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Research

Research Interests

 

Building on a strong background in vibrations, structural dynamics, aeroservoelasticity, helicopter aeromechanics, and composite materials, I conduct my research in the multidisciplinary fields of Structural Health Monitoring, Adaptive Materials and Smart Structures, Aerospace Composites, and Mechatronics. I am developing a new area: Embedded Ultrasonic Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) with Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors (PWAS). Concurrently, I am expanding my research into Active Biomedical Sensors, and Integrated Thin-Film Active Sensors.

My immediate research focus is on embedded ultrasonic NDE with PWAS technology, which has multiple applications for in-situ health monitoring of aerospace, mechanical, and civil engineering structures. My research growth vision is aimed at expanding these concepts into new applications, such as active biomedical sensors and integrated thin-film active sensors. My long-term vision is to achieve the integration of mechanical, electrical/electronics, and information technology into smart active "skins" and "coating" that will provide on-demand bulletins of structural health and predicted future performance. 

Research funding in recent years has been over $8 million, of which ~$3.5 million as a single investigator, ~$2.5 million as PI on a team of investigators, and ~$2 million as co-PI

Funded Research Projects

 
  1. Multimodal Nondestructive Dry Cask Basket Structure and Spent Fuel Evaluation", DOE-IRP, $3,000,000 total with University of Mississippi lead institution; $675,000 for USC with Lingyu "Lucy" Yu (PI) and V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), 1/2016-12/2018
  2. "A New Generation of Acoustic Emission Sensors", Office of Naval Research (ONR), $150, 000, 1/2015-12/2017
  3. "Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of composite structure for airplanes and helicopters based on Passive Sensing of Acoustic Emissions - Fokker Task Order Number 2", M. van Tooren (PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), P. Ziehl (co-PI), Fokker Aerostructures BV, $191,264, 12/2014-12/2016
  4. "Physics of Materials Based Predictive Methodology for AE Signals ID Validated by Experiments under Various Operational and Environmental Conditions", Office of Naval Research (ONR), N00014-14-1-0655, $300,000, 5/2014-5/2017
  5. “Structural Health Monitoring of Nuclear Spent Fuel Storage Facilities”, L. Yu (PI), T. Knight (co-PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), B. Lin (co-PI), US Dept. of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, DE-NE 0000726, $597,832, 1/2014-1/2017
  6. “Ultrasonic NDE/SHM Equipment for Advanced Materials and Structures”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), L. Yu (co-PI), B. Lin (co-PI), J. Bao (co-PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), $500,000, 9/2013-8/2015
  7. “NATO Planning Grant”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), North Atlantic Treaty Organization, $6,521, 4/2013-12/2014
  8. “Student Capstone Project in Composite Joints”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Prasun Majumdar (co-PI), Kenneth Reifsnider (co-PI), The Boeing Company, $4,500, 9/2012-8/2013
  9. “Aerospace Engineering Education and Aerospace Composites Research”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), USC Institute for Visiting Scholars, $25,000, 3/2012-12/2014
  10. “Integrated Opto-Electronic Equipment for Autonomous Structural Health Monitoring Research”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), L. Yu (co-PI), B. Lin  (co-PI), J. Bao (co-PI), M. Gresil (co-PI), Office of Naval Research (ONR), N00014-12-1-0936, $194,507, 6/2012-6/2014
  11.  “USC participation in the AUFOS NICOP project with Australia”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Office of Naval Research, $150,000, 10/2012—9/2015
  12.  “Predictive Sensing for Space Applications”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research, FA9550-11-1-0133, $575,000, 7/2011—6/2015
  13. “PWAS EMIS-ECIS Active Carbon Filter Residual Life Estimation Methodology”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), J. J. Bao (co-PI), Army Research Office, W911NF-11-1-0210, $300,000, 5/2011—5/2014
  14. “Predictive Modeling of Structural Sensing for Navy Applications”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Office of Naval Research, N00014-11-1-0271, $449,888, 11/2010—12/2013
  15. “SBIR N101-095 Distributed Sensor Network for Structural Health Monitoring of Ships”, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), DOD through Albido Corp., $12,600, 5-9/2010
  16. “ARO-STIR: Combined Use of Electromechanical Impedance Spectroscopy (EMIS) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (ECIS) for Contamination Detection in Active Carbon Filters”, Army Research Office, $49,996, 4/2010-1/2011
  17. "Exact Modeling of Power and Energy Transduction for Optimum Design of Structurally-Integrated Thin-Film Active Sensors", V. Giurgiutiu (PI), National Science Foundation, NSF CMMI-0925466, $239,977, 9/2009-8/2013
  18. “Self-Powered Wireless Sensor Network for Structural Bridge Health Prognosis”, V. P. Ziehl (PI), J. Caicedo (co-PI), L. Yu (co-PI), Giurgiutiu (co-PI), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Technology Innovation Program Award, $2,000,000 for 5 years to USC,2/2009-1/2014
  19.  Extension of IPA Agreement, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 15540-FA68, $241, 324, 6/2008-8/2009.
  20.  Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Supplement to grant NSF CMS 0528873, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), NSF, 1/2008-12/2009, $6,060
  21. IPA Agreement, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research, 15540-FA68, $419,081, 6/2006-5/2008
  22.  International Research and Education Experience (IREE) supplement to grant NSF CMS 0528873, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), NSF, $22,000, 8/2006-12/2009
  23.  “Fundamental Studies in Embedded Ultrasonic NDE: Lamb Wave Interaction between Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors and Host Structure”, Year 3, Jan. 2006, $54,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research, FA9550-04-0085
  24.  V. Giurgiutiu (PI), C. Chen, A. Bhalla (co-PIs, University of Texas San Antonio), J. Jiang (co-PI, University of Texas Arlington), “Ferroelectric Thin-Film Active Sensor Arrays for Structural Health Monitoring” $430,000, NSF CMS 0528873, September 2005 – August 2009.
  25. "Collaboration on SBIR AF05-136 Technologies for In Situ Interrogation of Damage States in Structural Materials Non-Destructive Evaluation”, $33,000 for 6 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), AFRL through Global Contours, Inc., April 2005
  26. “Dynamic Shields”, Year 2, $680,000 for 12 months, Anthony Reynolds (PI), M. Sutton (co-PI), Y. Chao (co-PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), X. Li (co-PI), January 2005, Army Research Laboratory
  27. “Boeing PWAS SHM Test”, $9,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Boeing Company, Jan. 2005
  28. “Fundamental Studies in Embedded Ultrasonic NDE: Lamb Wave Interaction between Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors and Host Structure”, Year 2, Jan. 2005, $54,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research, FA9550-0Next 4-0085
  29.  “PWAS Phased Array Confirmation Test”, $3,000 for 3 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Boeing Company, Oct. 2004
  30. “High Energy Density Nastic Structures Using Biological Transport Mechanism”, $100,000 for 18 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI for USC), DARPA through Virginia Tech, Oct. 2004
  31. "Predictive Methodologies for the Design of Lamb-Wave Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring, Damage Detection, and Failure Prevention", $232,720 for 36 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), April 2004 – December 2009, NSF CMS 0408578
  32. "Piezoelectric detection and monitoring of the wound healing response", $45,200 for 12 months, J. W. Bender (PI), H. Friedman (co-PI, SOM), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI, COEIT), T. Borg (co-PI, SOM), USC Medicine and Engineering Research Development Fund, April 2004
  33. "Supporting the Development of a Multi-Sensor Structural Health Monitoring System Using Embedded Sensors", $120,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), April 2004, Air Force Research Laboratory through Universal Technologies Corporation, # F33615-03-D-5204
  34.  "Participation in Phase II STTR T7-02 Space Qualified Nondestructive Evaluation", $190,000 for 24 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), 9/2005-12/2007, NASA through NextGen Aeronautics, Inc.
  35. “Fundamental Studies in Embedded Ultrasonic NDE: Lamb Wave Interaction between Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors and Host Structure”, Year 1, Feb. 2004, $54,000 for 10 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Air Force Office of Scientific Research, FA9550-04-0085
  36. “Development of Interdisciplinary Sensors Research”, $5,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), January 2004, USC Research Foundation seed grant
  37. “Dynamic Shields”, Year 1, $680,000 for 12 months, Anthony Reynolds (PI), M. Sutton (co-PI), Y. Chao (co-PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), X. Li (co-PI), January 2004, Army Research Laboratory
  38. "SPIDAS – Self-processing integrated damage assessment sensor for structural health monitoring", $30,000 for 24 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), NASA through SCSGC, Feb. 2004
  39.  "Collaboration on Phase I STTR T7-02 Space Qualified Nondestructive Evaluation", $33,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), September 2003, NASA through NextGen Aeronautics, Inc.
  40. “Structural Monitoring with Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensors”, $166,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), April 2003, Air Force Research Laboratory through Universal Technology Corporation, F33615-01-D-5801
  41. “Piezo Nano Sensors – An Initial Investigation of Nanostructured Piezoelectric Coatings and Thin-Films”, $20,000 for 12 months, University of South Carolina NanoCenter seed grant, March 2003
  42. “Sensing and Regulation of Fibrous Encapsulation”, $25,000 for 12 months, J. W. Bender (PI), T. Borg (Co-PI), H. Friedman (Co-PI), V. Giurgiutiu (Co-PI), J.-F. Lefaivre (Co-PI), University of South Carolina seed grant, February 2003
  43. “The Application of Piezoelectric-Wafer Active Sensors to Aircraft Structural Health Monitoring, Damage Detection, and Failure Prevention” Summer Faculty Fellowship at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, OH, $13,600 for 2 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Summer 2002, National Research Council/US Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  44.   Research Experience for Teachers - Supplemental Funding Request, $10,000 for 12 months, Victor Giurgiutiu (PI), April 8, 2002, NSF
  45.   “Cost and Effectiveness Analysis of the AH64A/UH60L on Board Vibrations Monitoring (VM) System for SC Army National Guard – Year IV”, $155,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), W. Ranson (co-PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), J. Vargas (co-PI), January 2002, DOD through South Carolina National Guard
  46.  “Microcontroller/Mechatronics Education of Non-EE Students at the University of South Carolina”, $71,000 for 24 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), D. Rocheleau (Co-PI), J. Lyons (Co-PI), NSF-DUE #0126966, January 2002
  47. “Mechanical Diagnostics and Prognostics Based on Accelerated Test Data and In-flight Recordings – Phase II”, $60,000 for 9 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), June 2001, FAA through Goodrich Aerospace
  48. “Cost and Effectiveness Analysis of the AH64A/UH60L Onboard Vibrations Monitoring (VM) System for SC Army National Guard – Year III”, $360,302 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), W. Ranson (co-PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), J. Vargas (co-PI), J. Lynch (co-PI), J. Grego (co-PI), W. Drane (co-PI), November 22, 2000, DOD through South Carolina National Guard
  49.  “Smart Fin for Missile Control – Supplemental Work”, $12,683 over 24 months, November 13, 2000, Analysis and Design Consultants (ADC), Ltd., V. Giurgiutiu (PI)
  50. “Mechanical Diagnostics and Prognostics Based on Accelerated Test Data and In-flight Recordings”, $90,000 for 9 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), October 2000, FAA through Goodrich Aerospace
  51. “The Use of Electromechanical Impedance Techniques for Assessing the Integrity of Riveted Lap Joints Typical of Aircraft Structures -- Year III: 10/1/00-9/30/01”, $25,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), October 5, 2000, DOE through Sandia National Laboratory
  52. “Field-Portable NDE Equipment Concepts for Tagged Smart Composite Applications – Supplementary Work”, $15,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), September 29, 2000, DOD US Army Corps of Engineers CERL\
  53. “Active Sensors for Health Monitoring of Rotating Machinery”, $14,000 for 2 years, V. Giurgiutiu (PI) Leonid M. Gelman (co-PI), August 3, 2000, NAS-NRC (OCEE)
  54.  “Seed funds for the Development of a Research Cluster for Measuring and Modeling of Nano Materials and Electronic Components”, $25,000, Stephen McNeill (PI), Michael Sutton (co-PI), Timir Datta (co-PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI) June 16, 2000, NASA Space Grant Consortium
  55. “Smart-Materials Actuated Missile Flight Control Surface Feasibility Study”, $20,000 for 1/2 year, February 2000, DOD Army Research Office (ARO)
  56.  “The use of Electromechanical Impedance Techniques for Assessing the Integrity of Riveted Lap Joints Typical of Aircraft Structures -- Year II: 2/1/00-9/30/00”, $20,000 for 8 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), December 1999, DOE through Sandia National Laboratory
  57.  “Cost and Effectiveness Analysis of the AH64A/UH60L Onboard Vibrations Monitoring (VM) System for SC Army National Guard – Year II”, $319,884 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), W. Ranson (co-PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), J. Lynch (co-PI), J. Grego (co-PI), W. Drane (co-PI), November 22, 1999, DOD through South Carolina National Guard
  58. “Smart Fin for Missile Control”, $12,652 over 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), October 27, 1999, Analysis and Design Consultants (ADC) Ltd.
  59. “Durability of the Bond between Concrete and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites”, $221,000 over 3 years, M. Petrou (PI), and K. A. Harries (co-PI), J. Lyons (co-PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), T. Papathanassiou (co-PI), NSF #CMS-9908293, March 31, 1999
  60. “CECMT Center for Composites Technology at USC”, $15,000 for 1 year, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), January 1999, DOD Navy GLCC
  61. “Smart Composite Materials for Monitoring Structural Damage” $49,932 for 2 years, NSF proposal #NSF-INT-9904493, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), January 1999, NSF Division of International Programs
  62.  “Cost and Effectiveness Analysis of the AH64A/UH60L Onboard Vibrations Monitoring (VM) System for SC Army National Guard -- Year I”, $300,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), W. Ranson (co-PI), A. E. Bayoumi (co-PI), J. Lynch (co-PI), J. Grego (co-PI), W. Drane (co-PI), December 31, 1998, DOD through South Carolina National Guard
  63. “The Use of Electromechanical Impedance Techniques for Assessing the Integrity of Riveted Lap Joints Typical of Aircraft Structures”, $20,000 for 12 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), December 1998, DOE through Sandia National Laboratory
  64. “Review of Existing Work on ‘Smart’ Control Surfaces”, $12,365 over 12 months, November 11, 1998, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), Analysis and Design Consultants (ADC) Ltd.
  65. “Field-Portable NDE Equipment Concepts for Tagged Smart Composite Applications”, $61,643 for 24 months, September 1998, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), DOD US Army Corps of Engineers CERL
  66.  “Development and Testing of Fiber Reinforced Composite Overlays”, $49,998 for 1 year, M. Petrou (PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), August 5, 1998, DOE-SCUREF
  67. “Exploratory Assessment of AH64 VMEP Evaluation Needs for SC Army National Guard”, $29,995 for 6 months, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), W. Ranson (co-PI), July 27, 1998, DOD through South Carolina National Guard
  68. “Project Exactly Delivery Device (PEDD)”, $100,000 for 6 months, D. Rocheleau (PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), May 25, 1998, Lockheed Martin Aircraft Center
  69. "Techniques for Structural Health Monitoring Travel Award", $600, Army Research Office, April 27-28, 1998, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), DOD ARO/ARL
  70. “Application of Smart Materials Technology to APT Program”, South Carolina EPSCoR Office, $59,956 for 1 year, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), M. A. Sutton (co-PI), February 23, 1998, DOE-APT
  71.  Travel Award, $200, February 19, 1998, V. Giurgiutiu (PI), South Carolina EPSCoR Office
  72. "A South Carolina Consortium for Infrastructure Repair: Structural Repairs Using Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Composites", $80,000 for 12 months, J. Lyons (PI), V. Giurgiutiu (co-PI), M. Petrou (co-PI), May 1997, USC Provost Office