Maurizio Porfiri

	The Dynamical Systems Laboratory (DSL) conducts fundamental research in the broad field of modeling and control of complex dynamical systems with specialized expertise in underwater applications. Activities span applied mathematics, design and fabrication of novel hardware, and advanced computations (Brochure). The Lab is a 1500 square foot facility equipped for research and development in the areas of mechatronics, robotics, and vibration testing. The Lab houses a standard suite of electrical/mechanical fabrication and testing equipment, networked computers, and standard software tools, including Ansys, AutoCAD, Mathematica, MATLAB, PSpice, and Solid Works.

The Dynamical Systems Laboratory (DSL) conducts fundamental research in the broad field of modeling and control of complex dynamical systems with specialized expertise in underwater applications. Activities span applied mathematics, design and fabrication of novel hardware, and advanced computations (Brochure). The Lab is a 1500 square foot facility equipped for research and development in the areas of mechatronics, robotics, and vibration testing. The Lab houses a standard suite of electrical/mechanical fabrication and testing equipment, networked computers, and standard software tools, including Ansys, AutoCAD, Mathematica, MATLAB, PSpice, and Solid Works.

General laboratory area:

The general area leads to 2 large offices (seen on left side of picture) housing 2 and 3 graduate student workstations, respectively. The door on the right leads to the workshop and live fish experiments' area. The entrance straight ahead in the central photo leads to the main laboratory area.

Workshop/live fish area:


Workshop	Fish holding tank	In-House built experimental fish tank

The workshop area holds various tools for mechanical fabrication and an in-house built bromograph system for circuit boards’ development. The large holding tank is equipped with two large waters filter and multiple water heaters and golden shiners. The experimental fish tank is used to test behavioral responses of schools of fish to various stimuli, including light and food and to understand the interactions among fish and bio-mimetic swimmers.

Main laboratory area:


IPMC thrust measurement system	PIV system	High speed camera and continuous wave laser


Vibration isolated optical bench	Computer cluster	Water channel


CNC machine	Circuit printer	Stereoscopic PIV system


Electrochemical workstation	Sputter facilities	Fluorometer

The main laboratory area holds the majority of the experimental setups, including optical tables, particle image velocimetry systems, and various setups for mechanical and electrical testing of smart materials and composites - some of these facilities are shared with the Center of Mechanics of Multifunctional Materials.