11/29/2021
By Sokny Long

The Francis College of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, invites you to attend a doctoral proposal defense by Nicholas A. Valente on “Non-Invasive Quantification of Phase-Based Magnified Motion for Structural Dynamic Applications.”

Ph.D. Candidate: Nicholas A. Valente
Defense Date: Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021
Time: 9 to 10:30 a.m. EST
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact the student, nicholas_valente@student.uml.edu, and committee advisor, Zhu_Mao@uml.edu, at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Committee Chair (Advisor): Zhu Mao, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, WPI

Committee Members:

  • Christopher Niezrecki, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UMass Lowell
  • Janko Slavič, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana
  • Alessandro Sabato, Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, UMass Lowell

Brief Abstract:

Phase-based motion magnification (PMM) has been widely implemented in the field of vibration and structural health monitoring for its non-invasive nature to reveal hidden system dynamics. The approach has shown success in magnifying subtle structural oscillatory motions for system identification and observation of operating shapes. Although this method has been implemented and is becoming increasingly popular, the amount of physical motion associated with the degree of magnification has yet to be quantified. Computer vision techniques are adopted to quantify the relation between amplification and true motion. Motion artifacts distort the integrity of the magnified motion, which can pose problems for accurate quantification. Image enhancement techniques and complex algorithm architecture are implemented to smooth the high-frequency content that is observed following magnification. In addition, quantification techniques are tested and verified on experimental structures with the use of a high-speed optical sensing system. The results of this work will help to enhance PMM from a qualitative evaluation tool to a quantitative measurement tool of magnified displacements.

All interested students and faculty members are invited to attend the online defense via remote access.