Research Topics

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Automated vehicles
  • Autonomous systems 
  • Cognitive
  • Command and control
  • Computational mechanics
  • Computer vision
  • Data analytics
  • Engines and fuels
  • Flight research, avionics
  • Flight testing
  • Human factors/ergonomics
  • Human simulation
  • Mechanical design
  • Motion capture
  • Photonics/optical sensors
  • Robotics 
  • Satellite remote sensing
  • Sensors
  • UAV research
  • Wireless communication

Aerospace Technology News

Delfin L29 in the air

Iowa draws industry attention for AI-driven mission demo with Lockheed Martin

Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Schnell LIFT

OPL helps evaluate LIFT’s new fixed wing AV 2.2 helmet 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Tom Schnell

Flyover State: Iowa Engineers Set Their Sights on the Future of Aviation

Thursday, March 9, 2023
Aircraft inside OPL hangar

CBJ: UI flight expert briefs DARPA on AI in aerial combat

Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Tom Schnell flying Delfin L29

WATCH: Schnell, LTC Highland brief DARPA on Air Combat Evolution

Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Legislative Visit 12/22

Iowa legislators visit the OPL flight testing lab

Wednesday, December 14, 2022
Yang Liu Madigan Army Medical Center

R&D Mecca in the American Heartland

Saturday, December 3, 2022
OPL

CBJ: University of Iowa OPL’s jets offer flight testing for DARPA project

Saturday, August 20, 2022
OPL

OPL’s jets take flight for DARPA Pheme capstone demonstration

Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Schnell Mi2

UI military helicopters take off to demo tech for Joint Forces officials

Wednesday, January 12, 2022
ACE at OPL

ITI and OPL welcome teams behind DARPA's ACE program to advance AI dogfighting capabilities

Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Calvin Kielas-Jensen in CAS Lab

ITI graduate student researcher lands internship at Air Force Research Laboratory

Wednesday, April 28, 2021
OPL pilot flying an L292

OPL helps DARPA capture 'trust data' for new AI dogfighting

Wednesday, March 24, 2021
OPL L-29 Delfin carrying pod

Schnell, OPL support Collins Aerospace in testing combat training system

Friday, December 11, 2020
Abbie Moore standing in front of Old Capitol

UI student, future Air Force officer reaches for the stars

Wednesday, November 11, 2020
Mi2 Helicopter Tom Schnell

How researchers connected helicopter vibrations to stroke therapy

Thursday, October 29, 2020
737 Simulator

OPL testing contributes to better aircraft avionics and two separate awards

Friday, October 16, 2020

Research Labs

Director: Jun Wang, professor of chemical and biomedical engineering
Email: jun-wang-1@uiowa.edu
Phone: (319) 353-4483
Website: AER Lab

Research topics:

  • Satellite remote sensing
  • Sensors
Wang with AER Students

Director: Matthew McGill, professor of chemical and biochemical engineering
Email: matthew-mcgill@uiowa.edu
Website: Iowa Atmospheric Sensor Development Laboratory

IASDL group photo

Director: Shaoping Xiao, associate professor of mechanical engineering
Email: shaoping-xiao@uiowa.edu
Phone: (319) 335-6009
Website: Multiscale Computational Science and Engineering Laboratory

Xiao teaching

Director: Tom Schnell, Captain Jim "Max" Gross Chair in Engineering, professor of industrial and systems engineering, professor of occupational and environmental health, professor of electrical and computer engineering, professor of neurology
Phone:  (319) 384-0811
Email: thomas-schnell@uiowa.edu
Website: Operator Performance Laboratory

Research topics: 

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Automated vehicles
  • Autonomous systems
  • Cognitive
  • Command and control
  • Data analytics
  • Flight research - avionics
  • Flight testing
  • Human factors/ergonomics
  • Human simulation
  • Photonics/optical sensors
  • Sensors
  • UAV research
  • Wireless communication
OPL Hangar Showcase

Director: Al Ratner, associate professor of mechanical engineering
Email: albert-ratner@uiowa.edu
Phone: (319) 384-0883
Website: Ratner Research Group

Sazzad Parveg at Ratner Lab

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