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Advanced Structures

Aerospace structures need to be sturdy, but as light as possible. Some of these materials will be traveling a long way under extreme conditions. We develop structures that are not only aerodynamic, but also lighter, stronger and more flexible to increase fuel efficiency, reduce waste and boost reusability. We are also pursuing innovative strategies such as smarter materials that can alert you when they are damaged to increase safety and make maintenance easier.

Key labs

Student club highlight

Hyperloop team

Washington Tunneling

Engineering innovative transit solutions.

Related News

Five people working together at a table in a workshop with equipment and tools

Mon, 01/12/2026

Bending the constraints of digital fabrication

Assistant Professor Martin Nisser's student team makes advanced wireframe fabrication accessible at very low cost.

Marco Salviato

Mon, 12/08/2025

Marco Salviato named inaugural Varanasi Endowed Faculty Fellow in structures and composites

Usha and Rao Varanasi’s new faculty fellowship names Professor Salviato as the first recipient.

A person examines a protoype in a workshop.

Wed, 08/20/2025

Ed Habtour wins NSF CAREER Award to develop ultra-efficient ultra-fast biomimetic robots

This award will support developing ultra-efficient ultra-fast biomimetic robots.

A seabird diving into the ocean

Wed, 08/06/2025

Nature's shock absorbers

Seabird-inspired aerospace adaptations can raise resilience upon impact.