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Eihab M. Abdel-Rahman

BSc (Kuwait University), MSc, PhD (University of Toledo)

Contact Information:

Office: DWE 2513B
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 37737
Fax: (519) 746-4791
Email: eihab@uwaterloo.ca

Research Interests:

I am interested in the modeling, simulation, and design of mechanical, electrical, electro-mechanical, and biomechanical dynamic systems. I have a particular interest in nonlinear dynamic systems. The following is a list of my current areas of research.

A) Modeling, Simulation & Design of MEMS and NEMS

I developed, in collaboration with Professor Ali Nayfeh and his students, a high-fidelity, robust, and numerically efficient approach to the modeling and simulation of micro- and nano-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS).

To date, I have used our modeling technique to analyze and design a wide array of MEMS sensors and transducers: RF switches, resonant sensors, mirrors, filters, and pumps. Work is in progress on new filter designs, control strategies for torsional micromirrors, and improved resonant micro-sensors.

I am interested in the continued refinement of the underlying modeling and simulation technique as well as in applying it to the design of novel and practial MEMS & NEMS devices for communications and biomedical applications.

B) Dynamic Phenomena in MEMS

I was a leading member of a group of researchers that identified the “dynamic pull-in” instability in electrostatic MEMS devices. We used this phenomenon to design a new RF MEMS microswitch.

I am interested in using simulations and experiments to identify dynamic (mostly nonlinear) phenomena in MEMS. I am even more interested in finding ways to make use of these phenomena to create new devices, devise new experimental techniques, or improve existing devices.

C) Biomechanics

I am interested in basic research on:
- the dynamics of the human musculoskeletal system,
- the mechanics of the human ear and of hearing loss,
- injury mechanisms to the human joints.
I am also interested applied research in the use of MEMS devices to build the associated experimental rigs and to design “smart” prosthetic and orthotoic devices.

D) Multi-Body Dynamics and Control

I am interested in the dynamics and control of large-scale multi-body systems. I have a particular interest in systems of cranes, ships, offshore oil rigs and similar structures.
E) Dynamics in all shapes and forms: structural, nonlinear, biological, computational, analytical, experimental … Anything really goes, as long as it applies to a practical (real) problem and has time-varying characteristics lurking somewhere.