PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 8, 2023) — In an exciting development in the field of naval engineering, Dr. Chang Duan, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), has secured a $167,000 grant from the Naval Engineering Education Consortium through the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEES). 

 The grant, awarded under the project titled “Sentient Engineering Autonomy: Learning, Intelligent, and Optimal Naval Systems” (SEALIONS), is set to span from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2026. Dr. Duan will be collaborating with Dr. Manoranjan Majji, associate professor of aerospace engineering at Texas A&M University (TAMU) in College Station. 

“This project will contribute positively to the visibility of the department, college, and PVAMU’s research profile. It brings additional research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and contributes to the department’s ongoing effort to grow our graduate program and establish the Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree,” said Duan. “I cannot wait to bring in students who are interested in AI/ML, control, and autonomous systems and work together on this exciting project.”

Chang Duan, Ph.D.

A crucial aspect of the SEALIONS project involves the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) modules for the unmanned aerial system (UAS) control system. These modules will also be integral to enhancing communications within the SEALIONS framework. Dr. Chang Duan’s team at PVAMU is taking the lead on this front, showcasing their exceptional capabilities in AI and ML, and their contribution is expected to make significant strides in the development of autonomous naval systems. 

“This project demonstrates the invaluable contribution of PVAMU as an R2 research institution and is a significant milestone in the advancement of naval systems and to the broader field of engineering research,” said PVAMU Vice President of Research & Innovation Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., MBA.   This grant represents not only the recognition of Dr. Chang Duan’s expertise but also the collaborative spirit of research in academia. The collaboration between Prairie View A&M University and Texas A&M University exemplifies how pooling resources and knowledge from different institutions can yield groundbreaking results. 

“As the PI, Dr. Majji and I have been collaborating for a while and I am excited that we can work on what we proposed. “PVAMU students who participate in this project will not only be mentored by me but also receive peer mentoring from TAMU students and have the opportunity to work in the 7400 square foot Land Air and Space Robotics (LASR) laboratory at College Station.”  

As Dr. Chang Duan embarks on this exciting journey, we look forward to the discoveries and innovations that will emerge from his work. The SEALIONS project holds the promise of transforming naval systems into intelligent, autonomous, and optimal entities, ushering in a new era of naval engineering. We celebrate Dr. Chang Duan’s accomplishments and eagerly anticipate the impact his research will have on the field of naval engineering and beyond. 

 

By Jenna Craig