My new activities at the Middle East Technical University

Dear all,

since the 18 August 2008, I have commenced to work as an assistant professor at the Middle East Technical University (North Cyprus Campus).

On the lecturing side, I am actually teaching two courses :
1- MECH202 - Manufacturing Systems to the second year students
2- MECH301 - Theory of Machines and Mechanisms to the thirs year students

Next semester, I will teach the Dynamics and Control courses.

I am preparing the fouth year Mechatronics course which is planned for next year when this campus welcomes his first fourth year students in mechanical engineering.

On the research side, my endeavours are twofolds :

1- Parallel Robotics
1.1 - I am working with Rohitash Chandra who is my assistant developing Neural Networks to solve the Forward Kinematics Problem.
1.2 - I am also designing a parallel robot for solar panel tracking where I will propose a new generation of very fast linear actuators. .

2- Serial Robotics
I have commenced applying Groebner Bases and the rational univariate representation to solve the Inverse Kinematics Problem. of general serial  manipulators

In my plans, I would like to prepare a complete book on kinematics solving.

3- Solar powered pumps

My new research endeavours are part of the new research center being developped at METU, namely The Renewable Energy Design and Applications Research:
http://www.redar.ncc.metu.edu/

3.1 - Solar panel enhancers using Concentrating Solar Panels where I have a Master student who just started.
3.2 - Efficient Solar Panel Trackers
3.3 -With professor Bourhan Tashtoush, we are studying affordable solar powered heat pump designs using hot air engine designs and CSPs. The heat pumps heat houses through a air to earth thermal circuit. The houses are being actually built and we will retrofit our new systems on these houses. We have already found a way to design very cheap CSPs.
3.4- Again with professor Bourhan Tashtoush, we are also studying affordable solar powered air conditionning units. he is working on thermodynamic cycle improvement and I am examining efficient hot air engine designs.

Luc Rolland