Combustion and Propulsion

Solid Rocket Motor Propellants

Extending our research on the fabrication and use of solid propellants, $\text{KNO}_3$-epoxy among others.

•

Effects of long-term uncontrolled environment storage on the mechanical and combustion properties of $\texttt{LE-KN70}$

•

Influence of nano-aluminum addition on the exothermic curing kinetics of $\texttt{LE-KN70}$

•

Exothermic curing kinetics in scaled-up casting of $\text{KNO}_3$-epoxy propellants under different resin-to-hardener ratios

Solid Propellant Grain Schematic
Mechanics and Materials

Shape Memory Polymer Composites (SMPCs)

Continuing our research on the synthesis and mechanics of SM materials, and design of SM-enabled components.

•

Hand lay-up vs. vacuum-assisted resin infusion of vinyl ester SMPCs

•

Effects of long-term uncontrolled environment storage on the characteristics of vinyl ester SMPCs

SMPC Sequence 1 SMPC Sequence 2 SMPC Sequence 3 SMPC Sequence 4
Modeling, Identification, and Control

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Expanding our research on applications of machine learning and artificial intelligence to UAV platforms.

•

Comparative edge-hardware benchmarking of small object detection algorithms deployed in UAVs

•

State estimation and control of multi-copter UAVs with suspended payloads

•

Planning and control of cooperative multi-copter UAV swarms

UAV Schematic Outline
Ongoing R&D Efforts

The HALE-Ph Alpha Project

We are recruiting motivated students to join our ongoing government-funded R&D project on the design and development of a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV.

•

Ultraviolet (UV) light, thermal cycling, and salt fog degradation of out-of-autoclave aircraft composites

•

Sensor placement for online structural health monitoring of high-aspect-ratio (HAR) wings

•

Experimental validation of non-linear geometric stress-stiffening on resonant frequencies of HAR wings

HALE-Ph Alpha UAV

Apply this Midyear 2026

We may admit undergraduate and graduate students interested in doing applied mechanics, intelligent systems, and aerospace research. Send your email to JDED at jedalisay@up.edu.ph.

•

Undergraduate research applications must be submitted in pairs. The email sender shall copy their partner in the email.

•

Indicate the topic/s of interest to you; a short paragraph describing interests outside of those mentioned in this page may also be included.

•

Only two undergraduate pairs will be accepted under JDED's direct supervision, with a third pair considered in exceptional cases.

Applied Mechanics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory Logo