Education

Research Description

Dr. Ferguson’s research in the area of engineering design focuses on market-based product design and the design of complex engineered systems. His contributions toward technical feasibility modeling and product line optimization have been adopted by his industrial collaborators and have received interest from market research software companies in this area. Dr. Ferguson’s research has also helped define the area of reconfigurable system design, advanced understanding of how such configuration changes can mitigate unexpected system behavior, and studied how the information presented to designers can facilitate tradeoff decisions in the presence of multiple objectives.

Honors and Awards

• ASEE New Mechanical Engineering Educator Award, 2015
• ASME Design Automation Young Investigator Award, 2014
• NC State Outstanding Teacher Award, 2012
• National Science Foundation CAREER Award, 2011

Publications

Design for excess capability to handle uncertain product requirements in a developing world setting

Allen, J. D., Mattson, C. A., Thacker, K. S., & Ferguson, S. M. (2017), Research in Engineering Design, 28(4), 511–527.

Exploring architecture selection and system evolvability

White, S., & Ferguson, S. (2017), In Proceedings of the asme international design engineering technical conferences and computers and information in engineering conference, 2017, vol 2b.

Exploring how optimal composite design is influenced by model fidelity and multiple objectives

Joglekar, S., Von Hagel, K., Pankow, M., & Ferguson, S. (2017), Composite Structures, 160, 964–975.

A case study of evolvability and excess on the B-52 stratofortress and FA-18 hornet

Long, D., & Ferguson, S. (2017), In Proceedings of the asme international design engineering technical conferences and computers and information in engineering conference, 2017, vol 4.

Bubble tracking simulations of turbulent two-phase flows

Fang, J., & Bolotnov, I. A. (2016), In Proceedings of the asme fluids engineering division summer meeting, 2016, vol 1b.

Design optimization and analysis of a prescribed vibration system

Malinga, B., Ferguson, S. M., & Buckner, G. D. (2016), (pp. 353–360).

Evaluation of system evolvability based on usable excess

Allen, J. D., Mattson, C. A., & Ferguson, S. M. (2016), Journal of Mechanical Design (New York, N.Y. : 1990), 138(9).

Excess identification and mapping in engineered systems

Cansler, E. Z., White, S. B., Ferguson, S. M., & Mattson, C. A. (2016), Journal of Mechanical Design (New York, N.Y. : 1990), 138(8).

Exploring the relationship between excess and system evolutions using a stress-test

Cansler, E. Z., Ferguson, S. M., & Mattson, C. A. (2016),

Modeling noncompensatory choices with a compensatory model for a product design search

Shin, J., & Ferguson, S. (2016),

View all publications via NC State Libraries

View publications on Google Scholar

Grants

Algorithm optimization and tuning for Under Armour

Under Armour(11/15/18 - 5/14/19)

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Algorithm optimization and tuning for Under Armour

Sponsor: Under Armour

Start Date: 11/15/18

End Date: 5/14/19

Abstract

This project involves optimization of existing code from Under Armour.

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UAS Roadmap

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/17 - 7/31/19)

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UAS Roadmap

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/17

End Date: 7/31/19

Abstract

Accurately mapping wetlands at the road planning stage is critical for timely, cost-effective, and compliant projects. Assessing wetland impacts on proposed road corridors have required trained personnel to identify, measure and evaluate acreage impacts to jurisdictional wetland. NCDOT’s Wetland Predictive Model (WPM) is a GIS and remote sensing-based tool designed to reduce the need for these costly and time-consuming activities by creating a preliminary map of wetlands without the need for field measurements. To do so, the WPM uses lidar-derived terrain variables such as elevation and slope alongside soil maps and other geospatial data as inputs to a predictive model. WPM inputs such as lidar data are expensive and time-consuming to collect, and so are available only infrequently. Likewise, other geospatial data such as high-resolution satellite imagery and digital soil maps are not always available at the frequency necessary for accurate wetland mapping in potential corridors. Even when up-to-date observations are available, they may lack the spatial or spectral resolution necessary to aid in wetland identification.

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Powering Energy Efficiency & Impacts Framework: Mapping a comprehensive energy strategy for the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Region

US Dept. of Energy (DOE) - Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)(10/01/16 - 12/31/18)

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Powering Energy Efficiency & Impacts Framework: Mapping a comprehensive energy strategy for the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments Region

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE) - Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

Start Date: 10/01/16

End Date: 12/31/18

Abstract

Households in the five counties of the Upper Coastal Plains Council of Government (UCPCOG) spend an average of 35.92% of their total income on energy, compared to 10% for the average US household. Reducing the energy burden of low-income and energy intensive homes is a major challenge for local governments in the UCPCOG region. There are a number of federal, state, local programs that are targeted on improving energy efficiency for low-income households; however, these programs are run independently, leading to little, if any coordination. Our proposed framework allows for integrated planning, combined evaluation of impacts, and tracking of real energy savings from these programs. Our Powering Energy Efficiency & Impacts Framework includes an enterprise geodatabase of all the federal, state, utility, and local programs in the region. The spatial database will allow for a number of data analyses, including segmentation and cluster analysis. The data will be overlayed with various other external data to identify and target low-income households in the region. Our tool will be integrated with Resispeak, a utility energy analysis software, which will help track energy savings associated with the programs. Resispeak will also be used to identify homes with high energy intensity and to provide targeted outreach for applicable energy efficiency programs. This framework will allow UCPCOG and local governments in the region to conduct integrated planning, and informed decision-making, while creating a platform for independently run programs to collaborate, track associated energy savings, and increase program impacts.

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Workshop: NSF CAREER Writing Workshop for Early Career Professionals; Charlotte, NC; August 23, 2016

National Science Foundation (NSF)(8/01/16 - 7/31/17)

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Workshop: NSF CAREER Writing Workshop for Early Career Professionals; Charlotte, NC; August 23, 2016

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 8/01/16

End Date: 7/31/17

Abstract

The goal of this workshop is to provide PhD students, postdocs, and early career faculty in the engineering design community with a specific forum to learn and discuss best practice when preparing for a NSF CAREER proposal. A second goal of this workshop is to encourage interaction between junior and senior faculty and strengthen the community bonds by providing a forum to discuss career development and planning. Such a workshop is necessary because CAREER proposals are inherently different from general unsolicited proposals to a NSF program, and those preparing to submit a CAREER must consider 1) how their proposed efforts relate to their overall career vision, 2) how such a proposal should be structured, 3) how to make the right connections that support the proposal, and 4) how to incorporate feedback from previous panels. This workshop will be held at the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers & Information in Engineering Conference (ASME IDETC/CIE) as part of the Design for Manufacturing and the Life Cycle Conference. This workshop will take place on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC and approximately 140 attendees will be expected (subject to room availability).

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CAD Apps for Core Courses in AE and ME Curricula: Bridge Funding 

The MathWorks, Inc.(1/01/16 - 5/31/17)

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CAD Apps for Core Courses in AE and ME Curricula: Bridge Funding 

Sponsor: The MathWorks, Inc.

Start Date: 1/01/16

End Date: 5/31/17

Abstract

The proposed work is essentially a bridge effort. The goal is to advance the work that was performed in the previous instructional grant, in preparation for an NSF grant that will broaden the impact of our work. The primary objective is to develop a design tool that can be used with each of the five CAD apps and support further instructional software testing and assessment. Currently, when using any one of the apps, the user selects nodes, connects them to create a structure, applies boundary conditions, then applies loads, and finally runs the program after which results are displayed in different forms (movies, static drawings, tabular  data, pop‐ups, etc). The user essentially runs one case. 

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Building a Business Case for UAS Use in Public Power Operations

American Public Power Association(12/16/14 - 11/30/16)

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Building a Business Case for UAS Use in Public Power Operations

Sponsor: American Public Power Association

Start Date: 12/16/14

End Date: 11/30/16

Abstract

The objective of this project is to explore the value proposition of using UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) to support the operation and maintenance of municipal power systems. Constructing the business case for this integration will involve identifying municipality needs that can be addressed by UAS, categorizing UAS capabilities, quantifying the the advantages of using UAS, modeling the cost of UAS operations, and defining optimal deployment strategies. To meet the multidisciplinary challenges associated with this project, researchers from North Carolina State University will team with employees from ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc. to work with member municipalities in the state of North Carolina. If successful, deliverables of this project will include a quantifiable assessment of the advantages provided by UAS, a framework for UAS deployment in the selected municipalities, a software-based tool that will allow municipalities to explore how deployment strategy is influenced by various business objectives, and the identification of UAS technological advancements needed to maximize UAS advantages in public power distribution systems. It is expected that this work will benefit public power by increasing system reliability, by providing scalable and generalizable decision support tools for UAS integration, and by providing opportunities for public power to obtain further cost savings by integrating with other industries who use the same system infrastructure.

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Transfer Spike Analysis and Redesign

Neogen(12/02/13 - 3/31/14)

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Transfer Spike Analysis and Redesign

Sponsor: Neogen

Start Date: 12/02/13

End Date: 3/31/14

Abstract

Analysis and redesign of transfer spike. The objective of this project is to address the limitations of a current transfer spike design used by Neogen. This objective will initially be met through experimental testing and computer simulation. Experimental testing will e run on the existing design to identify operating scenarios where the performance of the system does not meet the stated objectives. Numerical simulations will be run using computational models to simultaneously validate experimental results and provide insight into the fluid-flow dynamics within the transfer spike that are causing performance issues.

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Collaborative Research: Mitigating Emergent System Behavior through System Evolvability

National Science Foundation (NSF)(6/01/13 - 5/31/17)

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Collaborative Research: Mitigating Emergent System Behavior through System Evolvability

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 6/01/13

End Date: 5/31/17

Abstract

The objective of this research is to discover the principles governing evolvability of complex engineered systems, and to understand how those principles can be used to design systems that evolve as future needs emerge once deployed and in service. If this research is successful, we will better understand the extent to which system evolvability can be used to reduce system failures and extend longevity. Further, we will have quantitative measures of evolvability that can be used in conjunction with effective and existing decision making tools to improve the system design process. Problem Statement: Complex Engineered Systems (CES) are unusually challenging to design. This is because CES have elaborate internal interactions that couple numerous subsystems from disparate organizational and technological disciplines, and also because they exhibit unanticipated emergent behavior, which is often detrimental to system functionality and longevity. Although CES provide essential benefits to modern society, the US workforce is not currently well equipped to successfully design them ? especially in the present environment of growing complexity. Although we?ve come to understand that numerous inherent interactions and the inevitability of emergent behavior are at the root of CES failure and obsolescence, our understanding of how to handle them is severely limited. Research Question: To what degree can a system?s ability to evolve in service mitigate negative emergent behavior? And what principles govern the design of systems that are capable of evolving in response to such behavior? Expected Outcomes: 1. An empirical study describing triggers and approaches for service-phase evolution 2. Quantitative measurements and representations of service-phase system evolution 3. Quantitative assessment of the expected utility benefit of CES evolvability 4. Exploration into the extent by which expected system longevity influences architecture definition and the design benefits achieved via evolvability Broader Impact Modern US society, it's security, and economy are inextricably tied to CES. These systems include commercial aircraft, telecommunication satellites, military weapon systems, and many, many others. In the present environment of growing complexity, today's CES are becoming less and less flexible in service. Ultimately this means less system agility, resulting in higher costs and taxes to citizens. Simply stated, every US citizen would benefit from a stronger national engineering workforce that is more fully equipped to design and sustain CES. This research will improve our ability to design agile systems that avoid these unwanted cost increases to society. Intellectual Merit In February 2012, the NSF and NASA held a workshop on complex engineered systems. This workshop convened approximately 120 individuals from academia, government, and industry to discuss the needs and promising directions in the area of large-scale engineered systems design. A recurring theme emerging from the workshop was the concept of system evolution and our need to control and capitalize on it. This proposal directly seeks to understand system evolution and the relationship between system design and the tendency for systems to evolve and succeed through evolution. Specifically, this proposal seeks to explore the relationship between emerging needs and our ability to meet them through principles of system evolvability. Research Plan: 1. Conduct empirical studies to understand how existing large-scale systems have evolved 2. Identify quantitative measures of service-phase system evolution 3. Quantitatively measure the expected utility benefit of evolvable systems 4. Explore how expected system longevity influences the extent to which a design benefits from evolvability

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Transforming Teaching Through Implementing Inquiry (T2I2)

National Science Foundation (NSF)(11/30/-1 - 7/31/16)

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Transforming Teaching Through Implementing Inquiry (T2I2)

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 11/30/-1

End Date: 7/31/16

Abstract

This project will focus on developing research-proven professional development resources that integrate professional development with assessment practice. The end product will constitute a professional development and research-proven cyber infrastructure for technology, engineering and design educators. The project will provide a platform for professional development providers and researchers to evaluate effectiveness of state-of-the-art cyber systems for improving teacher quality. Knowledge gained through this R&D project will aid in the design and improvement of adaptable professional development cyber systems for other standards-based initiatives. R&D activities will help us learn how professional development models work, with whom, and under what circumstances.

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Enabling All-Access Mobility for Planetary Exploration Vehicles via Transformative Reconfiguration

National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)(11/30/-1 - 10/31/12)

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Enabling All-Access Mobility for Planetary Exploration Vehicles via Transformative Reconfiguration

Sponsor: National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)

Start Date: 11/30/-1

End Date: 10/31/12

Abstract

Space systems are required to operate in extreme environments with widely varying conditions. The inability of a space system to adapt to changing, uncertain operating conditions can result in significantly degraded performance, or at worst, the total loss of the system. This scenario was demonstrated when Opportunity became immobilized when its wheels sank into an unexpectedly soft Martian soil type. Further, there are several regions on Mars considered to be ?chaotic terrain?, or areas characterized by a combination of ridges, cracks, and valleys. Terrain issues, however, are not the only concern. On the surface of Mars a rover experiences a 60 degree shift in temperature at the mid-latitudes (0o F at mid-day, -60o F at night), 100% humidity at night with undersaturated air during the day, and significant levels of dust and sand raised by winds topping 60 miles per hour. This harsh and unpredictable environment serves as an illustrative example that a different system design mindset is needed when designing for increased all-access mobility. New technologies allow for systems that are increasingly multifunctional, expanding system capabilities and opportunities for deployment. While many efforts have explored the sensing and controls aspect of planetary rovers, little work has been done at the systems-level to re-envision the physical design of these spacecraft. Therefore, the central objective of this proposal is to explore how reconfigurability ? repeatable and reversible changes in physical configuration after system deployment ? can be physically instantiated in spacecraft to ensure enhanced mobility across diverse, uncertain terrains. To accomplish this objective, we propose to use transformation principles (expand/collapse, fuse/divide, expose/cover, rotate) in a system-level design process to generate solutions toward changing a system?s form. Previous research in this area has focused on the principle required rather than the technologies needed to perform the action. Thus, we propose to explore technologies that can be used to accommodate reconfigurability and investigate the ability of these solutions to provide the desired performance gains while simultaneously identifying any limitations and shortcomings. Using systems-level thinking to choose the best concept, a physical prototype of the system will be created. The functionality of this prototype will serve to further the TRL level for this solution and provide a foundation for future research. The significant uncertainties about terrain conditions make it highly desirable for spacecraft to have robust mobility capabilities. Advancements in system architecture that are gained from the incorporation of reconfigurability will transform our perceptions on the constraints that dictate the terrain on which these systems can perform and the range they are capable of achieving. Further, the evolution of this system architecture over the course of multiple missions can lead to increased cost savings and the ability to rapidly explore new, harsh environments.

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