Kam K. Leang

Kam K. Leang
Associate Professor

Ph.D., Dec. 2004, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
MS 1999, BS 1997, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT

Phone: (775) 784-7782
Fax: (775) 784-1701
Office: Palmer Engineering, Room 212B

Website: www.kam.k.leang.com/academics (The EASY Lab)
Address: Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, MS 312; University of Nevada, Reno; Reno, NV 89557

 

Research/outreach areas
  • Modeling and precision control of active material actuators and systems; scanning probe microscopy; nanopositioning; mechatronics and robotics.

Relevant past experience

  • Research funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA Space Grant Consortium, Office of Naval Research; Visiting Scientist, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia (July – August, 2008); Assistant Prof. of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University (August 2005 to May 2008).
  

 

Awards and Honors

  • VCU/NSBE Professor-of-the-Year Award (2006/07, Student nominated award)
  • National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellow (Program in Mathematics, 2002  - 2004)
  • National Science Foundation GK-12 Fellow (College of Engineering, 2001 – 2002)
  • College of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, Univ. of Utah (1999)
  • Teaching Assistant of the Year Awards, Univ. of Utah (1997/98, 1998/99)
  • NSF Human & Computer Interface Intelligent Control Traineeship (1999)
  • International Gas Turbine Institute Scholarship (1995)
  • Clyde Christensen Scholarship (1995)

Career Overview

Dr. Leang received the Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington (Seattle, Washington) in December 2004.  He joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno in July 2008.  Between August 2005 and May 2008, he was an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, VA).  His research expertise includes dynamic systems, controls, mechatronics, and robotics.  Specifically, his research group focuses on developing advanced feedback and feedforward control techniques for electroactive material systems.  Such systems include piezoelectric actuators, shape memory alloys, and electroactive polymers.  The group’s interests also encompass input-output modeling of the complexity arising from hysteresis and dynamic effects in these systems.  Applications of the work include high-speed, high-precision nanopositioning systems, scanning probe microscopy, and micro-autonomous systems.  Dr. Leang’s research team is supported by industry and federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and NV NASA Space Grant Consortium.  Visit his research group’s web site for more information at www.kam.k.leang.com/academics.