Samik Bhattacharya

Modern drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) struggle with safe and precise near-ground maneuvers – but birds can perform these movements effortlessly. Knowing that, Associate Professor Samik Bhattacharya is studying how birds sweep their wings and use their tails during critical moments of takeoff and landing to improve the agility of drones. This research is […]

A bird bursting from the ocean or a mobula ray launching skyward makes the transition from water to air look effortless. For unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, it’s one of the hardest maneuvers to replicate. Now, UCF researchers are studying how wing shape and motion affect that split-second transition — work that could help […]

One-hundred-forty-three UCF faculty members, including seven from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, recently achieved significant career milestones in earning promotions and tenure for the 2022-23 cycle. The approved faculty­ — 93 for promotion, 49 for promotion and tenure and one for tenure — underwent a rigorous evaluation of their work and performance by […]

Many airplane passengers grit their teeth, white-knuckle their armrests and say a silent prayer for their flight to go smoothly. They know that any sudden disturbance in airflow can cause turbulence — and in turn, a severe case of anxiety. But in smaller aircraft, such as unmanned aerial vehicles or micro air vehicles, turbulence is […]

If you have ever watched a bird land on a tree branch, you may have noticed that it rapidly pitches its wings upward at a high angle to execute a smooth landing. However, for some birds, they land by folding their wings as they perch instead, creating a sweeping motion as they decelerate. To uncover […]