Prof. Raveh focuses her work in the area of aeroelasticity, the interaction between aerodynamic forces and flexible structures. In an attempt for green aviation, new aircraft designs are lighter and more flexible, and thus experience aeroelastic phenomena that must be controlled. To that end, she and her students built a 3D-printed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will serve as a platform for aeroelastic experimentation.
Their A3TB, Active Aeroelastic Aircraft Testbed, will help reach the goal of designing aircraft that are lightweight and have a large wingspan, reducing drag forces to cut energy consumption and pollution. Its maiden May 2020 test flight showed the plane could fly straight and horizontal at sea level when launched from a moving vehicle. “The successful flight signals the starting point of an extensive program of research, testing, and design,” said Prof. Raveh. “Since it is a test airplane that is expected to crash at some point, these features make it possible to make many improvements without large investments.”
Prof. Raveh is a member of the Technion Faculty Ambassador Program, which prepares faculty to serve as speakers during events and meetings with supporters in the U.S. and globally. As such, Ambassador Faculty are mentored to better understand the mission of the ATS and other Technion Societies. This “Win-Win” Program is expected to benefit the Technion while also offering Ambassadors wider exposure to their research and opportunities to polish their presentation skills.
Prof. Raveh earned her Technion degrees in aeronautical and aerospace engineering, and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology before joining the Technion in 2001.
