, outperforming state-of-the-art methods.

Speaker Bio: Ping-Yen is a 3rd-year PhD student in the ARDC lab, advised by Prof. Ryan Caverly. His research focuses on developing predictive control frameworks for solar sail momentum management. Beside aerospace systems control, he enjoys running and snowboarding as long as the weather plays nice.

Second Talk:

Title: Discrete Vortex Modeling of flapping propulsors

Abstract: This study investigates thrust production and vortex shedding dynamics in purely heaving and purely pitching propulsors by simulating the flow with an inviscid 2D discrete vortex method (DVM). Simulations were performed over a range of Strouhal numbers  (St=fA/U)  to examine how unsteady force generation varies with kinematics, particularly between a flat plate executing a pure pitching vs a pure heaving motion. Although both motions generate similar reverse von Kármán vortex streets, their thrust-production mechanisms differ significantly. DMV sums forces from circulatory and non-circulatory mechanisms separately, and as such we can observe that when heaving, thrust associated with the generation and shedding of trailing-edge vortices, while pitching motion creates thrust via non-circulatory mechanisms such as added-mass effects caused by fluid acceleration during angular motion. A post processing finite-time Lyapunov exponent (FTLE) analysis reveals the coherent underlying structure of the flow that guides momentum transport and provides an explanation for these changes in propulsive mechanisms. In both cases, the additional fluid momentum caused by the plate motion is organized within and between shed vortices depending on the kinematic motion. The results demonstrate that visually similar wakes can arise from fundamentally different propulsion mechanisms, highlighting the benefit of combining a range of analyses (vortex dynamics, force decomposition, Lagrangian methods) to better understand bio-inspired propulsion.

Speaker Bio: JJ Serdoncillo is an international student from the Philippines and a fourth-year PhD student in the GreenFluids Lab. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Syracuse University before pursuing his Master's degree at University of Minnesota where he is currently continuing his PhD in Aerospace and Engineering Mechanics. He applies a range of experimental and computational analysis techniques to investigate wake dynamics and propulsive performance. He has also worked on immersive visualization of 3D experimental flow data using virtual reality, enabling more intuitive interaction with time-varying datasets and improved observation of physical flow features.

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